December 11 2022 - January 14 2023: Issue 566

 

Pictures Of The Year 2022: Our End Of Year Celebration

There can be no doubt that the Pictorials run are some Readers favourites and their first 'go to' page each Issue.


Of course, living in a beautiful place, in a community that's always on the go, makes for great pictures, many of these contributed by residents. Thank you to all of you who have done so again this year. You have brightened the lives of many, all year long.

Here are a few of what has been run in 2022 - with all of these available throughout the archives of the year in: 

January 2022  February 2022  March 2022  April 2022  May 2022  June 2022  July 2022 August 2022  September 2022  October 2022  November 2022  December 2022


The fireworks at Bayview 9pm fireworks display December 31 2021 for January 1st 2022.  A brilliant night, and good omen for 2022. Photo: Joe Mills

Queenscliff NSW State Team Selection 15/01/22 (U19/23): Surf Boats

Rowers in New South Wales were treated to some EPIC racing at Queenscliff carnival on 15 January 2022. Due to the Tsunami warning on Sunday, day 2 of the competition was cancelled. Photos are of U19/23 crews who competed on Saturday.

Photos credit to Malcolm Trees who continues to do an outstanding job promoting our great sport! 






Palm Beach Sailing Club: January 16, 2022 Sail

photos by Commodore Richard Lacey and Bonnie Dekker

Richard says; A few pic's before racing today!  a bit of a wait for the wind to kick in before the start!  Good to see 2 new windsurfers at the club keen to race!

Thanks Dave and Hayley Fisher on start boat duty,  fresh from their 2nd place in the Nationals last week in Vincentia!







January 2022 Surf!

Visit: 60+ Rescues At Avalon Beach Two Days Into New Year 



Boat House In Governor Phillip Park - Almost Gone

Photo: February 16, 2022 - by Cameron Greaves
The Boat House is currently undergoing a rebuild with a brand new but still the same version due to open in 2023.

PEP-11 Update

February 17, 2022: The Hon Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia
The Australian  Government has taken the next step to formally reject the application for the Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit PEP-11. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said following the Government’s proposed decision to not suspend, extend and vary the title conditions of PEP-11 on 16 December 2021, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) issued the applicant a Notice of Intention to Refuse and granted the applicant 30 days to respond to the notice.

“After considering the applicant’s response, I have made the decision under section 59(3) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to propose to refuse the application,” the Prime Minister said.

“As a result, I have written to New South Wales Deputy Premier Paul Toole, as the joint authority partner, advising of the Government’s proposed decision.“

Deputy Premier Toole has 30 days to respond, following which a decision will be finalised.


Pittwater Regatta 2022 - Hosted By The RPAYC - Celebrates Over 130 Years Of Regattas On Our Estuary And Offshore Reaches


Bushranger on the boil on the Pittwater Estuary, Friday February 11th, 2022. Photo: RPAYC

Mona Vale Basin on Monday 7 Feb. 2022. Photo by Joe Mills

Joe says; ''Can't believe how many people were in swimming in the rock pool and the surf in The Basin. It was cold and windy. I guess some people are made of sterner stuff.''

Marine Rescue Broken Bay News

February 10, 2022:
The build of our replacement 7.5m (hardtop) walkthrough two zero class Naiad vessel has begun and estimated to be completed in late May 2022. We are excited to bring this new asset online for our Pittwater and Broken Bay community with  our current centre console Gemini reaching its end of serviceability life.





February 11, 2022:
Working together! Our Marine Rescue Port Stephens members visited our Unit to review our large response BB30 vessel the 'Michael Seale'. With the purpose built Naiad as standard MRNSW response vessel, our Port Stephens Unit is due to receive their vessel it was a great opportunity to find out more about the fundamentals of this vessel. Our Broken Bay members where more than happy to show the team around and complete a sea trial.



Photos; MRBB

VALE John Bryson 
25 December 1935 – 5 February 2022


The writer and former barrister died not ‘peacefully’ (he’d not countenance such a cliché) but uncharacteristically quietly at his home in Lovett Bay, Pittwater, NSW.

He was ‘My Love’ to Therese, ‘Dad’ to Fran and Matt, ‘Grumps’ to Freya and Anneke also to Islay, Tao, Chloe and Charlie. Loved, too, by Siobhan, Liam, Robert and their spouses. He was known as ‘The Chief’ to some and was a great friend to many.

A Memorial Service for writer John Bryson, late of Lovett Bay and formerly of Carlton and Brighton Victoria, was held at 3pm on Thursday 10th of February 2022 at The Royal Motor Yacht Club at 46 Prince Alfred Parade, Newport.

Memorial arrangements in Melbourne and Sydney will be announced soon.

John Bryson AM  was born in Melbourne. In 1971, after practising law for 10 years, first as a solicitor and later as a barrister, he became chairman and managing director of a Melbourne public company. In 1978, he rejoined the Victorian Bar. He was a member of the Literature Board of the Australia Council, later becoming acting chairman.

Since 1973, Bryson's articles and stories have been published in Australian newspapers.
A Journalism Schools Panel included him in The Top 100 Australian Journalists of the Century, in 2000.

Bryson's best known work is his 1985 book Evil Angels: The Case of Lindy Chamberlain which chronicles the story of Lindy Chamberlain's trial for murder, following the Death of Azaria Chamberlain. It was made into a film of the same name starring Meryl Streep in 1988. It was released under its original title in Australia and New Zealand and as A Cry in the Dark in other English-speaking territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Africa. It is also known by similar titles internationally.

Bryson was also the author of a 1981 collection of short fiction, Whoring Around, and a collection of reportage, Backstage at the Revolution. His novel of the Spanish Civil War, To the Death, Amic, was published by Viking in 1994 and as Hasta la Muerte, Amigo by Editorial Milenio Spain in 2006. In 2004 he originated and co-produced Secrets of the Juryroom, a documentary for SBS-TV.

In 2013, he was published in eBook format for both works of fiction and non-fiction. Many of the non-fiction titles included collections of articles he had published as a journalist.

VALE John Doorley

Long term Whale Beach habitués are saddened to hear of the passing of John Doorley this week, best remembered locally for naming 'Dolphin Bay' at Whale Beach after seeing a dolphin leap there from his former home on the south point and for his love of the surf and surfing. 

John joined his father’s agency Doorley Buchanan as creative director in the early 1980s, building it up to be among the most successful independent agencies of the 80s. In the early 1990s Doorley Buchanan merged with Davis & Chapman to form Doorley Abram Davis & Chapman. Clients included NRMA, Air Force, Navy, OPSM, Sarah Lee, Speedo, AEC, Crown Corning, Konica, ASIC, VW, Freedom and Thai Airways. Doorley sold out of the agency at the end of the 90s, heading to a new life in the USA, where he spent many years before returning to Australia.

He passed away at Coffs Harbour from heart failure On February 9th, 2022.

The community extends its heartfelt condolences to daughter Ava and his family.

Creative Director Rodd Chant, who worked for Doorley in the 90s, said in a Facebook Tribute he was always larger than life, always with a big smile: 

''JD was a character, a larrikin, and as we say in Australia ‘a good bloke’. He loved life, surfing, the ocean, advertising, and simply having fun. When I worked for him he showed a hell of a lot of character and real respect for his staff. I remember some great times at his beloved Whale Beach home, in a spot he renamed Dolphin Bay due to the regular dolphins that would play in the water in front of his house. He even had a dolphin tattoo on his arm in honour of them. JD was one of a kind. He made his mark and there will be an empty void on this planet now without his big grin and laugh. Wherever you are now JD I am sure you’re riding a wave, keep on riding, mate.”


John (centre) and a few of the Doorley Buchanan crew in the late 1980s. Image: Ömer R. Incekara

Mark Falzon also posted a Tribute:
''When I was a young man-child fresh out of school bright eyed and bushy tailed I moved from my small hometown at The Entrance to live in Sydney with my big brother. I was introduced to John Doorley, who at the time was setting up his own ad agency, and John took me under his wing. I remember him getting an L-plate and putting some string on it and hanging it around my neck. I was part of the fledgling team charged with running around all over the place organising things. It was an incredible experience and gave me an amazing insight to business and the ad world. 

I remember one client meeting we had. When we arrived, the clients were in the glass boardroom sitting around the table all wearing expensive suits. John walked in with a white cheesecloth shirt unbuttoned to the waist and a pair of faded blue jeans with frayed bottoms and no shoes. Watching this master ad man walk into the room, command everyone’s attention with his presence and captivate their imagination whilst he shared his vision for their marketing campaign was life changing for me. 

Some years later after I had spread my wings and set up my own ad agency, John invited me back to help him with a major campaign for 2 Day FM. We worked closely on this project and I valued the experience immensely. 

Another time we travelled to the Maldives together and I remember after a particularly bad monsoon almost wrecked our sailing boat, John surfaced from below with bags packed and said, “I’m out of here”. He found his way back the the main island and flew to a resort by the beach in Thailand.
I have so many stories and such good memories. 

John was bigger than life. He had an amazing heart and was always so supportive. 
I will miss him dearly. ''

South-West-North-East Summer 2022 Nature Mix by Joe Mills, Selena Griffith and Adriaan van der Wallen


Adriaan Van Der Wallen; Palmy, Summer 2022

''…when your arms can’t paddle anymore, find a nice place in the sun and watch everyone else surf.''

 

Selena Griffith; Elanora Heights, Summer 2022 

Blue Banded Bees, Amegilla cingulata, are native to Australia. Golden brown in colour with a black abdomen and distinctive iridescent blue abdominal banding, they have dense hairs covering most of the body including legs.

They fly fast darting from flower to flower and are small in size, ranging from 10-12mm in length.

Blue banded bees live solitary but usually within close range to other blue banded bees. The females build their own nest in soft banks of sheltered positions and males will roost at night congregating in small groups of other male blue banded bees.

Selena Griffith; Elvina Bay + Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park Flowers, Summer 2022




Joe Mills; Warriewood, Summer 2022

The Australian Water Dragon, is the only species of the genus Physignathus in Australia.

There are two subspecies; Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii (eastern water dragon) and the Gippsland P. l. howitti (Gippsland water dragon). P. l. lesueurii tends towards white, yellow and red on the throat and possesses a dark band behind its eye; P. l. howitti lacks this and instead has dark bands on either side of its throat, which is blotched with yellow, orange, or blue. Both subspecies are light greenish grey in overall colour with black bands running across their back, tail and legs.

Australian water dragons are extremely shy in the wild, but readily adapt to continual human presence in suburban parks and gardens.


Joe;
''Met this little baby Bluetongue Lizard in our garden bed.  He was about 3 inches long (8 cm).  Looked for the rest of the family but did not find.  Good luck on his life ventures.''

The Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard, Tiliqua scincoides, are the largest members of the skink family. Skink lizards have overlapping scales that are usually smooth and contain small plates of bone.
The Eastern Blue-tongue is silvery-grey with broad dark brown or blackish bands across the back and tail. Individuals on the coast usually have a black stripe between the eye and the ear which may extend along the side of the neck. The Blotched Blue-tongue is dark chocolate brown to black with large pink, cream or yellow blotches on the back, and a tail banded in the same colours. The Eastern Blue-tongue can grow to almost 600 mm in total length, of which about 360 mm is head and body. 

Blue-tongues usually live in open country with lots of ground cover such as tussocky grasses or leaf litter. They shelter at night among leaf litter or under large objects on the ground such as rocks and logs. Early in the morning blue-tongues emerge to bask in sunny areas before foraging for food during the warmer parts of the day. Like all lizards, blue-tongues do not produce their own body heat, and rely on the warmth of their surroundings to raise their body temperature. Blue-tongues maintain a body temperature of about 30°C - 35°C when active. During cold weather they remain inactive, buried deep in their shelter sites, but on sunny days they may emerge to bask. - Information from the Australian Museum 


Meritorious Service Award – Peter Robson

February 9, 2022; by Manly Warringah Football Association
Manly Warringah Football Association would like to congratulate Peter Robson on receiving the MWFA’s Meritorious Service Award for his years of dedication, commitment, and passion he has given to our footballing community and our game.



On 19 July 2021, Peter reached the milestone age of 90 as well as 43 years as an active referee. At 90 years of age, Peter has been confirmed as the oldest active referee in NSW and may also be the oldest active referee in Australia.

