Other themes were a great means to record annual migrations in air, water and bush, or to simply celebrate the beauty of this place - that seasonal photo at the base of each Front Page each week is no idea stumbled upon; it is and remains a conscious decision to share others' great captures and sits at the base as a reminder that, whichever season it records occurring and its annual returning shifts of flowers and weathers, we are all from, connected to, and based in a natural environment - it is set out to be both a calming, grounding invocation of reconnection as soon as you land here, as well as a reminder that we stand where others stood, in the same breezes, and the same seasons, and are all witnesses to what is clearly manifested in a physical way as being a living or divine design before and all around us.
Last year, and again this year too, every time Joe Mills and Kevin and Glenys Murray take a walk and share that happy trail all those unable to access these areas for various reasons have been able to go anyway, see all those plants, those close ups, those big views. This wonderful pair have sent in another of a walk from Manly to The Spit this week, which we're saving for Issue 501.
Kevin Murray and Joe Mills
Some weeks have had to record the community's anger over the deliberate illegal destruction of these beautiful places, and consequently, the wildlife that lives in them. The loss of flora for money makes apparent the dupe of 'offsets' - offsets cannot replace or replicate unique to an area ecological communities. There is no 'offset' for extinction other than to not destroy.
Other images are a way to celebrate the volunteers that are the backbone of this place, the great achievements of Council, the local organisations and individuals that have organised great events solely to benefit others - the day big boofy blokes were gallivanting in pink around Hitchcock Park to raise funds for the Sunnyside Association remains a treasured memory in the community's psyche, the day Mayoress Jacqui Townsend announced Marita Macrae was to receive a Ruth Readford Lifetime Achievement Award was a very good day too.
The job allows news service workers to meet so many wonderful people - the honour and the privilege to communicate some of their self to make a record and thus put on record brilliant things, to inspire, to inform, to rally - to let others hear their cheeky laugh, the 'cool' phrases that were part of the lingo of their surfing or mod generation, but more than that; the Veterans who were on the Burma railway, or in New Guinea, Korea and Vietnam, or even womanning the home ports quickly turn those glossy movie 'adaptations' to dross when they plain speak.
The youngsters who have stepped up to speak their mind or shown us how to ride those waves, bikes, scooters, skateboards, horses, the teenagers who bravely share their stories through their photos - all wonderful - and all a continual reminder of how richly diverse this community is.
There have been historical markers among these images; the day we all saw Currawong saved and later, proclaimed a state park. This was followed by Narrabeen State Park, the Barrenjoey Rally, seeing Joan Reid and Lynleigh Greig work their hearts out to get the Sydney Wildlife Mobile Clinic from idea to reality, those wonderful Avalon Tattoos Graham Sloper toiled to give us, all those great regattas on our estuary every yacht club on Pittwater provides, witnessing Tamara Sloper-Harding connect youngsters in Pittwater with youngsters in Soibada, witnessing thousands of surf life savers in carnival after carnival, witnessing Christine Hopton finally getting to officially open a brilliantly conceived and accomplished new Avalon Beach SLSC - her expression that day remains one of our own favourite photos - as is one taken of the first two female Captains of Palm Beach SLSC in Alex and Kate during an annual BBB's carnival:
