Pittwater estuary from Bayview hieghts. Photo: A J Guesdon.
Issue 567: Jackson BorgThe Nutri-Grain Ironman/Ironwoman and Summer of Surf series are a celebration of some of Australia's greatest surf lifesaving athletes. These are also placing an up-to-date focus on the role of surf sports in surf lifesaving not seen since the commencement of the movement when thousands used to attend carnivals. Those same carnivals generated funds for the surf clubs hosting them and enabled them to purchase equipment and improve facilities that in turn supported the saving of lives on our beaches. Surf Sports themselves are a means to hone the skills used by those who go the rescue of people in trouble in the surf.
One athlete taking part in both series is Newport SLSC’s Jackson Borg, who states he ‘wasn’t great’ at surf sports when he first commenced racing. His rise in the echelons of these contests he attributes to putting in the hard yards and going the distance, consistently.
However, it’s his passion for the surf lifesaving movement, love of Newport Surf Club and being on the beach that has led to a sustained effort as both an active volunteer Patrol Member at Newport along with his success in the surf sports arenas.
To open our 2023 Profiles you could not get more Summery than a young man who has grown tall and into a great human being through his connection to the movement since five years of age.
Issue 568: Jeremy BlackThe President of the Palm Beach SLSC, Jeremy Black, has family links with Palm Beach going back generations and a strong sense of 'giving back' to community through the same. Once you understand Jeremy’s ancestors have been serving the community in a variety of ways on both the paternal and maternal side, you can well understand his references to the history of Palm Beach SLSC and Palm Beach itself and his commitment to looking after the same.
Palm Beach SLSC is currently celebrating its 101st year and Season. Along with running its annual Brats, Brutes and Bruisers within club carnival, Active volunteer members are looking after residents and thousands of visitors on the beach - as they have been for a long time. Palm Beach SLSC members were behind the movement to rename the Palm Beach Pavilion to honour Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Marks DSO, MC, a WWI Veteran who tragically drowned when he went to the rescue of Johanna Rogers off south Palm Beach on Sunday January 25th, 1920.
The President has a clear message for those who will visit this popular beach during the remainder of the Patrol Season, especially during the upcoming Australia Day public holiday, forecast to be hot and sunny.
The vista of Palm Beach along with our whole peninsula is one JB has treasured since a youngster and which has developed into his capturing through is work as The Drone Guy Aerial Photography - a combination of his passion for technology, making him among the first to use this medium, and photography itself.
JB has also worked as an Executive Producer for several networked radio programs, been a Radio broadcaster and voice over professional, Event coordinator, Fundraising specialist and is known as a great creative problem solver and even a good Musician.
The Summer in Pittwater focus continues with a chat with the President of Palm Beach SLSC.
Issue 569: Australia Day 2023 Honours List The Australia Day 2023 Honours List recognises and celebrates 1,047 recipients, including 736 in the General Division of the Order of Australia and awards for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service.
Among these are several residents of our area, including Elvina Bay gentleman Alan Hill, 'For service to conservation and the environment' and Gail Lonnon of Avalon Beach, 'For service to the community of Avalon', an Elanora Heights couple who have done much for many for decades in many volunteer organisations, while Council's Young Citizen of the Year is the wonderful BHS student Noah Smith.
A chat with Gail and Alan and details of others recognitions.
Issue 570: Ride For Youth Mental Health In The First-Ever Manly Spin-A-Thon!Community Capital Foundation (CCF), a local charitable foundation operated by Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB), is excited to announce the first ever ‘Manly Spin-a-thon" - an outdoor, spin cycling fundraising event aimed to build awareness and much-needed funds for youth mental health programs on the Northern Beaches.
Taking place on Saturday, April 1st, 2023 from 10am-3pm, the ‘Spin-a-thon’ is in collaboration with Manly Business Chamber and ANTHEMCYCLE, with all proceeds going to charity organisation, Waves of Wellness (WOW) Foundation.
Registration to ride or sponsor a team is now open at: communitycapitalfoundation.com.au/spinathon
By participating in the event, you will help support local charity, Waves of Wellness (WOW) Foundation who were chosen by youth ambassadors as providing effective support programs. Proceeds from the day (the aim is to raise $50,000) will be donated to Waves of Wellness to run youth mental health surf therapy programs for 100 young people.
Find out how you can get involved this week.
Issue 571 Ringtail Posse: 1 – February 2023Definition from:
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. + Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
In recent approved DA’s Council is listing as a requirement of consent in Assessment reports to look after the other residents of this area, the wildlife. On blocks where people wish to remove large amounts of trees that are clearly homes for local fauna a wildlife expert must assess these prior to any removal taking place, nesting boxes are required to be installed afterward and Ecologists must be on site during their removal.
This follows on from the 2022 Local Government NSW Conference where a Motion was passed - That Local Government NSW lobby the NSW Government to:
- In conjunction with industry associations, introduce enforceable standards for the preparation of flora and fauna management plans.
- Consider Codes of Practice and Guidelines for handling native wildlife and other best practice and animal welfare laws in development of the standards.
- Consult with Councils, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Ecological Consultants Association of NSW, wildlife rescue organisations and other relevant agencies in the preparation of standards.
Such a standard should include requirements for:
- Pre-clearance surveys to be carried out to establish which species are present on the site, including identification of any threatened and native species.
- The identification of suitable nearby areas where wildlife could possibly be relocated.
- The provision of possum, glider and bat boxes sufficiently in advance of vegetation clearing to allow wildlife time to discover the boxes and become familiar with them.
- Compliance with the NSW Code of Practice for Injured, Sick and Orphaned Protected Fauna and the licencing requirements contained in the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
- Best practice for wildlife handling and care (including contact with local wildlife rescue groups).
- Reporting of injured or killed fauna to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to enable the data to be used in statewide biodiversity monitoring programs.
The premise of this is that mandatory pre-clearance surveys to establish what wildlife lives there before works commence, and to document this in a formal way, should be required on any site that has vegetation and for which a DA has been approved. The experience is that often vegetation is removed before an application is submitted, often leaving wildlife with no home. Wildlife then ends up on roads dead or dies after being displaced/evicted.
However it's clear human residents of this LGA have a deep and abiding love for and connection to these other furry, scaled, finned and feathered beings. We listen for them during the night, happy when we hear their footsteps scampering across our rooves or their soft hoots across the valleys.
Many people state we are the generation witnessing the extinction of urban wildlife. There has been generation after generation of humans living alongside and with wildlife, until this one.
It's not just the Pittwater koalas that have gone, other species, like the ringtail possum or long-nosed bandicoot are disappearing, along with their joyful snuffles and squeaks, from our urban backyards and the trees that tower over them.
This year a celebration of residents' favourite wildlife will run as Profiles across 2023 - simply to allow those who love their chosen 'critter' to speak for them a little, to remind us of what is here and what we feel connected to has feelings too.
Information about these species and how many or why we are losing them will also be included - just so we can think about how we, as individuals and as one community, can turn around that growing silence and emptiness closing in around us and these other ones we love.
Ultimately the founders of the Ringtail Posse are hoping everyone here chooses to become a Member of the Ringtail Posse and keep their other loved one ever present in their heart.
Reason?: To Protect Local Wildlife so it becomes 'common' and safer for our wildlife to be everywhere once more.
To join in please email us with 'Ringtail Posse' in the subject line - with so many local species of wildlife, vital insects and seals flopping around on the sand, there are several on the lists that haven't been claimed for guardianship yet - what's yours?
Round 1 of Ringtail Posse Profiles includes the above now officially joined Members. Read all about it!!
Issue 572 Country Women's Association Manly Branch Celebrates Its 100th Year: 1923 To 2023- On Facebook: www.facebook.com/CWAmanlybranch
- Email: manlycwacomms@gmail.com
- Instagram: cwamanly
The Manly branch of the Country Women’s Association (Manly CWA), was established in 1923 and since then its volunteer members have done all they could to support country women and their families.
This area was still very much a farming place in 1923 – the subdivisions and housing that commenced in the 1920’s and 1930’s meant this was still mainly weekenders and resorts outside of more populated areas such as Manly and Narrabeen. These were surrounded by farms and farmers with everything from the market garden to diaries filling every space in between.
This year CWA Manly Branch will celebrate its centenary with a variety of community focussed events and activities – all you have to do is join in.
Our thanks to Country Women's Association - Manly member Diana Whitton for her assistance in putting together an insight into a local institution's current works to begin their 100 year celebrations.
Issue 573 Margaret Fraser-MartinJump on board!!
Facebook: Marg’s Yacht Photos, Marg’s Golf Photos, Marg’s Photos
Instagram: margsyachtphotos
If you like what you see, follow, like and contact me for a high res. Get it printed and on the wall. If you share my photos, please remember to give me a credit line. This is what keeps me in business.
Email: yachtphotos@yahoo.com
One of the best things about working in a news service is contact with amazingly talented people who inevitably turn out to lovely individuals as well. Margaret Fraser-Martin, 'Marg', is an exceptional photographer whose lens you may have seen swinging your way while mucking about on boats on Pittwater's estuary, at Middle Harbour, down at Manly or on Sydney Harbour.
Although Marg says Photography is her retirement career, her approach is always sunny and her captures of what's going exceptional.
Marg is passionate about photography, people and celebrating 'people doing awesome stuff, being passionate about what they are doing and having fun'.
Along with yachts and sail racing photography, Marg has also done several golf tournaments (Charity), cars and people having fun doing laps at Eastern Creek Raceway and Charity gala dinners.
''All I need is an invite and some sandwiches and water on the day.'' Marg explains
Regarding ALL those sailing shots:
''Photos are a good way to show people what an awesome time you are having and encourage them to give sailing a try, starting as a crew member.
Sailing, to me, is one of the few sports that anyone at any age can do and compete. Many sports depend on a genetically blessed body. Sailing is more brain than brawn.''
This week a chat with a lady photographer whose work has featured here many a time. Who is 'Marg'?
Issue 574: The Newport Leatherjackets
Issue 574: Jack ‘Johnny’ Carter's Ashes Returned To His Palm Beach Home Jack ‘Johnny’ Carter passed away on May 10th, 2021. A much beloved fixture of Palm Beach Summers, renowned for teaching generations of youngsters how to swim, John Edward Carter first came to Palm Beach to fulfil a role as a Beach Inspector as they were known then in 1946.
In a 2013 interview with Pittwater Online he said he worked from 7 in the morning until 7 in the evening for £5 a week.
Last weekend a ceremony and paddle out by Palm Beach SLSC, attended by Jack’s daughter Robey and her children, was preceded by the annual Jack Carter Cup, a challenge named for this revered Life Member of the surf club that comprises a 1.5 km swim, 6 km ski paddle (around Barrenjoey), a 2 km beach run and a 3 km board paddle. These can be done as an individual or as a team.
Following Robey stepping into her father’s shoes to hand out the prizes for 1st place getters in age divisions and teams; sunglasses - an inside joke, two of Jack’s closest mates at the club, Jon Erickson and Shane Oxenham, shared some insights of his 75 Summers at Palm Beach. His daughter Robey also spoke, laughingly recalling one of their last 'debates'.
