Neighbourhood Media Crows Nest Magazine #2 | March 2024

+ HEAPS MORE TREAT YOURSELF AT GARFISH LOCAL ARTIST, THOMAS JACKSON

The Fascinating History of Balls Head

Hello Crows Nest

WE are back with Issue #2 - let’s dig in!

Learn more about the fascinating history behind Balls Head Reserve and Flat Rock Gully. Catch up with local artist Thomas Jackson, the incredible talent behind the recognisable mural ‘Green Fig Bird’ featured on our front cover.

We shine a big spotlight on local businesses, catching up with the team at Big Music School, Top3 by Design, and the multi award-winning local seafood restaurant, Garfish.

Meet local Artist, Thomas Jackson

Take a Stroll Through Flat Rock Gully

HUMANS OF 2065 LEARN

What’s New at Big Music School?

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Design your Dream Home

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Catching up With Top3 by Design

One of Australia’s Best Seafood Restaurants, In your Backyard

Looking to pinch some pennies? We have a roundup of the best Happy Hours and Specials that 2065 has to offer, as well as the Best Markets in and around the Lower North Shore.

See you next time, Neighbourhood Media x

PUBLISHER - Neighbourhood Media

DESIGNER - Robert Everett

CONTRIBUTORS - Isabella Edwards, Jamie Apps, Tahney Fosdike, Alec Smart & Rob Everett

ADVERTISING - Georgie Pengelly - 0416 972 081

The Best Weekly Deals & Specials 2065 Has to Offer!

Attention Shopaholics - Lower North Shore Market Guide

Can you Solve the Crossword? Clues Found in this Issue!

SHOP PUZZLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

There is no better time to shop local, make sure to show your support

HISTORY

By Alec Smart

UUNLIKE neighbouring Berry Island Reserve (which, confusingly, is in Balls Head Bay, not Berrys Bay), Balls Head was never an island.

The L-shaped headland features a number of historic sites (see below) and the tip of the forested peninsula, Balls Head Reserve, has around eight easy-walking tracks. However, only two – Western Walk and the Harbour View Walk – are wheelchair-accessible.

Although the Indigenous Cammeraygal Aboriginals knew the peninsula as Yerroulbine, British colonists renamed it Balls Head in the 1790s honouring Henry Lidgbird Ball (1756-1818), who commanded HMS Supply, one of two Royal Navy ships that accompanied the First Fleet of convicts to Sydney.

SITES OF INTEREST

Aboriginal - Hand stencils and engravings were once scattered in rock shelters and plateaus, although most have weathered away. However, a petroglyph of a whale, 7m long, with a man inside, by its tail, is carved into a rock surface near the entrance of the Coal Loader. There are also shell middens near the shoreline.

Coal Loader – Now an educational centre for environmental sustainability, this Heritage-listed bunkering facility (1920-1993) was mainly used to supply coal to fuel Sydney’s fleet of steamships.

MV Cape Don - Moored below the Coal Loader is this former research vessel; now a museum and training ship.

Balls Head, the peninsula between Berrys Bay, to the east, and Balls Head Bay, to the west, has a fascinating history.

The remains of the Old Gas Works at Oyster Cove Reserve, below the modern apartment complex of Wondakiah Estate, include the Boiler House, Carburetted Water Gas Plant, the Chimney, and the Exhauster House.

Carradah Park, a dismantled fuel storage depot, was home to huge metal tanks of varying sizes from the 1930s until their removal in the mid 1990s, when there were 31 in total. The sheer cliff face behind was nicknamed ‘Gibraltar’ by locals. Carradah was named after a Cammeraygal man who was a friend of the Lieutenant Ball the headland was named after.

Quarantine Boat Depot – From 1912 until 1988 this facility, which consists of two cottages and boat moorings, operated two vessels, Pasteur and Jenner. They fumigated international passenger ships arriving to Sydney Harbour and ferried medical personnel and patients between them and the Quarantine Station Wharf at North Head.

Tom’s Cabin, a relic from the Great Depression (19291939) when the poverty-stricken lived in tents, rocky overhangs, and make-shift huts because they couldn’t afford rent or mortgages. This dwelling survives because the open-fronted cave was sealed behind concrete and bricks and a steel hinged door. Inside there was a firepit and chimney and steel pegs were driven into the wall on which to hang clothes.