Despite his age, Peter has continued to referee junior games on a regular basis throughout the 2021 season and even refereed a full 90-minute lower division Men’s AL match when the team referee did not show up.

In 2006, when Peter was 75 years of age, he was awarded Senior Referee of the Year. It is remarkable to consider that he has gone on to referee for another 15 years. Incredible!

In addition to his lengthy career as a referee, Peter has served on the Committee of Manly Warringah Football Referees Association (MWFRA).

His first position on the Committee was Secretary in 1990. He subsequently served as Treasurer from 1991-92, again as Secretary from 1993-97 and ultimately President from 1997-99. He also briefly served as Gear Steward in 2002.

It was during this period of service that Peter was awarded Life Membership of MWFRA (in 1995) to recognise his contribution to the Association.

Throughout his lengthy career, Peter has also been heavily involved in the development of referees.

As a course presenter/instructor, he was responsible for countless new referees completing the Level 4 Course. More recently, he has also assisted with the mentoring of junior referees.

Peter is incredibly proud to have been able to continue to referee for so long. Indeed, when he accepted his trophy for 40 years’ service as a referee, Peter said he would love to see people referee for as long as they can, as he has.

NSW State Government Announce Tougher Penalties For Climate Protestors Who Block Roads/Bridges - NSW Police Launch Strike Force Guard - Federal Government Keeps Announcing Pre-Budget/Pre-Election Billions For Fossil Fuel Expansion - Climate Action Strikes And Actions Persist 

February 22nd, 2022 Fireproof Australia Protest at The Spit. Photo: Fireproof Australia
Marching to Kirribilli House, March 25, 2022. Photo: School Strike 4 Climate

The NSW Government announced it will immediately put in place tougher regulations to crack down on illegal protests disrupting Greater Sydney on Thursday March 24, 2022.

The Roads Amendment (Major Bridges and Tunnels) Regulation 2022 will make it an offence to disrupt any bridge or tunnel across Greater Sydney. The regulation is made under s144G of the Roads Act 1993, but currently only applies to disruption on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The NSW Government will then bring legislation to Parliament to expand s144G beyond bridges and tunnels to roads and industrial and transport facilities more generally.

Section 144G carries a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units ($22,000) or imprisonment for two years, or both.

Acting Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said these measures were critical to deter future illegal protests across Sydney. 

“The penalties currently in place have clearly not deterred protestors who continue to block roads across Sydney, disrupting transport networks, freight chains, production lines and everyday commuters getting to work or to school – and it can’t keep happening,” Mr Toole said.

“Unauthorised protests have no place in our State, and these tighter laws and tougher penalties we’re introducing prove we have zero tolerance for this selfish, disruptive and unruly behaviour.”

Attorney General Mark Speakman said it was essential to quickly expand the existing regime.

“Following the events of recent days, I worked with Minister Ward to urgently review existing laws. We are strengthening them to deter mayhem being inflicted upon ordinary citizens,” Mr Speakman said.

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the change to the regulation will ensure there are severe penalties for future protestors looking to block bridges and tunnels across Greater Sydney.

“Protestors who stop daily commuters getting to work in the morning and home in the afternoon put themselves and drivers at risk and have no place on NSW roads,” Mrs Ward said.

“Under these changes, protestors who block major routes including the Spit Bridge and the Western Distributor will now face harsher penalties, aligned to the disruption they create across the road network.”

The announcement follows on from actions taken by Fireproof Australia, which in recent weeks has blocked The Spit bridge and passageway on February 22nd and March 14th 2022. 

Blockade Australia has also been involved in blocking passageways, only their focus is on freight trains carrying coal. 

Most state that the right to protest peacefully is a defining feature of liberal democracy. Protests can be on a diverse range of contentious issues, although in recent times the mining of coal and coal seam gas has been a particular focus of protest activity. In response to these protests, which have often seen protesters climb and “lock on” to mining equipment and freight trains, the Baird Government introduced additional legislation to deter such action. 

The 2016 Baird ministry introduced the Inclosed Lands, Crimes and Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment (Interference) Bill 2016, despite opposition from more than 60 percent of NSW residents. This bill created a new offence called "aggravated unlawful entry on inclosed lands." This meant protesters found interfering with business on "land in which a business or undertaking is being conducted" now faced fines of $5500 and seven years in prison for chaining themselves to mining machinery, as would farmers if they lock their gate and bar CSG companies from drilling on their property. 

This bill was written to support the fracking and coal mining industry being interfered with by objecting New South Wales people, particularly those whose farmlands were alongside and whose water was being taken or poisoned.

In the March 2016 statement announcing the changes, then Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts, stated these changes to help the CSG and Coal Industry would also include;

''Removing limitations to allow Police to give directions in public places to prevent obstructions of persons or traffic for a demonstration, protest, procession or organised assembly under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.'' 

This bill was Assented to on March 22nd, 2016.

At the same time, the Mining Legislation Amendment (Harmonisation) Regulation 2016 under the Mining Act 1992 reduced fines for mining companies that were previously liable for up to $1.1 million for operational misconduct, such as mining without authority - and became $5000 for corporations under those modifications. 

Following on from these changes a May 2017 Audit Office of NSW 'Mining Rehabilitation Security Deposits' report found that;

''While there have been substantial increases in total deposits held, mine rehabilitation security deposits are still not likely to be sufficient to cover the full costs of each mine's rehabilitation in the event of a default.''

Since then the series of School Strikes 4 Climate have become a nationwide and global phenomenon, and they have been joined in turn by profession groups, their parents, and teachers.

MORE HERE

Scamps Camp

A Participant says; ''Out and about helping Independent candidate Dr Sophie Scamps become MP for Mackellar. Every Tuesday morning we meet near Newport bowling club and walk up Newport hill waving to peak hour traffic folks. We get many friendly toots and waves. ''

March 22, 2022. Photo supplied.


''Here we are about to walk around Narrabeen Lagoon recently. We need Independent Dr Sophie in Mackellar and leading Australia on Climate Change, Integrity and proper public health management.''

March 6, 2022. Photo supplied.

Experience Manly Launched

Experience Manly  is a local independent not-for-profit tourism organisation dedicated to the strategic recovery and growth of Manly's tourism economy. Through collaborations and access to local, state and federal tourism funding schemes, Experience Manly will aid in core initiatives around Tourism, The Arts, Culture, Business and Community Support. 

Experience Manly will be a dedicated voice and advocate for Manly, and its community, in driving new initiatives and bolstering Manly's core brand. 

Last week we hosted our official Experience Manly launch event to start our journey in supporting the growth of Manly’s tourism economy. We were joined by some special guests including local MP & Minister for Environment & Heritage James Griffin MP, Federal Member for Warringah Zali Steggall, Michael Regan Northern Beaches Mayor, Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham, Councillors Sarah Grattan & Georgia Ryburn, State Tourism Agency Destination NSW, Manly Business Chamber, local business leaders & community members to celebrate the future of the not-for-profit and the resilience the local community has shown across the last 3 years. 

Together, with the support of the community, we will work towards reigniting & strengthening Manly’s key objectives across tourism, arts, culture & community. 

Congratulations to the group’s founding members, Chairman Matt Clifton, Managing Director of MJC Group & Foralus Group of Companies, Charlotte Rimmer, Managing Director of Aide de MD & President of Manly Business Chamber, Tracey Mietzke, Community Engagement Manager at Athas Group and Chamber VP and Michael Betteridge, GM Tourism Development for NRMA.

Find out more at: www.experiencemanly.com.au

Photo: Experience Manly

Maureen Boyle OAM Elevated To ‘Legend Status’ In Netball NSW Hall Of Fame

March 19, 2022: 

The Manly Warringah Netball Association and the community tender a big congratulations to Maureen Boyle OAM, Manly Netball, Netball NSW, Netball Australia and International Netball Federation Life Member, who was elevated to "Legend Status" in the Netball NSW Hall of Fame at the Netball NSW AGM today. 

Through the Hall of Fame, Netball NSW recognises the champions of the game, those who personify the spirit, excellence and skill required to reach the pinnacle of our sport. These individuals are considered to be the “best of the best”; those who have given to the game beyond expectation, and who through their dedication and ability have achieved at the highest level.

We thank our Hall of Fame Inductees for everything they have done and continue to give to our game.  We are proud that they are part of our netball family, we are proud of their achievements and we are proud of the manner in which they have represented our game.

In 2011, for the first time, members were inducted in two classifications – Player and General.  The General Classification recognises inductees who have given in the administration, coaching, umpiring and officials areas of our sport. In 2015, a Legend Status was introduced for existing Hall of Fame Inductees to be elevated; NSW netball stalwart Anne Sargeant OAM was the first recipient. In 2016, Netball NSW introduced a Heritage category to pay tribute to artefacts which have significant historical value for the organisation.

MAUREEN BOYLE OAM

Netball NSW Hall of Fame Inductee 2007: Maureen Boyle’s umpiring career began at the age of 12 and spans 30 years.  Hailing from New South Wales (NSW) and Manly-Warringah Netball Association, Maureen earned her C badge in 1968 and elevated to an ‘AA badge’ by 1977, making her one of the youngest umpires to receive this accolade.

The 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, numerous international Test Matches and four World Championships (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999), are a snapshot of the elite netball matches which Maureen has officiated.

Maureen has won numerous awards including the NSW Sports Federation Official of the Year (1996), the inaugural International Federation of Netball Associations, an Order of Australia medal for services to netball (2004) and the prestigious Anne Clark Service Award (1999).

In NSW, Maureen was appointed to the role of Director of Umpiring (1986–1990) and during this time developed and implemented the first junior umpiring program and a range of coaching manuals and visual materials. These pioneering programs are the backbone of the umpiring programs today.

Maureen retired from umpiring in 2000, but continues to play a key role in the development of umpires and umpiring in Australia and internationally. Whether she is working with a junior umpire at the grassroots or developing one of Australia’s elite national pool of umpires, Maureen always display the same high level of interest, enthusiasm and passion for the game.

Mr JAMES GRIFFIN (Manly MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage) stated in a Private Members Statement in the NSW Parliament on Wednesday March 23rd;

''I give very big and hearty congratulations to Maureen Boyle, OAM, who was elevated to legend status in the Netball NSW Hall of Fame at its recent annual general meeting. Manly Warringah Netball Association has been part of our community for more than 57 years. Maureen Boyle started her netball career with the Dee Why Swans netball club some years ago. At 12 years of age she made history by being awarded the umpiring C Badge, which is usually given only after 16 years of age. Between 1982 and 1987 she served on the executive committee of Manly Warringah Netball Association as umpires convenor. Between 1986 and 1990 Maureen was director of umpiring for Netball NSW. She was named the NSW Sports Federation official of the year in 1996. Maureen received her OAM in 2004, for services to the community.

Maureen has officiated 168 international netball matches and was ranked as the world's number one netball umpire. Maureen has umpired at the world championships around the globe on numerous occasions. Maureen's extensive résumé includes the international umpires' award and being umpire of the Australian team and a former member and chairperson of the international rules committee. She has been awarded life membership of the International Federation of Netball Associations, Netball Australia and Netball NSW and, of course, Manly Warringah Netball Association. Maureen received the Netball NSW Anne Clark Service Award. She has been named the Warringah Council Australian of the Year. She was appointed a life member and patron of Manly Warringah Netball Association in 2018 and, as I said, was recently awarded legend status in the Netball NSW hall of fame. Anne Sargeant remarks of Maureen that her legacy to umpiring is incredible. Maureen continues to provide support and mentorship to umpires around the world and gives umpiring seminars across Australia. Maureen is still involved locally as Manly Warringah Netball Association's high-performance umpire coach. She continues to serve the netball community from grassroots to the elite level.

Many members in this place are very aware of the many volunteer hours it takes to make a sporting and community club run well. To that end I congratulate the 2022 executive team of the Manly Warringah Netball Association: Colette Longley, the president; Cathy Hurditch, the secretary; Nicole Carter, the vice-president; Reyner Stephens, the treasurer; Robyn Armsworth-Brack, the competition secretary; Natalie Harrison, the coaches convenor; Karen Hayes, the representative convenor; and Lisa Davison, the umpires convenor. I heartily thank all of them. It has been a challenging couple of years for community and grassroots sports organisations across the State. I congratulate Maureen Boyle, OAM, on her elevation to legend status in the Netball NSW hall of fame and for a job well done. May she continue umpiring for many years to come.''