Jack being returned to his spiritual home had been planned for an earlier date until Covid restrictions caused his daughter Robey to move the date so all who wished to could attend. Given the community outside of the club has long been big fans of Mr. Carter, the ceremony was open to all. For those who could not attend, a transcription of these shared stories runs this Issue. Ceremony Held on Sunday February 26th 2023
Issue 574: New Marine Rescue Broken Bay Base Commissioned: A Building Designed To Look Like A Boat To Honour Its Purpose - The Work Of Marine Rescue Volunteers Led by Unit Commander Jimmy Arteaga, Marine Rescue Broken Bay held the official Commissioning of their new Unit Base at Bayview on Saturday March 4th. Pittwater MP Rob Stokes, also representing Steph Cooke, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Flood Recovery, Mayor Michael Regan and Deputy Commissioner of Marine Rescue NSW, Alex Barrell, shared insights on the realisation of the project and the unique features purposely incorporated into the structure. Architect Michael Biddulph has designed a building that not only realises the most current fundamentals of embedded autonomous features, he drew to honour and celebrate the work of Marine Rescue NSW as the profile of a boat is a feature of the Base’s ocean facing side.
As this was an historic day for Pittwater, the addresses given by those who were part of the Commissioning Ceremony form part of the record.
The official opening of a new $1.215 million Marine Rescue Broken Bay base at Bayview was due to more than $1 million from a future-proofing driven NSW Government and a $200,000 commitment by Northern Beaches Council, and ongoing work by Unit Members and Council staff to realise a fit-for purpose facility.
Issue 575: Ringtail Posse: 2 - March 2023
Issue 575: Surf Life Saving NSW State Opens + Surf Boats Championships 2023 A Great Final Weekend Celebration Of Surf Sports For All: Newport Crowned Open ChampionsThe 2023 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships is done for another year, as Newport SLSC capped a huge 12 days of elite competition with the Open title for an incredible ninth time.
Packed to the rafters with surf sports stars, Newport entered the Open Championships as the favourite once more and duly delivered on a day that finished with a win to a different cap, but an overall win to the yellow and brown.
Further down the beach, Masters athletes showed their skill in the surf as the Surf Boats Championships kicked off, with the formidable Batemans Bay SLSC ‘Banshees’ a notable winner in the 180 Year Min Female category while the Avalon Beach SLSC ‘Chaos’ won the Reserve Female competition, with Queenscliff's Team A taking the silver. Palm Beach SLSC had five gold medals in the Open Female 'Paddlers', Reserve Grade Male 'Padlocks', U23 Male 'Plumbers' and Open Relay. Palm Beach SLSC would also have some great results in the Under 19's Surf Boat races, finishing 1st 'Parmigianas' and 5th overall, 'Penitokos', along with taking out the silver and the bronze in the U23 Female with PBSLSC 'Peastmode' and 'Palmtrees' while South Curly 'Milk' would take the gold in that division.
Issue 576: Candidates For 2023 State Election Responses To Communities Questions: Running for the Seat of Pittwater are - Rory Amon (Liberal), Jacqui Scruby (Independent), Hilary Green (The Greens), Jeffrey Quinn (Labor) and Craig Law (Sustainable Australia – Stop Overdevelopment/Corruption)
Issue 576: MoWaNa Safe Space Officially Launched By Safe Space Community ChampionsOn Saturday March 18 2023 community champions with a proven track record in supporting measures that will address good health turned out in force to launch the MoWaNa Safe Space in Narrabeen.
The Hon. Rob Stokes, Lucy Brogden AM, and John Brogden AM, Lifeline Australia Patron and international mental health and suicide prevention advocate, suicide survivor, businessman and former NSW politician, Mayor Michael Regan, Dr Sophie Scamps and Racheal Leah Jackson plus around 100 plus people turned up for launch. We had Tom playing the digeridoo and some inspirational words from our special guests, all of whom have worked for years to improve the availability of health services for residents.
MoWaNa Safe Space is a peer led community-based service to support people who are experiencing emotional or suicidal distress.
MoWaNa stands for Mona Vale, Warriewood and Narrabeen.
The Safe Space is a ‘drop in’ style place that offers a non-clinical alternative to acute, clinical services such as emergency departments for people experiencing emotional or suicidal distress.
Our community led Safe Space provides a warm, welcoming environment in which to reduce distress, it will be staffed by our Peer CARE Companions (PCC) who have either had their own lived experience of suicide, have supported someone else in crisis, or who have been bereaved by suicide. This means they are better able to connect with others through the mutual understanding that comes with meaningful shared experience.
Issue 577: Margaret Cliff OAMThe Netball Season commences April 2nd in 2023. The Manly Warringah Netball Association, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, has over 5000 members and fields 519 Teams in the primary Winter competition.
All of these teams' coaches, managers, referees, committees and grounds markers for matches, those who work to ensure a smooth running of a season from Game 1 to Grand Finals, are volunteers. Alike all of our local Winter Sports, these clubs would not exist without the passion and dedication of the people who put in work before the Season and throughout it - even working long after the last whistle has sounded on Summer training and fun camps and competitions.
A few years ago Cr.s De Luca and Sprott tabled a Motion to Council;
That in recognition of the long service and outstanding work for the people of Frenchs Forest in the area of netball, Council writes to the Geographical Names Board of NSW and associated State Government departments requesting the newly refurbished netball courts at Melwood Oval be named the Margaret Cliff Netball Courts.
In providing background notes they stated;
Margaret Cliff is a Life Member and a stalwart of Forest Netball Club, where she has served for 49 years and is also a current committee member of the Forestville RSL Memorial Playing Fields Committee (formerly a section 534A Local Government Act committee). She has held a position on this Committee in excess of 23 years.
Margaret has also been a valued Executive Member of Manly Warringah Netball Association for in excess of 25 years, retiring this year, but is still an “Active Life Member,” on various subcommittees and looking after the Association’s history. With the recent completion of the new courts at Forestville, the Club’s Committee thought it would be a worthy gesture to acknowledge her for her contribution to both Forest Netball Club and the community. As the “memorial bench” is now out of the question, this motion seeks support to name the netball complex, which is within the boundaries of the Memorial Playing Fields, in her honour, with something along the lines of “The Margaret Cliff Netball Courts”.
This week, to sound a first blast for the 2023 Netball Season, a few insights from, about and by a lady who has seen the sport evolve in our area.
Issue 577: Local Athletes Excel At 2023 Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Championships: Named In Australian Teams For World Championships + Asia Pacific Cup - Come & Try Sprint Paddling!Athlete members of Manly Warringah Kayak Club and the Sydney Northern Beaches Kayak Club have had outstanding results at the 2023 Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Championships. Held at Champion Lakes in Perth from 21-25 March 2023. Canoe sprint paddlers from across the country flocked west to take part, with more than 250 competitors putting it all on the line, with national titles in individual and team boats up for grabs.
Issue 577: Rig Recycle Launched In NSW: Leave Your Fishing Line + Old Rigs In These Recycling Bins - Save Our Local Seabirds & TurtlesRig Recycle was developed and trialled as part of Tangaroa Blue Foundation's ReefClean program, removing and preventing marine debris and litter impacting the Great Barrier Reef.
The aim is to divert specified recreational fishing items and packaging accessories from becoming litter in the environment or being disposed of in landfill by changing the recycling behaviours of consumers and retailers.
The Rig Recycle program is an Australian-first program that collects selected recreational fishing and packaging items and diverts them from landfill through an innovative repair, reuse and recycle framework. The project connects recreational fishers, community clean-up participants, recreational fishing retailers and suppliers, social enterprises and community partners in a holistic and truly circular program that fills a current recycling gap.
The NSW launch took place as part of the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival at Bondi, March 15-19, 2023 with Heidi Tait from Tangaroa Blue Foundation taking part in the Ocean Plastic Action Forum on March 15, speaking about the initiative and the work of the Foundation. The Ocean Plastic Action Forum was a one-day special event filled with interactive panel discussions providing valuable insights into the impact of ocean plastic pollution, delving into the science and issues surrounding ocean plastic, exploring current innovation and reviewing future solutions to purge plastic from our ocean.
Issue 578: Avalon Soccer Club Kicks Off Its 2023 Season Home Games: A Catch-Up With The Green & Red Pre-SeasonDespite rain setting in at lunchtime the smiles were warm and friendly during the opening home games for Avalon Soccer Club at Careel Bay playing fields, their home grounds. On Saturday April 1st 2023 a big day of games, with 38 teams in action across the weekend, including many of the new U6 teams and the Senior Men's team the AL1s, who faced Wakehurst, had a great hit-out for the Season. Some captures from that Senior Men's game and a few from the Avalon vs. Forest Killarney game run this Issue as a celebration of this great club and sport. The Avalon Women's 2023 Season kicks off today, April 2nd.
The club has had a wonderful pre-season, with well attended Managers Meetings and Coaches Night, sandwiching a wonderful Gala Day the previous Sunday, March 26th. It was a wonderful event with most of Avalon's teams able to get onto the park and have a run for the first time this Season. Over 100 matches were played across Boondah, Warriewood Sports Valley, Kitchener and Careel Bay fields. Avalon hosted 43 at Careel Bay alone, from their new U6s through to our O45/4s. A huge thanks to soccer friends at Pittwater and Narrabeen for their support and assistance in putting the day on, and collaborating so well. + Bear Cottage Cup 2023
Issue 578: Sally MaymanOn March 1st 2023 retiring Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes announced acclaimed artist and youth mentor Sally Mayman as the 2023 Pittwater Woman of the Year.
Sally is a celebrated artist and photographer, volunteer surf life saver, Youth off the Streets Artist in Residence, and a proud contributor to student wellbeing and excellence at Barrenjoey High School and Avalon Primary School.
Sally has experienced and is experiencing a coalescing of all her inner aims manifesting through the ideas and projects she implements through her practice. Whether it’s one of her dawn strolls to the beach just to capture the candid unposed happening to communicate the essence of time and place and people, or her larger projects, framed to allow those who are struggling to express what is within in a way that is unlocking their very individual and unique and special selves; their inner voice. It's like an architecture for the soul, a way and means of navigating life itself.
This Issue a few insights into a local working Artist who is quietly making a difference in our community.
Issue 579: Ringtail Posse 3 - April 2023: Jeffrey Quinn: Kookaburra, Tom Borg McGee: Kookaburra, Stephanie Galloway-Brown: Bandicoot, Joe Mills: Noisy Miner
Issue 579: Aussies 2023 Wrap: Members From Local Clubs Shine A Brilliant Light On Surf Life Saving Skills In W.A.The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships officially began in Perth on March 25th 2023 with more than 5000 competitors competing across Youth, Open and Masters categories, in over 480 events at Scarborough and Trigg beaches until April 2nd.
‘The Aussies’ brings together the country’s finest surf lifesavers who have spent the Summer keeping watch over Australia’s beaches, and now had the opportunity to test their “rescue ready” skills in a competitive environment.
Issue 580: Doug FerrisThe gentleman who led out the 2023 carnival named for a founding member of Palm Beach SLSC and the 'father of Surf Life Saving', the Adrian Curlewis Masters Twilight Carnival, was Doug Ferris.
Doug commenced the carnival with the honorary ‘icebreaker’ swim, taking the stead of Ian Curlewis, Adrian’s son, who had done so for every year of the carnival until now. Ian passed away recently, and is much missed during Summer at Palm Beach.
Doug, who knew him well, said, ’’I’m honoured to lead out the swim at this special carnival. Ian was a lovely chap and we’ll be thinking of him as we take part in this event today.’’
Doug Ferris has just completed 64 years as part of surf life saving and Palm Beach SLSC and looks forward to his 65th year as part of this surf club. In fact, being a part of this club features amongst Doug’s favourite memories – and now that has extended into a third generation of water-loving family members, with his children also serving the community on the beach during Patrol Season.
As the flags are lowered over the 2022-2023 NSW Season a few insights from a gentleman who has been a rugby player, a car racer and fulfilled a lifetime of making some of Australia's best high quality shoes as the son of Michael Farres of Meschell Faris Shoes, but who states his lovely family and his days on the beach at the Barrenjoey end of Pittwater are what is best about his life.
