Community News: February 2019

February 24 - March 2, 2019: Issue 394

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 394

Save Mona Vale Hospital Supporters Dawn Vigil As Tender For New Works Close: Next Protest Meeting At Mona Vale Village Green - March 16th

Environment, Safety and Traffic In Palm Beach To Be Impacted By Off Leash Dog Trial

Successful Resuscitation Of 57 Year Old Man By Avalon Beach SLSC Bronze Squad Member: Highlights Value of AED Awareness Courses Available at ABSLSC by Roger Sayers

DIY Ideas: 2018 Winners Of National Hardware Store Of The Year - Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale! + End Of Summer Garden To Do List; Weeding and Dead-Heading with Fast and Easy Weeding Tips, Harvesting and Clearing Space, Autumn Planting, Preparing Mulch and Compost, Maintaining Shrubs and Trees

Archie's Pittwater Clean Up Fundraiser - To Install 20 Seabins On Our Estuary: Inspirational 13 year old, every $1 counts, every marina could have one (or two!)

Great News Story Of The Week - she did it!: Michelle Lee, First Australian Female To Row SOLO Across The Atlantic - this time last year Michelle was rowing around Pittwater!

Aquatics: NSW Win Interstate Surfboat Championships: Local Surf Club Crews Dominate 2019 Team Navy ASRL Finals

Harold Nossiter's Classic Yachts: Harold Nossiter Snr, Dick Nossiter and Harold Nossiter Jnr. were the first Australians to circumnavigate the globe in an Australian built yacht - the Sirius. What yachts did he own prior to the Sirius though?

Kelly Slater to Start 2019 Season at Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. + World's Best Shapers Return to Manly + Sisstrevolution to support Female Surfing at Avoca and Manly from Surfing NSW

Pictures: Palm Beach Sailing Club Hosts The 2019 F16 Australian Nationals On Pittwater

Valerie Taylor Brings The Deep Sea To MAG&M:  the words and paintings of her children’s book Melody the Mermaid: Adventures in the Kingdoms of the Sea will line the gallery walls and take the viewer on a literary and visual journey through the story. 22 March – 28 April 2019 - includes Opening, Artist in Conversation and Family Book reading events 

Council's One-Stop Resource Centre For Northern Beaches Teachers

Big Names and Fabulous Prizes For Sydney Harbour Regatta 2019 by Di Pearson - Entries close Feb. 25th

Australia Wins Inaugural SailGP In Sydney: Next Stop Is San Francisco

Reflections by George Repin: THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JAMES – ŠIBENIK, CROATIA

Park Bench Philosopher Clean Up Australia Day 2019: Local Clean Ups by Postcode, The 30th Anniversary Of Clean Up Sydney Harbour, 'Change Starts With YOU' Poetry Competition for High School classes or Youth Groups between the ages of 12-18

Friendly's MO To GO! In 2019 World's Greatest Shave's 21st Year  No one has seen that upper lip bare for over 48 years - an interview with Mr. Friend on all things MO - chip in to help out!!

Profile: Friends Of Currawong Update: February 2019 - Call Out For New Members And Committee Members
Ten years ago we were fighting hard to save Currawong from development for private housing. After a long campaign, it was a great victory when Currawong was bought by the NSW State Government in 2011. Perhaps you were one of the many people who helped achieve that victory through letters, submissions and public protests?

This update is to let you know what is happening with Currawong and to refresh our membership list of people who want to stay informed. Membership is free and we will not ask for donations – you just need to complete and return the attached form. To our long-term members, please confirm your membership and current contact details by also returning the form.

History: Pittwater Roads II: Where the Streets Have Your name - Scotland Island
What stories are behind the names of some of our Pittwater streets, who were these people when they're not a 'Currawong', 'Waratah', 'Foamcrest' or 'Central' Road 

Artists of the Month: February 2019: FAMILIA | GROUP EXHIBITION A group of six Brazilian visual artists based in Sydney have gathered to share their experiences and collaborate with each other. This exhibition, entitled 'Familia' is the collaboration resulting from their individual journeys coming together in a group.

The exhibition showcases creations by Cassia Bundock, Fabio Manzini (a.k.a. juxta.fab), Flavia Julius, Lia Marx - Photos & Films, Marisa Pasicznik Ross, and Murilo Manzini (a.k.a. Muzi).

The Familia group exhibition will run February 8th through to March 3, 2019 at the Be Brave Artspace, North Avalon. 

 Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update 1/2/2019 

click on Logo: 

To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Council's First Meeting For 2019

Council will hold their first Ordinary Meeting for 2019 this coming  Tuesday, February 26th.

The Agenda and Attachment Booklet covers a wide range of Items and Motions tabled for this meeting and can be accessed HERE.

Council Briefs will run next Issue, after the Councillors have considered and determined the matters included in this agenda.

Fox Baiting - Notice To Pet Owners

1080 baits will be laid between 25 February and 15 March 2019 in the following reserves;
  • - Manly Dam, Manly Vale
  • - Allenby Park, Allambie Heights
  • - Middle Creek Reserve, Oxford Falls
  • - Jamieson Park, Narrabeen
  • - Deep Creek, Narrabeen
Warning signs will be displayed.

Mona Vale Hospital Kiosk Looking For Volunteers

Volunteers are required to work 3 hour shifts, weekly, fortnightly or monthly in preparation for the kiosk’s move to new premises next to the Acute Care Centre in the next few months.  No previous experience is necessary so come and meet new people and provide the staff and public with coffees, teas and prepared food.  Please either drop into the kiosk or phone 9998 0272, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm and leave your details.

The sausage sizzles volunteers also need cooks urgently, just one Saturday a month for 2 hours at Bunnings, Narrabeen.  Please also leave details at the kiosk.

2018 Winners Of National Hardware Store Of The Year - Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale !!!

Photo: (L-R) Ged Johnson, Elyse Johnson, Josh Johnson, Peter Johnson, James Johnson, Janelle Johnson, Robert Johnson

At the Awards of Excellence Dinner held at Adelaide Exhibition Centre at approximately 10:30pm on Wednesday the 20th of February 2019, the Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale store was announced as the 2018 National Hardware Store of the Year. The national win awarded by the Independent Hardware Group, comes in addition to state wins in the trade store and large format category’s as well as a finalist in the Garden Centre category and a previous state win for Hardware Australia’s store of the Year.

The National awards are scored across a range of categories including product range, presentation, staff training and customer experience. The customer experience includes heavily weighted mystery shopper results that can ultimately be the deciding factor. “This is the result of years of hard work by a passionate team of staff and 65 years of hard work by a passionate family” says Ged Johnson, Store Manager of Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale. “We can’t do this without the support of the beaches community and the support of our amazing customers”

Stores are only considered eligible after trading on a new site for a full twelve months. Having opened in April of 2017, The 2018 awards were the first year that the Mona Vale store was eligible for consideration.

Overhaul For Pittwater's Commercial Fishing Rules 

Friday February 22, 2019: From Office of Rob Stokes, MP for Pittwater 

Commercial fishing changes are being introduced in the Pittwater estuary. 

Through the cooperation of the small number of commercial fishing operators who work in the estuary, changes have been voluntarily agreed to amend the areas and methods permitted to be used for commercial fishing activity in the Pittwater. 

Key changes include:
  • Prohibiting commercial hauling south of a line between Sand Point at Palm Beach and The Basin
  • No mesh netting during daylight hours
  • No mesh nets to be set and left unattended
  • Modifying traps and nets to reduce by-catch
  • Better identification of floats to reduce navigational risks

“The Pittwater is one of our most important and impressive natural assets,” Rob Stokes said today. 

“The environmental and economic sustainability of the estuary has benefits for our whole community. 

“These changes reflect a positive plan to ensure the ongoing health and functionality of the waterway. 

“There has been long-standing concern about conflict between the different users of the waterway and the need to strike a better balance into the future. 

“This is an encouraging example of government, industry and the community working together to deliver an outcome that will have wide-reaching benefits,” Rob Stokes said.


A Strong Leadership Team To Deliver For The Northern Beaches

Wednesday, 20 February 2019: Media Release - Northern Beaches Council
Northern Beaches Council has announced the new leadership team that reflects the organisation’s strategic focus on delivering the highest quality service to the community.

CEO Ray Brownlee said Council had undertaken a rigorous and competitive recruitment process with more than 241 applications received for the six leadership positions.

“The calibre of professionals who want to work with us has been outstanding,” Mr Brownlee said.

“With a strong focus on community, our new leadership team brings enormous talent and experience that will guide the transformation of the organisation.

“Our elected Council has much they want to achieve and we have high expectations from our community.

“The new structure, leadership team and our committed workforce will drive us forward to deliver our Community Strategic Plan and achieve real benefits for our residents.”

The new team of Directors are:

Director Community and Belonging - David Kerr
David brings more than 15 years’ experience in senior management within local government to the role. He has worked across a broad range of portfolios and currently leads the Northern Beaches team responsible for community, planning and children’s services.

Director Environment and Sustainability - Todd Dickinson
With over 20 years’ experience in the environment field, Todd has a background in both technical and leadership roles with a strong track record in the delivery of works, services, strategic planning and implementing change.

Director Corporate and Legal - Jeff Smith
Jeff is a strategic leader in local government with experience across a broad diversity of portfolios including corporate and financial planning, financial operations, human resources, administration services, business systems, technology systems and spatial systems departments.

Director Planning and Place - Louise Kerr
Louise is a highly experienced local government planner with extensive leadership experience that spans over 25 years. She has worked in planning and management positions at a number of large metropolitan councils and currently leads 220 staff in the largest planning assessment and regulatory division in NSW at the City of Sydney.

Director Transport and Assets - Jorde Frangoples
Jorde brings more than 25 years’ experience in local government and has an excellent understanding of the issues relating to service delivery, people management both internally and externally, as well as the provision of infrastructure.

The recruitment process for the Director Workforce and Technology is continuing.

Reg Wood In 1944

Life Member Reg Wood sent Avalon Beach SLSC this great photo and story from his patrolling days in 1944.



"I have enclosed a photo of myself in a costume I designed myself. It comprised a pair of my Dad's long johns and t-shirt covered in purple and red dots. Some of the boys were getting a bit browned off at travelling for a couple of hours to sit on a wooden stool. (Most lived in the city). 

To spark up the hours on patrol I had an idea. After setting up the patrol I slipped off to the toilet and instead went back into the Club and changed into my old style costume I had made up and sauntered down towards the patrol area. One of the boys saw me and gave a laugh with which the whole patrol turned and as one raced up the beach I could not get away from them as I was the worst runner in the Club. By this time all the beach turned to see what was going on as the boys unceremoniously picked me up, twisting and turning, and carried me down to the water and with a one, two, three tossed me into the surf. Wet and spluttering I stumbled from the surf and walked stately back up to the Clubhouse. I had given the boys the lift they needed." 

Thanks Reg for your many wonderful memories of life at Avalon Beach SLSC.

For more - Read Reg's Profile

Australian Premiere 'Trouble: The Lisa Andersen Story'

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
The Newport
2 Kalinya St, Newport
FREE

Join SurfAid and Lisa Andersen on the deck at The Newport for the Australian Premiere of 'Trouble: The Lisa Andersen Story', brought to you by ROXY. 

Lisa Andersen is one of surfing’s few transcendent stars. Four-time world champ, first woman on the cover of Surfer, six-time Surfer of the Year and inductee into the Surfer hall of Fame. She is a bona fide surf icon except this is not a story about surfing, or not really. It is the story of chasing of dreams and their consequences. The story of a woman brave enough to be vulnerable.

All proceeds support SurfAid’s mission to improve mother and child health, basic healthcare, and nutrition in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

Pittwater Regatta - 16 & 17 February 2019

February 19, 2019: by RPAYC
Two classic days of racing offshore from Palm Beach saw 10 boats battling it out in IRC, ORC and PHS divisions.

Saturday saw light winds and after an hours postponement saw 3 races conducted in light ENE winds. In IRC and the battle for the Pittwater Cup - Bushranger, Nine Dragons and Windy Too toped the leader board, only a couple of points separating them. The ORC results had Bushranger with 3 bullets, Windy Too in second and Conspiracy only a few points behind in third.

The PHS Division saw 3 different winners in each of the races – Conspiracy, Astral and Risk meaning the 3 of them sat in that order at the top of the leaderboard overnight.

Sunday, as the forecast predicted, saw a Northeasterly breeze of 12-15knots – Champagne sailing conditions. With no discards the pressure was on the leaders for no mistakes.

Race 4 saw the tussle for the Pittwater Cup continued between last years winner, Bob Cox on Nine Dragons and overnight leader Gerry Hatton on Bushranger with Gerry edging out a short handed Nine Dragons by just 13 seconds on corrected time. It was not to go all Bushrangers way as Nine Dragons overturned the result in race 5 taking the win by 14 seconds. Going into race 6; Nine Dragons needed to win with Bushranger no better than 3rd to retain the cup. Nine Dragons did their bit and took the bullet but Bushranger just pipped Conspiracy by 3 seconds to take second place and the series win on countback. Bushranger toped the ORC results with 6 bullets a perfect result.

Conspiracy, Astral and Risk resume their battle for the Petrel Cup. Astral enjoyed the increased breeze, sailing to 2nd in race 4 and then winning race 5. Going into the final race Astral and Conspiracy were tied on 14 points. Amazingly race 6 saw a tie for the win on corrected time, between Ian Edwards on Wings and Kieran Mulcahy on Astral with Conspiracy in 3rd meaning Astral won the series and the Petrel Cup.



Photos – Gerry Hatton lifts the Pittwater Cup, Kieran Mulcahy lifts the Petrel Cup

Bayview Golf Club Development Proposal Update: February 2019

Waterbrook P/L requested on 23rd November 2018  that their original Site Compatibility Certificate (SCC) be amended to change the type of housing that had been originally proposed, to change the approved location of the development footprint and to include the entire golf course site as being compatible with Seniors Housing.
 
They also requested that all the conditions that were applied to the SCC certificate, as being items that needed to be further reviewed during the DA phase be removed. These were important issues such as - form, height, bulk, scale, setbacks and landscaping; - flood risk management and excavation design responses; - car parking and access requirements for all existing and proposed land uses on the site; and - potential ecological impacts. 
 
The Department of Planning asked them to withdraw this 23rd November 2018 application as adding additional land ( the entire golf course) to an existing SCC is not allowed under the legislation.
 
[The applicant did not withdraw the application rather they changed their SCC amendment application to fit the previous land definition on the existing SCC. It wasn't refused by the DPE however and is still listed as 'under consideration'.]
 
The proponent then submitted a second a request for amendments on 8th January 2019 , removing their request for the whole golf course land to be included but the other items requested under their amendment remained.
 
Council's response to this request for amendment to the existing SCC has been placed on the DPE website (Jan 30, 2019)
 
scc.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/proposaldetails.phpNBEAC_001_01- refer to the top document for council's response.
 
Council objects to the amendment on various grounds including the DPE's own policy regarding SCC's which states that they can not be amended.

Council also reiterates that their previous extensive response and objections to this development on recreational land remains unchanged.
 
Running concurrently to the review for an SCC amendment by the DPE, the Land and Environment Court is hearing an appeal by the developer to approve the DA which was refused by the Sydney North Planning Panel on 13 August 2018. The final day of this LEC hearing is the 12th of February, 2019.
 
The petition established to object to this development now has over 70,000 signatures and over 1,000 objections were submitted in October 2018 to Council in regard to the amended development application.

Visit: the petition calling on the NSW Planning Minister to refuse the application/s is still available .


DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Goofy

AGE/SEX: 6 months / M
BREED: Bull Arab X
Goofy was at a vet for euthanasia at 5 months after he fractured his leg. We had his leg repaired by a specialist surgeon and he is now learning to walk again. He is non-reactive walking past other dogs and cats. He is on 2 feeds per day and we are building up his condition. He has a short coat and currently weighs 17.0kg. We expect him to grow to at least 30kg. He would suit a family where someone is home most of the time and have a garden for him to play in. 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.

Crimson

Carmine, Crimson, Rose, Ruby, Terracotta are Scarlet's daughters and Rust is her son. They are currently 10 weeks old (7/2) and ready for their forever homes. They have spent a lot of their lives in a busy vet hospital around other cats and dogs.
She comes desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $220.

For further details or to meet all cats 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 

Speakers Wanted: Rotary Club Of Frenchs Forest

The Rotary Club of Frenchs Forest is looking for speakers to address our regular meetings - recently, we have had presentations on the local property market, the Northern Beaches Hospital, historical information on Sydney and its landmarks, various charitable organisations and even travel stories from those who have been to exotic locations...

We would like to invite speakers with a cause, an insight or just a good story. We'll also invite the public to listen as guests, so we can expand your audience!

We meet most Monday evenings at the Forestville RSL and some Monday mornings at various cafes in the area.

Please call Brian on 0402 938 870 to discuss your topic and select a date to join us.

(We'll even shout you dinner or breakfast on the day.)

Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment February 2019 Forum

7pm Monday Feb 25 2019 
Coastal Environment Centre, Pelican Path,  
Lake Park Road, Narrabeen  
Possums, Gliders and Fauna Surveys 

Jayden Walsh and Brad Law will shine a light on the behaviour of our native animals — particularly possums  (including the endangered pygmy possum) and gliders. 

Brad Law, who is an expert on Eastern Pygmy Possums,  will also give some insights about local fauna surveys. 

Make sure you put February 25 in your diary and , so that you don’t miss out, book your ticket early by emailing Judith Bennett at - email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au

Bush Regeneration  
 
Belrose area - Thursday mornings  
Belrose area - Weekend mornings  
Contact: Conny Harris 0432 643 295 
 
Wheeler Creek - Wed mornings 9-11am 
Contact: Judith Bennett 0402 974 105 

2019 NSW State Election

Saturday, 23 March 2019: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Election of the 57th Parliament of New South Wales, including all 93 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and 21 of the 42 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council.

You can check your current electoral enrolment by entering your details on check.aec.gov.au or by phoning the AEC on 13 23 26.  You must be enrolled by 4 March 2019 to be eligible to vote.