Photos: Manly Warringah Netball Association


RPAYC Final Autumn Twilight Sail 2021/2022 - St Patricks Day Theme

The RPAYC had a great turnout for the final twilight of the 21/22 Season on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. Congratulations to all of the podium placegetters in the Thursday Autumn Twilight Series. There were some great St Patricks Day outfits on show as well and live music back at the club. 

PHS Winners
Div 1: Windy Too - Carl Russett
Div 2: Puff - Scott Robertson
Div 3: Venue - Brian Ellis
Div 4: Isabella - John Nolan

Photos: RPAYC


Newport Breakers Rugby Club At Rat Park, Warriewood

March 26, 2022

The Newport Breakers Rugby Club new look Colts team had a trial hit out today against a Warringah Colts team. Great to have rugby kicking off again and to see the Newport playing stocks continuing to produce.

Photos: Matt Wellings, Newport Breakers Rugby Club 




February 22 To March 9 2022 Weather Event: Some Records

Garden Street, Narrabeen, afternoon of March 8th, 202. Photo: Joe Mills
Turimetta Beach, March 10, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills
Coraki, on the confluence of the Richmond and Wilson Rivers, afternoon of March 9, 2022. Photo: Ingleside NSW RFS 
Coraki, on the confluence of the Richmond and Wilson Rivers, afternoon of March 9, 2022. Photo: Ingleside NSW RFS 


MORE HERE

 

Tour De Cure 2022: Pittwater Connections In John & Amanda Fuller + Co-Founder Samantha Hollier-James

John Fuller in Geelong, ready to go. Photo: Amanda Fuller

One of the reasons John and Amanda chose to support Tour de Cure is because of the impressive track record with all funds raised having led to at least 50 significant cancer treatment breakthroughs. 

If you would like to support John and Amanda by making a donation to raise funds for another epic effort please click on the link below and it should take you directly to their fundraising page. Every $50 donated gets 1 entry to win the painting ($500=10 entries! ) as well as knowing your donation will help find a cure. The winner of the painting will be drawn on Sunday 27/3 at the end of the Pittwater Artists Trail first 2022 exhibition at Newport Community Centre. 

John and Amanda's Tour De Cure 2022 page: https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/signature-tour-2022/amanda-johnny

Fungi after all this rain. Photo: Joe Mills, March 7, 2022

Mona Vale Road East Upgrade: April 2022 Pictorial Update

Construction Update: published March 2022, Photos taken April 19, 2022

Construction Update

The NSW Government is investing $140 million to upgrade Mona Vale Road between Manor Road, Ingleside and Foley Street, Mona Vale, from two lanes to a four-lane divided carriageway improving safety and traffic efficiency. Work is well underway across the full 3.2-kilometre length of the upgrade.

Construction has progressed along the corridor and motorists would have noticed the two traffic switches carried out over the last few months. Traffic is now travelling on the new road pavement allowing us to continue work on the retaining walls, which once complete will form part of the new westbound lanes.


Between the months of November to February, we have:

  • completed two traffic switches              
  • built new road pavement
  • started work on the new left-hand lane turn      
  • constructed new kerbs into Foley Street
  • laid asphalt



Photo: First level of retaining wall being constructed near Daydream Street. Dimensions of this  wall to be constructed — 5m high by 225m long.

Upcoming traffic changes

There will be a traffic change between Foley Street and Ponderosa Parade in May 2022, weather permitting. This is so we can continue building the new eastbound lanes, east of Samuel Street.

This traffic switch will involve moving traffic onto the new road pavement west of Foley Street and Ponderosa Parade. The roundabout will be moved closer to Ponderosa Parade to facilitate the new traffic changes.

As part of these works, we will need to close access to Emma Street and Foley Street, before and during the traffic switch.

We will notify nearby impacted residents ahead of this work occurring.

Activities planned in the coming months

Manor Road to Foley Street

We will continue to build the new sections of road, which includes:

  • continuation of excavation of earthworks piling and retaining wall construction drainage construction
  • kerb and barrier placement
  • removal of power poles near Foley Street laying of asphalt
  • installation of road signage and line marking
  • landscaping
  • traffic switch from Foley Street to Ponderosa Parade

There will be temporary traffic changes around worksites, with traffic control in place to guide motorists. Electronic message signs will show any changed conditions.

How will the work affect you?

Our utility and earthworks use a range of equipment, including excavators with rock hammers, rippers, tipper trucks, vacuum trucks, road saws, rollers, street sweepers, light vehicles and light towers.

The work may be noisy at times, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

During night work, we aim to direct light away from residential properties and turn off equipment and vehicles when not in use. Noise blankets are used where possible to reduce the noise from activities taking place within a confined area.

Residents who may be heavily impacted by the out of hours work and are eligible for alternative accommodation will be notified at least 48 hours before the work.

Our work schedule

Our standard working hours are between 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and between 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Out of hours work may happen between 8pm and Sam with up to three shifts per week, weather permitting.

We will not work more than two consecutive nights in the same area. We will advise you before we start night work near your property.

Thank you for your ongoing patience during this work.

Upgrading Mona Vale Road will improve the way you move in and around your local area.

We will continue to inform you as the project progresses.


Photo: Retaining wall works near Boundary Street


Contact us

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our project team:

Phone: 1800 413 640

Email: monavaleroad@georgiou.com.au 

Webpage: nswroads.work/mvreast

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

Transport for NSW nswroads.work/mvreast

Previously:

Photos Of Works Taken April 19, 2022 Heading East









Autumn In Pittwater 2022: Tranquil Turimetta Beach

Turimetta Beach, April 21, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills
Turimetta Beach, April 21, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills
Sooty oystercatchers (Haematopus fuliginosus) on Narrabeen - Turimetta Rock platform. Photo: Joe Mills
Turimetta Beach, April 21, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills

Sophie Scamps Makes History: An Independent Elected To The Seat Of Mackellar – A Blue-Green Positive Future Dawns

Pictures An Autumn Mix: From The Bush To The Beaches To The Lagoon - What's Been Seen This Week - photos by Joanne Seve, Margaret Woods, Selena Griffith, Joe Mills, Michael Mannington OAM

Pittwater Park - Snapperman Beach, Palm Beach Ferry Wharf Sunset, Sunday May 15 2022

Photos by Joanne Seve





Progress On The Walkway At Narrabeen, Images Taken May 20, 2022

Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment. In our backyard. Worth protecting. Visit: www.narrabeenlagoon.org.au

Photo credit: Margaret G Woods

More In: Works Begin On New Narrabeen Bridge For Walkers And Bike Riders + Some Narrabeen Lagoon Bridge No 1 History Notes





Cockatoo Juvenile Still Calling For Food - Careel Bay, May 18, 2022

Photo by A J Guesdon


Wildflowers Out On Autumn Bush Walk

Photos by Selena Griffith



Turimetta Beach Before The Rain Arrived - Narrabeen Rock Pool Sooty Oystercatcher And Pool Life - Ibises Were In The Puddles Of Water In Front Of Warriewood Square Carpark

photos by Joe Mills May 16 - 20, 2022


2022 Masters National Championships

What a great few days. This team of Champions took out the Runner Up Trophy for most points, as well as Highest Average Points Trophy for clubs in our category, plus the Relay Trophy for the youngest team category. 



Great to have so much new talent in our Team who want to race and have a good time. 
Suffice to say, we punch well above our weight.

Special congratulations to Craig Magnusson who broke the 100 Breaststroke National Record with a great swim, taking the record from Stuart Ellicott which has stood for 11 yrs. Great to keep it in the Club.
Locals may recognise a few familiar faces among this groups.
Congratulations all!

North Shore Masters Swimming Club

History Dorothea Mackellar Of Lovett Bay - The Poet From Whom The Electorate Received Its Name

Dorothea Mackellar, writer, 1927 -  photographer May Moore. Purchased from May Moore, February 1928. Image courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

VALE Leicester Warburton
1921 - 2022


Leicester Warburton, long-term offshore resident and former editor of Scotland Island’s newsletter, died May 11th, 2022 at the age of 101. 



Leicester and his wife, Florence, bought on the island in 1962 and spent much of their time here until moving off in 2004. For 28 of those 42 years Leicester ran S.I. News, the island newsletter. Leicester took over the paper in 1972, running it until 2000, when it became the Pittwater Offshore Newsletter.

Born in 1921, Leicester started his career as a cadet journalist on Sydney’s evening paper The Sun. He enlisted in the RAAF in World War II, serving with a bomber squadron in Borneo. It was while on leave that he met his wife, Florence Goetze, in the Sydney offices of Woman magazine. They were to remain married for over 70 years, producing two daughters and a son. 

After the war Leicester spent a period in Canberra, working for a political party. Not wanting to be separated from his wife, Leicester returned to Sydney, moving with Florence to North Curl Curl, where they lived for 26 years. It was during this period that Leicester discovered Scotland Island, happening upon it while out on a country drive with his eldest daughter, Jane. This led to the ‘impulsive purchase’ of a block on Florence Terrace. 
  
By the time of his purchase on Scotland Island Leicester had already switched to a career in advertising, working for British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, which operated trans-Pacific flights before being taken over by Qantas. Leicester then worked for a ‘hard-driving young publisher’ Rupert Murdoch in connection with the 1964 launch of The Australian newspaper. This was an unhappy time for Leicester, who later spoke openly of his alcoholism and the strain this put on his marriage. Even so, Florence remained ‘loyally supportive’. 

Despite these setbacks, Leicester’s career in advertising flourished and by the late 1960s he was well respected in the industry. Indeed islander Penny Wise remembers that Leicester was an early contact for her when she first moved from England to Australia looking for a career in the media. Leicester had no work for her, but when they later became close neighbours on Florence Terrace a friendship ensued. 

‘He was just gorgeous’, she recalls. ‘He loved the island, swimming outside his home every day’. It was during one such swim that Leicester and some neighbours dived to the bottom of Pittwater for what they thought might be a box of legendary sunken treasure. It turned out to be a dumped refrigerator.

In 1972 Leicester inherited S.I. News from Ian ‘Bunks’ Carmichael. Older island residents will recall Leicester delivering the paper house to house on the island, something Leicester recounted in an article he wrote for the PON in 2013, reproduced below.

Surprisingly, Leicester never lived full-time on the island. Starting as a weekender, after retirement he became the inverse, spending weekdays offshore and weekends on the lower north shore. But through his editorship of S.I. News Leicester won fans across the island. 'I was very fond of him', says Jenny Cullen. ‘He was a real gentleman’, recalls Gill Unwin. ‘A lovely, friendly guy’, remembers Alison Uren.   

Unfortunately the rigours of island life became too much for Florence and the couple moved to Cremorne Point in 2004, having already handed over S.I. News to Paul Purvis, who renamed it the Pittwater Offshore Newsletter.

Sadly Florence developed dementia and in 2015 he made the ‘heart-breaking decision’ to move her to a nursing home. After more than 70 years together, Leicester described the ‘ache of separation’ as ‘almost unbearable’. After Florence died in 2016 Leicester, with admirable candour, spoke about loneliness that might have driven him close to suicide. Fortunately he found solace in the Cremorne Coffee Club, a group of friends who met daily at a café at Cremorne Point Wharf. 

In time the challenges of independent living became too much for Leicester and he moved to Uniting The Garrison aged care home in Mosman. It was while living there that he suffered a stroke earlier this month.

‘Our astonishing father, who has bounced back from so many challenges in his 101 years, passed away very early this morning’, said his family yesterday. ‘We are very grateful to the wonderful staff of the Garrison, Royal North Shore and Northern Beaches Hospitals for their care and concern’.   

Leicester leaves not only his children but also grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family say that a celebration of his life will be held in the near future.

Tribute by Roy Baker,
Editor of Pittwater Offshore Newsletter

Profile of the Week Robyn Edelle Friend (B.A. & Dip Ed.)
July 7th 1946 To May 14th, 2022
A Celebration Of Her Life
On Friday May 27th at 12.01pm a Celebration of the Life of Robyn Friend was held on the front lawn of the Avalon Bowling Club.