Issue 580: Avalon JRLFC Kicks Off An A Grade Season 'For The Community'Previous A Grader at the Avalon Bulldogs, Craig Womersley, aka 'Truck', started getting phone calls at the end of last year from Bulldogs A Grade team members such as Jed about 'getting the band back together'.
After a few Seasons that had gone AWL due to Covid restrictions or members having a punt at union there was a rising call from residents to form up another A Grade team for the Doggies and Truck succumbed - agreeing to coach this year's team.
Craig is no stranger to coaching, he's the coach for his son's Under 12's and has played with the A Grade team himself, winning a few premierships along the way, until he hung up his boots in 2016.
However, his priority as the 2023 Suburban Rugby League season commences is that the boys and he are 'doing of for the community'.
Issue 581: Robert Hunter Grace - 'Bob'Community Celebration in memory of Bob Grace - all welcome
Friends, family and past constituents of former Pittwater councillor Bob Grace are invited to join members of the Protect Pittwater Association for a community celebration of his life on Monday May 15, 7.30pm, at the Avalon Bowling Club.
Bob’s commitment to Pittwater was unquestionable, first as a Warringah councillor, then with the newly seceded Pittwater Council, and finally after the council amalgamations of 2016, as one of the founders of the demerger group, Protect Pittwater.
His generosity and support for clubs and within the community was also legendary, amongst them, Avalon Bulldogs Rugby League Club, Whale Beach SLSC, Palm Beach Golf Club and Elanora Country Club.
Please bring your memories of Bob and have a drink with us to celebrate his contribution to our community!
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Issue 581: Newport Breakers Rugby Club's First Home Games For 2023 A Clean Sweep For All Grades As Club Starts Its 60th Year + New Women's Facilities Officially OpenedNewport Breakers Rugby Club is celebrating its 60th year during the 2023 Season. There will be an end of Season celebration run by the club to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Newport Rugby.
Pittwater Online spoke to new Newport Breakers President Steve Hewitson on Saturday April 15, the Breakers first games for the 2023 Season and home games at that, played at Porters Newport. Steve said he's looking forward to building a strong bond between old and new players this year, half of Newport's team members across the grades are new, and replicating the success the club had during the 2022 Season.
Issue 581: Local Surfer Andrew Cassidy Wins Longboard SUP In Port Stephens Surf Festival; Blaze Roberts Wins Open Women Log AND Open Women Longboard - Manly Longboard Classic QS 1,000 Commences This WeekThe 2023 SUP State Titles, the first surf discipline involved in the Port Stephens Surf Festival presented by Okanui was held at Birubi Beach on Friday April 28th. The event saw a large range of age groups participating in the competition, showcasing the camaraderie that exists within the growing SUP surfing community. The event attracted participants from all over the state, ranging in ages up to 60+ years old, each bringing their unique style and flair to the competition. The atmosphere at Birubi Beach was electric, with competitors, friends and family cheering on their favourite competitors as they battled it out in the finals. The level of competition was fierce, with each participant demonstrating their skills in the water, making it an exciting event for all involved.
“We are thrilled with the turnout for this year’s SUP State Titles at the Port Stephens Surf Festival,” said Rohan Fell, Surfing NSW’s Event Manager. “The level of talent on display gets better and better each year and the camaraderie shown between participants is awesome. We would like to congratulate all the winners and participants for their epic efforts.”
Mona Vale proficient Andrew Cassidy, winner of the Grand Kahunas Men Over 50 Longboard SUP Surf division, added to Rohan’s sentiment by explaining his win and stoke with the turnout of this year’s SUP State Titles.
The Longboard State Titles commenced the next day and although they were 'on hold' Saturday, some Divisions were completed on Monday May 1st. The results so far show Avalon Beach surfer Blaze Roberts has won both Open Women Log and Open Women Longboard.
Blaze is also taking part in the next event, the Manly Longboard Classic WSL LQS on May 4th and 5th.
Blaze took up surfing on a Longboard a few years back when injury forced her to relinquish the shortboard for a while. The classic style of surfing was a way to return to the water without putting too much pressure on her injury. Since then she has enjoyed this form of surfing and excelled, joining in the Palm Beach Longboarders monthly comps. and even reigning in a few girl mates to join in.
Issue 582: Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc Website: avalonpalmbeachbusinesschamber.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avalonpalmbeachchamber
Instagram: www.instagram.com/avalonpalmbeachchamber
Email: hello@avalonpalmbeachbusinesschamber.com.au
In February this year a new group of businesses and individuals joined in reviving and renewing the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc. to represent local businesses in our unique peninsula. This is a volunteer-run community organisation that wish to invite all businesses in the area to become members and also invite skilled, passionate individuals to support the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber by offering their skills on a volunteer basis.
Historically the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc. (AVPBC) supported a wide variety of needs and events in our local community for many years. However, it wound down in recent years after the many committed previous members retired or were not able to continue. With a long term recovery needed following the Covid-19 pandemic, local businesses have ongoing needs in ensuring our area remains vibrant, commercially viable, innovative and caring of the environment, residents and visitors.
The Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc area includes Avalon Beach, Bilgola and Bilgola Plateau, Careel Bay, Clareville, Palm Beach and Whale Beach.
The commercial community encompasses small and large businesses involved in small and large retail, tourism and hospitality, restaurants and cafes, business and personal services, sole traders, Tradies, health and fitness services, community groups and charities, surf lifesaving clubs, boating and sailing, environmental organisations and local government. There are a range of membership options, listed this Issue, for every kind business we're in.
You can subscribe for a Newsletter or attend one of the 2023 Chamber Committee Meetings - the schedule for upcoming Meetings is:
- Thursday 25 May 2023 6pm; Chamber Committee Meeting
- Thursday 8 June 2023 6pm: Chamber Mixer Social Event at Avalon Bowlo
- Thursday 29 June 2023 6pm: EOFY Chamber Committee Meeting
The renewed Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc. is a non-profit organisation and all memberships collected are used to support programs and activities. All current office holders are volunteer positions.
As the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc grows its resources through members and volunteers, they hope to add to your benefits. Already included in your membership is a listing on the APBBC website's 'The Local Guide' webpage which will soon prove to be a 'go to' place to find what you need whether it's a Tradie for a leaking roof, a musician or a birthday cake for that special someone, or where you can find a cleaner, a gardener, a handyman or woman, a hairdresser, areal estate agent, a copy of that book you can no longer get your hands on.
Issue 583: Sailability Manly's Eli Demeny OAMNational Volunteer Week runs 15-23 May 2023. The theme for National Volunteer Week in 2023 is The Change Makers. This National Volunteer Week Volunteering Australia are asking, what kind of Change Maker are you? You may be a Caregiver, Guardian through your local Residents Association, Nature restorer and Bushcarer, Wildlife Rescuer and Carer, a Rotary club member, Surf Lifesaver, RFS or Marine Rescue member, Zonta girl, Communicator on local radio or a Speaker at U3A or Council meetings, or a combination of these, or a different sort of Change Maker altogether!
The week-long event recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering. National Volunteer Week 2023 is a celebration of our volunteers' power to drive change and ensure volunteering is inclusive of all members of the Australian community.
The vision is for volunteering to be at the heart of Australian communities as all our volunteers are the Change Makers.
This Issue a glimpse into Sailability Manly through the insights of a founding member, Eli Demeny OAM.
Sailability Manly, like Sailability Pittwater, commenced over a quarter century ago, and was among the first NSW chapters of this great organisation, and Eli was one of those founding members.
You can find out more about Sailability Manly at: www.manlysailability.com.au
Sailability organisations are “not for profit”, volunteer-based, and through the activity of Sailing enriches the lives of people of all abilities – the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged as well as people with physical challenges.
The Vision and Motto is:
Freedom on the Water, regardless of ability
Sailability Manly is a part of Sailability NSW, which in turn is part of the worldwide Sailability organisation. Their principal aim is to facilitate sailing for people with disabilities, on what is acknowledged as one of the most spectacular waterways in the world, Manly Cove and North Harbor.
Eli Demeny OAM, after 27 years at the heart of Sailability Manly, is stepping back from the multiple roles she has held within this chapter. Eli’s involvement with Sailability began when she retired from her career in teaching students with severe disabilities, and her daughter announced she had ‘found a new project for her’.
Sailability was then in its infancy in Australia and, within a year, Eli was deeply involved in the fledgling organisation, devoting long days of service to this cause where her skills and experience meant she could have a huge impact. Eli takes pride in bringing a brand new activity to people with disabilities but most of all she has loved meeting so many incredible people.
Now 81 and a great-grandmother, Eli is stepping back from many of her duties to spend more time with her growing family and enjoy some well-deserved rest. She officially steps down from her leadership roles in August but will still be at sailing days from time to time.
Issue 583: National Volunteer Week 2023: Help Your Community By Being A Change Maker In Whatever Is Your Passion - runs 15-23 May 2023National Volunteer Week runs 15-23 May 2023. The theme for National Volunteer Week in 2023 is The Change Makers. This National Volunteer Week Volunteering Australia are asking, what kind of Change Maker are you?
You may be a Caregiver, Guardian through your local Residents Association, Sports club coach or canteen person, a Nature restorer and Bushcarer, Wildlife Rescuer and Carer, a Rotary or Probus club member, Surf Lifesaver, SES, RFS or Marine Rescue member, Zonta girl, P and C Member at your local school, cleaner of beaches and waterways, race official at any of the numerous regattas on Pittwater by all our local sailing clubs, a communicator on Radio Northern Beaches or a Speaker at U3A or Council meetings, a collator of data with Living Ocean, a defender of bush, heritage or waves beside Surfrider Northern Beaches or Manly or the Pittwater Environment Foundation, or a combination of these, or even a different sort of Change Maker altogether!
The week-long event recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering. National Volunteer Week 2023 is a celebration of our volunteers' power to drive change and ensure volunteering is inclusive of all members of the Australian community.
Issue 584: Ringtail Posse 4: May 2023 - Andrew Gregory: Powerful Owl, Marita Macrae: Pale-Lipped Or Gully Shadeskink, Jools Farrell: Whales & Seals, Nicole Romain: Yellow-Tailed Black CockatooData made available, and which excludes half that submitted, shows we are losing 2 nocturnal bird species every single week and 8 parrots every single day. The primary reason? Habitat destruction - cutting down trees.
Definition from - ;
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.+
Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
Issue 585: Margaret Anne Molloy OAM Tribute 2023A resident of the beautiful Lovett Bay, secretary for the West Pittwater Rural Fire Brigade since the early 1970’s, Margaret had backbone, clarity and generosity and a sharp mind as she sailed into her ninth decade in the world.
Born in Nowra into a family who had lived there since 1900, where her grandfather, Henry Rauch bought and edited the Shoalhaven Telegraph newspaper, later publishing the Shoalhaven and Nowra News, the latter being founded by her father Cecil, who was also Mayor of Nowra in 1926, Margaret Molloy, born May 22, 1932, had saltwater in her essence and words that came together to say what she means.
Issue 585: Weedy Seadragons Citizen Scientist Project Needs More Eyes On The Seas, Sands + Shores: The SeadragonSearch ProjectResidents reading Council's 'have your say' feedback webpage for Paradise pool on Pittwater may have been surprised to read that Council has prepared a seahorse relocation plan in consultation with the Fisheries Department in order to do the renewal of the pool's perimeter structures. Both a heritage impact study and aquatic ecology study of the works area have been undertaken. These studies and plans will inform a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) that will be considered by Council staff prior to the works being approved. Appropriate mitigation measures outlined in the REF and a Fisheries Permit will be applied during the construction phase to minimise environmental impacts.
