Unwanted Concrete Installed on South Avalon Beach Without Community Consultation: Little Av. Path + Sandstone Terracing still May Appear
South Avalon's Beach once green hill - February 16, 2026. Photos supplied
Although the path could have been welcomed by those in wheelchairs, mums with bub in prams and the elderly on walking sticks to provide access either to the beach or the way up the hill, a series of steps in the structure negates the 'who this could be for' inclusion of these groups.
There are concerns the path has been cut too close to a treasured palm tree and that too will now fail as a result of the works.
People are also wondering what happened to the council not covering over the sacred ochre known to be at the site, treasured by resident indigenous peoples.
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March 16, 2026: the new path that creates more access, unless you're pushing a pram, in a wheelchair, or using a walking stick
South Avalon's Beach once green hill - February 16, 2026. Photos supplied
Although the path could have been welcomed by those in wheelchairs, mums with bub in prams and the elderly on walking sticks to provide access either to the beach or the way up the hill, a series of steps in the structure negates the 'who this could be for' inclusion of these groups.
There are concerns the path has been cut too close to a treasured palm tree and that too will now fail as a result of the works.
People are also wondering what happened to the council not covering over the sacred ochre known to be at the site, treasured by resident indigenous peoples.
March 16, 2026: the new path that creates more access, unless you're pushing a pram, in a wheelchair, or using a walking stick
What a successful two weekends it has been for NLSC Junior sailors.
On the weekend 7/8 March the Heron Junior NSW State Championships were held at Concord Ryde Sailing Club.
Two races on the Saturday in light fickle breeze were followed by four races on the Sunday in a well established 10-15 knot wind with occasional gusts of up to 18 knots. The two Divisions, Junior/Junior and Junior/Senior were hotly contested.
NLSC Juniors achieved first and second places on scratch and a third place on handicap in the Junior/Junior division with a third on scratch and a second on handicap in the Junior/Senior Division.
Well done to all the junior sailors competing!
You may well think that after a hectic week end of sailing they may have wanted to rest but the following Sunday 15 March many were back on the waters on Narrabeen Lake competing in the Sabot Zone Regatta.
Sabot Zone Regatta, hosted by NLSC, March 15 2026. Photo supplied
Profile of the Week VALE: Allan Edward GonsalvesNovember 30, 1931 - Thursday March 12 2026, aged 94.
Beloved husband of Maureen, adored father of Mark, Kerrie and Paul.
A Service will be held for Allan at Innes Gardens Memorial Park, Port Macquarie Monday March 23, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM. For those unable to attend, a Live stream will be available here.
Palm Beach Butcher, Surf Boat Crew Member, Legend of Whale Beach SLSC
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We continue our intermittent delving into the parks and reserves on the 'Newport Loop', this time finding one that has a Manly link and land being resumed by that council at the same time for a park and reserve there from the same family who once owned that resumed to form Crescent Reserve.
James Verrall, Boatman and Boatshed Proprietor, and Walter Verrall, Carpenter and Boat Builder, both of North Harbour Manly and sons of James Verrall senior, acquired 5 acres 3 roods and 34 perches through Primary Application 27062 on March 2nd, 1926 – 100 years ago this month - on the Crescent and The Avenue at Newport with just over 2 acres of this fronting what had been known in earlier times as 'Old Mangrove Bay' and alongside where 'Boulton's Jetty/Wharf' had been in one lithograph.
Their father had bought the Newport land in 1891 on January 1st, according to the records, from the Mona Vale Land Company. James Verrall senior drowned aged 84 in North Harbor on Thursday November 6 1924, between Side Hall and Forty Baskets beach.
James Verrall senior, was one of the early boatmen of Manly, who had settled at 'North Harbour' by 1875. Boatmen were like today's water taxi proprietors, except they rowed people in that pre-engine age for boats. George Mulhall, first Lightkeeper at Barrenjoey Lighthouse, was also a boatman and considered the First Champion in Rowing in Australia due to his ability to beat all comers in races that form part of early Sydney Harbour Regattas or in betting races that would see big wins for the person who came first. Then, as now, boatmen's boats used to transport fare paying passengers around or across the harbour, before regular ferry services in the 1860s and even afterwards, for those who missed the last boat home.