This Celebration had been fully planned and written out by Robyn and the following adheres to her instructions and wishes, and those of her family. 

Robyn's Notice, as hand penned to Pittwater Online to be run, stated, in part; ''All are invited to Celebrate BUT must bring smiles and dancing shoes.'' All were asked to wear colourful clothing as well - no dark colours.

Dick Harris, of Avalon Bulldogs and First Grade Manager of the Warringah Rats was asked to be MC and read the Eulogy Robyn had written to be read, as her speaking. Similarly Robyn had a full itinerary of the Order of Celebration which included her children, her wider family and her best friends from her sport - Netball.

This Issue a Tribute to one of Avalon Beach's Treasures.

Living Ocean's Traditional Welcome To Country For The Southern Humpback Whale Migration + First Plastics Count For The Careel Multi-Layered Coastal Assessment

Living Ocean's Vice President Tom Peacock, Vice President David Cousins and Co-founders Robbi and Carol Newman. 

Careel Multi-Layered Coastal Assessment (CMCA) First Study

There was a great turn out for the community on Tuesday morning, June 21st, for Living Ocean’s Careel Multi-Layered Coastal Assessment (CMCA) first study survey of Careel Creek and Bay.

This is the starting point for our one-year study by a multi scientific panel of the entire system.

For each level of attention and study Living Ocean teams volunteers with a scientist using a strict citizen science protocol.

This first survey was to understand how ocean bound waste enters the system. Living Ocean use AUSMAP and Tangaroa Blue transects to collect micro and macro waste.

Volunteers collected these along the very high tide mark north of Etival St, Avalon. The different types of plastic are sorted and recorded, according to standardised protocols.


a very high tide at Careel Bay leaves a line where water has washed to

Quadrats were set out to search for microplastics along a 50m section of the shoreline. The marine debris and about 5cm depth of sand within each quadrat are sifted and washed to collect microplastics. The finest sieve from each quadrat is placed in a bowl of water so that any microplastics can float and become visible. They are then sorted into different types for analysis.

The volunteers were joined by Jordan Gacutan, a marine debris and ocean governance researcher at UNSW, Sydney. Working at the interface of science and policy, Jordan assists governments (from local to national levels) in ‘making nature count’ to understand the value of our ecosystems and how we impact them. His PhD explores the role of Citizen Science in marine debris monitoring, and the transformation the data towards policy and management interventions. He has experience working with government and sectoral stakeholders on spatial planning, spatial data infrastructure, and environmental management projects within the Baltic Sea, Spain, Maldives, India, Fiji, and Australia.

The team of volunteers will study this area or transect, once a month for 12 months to assess trends as revealed by the data.


Robbi Newman, President of Living Ocean measuring out the area to be studied

Thanks to Jordan Gacutan from UNSW for your protocols.

Thanks also to these amazing volunteers: 

Margi Coote, Gwen MacDonald, John Smidmore, Katherine Smidmore, Manu Fuchs, Glenn Woodward, Claudia Newman, Alessandra Metzler, Mick Colmer, James George,Robyn Jones, and of course Bill Fulton and Robbi Newman.


Claudia Newman, Jordan Gacutan and Robbi Newman, President of Living Ocean, arrived first to greet volunteers

Welcome To Country For Migrating Whales

Environmental organisation Living Ocean then hosted a traditional indigenous Whale Welcome to Ocean Country on Friday 24 June at the Avalon Surf Club, Avalon Beach. Despite the early hour and snow winds blowing there was a large turn out for this event.

Tens of thousands of Humpback Whales are expected to migrate north along the East Coast of Australia from June to September. Traditionally the local indigenous people, the Garigal of the Guringai whose totem is the whale, have always welcomed the migration to their Ocean Coast.   

David Cousins, Living Ocean Vice President, who welcomed everyone, said ‘the preservation of the marine ecosystem to boost whale populations is paramount, as the lungs of our planet actually reside in the ocean’. Mr. Cousins then asked local indigenous gentleman Neil Evers to Welcome all to Country.

Local Elder Uncle Neil Evers performed a smoking ceremony, while whale songs were on the didgeridoo by Matt James, and finally the local community met on the sands of Avalon Beach to call the whales in the traditional way by squeaking their feet in the sand. 

In Welcoming all to Country Uncle Neil said:

Good morning everybody, it’s great to see so many people here. My name is Neil Evers and I’m a descendant of the Garigal clan. The Garigal people are part of the oldest continuing culture in the world. 

I respect my Elders Past, Present and those to come. I also acknowledged their wisdom and their courage.

I’d also like to acknowledge Living Ocean for inviting me here today and having this celebration of the whales.

Everyone here comes from this area and it’s a beautiful area to live in. did you all see the sunrise this morning? It was absolutely magnificent, as it is every day.

I’ve lived in this area all my life, I was born at Collaroy, and to come around those (Bilgola) Bends is a beautiful experience.

To see the whales here is just fantastic.

Have you ever done any research into the statistics on whales? I did lasty night.

When we all got up this morning – what’s the first thing we did? That’s right – well, the whales do this too. Do you know how much they urinate every day? A thousand litres.

They’re a magnificent animal – they have ears – have you ever seen a whale with ears? So how do they hear? No; we think we’re smart as we have things on our cars which go ‘beep, beep’ when we come too close. The whales have had this system going for thousands of years, so we’re so far behind them it’s unbelievable. And they swim and don’t need to run.

A little later on we’re going to go down the beach and do what the old ladies did and twist our feet to make a squeaking sound. When hearing that squeak the whales and the dolphins used to come in, and they’d bring fish in.

These days it can be a bit difficult for the whales because of the incredible noise out there in the ocean. 250 years ago there were no boats out there with their huge diesel motors and the whales could hear p to 800 kilometres, so from here to Coffs Harbour. 

So later on we will do as the old ones did, and help the whales.

I thank so many of you for coming today and on behalf of my elders Welcome you to this magnificent Country.


Uncle Neil

MORE HERE

Newport Rugby Club's Ladies Day 2022

photos by Cameron Greaves

Newport Rugby Club, the Breakers, hosted their 2022 Ladies on Saturday June 18th , with lady supporters treated to some nice food and drinks at The Newport hotel prior to heading to Porters’ Reserve Newport for a series of at home games played by the club’s grades.

As you can see by these great photos taken by Cameron Greaves there’s a LOT of ‘number 1’ signing going on – that’s because the Breakers had a clean sweep in their home ground hosted games, some grades by significant margins.

Results were:

1st Grade:  Newport 31  - Old Barker 14​
2nd Grade: Newport 33  - Old Barker 0​
Colts:           Newport 26  - Old Barker 0​
3rd Grade:  Newport 81  - Epping 3​
4th Grade:  Newport 28  - Epping 0​
Breakettes 7s:  Newport 62  - Petersham 0


The Breakettes - after their huge 62 - 0  Ladies Day Victory...versus Petersham

Pittwater Online News spoke this week to Jake Osborne, President of Newport Rugby Club, about the Breakers Season so far. MORE HERE

SailGP Season 3: Team Australia Win In Chicago 

Photo: SailGP Team Australia win. Image: SailGP
Turimetta Beach Sunrise, Juen 24, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills
Early mornings at Careel Bay and Avalon Beach - June 2022. Photos: A J Guesdon

Marine Rescue Cottage Point + Marine Rescue Broken Bay Winter Training: Whale Disentanglement + Night Navigation 

June 9, 2022: Just when you thought it was an ordinary Thursday, MRCP and MRBB were part of the whale disentanglement training with NPWS (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service) in Pittwater today.

Marine Rescue NSW and the NPWS have a memorandum of understanding that sees the two organisations collaborate when a whale requires assistance, with our members training together and our rescue vessels providing a large work platform or 'mother ship' during actual responses.

June 6, 2022 MRCP: Night Navigation Training; MR Cottage Point was out completing essential night navigation training and will continue to over the next few weeks. This was was led by our very own Unit Commander Tony Gordon and Dave Robofish. A great night which was also joined by members of Surf 30.







Photos: MR Cottage Point and MR Broken Bay

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever Held At Mona Vale For The Women's Resilience Centre

On Saturday July 16th a Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever was organised by Elise Andrews and held in Mona Vale's Village Park to raise funds and awareness for The Women's Resilience Centre. Newport residents may remember Elise from over a decade ago making sure youngsters had fun on Halloween by getting local shops and families involved in some good safe fun there.

The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is an event held at locations around the world where participants recreate the music video for musician Kate Bush's 1978 song "Wuthering Heights". The event's inspiration is Shambush's The Ultimate Kate Bush Experience, which took place in 2013 in Brighton, United Kingdom, as part of Brighton Fringe, created by performance collective Shambush! who attempted to set an unofficial world record for the most people dressed as Kate Bush in one place, with hundreds attending.

In 2016, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever event was proposed to be held in at least 16 places worldwide including Adelaide, Perth, Northern Rivers, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Montreal, Atlanta, Copenhagen, Berlin, Uppsala, Wellington, Hobart, Amsterdam and Somersworth. Shambush! who inspired the event hosted an event in London and helped organise the largest event in Melbourne.

Since then the annual July event has grown, with another to be held in Sydney Park at St. Peter's on July 30th, this one aiming to set a record for Sydney's 'Wuthering Heights Days'.

The Women's Resilience Centre was founded in 2020 as a place of hope, healing and recovery for women who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse and trauma. 

Their About section on their website states:

Whilst many government and voluntary services provide housing and support for victims, most are short-term and through desperation, many women return to unsafe environments thereby perpetuating the tragic cycle of abuse and trauma.

The WRC is positioned to fill the gap between short-term crisis care and longer-term recovery. We provide a Resilience Program supported by a lived-experience peer-to-peer Mentoring Program, delivered nationally online and face-to-face. Through partnerships with housing providers, we are planning a national network of residential accommodation for up to 12 months, providing a safe space for women to reset their lives.

Simone Allan, Director and Founder Women’s Resilience Centre Ltd, and Director of The Mentor Evolution and Mondo Search, gave the following address at the inaugural Most Wuthering Day Ever for our area:

''The Women’s Resilience Centre is a northern beaches initiative. It is a service to provide hope, healing and long term recovery for women and their families who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse and trauma.

The statistics state that one women dies every 8 days in Australia and on the Northern Beaches over 130 + DV incidents are reported each month. Trauma is Ike a cancer that pervades if not dealt with and it presents itself through dysfunctional behaviour. 

It is estimated that 75% of Australian adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their life (Productivity Commission estimates using ABS 2009). International studies estimate that 62–68% of young people will have been exposed to at least one traumatic event by the age of 17.

The key to a road to recovery from trauma is a non judgemental empathic and supportive community.

If we do not repair we will repeat. 

For women stepping out of domestic violence on the northern Beaches there are some Incredibly supportive short term crisis care shelters where women can go, but they can only stay in residence for 12 weeks and then where did they go? Who is there to support them? Usually a case worker is assigned to them for a period of time. How do they navigate stepping forward as dealing with trauma that takes about 7 years to recover.

In Australia women on average return to unsafe places  7-11 times, as they have no clear pathway forward. 

The Women’s Resilience Centre provides the support and community care between short-term crisis care and longer-term recovery. We provide  capability building Resilience Programs  supported by a lived-experience peer-to-peer Mentoring Program. Currently we are already delivering  a national financial well being online program, with mental health practitioners in attendance to support participants. 

Enrolments for the winter series of the Financial Wellbeing program have reached nationally, proving the good will of the a Northern Beaches Community.

Exciting news we open our first hub in Mona Vale very close to this location in Spring the centre and will allow women a place to come and breathe to find programs of support and community to learn new skills and to learn to play and smile again and connect with a supportive non judgemental community. 

We are asking for support for the Women’s Resilience Centre as it is completely Volunteer led and all our funding to date has been through the good will of this community, we have raised $250k but need more support to operate our centre, prove the model of long term community support and care and roll our service out nationally to regional areas of Australia. 

Many people like myself came to the sea to heal and and we are blessed in this community to have a playground of mother nature combined with incredible giving well-being experts to prove the model that we want to offer of long-term support for families who have suffered domestic violence and trauma.