It is not known who originally sealed the cave entrance, but in the 1950s it was occupied by Tom Stacey, a North

Heads on the NSW south coast.

After Edward died in 1832, Alexander replaced Edward’s property above Berrys Bay, ‘Crows Nest’, with a larger stone house and spent most of his time there, eventually becoming a recluse when his wife Elizabeth (Edward’s sister) died in 1845.

Thereafter the estate was sub-divided and in the mid 1800s Alexander leased the Berrys Bay wharf to steam shipping companies as a depot for storing coal and ballast.

After his death in 1872, a distillery set up in the old stone warehouse, operating until the mid 1880s.

From the 1870s, shipbuilding companies also set up around Berrys Bay and for the next 40+ years all types of vessels, including ferries, yachts, tugboats and lighters,

“Although the Indigenous Cammeraygal Aboriginals knew the peninsula as Yerroulbine, British colonists renamed it Balls Head in the 1790s honouring Henry Lidgbird Ball”.

The cove on the western side of Berrys Bay was colloquially known as ‘Torpedo Bay’ when the NSW Torpedo and Signals Corp occupied it from their foundation in Dec 1873, until the Navy relocated the submariners to Chowder

Balls Head Bay was formerly known by a succession of different names, depending on the principle industry taking place on the foreshore, and some of the historic buildings

(from 1820 providing anchorage to goods vessels chartered by merchant Edward Wollstonecraft

(In 1858, Ralph Robey, co-founder of Colonial Sugar Refining Co. – now CSR – purchased 22 acres of Alexander Berry’s Crows Nest estate and established a new refinery, Robey’s Sugar Works, on the foreshore. However, it ran into financial troubles and was subsequently purchased by CSR);

Kerosene Bay (from 1865-67, the Australian Mineral Oil Co, followed by the Peruvian Oil Co, repurposed the former sugar distillery into a kerosene manufacturing plant to provide fuel for household lamps); and

Powder Works Bay (from 1889-91, Neokratine Safety Explosives Co manufactured gunpowder on site, which was then taken over by North Shore Gas Co and they constructed a gasworks in 1906).

The north-eastern upper reaches of Balls Head Bay are

LEARN

Crows Nest locals would be hard pressed to miss Thomas Jackson’s impressive acrylic and aerosol masterpiece, Green Fig Bird in Atchison Lane (behind 62 Atchison St), St Leonards. (Seen on the cover of this edition of 2065)

HWe caught up with the talented local to find out more about his process and creating art in the 2065 neighbourhood!

HAVE you always been an artist? Where did it all begin for you?

I feel like when you are an artist you are always an artist. Creating works and just generally being creative isn’t something you can switch off but is a part of who you are. I have been creating works for exhibitions and in public spaces since I was a teenager but was never sure if I could make a career out of it until my mid 20’s. I am very privileged to know a number of amazing artists who have been very supportive and always inspired me along the way.

What’s your relationship to the 2065 neighbourhood?

I went to school in Crows Nest at a place called Bradfield College, and while I was at school painted some of my first walls in the area.

You’re originally from the UK – what drew you to Australia, and how has that impacted your art?

My Family moved to Australia when I was quite little. When we arrived in Australia, the native landscape was incredible. The plants, animals and sounds were nothing like I’d witnessed before. I used to play in the bush at the end of my street and collect insects like cicadas and bring them home.

Before long I had built a habitat out of an old sink in the back garden and filled it with frogs, tadpoles, plants and even a water dragon. I had an instant fascination with the natural world around me and it has stayed with me well into my adult life.

What can you tell us about your featured piece, ‘Green Fig Bird’ ? Where did the inspiration come from, and why did you choose it for this location?

Within all my work I focus the subject matter on either local species that are seen in the area or species that are at risk or no longer in the urban areas where my works are situated. Conservation and species awareness is a huge pas-

sion of mine and I wish to champion this within my works.

For example painting the critically endangered regent honeyeater in an urban area may inspire people to learn more about them and what they can do to help. Within this artwork I wanted to paint something that is common to the area, but something that people may not see or see the beauty in.