Alex Tyrell, Captain of Palm Beach SLSC ( 2015/2016) Kate MacDonald, Captain of Palm Beach SLSC ( 2009/2010), also first female President (2013/2014)
Here are some of those who have regularly contributed to what you see here - thank you all, even though no 'thank you' really covers it:
Volker Aebischer, Irene and John Anderson, Jacqueline Andronicus, Adrian Boddy, Nan Bosler, Ray Chappelow, Geoff Clarke, Pam Bayfield, Kelvin Carlsson, Dick Clarke, Elyse Cole, Phil Colman, Shelagh and George Champion, Doreen Cherry, Warwick Dalzell, Damian Devine, Neil Evers, Jools Farrell, Kylie Ferguson, Guy Finlay, Brian Friend, Cameron Greaves, Kayleigh Grieg, Lynleigh Greig, Selena Griffith, Cindy Goode Millman, Trevor Gourlay, William Andrew Guesdon Snr. (dad), Christine Hill, Tim Hixson, Christine Hopton, Ann Howard, John Illingsworth, Ingleside NSW RFS, David James, Andrew Johnston, Miranda Korzy, Russell Lamb, Marita Macrae, Bernadette Johnson McAlinden, Viktorija McDonnell, Robyn McWilliam, Michael Mannington, Sally Mayman, Steve Meacham, Joe Mills, Dr Peter Mitchell, Kath Moody, Sean Mulcahy, Kevin Murray, Robbie Luscombe Newman, Newport Breakers Rugby Club, Jamie Nilsson, Dr Stephen Nolan, Mike O' Flynn, Bea Pierce, Philippa Poole, Lisa Ratcliff, George Repin, Lucinda Rose, Roger Sayers, Geoff Searl, Joanne Seve, Bill Sheridan, Tamara Sloper-Harding, Maureen Darcy-Smith, Tracy Smith, Malcolm Trees, Ron Turton, John Vaughan, Adriaan van der Wallen, Huang Zhi-Wei (aka Reg Wong), Peta Wise, The Curlewis Family, Surf Life Saving New South Wales, Paul Wheeler, Dave Whiteman, Peggy Williams, Peta Wise, Margaret G Woods, Warren Young, Warringah Rugby Club, Yours Truly (AJG).
There is no way the bulk of these could be put in this page for a 500th Issue of Pittwater in pictures - some run below in no particular order apart from their year of being produced. All were taken as a means to honour and celebrate Pittwater; her peoples and her beauty.
Currawong Day - May 29th, 2011 - photo by A J Guesdon
Above: Ian Curlewis, December, 2011.
‘Facts and figures of annual reports do not make history, nor do they make the Surf Life Saving Association. It was the joy of living, the joy of the sea, and a joy in challenging nature with a life to save a life, with a certain knowledge that win or lose there would be no reward. That made the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia. Here lies the treasure.’ - Sir Adrian Curlewis
Above: BL (Barton Lynch) and daughter Tamarin. - BL's Blast Off 2011
Above: Dancers Avalon Tattoo 2011 Avalon Tattoo 2011 Pictorial -Right: Superintendent Doreen Cruickshank, Commander of the NSW Police Northern Beaches Local Area and Commander Christine Clarke, CO of HMAS Kuttabul.
Rocky Point Asparagus Fern Out Field Day - Saturday 12th November, 2011, From Marita Macrae
Photo from: Peter Ziegler, Bushcare Officer, Pittwater Council Working on Asparagus Fern at Rocky Point, from Marita Macrae
Asparagus Fern, Pittwater's worst weed, got another thrashing at Rocky Point Asparagus Fern Out Day recently when 55+ people attacked it at Rocky Point, near Elvina Bay. A joint effort of Pittwater Natural Heritage Association, NPWS, Pittwater Council, Church Point Ferries, Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority and DATS Environmental Services plus volunteers from bushcare groups and friends made this a great day. We didn't quite give it the coup de grace here as we'd hoped, but we'll plan that for next year.
How do you remove Asparagus Fern? For a demonstration go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYjIHxuXAHs Rocky Point is on Pittwater's western shore, near Elvina Bay.
White Light - White Beams - May 2011. A J Guesdon photo.
Botham Beach after Burn, June 2011. Photo by Marita Macrae. Pittwater Environmental Foundation Profile of the Week Issue 15
Michael Mannington, 'photographer at large' at Woody Point Yacht Club's annual Putt Putt Regatta, January 2012, with Cheeky 'pooch at large'.
