January 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 650

 

Summer in Pittwater: January 2026's Aquatic Events - PBSLSC Masters Twilight and BBB's Carnival, Newport SLSC's Pool to Peak Swims, WPYC's Putt Putt - Gentleman's Launch Regatta

Pittwater has been host to aquatic events and quieter get-togethers over recent days. To open 2026 a few insights of these for those experiencing media fatigue; the psychological exhaustion that occurs due to information overload from any form of information media, usually vulture-style from media outlets, as well as social media.

Switch off, drop out, and dive into 5 minutes of seizing the day - Dum vivimus, vivamus (While we live, let us live!) - and let's all reclaim the Village Green and Beach quietly, slowly.

Palm Beach SLSC has hosted its annual Adrian Curlewis Twilight Masters Carnival with North Bondi again excelling and doing their 'Bondi takes Barrenjoey' thing.

PBSLSC's within club Brats-Brutes-Bruisers bonding carnival across the generations, deemed to be 'democracy on the sand' by Ian Curlewis, son of Adrian, was building connection while sharing knowledge and laughs.

Newport opened the Pittwater Swim series on a splendid day with their Pool to Peak swims. 

Bilgola's 'Billy' Swim has been postponed until Sunday March 1st due to a forecast adverse change in weather and ocean conditions and The Big Swim has been cancelled for 2026 due to current safety concerns, including recent shark activity in the Sydney area and stormwater pollution affecting water quality.

Residents have returned to the water though - in the oceanfront rockpools and netted enclosures on the estuary.

While Woody Point Yacht Club has run their annual Putt Putt and Gentlemen's Launch Regatta - again with great boat 'dressage' and classic wooden artforms putt-putting around the estuary - MORE HERE

Winners of the 2026 WPYC Trophy - The Quay Marina's Q Service Tow Putter workboat. Skipper Matt Moore, Crew: Matt Hollingsworth an Lachlan O'Callaghan. Photo: Steve Hosking

 

Toddler attacked by Offleash dog on way to Avalon Beach Children’s Pool – Owner verbally abuses mother, runs away: Residents state dogs are offleash in all Public Spaces - NBC LGA has record Number of Reported Dog Attacks

Avalon Beach rockpool

Residents have become increasingly frustrated with the council’s inability to control dog owners taking their dogs offleash into all public spaces across Pittwater and in every other place south to Manly, pointing out it is a requirement under NSW Law for dogs to be onleash in public spaces.

Locals state this has become a huge problem and there is nowhere anyone can go at present without finding dogs offleash in public spaces and that the council needs to increase their rangers tenfold and hand out fines to send a clear message that breaking the law has consequences as simply issuing warnings are clearly no deterrent.

On January 14 2026 at 9.20 a.m. a Pittwater Online staff member was at south Avalon Beach and witnessed a dog offleash, 10 metres behind its owner who was not even watching it, nip at a toddler walking beside his pram and 5 year-old sister, down to Avalon Beach children’s pool. The owner came back long enough to verbally abuse the mother and then continued, with the dog still at least 10-20 metres behind him as he headed towards the busy main Barrenjoey road, and still offleash.

It was one of 4 dogs seen offleash at the same area within half-an-hour, and among numerous dogs, on leads, being taken down to the children’s pool area, one of the few safe pools parents can take little children to cool off.

Other dogs were seen, offleash, on the beach as well.

Other witnesses reported the incident to the council and the news service forwarded photos of the dog and owner to the council, as requested. 

This mum and her two youngsters were among a stream of mums and youngsters heading down to the Avalon rockpool that morning. All were assuming the children’s pool would be a safe place to take littlies to cool off and play.

Dogs offleash are now seen on every beach along the peninsula, chasing birds and wildlife, excreting and urinating, including at the approved by the council ‘trial’ offleash area at the south end of Mona Vale beach. Footage of people taking their dogs offleash into the north end of Mona Vale beach from there, and from the north end itself, has been forwarded to the news service numerous times since the ‘trial’ commenced, including two dogs rushing, offleash, at toddlers at Mona Vale basin, another previously ‘safe’ for littlies area.

On January 16 2026 at 6.15am a swamp wallaby, clearly terrified and highly distressed, was filmed racing from Collaroy to Narrabeen on the beach, as though trying to get away from something chasing it. At one stage those filming it drove it into the surf, where an incoming wave toppled the poor creature before it recovered and raced further north.