Fig birds are more commonly heard and not seen as they have a rather unique call but like to nest or gather quite high in trees, and therefore might not be something that people are aware of. My hope is that after seeing this artwork, the viewer may get a greater understanding of this species and keep an eye out.

How would you describe your style of art, and what drew you to this form?

I have always been inspired more by natural history illustration than modern art. I always say I’m the worst person to talk about art but if you want to talk about wildlife, I’m your guy. I have taken inspiration from natural history illustration and modern illustration and melded them together. So if people ask I would say that my style is ’New Contemporary Natural History Illustration’.

Your murals typically span multi-story buildings – how do you plan for such large-scale work, and how do you feel once such a mammoth piece is complete?

I much prefer going big. My most common conversation when people commission a work is ‘bigger is better’. Smaller works aren’t always achievable due to the medium and way the work should be viewed. I am much happier working on a lift and drawing something really big rather than a smaller wall and trying to fit something in.

My work for galleries and exhibitions are in juxtaposition quite small. This has always been something I have found quite amusing as the conversation is flipped. I like having this difference within my process.

IN THE HOOD

By Alec Smart

Flat Rock Gully is a forested region on Sydney’s Lower North Shore that follows Flat Rock Creek from the sports facilities at Willoughby Leisure Centre down to where it flows into Long Bay, at Middle Harbour.

Encompassing the interface between four suburbs – Cammeray, Northbridge, Naremburn and Willoughby - there are walking tracks winding through the forested valley that can be accessed from either end – Tunks Park to the east and Hallstrom Park to the west.

WWITH historic curiosities scattered amidst the lush forest trails, and passing beneath the iconic Long Gully suspension bridge with its crenelated four stone towers, it makes a very interesting 4km return walking trip.

However, the unsealed bush tracks are steep in parts and after rainfall the stone steps may be slippery and the creek waters swollen, so it requires sturdy walking shoes and caution. Dogs are also allowed, on leashes.

Beginning at the Tunks Park Boat Ramp, at the mouth of Flat Rock Creek, there is car parking, toilets and a water bubbler, and when you return there are picnic tables, 2 BBQs and a kids’ play area on the foreshore if you decide to finish the walk with a cooked meal.

Tunks Park is also accessible by the 194 bus, which commutes between the City and St Ives Chase.

opened in 1892.

The original steel suspension bridge was closed in 1936 after it fell into disrepair, its suspension cables dangerously corroded, so a Victorian Gothic-themed concrete arch and support beams, opened in August 1939, was installed to replace it.

“Legend has it that when he slaughtered his livestock, Long Bay was full of sharks attracted to the blood and offal that flowed downstream along Flat Rock Creek.”

Following the creek inland, initially you’ll be walking a bitumen path for a few hundred metres as you pass sports fields on your right. Soon, you’ll pass beneath the magnificent Long Gully Bridge, also known as Northbridge and Cammeray Bridge, although it actually links these two suburbs.

At 51 metres above the valley and 152 metres in length, on each corner it features four towers made of sandstone (quarried at Castle Cove) that resemble Norman castle turrets. The bridge was considered an engineering marvel and proved a significant tourist attraction when it first

At this point of Flat Rock Creek you traverse a timber walkway that takes you around designated wetlands, designed to inhibit the flow of sediment into Long Bay. It provides a habitat for fish and wildlife, including striped mullet, rare finches and robins, long-nosed bandicoots and the occasional swamp wallaby.

Hereafter, the path transitions from gravel to dirt track and the creek widens at a point where it forks. This point marks the end of the oncenavigable lower part of Flat Rock Creek, where, to the left, an historic wharf serviced barges sailing in from Long Bay, which collected sandstone from a quarry further up the hill on West St.

The main conduit of the creek (to the right), bearing north, takes you up into Northbridge. Soon, you reach a crossing, consisting of rectangular stone slabs that curve in an ‘S’, and a little further on another crossing over rock slabs that line the creek bed.

These crossings are potentially treacherous in the wake of storms, when fast-flowing rainwater submerges the stones, so they may be impassable and remaining on one

side of the creek is the safest option.

