Seven months after the flags first rose, volunteer surf lifesavers have lowered them at the end of Monday April 27 2026 for the last time this Volunteer Patrol Season. The Season was extended by a day due to the public holiday proclaimed by the NSW Government for Anzac Day, which fell on a Saturday in 2026. The Season will be extended an extra day in 2027 for the same reason.
Over the September 27 to April 27 period, on 129 beaches, NSW’s 85,000+ members had one goal – to save lives on our beaches.
SLS NSW said: ‘We’re so proud of each and every one of our members for the role they play in keeping our coastal communities safe.’’
That’s a wrap on Season 25/26!
It doesn’t stop here though, there’s plenty of training and upskilling opportunities over the cooler months!’’
Once again local patrol volunteers had their eyes peeled to help all in distress, for example, at North Palm Beach SLSC, on Sunday March 1 2026, they posted:
''We don’t just rescue people at @northpalmbeachslsc. Meet Legend (‘little ledge’) the endangered sea turtle who was found washed up, alone and on his back on the sand today by two kind beachgoers (and luckily not a bird of prey).
A little smaller than your hand, this young one was likely injured or became exhausted - which is why it’s often best not to put them back in the water but to call the experts @wireswildliferescue for advice.
While we waited for WIRES to arrive at the surf club he managed to show a little bit of curiosity - looking around at his famous Summer Bay surroundings - which we all took as a good sign! He was on his way to @tarongazoo hospital this afternoon to be checked. We wish our little mate a speedy recovery.'' - Lauren Langley, North Palm Beach SLSC.
The day after, on Tuesday April 28 Surf Life Saving NSW announced all NSW Surf Clubs are to be fitted with Publicly Accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits.
It comes as part of Surf Life Saving NSW’s continued focus on increased community safety, with the announcement made at Dee Why surf club - the site of a fatal shark incident in 2025 which saw our community lose much loved local surfer Mercury Psillakis.
His wife, Maria, along with his club, Long Reef Boardriders, Surfing NSW and local MP's Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan, called for and secured a $2.5 million boost to strengthen the state’s shark mitigation program by December 2025. This meant more shark surveillance drones were to be procured for surf boardrider clubs through their peak body Surfing NSW as soon as possible, and SLS NSW was enabled to roll out further drone surveillance of local beaches across the Season.
NSW has experienced a tragic spike of fatal shark attacks in the past seven months, with the continued need for preventative actions along our coastline with many beaches being closed each day due to shark sightings.
See end of March 2026 report: NSW Parliamentary Shark Inquiry Mooted
The trauma kits will be affixed to the external wall of each NSW surf club where, in the event of a reported shark incident, and in the absence of a lifesaver or lifeguard on duty, members of the public will be able to apply emergency first aid until first responders arrive on scene.
In all, 129 new publicly accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits will be installed at each of the state’s surf clubs as part of Surf Life Saving NSW’s continued focus on increased community safety.
“Volunteer surf lifesavers are in most instances the first emergency service responding to shark bite incidents and so we are always looking to introduce improvements in equipment and responses to support our protection of those community members visiting the coastline,” SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
“We believe that by ensuring our surf clubs are equipped with these publicly accessible Shark Bite Trauma Kits, we are addressing a major need and providing a safeguard against the possibility of a serious incident unfolding.”
The Shark Bite Trauma Kits will complement the expansive UAV shark surveillance program delivered by Surf Life Saving NSW across the breadth of the NSW coastline. On Sunday January 25 the NSW Government announced new research, real-time tracking and expanded drone surveillance, will lead a $4.2 million boost to help keep people safer in the water over Summer.
This summer season, SLSNSW drones undertook more than 65,000 flights and observed over 1,500 sharks.
Mayor Sue Heins, Dee Why SLSC's President Lachlan Pike, SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce, SLS SNB CEO Tracey Hare-Boyd ESM. Photo: SLS NSW, supplied
George Pittar Wins! Credit: WSL / Beatriz Ryder
Last Sunday, April 26 2026, George Pittar (AUS- North Steyne Boardriders Club member) and Lakey Peterson (USA) won the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 2 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in front of a huge Sunday crowd at Main Break. For Peterson, it was her second victory at this location, while it was Pittar’s maiden win at the elite level. After a long week of stormy, onshore conditions, the Finals were contested on the last day of the 11-day window under clear blue skies on a perfect, clean, three-to-four foot waves at Margaret River’s Main Break.
