Pittwater Online News

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers return almost 850 people to safety in February: Demand Remains High On the States' Waterways

Volunteer crews from Marine Rescue NSW completed 404 search and rescue missions across the state in February, including 140 emergency responses, safely returning 847 people to shore.

The February total brings the number of missions performed over summer (December to February) to almost 1,700, highlighting the sustained demand placed on volunteers during the peak summer period.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said while volunteers stand ready to respond around the clock, many incidents could have been avoided with better preparation.

“February was another busy month for our volunteers, who responded to 404 incidents across NSW, including life-threatening emergencies,” Commissioner Andrews said.

“Sixty per cent of responses were for engine, battery and fuel issues. These are largely preventable problems. Boaters must ensure their vessel is properly maintained, carry sufficient clean fuel including a reserve, and check their battery before heading out.

“There is a fine line between a great day on the water and a dangerous situation. Preparation and planning are critical,” he said.

Crews responded to a dozen capsized vessels during the month and were involved in numerous multi-agency missing person searches including along the Northern NSW coastline, on waters near Forster and off Maroubra as well as an intensive night search on Lake Jindabyne where three kayakers were located safe and well on an isolated island.

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2026 Pittwater OTB Regatta: hosted by RPAYC, BYRA, ASC + Pittwater!

Sailors from across Sydney’s northern beaches and beyond have converged on Pittwater this weekend for the 2026 Pittwater Off-The-Beach Regatta, bringing together a vibrant fleet of centreboard classes for two days of competitive racing on one of Australia’s premier sailing waterways.

Hosted on Pittwater through a collaboration between the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Avalon Sailing Club, and Bayview Yacht Racing Association Sailing Club, the regatta continues to build momentum following a successful inaugural event that attracted more than 70 boats from multiple clubs.

The regatta features a diverse fleet of dinghies and skiffs, with entries spanning junior development classes through to high-performance youth and open fleets. There's even a Green Fleet for beginners. Competitors are racing across multiple course areas on Pittwater, ensuring close competition within each class while providing an accessible regatta environment for sailors of all experience levels.

The entry list reflects the strong centreboard sailing community around Pittwater and the broader Sydney region. Classes represented include:

• ILCA (Laser) fleets – ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7
• Spirals
• Manly Junior
• Optimist
• 29er skiffs
• O’pen Skiffs
• Waszp foiling dinghies
• Multihull and open dinghy classes

MORE HERE

Pittwater Woman of the Year 2026 awarded to Skye Rose: Champion of Inclusive Sport

Skye Rose with Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby. Photo: Michael Mannington OAM

For International Women's Day 2026 (March 8), the official theme is "Balance the Scales". This theme focuses on ensuring equality, safety, and a fair go for all women and girls, while encouraging the dismantling of systemic, structural barriers that hinder progress.

On Wednesday, 4 March 2026, Zonta NB hosted its IWD 29026 Breakfast at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club at Newport, with over 180 local women and guests, including men, in all fields with multiple interests attending.

Zonta NB’s 2026 Breakfast Speaker was Shae Ingram, a Class of 2018 graduate of Mater Maria at Warriewood who has gone on to become a Senior Program Engineer working in the Satellite and Space Systems team at Optus. Shae graduated with first-class honours from a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering (Honours) at the University of Sydney, where she was heavily involved in student societies, including serving as Co-President of the Sydney Women in Aerospace Engineering society and Treasurer of the Sydney University Women In Engineering Society. 

Shae Ingram. Photo: Michael Mannington OAM

The breakfast also is when the Pittwater Woman of the Year is announced. 

In 2026 Mona Vale SLSC's Skye Rose was announced as the recipient of this recognition. 

Skye, who was nominated by independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby, is the driving force behind the ‘Kickability’ program for children with disabilities at Pittwater Tigers AFL Club and the inclusive nippers’ programs at Mona Vale Surf Club. 

Skye initiated Kickability after her own son, Dane, 17, who lives with autism, found mainstream AFL too intense. Kickability provides professional-led sessions, supported by junior volunteers and their coaches, creating “a strong, inclusive culture and genuine friendships. Kickability players are not a separate group - they are part of the Tigers’ family,” according to Skye.