To enrol for the first time or get back on the roll, you can enrol online. Visit: www.aec.gov.au/enrol

If you have moved, you need to update your address details on the electoral roll. However, if you are overseas or going overseas, please see the information on the going overseas page of the AEC website.

If you have special needs or there are specific circumstances that may affect your enrolment there are special enrolment formsavailable on the AEC website for you to complete to update your address details.

For senior citizens
If you find it difficult to get to a polling place on election day, you can apply to become a General Postal Voter to receive your ballot papers in the mail. The AEC also provides mobile polling to some nursing homes and hospitals, and uses accessible polling places wherever possible. In cases where an accessible polling place is not available, alternative arrangements are in place to assist those people who may be unable to access a polling place without assistance.


For people with a disability
If you find it difficult to get to a polling place on election day, you can apply to become a General Postal Voter to receive your ballot papers in the mail. The AEC also provides mobile polling to some hospitals, and uses accessible polling places wherever possible. In cases where an accessible polling place is not available, alternative arrangements are in place to assist those people who may be unable to access a polling place without assistance.

If you have a physical disability that prevents you from writing, you can get someone else to complete and sign an enrolment form for persons unable to sign their name on your behalf.

Some people may require additional support to enrol and vote, such as people with an intellectual, cognitive or psychosocial disability. The AEC provides a range of information written in Easy English. Easy English is more accessible for people who have difficulty reading and understanding written information.

A Survey On Ticks And Wildlife In The Northern Beaches

The University of Sydney is conducting a study to better understand how residents and their pets are encountering ticks and wildlife in their backyards. We invite all Northern Beaches residents to participate in our survey.

Coastal bushland remnants and other green spaces across the Northern Beaches are home to a variety of native plants and animals. They also provide a place for residents to enjoy their favourite outdoor pastimes. Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are common in the Northern Beaches and feed on a wide range of animal hosts during their life cycle. Understanding the complex relationship between ticks and their host species is an essential part of our research. The information we gain will contribute to our growing knowledge of ticks and will guide future research efforts.

We aim to identify:
  • Areas where people are encountering ticks more than others (tick 'hotspots'),
  • Backyard and landscape features that may influence tick presence, and
  • Wildlife using backyards and how this might or might not influence tick occurrence
To meet these aims, it is important for you to provide a street address. If you would prefer not to, we ask that you provide your street name and nearest cross street. It is important for us to create a map of tick encounters to understand what landscape features might influence tick presence and where to target future research.

All identifying information will be removed from any data presentations.

The survey should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is voluntary. 

If you have any questions about the project, please contact PhD candidate Casey Taylor on 02 9351 3189 or casey.taylor@sydney.edu.au. This project is being undertaken by the University of Sydney in association with Northern Beaches Council.

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

This research has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Ethics committee. (Approval no: 2018/157)

Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan - Open For Comment

The Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan was endorsed for public exhibition at the Council meeting on 18 December 2018.

The Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan is the first of the seven plans under the recently
adopted MOVE Northern Beaches Transport Strategy.

This plan provides the methodology for how Council prioritises the delivery of the future footpath network and will enable Council to deliver a walking network which connects the community of the Northern Beaches to where they want to go.

How to get involved
Share your thoughts on the draft plan:
in person: join a Walkshop
in writing ‘Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan’
Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82 Manly NSW 1655.

The draft Plan and Walkshop information together with project details are available on this webpage

Comments close Sunday 3 March 2019.

 

Environment, Safety And Traffic In Palm Beach To Be Impacted By Off Leash Dog Trial

A proposal to allow dogs to roam off leash on the Pittwater side of Palm Beach would increase ocean pollution, threaten bird life and marine life; and would increase the risk of dog attacks on families and visitors, according to a new grassroots community group.

Volunteers from the Palm Beach Protection Group came together on the weekend to letterbox flyers and discuss the impact of the proposed trial at Station Beach, where dogs would be allowed to run off leash. 

Palm Beach Protection Group’s Richard Kovacs said allowing dogs to roam off leash on the beach is completely in conflict with the family-friendly nature of the beach. 

“Station Beach is one of the most child and family friendly beaches on the peninsula and we are particularly concerned about safety and potential dog attacks on the young and old,” said Robert Constable who has lived on Station Beach for more than 35 years. 

“Not all dogs are dangerous off leash, but there were nearly 700 dog attacks across Sydney in the first half of last year, including 38 on the Northern Beaches. 

“The proposed trial times and area is totally incompatible with the current usage of the beach – dog owners already ignore existing signage and no amount of signage will be able to enforce where dogs are allowed to be off leash,” Mr Kovacs said. 

A similar trial to allow dogs off leash on Station Beach in 2008 was rejected by the then Pittwater Council due to environmental concerns. 

“These concerns remain today – the seagrass is a vital for our fragile eco-system including seahorses that are endemic to NSW. The pollution from dog faeces presents an issue for the environment and human health. There would also be nothing to stop dogs roaming onto the adjacent golf course, across the road and onto the ocean side of Palm Beach,” said Mr Kovacs. 

“Added to this, since 2008, there has been a further increase in visitors and tourists to Palm Beach. The completion of the Barrenjoey Walkway in 2018 has increased visitor numbers and the beach has remained vulnerable since the June 2016 storms,” Mr Kovacs said. 

“This trial will dramatically increase traffic and parking congestion, with a similar trial at Wanda Beach in the Sutherland Shire in 2004 attracting up to 2,000 dogs per day on weekends,” Mr Kovacs said. 

The Wanda Beach trial was abandoned after three weeks due to two serious dog attacks, limited enforcement resources, dogs being off leash in prohibited areas and dog faeces being left on the beach and in the sand dune area. 

Station Beach is on the Pittwater side of Palm Beach, next to the Boathouse café, in front of the Palm Beach Golf Course and a short distance from the Barrenjoey Lighthouse which sits within the Ku-ring-gai National Park.

Other major beachside Councils in Sydney do not allow dogs on their beaches – including Waverley (Bondi and Bronte) and Randwick (Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra). 

“Our group supports off leash areas, but there are already 28 off leash dog parks in the Northern Beaches Council area. Dogs don’t belong on beaches where the environment is impacted and where families, children and important wildlife gather,” said local resident Diana Hrdina. 

“We believe this trial would create a dangerous precedent whereby all beaches on the peninsula could become open to off leash dogs. 

“We’re asking people who care about our beaches to vote ‘No’ to the proposed trial on the Council’s website before public submissions close on Thursday 28 February,” said Mrs Hrdina. 

For more information, visit www.protectpalmbeach.com.au, and follow the Palm Beach Protection Group on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/protectpalmbeach. 

To vote ‘No’ to the trial, visit the Council’s website: yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/stationbeachtrial. 


Photo: Volunteers from Palm Beach Protection Group 

Clean Up Australia Day 2019

Business Clean Up Day – Tuesday 26 February 2019
Youth and Schools Clean Up Day – Friday 1 March 2019
Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 3 March 2019

Local Clean Ups - By Postcode

2108
Coasters Retreat, Pittwater
Sunday 03rd March 15:00
Meeting Point: Fire brigade fire shed
Site Supervisor: Wilma Taylor

Kiddies Corner, Palm Beach
Sunday 03rd March 09:00
Meeting Point: On the beach, southern end of Palm Beach off beach road.
Site Supervisor: Carmen Bolton

2107
William Street, Avalon Beach
Sunday 03rd March 08:30 - 11:30
Meeting Point: Eastern end of William St, near track through mangroves.
Site Supervisor: Julie Bennett

2106
Newport  beach
Sunday 03rd March 10:30 - 12:00
Meeting Point: Bert Payne Park bear the surf club
Site Supervisor: Matt James

2105
Elvina Bay, Pittwater 
Saturday 02nd March 12:00
Meeting Point: Elvina Park
Site Supervisor: Melinda Broughton

Fitzpatrick Avenue, Scotland Island
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Cargo Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Lowanna Street, Scotland Island
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Eastern Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Harold Avenue, Scotland Island
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Carols Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Vivian Street, Scotland Island
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Bell Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Elizabeth Park, Scotland Island
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Cargo Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Pitt View Street, Scotland Island
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Tennis Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Pittwater Road, Church Point
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 13:00
Meeting Point: Church Point Ferry Wharf
Site Supervisor: Cass Gye

Bayview Scout Hall and surrounds
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 11:00
Meeting Point: Bayview Scout Hall - come inside, sign up and collect a bag and gloves.
Site Supervisor: Jenny Hermann

2103
Mona Vale Beach, Mona Vale
Sunday 03rd March 10:00 - 12:00
Meeting Point: Meet at the northern end of The Basin on the grass area next to beach.
Site Supervisor: Tina Mollema

2102
Warriewood Beach
Sunday 03rd March 09:30 - 10:00
Meeting Point: Meet at the small timber platform next to the power pole, on the beach beside the car park.
Site Supervisor: Bruce Kelly

2101
Sanctuary Island, Wimbledon Avenue, North Narrabeen
Sunday 03rd March 09:00 - 12:00
Meeting Point: Park at end of Wimbledon Avenue
Site Supervisor: Rick Shires

Successful Resuscitation Of 57 Year Old Man By Avalon Beach SLSC Bronze Squad Member: AED Awareness Courses

Cain Byrnes (not in patrol shirt yet as he is undergoing training to entitle him to wear one! Probationary) with ABSLSC Life Member Roger Sayers and Louise Billia, his trainer.
Cain Byrnes , a member of Avalon Beach SLSC who is one of our current bronze squad performed a successful resuscitation last week at a Futsal competition. 


Cain, aged 38, praised the training he received during the recent training given by Avalon Beach SLSC training team. 

While Cain was preparing for his game, a 57 year-old male collapsed on another court. Bystanders were calling for help. Cain immediately responded, moving to help the gentleman who was on his back, on the ground, unconscious. 

"I took the head, airway, breathing and led the resus. I recruited a willing bystander, placed his hands over the sternum and told him to press down a third of the chest, showing him how deep and how fast. He did a great job with his compressions, timing and counting, while I delivered breaths checking for effective rise of the chest. After the first cycle we had a return of breathing, but it was erratic and shallow. His pulse was weak, and he soon went back into cardiac arrest." Cain explained.

"A few more cycles followed, during which time I recruited other teammates to do vital jobs: providing regular updates to the 000 operator, checking on ambulance, getting scissors to cut clothing for AED etc. The patient came back a second time; again short lived, cardiac arrest, CPR recommenced. We really needed that AED. 

After approximately 8-10 minutes of continuous CPR the AED arrived. Whilst continuing CPR I talked another teammate through turning it on and getting pads ready for me to apply, which I did. Under the instruction of the AED I asked everyone to clear so an accurate uncontaminated analysis of the heart rhythm could be obtained. Soon after the AED said those words “stand clear, preparing shock”. Then “SHOCK PATIENT”. I cleared everyone and delivered the 1st defibrillation."

The AED instructed Cain and his co-helpers to recommence CPR. A quick assessment of the patient verified that he still wasn’t breathing, nor had a pulse. CPR was recommenced. Two minutes (or so) passed again when the AED did its thing. Once again it was time to “SHOCK PATIENT”. The second defibrillation was delivered, just before the rapid response paramedic arrived. 

Thankfully, this time things were looking better, the patient was breathing. 

"I assisted the paramedic to put on his monitoring equipment and oxygen and could see a heart rhythm on his monitor, although the patient was still unconscious. When the next ambulance arrived I handed the patient over to them, he was breathing and had a strong pulse." Mr. Byrnes said

The gentleman was taken to hospital and he is expected to make a full recovery.

The incident highlights the valuable work Avalon Beach SLSC's Bronze courses provide for the individual and the community and shows the importance of knowing what to do and the potential difference you can make. There is no doubt the outcome for the patient may have been very different if Cain hadn't had the recent training provided by our club.

Cain's experience also highlights the value of having AED's within reach. Woolworths Avalon Beach have recently installed a public access AED.

Avalon Beach SLSC are running awareness courses to teach members of the public how to use the AED. Two one hour community awareness defib and CPR session will be held at the Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club  on the 13th of March at 11:00am or 7:00pm.  Book in via our website: avalonbeachslsc.com.au

These sessions are Free.

The courses offered by ABSLSC illustrate one of the many reasons Avalon Beach SLSC is National SLSA Club of the Year!!

By Roger Sayers
Life Member of Avalon Beach SLSC

Where the AED is in Woolies Avalon Beach

Green Book Carer Movie Day

Hosted by CCNB
Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 10 AM – 1 PM
United Cinemas Warriewood
4 Vuko Place, Warriewood 2102
Tickets for this event are complimentary.
Please indicate if you would like a complimentary choc top ice-cream cone or a small popcorn via your ticket selection.
Please note the film starts at 10.30am.

Join us on 14th March 2019 for our special showing of Green Book. 

Set in America in 1962, Green Book tells the heart-warming true story of Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a working-class Italian-American bouncer who takes on a job as a chauffeur for Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a highly-educated African-American classical pianist. The mismatched pair embark on a two-month tour of concert venues in the racially charged deep south and discover they’re on the road to a meaningful and unique friendship.

Rating: M (Coarse language)
Running Time: 130 minutes
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini.

This event is for carers. We understand that it is not always possible to find alternative care for your loved one so please feel free to bring along the person you care for.

Call Out For Artists And Writers - Art & Words Project

Visual artists and writers are being invited to take part in an exciting new community arts project that could see their work taking pride of place in a special event at the 2019 Manly Arts Festival (6 - 29 September).

In a celebration of community creativity, Northern Beaches Council’s Art & Words Project 2019 is calling on participants to write and create works inspired by the theme ‘Saltwater’.

Entrants will have the chance to have their works published in an anthology with the participating artists creating works directly in response to the text.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said a selection from the anthology and the accompanying art will be displayed on a 24-hour digital screen at Manly Art Gallery & Museum and at all Northern Beaches Libraries during the Arts Festival.

“The artworks will illustrate the book alongside the words and the original artworks will be displayed in libraries across the Northern Beaches.

“The Manly Arts Festival attracts over 15,000 visitors annually and our six Northern Beaches Libraries have 177,746 members, together representing a huge audience for any aspiring artist or writer,” said Mayor Regan.

The Art & Words Project is a collaborative project mentored by multiple-award-winning writer Zena Shapter and supported by the Northern Beaches Library Service and the Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

Ms Shapter, who will be providing creative support for the project, is the founder of the Northern Beaches Writers' Group and a Northern Beaches local.

“Community creativity on this scale is truly magical!” she said. 

“Entry is open to anyone, regardless of genre or style, so I’m hoping to hear from a diverse range of creatives, a balance of perspectives that will reflect the thrilling yet unspoken truth of our community.”

Applications for the Art & Words Project 2019 will be open from 15 January 2019. To apply and for further information visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Closing date for entries is Friday 15 March, 5pm, with selected entrants notified by Friday 29 March. 

Enquiries: artandwordsproject@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au


Image: ‘Flying Fish’ by Nettie Lodge

History Fairlight -Balgowlah Request For Info

Dear Editor,
I have been sitting through the  Monsoon Weather on Magnetic Island, Qld., where I have resided since 1982 and occupying myself by reading about John Parker, who was an early Englishman to settle in Fairlight. From there I went on to read more in the Pittwater Online News Issue dated June 2018 thus finding your contact address. 

Prior to that date my family and I lived for many years at 14 Northcote Ave., Fairlight.

To introduce myself, I am eighty six [86] years old and now live alone, with the help of two of my four daughters, who were raised at Fairlight and attended Manly West and Mackellar Schools.

We are all extremely interested in the Fairlight/Balgowlah area and in particular and would like to discover more about the neighbouring house of our old home.

I/we are hoping you or your readers may be able to help.
The house next to ours was in Sydney Road and was a two storey, sandstone , “Queen Anne Style” building and was owned by a Mister  Walker, who at that time was The Mayor of Longreach, Qld.
Mister Walker used this large Property, named ''Ingleside'', as a holiday house for himself,daughter and workers from his Queensland Property.

From memory there was a date about 1911 on the verandah, cut into one of the sandstone blocks.

Mister Walker was happy to allow my children and those of the  Green family, who owned a hotel in The Manly Corso, to play in the vast grounds and climb the old established trees because he thought the place would look occupied.

When the Coromandel Units were built they blocked the sun from our property and the noise of the basement garage doors, going up and down, became too much to live beside we decided to move to our favourite holiday island “Maggie”.

I thank you for your time,
With regards, 
Sylvia R. McDermott
________________________

NB: If Readers have any information that could help Sylvia, please email to us at: pittwateronlinenews@live.com.au and we will forward to her.

Liz Muir – Artist: Open Studio During March 2019

On March 9th,16th & 23rd Liz Muir’s Studio will be open at North Avalon allowing visitors to view and purchase her paintings inspired by the local environment.  Both large and small paintings of the beaches, creeks and walkways in both impressionist and contemporary form will be available for sale from the studio at 19 Catalina Crescent, Avalon Beach from 10-4pm.  You can book an appointment on 9918 7438 or  0414 50 55 50 or email lizmuir@me.com.


Headland (92x153cm) by Liz Muir

MuirArt - Muir Aust Pty Ltd
p: +61 (0)2 9918 7438  m: +61 (0)414 50 54 50
a: 19 Catalina Crescent AVALON BEACH NSW 2107

Pittwater Friends Of Soibada AGM And Info Evening

Monday, March 4, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Avalon Beach RSL Club
1 Bowling Green Lane, Avalon
All are welcome to come along and here the latest information about the projects in Soibada. Our recent volunteers will tell you about their experiences and you can find out the many ways you can can involved both here and in country. 


Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 2019

Pittwater Place stalls:   
Feb 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1.                    
Selling sewing, knitting, craft, books  9am to 3pm

Sausage sizzles Bunnings Narrabeen:      
Feb 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8                 
All Saturdays  8am to 3pm

Stall outside Mona Vale Library                  
23rd March  (State Election)                                        
Baking, sewing, knitting, craft 8am to 3pm


Huge Boost To Support Student Welfare And Mental Health

February 19th, 2019: Media release - NSW Government
In a first for NSW, every public high school will have two dedicated experts to ensure students have access to vital mental health and wellbeing support.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced that the $88 million  investment will ensure every public high school student in the State has access to a highly-qualified mental health professional they can confidentially speak to, as well as greater support for bullying, anxiety, stress, and any other difficult issues they may face at school.