If you have time to volunteer to offer well-being services - whether it be health or recreational learning programs  - singing classes, yoga, meditation, cooking etc or financial support please get in touch with us come and talk to us or reach out to us through our website www.women’s resiliencecentre.com.au

Resetting Lives! Positively impacting generations ahead!

The Women’s Resilience Centre is a not for profit organisation and has charitable status. All donations are tax deductible.

Today is about dancing and celebrating that we are worthy of peace, finding our agency and receiving the bounty of this life. Enjoy the dance! Dance to the lightness and goodness of our community, celebrating this beautiful amazing part of the planet! 

Thank you for joining us today.


This good fun event to raise funds to support a local initiative to address a gap also shines a light on a serious problem that is happening here as much as it does anywhere else in Australia. 

On Friday July 22nd 2022 the Australian Government held its first face-to-face meeting of federal, state and territory ministers to engage on key policy priorities for women. The meeting, co-hosted by the Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth took place in Adelaide.

The meeting was set to  cover a range of important matters for Australian women, but focus particularly on gender equality, women’s economic security and women’s safety. The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 was discussed, along with a Commitment to a standalone National Plan for First Nations women.  

Minister Gallagher said that it is imperative that the Commonwealth, state and territory governments work collaboratively to progress the Government’s national agenda of accelerating gender equality and achieving an end to violence against women and children. 

“The Government is taking action to achieve gender equality, including through development of a National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality. Our vision is for Australia to be a world leader in gender equality, and I look forward to working with states and territories on this ambition,” Minister Gallagher said.  

“One woman dies in Australia every nine days at the hands of their current or former partner. The National Plan will set out a strategy for the next decade with the aim of reducing that number.” 

From now on, Ministers responsible for women and women’s safety will meet regularly to maintain momentum and a national focus on these critical policy priorities for women.

After this year's event Elise said:

''Thanks so much to Crolly (Robert Croll Photography), Neil Andrews and Kate for the wonderful photos and thanks to everyone for coming along. 

Huge thanks to LovLou and the Park House for donating the fabulous raffle prizes. Thanks to Karen for doing our Acknowledgment of Country, Kate Lush for MCing the Event, Andrew Black for the sound, Sascha, Liz and Kerry for fundraising at the AfterWuther. 

Last but the most my wonderful husband Neil who filmed the event and has gone along with the idea of this for the last 12 months.''

Below run some of these great images.


'The WutherMother' - caption: Elise

If you or someone you know needs help please contact:

  • 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732): The National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. 24 hours, 7 days a week.  www.1800respect.org.au
  • Lifeline (13 11 14) A national number which can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state. 24 hours, 7 days a week. www.lifeline.org.au
  • NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 656 463 / TTY 1800 671 442) Provides telephone counselling, information and referrals for women and same-sex partners who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. 24 hours, 7 days a week. www.community.nsw.gov.au
  • Mensline Australia (1300 78 99 78) Supports men who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. 24 hours, 7 days a week. www.mensline.org.au
  • Relationships Australia (1300 364 277) Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners. www.relationships.com.au
  • Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) Telephone, email and web counselling for children and young people. 24 hours, 7 days a week. www.kidshelp.com.au
  • Australian Childhood Foundation (1800 176 453) Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse. 24 hours, 7 days a week. www.childhood.org.au
  • Translating and Interpreting Service (131 450) Free phone service to gain access to an interpreter in your own language. 24 hours, 7 days a week. tisnational.gov.au




Winter In Pittwater

Sunshine over Turimetta, July 20, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills
Rain offshore over Narrabeen, July 22, 2022. Photo: Joe Mills
Profile of the Week William John Berge Phillips
September 4, 1943 - July 26, 2022
William 'Bill' Phillips grew up in Mosman attending Mosman Primary School. His father was very active in the administration of swimming in Australia which sparked an early interest in the water for William. He used to go down The Spit Swimming Club with his father as a child and he became a member of Balmoral Swimming Club in 1950 at the age of seven.

In 1962 he was selected for the NSW Water Polo Team and played for NSW in 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1971.

In 1964 he was part of the Australian Olympic Water Polo Team that competed at the Tokyo Olympics. He remained a member of the Australian Water Polo Team until 1968. He went on to play for the Australian team in Europe in 1965 and 1967 and in Mexico in 1968.

In 1962 while studying for a Diploma of Law at Sydney University he was awarded a Water Polo Blue. He continued to play water polo into his 40s.

He was awarded Swimming NSW Life Membership on June 14th, 1969. Life membership is offered as recognition to members who have provided long and meritorious service to Swimming NSW.

In 1970 he married Carolyn Ruth Brinsmead. 

His father, William Berge Phillips OBE (1913-2003), Australian and international swimming administrator, 1913-2003, became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his many years of service to the Commonwealth and the world of swimming and in 1983 was honoured by the International Olympic Committee with the Silver Award of the Olympic Order, while in 1991 he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

On Tuesday July 26th Pittwater Online News was informed of the passing of Bill Phillips, a much treasured Whale Beach SLSC Life Member who was known for his lovely smile and humble nature - it was hard to get Bill to speak about his achievements, often deferring to those of his father.

This Issue we re-run his Profile from 2016 and interviews from 2015 as a celebration of one of our community's assets, and a lovely gentle man atop that. Always smiling, always humble, Bill 'just got on with it' all his life.

Member For Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps Sworn In 

On Tuesday July 26, 2022 newly elected Member for Mackellar was officially sworn in as part of the 47th Parliament of Australia.

Dr Sophie Scamps – Independent MP for Mackellar said:

''It was a privilege and an honour to be sworn in today as the Independent MP for Mackellar.

Although I was only sworn in today, my team and I have been busy meeting with the government and working hard to ensure Mackellar’s voice and values are being heard and respected in Canberra. 

Our electorate office has also been busy since first opening last month, helping the people of Mackellar with issues ranging from passport and visa applications to NDIS and other local issues.

Today marked the start of a busy first fortnight in Parliament, with the government introducing 18 Bills, including their Climate Change Bill. 

I have been working in good faith with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen over the last month on the government’s proposed Bill. As part of that engagement, I have proposed a series of amendments to help strengthen the government’s legislation. 

Mackellar elected me to fight for our community on the issues that matter most, and I have been doing just that when it comes to climate action.

I look forward to seeing the updated legislation in Parliament and ensuring that the wishes of my community are reflected in the Bill.''

Worth Noting:

  • The Parliament sworn in on Tuesday is the 47th Parliament of Australia. 
  • Dr Sophie Scamps MP is the first Independent MP to be sworn in as Mackellar’s representative in Parliament.
  • Dr Sophie Scamps MP’s position in the House of Representatives will see her seated next to West Australian Independent MP for Curtin Kate Chaney.

Dr Scamps will be giving her maiden speech in Parliament on Monday August 1st, 2022.

The Member for Mackellar is scheduled to speak between midday and 1.30pm. 

If you're interested in tuning in to watch you can at www.aph.gov.au/live

Pittwater Community Forum: A Discussion On How To Save Our Area

A community forum focussed on keeping a check on inappropriate development in Pittwater and looking at and discussing ways to protect the natural beauty of our area was held at the Mona Vale Memorial Hall on Sunday July 24th. 

Narrabeen Park Parade Oyster Shell Middens Art Works

Council has commissioned Frances Belle Parker and Urban Art Projects to create public art for our Aboriginal Art & Storytelling Project, the first major project for the Coast Walk Public Art Program. The project aims to acknowledge, respect and share the stories of the Northern Beaches Aboriginal people through a series of contemporary public artworks along the 36km Coast Walk, from Manly to Palm Beach.

This project will see new works in three locations along the Coast Walk; Narrabeen Lagoon, Avalon (south) and Long Reef Headland.

The first of these have been installed around the Narrabeen Lagoon last week.

Frances Belle Parker: Oyster Shells - Middens, 2022

Artist Statement

''Middens along the coast are places where Aboriginal people gathered to eat and would leave the remains of shellfish. They are synonymous with Aboriginal people, considered culturally significant proof of the people’s use of the land as a meeting place.

There are a number of identified middens in the Northern Beaches area, protected and revered. My oyster shell concept pays tribute to these midden sites as I, like my ancestors, hold family and community gatherings in such high regard. Many are still centred around feasts – a time where we can gather to yarn, to share, heal, reminisce, or celebrate. These gatherings focus on connection, being one, being together.

My aim is to create a space amongst the vastness of the Coast Walk that brings people together, unites them, encourages communication and enhance a sense of community. A place where people can stop and catch their breath.

My concept involves a number of cast aluminium oyster shells. The shells are arranged in a cluster to capture that moment in time of a feast, a gathering. The location at Narrabeen Lagoon was identified during engagement with local Aboriginal communities.

Some oysters will have graphics containing symbolic imagery representing bloodlines, coastal formations, the landscape, and other sea creatures. Some of these images incorporate the work of Jessica Birk, a passionate local Aboriginal artist and conservationist who has now passed on. Around the outside and inside edges of the oysters, patterns made to create the anatomy of the shellfish become symbols of the layers within a midden.

Visitors to this site will be able to touch and enjoy the designs in the interior – a reminder there is always more to explore beneath the surface of people, country, and cultural sites.

The story of the middens is about digging further than what you see on the Earth’s surface and understanding that underlying history – not just of the artwork, but of the land you are on”.

Artist bio

Frances Belle Parker has been a practising artist for the last 20 years, coming to prominence after winning the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Blake Prize in 2000; she is the youngest ever winner and the first Aboriginal recipient in the prize’s history. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, undertaken art residencies in China and Andorra and worked on several public art projects, including her recent digital work Angwirri on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, on 26 January 2021.

She is working with public art and architectural design group UAP Australia, and independent curator Tess Allas, to realise this project. 

Frances has engaged with the local Aboriginal community to identify significant and relevant sites for storytelling through the artwork.  The artist has significant family connections on the Northern Beaches. The works will enrich Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people’s experience of the region without compromising environmentally fragile and culturally sensitive sites. Once all the works are in place they will help connect people to the landscape, each other, and to past, present, and future.

Text: Artist and Council. 

Photos: Joe Mills, Pittwater Online Parks and Reserves Photographer.

Council's Environmental Art & Design Prize Exhibition: Across 3 Venues This August

Harvey Little, 'Keep our oceans clean' ; 7-12 Years Finalists


Grand Old Tree Of Angophora Reserve Falls Back To The Earth

President of the Avalon Beach Historical Society, Geoff Searl OAM, contacted this news service sending through the following photos of the grand old tree that gave its name to Angophora Reserve in Avalon Beach.  Geoff said; ''it was noticed yesterday (Friday August 5th) that the 450 years old Angophora costata has decided it ’s too tiresome to stand up any longer, so she fell over probably with the assistances of the strong westerlies we’ve had lately.

I know you’ve got some pics of her when she was young and beautiful but here are a couple of pics of her yesterday.

She was really hard to shoot because of her massiveness.

R.I.P.''




Geoff provides: ''This photo shows the official opening of the Angophora Reserve on March 19th, 1938 by Sir Phillip Street (KCMG). Much of the groundwork to enable the purchase of the land by the Wildlife Preservation Society in 1937 was done by Thistle Harris. The reserve cost the Society £364 19 shillings and 7 pence (which converts to around 730 dollars!).''  - photo courtesy ABHS


Arthur Jabez Small and the Old Girl, pre-1954 - photo courtesy ABHS - Geoff Searl OAM. In full: Grand Old Tree Of Angophora Reserve Falls Back To The Earth  

Congratulations Locana Cullen - New Under 12 State Champion!

Top: Locana Cullen being chaired by friends after his win. Above: In action at the 2022 Havaianas NSW Grommet Titles. Photos: Mayan Images

Avalon Beach surfer Locana Cullen won the the 2022 Havaianas NSW Grommet Titles Under 12 Division on Sunday July 24th.

Both Locana Cullen (Avalon Beach) and Talia Tebb (Avoca Beach) were consistently exceptional from day one. The pair excited the judges with their wave choice and ability to perform excellent manoeuvres heat after heat. 

The Under 12 Boys Champion Locana Cullen was inspirational from the get-go. The Regional Titles winner has also had a stellar year and to wrap it up with a State Title win is fitting for the 11-year-old surf sensation. 