Gidget Foundation Founder and Narrabeen Sports High student recognised at NSW Women of the Year Awards 

Pittwater was also proudly recognised with two NSW Women of the Year 2026 awards going to inspirational locals this year. 

Jacqui Cotton from Terrey Hills, was part of the Gidget Foundation Australia team - along with fellow founders, Simone Short, Libby Bowditch, Lou Hunter, Kim Mouret, Stephanie Hughes and Alexandra Berthold - who won the NSW Community Hero category.

The Gidget Foundation Australia works to improve the mental health of expectant and new parents across NSW. For 24 years, these incredible women have worked to improve mental health support for parents in NSW. In 2001, their sister and friend, Louise (nicknamed Gidget), lost her battle for mental health while experiencing postnatal depression. 

Following this tragedy, they set out to make a difference in Gidget’s honour by increasing awareness of the illness and support for parents. Today, Gidget Foundation Australia provides parents with accessible, timely and specialist care. The foundation has established 39 Gidget Houses and delivered a total of 108,704 appointments to support 12,705 families. The founders are still actively involved, demonstrating dedication that has had a direct impact on perinatal mental health awareness, education and support in NSW.  

Gidget Foundation Australia Founders - NSW Community Hero 2026 awardees

NSW Community Hero 2026 recipient, Jacqueline Cotton on behalf of the founders, Gidget Foundation Australia said:

“We started the foundation to make a change after losing my sister, so every parent could find access to the right support and care they needed.  Never in a million years did I expect this to be recognised in such a way for doing what we do.”

“As a founding committee, we have been fortunate to receive unwavering support over the years - from talented health professionals to event attendees, corporate and government partners, and the broader community. Their commitment has helped transform our early dreams into a powerful reality.”

Elly Ings, a student at Narrabeen Sports High School, was named as “One to Watch” (aged 7–15).

At just 14 years old, Elly from Mona Vale is already making a meaningful impact in her school community - championing Aboriginal education, elevating First Nations voices, and building programs that connect students to culture, land and community.

Elly Ings said:

"Strengthening the role of First Nation perspectives in my school community is a very important part of my life. Helping to organise camps and excursions for First Nations students at my school helps to connect them to their ancestors as well as creating a comfortable school environment where they feel recognised and supported. Ultimately I want to help people feel seen and heard and continue to raise awareness so that everyone can thrive in this world of diversity."

"Having the privilege of accepting an award alongside women who have made a significant contribution in their field is very humbling. This experience has shown me the impact that one person can make on an entire community. Their selfless acts inspire me to continue to want to be involved with making a difference in other people’s lives."

Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby with Elly Ings

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Megan Maack Honoured As Manly's Local Woman Of The Year 2026

On Thursday March 5 2026 local resident and founder and CEO of the Childhood Dementia Initiative, Megan Maack, was named Manly’s Local Woman of the Year at the NSW Women of the Year Awards in Sydney. 

The Local Women of the Year Awards celebrate visionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates, and trailblazing role models who make a meaningful difference in their communities.

Manly’s Local Woman of the Year, Megan Maack, was nominated by Member for Manly, James Griffin MP, in recognition of her tireless efforts in raising awareness and advocating for funding and crucial research to transform outcomes for children and families affected by childhood dementia.

Megan founded the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation in 2013. She held the position of Executive Director for 7 years looking after all the day to day running of the foundation before moving to stategic leadership role on the Board. This move allowed her to create a new organisation, Childhood Dementia Initiative, focused on driving innovative and collaborative research into the disorders that present with childhood dementia. 

Megan is the mother of two children, Isla and Jude, who both have Sanfilippo syndrome.

Prior to making the Sanfilippo movement her life’s work, Megan’s occupation was a management consultant, specialising in large-scale IT project management and organisational change management.

As founder and CEO of the Childhood Dementia Initiative, Megan has spearheaded efforts to elevate national awareness of the condition, driven collaboration across healthcare and research sectors, and has championed families navigating the impacts of rare and devastating paediatric disorders.

Mr Griffin paid tribute to Megan, recognising her outstanding commitment to increasing awareness and accelerating therapeutic research for childhood dementia.