“This will make it easy for young people to access help when they’re going through a tough time and also give teachers the support to deal with challenges faced by students,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We know from teachers and principals – and the students themselves – what an impact this has on reducing stress and improving academic performance, as well as how much the students embrace the extra support.”

Up to 100 additional full-time school counsellors or psychologists, as well as 350 student support officers, will be employed  across NSW public high schools. Importantly, these experts will have the ability to refer students who require greater assistance to mental health services.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the program will help normalise speaking up and seeking help when it comes to mental health, as well as train teachers to be able to have these conversations with students and their families.

“It is critical that parents, teachers and students know there is always someone they can turn to for support,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’ll also partner with mental health organisations  to bring their expertise and experience to school communities.”

Mental Health Minister Tanya Davies said about 14 per cent of children between four and 17 years old experience a mental illness – and this figure is expected to rise.

“If issues are not addressed quickly and at a young age they can develop into lifelong problems,” Mrs Davies said.

“Getting help early can prevent young people from falling into crisis and also avoid longer term interventions as an adult. Schools play a critical role in getting this support to young people sooner.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro visited Griffith High School today to talk with students and teachers about how the boost will help in regional NSW.

“By offering mental health support in schools, we can identify kids who need help early, and make sure they’re looked after.

“With the ice epidemic and youth suicide major issues in regional NSW it is important that our kids have access to life-saving support services no matter where they live.”

Since elected, the NSW Government has increased funding for student wellbeing by more than $200 million, with an additional 236 school counselling positions  funded over the past three years, bringing the total full-time counselling positions to 1081.

Plans To Halt Developer-Led Rezoning And Fund Local Roads Welcome

Tuesday 12 February 2019: Media release - Local Government NSW
Proposals to ban spot rezoning by developers and boost investment in rural and regional roads were applauded by the local government sector today. 

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) congratulated NSW Labor leader Michael Daley on these election commitments which would help address two major issues – overdevelopment in Sydney and underinvestment in roads in regional NSW. 

“Putting the brakes on spot rezoning by developers sends an important message: it says developers don’t run our communities - residents do,” LGNSW President Cr Linda Scott said.

“Councils have been inundated by spot rezonings in recent years, creating pressure on existing infrastructure and undermining their local plans. 

“The State has been pushing the focus on strategic planning, yet it continues to allow spot rezonings and other developer-friendly policies (like complying development), which undermine the strategic planning system. 

“Councils and LGNSW have argued strongly against developer-led planning proposals that are inconsistent with local planning strategies. 

“We support having evidence-based, community-led planning for our communities and places, not ad hoc planning outcomes.  

“Removing the reliance on spot rezonings will create greater certainty for everyone, will bring more control back to communities, and supports the focus on strategic planning.”   

LGNSW also welcomed moves by NSW Labor to boost funding for rural and regional roads by $900 million. 

“Long term underinvestment in rural and regional roads has created a $1.7 million investment backlog and, if this $900 million announcement represents new funding, it will help plug that gap,” Cr Scott said. 

“Heavy vehicles cause the greatest damage to roads and with NSW Government predictions that freight volumes will grow by 30 per cent by 2036, this issue of local road funding must be addressed by the next Premier. 

“There is still far more funding required for regional and rural roads, and we also seek an urgent Roads Reclassification Review to address some of these issues.” 

LGNSW supports the commitment to fast-track the Western Metro between Sydney CBD and Parramatta, an additional $3 billion investment in Sydney’s existing rail network, and a Western Sydney Airport rail project. 

“Upgrading our rail network and connecting the Western Sydney Airport to the existing rail network is an essential part of making Sydney a world-class, liveable and connected city,” Cr Scott said. 

She said LGNSW and councils looked forward to working as an equal partner with the Department of Planning and Environment and roads and transport agencies to achieve the best outcome for communities across NSW.  

A Message For Music Festival Operators

February 13, 2019: NSW Government
Music festivals are a key part of NSW’s entertainment scene and economy, and the NSW Government wants them to continue to thrive in this state.

Like you – and the entire community – the government also wants to ensure they are safe for everyone to enjoy.

That is why, in the context of the recent deaths of five young people at music festivals in NSW, the government appointed an expert panel to provide recommendations on how to improve safety, and then acted quickly to address the issues associated with high-risk festivals.

The new scheme is designed to ensure that events with a poor track record and/or heightened risk will face greater oversight. It will require ill-equipped operators to lift their standard to make all musical festivals safer.

However, if you have previously held a safe, low risk festival (unless you are planning significant changes to its usual format) we are highly likely to determine your festival to be low-risk. This will mean your licence conditions – including police and health requirements – will not be materially different to previous years.

To be clear, if you are a good operator with a good track record, the new licensing scheme will not unduly impact you.

We appreciate there has been some confusion and misunderstanding about the way the new scheme will operate, particularly in relation to the initial self-assessment matrix that was circulated to some festival organisers.

We have sought to clarify how that matrix should be used, and are currently reviewing this tool.

With the new regime commencing on 1 March 2019, we will continue to consult with industry and are available to meet one-on-one with music festival organisers for detailed discussions, to ensure we get the balance right between great entertainment and festival safety.

You can get in contact with our team at music.festivals@liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au. We commit that when you want to talk about music festivals, you will deal with our team through one central point of contact.

The earlier you engage with us, the sooner we can provide you with clear advice about whether, and how, the new licensing scheme will affect you.

The NSW Government music festival team

New Music Festival Licence

February 13, 2019: LGNSW
A new licence for music festivals being developed by Liquor & Gaming NSW may have implications for councils that regulate or organise events. 

The new music festival liquor licence will be implemented from 1 March 2019 for ticketed music festivals with more than 2000 participants per day.

LGNSW understands organisers of music festivals scheduled for March can apply now for a limited licence - special event. After 1 March, all applications for music festivals must be made under the new scheme

In a message for music festival organisers this week, Liquor & Gaming NSW said the new scheme was designed to ensure events with a poor track record or heightened risk face greater oversight.

For festivals determined as safe/low risk, licence conditions, including police and health requirements, will not be significantly different to previous years.

The self-assessment tool to determine risk, that was circulated to some festival organisers, is under review.

For more information visit the Liquor & Gaming NSW website and the Event Safety Management Plan Checklist for music festivals.

Express Yourself 2019 At Manly Art Gallery & Museum

Friday, 22 March 2019 - 10:00am to Sunday, 28 April 2019 - 5:00pm
This significant annual curated exhibition of artworks by HSC Visual Arts students from the 20 high schools across Sydney’s Northern Beaches region is always a great favourite among all generations. It represents diverse bodies of work including multi-media, digital, sculpture and drawing, and celebrates the creativity of emerging artists in this region. Curated by Ross Heathcote. 

In conjunction with Express Yourself, two awards are granted annually to students featured in the exhibition; the Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Youth Art Award and the Theo Batten Bequest Youth Art Award, presented to a student continuing tertiary study in the arts. This exhibition is part of ARTMONTH, Sydney.

Teachers’ Preview
Friday 22 March, 5 - 6pm

Art Talk + Walk
Saturday 30 March, 2 - 3pm
Express Yourself artists walk through the exhibition and discuss their works with the curator.

Pittwater International Women’s Day Breakfast 2019 Bookings Open

Wednesday 6 March 2019
at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Mitala Street, Newport 

Bookings now open
International Women's Day is a day to acknowledge women's contribution to making Australia, and the world, a better place.  Everyone is invited to celebrate the day. The 2019 Pittwater Woman of the Year will be announced at the breakfast by Rob Stokes, Member for Pittwater.

See flyer below for all details. Proceeds from the breakfast will support service projects of Zonta Club of Northern Beaches Inc assisting local women in need, and Zonta International projects in developing countries. 

We are delighted that our guest speaker at the breakfast will be Di Westaway. Di is the Chief Adventure Chick (CEO), Founder of Wild Women On Top and Coastrek. Di is a global leader and award-winning woman of influence who has inspired more than 25,000 people off the couch and into hiking adventures while raising over $20 million for charity.  She is an adventure coach, motivational speaker, mother, 2017 NSW Telstra Business Women's Awards Finalist, 2016 AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence, world-record holder and author.  Di has climbed extreme peaks and holds the record for the world’s highest handstand on Mt Ama Dablam, 6982m, in Nepal.  Di will speak on her life journey.

Zonta Northern Beaches
recent support activities in our local community  
In coordination with Manly Shelter, Bringa Women's Refuge, Schools and other Community Agencies.
  • Love Bites course for a volunteer having been through a DV situation – work skills grant approved. Course completed. She is now able to apply for paid work.
  • Kitchen equipment donated from an acquaintance of one of the Zonta Members and seven boxes of kitchen equipment delivered to the Shelter.
  • Toiletry bags donated by a member and her work colleagues in lieu of a Christmas gift to each other - delivered.
  • 12 School Starter Kits presented to children - gratefully received by mothers.
  • Many thanks to Modern Teaching Aids for their generous donation of the pencils etc. needed to complete these kits.
  • 2 kitchen kits have been delivered to for two families - one of whom is on a temporary visa and has nothing. 
  • Woman with kindergarten child requesting support for school — school starter kit and uniforms.
  • Uniforms and other equipment sourced from families in the area who have children from the same school, starter kit collated and delivered to school. Members met mother and child at Refuge Christmas Party.  
  • Large Kitchen Starter Kit delivered for mother and child with nothing. Collection of furniture arranged.
  • Large amount of new baby clothes and linen from hotel gratefully accepted by Catholic Care.
  • Uniforms for new student commencing in year 7 purchased.
  • Student support grant for student equipment for years 11 and 12.           

Certificates Of Title 

The Office of the Registrar General is seeking feedback on transitioning from paper certificates of title to an electronic alternative. 

What's this about?
eConveyancing is a critical part of the NSW Government’s commitment to leading digital innovation.

Transitioning to the eConveyancing system involves shifting away from paper certificates of title. The Office of the Registrar General has published a discussion paper seeking feedback on a range of issues relevant to certificates of title which remain to be addressed.

The discussion paper:
  • outlines the current status of certificates of title in NSW
  • reviews the legislative environment relating to certificates of title in NSW and in comparable states
  • discusses proposals for replacing paper certificates of title with an electronic alternative
  • raises questions for discussion.
Have your say
There are two ways you can provide your feedback:
Email: ORG-admin@finance.nsw.gov.au
Mail: Certificates of title: the next evolution
Office of the Registrar General
McKell Building
2-24 Rawson Place
Sydney NSW 2000

Have your say by 28 February 2019.
Agency Website 

February 10 - 16, 2019: Issue 393

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 393

Friendly's MO To GO! In 2019 World's Greatest Shave's 21st Year  No one has seen that upper lip bare for over 48 years - an interview with Mr. Friend on all things MO - chip in to help out!!

Palm Beach Protection Group Launch, Supporters Invited:  Saturday Feb.16th - Residents Are Saying 'NO' To Off-Leash Dogs In Station Beach Eco-System - reports over 50 dogs a day on Station Beach throughout December-January (a No Dogs Beach) small children being jumped on, Native birds chased, dog faeces being left, families with toddlers leaving beach to get away from uncontrolled dogs and 'Failure of Process' in council 'consultation' open to February 28th 

Community Adamant: We Need Level 3 Services At Mona Vale Hospital -  Save MVH Meeting held Feb 5th

Greens Launch Pittwater Campaign With Focus On Mona Vale Hospital - Candidate is Avalon resident Miranda Korzy

North Narrabeen Reserve Scores New Sports Amenities Building - Pittwater Baseball Club and Narrabeen Tigers Junior Rugby Union, officially opened Saturday Feb. 9th

Keoride Becoming Opal Active This Sunday from Pittwater MP Rob Stokes 

Aquatics: Future Of Streamwatch In Pittwater and Across Sydney In Doubt: Funding Ceases In June 2019 - Petition By Streamwatch Volunteers

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit For Mona Vale Hospital Announced + New Bus Service From Mona Vale To Northern Beaches Hospital Along The Parkway

Dr Gayed Report Released: Formerly Of Mona Vale Hospital - Hazzard Directs Document Be Provided To NSW Police

Pictures: Summer's 'Cool Bugs' in an Elanora Heights Garden  by Selena Griffith - for youngsters (and oldsters!)

Reflections by George Repin: KING ISLAND KELP

Park Bench Philosopher: Hidden Women Of History: Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, Prodigiously Talented Painter

Important Community Event: 3D Seismic Testing Planned for off our coast The Federal Government have given approval for intense 3D seismic testing along the East Coast from Newcastle to Woy Woy.  On this Wednesday, Feb 13th

Profile: Avalon Beach Petanque Club
You need steel balls to play Petanque! In fact you need 3 of them to play the quintessential game of French “boules” or bowls. 

This week an insight into a great local club that has two get togethers each week to share some fun and gentle exercise. New players welcome!

History: Off To School In 2019 A Bit Quicker Than A Hundred And Four Years Ago - for younger readers in Pittwater school was often reached by a long walk or on horseback in the days before there were good roads or school buses. 

Pittwater also once had Australia's First School Launch. Children who live on Scotland Island and our Western Shores still get to school via the water - only today it's a Church Point Ferry that brings them to school - some to Newport Public School, some to Pittwater High School.

Artists of the Month: February 2019: FAMILIA | GROUP EXHIBITION A group of six Brazilian visual artists based in Sydney have gathered to share their experiences and collaborate with each other. This exhibition, entitled 'Familia' is the collaboration resulting from their individual journeys coming together in a group.

The exhibition showcases creations by Cassia Bundock, Fabio Manzini (a.k.a. juxta.fab), Flavia Julius, Lia Marx - Photos & Films, Marisa Pasicznik Ross, and Murilo Manzini (a.k.a. Muzi).

The Familia group exhibition will run February 8th through to March 3, 2019. 

 Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update 1/2/2019 

click on Logo: 

To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Friendly's Mo To Go!

You read it here first folks.
Brian Friend OAM is raising funds for the Worlds Greatest Shave and that MO will GO on Friday March 15th at the Avalon Beach Community Centre (front steps) at 6 p.m.
His Mission - to raise $5000 - chip in HERE to see that MO GO

No more will his every word be festooned with 'blurrgghh' through being spoken via that broom of hair. No more will photos of him with a hairy grin appear in this magazine - at least not this footy season!



Has Friendly considered what it will be like to be Mo-less though? And when did the first version of his Mo appear - in the 1970's?!!
That and more Mo philosophy, history and Editorial Impertinence will be exercised this week!

In 2019 the World's Greatest Shave is celebrating 21 years. During that time over 2 million extraordinary people have participated in shaving or colouring their hair to help shave the world from blood cancer! 

Did you know?
  • More than 12,000 Australians will develop leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma this year – or 35 people every day.
  • Blood cancer claims the lives of more Australians than breast cancer and melanoma.
  • Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma are types of blood cancer. They can develop in anyone, at any time at any age.
  • Money raised from World's Greatest Shave funds blood cancer research and free support through the Leukaemia Foundation.
  • The Leukaemia Foundation is the only Australia-wide charity dedicated to the care and cure of people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders.
  • That's why so many people are as passionate as us about this campaign... and why your support is so vital.

Happy Birthday Tom Gilbert!

In Friendly related news, residents wish to send their best regards to Tom Gilbert (Totally Toms) and Happy Birthday cheers for Feb 4th - stay strong big fella!

Here's a photo we took a few years ago when interviewing Pete Verrills and Tom for their Profile pages (under Friendly's supervision of course) now 75, 78 and 80 - with Pete being the 'elder' of this trio:



Here's a photo Pat Elliott, a mate of Tom's posted on Facebook of the closing down day party at Totally Toms in Avalon.

Pat says 'Many local people including the Avalon Public School Band turned up to sent us off! (I was the tyre fitter there) We were the last servo to have "driveway Service" in Avalon.'

Palm Beach Garage

While on old garages - here are two photos Ray John Henman shared with Tom of Palm Beach Garage - the top one is circa 1920-1930's.




Summer Is...

Summer is...

three favourite and revered local Historians getting together for a catch-up - The Hon. James (Jim) Macken, Geoff Searl OAM and George Champion OAM. All sharp as a tack still!

Bush Regen. At Ingleside Commences For 2019

Please join our Bush regeneration morning at the Baha'i Temple 173 Mona Vale Road Ingleside. Based on our past success PNHA has been given a new round of funding to continue work on conserving the threatened Grevillea caleyi  so we look forward to your support.

Monday 11 February 2019
Meet at the picnic shelter at 8.30 am

New volunteers welcome - training will be provided
Wear long trousers, a long sleeved shirt and boots or closed in shoes.

The session will be cancelled in the event of rain. For more information contact David Palmer on 0404 171940.

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association

Funding Boost To Help Healthy Harold Reach Even More Students 

February 7th, 2019
Member for Pittwater and NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes today said schools on the northern beaches will be among those to benefit from a multi-million dollar funding boost for Life Education.

The NSW Government has provided a record $2 million in further funding to the not-for-profit organisation, which turns 40 this year, to ensure the next generation of school children have access to practical health and wellbeing lessons delivered by the state’s most popular giraffe.

“Harold is going to be very busy,” Rob Stokes said today.

“Thousands of local primary school students have benefited from the innovative and enjoyable educational approach of Healthy Harold.

“By working with individual schools and teachers, the Healthy Harold team is able to tailor lessons to help address specific health and wellbeing issues – including those that are sometimes more sensitive.

“Healthy Harold has an incredible talent of connecting with children, focusing their attention and discussing issues that are more easily raised in a fun and relaxed setting.

“The ongoing investment in Life Education will enable Healthy Harold to visit even more schools across the state – particularly those in remote and regional areas,” Rob Stokes said.