The Curlew crossing the finish line at Woody Point Yacht Club's annual Putt Putt Regatta, January 2012
The oldest and youngest students cut the cake; Jim Dunn (91 years young) and Elissa Rich ( 5 years old). Mona Vale Public School Centenary, September 2021
The Robinson Family, 2012 with Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO - Palm Beach Bible Garden Regeneration – Official Launch, Saturday 29th of September, 2012
East at Easter 2012
Narrabeen Lagoon - view to ocean from Nareen Parade Lookout
Mayor Harvey Rose addresses opening night for ArtFest 2012 audience. Photo by Michael Mannington.
Winner of the 7th Lion Island Challenge, and for the sixth year in a row, Tim Jacobs of the Manly Warringah Kayak Club
Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos, also called a 'Shag. World Oceans Day 2012. Picture by A J Guesdon, 2012.
Deputy Mayor of Pittwater Cr. Bob Grace and Mayor of Pittwater, Cr. Jacqueline Townsend - Rotary Club of Pittwater's Carols in the Park 2012
Palm Beach, Pittwater 12pm 28.12.2012. Picture by A J Guesdon.
On the Pittwater estuary side, Palm Beach, 28.12.2012. Picture by A J Guesdon.
Maria Regina school excursion - photo by Peta Wise
Above: Clareville Beach in late afternoon light. Photography by Geoff Clarke.
Avalon Primary School Band at Avalon Market Day, 2012.
Commodore Peter Haig of the RMYC, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas AO, CSC, RAN (Rtd.) and guest Ron Hattersley. RMYC Broken Bay launch of Boating Season 2012
Clean up Careel Bay Some of the Pittwater residents who cleaned up Careel Bay Creek and Bay and its surrounds on Saturday morning in front of the ute filled with rubbish.
Asparagus fern out day. Pam Bateman, Noxious Weed Officer with Pittwater Council, Helena Dewis, Bushcare Officer Pittwater Coucnil, Marita Macrae - Pittwater Natural Heritage Association
Commodore Graham Sloper AM RAN (Rtd.) and wife Dannie - awarded Life Membership of the Australian Returned Services League
John Black, great grandson of Albert Black, atop Barrenjoey Lighthouse (17.8.2013). International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend 2013: At Barrenjoey
2013 Pittwater Australia Day Awards: Left To right: Citizen of the Year Eric Martel, Sportsperson of the Year Jake Lynch, Beryl Driver, Senior Citizen of the Year 2013, Young Citizen of the Year Amelia Warde, Community Event of the Year, Rotary Carols in the Park, Roger Digby (Coordinator). Front: Sports person of the Year Daniel Fitzgibbon. Picture by Michael Mannington.
Paul Debyer and John Sinclair, Secretary Manager Club Palm Beach (Palm Beach RSL)
Lachie White and Sophie Renouf. Palm Beach Sailing Club's Beware the Bullets Regatta 2013
Narrabeen team - AR3 Division winners – These ladies have won the Grand final 3 years in a row - each year they have moved up to a higher division from B1, AR4 now AR3. Led by team captain Bianca with Natalie, Ellesha, Jemma, Emma, Melissa, Jane, Nikki and Lena. - Picture courtesy Gail McDonough, Club Secretary
North Narrabeen lady Laurie Sword with the Commodore of the RMYC Peter Haig who won this year's Commodores Award for her painting 'Don't Panic and Always Remember Your Towel' which the Commodore loved so much he purchased it on Friday evening. RMYC Marine Art Exhibition 2013
Hon. Robyn Parker and Hon. Rob Stokes at Barrenjoey Lighthouse - commercialisation of Barrenjoey canned.
Native seed pods open at Barrenjoey Headland after recent bushfire.