The option to deviate now has presented itself: after crossing the aforementioned rock slabs the path ascends north through Coachwood Forest, via stone steps along Wilksch Walk, parts of which (higher up) consist of timber walkways, where you can enjoy views of the Long Gully Bridge in the distance before it ends at Willoughby Leisure Centre.

Wilksch Walk was named after Eric Wilksch (1918-2002), a South Australian conservationist and historian who settled nearby in Market St, Naremburn in 1950. A renowned environmentalist, who also worked in the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wilksch is credited for protecting the bushland of Flat Rock Gully and why the main pathway (that he helped construct) through this beautiful bushland was named after him.

Alternately, remaining on the southern bank (after crossing the ‘S’ stones over the creek) enables you to visit several historic curiosities.

Firstly, turn south-east along Dawson Street Track and you’ll come across some sandstone blocks that are all that remains of a former house and garden. These are known as ‘Fatty’ Dawson Ruins, named after a former farmer who ran a piggery above, on the intersection of West and Dawson Streets, in the 1870s.

Legend has it that when he slaughtered his livestock, Long Bay was full of sharks attracted to the blood and offal that flowed downstream along Flat Rock Creek.

Following the path back westwards, towards Dawson Playground (but remaining on the south side of the creek), you’ll pass a dry sandstone retaining wall that once bordered historic orchards.

Avoiding suburbia, head north up the dirt track, and soon you’ll reach a combined cycle/pedestrian path that takes you through a short tunnel beneath Flat Rock Drive that is intricately painted with magnificent Aboriginal artwork.

The Indigenous clans that historically inhabited this area were the Cammeraygal – from whom we derive the suburb named ‘Cammeray’. Their traditional lands encompassed what are now the North Sydney, Willoughby, Mosman and Manly local government areas.

By now the creek will be out of sight, as from here onwards much of it is a stormwater drain. However, if you continue along the footpath, you’ll pass through a sandstone brick tunnel, and a short distance ahead is a rock overhang known as Henry Lawson’s Cave.

Here, between 1907-18, the writer Henry Lawson (18671922), a chronic alcoholic by this stage in his life, reputedly slept off hangovers after nights drinking in Crows Nest bars, when he was too drunk to return home to his room in a North Sydney coffee house.

Willoughby Council now host an annual poetry reading event in the rocky overhang.

Nearby is also a mural painted by Indigenous artist Shane Haurama in 2007. Consisting of three sections, each section refers to the past, present and future relationship between the Aboriginal people and the landscape of Flat Rock Gully.

Here you’ve reached the end of the route, and crossing the netball courts to Small St will join the start of Wilksch Walk and the return trek back down to Tunks Park.

Bushwalking-Tracks/Tracks/Flat-Rock-Gully-Walking-Track

Alternate online map of Flat Rock Gully: visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/WalkingTrackFlatRock.pdf

LEARN

By Adeline Teoh

C“Music education is not for the talented,” said neuroscientist Dr Anita Collins in her TEDxCanberra talk on the benefits of such. “It is essential.”

COLLINS’ research underscored the positive effects of studying music on cognitive function, memory, language learning, and even emotional regulation, with the greatest benefits for those who start learning by the age of seven.

It’s something Richard Berkman, co-founder (with brother David) and managing director of Big Music, has seen time and time again with the students who attend the music school. “I’ve had parents say that they can’t believe the change in their child since they started to come to Big Music. They walk up the stairs, they get into the studio with their coach or with their bandmates and everything else gets left behind. They’re absorbed in the music and the music’s good for you, and you go home feeling refreshed.”

Since 2008, Big Music has occupied the corner of Alexander and Ernest Streets in Crows Nest as two arms: the space that hosts the school, studios and a live performance venue on Level 1, and the instrument retailer on the ground floor.

After renovations in late 2023, it has now reopened as the Big Music School & Studios, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities for lessons and rehearsals, with the former retail spot now run by Mannys Music and Store DJ. The new retail owners have retained the team and stock and added DJ and electronic equipment to keep up with demand.

The decision to separate the arms meant Big Music could focus on education, says Berkman, who was an accountant in his former life. “My brother and I started the business and it was his idea – he was very musical and he had the idea to create a place that was integrated where you could

buy an instrument and learn how to play it and join bands and everything. And we researched it and no one seemed to be doing it,” he recalls. “The tuition business was a small, relatively sideline thing. We had a couple of hundred students and now we’ve got over 800.”