The NSW Liberal Government has now allocated more than $20 million to Life Education since 2011.
________________________

To find out more, please visit Healthy Harold's website at www.lifeeducation.org.au

Australian Premiere 'Trouble: The Lisa Andersen Story'

Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
The Newport
2 Kalinya St, Newport
FREE

Join SurfAid and Lisa Andersen on the deck at The Newport for the Australian Premiere of 'Trouble: The Lisa Andersen Story', brought to you by ROXY. 

Lisa Andersen is one of surfing’s few transcendent stars. Four-time world champ, first woman on the cover of Surfer, six-time Surfer of the Year and inductee into the Surfer hall of Fame. She is a bona fide surf icon except this is not a story about surfing, or not really. It is the story of chasing of dreams and their consequences. The story of a woman brave enough to be vulnerable.

All proceeds support SurfAid’s mission to improve mother and child health, basic healthcare, and nutrition in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

Liz Muir – Artist: Open Studio During March 2019

On March 9th,16th & 23rd Liz Muir’s Studio will be open at North Avalon allowing visitors to view and purchase her paintings inspired by the local environment.  Both large and small paintings of the beaches, creeks and walkways in both impressionist and contemporary form will be available for sale from the studio at 19 Catalina Crescent, Avalon Beach from 10-4pm.  You can book an appointment on 9918 7438 or  0414 50 55 50 or email lizmuir@me.com.


Headland (92x153cm) by Liz Muir

MuirArt - Muir Aust Pty Ltd
p: +61 (0)2 9918 7438  m: +61 (0)414 50 54 50
a: 19 Catalina Crescent AVALON BEACH NSW 2107

S*H*A*M

Feb 15 at 1 PM – Feb 17 at 8 PM
Dunbar Park, Avalon
Do we need to pitch a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital on Dunbar park to take care of ourselves? 

For three days in February we are creating an event for people to come down and share their stories about the new private Hospital that has replaced Mona Vale Hospital, the good the bad and the ugly. Come on down and make fake blood, face painting, pregnant egg and spoon races, local bands and a Tank for the kiddies! 

Write your story on the postcard notice board or tell us your story on video! Dr.s and nurses have been gagged and are not willing to share stories for fear of being fired! We need to know the issues! There needs to be accountability so the problems can be fixed! Please come down and have your voice heard.

Avalon Community Library Open Day

During February the Northern Beaches Library service is celebrating the Community Libraries.  And we’re having a special open day at Avalon Community Library on Saturday 16 February. For the children – We’ll be having the author M.C.D. Etheridge coming in to read his book Whitebeard.

And for the seniors we  are running one-on-one Tech Sessions with Avalon Computer Pals from 10-12 noon. Bookings essential.
Please call the library 9918 3013


Pittwater Friends Of Soibada AGM And Info Evening

Monday, March 4, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Avalon Beach RSL Club
1 Bowling Green Lane, Avalon
All are welcome to come along and here the latest information about the projects in Soibada. Our recent volunteers will tell you about their experiences and you can find out the many ways you can can involved both here and in country. 


DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Buddy

AGE/SEX: 12 months / M
BREED: Kelpie X Cattle
Buddy is a super social happy boy with other dogs. Buddy would suit an active family. He is keen to go and walks nicely on loose lead. He ignores cars and other dogs and likes to jog. He enjoys a cuddle. Volunteer Comment "We liked him very much", "Lovely dog". He has a short coat and weighs 18.4kg. 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. 

Crimson

Carmine, Crimson, Rose, Ruby, Terracotta are Scarlet's daughters and Rust is her son. They are currently 10 weeks old (7/2) and ready for their forever homes. They have spent a lot of their lives in a busy vet hospital around other cats and dogs.
She comes desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $220.

For further details or to meet all cats 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 

Express Yourself 2019 At Manly Art Gallery & Museum

Friday, 22 March 2019 - 10:00am to Sunday, 28 April 2019 - 5:00pm
This significant annual curated exhibition of artworks by HSC Visual Arts students from the 20 high schools across Sydney’s Northern Beaches region is always a great favourite among all generations. It represents diverse bodies of work including multi-media, digital, sculpture and drawing, and celebrates the creativity of emerging artists in this region. Curated by Ross Heathcote. 

In conjunction with Express Yourself, two awards are granted annually to students featured in the exhibition; the Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Youth Art Award and the Theo Batten Bequest Youth Art Award, presented to a student continuing tertiary study in the arts. This exhibition is part of ARTMONTH, Sydney.

Teachers’ Preview
Friday 22 March, 5 - 6pm

Art Talk + Walk
Saturday 30 March, 2 - 3pm
Express Yourself artists walk through the exhibition and discuss their works with the curator.

Pittwater International Women’s Day Breakfast 2019 Bookings Open

Wednesday 6 March 2019
at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Mitala Street, Newport 

Bookings now open
International Women's Day is a day to acknowledge women's contribution to making Australia, and the world, a better place.  Everyone is invited to celebrate the day. The 2019 Pittwater Woman of the Year will be announced at the breakfast by Rob Stokes, Member for Pittwater.

See flyer below for all details. Proceeds from the breakfast will support service projects of Zonta Club of Northern Beaches Inc assisting local women in need, and Zonta International projects in developing countries. 

We are delighted that our guest speaker at the breakfast will be Di Westaway. Di is the Chief Adventure Chick (CEO), Founder of Wild Women On Top and Coastrek. Di is a global leader and award-winning woman of influence who has inspired more than 25,000 people off the couch and into hiking adventures while raising over $20 million for charity.  She is an adventure coach, motivational speaker, mother, 2017 NSW Telstra Business Women's Awards Finalist, 2016 AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence, world-record holder and author.  Di has climbed extreme peaks and holds the record for the world’s highest handstand on Mt Ama Dablam, 6982m, in Nepal.  Di will speak on her life journey.

Zonta Northern Beaches
recent support activities in our local community  
In coordination with Manly Shelter, Bringa Women's Refuge, Schools and other Community Agencies.
  • Love Bites course for a volunteer having been through a DV situation – work skills grant approved. Course completed. She is now able to apply for paid work.
  • Kitchen equipment donated from an acquaintance of one of the Zonta Members and seven boxes of kitchen equipment delivered to the Shelter.
  • Toiletry bags donated by a member and her work colleagues in lieu of a Christmas gift to each other - delivered.
  • 12 School Starter Kits presented to children - gratefully received by mothers.
  • Many thanks to Modern Teaching Aids for their generous donation of the pencils etc. needed to complete these kits.
  • 2 kitchen kits have been delivered to for two families - one of whom is on a temporary visa and has nothing. 
  • Woman with kindergarten child requesting support for school — school starter kit and uniforms.
  • Uniforms and other equipment sourced from families in the area who have children from the same school, starter kit collated and delivered to school. Members met mother and child at Refuge Christmas Party.  
  • Large Kitchen Starter Kit delivered for mother and child with nothing. Collection of furniture arranged.
  • Large amount of new baby clothes and linen from hotel gratefully accepted by Catholic Care.
  • Uniforms for new student commencing in year 7 purchased.
  • Student support grant for student equipment for years 11 and 12.           

Sydney Harbour Challenge Draws International Fleet 

Sydney’s most iconic landmarks will provide a fitting backdrop to more than 800 competitors in Australia’s flagship marathon outrigger canoe event, the Sydney Harbour Challenge, on Saturday 23 February 2019.

The 25km route starts from Manly Wharf, travels across Sydney Heads and into Sydney Harbour, passing landmarks such as Taronga Zoo, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park, before returning to Manly Wharf.

Member for Manly James Griffin said the NSW Government was proud to be supporting this world-class event.

“With a NSW Government funding injection, the Sydney Harbour Challenge can continue to be regarded as the best outrigger canoe racing event in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Griffin said.

“The event has called Sydney its home since its inception in 2014 and last year it drove nearly $700,000 in visitor spend.

“With teams entering from Canada, Japan, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tahiti and New Zealand, Manly and Sydney Harbour will truly be on show to a global audience.”



Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the Sydney Harbour Challenge was part of an impressive calendar of the country’s best and brightest events, all of which call NSW home.

“Ensuring we identify, attract and nurture events in Sydney and regional NSW is a key priority for the NSW Government as we continue to be Australia’s number one State for tourism.”

The Sydney Harbour Challenge consists of three OC6 (six-person) outrigger canoe categories with men’s, women’s and mixed crew races.

The Sydney Harbour Challenge is managed by the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association.

For more information visit aocra.com.au

Bird Of The Month

Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis. Warriewood Wetlands

We have so many wonderful photographers and so many bird-lovers in Pittwater that one of our regular very best photographers has suggested we share a 'Bird of the Month' throughout 2019.

We start we a tiny gregarious songbird. This one was photographed in Warriewood Wetlands - bird paradise!



The Silvereye is a very small bird with a conspicuous ring of white feathers around the eye, and belongs to a group of birds known as white-eyes. 

Silvereyes feed on insect prey, fruit and nectar. 

Silvereye pairs actively defend a small territory. The nest is a small, neatly woven cup of grasses, hair, and other fine vegetation, bound with spider web. It is placed in a horizontal tree fork up to 5m above the ground. The nest is constructed by both sexes, who both also incubate the bluish-green eggs. If conditions are suitable two to three clutches will be raised in a season.

Minimum Size: 10cm
Maximum Size: 12cm
Average size: 11cm
Average weight: 11g
Breeding season: August to February; later in the north
Clutch Size: 2 to 3, rarely 4
Habitat: Coastal heath, shrublands, forests, farms, and urban areas.

Bird description from the book "Birds of Warriewood Wetland Irrawong Reserve - An Introductory Field Guide", published by PNHA

Photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography

NSW Carers Advisory Council Seeks New Members

Carers wanting to help advance the interest of other carers in NSW are being encouraged to apply for three vacant positions on the NSW Carers Advisory Council.

Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or young carers, or people with expertise about these three groups are invited to apply for a position.

The Chair of the Council, Prue Warrilow, said the Council provides advice to the NSW Government on a range of matters affecting NSW carers.

"These Council vacancies present an opportunity for someone with personal experience as a carer to represent the needs of other carers," Ms Warrilow said.

"Carers play such an important role in our community and it is essential that they can have their say and provide advice on important matters."

"I would urge anyone who may have the skills or experience to make a difference for Aboriginal, CALD or young carers to consider applying to join the Council."

There are approximately 904,400 carers in NSW who provide ongoing unpaid support to people who need it because of their disability, chronic illness, mental illness, dementia or frail age.

The NSW Carers Advisory Council meets approximately four times a year in Sydney and members may also contribute time to working groups and attend other events and consultations.

For more information about the NSW Carers Advisory Council and how to apply, please visit www.facs.advisory-councils/carers or contact the Council's Secretariat on (02) 8753 9339 or NSWCarersAdvisoryCouncilSecretariat@facs.nsw.gov.au

Applications close at 5pm on Monday, 18 February 2019.

Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan - Open For Comment

The Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan was endorsed for public exhibition at the Council meeting on 18 December 2018.

The Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan is the first of the seven plans under the recently
adopted MOVE Northern Beaches Transport Strategy.

This plan provides the methodology for how Council prioritises the delivery of the future footpath network and will enable Council to deliver a walking network which connects the community of the Northern Beaches to where they want to go.

How to get involved
Share your thoughts on the draft plan:
in person: join a Walkshop
in writing ‘Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan’
Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82 Manly NSW 1655.

The draft Plan and Walkshop information together with project details are available on this webpage

Comments close Sunday 3 March 2019.

Call Out For Artists And Writers - Art & Words Project

Visual artists and writers are being invited to take part in an exciting new community arts project that could see their work taking pride of place in a special event at the 2019 Manly Arts Festival (6 - 29 September).

In a celebration of community creativity, Northern Beaches Council’s Art & Words Project 2019 is calling on participants to write and create works inspired by the theme ‘Saltwater’.

Entrants will have the chance to have their works published in an anthology with the participating artists creating works directly in response to the text.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said a selection from the anthology and the accompanying art will be displayed on a 24-hour digital screen at Manly Art Gallery & Museum and at all Northern Beaches Libraries during the Arts Festival.

“The artworks will illustrate the book alongside the words and the original artworks will be displayed in libraries across the Northern Beaches.

“The Manly Arts Festival attracts over 15,000 visitors annually and our six Northern Beaches Libraries have 177,746 members, together representing a huge audience for any aspiring artist or writer,” said Mayor Regan.

The Art & Words Project is a collaborative project mentored by multiple-award-winning writer Zena Shapter and supported by the Northern Beaches Library Service and the Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

Ms Shapter, who will be providing creative support for the project, is the founder of the Northern Beaches Writers' Group and a Northern Beaches local.

“Community creativity on this scale is truly magical!” she said. 

“Entry is open to anyone, regardless of genre or style, so I’m hoping to hear from a diverse range of creatives, a balance of perspectives that will reflect the thrilling yet unspoken truth of our community.”

Applications for the Art & Words Project 2019 will be open from 15 January 2019. To apply and for further information visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Closing date for entries is Friday 15 March, 5pm, with selected entrants notified by Friday 29 March. 

Enquiries: artandwordsproject@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au


Image: ‘Flying Fish’ by Nettie Lodge

Certificates Of Title 

The Office of the Registrar General is seeking feedback on transitioning from paper certificates of title to an electronic alternative. 

What's this about?
eConveyancing is a critical part of the NSW Government’s commitment to leading digital innovation.

Transitioning to the eConveyancing system involves shifting away from paper certificates of title. The Office of the Registrar General has published a discussion paper seeking feedback on a range of issues relevant to certificates of title which remain to be addressed.

The discussion paper:
  • outlines the current status of certificates of title in NSW
  • reviews the legislative environment relating to certificates of title in NSW and in comparable states
  • discusses proposals for replacing paper certificates of title with an electronic alternative
  • raises questions for discussion.
Have your say
There are two ways you can provide your feedback:
Email: ORG-admin@finance.nsw.gov.au
Mail: Certificates of title: the next evolution
Office of the Registrar General
McKell Building
2-24 Rawson Place
Sydney NSW 2000

Have your say by 28 February 2019.
Agency Website 

Fa.Mi.Li.A Opening Night At Be Brave Artspace

A wonderful evening for those who came along to Fa.mi.li.a opening night on Friday night, February 8th. 
HUGE thanks to the 6 Brazilian artists for participating! 

A special thank you to Sarah for her beautiful poetry, Lucia Johns for her encouraging words and Councillor Penny Philpott for opening the exhibition. 

Fa.mi.li.a is on until March 3rd. 
We are open all weekend 10-4.

Tina Berkeley
Be Brave Artspace
5-7 Careel Head Road
North Avalon

Keoride Becoming Opal Active This Sunday

Friday February 8th, 2019

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes today announced that from this Sunday passengers will be able to use their Opal card to pay for the highly popular Keoride on-demand transport service.

OpalPay will allow customers to ‘tap on’ with their Opal card when boarding Keoride, reducing the need for separate payment methods and making multi-modal travel more seamless. 

“Keoride has been overwhelmingly embraced by Pittwater residents,” Rob Stokes said today.

“The recent introduction of the B-Line and other new bus services, as well as the Opal card and the Keoride on-demand service, has seen an encouraging increase in public transport patronage.

“This announcement brings them all together and helps deliver even better passenger opportunities.

“The introduction of OpalPay as a Keoride payment method makes this excellent service even simpler and more accessible.

“I encourage anyone in Pittwater who hasn’t tried Keoride to give it a go and experience first-hand how convenient it is to get from their homes to our local public transport hubs,” Rob Stokes said.

OpalPay will be available from Sunday, 10 February.

Customers are still required to pre-book their Keoride either by downloading the Keoride App and selecting ‘OpalPay’ during the booking process or by calling Keoride on 1800 536 743. 

Keoride fares available through OpalPay will continue to cost $3.10 for a standard fare and $1.55 for concessions. Paying the standalone Keoride fare using OpalPay will not count towards Opal benefits such as Weekly Travel Rewards, Transfer Discounts or Travel Caps.

Pittwater’s Keoride on-demand service provides a fast, agile and effective method of connecting people in Pittwater from their doorsteps to their nearest B-Line bus stop.

Pittwater’s Keoride has the following operating hours:
6am – 10pm Monday – Wednesday 
6am – 11:30pm Thursday – Friday
7am – 11:30pm Saturday
7am – 9pm Sunday. 

To find out more go to www.keoride.com.au/northern-beaches-home


Elanora Scout And Community Hall Bilarong Reserve Petition

Residents have contacted Pittwater Online News this week asking that a petition asking council to Prioritise the repair of Elanora Scout and Community Hall run this Issue.

The hall has been home to various community groups, Art Classes, ASGMWP Sorry Day events, Weddings and is the main base for the Elanora Scout Group.

The Petition reads:

The Elanora Scout and community hall has extensive termite damage and cannot be used. This Hall has been home to a busy, healthy Scout Group of over 70 families, at least 8 local businesses and many community groups. It has been available to local families for events and celebrations at a reasonable cost for over 20 years.

Without a Hall the Scout group has halved in numbers.

Can you support us by signing a petition to encourage Northern Beaches Council to recognise the worth of the Hall and prioritise it's repair?

You can add your signature of support HERE


Free Lifejacket Self-Service Clinics And Marine Flare Disposal 

Roads and Maritime Services will hold free clinics at Rowland Reserve in Bayview to teach boaters how to service their own inflatable lifejackets.

The clinics will be held on Saturday 23 February and will coincide with an expired marine flare disposal point.

“Inflatable lifejackets save lives, are easy to wear, comfortable and increasingly affordable – but they require extra care and attention to ensure they’ll inflate in an emergency,” Rob Stokes said today. 

“It’s a legal requirement in NSW to service inflatable lifejackets every year or in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. Most can be self-serviced if you know how.

“This NSW Government awareness program will provide boaters with the skills they need to service their lifejackets themselves.

“Boaters who come along can receive free lifejacket parts kits or $15 vouchers which can be used towards the purchase of a new lifejacket or parts at participating marine retailers.

“Anyone who’s interested in attending the clinics is encouraged to register ahead of time.

“The Expired Marine Flare Collection Program also gives boaters the opportunity to dispose of flares safely and easily.

“Marine flares are an extremely important emergency signalling device and have a shelf life of approximately three years – so it’s important for boaters to ensure they have up-to-date safety equipment on board at all times.