Greg Allum OAM, Chairman of Carnival Committee 2014 Australian Interstate Championships, President of SLSA Graham Ford, and Rick Wright OAM. Newport SLSC and Pittwater Council hosts Interstate Championships 2014 at Newport Beach
Bilgola SLSC Gold Surf Boat Crew Wins 2014 Trans-Tasman Test Series. L to R Jarrad King, Brendan Murray, Don McManus, Mitch Foran, Anthony O'Toole.
Palm Beach SLSC Surf Boat Sweeps 2014 - Left to right: Mark Highfield, John ‘Rastus’ Rasmus, Stephen Cox, Peter Spence, Matt Giblin, John Van der Wallen.
Avalon Sailing Club Hosts Round Two of NSW Manly Junior Championships
Team Spirit at Narrabeen - QANTAS Women's Sevens Rugby Team
RMYC Multihull Division’s Lock Crowther Multihull Regatta 2014 Honours Australian Pioneer of Multihull Yacht Design
Palm Beach Sailing Club members involved in Bart's Bash 2014 - picture courtesy Linda Renouf.
Mermaids of Palm Beach - Viktorija MacDonnell, Beryl Driver and Elyse Cole.
Jack Cannons, Belinda, Donna, Scott Romain (Manly Surf School). Bush to Beach Program.
The BIG TOW - April 2014 - Photos By Jacqueline Andronicus
The light-blue soldier crab, Mictyris longicarpus, at Careel Bay - a species of crab found on sandy beaches from the Bay of Bengal to Australia; with other members of the genus Mictyris, it is "one of the most loved crabs in Australia". The Soldier Crab lives in sandy estuaries and mangroves, and occurs in massive groups that seem to emerge from nowhere all at the same time. The Soldier Crab is quite distinctive with its small, round, blue body on long jointed legs with purple stripes. As it marches around feeding, it moulds the sand into numerous pellets, sorting through it for organic matter. There is only one other species of soldier crab common in Sydney. This is the smaller Mictyris platycheles. - See more at: http://australianmuseum.net.au/Soldier-Crab#sthash.dZwZAKKa.dpuf
The Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) at Careel Bay - also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. The Royal Spoonbill lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects by sweeping its bill from side to side. The renowned ornithologist John Gould first described the Royal Spoonbill in 1838, naming it Platalea regia. See more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Spoonbill
Royal Spoonbill in Careel Creek - one of two were visiting this watercourse a day during 2014.
Pittwater YHA Bushcare Event: 12 and 13 April 2014 - Photographs By Marita Macrae and Michael Doherty; Funding for this vital work is by the Australian Government 'Caring for our Community' program with the support of the Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Hawkesbury-Neapean Catchment Authority in partnership with Pittwater Natural Heritage, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Pittwater Council. The next Pittwater YHA Bushcare weekend is September 12-14, 2014.
Pittwater YHA hostel is nestled on the hillside of Morning Bay in Ku-ring-gai National Park. This hostel is an easy escape from the busy city life of Sydney and ideal for groups. Attractions include bushwalks to lookouts and Aboriginal engravings, plus from the hostel you can see native birds, wallabies, possums and goannas.
This backpacker hostel is perfect for those wishing to get out of Sydney without actually leaving Sydney. Escape for a week or just a weekend. More details on their website HERE
Epic Swell Avalon Beach - March 16, 2014 photo by Patrick Hudson
Avalon Beach SLSC Upgrade:
Palm Beach Wharf Upgrade:
Richard Leplastrier - ArtSPOT, January 2015
The ladies behind Artspot 2015 (l to r): Jacqui Giuliano, Michele Petrie, Meredtih Rasdall, Cindy Goode Milman, Nada Herman, Jessica Watts.
Gordon Lang - PBSLSC Masters Captain, PB SLSC Twilight Masters Carnival
Life Member 'Nugget' and Jill Meares - PBSLSC.
Avalon Tattoo 2015 - Avalon Public School students - WWI Tribute - some did not come home
Youth Week 2015 - Pittwater Council Brings The Big Air School Back To Avalon Skate Park For School Holidays Fun Fest- Skills a'plenty on show at Avalon Skate Park this week.
