Fi Rae and husband Tim Gates both win their respective Ironman/Woman events.
A combined half-century of service by two volunteers at Marine Rescue Cottage Point was celebrated on Friday March 14 2025, with Christopher Gillett ESM and Paul Millar both honoured during a ceremony at the unit base on the banks of Cowan Creek.
One of Marine Rescue Cottage Point’s longest-serving volunteers, Christopher Gillett, was acknowledged for more than 35 years of dedicated service and was presented with his Second National Medal Clasp. He was also awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service by Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell.
“Chris is an incredible individual who has dedicated more than three decades to serving the local boating community and carrying out Marine Rescue NSW’s mission of saving lives on the water.
“He has played a crucial role in developing and providing leadership, capability, and professionalism at the unit. The quality of training and ongoing mentoring of volunteers has ensured that Marine Rescue Cottage Point has the capability to deliver a professional rescue service.
“Chris is a highly skilled vessel Master and continues to impart his knowledge to other volunteers in his role as the unit’s Trainer and Assessor. He has had a major influence on the performance and direction of the unit and has made a significant contribution to the safety of the boating community on NSW waters.
“Chris began volunteering with the Coast Guard back in 1989. He has saved countless lives over the years, and Marine Rescue NSW is grateful for his service,” Commissioner Barrell said.
The Second National Medal Clasp and Commissioner’s Commendation for Service are the latest on a long list of honours for the retired teacher, who was awarded the Emergency Services Medal in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours list and Life Membership of Marine Rescue NSW in 2010. The unit’s rescue vessel, CP 30, bears his name and is affectionately known as the Chris Gillett.
L to R Greater Sydney Regional Director Peter Steigrad - Chris Gillett ESM - Commissioner Alex Barrell - Central Zone Commander Dan Duemmer
Marine Rescue NSW Greater Sydney Regional Director Peter Steigrad and Central Zone Commander Dan Duemmer also attended the ceremony, with Director Steigrad presenting Coxswain Paul Millar with the National Medal for 15 years of service. The National Medal recognises long and diligent service by members of recognised government and voluntary organisations who risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in times of emergency or natural disaster.
“Paul is a valued and trusted member of Marine Rescue Cottage Point. The local community is privileged to have such a highly skilled seaman ready to assist them in their time of need.
“Paul knows the operation inside out. He began his journey at the unit with Volunteer Coast Guard and has previously served as Unit Commander and Treasurer. We congratulate him on his diligent service,” Regional Director Steigrad said.
Marine Rescue Cottage Point Acting Unit Commander Leanne Chandler said both Gillett and Millar continually go above and beyond to ensure the safety of boaters on local waterways.
“Chris and Paul are brilliant operators, and Marine Rescue Cottage Point is extremely appreciative of what they bring to the unit day in, day out.
“Both men continue to give their time to train and educate our members. They are excellent teachers and great mentors,” she said.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
The Manly to Barrenjoey bus region, known as Region 8, has faced serious issues with a shortage of high-capacity buses since 83 Volvo articulated buses were temporarily removed from service in October 2024 because of safety concerns after cracking had been found in their chassis. More than half of these buses normally operate in Region 8.
See: New Bus Timetable Leaving Commuters Stranded Along Essential Routes, again - February 2025 PON report (includes Audit Office of NSW released report on Bus contracts in metropolitan Sydney).
'Procurement of these much-needed extra buses will improve reliability on the B-Line and increase capacity across the Northern Beaches, North Shore and the wider network. They will be the first new articulated buses bought in 14 years and will provide a big boost to the ageing fleet after more than a decade of neglect by the former Liberal Government.' the government said
'These new buses are expected to roll out and enter service towards the end of 2025.
'Repairs to the first six existing articulated buses are currently underway and are forecast to return to service from April 2025. Transport is currently working to deliver a repair program for the remaining articulated buses for a staged return to service over 2025.
'Pressure on northern beaches key routes is expected to ease over the coming months as the repaired articulated buses begin to return to service.