“Pittwater is a boater’s paradise and we want people to enjoy their time on the water and do so safely. 

“Wearing a lifejacket will never ruin your day, but it could save your life,” Rob Stokes said.

The free lifejacket clinics will be held between 8am to 10am on Saturday 23 February. To register, please visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/lifejacket-clinics.html

Lifejackets Now Compulsory For Rock Fisherman

Tuesday, 5 February 2019: NBC Media Release
Northern Beaches Council can now enforce the wearing of life jackets by rock fishermen along declared high risk areas of the coastline with the focus being on educating anglers of the need to wear them over the coming months.  

The move comes following Council adopting the legislation at the June 2018 Council meeting after the Minister for Emergency Services announced coastal councils could elect to opt-in to the legislation from April last year.

Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan said it was very obvious that opting into the legislation was the right thing for our community given the extensive coastline we have.

“There are many inherent dangers to this recreational pursuit despite your age and experience level and it is Council’s utmost priority to keep the community safe.

“I am pleased to say along with Randwick and Richmond Valley Councils we are leading the way by coming on board this very important public safety initiative. 

“The focus will be on educating anglers on the new laws over the coming months and providing advice on safe rock fishing to ensure you get home to your families without harm.

“As well as wearing a lifejacket at all times, also wear appropriate footwear, check the weather conditions including the swell and tide and never fish alone to ensure you have an enjoyable day out.” Mayor Regan said.

The Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 requires rock fishers to wear appropriate lifejackets when rock fishing or helping others rock fish within the boundaries of each relevant local government area.

Under the legislation, high risk areas are naturally occurring rock platforms or other rock formations exposed to the ocean swell. There are numerous locations from Palm Beach to Manly which are known hot spots for rock fishing incidents which this legislation will apply to.

NSW Police with support from Council Rangers, DPI Fisheries Officers and National Parks and Wildlife Service Rangers are authorised to enforce the Act.

For more information about this legislation, safety and maps of the areas the legislation is enforced, visit the Department of Primary Industry website or Water Safety NSW.

Bayview Golf Club Development Proposal Update: February 2019

Waterbrook P/L requested on 23rd November 2018  that their original Site Compatibility Certificate (SCC) be amended to change the type of housing that had been originally proposed, to change the approved location of the development footprint and to include the entire golf course site as being compatible with Seniors Housing.
 
They also requested that all the conditions that were applied to the SCC certificate, as being items that needed to be further reviewed during the DA phase be removed. These were important issues such as - form, height, bulk, scale, setbacks and landscaping; - flood risk management and excavation design responses; - car parking and access requirements for all existing and proposed land uses on the site; and - potential ecological impacts. 
 
The Department of Planning asked them to withdraw this 23rd November 2018 application as adding additional land ( the entire golf course) to an existing SCC is not allowed under the legislation.
 
[The applicant did not withdraw the application rather they changed their SCC amendment application to fit the previous land definition on the existing SCC. It wasn't refused by the DPE however and is still listed as 'under consideration'.]
 
The proponent then submitted a second a request for amendments on 8th January 2019 , removing their request for the whole golf course land to be included but the other items requested under their amendment remained.
 
Council's response to this request for amendment to the existing SCC has been placed on the DPE website (Jan 30, 2019)
 
scc.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/proposaldetails.phpNBEAC_001_01- refer to the top document for council's response.
 
Council objects to the amendment on various grounds including the DPE's own policy regarding SCC's which states that they can not be amended.

Council also reiterates that their previous extensive response and objections to this development on recreational land remains unchanged.
 
Running concurrently to the review for an SCC amendment by the DPE, the Land and Environment Court is hearing an appeal by the developer to approve the DA which was refused by the Sydney North Planning Panel on 13 August 2018. The final day of this LEC hearing is the 12th of February, 2019.
 
The petition established to object to this development now has over 70,000 signatures and over 1,000 objections were submitted in October 2018 to Council in regard to the amended development application.

Visit: the petition calling on the NSW Planning Minister to refuse the application/s is still available .


Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 2019

Pittwater Place stalls:   
Feb 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1.                    
Selling sewing, knitting, craft, books  9am to 3pm

Sausage sizzles Bunnings Narrabeen:      
Feb 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8                 
All Saturdays  8am to 3pm

Stall outside Mona Vale Library                  
23rd March  (State Election)                                        
Baking, sewing, knitting, craft 8am to 3pm


Speakers Wanted: Rotary Club Of Frenchs Forest

The Rotary Club of Frenchs Forest is looking for speakers to address our regular meetings - recently, we have had presentations on the local property market, the Northern Beaches Hospital, historical information on Sydney and its landmarks, various charitable organisations and even travel stories from those who have been to exotic locations...

We would like to invite speakers with a cause, an insight or just a good story. We'll also invite the public to listen as guests, so we can expand your audience!

We meet most Monday evenings at the Forestville RSL and some Monday mornings at various cafes in the area.

Please call Brian on 0402 938 870 to discuss your topic and select a date to join us.

(We'll even shout you dinner or breakfast on the day.)

Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment February 2019 Forum

7pm Monday Feb 25 2019 
Coastal Environment Centre, Pelican Path,  
Lake Park Road, Narrabeen  
Possums, Gliders and Fauna Surveys 

Jayden Walsh and Brad Law will shine a light on the behaviour of our native animals — particularly possums  (including the endangered pygmy possum) and gliders. 

Brad Law, who is an expert on Eastern Pygmy Possums,  will also give some insights about local fauna surveys. 

Make sure you put February 25 in your diary and , so that you don’t miss out, book your ticket early by emailing Judith Bennett at - email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au

Bush Regeneration  
 
Belrose area - Thursday mornings  
Belrose area - Weekend mornings  
Contact: Conny Harris 0432 643 295 
 
Wheeler Creek - Wed mornings 9-11am 
Contact: Judith Bennett 0402 974 105 

2019 NSW State Election

Saturday, 23 March 2019: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Election of the 57th Parliament of New South Wales, including all 93 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and 21 of the 42 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council.

You can check your current electoral enrolment by entering your details on check.aec.gov.au or by phoning the AEC on 13 23 26.  You must be enrolled by 4 March 2019 to be eligible to vote.

To enrol for the first time or get back on the roll, you can enrol online. Visit: www.aec.gov.au/enrol

If you have moved, you need to update your address details on the electoral roll. However, if you are overseas or going overseas, please see the information on the going overseas page of the AEC website.

If you have special needs or there are specific circumstances that may affect your enrolment there are special enrolment formsavailable on the AEC website for you to complete to update your address details.

For senior citizens
If you find it difficult to get to a polling place on election day, you can apply to become a General Postal Voter to receive your ballot papers in the mail. The AEC also provides mobile polling to some nursing homes and hospitals, and uses accessible polling places wherever possible. In cases where an accessible polling place is not available, alternative arrangements are in place to assist those people who may be unable to access a polling place without assistance.


For people with a disability
If you find it difficult to get to a polling place on election day, you can apply to become a General Postal Voter to receive your ballot papers in the mail. The AEC also provides mobile polling to some hospitals, and uses accessible polling places wherever possible. In cases where an accessible polling place is not available, alternative arrangements are in place to assist those people who may be unable to access a polling place without assistance.

If you have a physical disability that prevents you from writing, you can get someone else to complete and sign an enrolment form for persons unable to sign their name on your behalf.

Some people may require additional support to enrol and vote, such as people with an intellectual, cognitive or psychosocial disability. The AEC provides a range of information written in Easy English. Easy English is more accessible for people who have difficulty reading and understanding written information.

Nominate Now For The 2019 Australian Surfing Awards Incorporating The Hall Of Fame

by Surfing Australia
With still just under a month before nominations close for the 2019 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame, now is the time to get an entry in!

Surfing Australia’s night of nights will be held on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Tuesday, April 2nd at QT Gold Coast.

World Surf League Siblings Tyler and Owen Wright took the honours last year for the Male and Female Surfer of the Year awards, while Pauline Menczer became the 40th inductee into the Hall of Fame.

To nominate someone in any of the below awards, visit: www.australiansurfingawards.com

NOTE: Nominations close February 15th, 2019.

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

The winner of the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award will receive the new Nikon Z 6 kit while the winner of the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award will take home the new Nikon Z 7. Each will come with the new Nikkor Z 24-70mm 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, Australasian Surf Business Magazine, 2XP, XXXX Summer Bright Lager and DrinkWise.


Image: Trent Mitchell's 2018 Nikon Surf Photo of The Year 

Vote For The 2019 NSW Women Of The Year

NSW Government
Young female entrepreneurs, humanitarian ambassadors and cancer researchers are among the finalists of the 2019 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

The annual awards celebrate and recognise the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to industry, communities and society. The following award categories are now open to the public for online voting:
  • Community Hero Award
  • Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year Award
  • Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year Award
  • NSW Business Woman of the Year Award
  • First State Super Lifetime Achievement Award.
Minister for Women Tanya Davies said by casting a vote individuals not only help to recognise the finalists’ outstanding achievements, but also highlight their stories to inspire other women.

“This year’s finalists are just a handful of the thousands of women who make a difference in our communities, and I urge everyone across NSW to show their support by viewing these remarkable stories online and submitting their vote,” Mrs Davies said.

The winners will be announced at the 2019 NSW Women of the Year Awards in Sydney on 7 March 2019.

A Survey On Ticks And Wildlife In The Northern Beaches

The University of Sydney is conducting a study to better understand how residents and their pets are encountering ticks and wildlife in their backyards. We invite all Northern Beaches residents to participate in our survey.

Coastal bushland remnants and other green spaces across the Northern Beaches are home to a variety of native plants and animals. They also provide a place for residents to enjoy their favourite outdoor pastimes. Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are common in the Northern Beaches and feed on a wide range of animal hosts during their life cycle. Understanding the complex relationship between ticks and their host species is an essential part of our research. The information we gain will contribute to our growing knowledge of ticks and will guide future research efforts.

We aim to identify:
  • Areas where people are encountering ticks more than others (tick 'hotspots'),
  • Backyard and landscape features that may influence tick presence, and
  • Wildlife using backyards and how this might or might not influence tick occurrence
To meet these aims, it is important for you to provide a street address. If you would prefer not to, we ask that you provide your street name and nearest cross street. It is important for us to create a map of tick encounters to understand what landscape features might influence tick presence and where to target future research.

All identifying information will be removed from any data presentations.

The survey should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is voluntary. 

If you have any questions about the project, please contact PhD candidate Casey Taylor on 02 9351 3189 or casey.taylor@sydney.edu.au. This project is being undertaken by the University of Sydney in association with Northern Beaches Council.

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

This research has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Ethics committee. (Approval no: 2018/157)

Lower Parking Fees At Rowland Reserve On The Cards

NBC Media Release
Lower parking fees at popular Rowland Reserve in Bayview are on the agenda, as Northern Beaches Council seeks to encourage visitors to use the carpark rather than the surrounding streets.

Council plans to lower the hourly summer rate from $10 currently to $6 and the daily rate from $40 to $25, following a successful Council motion yesterday evening. Winter rates would fall to $5 an hour from $8 and from $35 to $22 per day.

And the area allocated for the free one-hour rate will be doubled.

The draft car parking fees will be placed on public exhibition and a report presented to Council in February.

Mayor Michael Regan said Rowland Reserve is a regional boating facility and used by both residents and non-residents as well as dog walkers and other recreational users.

“When Council harmonised fees and charges across the three former Council areas, the fee increase at Rowland Reserve appears to have discouraged people from using the carpark.

“We want to get the balance right and encourage people to use the carpark provided rather than choosing to park vehicles and trailers in local residential streets which often means residents can’t park outside their own homes.

“Council has received feedback from residents about the parking issues and we have listened. With an anticipated increase in carpark usage as a result of the lower fees, there will be less traffic congestion and pollution resulting from cars in and around local streets looking for a park.

“It’s a win-win for everyone: for both boating enthusiasts who can park cars and trailers at lower cost, and for short term users such as people walking their dogs who will have more one-hour free parking spots.

The proposed lower fees will be in line with the charges in the 2017/18 financial year.

Following the comment period a report will be presented to Council in March 2019. 
Comments close: Sunday 24 February 2019.

ARTEXPRESS 2019: HSC Showcase Spotlight On Student Creativity

February 7th 2019 - NSW Department of Education
Outstanding artworks, performances and design projects will be displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Sydney Opera House and the Powerhouse Museum.

The creative support and inspiration at Canley Vale High School has been acknowledged with the school’s visual arts faculty receiving the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation Award.

The award was announced on Wednesday at the launch of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 2018 HSC showcase season at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Canley Vale High School students Celine Luu and Monica Trieu were also honoured with their artwork selected for hanging at the Art Gallery of NSW from Thursday, February 7, as part of ARTEXPRESS 2019.

Prairiewood High School and Wyndham College were also among the five NSW schools that had two students’ work represented in the exhibition. All five are public schools.

Canley Vale High School head teacher Angela Stojanovski said the school was incredibly proud of their two student artists.

“We worked so hard together as a team. The students took on board advice and they really came through with their artworks,” Ms Stojanovski said.

“It was definitely an art-making process where they developed and channelled through influence from other artists and really dug deep to complete these artworks.”

Monica Trieu is one of the 33 NSW public school students whose work will be featured in ARTEXPRESS 2019.

She was surprised to have her piece ‘The unseen casualties’ chosen for the exhibition.

“My artwork did not turn out how I thought it was going to,” Monica said.

“It’s unbelievable. I looked at the other artworks online the other night and just thought, ‘Wow, how did mine even get in here’.”

ARTEXPRESS is an annual exhibition that showcases outstanding works created by NSW students for their HSC visual arts examination.

A total of 56 artworks have been selected for exhibition at the gallery from the 8,770 student works submitted for the 2018 HSC.

ARTEXPRESS will be on display at the Art Gallery of NSW from Thursday, February 7, until Thursday, April 25.

After the exhibition closes in Sydney, ARTEXPRESS will tour regional galleries across the state.

More than 230 student artworks will be on display in centres including Armidale, Tamworth, Dubbo, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga.

ARTEXPRESS is a joint partnership between the NSW Education Standards Authority and NSW Department of Education in association with the Art Gallery of NSW.

Blowing His Own Trumpet


Darius Sachinwalla and his functional mahogany trumpet.

Shape is another of the 2018 HSC showcases, featuring work from design and technology, industrial technology, and textiles and design courses.

Darius Sachinwalla, whose work will be displayed at the Powerhouse Museum as part of Shape, said his project started with a joke among his friends.

“I took the joke seriously,” said Darius.

The former Turramurra High School student created a trumpet out of mahogany for his HSC industrial technology course.

“It was a lot of designing and planning and testing to get it to where it is now as a functional instrument.”

Shape, the showcase for the design and technology, industrial technology, and textiles and design courses will run at the Powerhouse Museum from February 22.

More than 200 students from public schools across the state will have their works featured in the 8 showcase events.

Inside ARTEXPRESS 2019 - Art Gallery Of NSW

Emma Tye
Northern Beaches Secondary College, Mackellar Girls Campus

Artwork title
A conversation between the macro and micro landscapes
HSC year: 2018
ARTEXPRESS year: 2019
Expressive form
Collection of works

Artist’s statement
My body of work is a representation and intuitive response to the local landscape. It documents my experiences and investigates my time spent at Long Reef, a place that has strong personal significance. Its vast open space invites exploration of the forms and elements that make up its ecosystem. Through abstraction, I aimed to evoke the multiple dimensions of nature’s dynamic systems, where small areas and fragments allude to the wider environment.

Influencing artists:
John Wolseley

Art Set


A conversation between the macro and micro landscapes   by Emma Tye


Art Set - by Emma Tye

In Arts Related News: Express Yourself 2019 At Manly Art Gallery & Museum

Friday, 22 March 2019 - 10:00am to Sunday, 28 April 2019 - 5:00pm
This significant annual curated exhibition of artworks by HSC Visual Arts students from the 20 high schools across Sydney’s Northern Beaches region is always a great favourite among all generations. It represents diverse bodies of work including multi-media, digital, sculpture and drawing, and celebrates the creativity of emerging artists in this region. Curated by Ross Heathcote. 

In conjunction with Express Yourself, two awards are granted annually to students featured in the exhibition; the Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Youth Art Award and the Theo Batten Bequest Youth Art Award, presented to a student continuing tertiary study in the arts. This exhibition is part of ARTMONTH, Sydney.

Teachers’ Preview
Friday 22 March, 5 - 6pm

Art Talk + Walk
Saturday 30 March, 2 - 3pm
Express Yourself artists walk through the exhibition and discuss their works with the curator.

City Of Sydney To Host Major 2020 Women’s Climate Summit

February 4th, 2019: City of Sydney
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore today announced that the City of Sydney has been selected to host a major international climate conference in 2020.

The C40 Women4Climate Conference is an initiative of the C40, a network of 94 of the world’s largest cities, representing more than 700 million people worldwide.

Under the leadership of its former and current chairs – Michael Bloomberg and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo – the organisation has taken over 10,000 practical actions to tackle climate change.

“For too long, many national governments have failed to take action to address accelerating climate change, so cities are leading the way”, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“More than half of the world’s population live in cities, and generate a staggering 75 to 80 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, so action in our cities is crucial.

“Shamefully, our own national government has a history of wilful negligence and Australian politicians, both state and federal, are presiding over a climate disaster.

“Just this month in Australia, we’ve experienced the hottest month on record, unprecedented fish kills in the Murray-Darling river system and bushfires in Tasmania; while in the northern hemisphere people are dying in extreme freezing temperatures.

“Australia remains the largest exporter of coal in the world and until recently our state sourced more than 90 per cent of electricity from coal-fired power. Our National Government’s 2020 and 2030 emissions targets are profoundly inadequate and Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions have been steadily increasing since the carbon tax was removed in 2013.”

The Lord Mayor said action on climate change is the City of Sydney’s top priority, and this conference would provide an opportunity to showcase the leadership of Sydney to the world.