The popularity of the school is partly driven by its ethos: to have fun. Learning is student-led, with learners choosing an instrument, a teacher and musical style. It focuses on contemporary music – largely rock ‘n’ roll and pop – with guitar, drums, bass and piano the main instruments taught, with a side of brass.

There are no exams (unless the student wants to do them) and the end goal is performance. Students range from a five-year-old learning the piano, to an adult learning to play a song on the ukulele for their 50th birthday, to a septuagenarian bass player.

Another contributing element is the quality of the teaching staff, a team of 30 – “they’re cool and they’re fun and they’re active musicians,” describes Berkman – which includes ARIA Hall of Fame guitarist Bob Spencer (Skyhooks, The Angels).

One further factor is, ironically, increased screen time. “Kids and adults spend a lot of time on their devices and I feel we’ve become popular partly because we’re seen as an antidote to that,” says Berkman. “Parents like to see their kids doing something that’s essentially ‘hands on, screen off’. It’s analogue, it’s real, but the kids are happy doing it.”

He feels the same way playing guitar with his band, Out of Bounds. “All my bandmates are English and so we end up

playing mostly English pub rock. I find that when we have band practice, I go home feeling good, like I’ve been to the gym, and wake up the next morning still feeling like I’ve had a benefit. So it’s actually quite a physical and mental and possibly even spiritual thing.”

Which instrument should you learn?

Solve Legal is here to help!

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“I think the instrument finds the person more often than not,” says Richard. “We never tell them what to learn. We are often asked, ‘what’s the easiest instrument to learn?’ And look, for little kids a keyboard’s great, because it’s really visual.

“They love the drums because it’s gratifying. And ukulele is good because it’s nice and small and they can get their hands around it. It depends on age and stage and even the size of the kid. But we normally find that you just give them time on an instrument.

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“We ask them all at the end of a holiday camp, ‘what instrument did you love?’ And you go right around the room and every kid is different.”

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Big Music is on: Level 1, 85 Alexander Street (corner of Ernest Street), Crows Nest. For details on programs, teachers and venue hire, see bigmusic.com.au.

Big Music’s Richard Berkman shares his local haunts.

“I’d probably start the day with a coffee at Café 107. [Owner] Tony’s been there as long as we have. If you want to meet the locals, go to Café 107,” he recommends.

A visit to the park at Ernest Place is “good for people-watching”, then pick a café along Willoughby Road for lunch as there are plenty to choose from. “And then maybe finish with a beer at the pub. We had our Christmas party at the Crows Nest Hotel, but there’s lots of other great little bars.”

Solve Legal offer full legal advisory services including conveyancing, wills and estates, commercial litigation, contracts, employment, unfair dismissals, immigration and family law.

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Solve Legal offer full legal advisory services including conveyancing, wills and estates, commercial litigation, contracts, employment, unfair dismissals, immigration and family law.

Solve will take the time to listen and understand what matters most, before developing and managing a long-term strategy.

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We will, at all times, advise you with your best interests in mind.

Solve Legal offer full legal advisory services including conveyancing, wills and estates, commercial litigation, contracts, employment, unfair dismissals, immigration and family law.

Solve will take the time to listen and understand what matters most, before developing and managing a long-term strategy.

We will, at all times, advise you with your best interests in mind.

Level 1, 174 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn 02 8660 1335

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We will, at all times, advise you with your best interests in mind.

Level 1, 174 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn 02 8660 1335

Level 1, 174 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn 02 8660 1335

Solvelegal.com.au

HOME

NBridging The Gap Between A Project Home And An Architect Led Build.

Bridging The Gap Between A Project Home And An Architect Led Build.

NO ONE wants to build a home that they are going to see replicated all over Sydney, but in the last few years the cost of building has increased to a point that the custom/ Architecturally designed home you have dreamed of may feel out of reach. Icon Homes is a local Sydney builder who is combining over 20 years of experience building with some of Australia’s best Architects with more recent experience in the volume builder space. The result is a stunning, bespoke custom home at a more affordable price tag.