Living here in the Pittwater estuary is the White's seahorse, which is listed as Endangered in NSW. The primary cause for the decline in abundance of White's Seahorse is the loss of natural habitats across their range in eastern Australia. The seahorses occur within coastal estuaries and embayments which are areas subject to population pressure.
Another local species, the Weedy Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, live along much of the Pittwater estuary foreshores and right along our beaches from Palm Beach to Manly. These seadragons are often seen around piers, pylons and jetties in association with seagrass meadows and seaweed beds.
Scientists consider Weedy Seadragons to be near threatened with extinction. Without continued careful management of the human activities that affect seadragon populations, the species could become more seriously at risk of being lost.
They are yet another local species with a second name of being a 'common seadragon' even though they are not so common anymore, and another reason to tread carefully when you are in or near their homes, or 'habitat' as it otherwise called.
Weedy Seadragons are found only in Australian coastal waters where they are mostly found in a thin strip of shallow water along the coastline. Although they appear to be seaweed when drifting in the water column almost motionless, Weedy Seadragons are actually bony fish.
Adverse weather conditions can cause high levels of natural mortality in Weedy Seadragons. They are poor swimmers and may be washed ashore during storms or heavy seas. During the April 2022 storms residents were finding them washing ashore, with 20, in one case, washing up on Narrabeen beach and others found at Palm Beach, Bungan, Mona Vale, Warriewood and Turimetta beaches. This recurred in July of that year.
Seadragon expert Dr David Booth, a professor of marine ecology at the University of Technology Sydney, and Dr Selma Klanten, Associate Researcher at University of Technology Sydney, are part of a 10 year research project, SeadragonSearch. This is a community-driven research initiative using artificial intelligence in a decade-long quest to identify, understand and protect seadragons and their habitats.
But, they need your help - they need more citizen scientists sending in sightings.
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Issue 586: Richard Menhinick AM, CSC - Commodore RAN, (Retired), President Avalon Beach RSL Sub-BranchThe new President of the Avalon Beach RSL Sub-Branch has served Australia for almost 50 years in our Defence Forces. His story is definitely a case of 'join the Navy and see the world' along with the wide range of roles a person can undertake in our Defence Forces.
Commodore Richard Temple Menhinick AM, CSC is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Richard joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1976, finishing his training in 1980 he underwent training as a Principal Warfare Officer and in 1983 was posted as the naval Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Tasmania, Sir James Plimsoll.
Richard went on to serve as exchange Officer with the Royal Navy on board HMS Cardiff and has served as the commanding officer of HMAS Anzac, HMAS Warramunga – 1st commission - and served as the executive officer of HMAS Hobart.
He was serving as the Commandant of the Australian Command and Staff College until 2012 when he handed over to Brigadier Peter Gates.
In transitioning into private capacity, although Commodore(Rt’d.) Menhinick’s story is one of success and being able to share knowledge that has benefitted Australia and Australians – serving still really – although it was not the smooth, supported, transition it could have been.
Richard seems to be bent on ‘getting the job done’ and not pausing for praise – he is a straight talker and one who sees all as equals. Richard genuinely cares about others, whatever their background, in whichever settings he meets them, despite the rank he achieved in the RAN and the deployments he undertook. He is essentially a man who loves his wife and family and our area, having grown up here since his family moved to Australia when he was just 2 years of age.
This Issue a small insight into the long and winding road, or sea paths, of one of our own.
Issue 587: John McFadden - World Food ChampionMona Vale Chef John McFadden claimed the coveted title of World Food Champion at the 10th World Food Championships’ Final Table in Bentonville, Arkansas on Sunday, May 21st, picking up $US100,000.
Touching down in Sydney he was greeted by his family with 'congratulations' signs at the airport and by neighbours with Australian flags in their home street.
John, who won the category title of World Seafood Champion at WFC’s Main Event in Dallas last November, went on to best nine other category champions in a three-round culinary gauntlet designed to test skills, technique, creativity and time management.
“Exhausted”, is how the well-liked Aussie chef described his experience when asked about the win, which saw him go up solo against three teams of three across three challenges, two of which were elimination challenges.
The last challenge was to cook courses three and four from a five-course tasting menu.
John was the first non-American to ever win the WFC title in 10 years of the competition.
John will replicate the World Food Championships menu at Mona Vale Surf Club’s The Basin restaurant, including the winning dishes.
All four of the dishes, plus a dessert from The Basin Dining Room, will be showcased at the $145pp dinner at Mona Vale Surf Club on Wednesday 28th of June and Wednesday 5th of July.
For bookings: www.basindining.com.au
This Issue a chat with Pittwater's, and Australia's, first ever World Food Champion.
Issue 587: King's Birthday 2023 Honours List: 15 Awards Announced to recognise and honour local contributionsThe King's Birthday 2023 Honours List recognises and celebrates 1,192 recipients, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia stated;
“Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s Honours List. Recipients have made substantial contributions and had a significant impact at the local, national or international level. Some are volunteers, others have had a remarkable impact in professional roles – many have done both. They are all inspiring and their service is valued by us all,”
“Learning about the wide-ranging service of recipients, which spans almost every field of endeavour imaginable, is uplifting and makes me enormously optimistic for our country. Collectively they speak to who we are now and who we can be in the future.
“While we can take a moment to acknowledge the significance of achieving gender parity in our Honours, it should not be a cause for pause. We reflect on our progress, and then recommit our efforts to ensure nominations reflect our diverse and strong community.
“Each recipient has something in common: someone nominated them. The Order of Australia belongs to each of us because nominations come from the community. In honouring today’s recipients, I also encourage all Australians to consider nominating someone they admire who has had a significant impact in the community.” the Governor-General said.
Issue 587: Protect Pittwater Associations' New President Simon Dunn, Son Of First Elected Pittwater Mayor, To Lead Charge To Restore Pittwater CouncilGoing into the 2023 State Election Pittwater Online sought comment from the then opposition Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren MP, whether an elected Labor Ministry would honour their pledge to restore Pittwater Council. Mr. Warren confirmed in January 2023 through his policy advisor that:
''a NSW Labor Government will not support the forced merger of local councils, nor will it support any forced demerger. Rather, this must be done voluntarily with the clear support of local residents as confirmed through a local plebiscite.
To this effect, a NSW Labor Government will legislate to put into place independent mechanisms to enable this to occur.''
In recent weeks Protect Pittwater members have once again been gathering signatures on a petition for a plebiscite and a return of Pittwater Council following the first one becoming ‘lost’ and then being rejected by the then Coalition Minister for Local Government Gabreille Upton, despite meeting the criteria under the Local Government Act for the same.
In May the Protect Pittwater Association held their AGM and elected a new committee which is led by a new president Simon Dunn, son of former and first elected Pittwater Mayor Robert Dunn, one of the original campaigners for the secession of Pittwater from Warringah Council. Pittwater Council seceded from Warringah Council in 1992 but was dismissed and merged into Northern Beaches Council on May 12, 2016, despite a Pittwater Council survey that found 89 per cent of its residents were opposed to the amalgamation.
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Issue 587: Oliver's Pies Wins 2 Gold 8 Silver Medals In 2023 Australia's Best Pie CompetitionDaniel Roberts, baker and owner of Oliver's Pies (at 1/3 Careel Head Road, north Avalon-Careel Bay shops) is ‘getting on with making more pies’ this morning after having won two gold and eight silver medals in the 2023 Baking Association of Australia's Best Pie Competition.
The Golds were for Oliver’s Pies Vegetarian Mexican and Smokey Pork and Bourbon which are both on their permanent menu board. Many of his other medal winning pies are on the permanent list as well.
Daniel took over the business 11 years ago. He began baking as a 16-year-old with his dad, has 3 brothers who are bakers too, and has been in the industry for 26 years.
His pies were multi-award winners in 2017 too, including 5 gold medals.
During the 2017 edition Daniel’s pies formed part of the Great Aussie Pie Competition and won Gold in the Seafood Pie Category: 1st – Oliver’s Pies, Avalon NSW (Smoked Fish Pie), against all comers, across Australia.
He also took out anther 4 Golds and 5 Silver medals in that edition.
Issue 588: Northern Beaches Creative Leisure & Learning: Centenary Celebration 1924 To 2024Please Join Us In Celebrating 100 Years Of Creative Leisure: 1924 – 2024 What are your memories of Creative Leisure?
Issue 588: June 2023 Report: Investigation Into The NSW Shark Meshing Program Finds Fairy Penguin Killed Not Recorded - Pregnant Shark Killed Not RecordedIn May 2021 the Council called on the NSW government to remove shark nets on beaches in the Northern Beaches Council area and replace them with a combination of modern and effective alternative shark mitigation strategies that maintain or improve swimmer safety and reduce unwanted by-catch of non-target species.
Council made the call in response to Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries (DPI Fisheries) request for input from stakeholders on their preferred shark mitigation measures.
A number of residents addressed Council’s May meeting in support of shark net removal, including surfing champion Layne Beachley.
Then A/Mayor Candy Bingham said Council considered both the need to maintain or improve swimmer safety as well as the negative impacts on non-target marine species in reaching their decision.
“The effectiveness of shark nets has been questioned by many, yet their impact on other marine species is devastating,” Cr Bingham said. “We have an aquatic reserve in Manly where turtles and rays are regularly seen by snorkelers, and up and down the beaches dolphins surf the waves alongside local board riders.
“The research conducted by DPI Fisheries found that 90% of marine species caught in nets were non-target species and that sharks can in fact swim over, under and around the nets anyhow. If the evidence is that there are other just as, or more, effective ways to mitigate shark risk, such as drone and helicopter surveillance, listening stations and deterrent devices, then we owe it to those non-target species to remove the nets.''
The shark mitigation strategy in New South Wales (NSW) has slowly been evolving over recent years. The introduction of Shark-Management-Alert-In-Real-Time (SMART) drumlines and shark surveillance drones has provided hope to those in the community who want to see the program cease its current lethal methods. But the State has been seemingly reluctant to make the final transition away from the lethal Shark Meshing Program (SMP) that still operates for eight months of the year.
A new report, 'Investigation into NSW Shark Meshing Program June 2023' by Envoy Foundation, covers the many shortcomings of the program in detail, including some that may not have been previously discussed. For example, trigger points should effectively alert the program's impact on threatened species, but instead, are reactive. Furthermore, when trigger points are tripped, there is no contingency plan for decisive and practical actions. The Envoy Foundation report identified "extremely concerning discrepancies in data", including a photo of a bird found in shark nets in 2019 not included in data for the 2018/19 or 2019/20 catch data.
"There is an image of little penguin, also known as a fairy penguin — which are protected in NSW," Mr Borrell said. "It's an image of a thing that was been pulled out of shark nets, but the animal does not appear in the data. How often does that happen?"
The report states the Envoy Foundation 'attempted to identify the bird but were not able to from the image or by speaking with the Protected Species and Communities Branch of the Biodiversity Conservation Division of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.'
The answer they received was:
“Unfortunately without the last digit (I can’t make it out either) it could be one of 10 birds. Each of the 10 birds were all banded in 2002 on one of three dates 22 OCT 2002, 29 Oct 2002 or 5 NOV 2002. The banding of these birds occurred at one of two locations:
Manly Point, Sydney Harbour; or Collins Beach, Spring Cove, Sydney Harbour. That is about as much as I can provide without the last digit to actually individually identify the specific bird.''
Issue 589: Ringtail Posse 5: June 2023 - Lynleigh Greig OAM: Snakes, Dick Clarke: Diamond Python, Selena Griffith: Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Eric Gumley: BandicootDefinition from; -
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.+
Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3: a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
On Wednesday June 21st 2023 a Motion regarding Heritage Protection was passed in the NSW Parliament. Tabled by The Hon. Peter Primrose, contributors to the discussion spoke of the Minns Government's commitment to developing the State's first heritage strategy, in which the Government will develop options to recognise and protect significant trees, urban bushland and wildlife corridors.