“The City was among the first to set science-based targets in 2008 and since then we’ve reduced our emissions by 20 percent on 2005 levels, and are well on our way to achieving our 2030 goal of 70 per cent, and net zero by 2050,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We were inspired by Los Angeles to convert our 6,500 streetlights to LED more than a decade ago. Now our local energy provider Ausgrid is converting almost 10,000 more. This action alone is our largest carbon reduction project to date.

“The City has worked with our business community through the Better Buildings Partnership. Members have saved $33 million a year on power costs and reduced their emissions by 52 per cent since 2001, well over halfway to their 2030 target of a 70 per cent reduction.

“But our challenge is huge because of the lack of support from our state and national governments.”

“I hope that by hosting this major international conference, we can give voice to the majority of ordinary Australians who believe the science and want action but who are silenced by the powerful vested interests in our country, and help encourage one of the world’s highest producers of greenhouse gas emissions into taking more ambitious action.”

The City of Sydney will host the annual conference for three days in April 2020, bringing together hundreds of influential women leaders from government, business industry and the community sector to tackle climate change issues.

“As part of our successful bid, we’ve also committed to developing a 10 month mentoring program to empower Sydney’s next generation of female climate leaders by connecting them with the current successful female climate change leaders,” said the Lord Mayor.

The Women4Climate initiative was founded by Paris Mayor and C40 Chair Anne Hidalgo in 2016 to enhance women’s participation and leadership to secure a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the CEO of the City of Sydney Monica Barone and the Lord Mayor’s chief of staff, Shehana Teixeira will travel to the 2019 C40 Women4Climate Conference in Paris later this month.

For more information on C40 Cities, visit: https://www.c40.org/

Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Junior Lifesaver Of The Year

Mila McGettigan (Freshwater SLSC) and Leon Pearson (Dee Why SLSC) will represent Sydney Northern Beaches Branch at the State Awards for Junior Lifesaver of the Year.

Mila and Leon were announced as the SNB female and male winners at Branch headquarters.

Tracey Hare-Boyd, SNB Board of Member Services Director, said the calibre of finalists was really good again this year.

''Even though the nominations were down the judges had the hardest time this year that I've seen picking a winner out of the seven years I've been sitting in on the interviews,'' Tracey said.

Stella Clarkson (Manly LSC) and Liam Wheen (North Steyne SLSC) both received High Commendation.

* The award is sponsored by Speedo.
Pictures: Mila McGettigan and Leon Pearson; Stella Clarkson and Liam Wheen and all nominees - photos courtesy Bill Sheridan

February 3 - 9, 2019: Issue 392

Articles This Week 

Front Page Issue 392

Waterhouse and Darmanin Win Gold Medal In 2019 Miami World Cup - great way to start the year, 2nd win in a row!

State Government Pledges Funds For Marine Rescue NSW: Includes 38 New Vessel For 28 Units - MR Broken Bay and other local units named 

New Facilities At Mona Vale Hospital Taking Shape + Praise for MVH Medical Staff Response Over Holiday Period

Residents To Protest Hospital Service Closures At Mona Vale Meeting: Tuesday, February 5, from 7 to 9pm at Pittwater RSL Club + Brookfield Business Partners L.P announces agreement to acquire up to 100% of Healthscope Limited + NSW Shadow Minister for Health demands takeover of Healthscope (which runs the Northern Beaches Hospital) be referred to the Foreign Investment Review Board

Greens to Launch Pittwater Campaign Supporting Mona Vale Hospital - Saturday Feb. 9th - all welcome

Funding for Northern Beaches Wetlands  - From Office of Hon. Rob Stokes

Cloudy by Lynleigh Greig

Pictures: Woody Point Yacht Club's Gentleman's Launch and Putt Putt Regatta 2019

Future Vet Kids Camp - Article by Kayleigh Greig, 15

Surf Collective's High School Business Initiative: 2018 Winner's Product Now Available - The Squid Handplane!

Aquatics: IMPORTANT COMMUNITY EVENT: 3D SEISMIC TESTING PLANNED FOR AUSTRALIA’S EAST COAST The Federal Government have given approval for intense 3D seismic testing along the East Coast approximately from Newcastle to Woy Woy.  This 500 sq.km PEP11 site, a very short distance from Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Park Bench Philosopher: Death By 775 Cuts: How Conservation Law Is Failing The Black-Throated Finch - new study 'How to Send a Finch Extinct' now published

Collector's Corner: Photographers Of Early Pittwater: Charles Bayliss - a Landscape photographer who won awards, his images of Pittwater date from  circa 1880 and show us a place almost unrecognisable and structures long gone. A testament to the esteem his images still have is shown in that his photographs now fetch thousands of dollars in Art Auctions.

Food: Summer Peaches - From Wyong! - currently coming into stores at around $3 per kilo - peaches have been grown in Australia from at least 1803 - some insights and some recipe ideas.

Profile:  Isabella Jessie Wye MBE OAM (Isa) – A few years ago Pittwater Online News attended a swim meet at Dee Why Rock Pool as part of the Winter Swimming Groups competitions that annually take place between Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Dee Why, Curl Curl and other clubs. The Dee Why Ice Picks were hosting the comp. While there some very able lady swimmers were met and a little about a local legend - Isa Wye - was shared.

At Council's December 2018 Meeting there was a unanimous vote to rename Dee Why Rock Pool the 'Isa Wye MBE OAM Pool' in recognition of her over 85 years of involvement with the Dee Why Ladies’ Amateur Swimming Club.

So just who was this diminutive lady whose great spirit continues to inspire us all? And what else has she done - quite a bit as it turns out - endlessly, for thousands, for decades.

History: Off To School In 2019 A Bit Quicker Than A Hundred And Four Years Ago - for younger readers
The sight of traffic around school drop off time this week, on the first day back to school for 2019, reminds of stories my grandmother used to tell of her horse and riding to school in the days before there were school buses or boats to bring children across the water to school. 

Granny's eyes would light up as she spoke about how her horse was her best friend, about playing hide and seek with her brothers when she and her horse would gallop ahead and then both of them crouch down hiding behind a green bank, my young grandmother giggling and her horse snuffling (giggling too?) as those boys rode past - unable to see them.

"She was a very smart horse." my grandmother used to say.

Of course in Pittwater school was often reached by a long walk or on horseback in the days before there were good roads or school buses. 

Pittwater also once had Australia's First School Launch. Children who live on Scotland Island and our Western Shores still get to school via the water - only today it's a Church Point Ferry that brings them to school - some to Newport Public School, some to Pittwater High School.

Artists of the Month: February 2019: FAMILIA | GROUP EXHIBITION Most people in Pittwater would be aware that our area is being increasingly enriched by the presence of Brazilian people who have emigrated to be in this beautiful place through marriage or by choice. The match is a natural one - a place so vibrant is bound to attract those whose spirit reflects the same. 

On February 8th 2019 a new exhibition will open at the Be Brave ArtSpace at North Avalon that will allow visitors to see into what this place has inspired in six of these Creatives.

A group of six Brazilian visual artists based in Sydney have gathered to share their experiences and collaborate with each other. This exhibition, entitled 'Familia' is the collaboration resulting from their individual journeys coming together in a group.

The exhibition showcases creations by Cassia Bundock, Fabio Manzini (a.k.a. juxta.fab), Flavia Julius, Lia Marx - Photos & Films, Marisa Pasicznik Ross, and Murilo Manzini (a.k.a. Muzi).

The Familia group exhibition will run February 8th through to March 3, 2019. The opening night is February 8th from 5 to 8 PM. All Welcome!

 Pittwater Offshore Newsletter Update 1/2/2019 

click on Logo: 

To contact Julian:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Bayview Golf Club Development Proposal Update: February 2019

Waterbrook P/L requested on 23rd November 2018  that their original Site Compatibility Certificate (SCC) be amended to change the type of housing that had been originally proposed, to change the approved location of the development footprint and to include the entire golf course site as being compatible with Seniors Housing.
 
They also requested that all the conditions that were applied to the SCC certificate, as being items that needed to be further reviewed during the DA phase be removed. These were important issues such as - form, height, bulk, scale, setbacks and landscaping; - flood risk management and excavation design responses; - car parking and access requirements for all existing and proposed land uses on the site; and - potential ecological impacts. 
 
The Department of Planning asked them to withdraw this 23rd November 2018 application as adding additional land ( the entire golf course) to an existing SCC is not allowed under the legislation.
 
[The applicant did not withdraw the application rather they changed their SCC amendment application to fit the previous land definition on the existing SCC. It wasn't refused by the DPE however and is still listed as 'under consideration'.]
 
The proponent then submitted a second a request for amendments on 8th January 2019 , removing their request for the whole golf course land to be included but the other items requested under their amendment remained.
 
Council's response to this request for amendment to the existing SCC has been placed on the DPE website (Jan 30, 2019)
 
scc.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/proposaldetails.phpNBEAC_001_01- refer to the top document for council's response.
 
Council objects to the amendment on various grounds including the DPE's own policy regarding SCC's which states that they can not be amended.

Council also reiterates that their previous extensive response and objections to this development on recreational land remains unchanged.
 
Running concurrently to the review for an SCC amendment by the DPE, the Land and Environment Court is hearing an appeal by the developer to approve the DA which was refused by the Sydney North Planning Panel on 13 August 2018. The final day of this LEC hearing is the 12th of February, 2019.
 
The petition established to object to this development now has over 70,000 signatures and over 1,000 objections were submitted in October 2018 to Council in regard to the amended development application.

Visit: the petition calling on the NSW Planning Minister to refuse the application/s is still available .


Pittwater Baseball Club - New Clubhouse

After many years of planning, hoping, negotiating and saving our pennies, we are thrilled to announce the official opening of our new clubrooms at North Narrabeen Reserve (Rat Park). 

The official opening will be held on Saturday 9th February from 1.30pm. The Honourable Rob Stokes MP and The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Northern Beaches Council Michael Regan will be there to celebrate this Momentous occasion and throw the first pitch. 

We would like to encourage all our members and families to attend this important event to help show our support for those who have been instrumental in planning the development of our new facilities. Please put this date in your diaries and we look forward to seeing you at this special occasion.

Important Community Event: 3D Seismic Testing Planned For Australia's East Coast 

January 30, 2019: From Living Ocean

The Federal Government have given approval for intense 3D seismic testing along the East Coast approximately from Newcastle to Woy Woy.  This 500 sq.km PEP11 site, a very short distance from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is in the direct migratory path of the Humpback whales Megaptera novaeanglia, and home to dolphins, turtles and a myriad of marine life. *

Science-based evidence shows that ocean noise, such as sonar and seismic testing, has potentially wide ranging and devastating impacts on whales, dolphins and many, as yet not studied forms of marine life.   

To raise awareness in our community of the proposed testing and its potential impact, Northern Beaches ocean-based conservation group, Living Ocean, have partnered with Newcastle group ‘Save Our Coast’.  Together they are hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary, ‘Sonic Sea’, followed by a discussion with a panel of subject matter experts to allow the public to learn more.  Experts including economist, Matt Koch and marine biologist, Libby Eyre and more, will be on hand to answer questions. The moderator is Rowan Hanley - Northern Beaches Council Eco Awards winner 2018. 

This will take place on Wednesday 13 February at 7pm at Avalon Beach Cinema, 2107.  Tickets are free but are limited and must be pre booked here:  https://bit.ly/2RUzeNq 

Living Ocean is an ocean-based conservation group on Sydney’s Northern Beaches promoting awareness of human impact on the ocean through research, education and community action.  The group develops and nurtures close and important partnerships with schools, marine scientists, independent corporations and government agencies. 

Its whale research program builds on research that has been conducted off Sydney’s Northern Beaches by experts over many years and its Centre for Marine Studies enables students and others to become directly involved.  Additionally, Living Ocean raises funds for other vital ocean conservation groups.  Living Ocean successfully lobbied NOPSEMA to postpone initial 2D testing in 2017 set to occur in the middle of the southern Humpback migration period. 

Save Our Coast is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit community, dedicated to protecting marine animals and the coastal ecosystem.  They aim to educate, inspire and empower the community to revere and care for our coastal environment. 

The event, which is supported by The Boathouse and Le Pont Wine Store, will include live music, art and will conclude with an after dark light show.   

__________________________

* The proponent has plans to lodge an EP (Environmental Plan) for 3D Testing with NOPSEMA in the first quarter of 2019. 

Offshore oil and gas companies are required to consult with relevant persons while they are preparing environment plans for the offshore petroleum activities they wish to undertake. (Meaning: You must direct your queries/feedback to the proponent, not NOPSEMA)

To assist stakeholders, NOPSEMA has compiled some key information to clarify the regulatory requirements for consultation as well as providing useful pointers for engaging with oil and gas companies.

''The intent of the law is to allow those who may be affected by an activity to have an opportunity to understand how the activity will be undertaken and to contribute to identification and management of the potential impacts and risks of the activity. ...''

For more visit HERE

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Residents To Protest Hospital Service Closures At Mona Vale Meeting

Hosted by Save Mona Vale Hospital Committee 
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM
The Auditorium, Pittwater RSL Club
82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale

Hospital campaigners have called a protest meeting for next week to put the state government on notice that the community is appalled by the severe downgrading of Mona Vale Hospital.

Save Mona Vale Hospital chairman Parry Thomas said the meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 5, from 7 to 9pm at Pittwater RSL Club.

Mr Thomas said speakers will bring residents up to date with the situation at Mona Vale and Northern Beaches Hospitals and let them know what they can do to help the campaign.

“We are inviting everyone in the local community to join us to put the government on notice that we will settle for nothing less than the restoration of Mona Vale Hospital to a fully-functioning acute services hospital,” Mr Thomas said.

“Brad Hazzard and Rob Stokes have been playing semantics over this issue for months now.

“They are telling us they have ‘upgraded’ Mona Vale Hospital by providing more scanning services in the Urgent Care Centre, so it can now be classified as an emergency department.

“The retention of those scanning services is welcome but they are not new.

“We have lost a full emergency department that was recently renovated - and serious problems that would have been dealt with there in the past are now being turned away.

“We have also lost surgery, ICU, the refurbished maternity department and their support services.

“To add insult to injury, after closing the best part of two public facilities, the closest acute hospital now is the privately-operated Northern Beaches Hospital, which has serious and well-documented problems and is too far away.”

Speakers will include:

  • The Hon. Rob Stokes, MP for Pittwater and NSW Education Minister
  • Associate Professor Richard West AM, MB. BS. (Syd) FRCS FRACS VMO Surgeon Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
  • Dennis Ravlich - NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Manager of the Member Industrial Services Team
  • Chris Sadrinna – actor, and former star of Home and Away, whose daughter was turned away from Mona Vale Hospital with a serious infection.

Greens To Launch Pittwater Campaign Supporting Mona Vale Hospital

Northern Beaches Greens
Media Release
February 2, 2019

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge will launch The Greens' campaign for Pittwater candidate Miranda Korzy next weekend, with a commitment to recover services stripped from Mona Vale Hospital.

The launch, will take place at Robert Dunn Reserve next to the hospital, on Saturday February 9, from 10am to 12pm. 

Ms Korzy, who helped kick off the latest round of the campaign to retain Mona Vale Hospital as a fully-functioning acute services facility, is an active member of the Save Mona Hospital committee.      

“Our community has been robbed of an essential service with the closure of the emergency, surgical, maternity and other wards at Mona Vale Hospital,” Ms Korzy said. 

“The new hospital at Frenchs Forest will always be too far away. 

“We have been sold out, with our public hospital downgraded in favour of a privately-operated facility that has serious problems and is to be taken over by a Canadian investment firm.    

“The Greens have already shown our commitment in Parliament to Mona Vale Hospital, moving a motion of support for it there last year, and I will continue that on behalf of the community if I am elected.” 

Ms Korzy, who has lived on the Northern Beaches for 25 years, is a journalist with a long involvement in community and other social justice and environmental campaigns. 

She was a long-standing member of P&C groups at her children’s schools, where she lobbied for education funding. 

A founder of the Protect Pittwater Association, she is also fighting to recover Pittwater Council. 

“I passionately believe in the importance of a strong community and that we must protect our precious environment for future generations,” she said.

Mr Shoebridge is a barrister and first entered Parliament in 2010. His portfolios include Justice, Local Government and Planning.

The public is invited to join the launch. Refreshments will be provided.


Miranda Korzy and NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge

Berejiklians's Northern Beaches PPP Hospital - Labour Calls For Assessment By Foreign  Investment Review Board

Friday 1 February 2019: Media Release - WALT SECORD MLC, 
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH
NSW Labor today demanded the Berejiklian Government refer the takeover of Healthscope which runs the Northern Beaches Hospital to the Foreign Investment Review Board.

NSW Labor is worried about an overseas investment firm taking over a NSW private-public partnership hospital and allowing ultimate control to go overseas.

An overseas investment firm – Brookfield Asset Management – has indicated that it is finalising its due diligence and debt commitments with a view to submitting a fully-financed, binding offer by January 31 to take over Healthscope, the operator of the Northern Beaches Hospital.

Healthscope has more than 40 private hospitals in its portfolio including the Northern Beaches Hospital.

NSW Labor has joined the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, which has expressed concern about a private equity firm running a NSW hospital.

“The bottom line has to be patient safety and the Berejiklian Government has to ensure that patient safety is not compromised at the beleaguered hospital,” Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord said.

“The community already has real concerns about the Berejiklian Government’s failed private-public partnership (PPP) experiment – and there is fear about an overseas equity fund taking over a hospital, where the interests of shareholders will trump patients.”

“This is another step in the Americanisation of the NSW health and hospital system.”

“This is another consequence of privatising public hospitals; you lose control on how they are run and how they will maximise profit - through restructuring and job losses.”

The Northern Beaches Hospital has been plagued by problems since the Berejiklian Liberal Government opened it in late-October 2018.

The hospital was set up by the Liberals and Nationals as a PPP and it is operated by a private company.

NSW taxpayers contributed more than $600 million towards the hospital as part of an overall $2 billion contract with the private operator, but there has been a disturbing lack of transparency about the contract.