B-line at Warriewood. Photo: Joe Mills
Profile of the Week Judith Friezer 
History Avalon Beach Historical Society March 2025 Meeting: Sunrise Cottage, Palm Beach + Geoff Searl OAM Great Adventure on HM Bark Endeavour Replica - report by Roger Sayers OAM
Community News Total Fire Ban, IPART Consult on NBC SRV Now Open: Closes March 17, Bookoccino Carpark Polis: 2025 Election, Appeal for Information: Warriewood theft, Avalon Quilters 'The Sum of Us' Raffle Quilt for Mito Foundation, Nominate a Volunteer Today: 2025 Awards, Man arrested in Anna Bay for holiday rental scam, Anzac Memorial 2025 Residency, Consulting on payday super draft legislation, Free RSV immunisation for newborns: NSW, Woody Point Yacht Club 2025 AGM, Government to extend unfair trading practice protections to small businesses, Manly Warringah Sapphires Claim 2025 HeartKids Cup, New government action to help tradies get paid on time and in full, Draft Tree Management Open for Feedback, Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Recycling Batteries: at Mona Vale + Avalon Beach, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Turbo + Bubbles, North Bilgola Directional Marker: Do you have a photo of the surface?, Pittwater Offshore News, Pittwater Organisations, Sports, Social, Environment, Residents Associations and Groups
Environment It's a 'Bit Sharky' out there: 5 Tagged Bull Sharks Pinged at North Narrabeen on Same Day - Bull Shark spotted at Bayview, Wildlife protection at the heart of road technology trials, Just Two Trees, Council's Draft Tree Management Policy Open for Feedback until March 30, Australia’s Eucalypt of the Year 2025: The Travel Edition voting opens, World-first analysis of seabirds who’ve eaten plastic reveals slow insidious health impacts, Kultarrs are tiny, cryptic creatures that only come out at night. Scientists are finally learning how they live, Tonnes of microplastics infiltrate Australia’s agricultural soils each year, Luxury hiking developments look picture-perfect but could stop everyday Australians from accessing national parks, Not just bees and butterflies: beetles and other brilliant bugs are nature’s unsung pollinators, Plants struggled for millions of years after Earth’s worst climate catastrophe – new study, How North Sea tanker collision could affect one of Britain’s most important coastlines, Sustainability ideals are often crushed by corporate demands. Here’s how businesses can let them flourish, The end of capitalism – or the end of civilisation? The choice could be that stark, The ‘sustainable’ cod in your shopping basket may be no such thing – new study reveals mislabelling, What’s that microplastic? Advances in machine learning are making identifying plastics in the environment more reliable, Beloved beaches were washed offshore by Cyclone Alfred – but most of this sand will return, Australia’s superb lyrebirds ‘farm’ the forest floor to increase their prey – a behaviour rarely seen in nature, Butterflies declined by 22% in just 2 decades across the US – there are ways you can help save them, America’s clean air rules boost health and the economy − what EPA’s new deregulation plans ignore, Recycle batteries at JBH Mona Vale and Avalon, ‘1080 pest management’, Closed areas: Major works in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Please Remember to leave water out for wildlife on hot days, Reporting Dogs Offleash - Dog Attacks to Council: how to, Plastic Bread Ties For Wheelchairs: Mona Vale drop-off point, Volunteers for Barrenjoey Lighthouse Tours needed, Stay Safe From Mosquitoes, Mountain Bike Incidents On Public Land: Survey, Report fox sightings, marine wildlife rescue group on the Central Coast, Watch out - shorebirds about, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where and when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves: histories + Walks, Birds, +
Aquatics Double celebration for two long-serving Marine Rescue Cottage Point volunteers
Children Sunday Cartoons This Issue: Paddington plays football, Not just bees and butterflies: beetles and other brilliant bugs are nature’s unsung pollinators, Curious Kids: what was the biggest dinosaur that ever lived? + how did the months get their names? + where do rocks come from? + does the Sun spin as well as the planets?, Stories this week: The Girl who makes a Million Mistakes + 'I'm Not Scared, YOU'RE Scared!' read by Seth Meyers, + more for you
Youth Education Minister wishes 380,000 students good luck as NAPLAN testing starts, Manly Warringah Sapphires Claim 2025 HeartKids Cup, Pittwater's Early Aviators Among First Australians to Fly: + Some Early Stuntwomen, Opportunities: Youth Week creative arts competition: ACYP + NSW Youth Week 2025: Local Events + NSW YAC + 2025 Game Changer Challenge + Learner drivers benefit as more resources become available online + NSW History Awards 2025 + NSW Training Awards + Racing for a Cause: Manly Inflatable Boat Race 2025, Word Of The Week: Ball, Friday essay: Miles Franklin’s other brilliant career – her year as an undercover servant, The rate of sports betting has surged more than 57% – and younger people are betting more, Fragments of a million-year-old face found in Spain shed new light on ancient human migrations, Philly Roller Derby league turns 20 - here’s how the sport skated its way to feminism, anti-racism and queer liberation, 3D printing will help space pioneers make homes, tools and other stuff they need to colonise the Moon and Mars, Formula One drivers face temperatures up to 50°C. High tech racing suits help keep them cool, How the color of St. Patrick’s Day went from blue to green, Three memorable ways the COVID pandemic shaped Black music – five years on, local services for you
Seniors Profile of the Week Judith Friezer - 90 years young!, Payday super a win for all Australians: COTA Australia, Consulting on payday super draft legislation, Bookoccino Carpark Polis: 2025 Election, Modest Age Pension rise as some scrimp to survive, Independent MPs are elected for a reason – hung parliaments may be precisely what voters want, New research highlights social impacts of COVID five years since pandemic declared, Two of the best ways to respond to people with dementia who think they are in a different time or place, Newspapers cannot justify running Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots ads as freedom of speech, Saturn now has 274 moons – but exactly what makes something a moon remains unclear, AvPals Term 1 2025, Seniors Festival 2025: Local events, Local events, services, groups
DIY Ideas Reducing Ticks in Your Garden: Garden care, Plants that Repel, What to Wear Outdoors
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Events Talks, Book Launch, Pittware to Coffs 2025, Manly Inflatable Boat Race 2025,Music, Markets, Social Groups, + lots more.