MORE HERE

Front Page Issue 650

Week Two January 2026: Issue 650 (January 25/26 - 31 2026)

Vale - Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, of Palm Beach, Pittwater

Vale – Robert George Hirst AM (Rob) of Manly, Balmoral Beach, and Byron Bay

Community Concern As Another Tree Up for Destruction by the Council - Doubling of prior Bassett Street Mona Vale DA proposal under NSW government SSD's provides stark illustration of impact on local environment of laws written 'for developers' (Feedback closes Feb 2, 2026) - Community Objections Being silenced or Ignored - Dec, 2025 Address to Council by Secretary of Protect Pittwater

Toddler attacked by Offleash dog on way to Avalon Beach Children’s Pool – Owner verbally abuses mother, runs away: Residents state dogs are offleash in all Public Spaces - NBC LGA has Record Number of Reported Dog Attacks

School zones back in force for 2026 from January 27 - AFP Issues Parental checklist to keep kids SAFE at school... starting with first day photos

Northern Beaches Hospital to Transition to  Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) on April 29 2026 - Dee Why Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Now open - Bed Block Surges in NSW Hospitals - ED performance improves but more to do: BHI reports 

Farewell to the old Forest High School: New Forest High School Set to be ready for February 2 2026

Pictures  Summer in Pittwater: January 2026's Aquatic Events - PBSLSC Masters Twilight and BBB's Carnival, Newport SLSC's Pool to Peak Swims, WPYC's Putt Putt - Gentleman's Launch Regatta

______________________________

Week One January 2026: Issue 650 (January 1 - 24 2026)

Palm Beach SLSC's Adrian Curlewis Twilight Masters Carnival - January 2 2026 Album: report on return, January 25/26 2026

Palm Beach SLSC's BBB's Carnival - January 3 2026 Albumreport on return, January 25/26 2026

Newport SLSC's 2026 Pool to Peak Ocean Swims - January 4 2026 Albumreport on return, January 25/26 2026

Summer in Pittwater - Birds, Beaches, Pittwater Estuary Album January 5-6, 2026

DIY Ideas: How To Keep Your Home Cool During Heatwaves - With much of NSW forecast to experience severe to extreme heatwave conditions over the coming days, a few tips residents can take to beat the heat.

TfNSW launches safety review of Wakehurst Parkway intersection after Scruby intervention + calls for biggest upgrade to our roads in decades to include Mona Vale Road West Potholes

Profile of the Week 2026 Australia Day Honours List:  Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg is 2026 Australian of the Year, 
2026 Senior Australian of the Year – Professor Henry Brodaty AO (NSW)
2026 Young Australian of the Year – Nedd Brockmann (NSW)
2026 Australia’s Local Hero – Frank Mitchell (WA) 

The Australia Day 2026 Honours List recognises and celebrates 949 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. This represents an increase of over 200 more awards than on Australia Day last year. 

Locals on the Honours List include: The Honourable Kristina Keneally AO, The Honourable Geoffrey Bellew SC AM, Geoffrey Davidson AM, Dr Sarah Hill AM, Rob Hirst AM, Jack McCoy AM, Nicolas Mersiades AM, Peter Collings OAM , Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Kehoe APM and Tracey Hare-Boyd ESM
History A Tent Or Hut At The Basin During Holiday Times

With Summer in full swing, many will be heading over to the western side of Pittwater to enjoy a few nights under canvas and the stars at The Basin or in one of the huts available, something that has been going on for quit some time.

Rock carvings at The Basin of fish tell it was a place visited by the Indigenous peoples for thousands of years prior to Europeans coming her, especially during the fish run seasons, usually Autumn or Winter for Pittwater according to literature recording Aboriginal Women's Fishing Practices since 1788.

Camping at the inlet called ‘The Basin’ was how the first European settlers lived in this beautiful little paradise, along with a rough hut or two. 

Park Bench Philosophers Australia's first Tour of England Cricket Team was Indigenous: the Summer they Played at Manly - 1867
Inbox News Northern Beaches Hospital to Transition to  Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) on April 29 2026 - Bed Block High in NSW Hospitals - ED performance improves but more to do, Sydney Lunar Festival 2026: Year of the Fire Horse, Taking paracetamol in pregnancy doesn’t increase your baby’s risk of autism or ADHD – new review, Period pain and heavy bleeding cost the Australian economy billions every year in lost productivity: study, ACCC refers Ampol's acquisition of EG Australia to Phase 2, Lead, arsenic and other toxic metals abound in tattoo inks sold in Australia – new study, Humanity’s oldest known cave art has been discovered in Sulawesi, How realistic is Mattel’s new autistic Barbie?, An autistic Barbie is not the measure of progress for autistic Australians, New NSW Crime Commissioner appointed, $120 million for research to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, $4.7 million for UNSW researchers to investigate long COVID, NDIA Board Chair reappointment for 3-year term, A stronger focus on prevention could help governments rein in health care and social spending, Trump sows ‘chaotic cruelty’ while Canadian PM Carney reminds the world it doesn’t have to play along, Grattan on Friday: Coalition split is massive blow for Ley but the fault lies with Littleproud + Nationals break Coalition, declaring it ‘untenable’ and blaming Ley + View from The Hill: Coalition crisis explodes after Sussan Ley wields the whip against defiant Nationals