“Megan’s advocacy is deeply shaped by her lived experience, and that is what makes her leadership so powerful. As a mother of two children with childhood dementia, she brings real humanity and a relentless dedication to ensuring children with dementia and their families are seen, supported, and understood.

“Childhood Dementia is a rare and lesser-known disorder impacting thousands of families right across Australia. Support services and research are extremely limited by both a severe lack of funding and the perception that dementia only affects people later in life. Megan is determined to change that.  

MORE HERE

2026 Surf life saving NSW State Championships - SLS SNB Branch results

The 2026 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, with Swansea Belmont surf club welcoming more than 20,000 athletes, officials, family and friends to Lake Macquarie over the course of this years States, is drawing to a close as this Issue goes to press.

Dubbed the unofficial home of the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, it’s the first time in five years Swansea Belmont surf club hosted the largest surf sports event in NSW after half a decade at Queenscliff. 

On a scale similar to that of the Commonwealth Games, nearly 6,000 athletes across Age (Youth), Masters, Open and Surf Boat Championships have contested 12 days of surf sports competition at Blacksmiths Beach, where individual and club glory are both up for grabs across the full range of surf sport sand and water events. 

The first disciplines tested were the 2026 SLSNSW State Championships – Lifesaving, running February 13-15.

For many the Lifesaving Competition is the most important annual States event – it speaks to what lifesaving is all about and teams across the generations train within clubs together to keep these skills at peak. The practice saves lives as all those knowledge sets come together as the individuals and team work is tested in competition. Newport SLSC won several Golds this year across all Age Divisions, including the Open Champion Patrol. 

Vice President Guyren Smith, along with current President Rebecca Cappell, have worked with a cohort of members for years, year round, to represent their clubs and selves in this discipline.

Five SLS SNB Branch clubs featured among the top 10 again this year – demonstrating how seriously local lifesaving members take their role on the sand and in the water to look after others.

MORE HERE

Sell Off of Pittwater Residents Asset at Vuko Place 'On the Nose' Residents State

The vote to proceed was passed at the February council meeting, and forms part of the council's special rate variation 'Property Rationalisation Plan' to realise a $10million dollar fund with two out of three of the assets to be sold located in Pittwater.

Prior to the vote residents stated this is not the council's to sell, it belongs to Pittwater, and that any money derived from the sale of Pittwater assets should be spent, in whole, in Pittwater.

The sale comes on top of the council taking $4.6 million out of the internally restricted Mona Vale Cemetery Reserve Fund to pay for a new software management system for the Northern Beaches Council, following a vote at the June 2023 council meeting. That has been described as 'stealing form the dead' by one respected community member.

Staff estimated in 2023 the loan would be paid back by 2028/29, including interest of $900,000.

The news service asked the council to clarify and confirm where it intended to spend the funds raised. 

The response was:

''Council considered the potential divestment of underutilised properties as part of our commitment to IPART during the application process for the Special Variation to Rates. While any final decision to sell a property rests solely with the elected Council, Council has a target to raise $10 million from property sales within the next five years, consistent with Council’s IPART submission. 

Council’s Property Management Framework (p27) notes that the proceeds from the sale of a property are placed into a restricted financial reserve. This reserve has been established to reduce reliance on rates to provide for the future requirements of the community with the intent that the funds are used for: 

• Community infrastructure
• Environmental acquisitions
• Commercial development projects 

Any future use of these funds, in line with these purposes, would be determined by Council through the normal annual budget process.’’

So no confirmation that what is taken from Pittwater will be spent in Pittwater.

As Pittwater residents are also doing the heavy lifting in the permanent rates rises of over 24 percent secured through the Special Rate Variation, the vote to 'steal' yet another Pittwater asset, paid for by Pittwater residents, and spend it elsewhere, is considered 'on the nose' in the community.

Those in Pittwater continue to say they have been placed back under a 'Greater Warringah Council' [through the May 2016 forced amalgamations] where the culture is to destroy the Pittwater environment and extract money from Pittwater which will be spent in Warringah, while 'treating residents objections with contempt'.

