Pittwater Online News

The Artist of the month page has shared some great insights and a mini-exhibition online on 12 of Pittwater’s best Creatives in all mediums - Artists, Writers, Musicians, Photographers - you name, Pittwater has got it!

Through thousands of pictures we’ve been privileged to share what makes community spirit and keeps Pittwater a place many want to visit and others want to live in – forever!

The year opened with Adriaan van der Wallem, a wonderful teacher and great surfer who is also a life saver and Age Manager for Nippers with Avalon Beach SLSC. Adriaan shared a few insights on growing up around Careel Bay and the horrifying experience of saving people while on a holiday during a freak wave incident, an action that saw him receive a Meritorious Award at the October SLSA Awards of Excellence 2015.

Adriaan was one of several surf life saving volunteers who kindly allowed us to honour and celebrate their life ethos, unaffected outlook and inspire everyone with great attitude. He led out a band of every age and every interest, interspersed with great community clubs and organisations.

A few milestones were reached this year too by those community organisations run and kept going by people who pay for their training and give their time. The Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade turned 60 in 2015, The Palm Beach Whale Beach Residents Association turned 97! while Computer Pals for Seniors Northern Beaches celebrated 20 years of connecting our communities Elders with all they can do on the internet.

We've lost some wonderful souls too, people of true character who loved Pittwater and gave much for many decades. Among many gone too soon and loved and missed by many are Roper Lars Scott 'Buster' Brown, John Johnson, Philip Bond, Les Ball, John Davis, Betty Baily, Paul Burchall, and the Orator of Pittwater, Harvey Rose.

Although it would take another few pages to run all of these, a few highlights from this year show that Pittwater has some wonderful people doing a lot for many here and in places far from our hills and shores.

Harvey Rose, Co-convener People for Pittwater, in full voice/flight during Save Barrenjoey Rally. Photo by A J Guesdon, 2013.

Scotland Island RFB current volunteer members - 60 years of Volunteer Service this year - picture courtesy SIRFB

West Pittwater RFb current volunteer members - picture courtesy West Pittwater RFB

Bushcare planting at Careel Bay - Etival Street Planting Day 27.6.2015 - picture by A J Guesdon, 2015

John Towner, John Greaves, Don Mitchell, Bob Head and Jim Burgess: Avalon Beach SLSC 90th Celebrations - A J Guesdon picture

Commodore (RAN RTd.) Graham Sloper, President of Avalon Beach RSL Sub-Branch - Dawn Service 2015.

Beryl Driver - OAM Australia Day Honours List 2015, 'For service to the community through charitable initiatives'

Barrenjoey Concert Band at 2015 Avalon Beach ANZAC Day Commemorative March and Service - April 25th, 2015

Adriaan van der Wallen - Nippers Age Manager - at Avalon Beach SLSC.

Max and Janet Petrie - Biggest Morning Tea hosts for 11th year in a row - picture by A J Guesdon, 2015

Georgia Miller (SLS NSW Surf Sports Athlete of the Year) with James Brooks and Trent Herring (SLS NSW Surf Sports Coach of the Year) on the Gold Coast, picture courtesy Newport SLSC

Avalon Beach Bowling & Recreation Club members with Pittwater Councillors Bob Grace, Alex McTaggart and Deputy Mayor Kylie Ferguson and Mayor Jacqueline Townsend at Avalon Beach Bowlo - ensuring this community club remains open this year.

Brian Friend OAM - one of many on the Team who have ensured junior Rugby League thrives in Pittwater - and has done everything from line-marking to coaching to refereeing, and playing! this year

Commodore Peter Haig and Pittwater Sailor Alyse Saxby, a Gold Medallist again this year: RMYC BB Supports Alyse in her sailing endeavours and runs a Golf Day every time she is selected to represent Australia - picture courtesy RMYC BB, 2015.

Avalon Beach SLSC's Christine Hopton - Life Member - photo by Warren Young OAM

Hon. Robert Stokes - MP for Pittwater: has been everywhere within NSW all this year as well as attended numerous Services and Events within Pittwater - possibly looking forward to a few days off! - at 70th Anniversary VP Day Commemorative Service 2015

School Support Award handed to Pittwater High Principal Jane Ferris this week for their support of New Car Caviar. (who won the Northern Compsure Band Comp.Judge's Choice and Audience Choice Awards in 2015) - image by KALOF – Keep A Look Out For

Newport Surf Club Members who began the Palm 2 Palms idea with Peter McNamara, Mayor Jacqueline Townsend and Adam Strong of Strongbuild - sponsor of the event and a cyclist - to raise funds for Newport surf club.

Pittwater RSL Directors William Brockhurst (front), Cec Robinson, Brian Sargeson (back) are aboard the David B. Harrison learning all about this Marine Rescue Broken Bay vessel from Jimmy Arteaga. Pittwater RSL provided funds to support the Volunteers at BBMR

Living Ocean and Sea Shepherd volunteers with Reese Halter this year - saving our oceans and all in them from plastics, poachers, polluters and pilferers - Picture courtesy Jools Farrell

Avalon Beach RSL Won the People's Choice for 2015 - Club General Manager Angus Rimmer ACCM (front) with Mark Houlder, President of Avalon Beach RSL Club Directors (far right) with support crew on Friday night. Picture courtesy Avalon Beach RSL Club.

All volunteers who were awarded Commendations on St Florians Day 2015 with Ingleside RFS's Crew Leader Josh Denney and Deputy Captain Gary Sambridge - Commissioners Commendation for Bravery, at the front. Ingelside were awarded nine ‪NSW RFS‬ ‎Commissioners ‬Commendations for ‪Bravery‬, ‎Service‬, Unit Citation and Certificates for their response to the tragic petrol tanker fire and collision at Mona Vale. Tumbledown Dick RFS, along with the crews of Warringah Pittwater Headquarters 1, Belrose 1A, Belrose 1B, were also recognised for their response to this incident Photo by Ingleside RFS.

Ingleside RFS Members in Blue Mountains Augsut 2015 - photo courtesy Ingleside RFS

Mayor of Pittwater, Cr. Jacqueline Townsend, Gerard Velayuthen, Director, Keep NSW Beautiful, Simonne Johnston, A/ Manager Commercial Property and Projects at Pittwater Council - Council has won numerous awards this year picture courtesy Keep NSW Beautiful

President of Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches, Doug Menzies - SLS SNB was awarded Branch of the Year! Picture SLS NSW

Church Point Ferry Service - Penny Gleen and Michael - the Ferry Captain.

Avalon Bulldog's A2 Grade - at the Clubhouse August 29th, 2015, after winning their Grand Final - AJG Pic.

South Narrabeen's Andy Cross, who completed his 129 Beaches Challenge in 2015. Seen here in May 2015 at Avalon Beach SLSC talking to Nippers about Surf Safety - A J Guesdon Picture.

Avalon Beach Sub-Branch Member Tamara Sloper Harding with Danni Sloper - Tamara is the chair of Pittwater Friends of Soibada, has made two trips to the village this year, knitted, sewn and baked, as well as give numerous talks to empower Pittwater's Sister Village.

Pittwater and Warringah Residents are determined NOT to be forced to Amalgamate - Thursday October 1st, 2015 - more to come on this - for sure!

The Great News Story of the Year - These two!: Dan and Liesl WIN! - Picture by Terri Dodds Photography, 2015

Page by A J Guesdon, Pictures by Many, 2015.