This Issue a few insights into how the council ensured the community and wildlife could access the water of Old Mangrove Bay and in doing so, saved a section of this environment.
Profile of the Week Annabelle Chapman - First Female Member at Palm Beach SLSC, Masters Athlete, Architect Annabelle Chapman, holds degrees in both Architecture and Interior Design, and has been a Chartered Architect since 1986. With over 40 years’ experience, having worked on Heritage Buildings, Commercial Interiors, small- and large-scale residential work, along with drawing functional works to meet clients’ requirements list, Annabelle has earned a high reputation in her chosen vocation. There is an element of responding to and framing the landscape these buildings sit in, a celebration of place and immersing a home in the landscape to draw in light, expand space, and honour environment.
Some of these influences are clearly drawn from her love of Palm Beach and Pittwater and decades of being immersed in this place.
There is another reason Annabelle loves Palm Beach though.
The 2026 Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships, the Aussies, commence next Saturday, March 21, with the Masters Divisions Individual events starting from Monday 23rd March and Masters Teams events running Tuesday 24th March 2026.
Palm Beach SLSC has a big contingent heading north to this year’s Aussies, being held on the Gold Coast, Queensland at North Kirra SLSC and Tugun SLSC – Masters, Opens and Surf Boat crews will race against their peers from across Australia, as well as have some good fun catching up with friends they haven’t seen since last year.
Some of the Palm Beach SLSC Masters athletes have been competing as Teams in the events for them for around 20 years, with Annabelle and team mates Di van Oos, Fi Rae, Karen Begg, and at the recent SLS NSW State Championships, Christine McGoldrick joining the girls in these Team events.
Palm Beach SLSC had their first female club Captain of Palm Beach SLSC (2009/2010) in Kate McDonald. Kate became first female president in 2014 and was followed by Alex Tyrell in 2016.
However, the first female Member to sign up to serve the community was Annabelle Chapman, currently celebrating her 40th Season with Palm Beach SLSC.
Anabelle is part of strong contingent of Pittwater Surf Lifesaving women who work together to make things better for all girls.
With so many of the local Surf Lifesaving SNB Branch members heading north, this week a few insights from Palmy’s first female member on why her passion for Palm Beach Surf Club and competing at the Aussies continues.
The mass exodus north to compete in the Australian Life Saving Championships (the Aussies) has begun, with residents sending in messages ‘from the road’ as athletes and families from local surf clubs take the opportunity to enjoy the Summer-becoming-Autumn beauty of this place in a slow dawdle up the coast.
Chapters such as ‘Those Wooden Things’ from the celebratory Avalon Beach SLSC centenary book ‘’100 Years of Saving Lives’’, celebrate almost 90 years of surf boats at Avalon Beach SLSC in Season by Season accounts.
In fact, Avalon Beach SLSC’s Boat Division teams have been competing with the clubs’ traditional caps according to Ash Cardiff, Director Surf Sports, and will do so at this year's Aussies too.
With the boaties getting ready to race in their final meet-ups for the 2025-2026 Season, we roll out the red and green carpet to share what Avalon Beach SLSC's historians and presidents have compiled on the Avalon Beach SLSC Boat Division.
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
Profile of the Week Pittwater Woman of the Year 2026 awarded to Skye Rose: Champion of Inclusive Sport + Gidget Foundation Founder and Narrabeen Sports High student recognised at NSW Women of the Year Awards Sky 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.
Skye was formally honoured at the Zonta International Women’s Day Breakfast at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport on March 4.
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Gold!: Mona Vale Menace – the crew of Jasmine Sidall, Georgia Aiden, Abbey Pickering, Anabel Rulli, and James Meadows won the U19 Female category
Gold!: Palm Beach Phins - Aymeric Moloney Bow, Jack Nugent Second Bow, Benjamin Brunker Second Stroke, Thomas Lacey Stroke and swept by Peter Spence won the U23 Males
Photos; Malcolm Trees
Profile of the Week INXS Nominated for Induction Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - fan voting open nowThe local band that started out in their early days as the Farriss Bros and then became INXS, with more than 70 million records sold worldwide and three Grammy nominations, who took their talents from Australian pubs to stadiums around the world, has been nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with the fans voting currently open.
Vote now at: vote.rockhall.com.