From the arrival of its first patients, the Northern Beaches Hospital has lurched from crisis to crisis and has had a litany of problems, including:

  • A two-tier system – with preference given to private patients over public patients;
  • Lack of basic medical supplies such as slings, bandages and insulin;
  • Inadequate blood bank with insufficient supplies;
  • Cancellation of elective surgery;
  • Problems with maternity services;
  • Doctors and junior doctors complaining about inadequate supervision and in one instance, a young doctor in the emergency department was responsible for 60 patients;
  • Concerns about pay and working conditions for staff;
  • Lengthy waits and lengthy trips for patients seeking ambulance treatment in the area – and in some cases up to 50 minutes;
  • Staff have threatened industrial action due to concerns about patient care and safety;
  • Complex medical cases sent away to Royal North Shore Hospital;
  • Mass resignations of staff including the CEO, head of medical services, two anaesthetics and other medical staff; and
  • Concerns about the reduction of services at Mona Vale Hospital and the closure of Manly Hospital.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord

“The Northern Beaches Hospital has been plagued with problems from day one – and if the hospital goes to overseas interests, the situation is likely to worsen.

“We know that a private equity firm will be about maximising its profits for its overseas investors. This will occur by cutting the staff and cutting corners on patient care.”

“The Liberals and Nationals don’t support a strong public health and hospital system; they believe that your credit card determines health care not your Medicare card.

“It is part of the Liberals and Nationals ideological commitment to the private provision of health and hospital services.

“The repeated issues at Northern Beaches Hospital are inexcusable. They are due to the Liberals-Nationals support for the private provision of health care.”

Infrastructure Improvements Continuing At Mona Vale Hospital

January 30, 2019

Mona Vale Hospital’s new Support Services Building is taking shape. The new building will accommodate modern kitchen, laundry, cleaning, staff and engineering facilities which are essential for the hospital’s ongoing operation.

Groundworks for the new building commenced late last year and structural work is now underway. 

“This is yet another important infrastructure improvement at Mona Vale Hospital,” Rob Stokes said today. 

“In recent years we’ve seen the start of a series of multi-million dollar building works at Mona Vale Hospital and this latest project is a really important part of the mix.

“The ongoing investment at Mona Vale Hospital is to ensure that new and continuing medical services are provided in modern, state-of-the-art buildings.

“This is not only important for patients – it’s also really important for the hundreds of incredible staff that work at Mona Vale Hospital.

“I’m delighted that for the first time in decades we’re now seeing a continuing flow of funds for infrastructure improvements at Mona Vale Hospital,” Rob Stokes said.

Work is also being finalised on the construction of a new hospital helipad. The helipad is being relocated to enable the construction of a new 20-bed inpatient building on the eastern side of the hospital.

Other upcoming infrastructure projects at Mona Vale Hospital include the construction of a new permanent ambulance facility and extensive renovations to the Urgent Care Centre building.

These projects follow the construction of the new Community Health Service Building in 2016, the 30-bed Beachside Rehabilitation Unit in 2014 and the expansion of the Palliative Care Outpatient Unit in 2013.

Construction photo of New Mona Vale Hospital Helipad - supplied

Praise For Mona Vale Hospital’s Medical Staff

January 31, 2019

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes has praised the incredible work of Mona Vale Hospital’s medical staff over the busy Christmas and summer holiday period.

Since November, more than 3,500 patients have presented to Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre which is staffed by a skilled team of emergency trained doctors and nurses.

The emergency medical unit operates 24 hours a day and also provides access to co-located medical imaging, physiotherapy and pathology services.

“Mona Vale Hospital’s staff are continuing to do an incredible job,” Rob Stokes said today. 

“The summer holiday period is always a busy time at Mona Vale Hospital and this year was no different.

“By working in close cooperation with the major hospital at Frenchs Forest – we now have local access to a range of high-level medical services that have never before been available on the northern beaches.

“Many of the medical staff in the Urgent Care Centre have been long-term employees at Mona Vale Hospital and are well known to local residents.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have these talented doctors and nurses continuing to serve our community,” Rob Stokes said.

The NSW Ambulance Service is continuing to remind the community that in the event of a medical emergency always call triple zero (000) and request assistance. This is particularly important for anyone who is experiencing chest pains or breathing difficulties.

Bush Regen. At Ingleside Commences For 2019

Please join our Bush regeneration morning at the Baha'i Temple 173 Mona Vale Road Ingleside. Based on our past success PNHA has been given a new round of funding to continue work on conserving the threatened Grevillea caleyi  so we look forward to your support.

Monday 11 February 2019
Meet at the picnic shelter at 8.30 am

New volunteers welcome - training will be provided
Wear long trousers, a long sleeved shirt and boots or closed in shoes.

The session will be cancelled in the event of rain. For more information contact David Palmer on 0404 171940.

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association

Safer Seas For The State's Boaters

January 27th, 2019
The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian
Premier of NSW

Boaters on NSW waterways will be even safer under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government thanks to an extra $37.6 million pledged for Marine Rescue NSW over the next four years.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said this major funding boost would help save lives on the water by delivering new purpose-built rescue vessels, upgraded operational centres and improvements to the marine radio network.

The funding will more than double Marine Rescue NSW’s annual budget and make a major difference to the support it can provide to boaters across the state.

“Community safety is our top priority and this major investment will deliver an extra layer of security and reassurance for anglers, divers and everybody who gets out on our amazing waterways,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Whether it is our schools, hospitals or emergency services, we are delivering record investments to make a real difference for communities across NSW, and today’s announcement continues our commitment to world-class frontline services.

“This funding is only possible thanks to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.”

Mr Grant said, “The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will establish a new rescue unit on Lord Howe Island, as well as new or upgraded bases and boat buildings at Tweed Heads, Ballina, Narooma, Lake Macquarie, Middle Harbour, Newcastle and the Central Coast.”

Mr Grant said the extra funding would also deliver 38 brand new vessels to 28 rescue units, providing volunteers with better boats much sooner. 

The vessels will go to the Alpine Lakes, Batemans Bay, Botany Port Hacking (Botany Bay and Port Hacking), Broken Bay, Central Coast, Cronulla, Crowdy Harrington, Eden, Evans Head, Hawkesbury, Jervis Bay, Kioloa, Lemon Tree Passage, Lord Howe Island, Merimbula, Moama, Nambucca, Narooma, Newcastle, Point Danger, Port Jackson, Port Kembla, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Sussex Inlet, Tuross, Woolgoolga and Tuggerah Lakes (The Entrance and Toukley).

“This new investment will also allow Marine Rescue NSW to upgrade the marine radio network, which Marine Rescue NSW maintains and operates,” Mr Grant said.

“This includes eliminating black spots along the south coast and on the Hawkesbury, making it much safer for boaters and the dedicated volunteers dispatched to support them in times of trouble.”

This new investment of $37.6 million over the next four years will boost the annual Marine Rescue NSW budget to more than $17 million.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos welcomed the announcement and said it will improve safety for boaters right across the State, and better equip the volunteers sent to support them in emergencies.

“For the first time we’ll be able to invest in a major capital works program to provide our units with efficient, safe and modern operating facilities,” Commissioner Tannos said.

Marine Rescue NSW operates a network of 44 rescue units along the NSW coastline, and at two priority inland waterways on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River.

In 2017-18, crews performed 2,802 rescue missions, including 840 missions in response to life-threatening emergencies, saving more than 6,800 lives.


Avalon Community Library Open Day

During February the Northern Beaches Library service is celebrating the Community Libraries.  And we’re having a special open day at Avalon Community Library on Saturday 16 February. For the children – We’ll be having the author M.C.D. Etheridge coming in to read his book Whitebeard.

And for the seniors we  are running one-on-one Tech Sessions with Avalon Computer Pals from 10-12 noon. Bookings essential.
Please call the library 9918 3013


S*H*A*M

Feb 15 at 1 PM – Feb 17 at 8 PM
Dunbar Park, Avalon
Do we need to pitch a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital on Dunbar park to take care of ourselves? 

For three days in February we are creating an event for people to come down and share their stories about the new private Hospital that has replaced Mona Vale Hospital, the good the bad and the ugly. Come on down and make fake blood, face painting, pregnant egg and spoon races, local bands and a Tank for the kiddies! 

Write your story on the postcard notice board or tell us your story on video! Dr.s and nurses have been gagged and are not willing to share stories for fear of being fired! We need to know the issues! There needs to be accountability so the problems can be fixed! Please come down and have your voice heard.

Mona Vale Road (East)  Commences

IMPORTANT information for motorists using Mona Vale Rd, between Ingleside & Mona Vale each day. The 3.2km Mona Vale Road (East) upgrade from 2 lanes to 4 lanes starts next Tuesday 29th January.

First Activities:
• removing trees, shrubs and other vegetation on both sides of Mona Vale Road between Daydream Street, Mona Vale, and Lane Cove Road, Ingleside
• installing traffic controls, such as barriers, signs, line-marking
• setting up the site compound for the project team
• delivering materials and equipment to site.

Potential Disruptions:
• noise and dust from rock cuttings 
• traffic changes such as contra-flows and detours 
• traffic delays, including additional heavy vehicles on the roads
• night work 
• driveway realignment for several residents on Mona Vale Road 
• major utility relocations in and around Ponderosa Parade, Samuel Street and Foley Street.


Visit RMS Webpage: Mona Vale Road East upgrade - Manor Road, Ingleside to Foley Street, Mona Vale  Also available this Issue:Upgrade Of Mona Vale Road East To Commence This Month - an overview of what to expect

Pittwater International Women’s Day Breakfast 2019 Bookings Open

Wednesday 6 March 2019
at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Mitala Street, Newport 

Bookings now open
International Women's Day is a day to acknowledge women's contribution to making Australia, and the world, a better place.  Everyone is invited to celebrate the day. The 2019 Pittwater Woman of the Year will be announced at the breakfast by Rob Stokes, Member for Pittwater.

See flyer below for all details. Proceeds from the breakfast will support service projects of Zonta Club of Northern Beaches Inc assisting local women in need, and Zonta International projects in developing countries. 

We are delighted that our guest speaker at the breakfast will be Di Westaway. Di is the Chief Adventure Chick (CEO), Founder of Wild Women On Top and Coastrek. Di is a global leader and award-winning woman of influence who has inspired more than 25,000 people off the couch and into hiking adventures while raising over $20 million for charity.  She is an adventure coach, motivational speaker, mother, 2017 NSW Telstra Business Women's Awards Finalist, 2016 AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence, world-record holder and author.  Di has climbed extreme peaks and holds the record for the world’s highest handstand on Mt Ama Dablam, 6982m, in Nepal.  Di will speak on her life journey.

Zonta Northern Beaches
recent support activities in our local community  
In coordination with Manly Shelter, Bringa Women's Refuge, Schools and other Community Agencies.
  • Love Bites course for a volunteer having been through a DV situation – work skills grant approved. Course completed. She is now able to apply for paid work.
  • Kitchen equipment donated from an acquaintance of one of the Zonta Members and seven boxes of kitchen equipment delivered to the Shelter.
  • Toiletry bags donated by a member and her work colleagues in lieu of a Christmas gift to each other - delivered.
  • 12 School Starter Kits presented to children - gratefully received by mothers.
  • Many thanks to Modern Teaching Aids for their generous donation of the pencils etc. needed to complete these kits.
  • 2 kitchen kits have been delivered to for two families - one of whom is on a temporary visa and has nothing. 
  • Woman with kindergarten child requesting support for school — school starter kit and uniforms.
  • Uniforms and other equipment sourced from families in the area who have children from the same school, starter kit collated and delivered to school. Members met mother and child at Refuge Christmas Party.  
  • Large Kitchen Starter Kit delivered for mother and child with nothing. Collection of furniture arranged.
  • Large amount of new baby clothes and linen from hotel gratefully accepted by Catholic Care.
  • Uniforms for new student commencing in year 7 purchased.
  • Student support grant for student equipment for years 11 and 12.           

DoggieRescue.com

Pets of the Week

Floyd

AGE/SEX: 3 years / M
BREED: Pug X Kelpie
Floyd is an unusual mix of breeds. He is a happy friendly dog who was a bit fearful when he came from the pound. Floyd is still not comfortable having the underside of his body touched and he can be possessive of toys and bones. Floyd gets excited to go for a walk. He pulls on lead but ignores cars and ignores most other dogs. He walks at a good pace and loves a jog. He also enjoys pats and cuddles from volunteers and jumps up to lick your face. He sits on command. Volunteers say "Floyd is a beautiful boy who loves to explore and play." "Really good nature - loves treats and sits for them!" He has a short coat and weighs about 16kg 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. 

Catsanova

Catsanova is a very affectionate gentle boy, about 9 years old. He is so easy going. He was left at the pound very thin and with a matted coat. He has been clipped, had a medicated bath and had all his teeth removed. He is feeling much better but needs to be on soft foods for life. He is very social with other cats. He has a medium coat that needs brushing and weighs 3.3kg. He comes desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, FIV/FeLV tested and microchipped. His adoption fee is $220.

For further details or to meet all cats and dogs at DoggieRescue call  9486 3133 or email  monika@DoggieRescue.com. Visit www.DoggieRescue.com to see all our dogs. www.facebook.com/doggierescue 

NSW Carers Advisory Council Seeks New Members

Carers wanting to help advance the interest of other carers in NSW are being encouraged to apply for three vacant positions on the NSW Carers Advisory Council.

Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or young carers, or people with expertise about these three groups are invited to apply for a position.

The Chair of the Council, Prue Warrilow, said the Council provides advice to the NSW Government on a range of matters affecting NSW carers.

"These Council vacancies present an opportunity for someone with personal experience as a carer to represent the needs of other carers," Ms Warrilow said.

"Carers play such an important role in our community and it is essential that they can have their say and provide advice on important matters."

"I would urge anyone who may have the skills or experience to make a difference for Aboriginal, CALD or young carers to consider applying to join the Council."

There are approximately 904,400 carers in NSW who provide ongoing unpaid support to people who need it because of their disability, chronic illness, mental illness, dementia or frail age.

The NSW Carers Advisory Council meets approximately four times a year in Sydney and members may also contribute time to working groups and attend other events and consultations.

For more information about the NSW Carers Advisory Council and how to apply, please visit www.facs.advisory-councils/carers or contact the Council's Secretariat on (02) 8753 9339 or NSWCarersAdvisoryCouncilSecretariat@facs.nsw.gov.au

Applications close at 5pm on Monday, 18 February 2019.

A Survey On Ticks And Wildlife In The Northern Beaches

The University of Sydney is conducting a study to better understand how residents and their pets are encountering ticks and wildlife in their backyards. We invite all Northern Beaches residents to participate in our survey.

Coastal bushland remnants and other green spaces across the Northern Beaches are home to a variety of native plants and animals. They also provide a place for residents to enjoy their favourite outdoor pastimes. Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are common in the Northern Beaches and feed on a wide range of animal hosts during their life cycle. Understanding the complex relationship between ticks and their host species is an essential part of our research. The information we gain will contribute to our growing knowledge of ticks and will guide future research efforts.

We aim to identify:
  • Areas where people are encountering ticks more than others (tick 'hotspots'),
  • Backyard and landscape features that may influence tick presence, and
  • Wildlife using backyards and how this might or might not influence tick occurrence
To meet these aims, it is important for you to provide a street address. If you would prefer not to, we ask that you provide your street name and nearest cross street. It is important for us to create a map of tick encounters to understand what landscape features might influence tick presence and where to target future research.

All identifying information will be removed from any data presentations.

The survey should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is voluntary. 

If you have any questions about the project, please contact PhD candidate Casey Taylor on 02 9351 3189 or casey.taylor@sydney.edu.au. This project is being undertaken by the University of Sydney in association with Northern Beaches Council.

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

This research has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Ethics committee. (Approval no: 2018/157)

Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan - Open For Comment

The Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan was endorsed for public exhibition at the Council meeting on 18 December 2018.

The Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan is the first of the seven plans under the recently
adopted MOVE Northern Beaches Transport Strategy.

This plan provides the methodology for how Council prioritises the delivery of the future footpath network and will enable Council to deliver a walking network which connects the community of the Northern Beaches to where they want to go.

How to get involved
Share your thoughts on the draft plan:
in person: join a Walkshop
in writing ‘Draft Northern Beaches Walking Plan’
Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82 Manly NSW 1655.

The draft Plan and Walkshop information together with project details are available on this webpage

Comments close Sunday 3 March 2019.

New Transport&Ride Car Park In Warriewood 

Park for free in Warriewood from 30 January when you use your Opal card to travel on public transport. Terms and conditions apply.

With the introduction of B-Line, the new frequent and reliable bus service connecting Mona Vale to Wynyard, there will also be 6 new car parks, providing up to 900 new car spaces for commuters. The car parks will provide accessible parking, bike racks or sheds.

Each car park has been designed for public transport customers to easily connect to a nearby transport hub or B-Line stop.

Transport Park&Ride car parks
Transport Park&Ride aims to provide more parking spaces for public transport users who can use their Opal card to access up to 18 hours of free parking.

Vote For The 2019 NSW Women Of The Year

January 16, 2019: NSW Government
Young female entrepreneurs, humanitarian ambassadors and cancer researchers are among the finalists of the 2019 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

The annual awards celebrate and recognise the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to industry, communities and society. The following award categories are now open to the public for online voting:
  • Community Hero Award
  • Harvey Norman Young Woman of the Year Award
  • Rex Airlines Regional Woman of the Year Award
  • NSW Business Woman of the Year Award
  • First State Super Lifetime Achievement Award.
Minister for Women Tanya Davies said by casting a vote individuals not only help to recognise the finalists’ outstanding achievements, but also highlight their stories to inspire other women.

“This year’s finalists are just a handful of the thousands of women who make a difference in our communities, and I urge everyone across NSW to show their support by viewing these remarkable stories online and submitting their vote,” Mrs Davies said.

The winners will be announced at the 2019 NSW Women of the Year Awards in Sydney on 7 March 2019.

Dark Sky Competition

NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment
The dark sky competition is open from Monday 29th April and closes Friday 5th July 2019 (end of term two 2019).