Cullen's heats were performed with maturity and precision from wave selection to performing perfect critical manoeuvres on almost every wave he took off on. Cullen took out the highest wave of the day each day with the judges awarding him near-perfect 9 point waves.

Despite his dominance, Maroubra's Jaggar Phillips didn't let him have the final easily. Cullen started the final strong with an opening 7.33 that had the beach cheering. Phillips answered with a wave of equal score. With the pressure now on, Cullen took no time to come back with a 6.33 to which Phillips couldn't match but it was a nail-biting 20 minutes but an exciting final to watch. 

Cullen has won the both Billabong Oz Grom Cup and Occy Grom Comp and came into the NSW Titles with the number one ranking. This is his first State Title. 

"I'm so happy to win my first State Title here at Maroubra, it's the Aboriginal word meaning 'like thunder', I love that," said Cullen after his win. "It's been a big couple of days and we've all had to work really hard to make heats but to have these cleaner condition today has been epic."

MORE HERE

Dee Why's Ben Zanetta in action on Monday July 25. Photo:.JGRimages

 

Marine Rescue Crews Prepare To Save Lives: SAREX 2022 On Pittwater - Broken Bay

Marine Rescue NSW specialists have put their skills to the test in a major maritime capability operation, including 10 rescue vessels took to the waters of Pittwater around Broken Bay over the weekend of July 23-24 to search for “victims” missing at sea as part of a major marine capability exercise.

The exercise was designed to hone vital marine search and rescue skills and cooperation between agencies to ensure during emergencies everyone is able to respond as quickly and safely as possible.

The search exercise was based on a scenario involving a search for multiple victims after a recreational fishing boat was reported missing off the coast at Broken Bay, with volunteers from all eight Marine Rescue units also undertaking incident management exercises onshore as well as presentations by the attending emergency services.


Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the two-day Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) tests the training and coordination of multiple emergency services organisations.

“More than 115 search and rescue specialists, including 70 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from eight units across Greater Sydney and the Central Coast, took part in this important operation,” Ms Cooke said.

“Training opportunities like this are vital to help our crews stay sharp and ready to save lives when more people take to the water in the warmer months.”

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes said despite the wet weather, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers have responded to 3,896 calls for urgent help this year.

“Tragically over the past year 14 boaters and paddlers have lost their lives, and I urge everyone heading out on the water to do their bit by always wearing a lifejacket and Logging On with their local Marine Rescue base,” Mr Stokes said.

MORE HERE

 

Winter In Pittwater

Turimetta Beach - First Ones Out. Photo: Joe Mills


Profile of the Week Eileen Carmel Gordon

1933-2022
Daughter of James and Dulcie Smith.
Beloved wife of John Lindsay Gordon (Dec.)
Mother of James and Ian, mother-in-law to Debbie and Christine.
Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

We trust by now you know that our amazing, talented, loving mother Eileen recently passed away.

Please find details below for Eileen’s Service

Date: Wednesday 17th August
Time: 1.30pm
Location: Ann Wilson Funerals – Darley St, Mona Vale

Please note:

If you are available and wish to attend the service in person could you please RSVP via email to ian.gordon10@tafensw.edu.au by Mon 15 August so we know how many to accommodate.

If you are unable to attend in person but wish to participate remotely the event is being “live streamed”. Please advise us by return email to ian.gordon10@tafensw.edu.au so we can forward the live link to you on the day to connect via your device.

We are asking people that, rather than send flowers to the service, please consider instead making a donation to the “Heart Foundation” via Eileen’s tribute page at the following link.:  inmemory.heartfoundation.org.au/fundraisers/iangordon/in-memory-of-eileen-gordon 

You can also share your memories or thoughts on the tribute page.

Following the service we will be gathering for refreshments in the garden at Mona Vale Hotel.

James and Ian Gordon.

_____________________________

Eileen Gordon has been one of our foremost workers for Mona Vale Hospital through the Hospital's auxiliary, having given over 20 years service to the Mona Vale Branch. Prior to that Eileen was responsible for combining the original Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon, Narrabeen and Elanora Branches.

Mrs. Gordon held a number of Executive positions, including Assistant Treasurer, Narrabeen 2000-2007, President Combined Auxiliaries 2002-2007, President of Mona Vale Auxiliary 2008-2013.

With her passing on Saturday August 6th thousands of messages of condolence as well as tributes and thanks for her works have been expressed by community members. 

This Issue a few insights into a lady whose work will live on.

Spring Is Sprung!

On Thursday this week, September 1st, Spring commences which means you made it Pittwater! There may still be a few snow winds around but we're heading towards the beginning of the Patrol Season on beaches, LOTS of flowers out in our bushland reserves and much more light as days lengthen.  Above is one of the baby kookaburras currently flitting around the garden here at Pittwater Online headquarters, on this occasion being hassled by the resident pair of butcher birds - they're nesting too!

 

Stony Range Regional Botanical Garden: Some History On How A Reserve Became An Australian Plant Park + Current Photos

The wonderful Stony Range Flora and Fauna Reserve Volunteers - 2021 photo. 
Stony Range Flora and Fauna Reserve celebrated its Diamond Jubilee as a Flora and Fauna Reserve on September 2nd, 2021. 

On September 2nd 1961 the Stony Range Flora and Fauna Reserve was officially opened, although it had been gazetted under this name in 1959, and then became a Botanic Garden of Australian Bushland in 2006. The Reserve itself was set aside as a place for recreation for the public in 1886.

With thanks to dedicated volunteers over the years it has developed into the calm oasis of bushland it is today with a picnic area, accessible paths for all, cascades and children's areas. The garden is jointly managed by Northern Beaches Council and a Volunteer Advisory Committee. It is free and open every day except Christmas.

Stony Range Botanic Garden has several microclimates: the rainforest gully, the sandstone heath, and the lush ecosystem of the Federation Cascades. The waterfalls that form the Federation Cascades were constructed by volunteers in 2001 to commemorate 100 years of Federation in Australia. Since then they have created their own ecosystem and now abound in lush plants and ferns.

Intricate walkways take visitors to these microclimates. The main circuit takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and in 2013 was extended to include the accessible sensory track - where people of all abilities can experience the Australian bush like never before. Signs along the sensory track point to plants you can touch, taste, smell, and look at, to observe the garden with all your senses. There are also side tracks for the energetic and inquisitive.

After half a century of growth, the rainforest gully is regarded as one of Alec Blombery's (one of the garden's founding members) greatest achievements in the reserve. When Stony Range was first created, the area along the main creekline was badly infested with noxious weeds such as lantana and privet. Today, it is a cool oasis populated with cedar, coachwood, flame trees, hoop pine, lilly pilly, ferns and palms.

The site of the sandstone heath in the upper area of the reserve was part of the stone quarry which was reclaimed with soil fill. Today there is a collection of grasses, grevilleas and banksias which all create a picturesque display at different times of the year.

Stony Range volunteers have a variety of activities to suit all levels of participation. Volunteer sessions run on Tuesday mornings 9am-12pm and Saturday afternoons 2-4pm.

The nursery is also open for sales and advice during these times. Stony Range Volunteer Position Description(Opens in a new window). If you would like to become a volunteer contact volunteer@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.

A few weeks ago Pittwater Online News' Parks and Reserves photographer Joe Mills visited this lovely little oasis on the south hill overlooking Dee Why to catch a pre-Spring preview. Some of Joe's photos run on this special Spring Commences history page this Issue.

The great team of volunteers who look after this Reserve report this week that many of the bushflowers endemic to our area are now flowering and it's a great place to visit even when not celebrating a Diamond Anniversary.  

Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions, it was necessary to cancel the Diamond Jubilee 60 years Anniversary Spring Festival that was planned for Sunday 12th September 2021 but there are festivities going ahead this year instead.  A special Spring Festival celebration will take place this year on Sunday 9th October in conjunction with the Northern Beaches Group of the Australian Plants Society.

There will be native plants for sale plus many displays, music on the stage, live native animals, children's fun activities, a BBQ and coffee shop. More details on that soon - but first, a look into where this great park for the people commenced and some of the efforts the residents and council have made for over a century to make this one of the best reserves in our area.

MORE HERE

 

Save The Northern Beaches Bushlands Community Meeting + Department Of Planning Creates 'Aboriginal Planning Concierge' And Appoints 13 New People To The Sydney District And Regional Planning Panels

Wombat in Belrose, February 2022. Video supplied.

On Sunday August 21st members of the Save the Northern Beaches Bushlands group and concerned residents met at Belrose and heard from speakers including Councillor Kristyn Glanville, Dr. Conny Harris, Julia Walsh Chair of Save Manly Dam Catchment and Uncle Laurie Bimson, who gave the Welcome to Country.

The meeting was held in regard to the decision the Minister for Planning made to approve the draft development delivery plans for six sites of the Northern Beaches Aboriginal Lands, despite a huge community response against such draft development delivery plans including members of the local Aboriginal community.

Julia Walsh pointed out that this plan is about hundreds of hectares of wildlife habitat, noting that 13 species went extinct in Australia last year. The proposal frames yet again the short-term financial gain expected by some at the cost of the long-term view and that the community is up against people whose job it is to eliminate any hurdles and ensure such developments go ahead, whatever the cost.

Both Dr. Harris and Ms Walsh pointed out it is important for the community to document what is in these areas themselves and make others aware of the critically endangered plant species and listed as endangered wildlife species specific to these sites. 

''Petitions will not be enough, protests will not be enough - the community needs to create as individuals and as one whole a 'tsunami of pushing back' against more destruction'' listeners heard. 

There were calls to showcase all the animals and flora that were missing from the documents presented, although, as shown in last week's Department of Planning and Environment announcement for Sydney's Koalas in the south area, both NSW government departments will forward development plans, regardless of the state or commonwealth listing for species, such as koalas, and will relegate what is left of any eco-system to 'tree museum' status to facilitate the same.

Koalas!!!  Sighted recently in the Belrose area. (exact location withheld as per NPWS policy) UPDATE: This koala sighting has been entered into Bionet/Wildlife Atlas.”

Please help to keep koalas safe. Their biggest threats are:

* dog attacks - please keep your pets away from wildlife

* vehicles - slow down for wildlife particularly on Wakehurst Parkway, Mona Vale Road and Forest Way

* habitat destruction - over development on the NB is a major threat to our koalas and could eventually wipe them out.

In a sad era for our native wildlife it's an exciting time for us at WIRES to learn that there are in fact koalas still living amongst us. Here are some photos courtesy of @lisa.spinks1 WIRES


The sites and their sizes are know as:

  • Lizard Rock & Morgan Rd - 71ha
  • Aquatic Drive - 1.93 ha
  • Forestway Belrose – 2.7 ha
  • Corymbia Circuit – 11.8 ha
  • Paxton St – 4.4 ha
  • Ralston Ave – 135ha

At present the Save the Northern Beaches Bushlands group are collecting signatures on a petition with the aim to get enough to have the decision debated in parliament. They are also asking everyone to write to their local minister on this matter.

The group is calling for the NSW Government to:

  • Repeal the amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021, so that the 227.3ha of land in the Northern Beaches is no longer subject to the Development Delivery Plan;
  • Work with all the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of the land; and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, to find an alternative means of realising a fair and timely income from their landholdings, while retaining the bushland at those locations.  Many alternatives have been shared with the Minister for Planning, for his consideration, including:
    • Leasing or purchasing the land with Environmental Zoning as a National Park
    • Compensating the Traditional Owners and MLALC for the loss of development potential
    • Investigating a land swap for a developable site elsewhere that has no conservation value
    • Investigating a re-tabling of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Indigenous National Park concept”;
    • Investigating options for long lasting financial income options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from the lands; such as via tourism opportunities, land care and bushland and Aboriginal Culture education; 
    • Creating a Social Justice Improvement Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People;
    • Addressing the concerns of the wider Northern Beaches and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities from an Indigenous Cultural Heritage, Recreational, Tourism and Environmental Preservation perspective.

''There are many opportunities for this beautiful landscape which contains culturally and environmentally significant value to be cared for, shared, protected and utilised in a way that benefits everyone across the entire community.  

We are not against development in the right locations with the appropriate supporting infrastructure and proper planning, however this bushland is NOT the right location for development of 500+ homes, industrial sites and other land uses.  It is pristine and culturally significant and as such must be properly protected.'' members state.