Food Summer Salad Ideas - Summer lightness prompts us to opt for some less heavy fare. This Issue, a few tried and tested recipes and combinations for a whole meal salad that could also accompany something else as a side dish for those who have to have meat. 

Pictures Summer in Pittwater: January 2026's Aquatic Events - PBSLSC Masters Twilight and BBB's Carnival, Newport SLSC's Pool to Peak Swims, WPYC's Putt Putt - Gentleman's Launch Regatta

DIY Ideas How To Keep Your Home Cool During Heatwaves - With much of NSW forecast to experience severe to extreme heatwave conditions over the coming days, a few tips residents can take to beat the heat.


Community News Aboriginal Sunday: Postponed, Australia Day Breakfast at Newport, Narrabeen Lakes Amateur Swimming Club: Saturday Afternoons, Fix our Feeds, Opening soon: funding round for the NSW Government's Holiday Break Autumn/Winter 2026 program, Scam Alert: Counterfeit currency, North Narrabeen SLSC shark bite kit, Zonta's IWD Breakfast 2026, Oppose the Planning Reforms: Petition, McCarrs Creek road landslip, Term dates for NSW public schools: 2026, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Snowy + Koda and Kenai, NSW Netball Privacy Policy: Ask Permission, Avalon Roadworks, Petition: Stop Politicians from spamming & harvesting our data, 2026 Manly Junior Rugby League & NSWRL Season Dates, Pittwater  Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter

Environment Community Concern As Another Tree Up for Destruction by the Council - Doubling of prior Bassett Street Mona Vale DA proposal under NSW government SSD's provides stark illustration of impact on local environment of laws written 'for developers' - Community Objections Being silenced or Ignored, VOYAGE AROUND BANGALLEY By Pittwater Pathways/John  Illingsworth, Mona Vale Dunes bushcare group: 2026 Dates, Bangalley Headland WPA Bushcare 2026, Oil-Gas Exploration in Southern Seas reopened by Albanese Government: Have your say by Feb 6, The $3 billion plan to prevent debris balls on Sydney beaches, community invited to have a say on recreational opportunities In Great Koala National Park, Waterbirds return this year but amid long-term decline: UNSW aerial survey, Surfrider Australia: Atlantic Salmon Being Marketed as Tasmanian Salmon, Birdwood Park Bushcare Group Narrabeen, 4 shark bites in 48 hours: how what we do on land may shape shark behaviour, Bull sharks are spending longer in Sydney Harbour and other summer grounds. Here’s how you can stay safe, We discovered microbes in bark ‘eat’ climate gases; This will change the way we think about trees, Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity, Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services) Needs People for the Rescue Line, 2025-26 Seal Reveal underway, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Local Beaches: Adopt your local beach program, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Protect wildlife: dispose of fishing gear responsibly, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, Volunteers for Barrenjoey Lighthouse Tours needed, Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Recycling Batteries: at Mona Vale + Avalon Beach, Reporting Dogs Offleash - Dog Attacks to Council, Plastic Bread Ties For Wheelchairs, Stay Safe From Mosquitoes, Mountain Bike Incidents On Public Land, Report fox sightings, marine wildlife rescue group on the Central Coast, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Modern rock wallabies seem to survive by sticking together in small areas. Fossils show they need to travel, Crime against wildlife is surging in Australia. These 4 reforms can help tackle it, In the most cleared state in Australia; Victoria’s native wildlife needs our help after fires, Native pollinators need more support than honeybees in Australia – here’s why, Feral cats and foxes really have driven many Australian mammals to extinction, With every extinction we lose not just a species but a treasure trove of knowledge, New study sheds light on the threat of ‘marine darkwaves’ to ocean life, Deep sea mining is the next geopolitical frontline – and the Pacific is in the crosshairs, Takeaway coffee cups release thousands of microplastic particles, Climate engineering would alter the oceans, reshaping marine life – new study examines each method’s risks, Thermal drones can track dolphin health without having to touch or disturb them, Meet the springtails: little-known fantastic beasts that live everywhere on Earth, Social lives of whales and dolphins shape the spread of infectious diseases, More floods are coming. Here’s what actually works to help people prepare, The world is in water bankruptcy, UN scientists report – here’s what that means, Citizen scientists are spotting more and more rare frogs on private land, Hidden clues in colonial journals reveal why Tasmania’s remote west keeps burning, What is the global water cycle and how is it amplifying climate disasters?, Beneath Antarctica’s largest ice shelf; a hidden ocean is revealing its secrets, The way Earth’s surface moves has a bigger impact on shifting the climate than we knew, Why do onions and chips keep washing up on England’s south coast? Here’s the science, Pittwater Reserves, Environment History insights + Walks, Birds +