Toby and Jones.
Avalon Bulldogs Host Mona Vale Raiders
Big Swim 2015 swimmer, Megan Healey, who is raising funds for Kiss Goodbye to MS, had 37 Umina SLSC members with ages ranging from 12 to 67 swimming alongside her. The Big Swim forms part of what Megan calls her "Bucket List" and she, and her great team, did the swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach in fine style.
The Hon. Bronwyn Bishop starts the swimmers at Palm Beach
2015 3 WAY fish comp Hosts Narrabeen RSL - at weigh-in time - Sunday September 13th, 2015
Bilgola SLSC's Under 6 Nippers getting ready for a row ! - picture courtesy Carol McManus
Pittwater Council Wins Sustainability Award. L- r: Mayor of Pittwater, Cr. Jacqueline Townsend, Gerard Velayuthen, Director, Keep NSW Beautiful, Simonne Johnston, A/ Manager Commercial Property and Projects - Pittwater Council - picture courtesy Keep NSW Beautiful
Church Point Ferry Service - scenic cruises all year round; Penny Gleen and Michael - the Ferry Captain.
Lion Island through Palm Beach Golf Club Trees/Spring 2015
Ingleside RFB Open Day 2015 - Photo courtesy Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade
Pittwater Councillors and supporters, all Pittwater Residents, at the NSW Local Government Conference on Tuesday October 13, 2015 at Rosehill - image courtesy Mona Vale Residents Association
Little pied cormorant - Microcarbo melanoleucos, at Careel Creek- Spring 2015
Polo by the Sea
Avalon Quilters 2016 Raffle Quilt: "Ladies Leaping at the Zebra Crossing".
2016 Artists on the Pittwater Artists Trail - photo by Pamela Pauline
Pittwater Camera Club Winners for 2016: From L-R John Taylor, David Naar, Mike West, Richard Bryan, Ray Chappelow, Mike Fisher, Peter Bliss, Bob Hunting, David Hipsley, Sandra Smith, Robyn Aldridge, Patricia Roe.
Collaroy beachfront after June 2016 storms
Shoreshocked 2016 Pittwater - Juicy Ones - People's Choice Winners
Australian Life Saving Team World Championships 2016. Photo courtesy Martin Lynch
Palm Beach SLSC's Captain Alex Tyrell with Jack (Johnny) Carter and Michael Tuck - Jack Carter Cup 2016
Pacific Club's January 2016 Carnival In Rio Fundraiser For Palm Beach SLSC
Afternoon Sailing on the Pittwater Estuary viewed from among trees at Clareville - Photo by Paul Wheeler, 2016
Jason Waterhouse, Olympian and World Champion - Rod and Kerry Waterhouse, multi World Champions and Don Wood, World Champion - Don and his wife Jean started sailing on Pittwater in 1949 in Stingrays. He won his last World Championship at age 74. Palm Beach Sailing Club Honours its Champions
L to R: New South Wales Governor, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC, DSC, (Ret’d); Commander Joint Capabilities Air Vice Marshal Warren McDonald, AM, CSC; President of the Returned and Services League - New South Wales, James Brown; and Indigenous Elder, Uncle Roy Mundine, OAM; hold up an Invictus Games flag at the Sydney Academy of Sports and Recreation, Narrabeen. © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence. Photographer SGT W. Guthrie. © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence
Avalon Beach SLSC IRB members at 2018 IRB Championships ;
Living Ocean Join AUSMAP Program: Call For Volunteers
Congratulations to Narrabeen Sports High School on taking out the 2018 Manly School Girl Cup at Brookvale Oval On September 18th.
Results from the Manly School Girl Cup finals 2018:3rd VS 4th PlayoffNBSC Cromer defeated Pittwater High School
Grand FinalNarrabeen Sports High School defeated Mater Maria.