Members state an online petition is being launched and residents can download and help fill out the paper version by accessing it here: https://beachesbushland.mailerpage.io/petition

On Friday July 5th the NSW Department of Planning announced the Finalisation of Northern Beaches Aboriginal Land DDP and SEPP amendment.

Six sites owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) in the Northern Beaches have been included in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021 via this. 

The Northern Beaches Aboriginal Land Development Delivery Plan (DDP) has also been approved by the Minister for Planning and Homes, Anthony Roberts. 

The finalisation of these plans is the first step to allow consideration of planning proposals or development applications (DAs), which will involve further community consultation. 

These decisions allow planning proposals for the sites to be reviewed by the North District Local Planning Panel. 

On Wednesday August 24th, the NSW Department of Planning announced the creation of two new groups to speed up assessments, improve outcomes and unlock economic benefits for Aboriginal communities, the new Aboriginal Planning Concierge, through the same Department, and 13 new appointments to the current pool of people who make decisions on the Sydney District and Regional Planning Panels. All of these are appointed by the same Department, NSW Planning.

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Deputy Secretary of NSW Planning, Marcus Ray said a dedicated service had been set up within the Department of Planning and Environment, to help Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) and Native Title Body Corporates navigate the planning system.

“This is an important step in returning to a level of ‘self-determination’ for Aboriginal communities, so they can control the destiny of their land,” Mr Ray said. “Ultimately, the new Aboriginal Planning Concierge will help unlock opportunities on Aboriginal-owned land, by reducing backlogs and accelerating the assessment process.

“Whether it’s clearing hurdles holding up a proposal’s determination, or resolving complex issues with agencies and industry, this team is skilled at removing barriers and simplifying pathways to avoid delays and keep the economy going.”

Marcus Leslie, a Gomeroi man from North West NSW with a background in natural resource management and environmental regulation, will lead the Concierge to offer advice, build relationships, and ensure seamless experiences in the planning system. 

Mr Ray said Aboriginal communities will also benefit from the appointment of 13 new specialists to the current expert pool for the Sydney District and Regional Planning Panels.

“These new specialists, with expertise in strategic planning and Aboriginal land planning, will join the existing pool of alternate members on a case-by-case basis when needed to improve decision-making, and help speed up the assessment and delivery of new homes, jobs, and infrastructure,” he said.

“This will give existing panels the additional resources they need to improve rezoning reviews, planning proposal timeframes and unlock more opportunities for Local Aboriginal Land Councils.”

MORE HERE

 

2022 Australian Longboard And Logger Championships + Australia’s Para Surfing Championships + Australian Bodyboard Championships - Team NSW Brings Home 27 Australian Titles

Australian Over 40 Men Shortboard Champion, Christo Hall of Narrabeen. Photo: Surfing Australia

The 2022 Australian Surfing Championships wrapped up over the weekend of August 20-21 with results showing NSW athletes have taken home for more than half of the titles following the culmination of the Australian Surf Championships at Port Macquarie – a stunning representation of the talent and depth across the state. 

MORE HERE

 

Winter Becomes Spring In Pittwater

McCarrs' Creek, Church Point. Photo: A J Guesdon.

Descendant Of Bungaree Unveils Name For New Marine Rescue Broken Bay Vessel

On Saturday August 20th 2022 two brilliant events took place at the Bayview base of Marine Rescue Broken Bay; the commissioning of a new rescue vessel for the Unit and a Progress Inspection of the building site where a new purpose-built base is being constructed.

Left to right - back: Cr. Michael Gencher, The Hon Rob Stokes, Darren Schott, MRNSW Zone Commander, front: Ken Edwards, MRNSW Greater Sydney Board Director, Inspector Courtney Greenslade MRNSW Zone Duty Operations Manager, Alex Barrell, MRNSW Deputy Commissioner, Jimmy Arteaga, MRNSW Broken Bay Unit Commander

Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga provided an update of the Base building works, and spoke about the new vessel that will be on the waters of the Pittwater and Broken Bay to look after boaters who need assistance.

The new rescue vessel, built specifically for local conditions, has several unique features.

“Designed with input from our volunteers, the new rescue vessel boasts a drop-down bow allowing it to pull up to beaches to rescue stranded boaters and walkers; as well as sonar, radar, a full Raymarine navigation suite and greater safety and protection on the water for its volunteer crew.” Marine Rescue Deputy Commissioner Operations, Alex Barrell explained.

Unit Commander of Marine Rescue NSW Broken Bay Unit Jimmy Arteaga revealed the name for the new vessel, as chosen by the Unit’s Members, is ‘Bungaree’ to honour Broken Bay’s most revered of saltwater men. 


The drop-down bow on new MRBB21

Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga said at the Commissioning ceremony;

''It has been a long-standing tradition for new vessels to be named after an outstanding member of our Unit, someone who has excelled and given above and beyond selflessly to the Unit’s growth. Today though we are doing this differently. We wanted to select a name that would incorporate our community, our community’s history and also pay our respects to our Traditional Elders. 

I would like to officially announce the name of our new Broken Bay 21 vessel as ‘Bungaree’. 

Bungaree became the first known Aboriginal person to circumnavigate Australia and contribute to the mapping of the Australian coastline, and best of all, he was from Broken Bay. 

Bungaree was born around 1775 and was from the Garigal clan of Broken Bay. He sailed with Matthew Flinders on that circumnavigation and would sail again with Captain Phillip Parker King, who surveyed the north and west coasts of Australia. Bungaree spent his life ceremonially welcoming visitors to Australia, educating people about Aboriginal culture (especially boomerang throwing), and soliciting tribute, especially from ships visiting Sydney.''


MRNSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell and MRNSW BB Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga at the Commissioning of MRB21 the Bungaree

Pittwater Online News spoke to Neil Evers, a direct descendant of Bungaree through one of his daughters, and who still lives in Pittwater, after the ceremony. Mr. Evers is the coordinator of the Manly Warringah Pittwater Aboriginal Support group. Uncle Neil was away that weekend, celebrating his 80th birthday with relatives a little further north of Pittwater.

Neil said he was absolutely thrilled his ancestor has been honoured in this manner and wished to express his gratitude to the Members of Marine Rescue Broken Bay and Marine Rescue NSW.

''As he was known as the Chief of Broken Bay peoples, his legacy and spirit being honoured in the naming of this vessel is not only a fitting tribute to our ancestor and the original custodians of this place, it is also a reminder to we who are still present in this place of all the knowledge of these waterways his clan shared generously with others, and what we can still share with those now here. I thank you for honouring our people, and my relative, in this way.''

The ceremony of commissioning a new vessel by a blessing or christening has a long history. In British naval history the ceremony was looked upon as both a form of Christian baptism and a marriage between the vessel and her crew, especially the captain.

Likewise, the christening or naming is accompanied by thanking the sea gods for granting 'Bungaree' a safe passage and asking the sea gods to bless your boat's name, and to grant the vessel safe passage on all future voyages. Other traditions include placing a branch of greenery on the bow for safe return from all voyages and tossing a wine or blessed water as offerings to the gods of the winds – there is a different one for North, South, East, and West (Boreas, Notus, Eurus, and Zephyrus). You stand in each direction and address them individually, then fling a bit of that water or wine into the air, catching the wind. 

A traditional ceremonial blessing was performed by the Reverend Carmelo Scriberras and included a reading from the gospel according to Mark 4:35 which speaks of how even the wind and the seas obey him, during the Commissioning in August.

MRBB Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga delayed having the new MRBB21 name applied on the vessel until Neil could be present and involved. On Saturday September 10th Uncle Neil was given the honours of unveiling the name 'Bungaree' and was visibly moved as he straightened, leaving a few tears into the slight breeze over Bayview on Saturday morning - tears of joy, and reconciliation - and blessing.

The last part of the naming ceremony is to take a maiden voyage on the newly named boat.

Marine Rescue Broken Bay volunteers took Uncle Neil, accompanied by his cousin from up the coast, on a tour of his home waters, the Pittwater. 

Mr. Evers had brought two copies of the book by Nan Bolser AM, The Story of Bob Waterer and his Family 1803-2010, to gift to the Marine Rescue Broken Bay Unit.



MRBB is currently conducting a fundraising drive through holding stalls in the community selling raffle tickets, with one at Pittwater Place Mona Vale on Saturday morning. Others are conducting sausage sizzles in different locations.  Funds raised are allocated towards the fuel needed to run the rescue vessels - with a lot more people coming onto the waters of Broken Bay as visitors to the area or as resident boaters, the rise in the cost of fuel is relative. Last year Marine Rescue launched a little under 4000 rescues across New South Wales, many of those out of this Unit here. For MRBB to continue that important work it is vital that these volunteers have great support from government, the local council and community members. 

MRBB Unit volunteers are also raising funds to provide furniture for the new base, scheduled to be finished by year's end. 

When Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga provided an update of the Base building works, where the ground slabs and beams are already in place, explaining the layout of the build, he stated that the community will have access to a space in the Base, ‘because we are part of the community’, which is also alongside where the new kitchen and bathroom will be. 

If residents see these stalls on Saturdays and Sundays and donate funds or buy a raffle ticket, they will be contributing to this new community asset.



MRBB21, the 'Bungaree' has been fitted with the best equipment there is to look after the boating community. 

MRBB21 ‘Bungaree’ Specifications
Manufacturer: Naiad
Model: 7.5m
Hull material: aluminium 
Vessel Length
Overall: 7.5
Surveyed Length: 7.2
Power: Twin 175hp engines
Speed
Cruising: 20 knots
Maximum: 40 knots
Range: 211 NM at 22 knots
Max POB: 6
Fuel;: 400l
Nav and Comms Aids: Raymarine navigation and communications suite
Safety Equipment: Surveyed Vessel lifesaving appliances, OXY Defib kit.




Uncle Neil Evers and his cousin Dennis Jones with MRBB members, (l to r) Andrew Majewski, Deputy Unit Commander Marine Rescue Broken Bay, Michael Clinen, Duncan Watts and Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga.

VALE Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1926-2022


On behalf of the people of New South Wales, I extend my deepest sympathies to all members of the Royal family, following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has passed away at the age of 96.

Today we reflect on the remarkable life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The young Princess Elizabeth became Queen of England at the age of 25 after the death of her adored father, King George VI, in 1952. Her Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.

Her official title was Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

Queen Elizabeth II went on to become the longest-reigning British monarch, Australian sovereign and leader of the Commonwealth of Nations, which she navigated for seven decades - with dignity, courage and commitment.

She has been an inspiration to the global community and here in New South Wales, visiting our State 12 times.

As the first reigning monarch to visit our nation, Queen Elizabeth set foot for the first time on Australian soil in 1954 at Farm Cove in Sydney Harbour where an unprecedented crowd of more than one million people greeted her.

The public’s overwhelming jubilation and enthusiasm at seeing the young monarch was the beginning of the state’s long-held joy in her frequent visits.

Her Late Majesty will forever be connected to pivotal moments in our State’s history. 

She officially opened the Parliament of New South Wales in 1954, Sydney Opera House in 1973, Parramatta Stadium in 1986, and Darling Harbour in 1988.

She also visited NSW regional areas including Newcastle, Lismore, Orange, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga, drawing huge crowds of well-wishers.

While we mourn her passing, it is the occasion for the people of NSW to offer thanks for a lifetime of public duty to the Crown, the Commonwealth, and to millions of people across the globe.

The Hon. Dominic Perrottet, LLB, BCOM MP
Premier of NSW

VALE Bill Geoghegan

North Curl Curl SLSC club's oldest member, Bill Geoghegan, has passed away, just nine days short of his 103rd birthday.

Bill has been a regular presence at the club for many a year, right up until recent times. A true club stalwart, and very much always available to provide wise advice to those that sought his wisdom, and always provided with a cheeky smile.

Bill also served our country in the RAAF

BILL GEOGHEGAN
Navigator, RAF Bomber Command, Royal Australian Air Force
“I thought I had a duty to do what I could to help out.”

Like many Australians, Bill Geoghegan was deeply concerned to read about the conflict unfolding on the other side of the world, enlisting to do his bit to support the war effort. 