This was, of course, music to the ears of all who are working at ground level in these areas to safeguard the survival of the urban wallaby, koala, lizard, skink, snake, bandicoot, every bird of woodland, water and grassland, insects and every other wildlife species we share suburbia with.
Time to slither, swoop and scurry with June's Ringtail Posse, led out by our own Wildlife journo, Lynleigh!
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Issue 590: Narrabeen JRLFC's 90th Celebratory History A Shark’s Tale Book Launch Featured A Legends Q&A With Alan Thompson, Anthony Watmough, Mark Gerrard, Anthony BalkinThe Narrabeen Sharks' Life Members luncheon and launch of A Shark's Tale; 90 Years - The History of the Narrabeen J.R.L.F.C. took place on Sunday 25th June at Lake Park, and turned out to be a truly remarkable celebration.
The clubhouse was filled with over 80 guests, and a massive crowd gathered to show their support for the U17s and A-Grade games. It was heart-warming to see familiar faces, individuals who have been a part of the Sharks' illustrious 90-year history.
Following a fantastic lunch, guests were privileged to hear from the book's author, Phil Hunter, along with Scott Nagle and Brian Adams, who shared their journey in creating this incredible tribute.
For those of you who are not aware, Phil Hunter the Narrabeen Sharks historian, has worked tirelessly over the last few years putting the 90 year history into a beautifully presented hard cover book.
This is an amazing account of a brilliant core of the community club, put together in chronological order and featuring stories and photos from the ages. To grab a copy go to the Narrabeen Sharks website and order through the shop section.
The event continued with an engaging and entertaining panel session, featuring some of the game's legendary figures Alan Thompson, Anthony Watmough, Mark Gerrard, and Anthony Balkin.
Others attending included John Trbojevic and Geoff Toovey, and wonderful Life Members such as Doug Miller, George Aprile, John Rousell and Jeff Foster.. Get the FULL story in this Issue's Profile.
Issue 590: Milla Brown Wins 2023 Pro Junior + Skullcandy Oz Grom OpenIn 2021 Milla Brown finished her State Title campaign with a bang as she took out the Under-16 Girls final.
In 2022 Milla Brown Won her Division in the 2022 Australian Junior Surfing Titles and Qualified for the 2023 Irukandjis Team.
On July 11 2023 15-year-old Milla Brown (Bungan Beach) showed she remains one to keep an eye on in future years as she took out the coveted Pro Junior title as well as the Under-18 Girls division in the 2023 Skullcandy Oz Grom pres. by Vissla as well as the World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) Pro Junior division.
Issue 591: Northern Beaches Para Surfer Boardriders Inc. - On Instagram
- On Facebook
- Web: https://linktr.ee/nbparasurfer
- Email: club.admin@nbparasurferboardriders.com
Currently the NBPSB is running a raffle now to help with start up costs and equipment purchase.
YOU could win a brand new board and loads more prizes all while supporting the start-up of the club. Find out more.
Para Surfing, also known as Adaptive Surfing, is a rapidly growing sport that provides individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding a wave.
The Northern Beaches Para Surfer Boardriders Inc aims to provide a platform dedicated for para surfers to engage and mentor others in the sport of surfing. Through its services and activities, the club aims to empower para surfers and create a positive impact on their lives by fostering a sense of community and to promote inclusivity by raising awareness in the wider community. This then facilitates skill development and competitive opportunities for the para surfers.
The NBPSB’s vision is to be a club that is fun and relaxed for those who may only wish to compete at club level. However, it also provides an ideal pathway to National and International events and competitions. With the club's support, para surfers have the potential to build a strong competitive surfing career.
NBPSBC aims to be where champion Para Surfers are nurtured, all the while making a serious impact on the surfers physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
''We are to be a serious part of their rehabilitation or therapy and in turn making a positive impact on their family, friends and other support crew who will also benefit.'' Emma Dieters explains
The longer term goals are to be a club that will offer a range of services and activities tailored to the needs of para surfers, including:
- Surfing clinics & workshops
- Surfing competitions
- Accessible facilities
- Community engagement
- Fundraising & sponsorships
The club relies on membership fees, donations, sponsorships, and grants to fund its operations and ensure that its services are accessible and affordable to all para surfers. That's why they have launched the Raffle - which closes August 6th 2023.
On 4th June, Australian Irukandji Para Surfing representative Em Dieters and a group of her good mates including World Champion Sam Bloom, together with Mona Vale Boardriders Club, held the first official Northern Beaches Para Surfer Boardriders Club (NBPSB) round at Mona Vale Beach.
Started in February 2023, just weeks after Emma Dieters took out Gold At 2022 Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championship and as she was named Surfing Australia Female Para Surfer of the Year in February 2023, this new boardriders club is already changing lives and helping more people feel the incredible power surfing and being in the ocean has.
Issue 592: Ringtail Posse 6: July 2023 - Sonja Elwood: Long-Nosed Bandicoot, Dr. Conny Harris: Swamp Wallaby, Neil Evers: Bandicoot, Bill Goddard: BandicootRingtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.+Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
Issue 592: Newport Breakers Womens Rugby Team Win The Inaugural Joy Johnson Cup 2023Newport Womens Rugby won the Grand Final against Lindfield Blue on Saturday July 29th.
Formatted as a best of 3, two matches were played separated by an exhibition match between Lindfield Legacy White and UNSW. Should it be required, a third deciding match would be played. With Newport's Womens team winning the first two games convincingly, the third game was not contested.
This means Newport Women's Rugby have won the Inaugural Joy Johnson Cup.
Newport's Sarah Reynolds also won the very first Joy Johnson medal.
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Issue 592: Wuthering Day 2023 At Mona Vale Shines A Light On The Women's Resilience CentreThe second Most Wuthering Heights Day was held on Saturday July 22nd, 2023 in Mona Vale's Village Park to again to raise awareness for The Women's Resilience Centre.
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. Based in Mona Vale, 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, the WRC is planning a national network of residential accommodation for up to 12 months, providing a safe space for women to reset their lives.
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Issue 592: Church Point Precinct Upgrade Scheduled To Be Completed This Financial Year: Boardwalk Completed In December 2022 Now A Popular Suntrap For Residents + Visitors Beside The Estuary + Scotland Island Bells and Carol Wharf Upgrades Completed- Included that Issue: Church Point, Pittwater: Winter 2023 + Some Photos and Snippets From The Past
Issue 593: Electrify MackellarWebsite: www.electrifymackellar.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/electrifymackellar
On Sunday July 30th The Life Electric Community Net Zero Expo organised by the Avalon-Palm Beach Business Chamber hosted stall holders providing expert advice on solar, EVs and other renewables solutions.
As part of the Expo Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar, hosted a Q and A with Dr. Saul Griffith, Inventor and Rewiring Australia Founder and Founding member of Electrify 2515, and John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Smart Energy Council, Australia's peak independent smart energy body. The Life Electric Community Net Zero In Conversation with Dr. Scamps report runs this Issue.
Among the stalls showcase was Electrify Mackellar, officially launching at the event, with Founder and Academic Selena Griffith GAICD FEAD FSSE FIH, sister of Saul Griffith, and past Pittwater Councillor, on hand to introduce the organisation to visitors.
This Issue Selena Electrify Mackellar provides some information on what Electrify Mackellar is and can do to support our community on its journey to a decarbonised future right now.
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Issue 593: Life Electric Net Zero Expo + Forum - Dr. Sophie Scamps MP, In Conversation With Dr. Saul Griffith, John Grimes: Mackellar MP Calls For Albanese Government To Put Young Australians Before Fossil Fuel Lobbyists - Senator Pocock's Duty Of Care and Intergenerational Equity BillOn Sunday July 30th The Life Electric Community Net Zero Expo organised by the Avalon-Palm Beach Business Chamber hosted stall holders providing expert advice on solar, EVs and other renewables solutions.
Among the stalls showcase was Electrify Mackellar, officially launching at the event, with Founder and Academic Selena Griffith GAICD FEAD FSSE FIH, sister of 'Electrify Everything' Saul Griffith, and past Pittwater Councillor, on hand to introduce the organisation to visitors.
There were service providers such as Allume providing insights on their work in the solar, EV and renewable solutions fields, Sustainability Strategist Consultant Tanya Mottl sharing information about the Narara Ecovillage on the Central Coast and Global Ecovillage Network Australia (GEN Australia) – a network of ecovillages, indigenous communities, intentional communities, eco-projects, co-housing communities, transition initiatives, like-minded individuals and value aligned organisations in Australia, Exceptional Electric Bikes from Unchained Rides, and even an opportunity to channel your 1950/60's 'Summer in Italy' Mod stylishness and zipping around on a scooter in balmy breezes by taking on a FONZ electric transport alternative.
Issue 593: Congratulations Warringah Rats: 2023 Colts Club Champions!!They did it – our Mighty Rats Colts are the 2023 COLTS CLUB CHAMPIONS!
The club tells us ''These guys have given their all - with their eye firmly on the prize, turning up each week and playing for each other and ending every training session with 53 push-ups!
‘’Thanks to the amazing support of coaches, managers, directors and support crew, they've taken out the top gong a week before the season ends.''
''Huge thanks to our headline sponsor Bayfields and the whole Bayfield Family for their unwavering support.''
''Also - Congratulations to our 1sts Colts for taking out the Bayfield Shield last weekend with a whopping 95-10 score against the Marlins. ''
Issue 593: Pittwater’s Warmest Welcome - at Newport Bowling Club!! - $55 membership + lessons offerOver no less than 85 years Newport Bowling Club has thrived as the Peninsula’s most friendly social venue and sporting club, renowned for extending a warm welcome to residents and community groups from across the Northern Beaches. Nothing pleases them more than seeing local community members socialising in the Clubhouse and having a great time on the greens!
Issue 594: Gwenyth Sneesby: WWII Veteran - VP Day 2023This coming Tuesday, August 15th, is VP Day in Australia - Victory in the Pacific Day. Held each year this date commemorates Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender on August 14 1945. For Australians, it meant that the Second World War was finally over. The following day, 15 August, is usually referred to as VP Day. In August 1945 Australian governments gazetted a public holiday as VP Day and most newspapers reported it as such.
There are 122 names on the Mona Vale Primary School WW2 Roll of Honour, young men and young women who all enlisted to serve during this conflict.
Of those 122 listed only one is still with us, Gwenyth Sneesby, née Forster. Gwen turned 99 on June 17th, 2023. She enlisted in the Navy and was seconded to HMAS Kuttabul - fortunately she was at home in Mona Vale when the Kuttabul was sunk on Sydney Harbour in 1942 by Japanese submarine torpedoes. HMAS Kuttabul was a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) depot ship, and former Sydney harbour ferry. During the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour on 31 May- June 1 1942, Kuttabul was torpedoed and sunk, with 21 Commonwealth naval personnel aboard. Some state the torpedo was most like intended for the Cruiser USS Chicago.
May Francis Rita Clarke, also a Mona Vale girl, was a coder with the Kuttabl too. This one instance is all the more poignant when residents recall that a sacred war grave for one of these miniature submarines rests off our shorelines between Bungan Beach and Newport.
The others on the Mona Vale PS Honour Board have, in many cases, passed away after returning home from this conflict. They came home to their wives and children.
Others lost their lives in Service during WWII. For instance, Kenneth Collinge died at Fall of Singapore, on February 9th 1942 aged 22. Eric Coulter died at the Fall of Singapore, on February 15th 1942, aged 26. Clifton Salisbury Roby died at the Fall of Singapore, aged 25.