As reported in 2025, page 32 of the council meeting agenda booklet of January 28 2025 lists the bulk of the sales to realise this $10 million is to come from Pittwater, and includes: 

‘Property Rationalisation Plan 

Council will continue to focus on the rationalisation of its property portfolio to realise a transfer of underutilised assets from property to cash, including: 

• 194 Lower Plateau Road, Bilgola Plateau (immediate opportunity for sale) 

• 2 Bangaroo St, North Balgowlah (immediate opportunity for sale) 

• Unit 9, 5 Vuko Place, Warriewood (3 to 5 years for opportunity of sale) -$200,000 (indicative potential loss of rental income)  (will realise $3-4 million)

To realise; Up to $10,000,000 (1 to 5 years)’ 

Selling Unit 9 at 5 Vuko place is estimated to realise between $3-4million. 

MORE HERE

Central Coast Teenager Confirmed as First Tick-induced Fatality in Australia

Jeremy Webb has become the first confirmed to have died from a tick-induced red meat allergy in Australia.

The 16-year-old from the Central Coast began having difficulty breathing after eating beef sausages on a camping trip at MacMasters Beach in June 2022. His friends attempted to revive him, but he collapsed and passed away in hospital.

Jeremy's death was initially determined to be asthma, however NSW Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes has ruled he died from an anaphylactic reaction to mammalian meat, which triggered an asthma attack.

"Without the anaphylaxis, the asthma would not have caused his death", Magistrate Forbes told the court on Thursday February 26 2026

Jeremey’s parents, Myfanwy and Johnathan Webb, had called for a coronial inquest into their son's death, hoping to raise awareness about the life-threatening allergy.

MORE HERE

Week One March 2026: Issue 652 (published Sunday March 1)

Sell Off of Pittwater Residents Asset at Vuko Place 'On the Nose' Residents State

Central Coast Teenager Confirmed as First Tick-induced Fatality in Australia

Scruby urges government review to include benefits of licensing, registration and insurance- Northern Beaches PAC 'E-Voltage' Police Operation to continue

Pictures 2026 Surf Life Saving NSW State Championships - SLS SNB Branch results

Aquatics Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final Set to Run Next Weekend: March 7-8 2026

DIY Ideas Reducing Ticks in Your Garden: Garden care, Plants that Repel, What to Wear Outdoors

Park Bench Philosophers Council's Wildflower Project + Bushcare Volunteer Groups

Environment North Avalon Beach Dune Planting: March 1, When Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos are Yelling to each other, They're Sounding A Warning or claiming 'my branch', Rare Sighting - Australian Shelducks Visit Macquarie University, Chuditch and Bilbies returned to NSW now Thriving, When feral cats are away, potoroos and bandicoots are more likely to play, Climate outlook for March to June, Mona Vale Dunes bushcare group: 2026 Dates, Bangalley Headland Bushcare 2026, March 2026 at Kimbriki, NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee final determinations for February 2026, Koala habitat tree field guide and workshops empowering Northern Rivers communities, Motorway bridge offers koalas Royal habitat connection, Environment Groups call on Environment Minister to revoke Alcoa’s 'national interest' exemption in Northern Jarrah Forest, Condemnation of Minister’s greenlight for deforestation in NT, NSW Government's Heat Pump Feasibility Grant for businesses: closes March 31, Have your say on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review, Climate change is drying out the ‘forgotten rivers’ that keep the Murray-Darling alive. We need a new plan, Birdwood Park Bushcare Group Narrabeen, How ‘smart’ rainwater tanks can help keep platypus habitat healthy, ‘Don’t leave late’ is the best advice for fires or floods. These terrifying videos show why, One street tree can boost Sydney house prices by $30,000 – or cost $70,000 if it’s too close: new study, Good fungus may one day help save plants from bad fungus like deadly myrtle rust disease, Deeper ocean ecosystems are unique – and uniquely vulnerable without better protection, Rain is coming to Antarctica – here’s how it will change the frozen continent, Extreme weather is transforming the world’s rivers. We need new ways to protect them, Can African penguins be brought back from the brink? Better designed no-fishing zones could help, Science knows of 21,000 bee species. There are likely thousands more, Severe flooding – in central Australia? How a vast humid air mass could soak the desert, How Australia’s new fuel efficiency scheme quietly created a carbon currency for cars ‑ and it’s working, Bones of St Francis of Assisi go on display for the first time – here’s why it took 800 years, Crocuses are blooming early – here’s what this means for nature, Scorpions can pose a deadly threat to children – we’re identifying the global hotspots, The wonders of daisies: the buffet we walk on, 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, Pittwater Reserves, Environment History insights + Walks, Birds +