Congratulations to all girls for participating in this years competition. Photos courtesy PlayNRL Sydney Metro
Congratulations Layne, Rob And Dave
Boaties Food Drop 2018 - the Team - Collaory SLSC's photo
A View to Scotland Island - September 2018
Mackeral Beach Wharf
Narrabeen Creek - misty morning - photo by Selena Griffith, May 9th, 2019
Surf Life Saving NSW has taken out both Divisions of the 2019 Interstate Championships held on Newport Beach Thursday, January 24th. The win makes this a back-to-back victory for the teams. The NSW Pathway Cup team, led by Newport's Joel Piper as Captain, amassed 214 points, from Queensland (197), SA (117), Victoria (114), WA (110), Tasmania (50) and NT (7).
Mona Vale Road East upgrade - May 2019 update
Zonta Club of NB Birth Kit Packing day
.JPG?timestamp=1552785355332)
World's Greatest Shave - Friendly pre go mo-free; about to be shaved by his granddaughters!
National Rescue Award: Jemima McGahey (Palm Beach SLSC) and Mr Jason Falinski MP, Federal Member for Mackellar - photo by SLSNSW
Australian Junior Surfing Titles: Narrabeen's Jamie Thomson wins! - photo by Blainey Woodham (@blainey_woodham) / Surfing Australia / Nikon Australia
Avalon's Hannah Chadwick was a Finalist in this years Volunteer of the Year Awards - photo by Michael Mannington, Community Photography
Avalon Craft Cottage 50th Luncheon: Robin Thomson, Nola Marshall, Lesley Warren, Jenny Fraser, Frank Wyld, Meg Sedgwick. Photo by Michael Mannington.
Doug Menzies, Warriewood SLSC's Jen Spencer, Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Mackellar MP Jason Falinski
Careel Bay Restoring Sydney Freshwater Wetlands Bushcare Group - Final Field Day - May 25th, 2019
Bilgola SLSC's Under 23's crew - the Bilgola Ripperz
Thousands of residents have joined School Strike 4 Climate Change protests
September 21, 2019: Ingleside NSWRFS continues to put RFS volunteers in the field at the Long Gully Rd, Drake bushfire near Tenterfield. Our volunteer Josh was deployed into the field Friday, patrolling Fire edges, clearing trees and mopping up smaller fires. Whilst they had a dusting of rain, that's already evaporated and it's dry again on the 53,000Ha fire.
.JPG?timestamp=1575727198983)
Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade: January 6, 2020
Our two Ingleside NSWRFS Strike Team leaders are returning to the Northern Beaches of Sydney tonight after their 3 day deployment to the South Coast. The 5 truck team of 31 volunteer fire fighters engaged 57 residents affected by bushfire in the West Conjola area today. Some great work, particularly during the 45⁰C heat on Saturday, saving homes in Bendalong, Manyana and Little Forest areas.
Thanks to The Milton Hotel for putting on delicious pizzas, coffee and softies at no charge for our volunteers this afternoon.
Brigades on the Strike Team:
- Davidson Rural Fire Brigade
- NSW RFS - Terrey Hills Brigade
- Warringah / Pittwater Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade
- Tumbledown Dick Rural Fire Brigade
- Belrose Rural Fire Brigade
- Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade
Our Firies: Their Words, Pictures, Videos - 2019/2020 Fire Storms
At Lake Conola, January 17 - Lynleigh Greig photo - Sydney Wildlife Mobile Clinic's Inaugural Run Into The New South Wales Firegrounds
Bungan Beach SLSC recognitions - 2019/2020 SLS SNB Awards of Excellence - Bungan Beach SLSC photo
Chloe Carr with her Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Branch 2020 JLOTY Award on Bungan Beach
Mona Vale Road East upgrade - July 2020 update
Eastern Yellow Robin at Warriewood Wetlands - photo by Margaret Woods
.JPG?timestamp=1605362011226)