Clifton's loss must have been keenly felt by his mother as his father had died of wounds in WWI. Clifton Salisbury Roby was born January 23rd 1917, to Charles Frederick and Ella Roby.
Others were POW's of the Japanese after the Fall of Singapore, in some cases brothers were captured - Francis Paul and Roy James Byron for instance.
Their brother Neil Alfred Byron, born August 13th 1918 also enlisted as soon as he turned 21 and served 968 days outside of Australia in the Middle East as part of the 2/13th and in New Guinea as part of the 9th Division. His war records show the RSL he was a part of in his latter years was trying to track down a 'Rats of Tobruk' acknowledgement for him. Their mother Ida, who lived at 75 Park Street Mona Vale, must have had some very tense years. The Byron family men had all been fruit growers prior to enlistment.
Others from Mona Vale were among those sent into the Middle East in 1941 then ripped out and sent back to Australia in 1942-3 and sent into New Guinea from there – to Port Moresby to defend Australia from invasion. Some died serving in New Guinea, notably Harry Frederick Alwyn Howlett on the Kokoda Trail at just 23 years of age, his War Service Records stating 'died from wounds January 20 1943’.
This Issue Gwen's Profile from 2013 shares her story in her words.
Issue 595: The RionsWebsite: therions.com/home
Instagram: www.instagram.com/therionsband
Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@therionsband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheRionss
There will be no better way to spring into Spring and Summer 2023 than tuning in to the sounds coming from Pittwater band and former Barrenjoey High School alumni The Rions this September through November. To back up newly released EP 'Minivan' the boys will be on the road, taking it to the streets, and nightclubs, in a tour that stretches from Queensland to Tassie and even a jaunt over to Western Australia. Although only one local gig is scheduled so far, at Dee Why and 18+, included are performances with the Grapevine Gathering national tour, indicating The Rions are happy to inspire locals to join the road trip phenomenon to 'see and be in other places' during Australia's warmer months.
First forming as a band following a 2016 high school talent show, when they were in Year 7, their music teacher Mr Stone (father of Angus & Julia) saw something special and encouraged the boys to get gigging.
The name stems from the inability of Harley to pronounce the word ‘lion’ when a toddler; he would pronounce it ‘rion’. He had been telling fellow band members about this when the organisers asked them what they were going to be called and the spontaneous response from his band mates was ‘The Rions!’.
The band consists of Noah Blockley (lead vocals, bass guitar), Harley Wilson (guitar), Asher McLean (guitar), and Tom Partington (drums).
This Issue a few insights into the road leading to releasing their first EP, Minivan.
Issue 595: A Stunning 64 Medals Sees Australia Atop The Medal Tally At Trinbago 2023 Youth Commonwealth GamesOn Monday August 14, 2023 it was announced Australia has topped the medal tally at Trinbago 2023, claiming 64 medals including 26 gold, 17 silver and 21 bronze.
Residents who were part of the Australian team were Athletics: Jackson Love (Sydney Pacific Athletics - Warriewood resident) – Men’s 100m T38, Long Jump; Fleur Cooper (UTS Norths - Allambie resident) – Women’s 800m, 1500m; Rugby 7's: Piper Simons (Manly Mermaids Rugby Union), Anaia Cruickshank (Manly Mermaids); Swimming: Lillie McPherson (Manly Swimming Club), Samuel Higgs (Warringah Aquatic Swim); and in Volleyball: Jett Rocker-Graham (Northern Beaches Volleyball).
The green and gold were successful in every sport on the program, winning at least one medal in each of athletics, beach volleyball, cycling, FAST5 netball, rugby sevens, swimming and triathlon.
Issue 595: Newport Breakers Colts: Robertson Cup Winners Season 2023The Newport Breakers Colts team are Robertson Cup winners Season 2023. On Saturday August 19 they won the Grand Final against the only team they lost to throughout the 2023 rounds to triumph, the final score: Newport 14 - Lindfield 12. This means the Breakers Colts went one-better than last Season.
Big congratulations to Jack Hanley as well, voted Subbies Colts Player of 2023 across all Clubs.
Coupled with the Breakers Womens team winning their Grand Final against Lindfield Blue on Saturday July 29th, and the inaugural Joy Johnson Cup, the Breakers have had a great Season.
Issue 596: Ringtail Posse 7: August 2023 - Geoff Searl OAM: Tawny Frogmouth, Peter Macinnis: Ringtail Possum, Peter Carter: Ringtail Possum, Nathan Wellings; KookaburraReaders have pointed out that the Ringtail Posse Rounds run so far have been ladies heavy – so this Round, a blokes only focus – because blokes love our wildlife too and it’s more than ok for them to say so.
The gentlemen who run in the August 2023 Ringtail Posse have all grown up in our area, some even have connections to this place that go back over several generations and 100 years.
Definition from:
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
+
Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
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Issue 596: 24 Hour Row 2023 For Mental Health Runs September 9-10: Join In Creating Hope Through Action This SpringSign up to row or donate to teams or individuals at: 24hourrow.com.au
Runs 9-10, September 2023
The 24 hour row is now in its 6th year. Started by long time Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club members Nathan and Mel Wellings back in 2018, initially, just one club wanted to make a difference after seeing too many lives lost to mental health struggles in our area
Each year the event has grown with more surf life saving clubs taking part. Last year 57 clubs, gyms, schools and teams around Australia made a difference! This year 63 clubs and gyms and groups have signed up, just 7 short of the 70 teams organisers are aiming to have participate in this year's event.
“We love this event because it brings so many communities together and shows solidarity and passion for a suicide free Australia.” - Nathan and Mel Wellings
Pittwater’s NSW Government Community Service Award recipient for 2021 was presented to the founders of the Gotcha4Life 24-Hour Row, Mel and Nathan Wellings. The mental health awareness initiative commenced at Avalon Beach Surf Club has grown into an Australia-wide event held annually on World Suicide Prevention Day.
This year that will be held on Sunday September 10 2023, when rowers across Australia are completing the final leg 12 hours of the 24 hour row that commenced at midday on September 9.
The 10th of September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organisations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.
Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. It is estimated that there are currently more than 700, 000 suicides per year worldwide, and we know that each suicide profoundly affects many more people. All those who have lost a loved one, a friend or family member to this illness are impacted for the rest of their lives.
“Creating Hope Through Action” is the World Health Organisation's triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023. This theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention.
By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.
Lastly, it serves as a reminder that suicide prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required to make sure suicide mortality rates are reduc
Issue 596: Vietnam Veterans Day Services 2023 - 50th Anniversary Of The End Of The Vietnam War: Collaroy, Narrabeen, Palm Beach, photographs by Michael Mannington OAM, Commemorative Addresses suppliedThe annual Vietnam Veterans (Northern) Chapter Commemorative Service, a branch formed specifically for Vietnam Veterans in our area, held its 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War March, Service and get-together on Sunday August 20, 2023 led by Mark Ferguson OAM, Vietnam Veteran.
This was a combined March and Service this 50th year of all Northern Beaches District Council of Sub Branches.
The Address at the Vietnam Veterans (Northern) Chapter, was given by Bob Lunnon, President of Forestville RSL Sub Branch and President of the Northern Beaches District Council of Sub Branches. Bob served in the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), joining Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) in 1964 and, upon graduating, was appointed to Royal Australian Army Service Corps (RAASC), serving for six years, intertwined with his travel industry employment.
Bob's Address runs in full below.
The Vietnam Veterans (Northern) Commemorative Service was attended by Mackellar MP Dr. Sophie Scamps and Pittwater MP Rory Amon, Mayor Sue Heins, and the Northern Beaches Police Area Command.
The Knox Old Boys Pipe Band led the March, followed by Vietnam Veterans and then other sub-Branch members. A commemoration service commenced at 11am at the Club's cenotaph.
Presidents and representatives of every Sub Branch in the Northern Beaches District Council of Sub Branches laid wreaths as part of the Service.
As a prelude to this 50th end of the war year, stories from, about and by Vietnam Veterans were shared. All of these are listed at placesofpride.awm.gov.au/news, including Pittwater Online's 2023 precursor, Vietnam Veterans Day (Northern) 50th End Of The War March At Palm Beach - All Welcome, All Belong Anniversary
Issue 597: Avalon Beach Ladies Probus ClubLooking For New Members - Spring Into Spring - October 2023 Is Probus Month - Theme This Year: Good Friends, Great Times, New Adventures.
Currently Avalon Beach Ladies Probus club is looking for new members - a great opportunity to spring into Spring by meeting up with wonderful local women for fun and friendship. Meets first Tuesday of every month at Club Palm Beach (Palm Beach RSL).
President Margaret White shares a few insights into this local ladies Probus club.
Issue 598: The Hub At Kimbriki Includes: Bikes4Life - Peninsula Toy Repair Group - Reverse Garbage - Boomerang Bags Kimbriki - Profile by Donna CliffAs you descend into the Kimbriki precinct, you’ll notice the previous administration building on the left side. This building, now known as THE HUB, has become the home of several community groups carefully selected based on their initiatives and alignment to a shared circular economy vision.
HUB stands for ‘the effective centre of an activity, region, or network,’ perfectly representing the collaboration and collective efforts of these community groups. As part of the larger movement to rethink, reduce, re-use and recycle society’s previously loved items, the four HUB residents exemplify these principles and work together to support each other and Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre.
Introducing the 4 groups residing at The HUB Kimbriki:
- Bikes4Life
- Peninsula Toy Repair Group
- Reverse Garbage
- Boomerang Bags – Kimbriki
Find out more at: kimbriki.com.au
This week a few insights into what the 4 groups working a The Hub, Kimbriki do and how you can get involved.
Issue 599: Ringtail Posse 8: September 2023 - Saving Sydney's Last Koalas; Logging Now Stopped In Future Koala Park By Minns Government - ''Is There Time To Save Sydney's Last Koalas Too?'' Asks: John Illingsworth, WIRES, Sydney Wildlife Rescue, Save Sydney Koalas, The Sydney Basin Koala Network, The Help Save The Wildlife & Bushlands In Campbelltown Group, Appin Koalas Animal Rescue Service, Patricia and Barry Durham, Sue Gay, Save Mt. Gilead, Paola Torti Of The International Koala Intervention Group Definition from:
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
+ Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
Issue 600: Frank JohnsonInterviewer/reporter: Trent Morgan
Frank Johnson is a long-time resident of Newport and is the most successful golfer in Bayview Golf Club’s history, winning ten club championships, five foursomes championships, and was the first to shoot the amateur course record as of 1997 (now equalled). Frank also won 17 open amateur tournaments in the Sydney region. He was a champion still water and surf swimmer, a red hot snooker player, and danced a mean jive. What motivates someone to achieve such things? Here is his story.
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Issue 600: Food Graze 'N' Cakes 2023 - Sandy and Viet Dang opened Graze N Cakes in mid-September 2017 meaning they have just commenced their 7th year as one of Avalon’s favourite places to get the best food going. Time for a catch-up as they commence their 7th year!As a means of dodging making at least one lunch that week for the boys, and having sampled the cake the Dangs made for the Avalon Community Library 40th year celebrations just days before, pure melt in your mouth deliciousness, I slyly told this lovely couple how quickly their cake evaporated, that we should run a ‘catch-up’ food page and that I’d be around with my camera and tape recorder, again, in the morning.
While Sandy and the delightful Lili filled the order for the boys, a chat with Viet was an opportunity to gain insights into why they do it the way they do and how they do it.