Developed by Dubbo School of Distance Education, the dark sky education unit is a face to face, nine week, cross curriculum package available for all stage three teachers in 2019.

Students will discover the impact of light pollution and the importance of maintaining the dark night sky. The dark sky education unit is designed for delivery in a project based learning format and is fully resourced and mapped to the NSW and Australian curriculum. Throughout the unit students will work towards solutions to a driving question.

The education unit offers stage three students:
  • an opportunity to make real world connections
  • valuable feedback and constructive advice from experts studying in the field of astronomy, physics and lighting design
  • entry into the 2019 dark sky competition to win prizes and funding for their school (NSW schools only)
Sign up to the competition to register your school and receive updates on how to enter.

NSW schools which deliver the dark sky education unit can enter the dark sky competition.

Through the delivery of the dark sky unit students will be working in teams of up to four towards solutions to the driving question, which then becomes their competition entry.

Each participating school can submit a maximum of two entries.
The competition will be judged by leading experts from the Department of Education, The Department of Planning and Environment and in in the field of astronomy.

A breakdown of competition prizes can be found below:
First prize
  • $2,500 funding for the school
  • x1 telescope for each student in the winning team
  • x5 astronomy related books, one book for each winning student and the remainder for the school library
Second prize
  • $2,000 funding for the school
  • x5 astronomy related books, one book for each winning student and the remainder for the school library
Third prize
  • $1,500 funding for the school
  • x5 astronomy related books, one for each winning student and the remainder for the school library
How to get involved
1. Sign up to the competition
Signing up to the competition:
  • provides access to an assigned expert/mentor for your class
  • registers your school for updates on how to submit your competition entries in 2019
2. Download the education unit

All resources relating to the educational unit including videos, worksheets, posters, assessment rubrics and team documents is available here.

Certificates Of Title 

The Office of the Registrar General is seeking feedback on transitioning from paper certificates of title to an electronic alternative. 

What's this about?
eConveyancing is a critical part of the NSW Government’s commitment to leading digital innovation.

Transitioning to the eConveyancing system involves shifting away from paper certificates of title. The Office of the Registrar General has published a discussion paper seeking feedback on a range of issues relevant to certificates of title which remain to be addressed.

The discussion paper:
  • outlines the current status of certificates of title in NSW
  • reviews the legislative environment relating to certificates of title in NSW and in comparable states
  • discusses proposals for replacing paper certificates of title with an electronic alternative
  • raises questions for discussion.
Have your say
There are two ways you can provide your feedback:
Email: ORG-admin@finance.nsw.gov.au
Mail: Certificates of title: the next evolution
Office of the Registrar General
McKell Building
2-24 Rawson Place
Sydney NSW 2000

Have your say by 28 February 2019.
Agency Website 

Northern Beaches 'Next Of Kin' Program And Safely Home Program

Dementia - they call it the long good-bye.
That awful condition that sees a parent or loved one slowly but surely lose their ability to remember, and think, until they can't function on their own.

But where is that point?

We watch their frustration and anger as they become increasingly forgetful, struggle to do the basics, remember where they are, even recognise friends and family, but at what stage must we decide that their safety outweighs their independence?

When do we have to say to our parent or loved one, you need to move into care?

It's a conversation no-one wants to even contemplate, but increasingly more of us are having to have.

Here on the Beaches, we're seeing a growing number of people wandering away from their homes.

Many are searching for a place from their childhood or past - home, school, somewhere they played, a friend or even their spouse - and ending up lost and a long way from home, vulnerable, sometimes injured or worse.

Families are frantic until their loved one is found, often only to have the situation repeat itself perhaps again and again.

Next of Kin Program
The good news is there are things we can do to ease the transition from full independence to assisted or total care. For people still living at home, it can start with our 'Next of Kin' program.

This free service allows you to complete a form with details of your parent or loved one's family contacts, a doctor and dentist plus any medical alerts.

It's kept on a strictly confidential police database that we can access to contact a family member or doctor and organise help should your parent or loved one need it.

Just call our Crime Prevention Officers at Dee Why on 9971 3399 and we'll send you the form.

Safely Home Program
There's also the 'Safely Home' program, a joint project between NSW Police and Alzheimer's Australia.

As dementia progresses, Safely Home provides a bracelet featuring both a toll-free phone and personal identification number that registers on the NSW Police Missing Persons Unit data base.

When someone finds the lost person, they simply phone the unit and quote the number. Police then use the details on the database to track and contact next of kin and return the person home.

Those details can also be used by family reporting a loved one who's gone missing.

Registering with Safely Home costs just $54. Visit: 

And for those with the technology, you can use an app to find your loved one's smart phone if they're carrying it.

Ultimately, keeping our parent or other loved ones safe is all about being ready for and able to deal more effectively with the scourge that is dementia.

Sadly, it's a conversation we must have; it's planning we have to do. The cost of delaying can be way too high.

Northern Beaches Police Area Command
January 27, 2019

Bird Of The Month

Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis. Warriewood Wetlands

We have so many wonderful photographers and so many bird-lovers in Pittwater that one of our regular very best photographers has suggested we share a 'Bird of the Month' throughout 2019.

We start we a tiny gregarious songbird. This one was photographed in Warriewood Wetlands - bird paradise!



The Silvereye is a very small bird with a conspicuous ring of white feathers around the eye, and belongs to a group of birds known as white-eyes. 

Silvereyes feed on insect prey, fruit and nectar. 

Silvereye pairs actively defend a small territory. The nest is a small, neatly woven cup of grasses, hair, and other fine vegetation, bound with spider web. It is placed in a horizontal tree fork up to 5m above the ground. The nest is constructed by both sexes, who both also incubate the bluish-green eggs. If conditions are suitable two to three clutches will be raised in a season.

Minimum Size: 10cm
Maximum Size: 12cm
Average size: 11cm
Average weight: 11g
Breeding season: August to February; later in the north
Clutch Size: 2 to 3, rarely 4
Habitat: Coastal heath, shrublands, forests, farms, and urban areas.

Bird description from the book "Birds of Warriewood Wetland Irrawong Reserve - An Introductory Field Guide", published by PNHA

Photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography

Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 2019

Pittwater Place stalls:   
Feb 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1.                    
Selling sewing, knitting, craft, books  9am to 3pm

Sausage sizzles Bunnings Narrabeen:      
Feb 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8                 
All Saturdays  8am to 3pm

Stall outside Mona Vale Library                  
23rd March  (State Election)                                        
Baking, sewing, knitting, craft 8am to 3pm


Expired Flare Disposal 

Roads and Maritime has launched a program to help boaters dispose of expired flares, with mobile collections set up along the NSW coastline. Please note you must take them to the below location.

Bayview Boat Ramp - Saturday 23 February, 2019, 8-11am | 2-5pm


ENTRY FORM HERE
Entries CLOSING Monday 04th FEB at 9.00am

Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment February 2019 Forum

7pm Monday Feb 25 2019 
Coastal Environment Centre, Pelican Path,  
Lake Park Road, Narrabeen  
Possums, Gliders and Fauna Surveys 

Jayden Walsh and Brad Law will shine a light on the behaviour of our native animals — particularly possums  (including the endangered pygmy possum) and gliders. 

Brad Law, who is an expert on Eastern Pygmy Possums,  will also give some insights about local fauna surveys. 

Make sure you put February 25 in your diary and , so that you don’t miss out, book your ticket early by emailing Judith Bennett at - email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au

Bush Regeneration  
 
Belrose area - Thursday mornings  
Belrose area - Weekend mornings  
Contact: Conny Harris 0432 643 295 
 
Wheeler Creek - Wed mornings 9-11am 
Contact: Judith Bennett 0402 974 105 

High Court Decision To Maintain Freedom Of Speech Welcomed

On Tuesday January 29th 2019, the High Court of Australia unanimously ruled that the New South Wales’ Electoral Funding Act 2018 breached the Australian Constitution’s implied freedom of political communication. [Unions NSW v New South Wales - Jan 2019]

The bill halved the amount third-party groups could spend on election campaigns from just over $1 million to $500,000 while increasing the amount political parties could spend to $11 million.   

Six unions led by Unions NSW filed a High Court challenge to the new laws in August 2018, arguing the changes would stifle public criticism of the NSW Berejiklian government during this year’s state election campaign.

In a joint judgment, Chief Justice Susan Kiefel and Justices Virginia Bell and Patrick Keane said the state of NSW had not established that the new cap was necessary to "prevent the drowning out of [other] voices" during an election campaign, as the government had stated was the identified purpose.

In a separate judgement, Justice Stephen Gageler said third-party campaigners "must be left with a reasonable opportunity to present its case to voters" and it was "not self-evident, and it has not been shown, that the cap set in the amount of $500,000 leaves a third-party campaigner with a reasonable opportunity to present its case" to voters.

The plurality (chief justice Susan Kiefel, Virginia Bell and Patrick Keane) and Justice James Edelman in a separate judgement rejected the NSW government’s submission that political parties occupy a privileged position which justifies a higher spending cap.

The plurality said the constitution “in no way implies that a candidate in the political process occupies some privileged position in the competition to sway the people’s vote”.

Justice James Edelman went furthest in criticism of the NSW government, siding with the unions that the law had an “additional, illegitimate purpose to quieten the voices of third-party campaigners in contrast with parties or candidates for election”.

The judgement was welcomed by the Not For Profit (NFP) sector, with Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie telling Pro Bono News it protected the rights of every Australian to participate fully in democracy and advocate for the policies they believed in.

“In recent debates about electoral reform in Australia, there has been a tendency of some politicians to suggest that political parties should be the main players in the political process, and that others – like some charities – are inappropriately entering into the political space when they advocate on an issue,” Mr. Crosbie said.

“In fact, electors should be the main players in any democratic process and if electors choose to collectively support a charity and advocate for the policies they believe in, that can only be a positive for the democratic process.”

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association General Secretary, Brett Holmes said the decision was 'a win for democracy under a government that has chipped away at the rights of workers.'

“We welcome the decision of the High Court ... to find these laws as unconstitutional and at odds with freedom of political communication. It is a decision in favour of democracy in NSW.”

“It is legitimate for third-party campaigners, like unions, to express the views of their members when elections are being decided by the people. The unanimous decision by the full bench of the court supports the view that it’s unconstitutional to attempt to silence voices and leave the political class with the only voice that can be truly heard.

“Governments and the Industrial Relations Commission have reduced the ability for nurses and midwives to use industrial action. We’ve had our industrial rights to arbitration curtailed and almost removed in 2011 by the O’Farrell Government.

“Without that legitimate voice, we have been left with no option but to campaign constantly – especially in election periods where governments and oppositions start to listen to the voices of the people.

“The NSWNMA has been campaigning for improved nurse-to-patient ratios in the interest of the community and here we had a government using legislation to try and minimise or silence that campaign.

In a December 2018 Media Release Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Morey, said 'the Government’s electoral funding laws were drafted in bad faith.'

“The NSW Government is abusing the legal system. It is threatening to throw its opponents in jail for campaigning against it. Under the Liberal Party’s laws, trade unionists or environmental protesters will be treated as criminals if they work together on a campaign flyer or share some polling." Mr. Morey said

“Under their system they can spend 20 times more than any other organisation getting their message across. That’s before you include the firehose of government advertising. They spent $84 million of public money promoting themselves in 2017."

This is the second time Unions NSW has led a constitutional challenge to electoral funding laws. In 2013, it successfully challenged a prohibition on associations or corporations making a political donation to a state or local election in NSW. The laws sought to restrict the pool of eligible donors to individuals on the electoral roll. 

Call Out For Artists And Writers - Art & Words Project

Visual artists and writers are being invited to take part in an exciting new community arts project that could see their work taking pride of place in a special event at the 2019 Manly Arts Festival (6 - 29 September).

In a celebration of community creativity, Northern Beaches Council’s Art & Words Project 2019 is calling on participants to write and create works inspired by the theme ‘Saltwater’.

Entrants will have the chance to have their works published in an anthology with the participating artists creating works directly in response to the text.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said a selection from the anthology and the accompanying art will be displayed on a 24-hour digital screen at Manly Art Gallery & Museum and at all Northern Beaches Libraries during the Arts Festival.

“The artworks will illustrate the book alongside the words and the original artworks will be displayed in libraries across the Northern Beaches.

“The Manly Arts Festival attracts over 15,000 visitors annually and our six Northern Beaches Libraries have 177,746 members, together representing a huge audience for any aspiring artist or writer,” said Mayor Regan.

The Art & Words Project is a collaborative project mentored by multiple-award-winning writer Zena Shapter and supported by the Northern Beaches Library Service and the Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

Ms Shapter, who will be providing creative support for the project, is the founder of the Northern Beaches Writers' Group and a Northern Beaches local.

“Community creativity on this scale is truly magical!” she said. 

“Entry is open to anyone, regardless of genre or style, so I’m hoping to hear from a diverse range of creatives, a balance of perspectives that will reflect the thrilling yet unspoken truth of our community.”

Applications for the Art & Words Project 2019 will be open from 15 January 2019. To apply and for further information visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Closing date for entries is Friday 15 March, 5pm, with selected entrants notified by Friday 29 March. 

Enquiries: artandwordsproject@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au


Image: ‘Flying Fish’ by Nettie Lodge

2019 NSW State Election

Saturday, 23 March 2019: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Election of the 57th Parliament of New South Wales, including all 93 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and 21 of the 42 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council.

You can check your current electoral enrolment by entering your details on check.aec.gov.au or by phoning the AEC on 13 23 26.  You must be enrolled by 4 March 2019 to be eligible to vote.

To enrol for the first time or get back on the roll, you can enrol online. Visit: www.aec.gov.au/enrol

If you have moved, you need to update your address details on the electoral roll. However, if you are overseas or going overseas, please see the information on the going overseas page of the AEC website.

If you have special needs or there are specific circumstances that may affect your enrolment there are special enrolment formsavailable on the AEC website for you to complete to update your address details.

For senior citizens
If you find it difficult to get to a polling place on election day, you can apply to become a General Postal Voter to receive your ballot papers in the mail. The AEC also provides mobile polling to some nursing homes and hospitals, and uses accessible polling places wherever possible. In cases where an accessible polling place is not available, alternative arrangements are in place to assist those people who may be unable to access a polling place without assistance.


For people with a disability
If you find it difficult to get to a polling place on election day, you can apply to become a General Postal Voter to receive your ballot papers in the mail. The AEC also provides mobile polling to some hospitals, and uses accessible polling places wherever possible. In cases where an accessible polling place is not available, alternative arrangements are in place to assist those people who may be unable to access a polling place without assistance.

If you have a physical disability that prevents you from writing, you can get someone else to complete and sign an enrolment form for persons unable to sign their name on your behalf.

Some people may require additional support to enrol and vote, such as people with an intellectual, cognitive or psychosocial disability. The AEC provides a range of information written in Easy English. Easy English is more accessible for people who have difficulty reading and understanding written information.

Surf Life Saving SNB: Upcoming Carnivals

UPCOMING CARNIVALS

SNB BRANCH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday 2nd February
- Palm Beach
Bill Buckle Masters Events
Bill Buckle Patrol Competition
Bill Buckle Champion Lifesaver

Sunday 3rd February
- North Narrabeen
Westfield WM Junior Beach Events
Bill Buckle First Aid Events (15's/19's)

Saturday 9th February
- Palm Beach
Bill Buckle Open Events
Bill Buckle Boat Events

Sunday 10th February
- Palm Beach
Westfield Junior Water Events
Bill Buckle First Aid Events (17's/Opens)

NSW Surf Life Saving Championships proudly supported by Your local Club returns to Blacksmiths Beach for 2019.
Dates: 23 Feb 2019 to 10 Mar 2019

Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch

Nominate Now For The 2019 Australian Surfing Awards Incorporating The Hall Of Fame

by Surfing Australia
With still just under a month before nominations close for the 2019 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame, now is the time to get an entry in!

Surfing Australia’s night of nights will be held on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Tuesday, April 2nd at QT Gold Coast.

World Surf League Siblings Tyler and Owen Wright took the honours last year for the Male and Female Surfer of the Year awards, while Pauline Menczer became the 40th inductee into the Hall of Fame.

To nominate someone in any of the below awards, visit: www.australiansurfingawards.com

NOTE: Nominations close February 15th, 2019.

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

The winner of the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award will receive the new Nikon Z 6 kit while the winner of the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award will take home the new Nikon Z 7. Each will come with the new Nikkor Z 24-70mm 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, Australasian Surf Business Magazine, 2XP, XXXX Summer Bright Lager and DrinkWise.


Image: Trent Mitchell's 2018 Nikon Surf Photo of The Year 

Lower Parking Fees At Rowland Reserve On The Cards

NBC Media Release
Lower parking fees at popular Rowland Reserve in Bayview are on the agenda, as Northern Beaches Council seeks to encourage visitors to use the carpark rather than the surrounding streets.

Council plans to lower the hourly summer rate from $10 currently to $6 and the daily rate from $40 to $25, following a successful Council motion yesterday evening. Winter rates would fall to $5 an hour from $8 and from $35 to $22 per day.

And the area allocated for the free one-hour rate will be doubled.

The draft car parking fees will be placed on public exhibition and a report presented to Council in February.

Mayor Michael Regan said Rowland Reserve is a regional boating facility and used by both residents and non-residents as well as dog walkers and other recreational users.

“When Council harmonised fees and charges across the three former Council areas, the fee increase at Rowland Reserve appears to have discouraged people from using the carpark.

“We want to get the balance right and encourage people to use the carpark provided rather than choosing to park vehicles and trailers in local residential streets which often means residents can’t park outside their own homes.

“Council has received feedback from residents about the parking issues and we have listened. With an anticipated increase in carpark usage as a result of the lower fees, there will be less traffic congestion and pollution resulting from cars in and around local streets looking for a park.

“It’s a win-win for everyone: for both boating enthusiasts who can park cars and trailers at lower cost, and for short term users such as people walking their dogs who will have more one-hour free parking spots.

The proposed lower fees will be in line with the charges in the 2017/18 financial year.

Following the comment period a report will be presented to Council in March 2019. 
Comments close: Sunday 24 February 2019.