A DESIGN PROCESS FOCUSSED ON YOU

The big difference is although Icon boasts an extensive catalogue of past projects to wet your creative appetite, the design process can start with any type of inspiration you provide. This could mean starting with a sketch you have been working on, picking different parts of existing Icon floorplans or even a wish list of items you need in your new home. When building with Icon, a custom home does not mean just being able to move a wall in one of their designs.

Elle Rose recently completed her build with Icon and has been thrilled with the process and loves her new home, ‘We spoke to quite a few builders but what we felt from Icon from the very beginning was that it was a partnership. Our home is a fully custom design, we had plenty of inspiration, but the team made it all come together, so that it is what we dreamed of but also functional and most importantly to budget. I had a long wish list of items and the team worked with me to get them included or come up with an alternative to achieve the look and remain in budget. We could not love our home more!’

SOLUTION BASED PLANNING

For many builders a sloping or irregular shaped block means a firm no on a rebuild project. That is not the case with Icon Homes, of course a flat, rectangular block makes for an easy project but Icon work around many site challenges and their design team have extensive experience in how to make the most out of most blocks.

CUSTOM PROCESS, WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG

The word custom often means expensive, and building a new home is always going to be a large sum of money. However, Icon Homes have found a way for a custom design offering without the price tag. It is their clear and streamlined process and timeline that keeps the overall cost down compared to working with an Architect. All decisions and selections are made upfront, and when the team get to site, they do what they do best – build your dream home.

We spoke with one of their Directors, Peter Thomas who summed it up perfectly ‘At the end of the day we are building nerds, so we love that every job throws up different challenges and keeps us on our toes. We are happy with the niche we have found in the market because it gives us the flexibility to play around with new designs and then put our skills to work.’

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Offering a low maintenance lifestyle with a nice balance of social and private spaces, Bougainvillea provides a sense of community, connection and security. Stunning pond gardens, onsite restaurant, extensive library, aqua aerobics……… and so much more!

The benefits of switching to retirement living can positively affect your health and well-being.

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We visited Terri Winter in her Sydney Showroom.

By Adeline Teoh

Crows Nest emporium Top3 by Design outlasts the trends.

TTERRI WINTER believes good design is often silent or invisible. The founder and curator of Top3 by Design has been in business since 2001, selecting and selling some of the world’s best products, from pet accessories to furniture.

The Top3 ethos, which centres on curated design that resists trends to focus on timelessness and quality, has stood her in good stead for more than two decades in a world where fickle fads and copycats have threatened the industry.

Much of this is due to her prominent commitment to design, not just “stuff looking good” but a true understanding of neuroaesthetics, the science behind why we feel the way we do in spaces we inhabit, she says.

“There is more and more understanding that interior design is not just making a space look nice, it is about how the space makes us feel when we are in it. This impacts our wellbeing on a daily basis, so it is vital to have it well considered.”

The premise of Top3 is simple. Winter curates pieces based on form and function, sustainability and innovation, which means buying less but buying better. It’s an antidote to “the fast-paced throwaway-ism of social media trends and the constant search for ‘new’,” she says.

If it sounds like a rant about social media, it’s not. Social platforms, after all, have enabled the business to find its ‘tribe’ of like-minded customers – among them design professionals and clients who appreciate craftsmanship.

“We are not for everyone and over the years have embraced that,” Winter says. “At the beginning we certainly tried to have something for everyone, but, over the years, the passion for quality, and also a growing understanding of the impact of production choices on the planet, has meant that many novelty items from the early years simply don’t fit our more stringent need for a sustainable approach.”

AUTHENTICITY

The longevity of authentic design is also a big factor. Top3 stocks only original items, which is not just an aesthetic choice, but one that values quality and speaks to the sustainability of the design industry beyond the product.

“For many years, [the proliferation of] replica furniture and fake copies of original design pieces was one of our biggest challenges, because Australian law does very little to protect original design,” Winter admits. Ironically, higher shipping costs have helped the authentic market. “The price difference between an original piece and the throwaway

“There is more and more understanding that interior design is not just making a space look nice, it is about how the space makes us feel when we are in it.”.

copy becomes less – and thankfully that means more people avoid the copy.”