The WSL reported:
The giant-slaying run of George Pittar (AUS) that began in his very first heat of the event continued all the way through to an inaugural CT victory for the 23-year-old from Manly. Opening with a win over two-time World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA), Pittar took down every single men’s World Champion currently on Tour on his road to victory, including reigning World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) and 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), before his major victory over three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Final.
Largely growing up in the island nation of Vanuatu, Pittar came from relative obscurity to qualify for the Challenger Series in his first major attempt, before quickly qualifying for the CT. Pittar put the Tour on notice with a Semi-final berth as a wildcard in Margaret River in 2024, before falling victim to the Mid-season Cut at the same location in his Rookie season in 2025. Now returning as an early front-runner in the rankings at World No. 2 following his first event win outside of junior competition, Pittar has placed himself firmly in the limelight.
"I played ['Walking on a Dream'] the other morning. That's what it's felt like this week, honestly," Pittar said. "I can't even believe it. Those matchups I had, this comp, every one of them just felt like there was no way. And then they gifted me waves every time I was having a heat. I had three in a row where I got a wave in the last minute. It's just crazy.
Last year, I got cut here. Just before that Final, I went and sat where I sat last year when I fell off Tour, and I was like, wow, it's kind of crazy how different the feelings are right now. And then to go out in the final against [Gabriel] Medina, who's someone I've looked up to since I was a kid and such a crazy competitor, he's just a giant in my book. To have him in the Final and then to get a couple and win it, I don't have too many words. But just doing it in front of everyone here, I feel like everyone in W.A. has been so great to me ever since I started coming here and it's such a special place."
Pictured: George Pittar (AUS) in action on Finals Day. Photo: WSL/Hannah Anderson
Stephanie Galloway Brown's portrait of Layne Beachley AO oil on linen 138 x 102 cm, © the artist
On Thursday April 30 2026 the Art Gallery of New South Wales announced the 2026 Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes finalists, with a distinctive Pittwater thread among these.
Among these is the Artist Lorrie Morgan, the lady who was the dynamo behind so many years of promoting Pittwater Artists, said - ''You watch, Steph will be in the Archibald one day, she's so good''.
Lorrie was speaking of Stephanie Galloway Brown whose portrait of Layne Beachley AO has been selected as a finalist.
‘’Absolutely thrilled to announce that Layne Beachley AO is selected for the Archibald Prize 2026 Art Gallery of New South Wales.’’ Stephanie said
‘’A huge thank you Layne Beachley for your trust, your time, your energy and incredible life story. It has been awe-inspiring to work with you on this and painting your portrait is one of my greatest honours.’’
Photo: Layne with her portrait at special sneak peek event, May 2, 2026
A portrait of national icon and acclaimed architect, Richard Leplastrier AO by Andrea Wilson has also been shortlisted in the renowned Archibald Prize.
The Art Gallery of NSW webpage for her work states:
‘Richard Leplastrier is highly regarded globally as an architect’s architect, although here in Australia he very deliberately flies under the radar, eschewing publicity and guarding his privacy,’ says Andrea Wilson.
A Sydney-based artist, Wilson was a practising architect until the death of her mother caused her to take stock of her life.
‘My mother always told me I should paint. She would have been so thrilled I’m an Archibald finalist.' Andrea said
‘I’ve had the good fortune to work with Richard on many projects. Our families are close, and he is a very dear friend. Over the years, I’ve painted him several times. My first attempt this year was a nude of him in the bath – an outdoor Japanese wood-fired bath, where bathing is a social event in his family – which was a fail.
‘But then, at one of our many gatherings at Richard and Karen’s house on the western shores of Pittwater, we were chatting about all the things we’ve done together. It was a beautiful sunny day, everything was perfect, and that was how this portrait began.’
In closing, Andrea said: 'Made it into the Archibald! Still picking myself up off the floor. '
Andrea Wilson's portrait of Richard Leplastrier AO, oil on board, 122 x 122 cm, © the artist
The deal, entered into by the former Coalition government, left the Northern Beaches community saddled with a model that prioritised private profits over patient care, the incumbent government states.
Following almost eight years of private ownership, Northern Beaches Hospital is now fully operated as a public hospital and part of NSW Health.
An operational command centre has been set up at the hospital to support the transition and the first days of the handover.
The Minns Government first announced the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce in April 2025, to 'investigate the future of the disastrous public private partnership left behind by the Liberals and Nationals'.