Issue 600: New Turimetta Beach Emergency Rescue Board Saves Lives - Prevents Tragedies: Council Installs More Boards Along The Coast, State Government Commits $23 Million Over Four Years To Help Keep NSW Beaches Safe During 2023 Raising Of The Flags CeremonyIn a remarkable display of bravery and community spirit, three swimmers have been rescued in recent weeks by community members at Turimetta Beach, an unpatrolled location, and South Curl Curl, a popular beach outside of patrol hours, with the help of Council's new emergency rescue boards.
With temperatures reaching up to 35 °C over September 18 to 21, before the Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Patrol Season had commenced, people have been heading en masse to local beaches, some of whom are not familiar with local conditions.
Issue 601: John Forbes: Pittwater Olympian - NSW Sport Hall Of Champions Inductee 2023Pittwater is one of those places where you can never be too sure who you're meeting and often you're coming face to face with someone who has quietly achieved but doesn't want a fanfare every time they enter a room. In fact, our area abounds with such individuals, people who have quietly gone about doing great things, and continue to do so, in a wide variety of areas from business to sports to the environment.
Not only have they excelled on world stages they also persevere in doing great things past those so-called 'pinnacle' moments and if you ask them what they're most happy about, it's more often marrying the woman of their dreams and raising great children with her. Outside of that, it's being part of a local club that also quietly goes about achieving great things, advancing everything for all and keeping it open to all with that old 'all are welcome, all belong' credo that goes back as far as time itself.
On Thursday October 14, Sport NSW announced Pittwater sailor John Forbes will be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions at the prestigious rebel NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, on Monday, November 20 2023.
John Forbes has represented Australia in 3 Olympic Games in sailing catamarans (Barcelona 1992, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004). He was a Bronze Medallist in Barcelona, Silver Medallist in Sydney and placed 6th in Athens.
During his 18 years of intense international sailing regatta at an elite level he was 7 x World Champion, 4 x European Champion and 10 x Australian Champion.
He has been a member of Palm Beach Sailing Club for 30 years. Now 52 years old and sailing with 21 year old daughter Bronte, he has re-entered the sailing scene to enjoy spending time with his daughter in the great world of sailing high speed catamarans, and passing on his wealth of knowledge to all the teams whom he competes with.
In fact, family, and running the family business, are now his focus, with joy undiminished for getting out among those salty breezes - which is where it all began - with family, among salty breezes. This week a resharing of John's 2018 Profile with a community that is thrilled he has been named a Hall of Champions inductee.
Congratulations John, we too are stoked for you!
Follow up in Issue 607: NSW Champions Of Sport Awards 2023 Recognises Three Local Heroes
Issue 601: Seal Pup Rescued At Newport Named 'Narrang' Rehabilitated By Taronga Zoo, Re-Released - Returns To Our Area: A Reminder To Maintain 80 Metres Distance From Seal Pups - The 'Seabirds To Seascapes Project'The colony of Long-nosed Fur Seals sighted in Pittwater and along our beaches consists of a bull seal with females, juvenile males and also pups. Based on on the rocks beneath Barrenjoey, they have been coming and going for the past decade. What started as four seals has grown to become twenty plus seals in recent years. They are seen from Bayview and Church Point to Careel Bay and come ashore to rest, with seals delighting residents from north Palm Beach to Manly where and when they visit our sands.
These seals breed between October to December. During the breeding season, they come ashore and establish territories. Females are defended by the resident male in these territories. The mothers may take from 45 minutes to 3 days before leaving the pups to swim, and 6–12 days to go on longer feeding trips. Even then, the mothers tend to not leave the pups for longer than 2 days. Pups are weaned at around 4-6 months old but still can remain with the mother until 12 months old.
Australian seals are threatened by sharks, Killer Whales, commercial fishing, entanglement with fishing gear and swallowing of plastic bags. You can help by ensuring our beaches are kept clean from plastic or any littler. If you see a plastic bag, pick it up and dispose of it. If a seal eats plastic, it cannot digest it which will result in a very slow and painful death for the animal. This can easily be avoided if people stop littering.
It is important that both people and dogs keep away from Australian seals. This was brought in sharp focus on Monday October 9 when news from Victoria broke that a fatally injured Australian fur seal pup was found on McCrae Beach following a dog attack. Although this beach is an off-leash one for dogs during the daylight savings months, Victorian laws state dog owners must keep their pet at least 50 metres away from a seal on land. Dogs also must not enter the water within 50 metres of a seal when they are present.
Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers are investigating the incident following a report from the Melbourne Zoo Marine Response Unit (MRU) who were alerted to a wounded juvenile fur seal by a member of the public. MRU attended the beach but found the animal had already died as a result of its injuries (warning: distressing images).
In late September Taronga Zoo announced a third Long-nosed Fur Seal has been released and tagged as part of the NSW Government’s Seabirds to Seascapes project in a bid to help unlock precious data about how seal species are using Australian waterways. The female Long-nosed Fur Seal who is estimated to be approximately 10 months old was found extremely lethargic and underweight along the headland of Pittwater’s popular Newport Beach in August. The seal, which has been given the name ‘Narrang’ which means ‘little’ in the Sydney language (Dharug Dhalang) also had evidence of Cookiecutter shark bites.
Skip, Felicia and now Narrang are the first three seals to be tracked as part of the Seabirds to Seascapes project, and although it is early days for Felicia and Narrang, both journeys have been a great success and have confirmed the viability of rescuing and rehabilitating fur seals, and increased understanding of seal movements.
Taronga’s Behavioural Biologist and Conservation Researcher Dr Ben Pitcher said: “The data and insights we gain from this project are so important. Seals and humans are both lovers of the coast and sadly this brings the two species into contact and sometimes conflict, such as boat strikes and ingestion of plastics.
“By better understanding how seals are using our oceans, coasts, harbours and estuaries, we can make better decisions about how we can protect them and live more harmoniously,” said Pitcher.
The three-year Seabirds to Seascapes project is led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). The project is made possible by a $6.6 million grant from the NSW Environmental Trust.
Seals are agile and can move quickly across beaches, jetties or rocks and should not be approached. All initial assessments by licensed wildlife rehabilitators should start from the legal approach limit of 40m for a seal hauled out on land, or 80m if the seal is a pup.
If you do happen to spot Narrang on her journey you can log your sighting at www.wildsydneyharbour.com
If you spot a sick or injured seal, please call NPWS at 1300 PARKS or ORRCA on (02) 9415 3333.
Issue 602: Brian Friend OAM, Q.C., B.C.: An 80th Birthday CelebrationFriendly, as he is popularly known, turned 80 on October 19, 2023, and remains a Pittwater legend due to his long-term service to community over many decades and through multiple interests. Friendly is old school, a straight-up straight talker who is still powering on today on the water and off.
When he was awarded an OAM in 2013, For service to touch football, and to the community of Manly Warringah (and Pittwater) the abridged list included:
Executive Member, Manly Warringah Business Houses and Services Touch Football Association, since 1994; President, for one year; Secretary, for 15 years; Life Member; Competition Director, for 5 years; referee, for 18 years.
Founder and Executive Member, Bangalley's Junior Touch Football, 2001-2008.
Founder and Executive Member, Hole in the Wall Touch Football Association, 1993-2008.
Co-Founder and Executive Member, Warringah Touch Football Association, since 1983; Life Member; Registrar, for 10 years; referee, for 19 seasons.
Coach, Avalon Junior Rugby League Football Club, since the 1970s; President, for 3 years; Member, Grounds Committee; Life Member.
Life Member, Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League; referee, for 21 years.
Member, Avalon Surf Club, since 1965.
Fundraising activities for a range of organisations including:
Mona Vale Hospital Children's Ward.
New South Wales Police Legacy.
Bear Cottage, Manly.
Current Chairman, Metropolitan North Retired Police Association.
Current Chairman, Retired Water Police.
Current Member, New South Wales Police Association.
Awards/recognition include:
Centenary Medal, 2001.
Queen's Commendation for Bravery, 1974.
NSW Police Commissioner's Commendation for Courage, 1974.
Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Pittwater Council, 2000.
In fact, Friendly packs so much into each week, even now, it's a wonder he doesn't end up a bit more weary, although it would seem that soon after he could toddle he began to run. That may have slowed down to a jog nowadays, but Mr. Friend spends all day everyday doing for others still.
It all began 80 years ago though. This week, a few insights...plus a few photos from the 80th Birthday Party held on Saturday October 21 2023
Issue 603: Ringtail Posse 9: October 2023 - David Palmer OAM: Bandicoots, Helen Pearce: Brushtail Possum, Amina Kitching: Goanna, David Goudie: Ringtails Possums + Bandicoots + Owls Definition from:
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
+
Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
Since the September Round of the Ringtail Posse The Department of Environment's Wildlife rehabilitation data has been updated to 30 June 2022 and records 37, 815 wildlife animals have been rescued in this LGA and just 10, 609 released - the 2021/22 total is 5431 with just 1449 released.
So a staggering 3, 982 animals have lost their lives in this LGA during the latest updated data period, with the so called 'Common' Ringtail Possum again the most impacted species, with 1166 lost. The others most lost have been Rainbow Lorikeets; 603, Brushtail Possums: 521, with the Kookaburra and Magpie both listed as 246 each lost.
Collisions with motor vehicles, 'unsuitable environment', meaning they're in someone's roof because their trees have been cut down, fallen from nest or tree, and attacks by cats are listed as the primary causes for these deaths. People speeding in suburban roads, clearing habitat, frightening mothers so babies drop, and not keeping their pets indoors at night are what has caused these deaths.
This month we welcome four more Champions for our local wildlife, including another two who Rescue and Rehabilitate local wildlife.
The Sydney Opera House is said to have turned 50 on October 20 2023, the date of its official opening in 1973, with an extensive programme of celebratory events running prior to this date and even afterwards, including a special 2023 edition of the UNSW Utzon Lecture featuring two of his children, Jan and Lin, which occurred on October 17. The recording of this Utzon lecture is available below.
This followed on from the inaugural Utzon Lecture in 2010 which was given by Jan on his father and the visionary architect for this building, Jørn Utzon.
Pittwater can claim a special place during the time the Utzon family were in Sydney as it was to Bayview that they first came to live in 1963, then to Palm Beach. His and Lis' children Jan and Lin attended Narrabeen High School from 1963 on while their youngest brother Kim was a student a Loquat Valley school at Bayview. Lin would later return to Australia after marrying an Architect who came here to further his practice. Utzon descendants through the children of his brother, who passed away with his wife when those children were young, along with Mr. Utzon's own children and grandchildren, live in our area still - they are part of our family, true Pittwaterians.rom Narrabeen
Issue 604: Lindsay DuftyThis Issue, as a prelude to Remembrance Day 2023, Saturday November 11th, Honouring Australian service personnel who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, Lindsay Dufty's war service memoirs, as collected by John Sowden, Secretary of the War Veterans Village [Narrabeen] RSL sub-Branch, are shared.
Remembrance Day 2023 will be observed with Commemorative Services at Palm Beach RSL cenotaph commencing at 10.45 a.m., at Pittwater RSL, commencing at 10.20 a.m. at the lower cenotaph, at Avalon Beach RSL cenotaph, commencing at 10.30 a.m. at the cenotaph, at RSL ANZAC Village, Narrabeen, commencing at 10 a.m., and at Narrabeen RSL Cenotaph on Ocean street and Pittwater road, commencing at 10.45 a.m. for Narrabeen RSL Sub-branch members and family.
On the 19th of February each year, we commemorate the Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. In 2011, Bombing of Darwin Day joined Anzac Day and Remembrance Day as a National Day of Observance. It is 81 years ago that Australia faced this attack on home soil.