Winter’s dedication to timelessness also contributes to how she selects pieces. The value of curation can’t be overstated. “The interesting thing is that the concept of curation has existed from when we first opened, however the reason for it has shifted,” she says.

“When we first started in 2001, the editing was to unearth products because it was difficult to find unique product. Fast-forward to today and we still provide an edit of product, however we now live in a world where you can find anything – so with so much choice, what do you buy?”

Unsurprisingly, getting her to name her favourite piece is like asking her to name her favourite child, especially as Top3 has more recently become about collections. “The edit stems around how pieces go together as a curated mix,” she says.

“I get real joy from wandering through our showrooms and enjoy the vignettes and spaces we have created throughout. It is about the pieces working together to create something together... it’s the sum of the parts that brings me joy.”

But if you really must know, it’s a Hoffmann Kahleyss piece. “I think the Freifrau swing chair, in both indoor and outdoor versions, is my favourite.”

Terri Winter shares how to develop your style.

1. Start by collecting images and items that ‘talk’ to you. “Not overthinking it – just collecting spaces and furniture pieces that you are drawn to. They may all differ in style, but a thread will emerge that helps to guide the final space. The best spaces are not of a fixed ‘genre’ but are a tapestry of your life,” she says.

2. Remember to include any existing pieces that are meaningful to you “so they can be integrated and not become at odds with the design afterwards”.

3. Try to avoid trends and look at what functions well for you. “Think about a space that can grow with you over time,” says Winter.

LOCAL FAVOURITE

Even before starting Top3 by Design, Terri Winter was a Crows Nest local and says she has seen it ‘grow up’ over the years. Her tip? Go al fresco when you dine.

“I love to eat outside, so favourites for me are Small Bar for a glass of rosé or a gin goblet and haloumi salad, Salmon and Bear for the best tuna cooked in their Mibrasa oven with crispy cos lettuce, or Vietnamese restaurant Chill for just about anything on their menu – delicious! For pizza lovers, a table outside at Bravo is most rewarding with a yummy woodfired treat.”

EAT

WWHEN you’ve been around for a couple of decades, it can be hard to keep things fresh, but that’s what Garfish Crows Nest has done both in the kitchen, with its fresh seafood promise, and at the table with its warm and friendly service. The combination proved to be a winning one, leading to its recent success at the 2023 Restaurant & Catering Association’s Awards for Excellence where it took out the top honours for Best Seafood Restaurant – Informal at the national level.

“From a business point of view, it is always good to be recognised by your peers in the hospitality industry, so we are always humbled when we get that recognition,” says restaurant manager Jakob Jonsson-Williams, who has been with the business since 2017. “Managing Garfish is an honour. I carry the baton passed on by previous managers and the one thing we pride ourselves on is consistency with regards to both product and service.”

He admits the role can be very challenging – “especially in these current times” – and explains: “I am responsible for everything front of house, from staffing to stock, but most

importantly ensuring every service runs smoothly and all our diners leave happy. This in itself can be a challenge as every service is different. I work very closely with our head chef and one of the keys to our success is communication both with our customers and within the business.”

Along with Jonsson-Williams, the team also looks to veteran area manager Carole Dunn, who has been with the restaurant since the beginning. She says its longevity has secured its place in the suburb.

“I think the community regards Garfish as an asset. We are a stalwart in the area,” she remarks. At the end of January the restaurant celebrated its 20-year anniversary, “no mean feat these days,” she adds.

Having a long history means the restaurant and staff have shared many memorable moments with customers over the years, and they’re now beginning to see the next generation come in, says Dunn. “We are a ‘go to’ restaurant. We are part of the family, having seen babies and young children grow into adults that now bring along their partners and young families. We are consistent and familiar.”

Because the restaurant sources its seafood fresh, its menu is seasonal and you’re likely to see the blackboard specials change regularly. Having said that, there are certainly popular options that people come back for.

“We definitely have favourites on the menu, dishes that we could never take off, like the salt and pepper squid, snapper pie, fish and chips,” says Jonsson-Williams. However, he recommends the sharing seafood platter as “a great way to navigate our menu” and try a little of everything. “It offers a selection of our most popular entrees along with chargrilled shellfish, fish from our daily blackboard selection, plus additional side dishes.”