This followed the tragic death of baby Joe Massa at the Northern Beaches Hospital.
''Elouise and Danny Massa, the parents of two-year-old Joe Massa, have been tireless advocates for the facility being brought into public hands.'' the government said in a released statement
Elouise and Danny Massa speaking at the 'The Future of Northern Beaches Hospital' Forum held Wednesday, 14 May, 2025 at the Dee Why RSL. Photo: Michael Mannington OAM, Community Photography
''Their efforts have led to one of the most significant moments in NSW Health history with the hospital now entering the public system, as well as the passing of Joe’s Law, a legal commitment by the NSW Government to protect our acute public hospitals from any future Liberal privatisation.
''The Minns Labor Government continues to repair the damage caused by the former Coalition Government’s failed privatisation agenda, which also included the attempted privatisation of hospitals at Maitland, Wyong, Goulburn, Shellharbour and Bowral.
The Minns Government would like to thank Northern Beaches Hospital staff and the transition team for their work throughout the transition of the facility.''
As part of the transition, more than 1,800 Northern Beaches Hospital staff - including nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff – have now joined the NSW Health team.''
Following the transition of the hospital to public ownership, the community can be assured they will continue to have access to private services until 30 June 2027, while the Government continues to work with the community and clinicians to finalise and implement a long-term plan for private services.''
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Pictures Bangalley Headland Hazard Reduction: Open Day for Local Fire-Rescue NSW Stations on Saturday May 9 + Time to check your Fire Alarms
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Food Rhubarb: Autumn crops
Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable at its best here in Australia in late Summer and Autumn with a harvest season that lasts for a few months. A bunch costs around $3-4 at this time although prices will rise as the season ends. When preparing rhubarb always remove leaves if they come with the bunch, as they are poisonous.
Rhubarb is a versatile ingredient, best used in classic crumbles, tarts, and jams, or paired with apple, strawberry, ginger, or orange. Favourites include rhubarb custard cake, strawberry-rhubarb jam, roasted rhubarb parfaits, and glazed rhubarb lemon loaf. A few of our favourite sweet and savoury recipes using rhubarb are shared this Issue.
Community News Not done Yet: Award Winning Piemaker still at Careel Bay Shops until end of August, Marine Rescue Cottage Point: Return + Earn, We Need Somewhere to go - Something to do, Community Building Partnership Grants 2026, Rezoning Review Submitted: Wilga Wilson Planning Proposal, NSW Police Marine Area Command – Community Notice: Church Point, Over 3 Decades at APS: Celebration of Mrs Weber on her retirement, Warriewood SLSC's Biggest Morning Tea 2026, Pedestrian Crossing at Palm Beach blocked by Developer, Safer Neighbourhoods Program, Avalon to Palm Beach - construction starting this month, Anna's Walk 2026 at Mona Vale: May 17, Community Participation Plan: Feedback open, More Charging Stations for E-Vehicles called for, A reduction in Plantings in approved DA's is creating Flood Problems, Candlelight Vigil at Mona Vale On National DV Remembrance Day 2026: May 7, Council blitz cracks down on pollution at building sites, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Pop + Lola, Stop Vertical Seawalls: Petition, Avalon water main renewal construction update: Monday 4 May, NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards 2026 Nominations now Open, Hundreds of extra bus services to make hitting the slopes stress free, 8-Storey SSD lodged for 35-39 Darley Street, SES Women Helping Women workshop 2026, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter
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Aquatics Marine Rescue NSW volunteers complete demanding boating season: more than 7 thousand safely returned to shore - MAYDAY fundraising campaign 2026 Launched
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DIY Ideas Mother's Day 2026: Give Mum some new plants for her Ever Blooming Native Flowering Plants Garden
Mother’s Day flowers will be on Sunday 10 2026 this year. In earlier years the focus here has been on building mum a rose garden, a little step ladder for those higher shelves in the kitchen, or even just getting some lemons and avocadoes sprouting so you provide not only something that smells or looks good, but can be practical too.
Events RNB Open Day 2026, FRNSW Open Day, PNHA Events, Candlelight Vigil at Mona Vale, Author Talks, Walks, Music at all compass points, Markets, Social Groups + more on!Palmgrove Road Avalon Beach: Former Koala Thoroughfare - Autumn 2026
More in: Pittwater's Koalas Driven to Extinction: Some History
Photos: AJG/PON
Looking south towards Angophora Reserve
Looking north towards Elouera Road and Avalon Parade