Inbox News The ground beneath Sydney emits radiation; But it’s nothing to worry about, Dating apps are facilitating LGBTQ+ hate crimes. How can users stay safe?,  Prohibitive policies drove organised crime in Australia 100 years ago; It’s happening again, How Tourette’s causes involuntary outbursts – and what people with the condition want you to know, Can blood tests really detect cancer?, Is surgery necessary for my endometriosis or ‘suspected’ endo?, Why does pain last longer for women? Immune cells may be the culprit, ‘It could happen here’: Lord of the Flies took its lessons from Hitler’s Germany; They speak to now, Punch the monkey isn’t the first lonely zoo animal to capture our hearts – or raise troubling questions, A viral monkey, his plushie, and a 70-year-old experiment: what Punch tells us about attachment theory, View from The Hill: Chris Minns makes sense on ISIS brides’ children, while opposition adds to scaremongering, Pauline Hanson’s no ‘good’ Muslims comment shows how normalised Islamophobia has become in Australia, When Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos are Yelling to each other, They're Sounding A Warning or claiming 'my branch', Rare Sighting - Australian Shelducks Visit Macquarie University, Palm Beach XI Takes Flight, Study hard: students urged to know their rental rights before signing a lease, Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final Set to Run Next Weekend: March 7-8 2026, Freshwater students embrace Writers Festival, Stamped in time: University of New England research features in new Australia Post stamp collection, Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship tour applications open, Opportunities: International Women’s Day Webinar – Balancing the Scale - online conversation with Tash Bryant, Jessica Sweeney, and Stacey Jackson + NASA 2026 is a go! + Battle of the Bands – Youth Edition: at Palm Beach, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Compassion, What makes a city beautiful? Here’s what ratings of thousands of urban landscapes reveal, There are more than 4.6 million food posts on TikTok alone. Why, then, do we still love cookbooks?, How 1.5 million km of undersea internet cables can double up as an earthquake and tsunami warning system, A cosmic explosion with the force of a billion Suns went unseen – until we caught its echo, 20 billion galaxies: new survey of the sky will reveal the universe in unprecedented detail, ‘Buy it nice or buy it twice’: what the ‘frugal chic’ trend tells us about our clothing habits, Buying a car? Here’s what you need to know about new safety ratings, Michelangelo hated painting the Sistine Chapel – and never aspired to be a painter to begin with, 250 million-year-old amphibian fossils from Australia reveal global spread of ‘sea-salamanders’, The ‘first-night effect’: why it’s hard to sleep when you’re somewhere new, Face-to-face scam support for NSW seniors, Palm Beach XI Takes Flight, Strengthening the retirement phase of superannuation, COTA welcomes retirement income reforms; calls for strong independent guidance, Spin-cycle savings: popular $250 washing machine program returns, Strengthening the reliability of medical reports: DVA, Open Arms group programs, AI companies promise to ‘fix’ aged care but they’re selling a false narrative, Mow for Ol'Mate in March, Local Seniors Festival Events: 2026, These shoes are best for hip and knee arthritis according to science, High-speed rail from Sydney to Newcastle is a step closer. But what about Sydney to Melbourne?, What wearables can (and can’t) tell you about your heart health, Utopia: on high-speed rail in Australia

Pittwater Ocean Swims Welcome Swimmers in March by John Guthrie

A community legacy: Art Auction of works from the Home of Susan Duncan & Bob Story to Support West Pittwater RFS - Open now, closing Monday 9 March at midnight - Live auction: Saturday 7 March, Elvina Reserve, 3.30pm - Approximately 20 works will be concluded live

Councils Approving DA's in Known Flood Zones - NSW Government's Proposed Climate Change and Natural Hazards State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP): Have Your Say until March 16