Aquatics New Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 released to drive down drowning: Calls for boost to children’s swimming skills, local water safety plans and stronger coordination

Children Sunday cartoons and animations returns this year. This Issue: "Scrambled" by Polder Animation,  Winnie the Pooh based on real Life Bear and Swan: The Toys of Christopher Robin Milne,  Films - Paper Run: Newport to Palm Beach in 1956, The Water Dwellers: Pittwater estuary in 967, Pittwater Peninsula Netball Club now open for 2026 rego, Curious Kids: Are there thunderstorms on Mars? + Why does orange juice taste bad after you brush your teeth? + What is below Earth, since space is present in every direction? + Who invented art? + Are people at the South Pole upside down?, Stories this week: Mud! + 'The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!' read by Anna Sawai

Youth farewell to the old Forest High School: New Forest High School Set to be ready for February 2 2026, Term dates for NSW public schools: 2026, Surfing Australia Announces 2026 National Titles, Nautical Words And Phrases Transposed Into Other Uses: Can You Fathom That?!, Lena Surfing Nazaré, Opportunities: Fix our Feeds + Play Women's Social or Competitive Cricket with Cromer! + Pittwater Peninsula Netball Club 2026 rego + Avalon Bulldogs Announcement: Female Tackle Teams Kicking Off in 2026! + Female Tackle Coming to the Sharks in 2026!, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Prow, Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg is 2026 Australian of the Year, Beauty in ordinary things: why this Japanese folk craft movement still matters 100 years on, Jewelled eels, beards of gold and unfathomable cruelty: 5 of ancient Rome’s most eccentric leaders, What were books like in ancient Greece and Rome?, OpenAI will put ads in ChatGPT. This opens a new door for dangerous influence, Valentino shaped the runway – and the red carpet – for 60 years, Inside scoop: the 2,500-year history of ice-cream, Shakespeare reinvented: how Chloé Zhao blends East and West philosophies in Hamnet, Lead, arsenic and other toxic metals abound in tattoo inks sold in Australia – new study, 5 things to make with mangoes that aren’t smoothies, Horses really can smell fear, new study claims, and it changes their behaviour, services for you

Seniors New year: same old scams, Your experiences matter – please share them with us, COTA Australia welcomes new members of the Aged Care Council of Elders, Cash Mandate a 'baby step', UNSW secures $8.8 million to take on cancer and prevent falls, Valentino shaped the runway – and the red carpet – for 60 years, Albanese takes safe course, appointing defence chief Greg Moriarty to replace Kevin Rudd, Older people are more vulnerable in heatwaves. Here’s why – and how to stay safe, How to protect yourself from bushfire smoke, 

Events Australia Day events: Barrenjoey to Manly, Pittwater Regatta 2026, Zonta's 2026 International Women's Day Breakfast, Music, Markets, Social Groups + Heaps more on!

 

Summer in pittwater

Church Point Ferry Service's 'Elvina' won the Tim Shaw trophy for Best Presented Boat and came 3rd in the Putt Putt Regatta! Well done Captain Chris Canty and this bunch of adventurers! Photos by Michael Mannington OAM

Pittwater Online News is Published Every Sunday Morning


Past Features  

Archives (pre 2014)

Pittwater Online News was selected for preservation by the State Library of New South Wales and National Library of Australia. This title is scheduled to be re-archived regularly.

Archived Issues (2014 on) may be accessed herepandora.nla.gov.au/tep/143700

Past Issues are also listed on site on the Community News page, by month.

Search Pittwater Online Articles 

Subscribe to receive Pittwater Online News Issue Notice