“I lived in North Bondi at the time and was pretty fit and healthy,” he recalls. “There was a lot of bad publicity about what was happening in Europe so I thought I had a duty to do what I could to help out.” He initially joined the Australian Imperial Force for a year before enlisting with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942, serving with Bomber Command.

He became a navigator, based at Skellingthorpe in northern England, the starting point for numerous operations over Europe. His squadron’s missions included the oil campaign in Norway and the crossing of the Rhine against the German armoured divisions in 1945. Both operations were fraught with danger, earning congratulations from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill at the time. Mr Geoghegan knows he is lucky to have survived to tell the tale.

“I know I am very fortunate to still be here. One night there were two crews and they tossed up to see who would go on the operation. The other crew went and they never came back. It wasn’t my time.”
While Victory in Europe Day brought a sense of relief, it wasn’t until 1946 that he returned to Sydney.

“Coming home was a bit strange,” he recalls. “It was a dangerous thing what we were doing and I was away for a long time. It took a while to get used to being back home.”

He married, bought a block of land in North Curl Curl and built a home where he raised four children and lived until passing away this week. 

Mr Geoghegan celebrated his 100th birthday at his local surf club in 2019.

“It’s been a wonderful life, really,” he reflected. “I look back on my time in service with good memories. The sense of camaraderie is what I remember most fondly.”

  

Our sincere condolences to all his family and the family that is at North Curl Curl SLSC.
RIP Bill.


Photos: Bill with then Manly MP Mike Baird courtesy/by Louis Tassone, Bill in his uniform in 1941 and Bill in his garden 4 May 2020. Bill's WWII Service: As told to the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Media Unit, May 2020. Read more in the NSW Department of Communities & Justice collection 75th Anniversary Stories.

Thank You Sam Shaw's Big Sing

The Big Sing celebrated their 10 year Anniversary on Saturday September 17th at Avalon Bowling Club doing what they do best - singing! - with a big focus on community.

In doing so they raised a whooping $3,783.20 for OneEighty Charity with ticket sales, raffle and donations.

Sam said this week:
'I’d like to thank everyone for their part in the wonderful night! From the members of the Big Sing to the guests who attended, the Bowlo bar staff and Maurie, the President of the club, for allowing us to do this and raise money of what OneEighty is all about. We wish them every success and send thanks to Levi for coming along to tell us about their work to address youth mental health.'

The Big Sing is for adults who can sing, can't sing, want to sing, have never sung but want to have a go, think they can sing, sing in the shower, love a laugh and a sing, young or old or middle aged and thrive on socialising!   We Welcome You!

The Big Sing meet every Tuesday in the Avalon Recreation Centre, but currently in the Annexe which is at the far right corner of Dunbar Park; from 9.45-11am. The cost is $15 per session

Waterhouse Family Adding More Wins To Their Decades Long Totals: 23rd Hobie 16 Worlds In Spain 2022

Grand Masters in the 2022 Hobie® Cat 16 World Championships: Rod and Kerry Waterhouse - Waterhouse family in Spain

The Waterhouse family of Pittwater are having a very good sailing year. In May 2022 Team Australia; Rod Waterhouse and Chris Way, won the 2022 Worrell 1000, one of the toughest long-haul sailing races you can attempt. 

On September 21st Rod and Kerry Waterhouse won the Grand Masters in the 2022 Hobie® Cat 16 World Championships, one of several times they and fellow Palm Beach Sailing Club members have won the Hobie Worlds. 

The very next day Rod was back on the water with daughter Bridget Bolewski, qualifying in the Opens Championship - as we went to press it was 8pm in Spain, where the 2022 Hobie Worlds are being held, with Team Waterhouse currently sitting 3rd overall after the qualifying races. 

Rod and Bridget won the Open Hobie Worlds in 2016. Rod and Kerry have won the Masters and Grand Masters in 2019, won the Masters and Grand Masters in 2016 with fellow Palm Beach Sailing Club Members John Duchatel and Evelyn Curtis placing second. Team Rod and Kerry won the Grand Masters Hobie 16 in 2014, in 2010 son Jason and cousin Lisa Darmanin won the Youth division while Rod and Kerry Waterhouse won the Masters and Anthony Duchatel and Evelyn Curtis won the Grand Masters, Rod and Kerry won the Masters in 2007, Jason, teamed up with Michael McCormick winning the Youth division, the 2006- 2nd Hobie Dragoon Worlds Championships Youth Cup was won by Jason Waterhouse and Chase Lurati, while the 2004 -16th Hobie 16 Masters was again won by Team Waterhouse.

Then, of course, there is a long list other sailing World Championships and Olympics representatives the PBSC.

Kerry and Rod Waterhouse met racing Hobie 14s in 1975 and have been sailing together on Hobie 16s ever since.

Their children Jason and Bridget were brought up in the midst of the amazing Hobie family. Hobie bonded them as a family and importantly instilled in their children the thirst for adventure.

Years ago, when asked what the Hobie had given to them, Rod said;

''It taught us how to meet and form great friendships. Hobie taught us how to compete. It taught us how to win and how to lose. It has been proven so strongly now that if you can do well in Hobie racing you can do well in any class. But most important Hobie taught us how to love life. Hobie sailing has been  a true gift and we are extremely grateful for the life and opportunities that have come our way because of it.''


The Waterhouse family aren't the only Australians who have headed over to represent this year, although former Avalon Beach Pittwater resident and Australian Olympian Mitch Booth, who has also been have a good year, winning the IMA Trophy in 2022 RORC Transatlantic Race in January 2022 in record time, and now lives in Spain, may have a bit of a local knowledge advantage. 

A 13-time World Champion, and four-time Olympian, silver and bronze medallist (he sailed in one Olympics with Bayview and PBSC's John Forbes), Mitch Booth and daughter Rita finished the qualifying rounds at 7th spot. One of his three sons, Jordi, teaming up with Ana Iacovone finished at 13th - and all the competing Booth family go into the Semis. The Booths, despite now being Spanish residents, are racing under the Australian flag.


September 21st, Day 3 of racing for the Women/Youth/Grand Masters and Great Grand Masters also saw wins for other Australians. MORE HERE


Spring In Pittwater

100 Trees For 100 Years Of Avalon Beach

Above are some of the 100 trees that have been planted in and around the Avalon Beach village centre over the past few months to celebrate the Avalon Beach Centenary. 

An Avalon 100 Centenary wildlife talk is scheduled for Sunday 16th October at 11am in the Avalon RSL. 

Roger Treagus of the Avalon 100 Committee states;

''One of the important features of Avalon life is its wildlife. We will have three speakers at the event - John Dengate will talk about the general scene and is keen to answer lots of questions that residents may have. Then Andrew Gregory, famed wildlife photographer will show his stunning pictures of the powerful owl. Finally we have Merinda Air from WIRES to explain what to do when encountering injured wildlife.''

Australian water dragon, Intellagama lesueurii, catching some afternoon sun at Careel Creek, Avalon Beach. Photos: A J Guesdon

Vernal Equinox 2022: Now It's Officially Spring! - Celebrate With The PNHA Sunday Nature Walks

In 2022, the official first day of Spring in Australia (southern hemisphere) occurred on Friday, September 23, at sharp 12:04 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) as that was this year's Vernal Equinox or Spring Equinox.   During these past months the Pittwater Natural Heritage Association have been conducting their Sunday Nature Walks. These occur on the third Sunday of the month, starting at 9am. Meeting place and details are provided on booking.

The most recent walk, to Terrey Hills and Duffys Forest, was to share knowledge and sight of the grevillea caleyi, which is listed as "critically endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the New South Wales Government Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

PNHA have helped run bush regeneration projects to help save this species in our area. More in: Saving Grevillea Caleyi: Join The Baha’i Temple Bushcare Group

And yes, they spotted it on their most recent, almost the Vernal Equinox, Sunday Nature walk: Vernal Equinox 2022: Now It's Officially Spring! - Celebrate With The PNHA Sunday Nature Walks


Some more captures from these recent PNHA activities: - all photos and information by PNHA 

Out And About October 2022 - A Mix Of People, Places, A Beautiful Environment

Spotted after an early morning dip, Bilgola SLSC's David Madew who is also one of the people behind organising the annual Pittwater Swim Series. 

Spotted: Former longest serving Mayor of Pittwater Patricia Giles OAM and her sister Jan out shopping in Avalon Beach village for wool on Saturday morning, October 22nd, to knit baby clothes for a soon to be born addition to the family - Congratulations! Photo: A J Guesdon.
Spotted: Palm Beach Longboarder Members at opening of Gabriella Moses exhibition, at The Studio Careel Bay, Careel Bay Marina. Her artwork is on display if you missed the great opening night, Gabreilla's exhibition will run until October 31st. Photo: Adriaan van der Wallen.

Spotted: Catching a Turimetta Beach wave, Thursday October 20th. Photo Joe Mills

Spotted: Broken Bay Island Series Race 1. Pictures by RPAYC, Saturday October 22nd, 2023

The Royal Motor Yacht Club of Broken Bay has launched a brand-new yacht racing series to celebrate the coming Summer. Called the Broken Bay Island Series (BBIS) it’s a three-race event centred around RMYC’s long running Three Islands race and including two more events that will incorporate at least two island turns and be sailed on a Saturday.

The RPAYC has also announced this week the return of their Pittwater Regatta in February 2023.To enter the Broken Bay Island Series Click Here  




Turimetta Beach

Monday October 17th and Tuesday October 18th, 2022. Photos: Joe Mills




 Avalon Beach in 1970-71 - more great photos shared by Gary Clist



I remember taking these as I liked the juxtaposition ( I learnt that word in photography class at Tech ) of the "old folk" outside the "youth" Centre. The irony now of course is that I'm in the same age group as they were all those years ago (1970).

Congratulations To Lions Australia: 75 Years Of Service Across The Country

Councillor Korzy stated it was great to meet members from Frenchs Forest, Manly, Balgowlah, St Ives and Chatswood clubs at the Dee Why Council chambers this week - and to see the new commemorative garden they've created.

''At a morning tea lions club members told councillors about the clubs' many activities - everything from fundraising for the first motorised vessel at Collaroy SLSC to collecting second-hand spectacles and food for those in need, to projects combating diabetes and the ubiquitous Lions fundraising BBQs.'' Cr. Korzy said

Lions started as a "luncheon club" for businessmen in Chicago in 1917, during WW2, with its name derived from the initials of "Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety". 

Pittwater used to have a number of Lions Clubs, and the Manly group are now very keen to start a new Pittwater group based at Mona Vale. 

Lions also runs groups for young people, "Leos", one for under 18s and the other for school leavers to 24 years. They're pitched at young people "who realise the power of action".  

If you're interested in getting involved, please email: manly@lions.sydney


Barley Ki Giballee: You And Me Come Together, The Exhibition Official Opening - Avalon 100 Celebrations (2021 - 2022) - An Avalon Beach Centenary Event

Also visit: The Making Of The 2021 Avalon Beach Centenary Quilt by Anna Maria Monticelli

Barley Ki Giballee: You And Me Come Together, The Exhibition - Avalon 100 Celebrations (2021 - 2022)

Our Resident Indigenous Guides - Left to right: Noah Smith, Corey Kirk and her youngsters, Uncle Neil Evers. Photos: A J Guesdon.

Left to right: BHS's Sandy Chockman, Sally Mayman and Corey Kirk

Newport SLSC Hosts Another Great Surf Boat Carnival

Newport SLSC's 2022 Surf Boat Carnival, November 26, 2022 - Michael King sweeps the Newport Nemos U23's. Album here. Photo: A J Guesdon - Report will run Issue 565

 

The Making Of The 2021 Avalon Beach Centenary Quilt

The Avalon Beach Centenary Quilt Project co-ordinator Anna Maria Monticelli with all the people involved in making the quilt: Wendy Ashley, Kim Nicholson, Lou Sceats - including the quilt's sponsor Barbara Hermann and Bruce Goold. Photo: Greg Barrett


Summer In Pittwater

View to Barrenjoey from above Palm Beach Rock Pool. Photo: Adriaan van der Wallen
Narrabeen Rock Pool at low tide. Photos; Joe Mills
Little Cormorant at Narrabeen Lake. Photo: Joe Mills

Narrabeen Shared Walk-Cycle Bridge Opens





Photos December 2022: Michael Mannington, OAM