Lindsay Allan Dufty was on the ground in Darwin on February 19th 1942. He had enlisted at Willoughby in October 1941 and was called up for duty in the Army in Sydney on January 7th 1942. He and a schoolmate, Stan Burrows, found themselves in the same place at the same time. They were 18 years old and weren't close friends before serving but remained lifelong mates afterwards.
Lindsay celebrated his 100th birthday on May 8th 2023.
After two days of basic training Lindsay and Stan volunteered for a “hush hush” new unit. The radio direction finder, or RDF, unit would train on secret equipment for determining the position and direction of aircraft and be stationed on the islands north of Australia.
“It sounded intriguing,” Lindsay explains, “We attended a few lectures and saw the equipment working at Beacon Hill. They sent us to North Head for inoculations and fitting out with tropical gear. Then, incredibly, on January 14th we were sent on three days final leave.”
Lindsay and Stan took 10 days to travel to Darwin on troop trains and troop trucks, and in cattle trucks with open slat floors and tarpaulins for the rain. They arrived in Darwin on February 1st 1942.
The Bombing of Darwin, also known as the Battle of Darwin, on Thursday the 19th of February 1942 was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia. On that day, 242 Japanese aircraft, in two separate raids, attacked the town, ships in Darwin Harbour and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasion of Timor and Java during World War II.
The two Japanese air raids were the first, and largest, of more than 100 air raids against Australia during 1942–1943. The event occurred just four days after the Fall of Singapore.
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Issue 605: Surf Lifesaving Australia’s Awards of Excellence 2023: SLSA Meritorious Award for Avalon Beach RescueSLSA MERITORIOUS AWARDS were given to four Avalon Beach Surf Lifesavers and two local big wave surfers on Saturday night, November 4 2023, in recognition of their combined rescue of a fellow ABSLSC Surf Lifesaver who was brought back to life by them after drowning.
Avalon Beach SLSC members Michael Stanley-Jones, Andrew Clark, Stuart Cooper, and Lucas Molloy, along with Blaze Roberts and local surfers and friends Stuart Cooper and Karl Attkins carried out the rescue of Surf Club Trainer Mark Head who suffered a freak accident in the surf at South Avalon on Friday September 16 2022.
Includes an interview with the rescuers on their work that afternoon, from their individual perspectives.
Issue 605: Chaplain Robert (Bob) Durbin, President Of War Vets Sub-Branch Narrabeen''The Aims and Objects of the League to be there For and With the Veteran family.'' - Bob Durbin
On 22-24 October, delegates from the Northern Beaches District Council (NBDC) attended the RSL NSW State Congress in Newcastle. Four Local members received some prestigious awards;-
Bob Durbin was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. There were only two people in the whole of NSW who received this award at Congress. The Meritorious Service Medal is the highest honour which can be bestowed upon a Service Member of the RSL. All recipients must have at least 30 years continuous RSL membership, and given at least 25 years outstanding service to the League.
This week, the day after Remembrance Day 2023, Chaplain Durbin, who was a member of the Royal Australian Navy, shares some insights into his current work and long career.
Photo: Bob with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, RSL NSW Annual State Congress 2023 © Salty Dingo
Issue 605: North Narrabeen's Laura Enever Sets New World Record For Largest Wave Surfed Paddle-In (Female)The World Surf League (WSL) announces that Laura Enever (AUS) has set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Largest wave surfed paddle-in (female). The WSL officially analysed, measured, and verified Enever’s 2023 record-breaking ride at 43.6 feet (13.3 meters) as part of the WSL Big Wave Record Chase, making it the biggest wave ever paddled into by a woman.
Enever, who is 31 years old and from North Narrabeen, successfully surfed a wave measuring 43.6 feet (13.3 meters) from trough to crest at Outer Reef, the big-wave break on the North Shore of Oahu, on January 22, 2023.
“I knew it was big when I paddled into it, and then when I took off, I looked down, and I knew it was definitely the biggest wave I've ever caught,” said Enever. “I knew it was the wave of my life, the whole way it all came together and the way I committed, backed myself, told myself to go, and trusted I could do it. The ride was such a breakthrough for me and a moment that will be special and monumental in my surf career. To get awarded this months later is really cool, I can't believe it.
Issue 606: John Grainger - photographerFor those looking for something special or unique as a gift for those who live here or those far from home this Christmas, or for any other occasion, local former Press Photographer John Grainger may have that weather, landscape or wildlife image you’re looking for.
John has been covering news on the peninsula from the 1980s’ but still gets out and about capturing local weather, events and other happenings as Photography is a passion for him, not a former career choice or a long term pastime.
John has been a news photographer for 30 + years, although every so often he will turn to something else. He's dabbled in Panoramic (on Film), had exhibitions and dived into Macro Photography, recently looking into the patterns, texture and structure of Butterflies and Moths, focused Australian species when he can get them. John also chases weather for the unusual cloud formations.
You can see his work at:
Instagram page: @jag2101
J Grainger Photography - Available at: riptideprints.com/collections/j-grainger
Photographs by John Grainger - At: www.facebook.com/profile.
Catalogue of photographic prints by multi-award winning photographer John Grainger
These can be made to order on Canvas.
As a Press Photographer John has experienced some true 'Boys Own Adventure' stuff and been able to go to places and see things most will not - but he took a picture for everyone else to be there too; that was his job.
There's an opposite to all that gloriousness though.
This week a celebration of the long and varied career of a local and national Press photographer for those who remember his work and to inspire those who want to work professionally as a News Photographer.
Issue 606: Newport Surf Clubs' Sports Academy Athletes Going From Strength To Strength: Coolangatta Gold Wins + Athletes In 2023-24 Nutri-Grain Iron Start List + Summer Of Surf Series Ten years ago the Newport SLSC Surf Racing Academy was launched. Since then the academy attracted the strong support of Jill and John Kinghorn to become the Newport Kinghorn Surf Racing Academy and successfully achieved its aim to increase the quality of surf lifesaving at the Newport Surf Club through its surf sports programme. Its purpose can be read in this extract from the Academy Constitution
…established for the public charitable purpose of providing advanced training for those engaged in surf life-saving and to foster excellence in teaching and encouragement of surf safety practise, swimming, water safety and water sports.
The opening day of the 2023 Shaw and Partners Financial Services Coolangatta Gold on October 14 delivered sunshine and testing conditions as competitors took on the 21km short course race as well as teams and youth events.
Newport Ironman Jackson Borg powered home to deliver an emphatic win in the Open Male short course. Newport's Jemma Smith, Lizzie Welborn, Piper Harrison and Dominique Melbourn finished first in the Open Female Teams while their Under 17's of Olivia Clues and Pipi Te Pania placed 1st in their age division as a Team and overall in the short course teams event, coming in just under 4 minutes ahead of the Newport Girls Team.
This was followed by the 2023/24 Nutri-Grain IronMan/IronWoman Series Trial at Tugun SLSC, QLD on 11-12 November.
Here again Newport athletes excelled with Jackson Borg, Charlie Brooks, Lizzie Wellborn and Piper Harrison having qualified and 2023 SLSA Surf Sport Youth Athlete of the Year, Conner Maggs, securing a wild card just a few days ago, on November 15.
Newport's Charlie Verco, Pipi Te Pania and Analise Kibble all showed their talent in the open category and made the list for Sunday November 12 final qualifying round.
Issue 607: Ringtail Posse 10: November 2023 - Stop Wildlife Roadkill Group: You Can Help By Using The Wildlife Incident Mapping WebsiteDefinition from:
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
+ Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.
For the final Ringtail Posse round for 2023 we'd like to share some food for thought on why it would be great of everyone SLOWED DOWN as we head into the silly season of December, when many will clock off for the year and travel on local, regional and national roads to catch up with family and friends over the Christmas to New Years period and throughout January.
With the changes announced for Wakehurst Parkway and a consultation period closing on December 6, along with sustained and even recent calls for mitigation measures to stop wildlife being injured on our local major and smaller urban roads, the relaunch of Stop Wildlife Roadkill and encouraging residents to lodge incidents at wildlifemapping.org is now taking place.
See:
- Transport For NSW Wakehurst Parkway $75+M For 4 Lanes To Oxford Falls Road West Consult 2023 + Council To Spend $31+M On Oxford Falls Culverts Etc.: TfNSW Feedback Closes December 6
- Mother Brushtail Killed On Barrenjoey Road: Baby Cried All Night - Powerful Owl Struck At Same Time At Careel Bay During Owlet Fledgling Season: calls for mitigation measures - The List of 'What You can Do' as requested
Originally launched in our area in 2005 as the Northern Beaches Roadkill Prevention Committee, the data presented in the first 9 rounds of the Ringtail Posse of injured and rescued local wildlife, along with plans to increase housing and roads leading to that housing, through wildlife habitat or widening roads known to be running through wildlife corridors, underlines the necessity to stand up for and speak out for those that cannot speak for themselves - our local wildlife.
Pittwater Online News recently spoke to Conny Harris and Jacqui Marlow, who were part of the group that formed the original Northern Beaches Roadkill Prevention Committee, which is now relaunched by these two women as the Stop Wildlife Roadkill group and has been extended not only across the whole of our peninsula but across Australia.
Dr. Conny Harris is a long-term activist in local community issues concerning bushland and wildlife, urban and non-urban development, improvement of health and waste reduction.
She has a wide knowledge of local flora and fauna, especially eucalypts, and lectures on this to the Australian Plant Society. She was also a member of the National Parks Threatened Species Committee.
In 1999 she received a grant for educating local schoolchildren in native plant identification and bush regeneration.
Conny founded the Garigal Landcare Group in 2001. Her ongoing interests in organic food, bush regeneration and environmental health continue to spark new projects, including saving local wildlife trying to cross roads. See:
Jacqui Marlow has been working on preserving bushland, increasing connectivity and preventing roadkill on the major arterial roads of the Northern Beaches of Sydney since 2001. In 2005 she set up an effective community group that records roadkill on a purpose designed phone app. The resulting long-term records of roadkill on the Northern Beaches of Sydney have been used by the RMS in planning roadkill mitigation for the upgrade of Mona Vale Road East - a project Jacqui, along with the Pittwater Natural Heritage Association members, were at the core of. See:
- Reducing Roadkill On Mona Vale Road by David Palmer, Pittwater Natural Heritage Association - September 2017
- Mona Vale Road Upgrade Update: Fauna Fencing To Be Installed During Construction + June Night Works - June 2019
- Mona Vale Road (East) Upgrade: Fauna Bridge Supports Installed - August 2023
This Issue, a little bit of background and how you can help identify where we can stop wildlife being injured or killed on our roads.
Issue 608: Craig BoadenCraig Boaden has been re-elected President of the Avalon Preservation Association for the 2023 to 2024 term, his second year in this volunteer position.
APA is a not for profit volunteer community group incorporated under the NSW Associations Act, established over 50 years ago. The residents group organisation is committed to protecting your interests – to keeping guard over our natural and built environment throughout the Avalon area.
Membership of the association is open to all those residents and/or ratepayers of Avalon Beach and adjacent areas who support the aims and objectives of the Association.
APA's aims are
- To preserve the natural beauty of the area through promoting proper planning of all future development
- To express positively in appropriate quarters the point of view of the residents with regard to any proposed development, and to protect the residential amenity of the area
- To work with and assist local government in any efforts to improve and beautify the locality and where appropriate to instigate such improvements.
Find out more and become a Member at: avalonpreservationassociation.org.au
It is the second Avalon Beach volunteer Mr. Boaden has been a part of, the Avalon Community Library, which celebrated its 40th year in 2023 being another. Visit: Avalon Community Library Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Craig is a founding member and was technical advisor to the ACL. His Address at the 40th anniversary celebrations lends insight into this community venture.
This week, a small insight into the gentleman who has dedicated over four decades of his life to building and looking after his local community.