And if you’re after a degustation tip, he says a classic won’t go astray. “In terms of pairing you can never go wrong with freshly shucked [Sydney rock] oysters from East 33 and a glass of Champagne or aged Leogate semillon from the Hunter Valley.”

Want to create your own pairing? Garfish offers BYO ($8pp) on Saturday lunch and Tuesdays. You’ll find Garfish Crows Nest at 6/29 Holtermann Street.

For bookings and menu details, see:

(There is also a Manly restaurant if you’re travelling to the Northern

COMING IN TO ROOST

Garfish manager Jakob Jonsson-Williams says newcomers to the Crows Nest area are likely to unearth more than they might think when they visit. “Visitors and first-timers to Crows Nest are constantly surprised by what’s on offer, from great shopping, lots of cafes and eateries to small wine bars. The parking is easy, and of course we would love to see you at Garfish.”

Our philosophy is simple: we serve the best seafood and you choose how you’d like it prepared, with our constantly changing blackboard menu featuring only the freshest market fish sourced that morning.

EAT & DRINK

Looking for a mid-week tipple that’s not going to break the bank? We’ve rounded up the best deals for Crows Nest locals around - sure to satisfy you, your wallet and your appetite!

THE HAYBERRY

97 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest 0412 438 140 | thehayberry.com.au

Every day is Happy Hour at the Hayberry! Every day you can grab $5 wines, beers, spirits and snacks from 4 ‘til 5:30pm. Hungry for more? Head on a Wednesday for the $1 wing special

MAC N G’S

23 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest 02 8542 4292 | macngs.com

Mac n G’s are for the people! With a heap of food and drink specials throughout the week and, of course, one of the best Happy Hours in Crows Nest.

Tuesday to Friday - 4-6pm you can sink some $6 schooners + wines.

Wednesday, 5-10pm enjoy some ribs & wings. For $26 you’ll get half a rack, wings and some chips.

All day Thursday you can grab a $18 chicken schnitty with chips, ‘slaw and gravy.

Friday, from 5-10pm you can get $12 cocktails and $10 pints.

And the grand finale with Silly Saturdays: $6 schooners, $6 spirits and $10 vodka Redbulls - bargain!

THE CROWS NEST HOTEL

1 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest

02 9436 4887 | Crowsnesthotel.com.au

Crows Nest landmark venue standing proudly on the corner of Willoughby Rd and Falcon St, the Crowie is all about their local community.

Thursday - Saturday from 5 ‘til 7:30pm, pop in for Locals Hour with a heap of drink specials on offer.

Friday & Saturday you can enjoy 2 x Cocktails for $20.

Wednesday: head in to enjoy 50 cent wings from 5pm!

THE BELROY HOTEL

77 Christie, St Leonards

02 9439 2213 | thebelroyhotel.com.au

The new kid on the block! An incredible space proudly filling the shoes of an old favorite. This is a venue that needs to be checked out - offering indoor and outdoor dining spaces across two levels plus a heap of specials throughout the week.

Firstly, Happy Hour is Monday-Friday, 4-6pm, when you can enjoy $7 schooners and $7 house wines.

Monday from 6pm, enjoy $22 steak + frites. Did someone say Taco Tuesday? From 6pm, feast on $6 tacos, paired perfectly with a $12 margarita.

Wednesday from 6pm, dig into a $22 burger + beer combo. Thursday from 6pm, it’s schnitty night for only $20.

THE ST LEONARDS TAVERN

655 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards 02 9436 1933 | stleonardstavern.com.au

Located in the heart of St Leonards and affectionately known by locals as ‘The Tav’, these guys know how to throw a weekly food special!

Monday & Tuesday, head in for a selection of $17 lunches.

Monday night: $17 schnitties are on offer.

Tuesday & Thursday: $18 steak night.

Wednesday: $17 burgers.

Friday: $17 pizza night.

SHOP

CWe have put together the ultimate guide to the best markets on the Lower North Shore. From foodie finds to quirky treasures - these are your go-to market destinations!

CALLING all market mavens! If you’re anything like us, you get a thrill from wandering through stalls, finding hidden gems, and sampling all the delicious goodies on offer. Lucky for you, Sydney’s Lower North Shore is a treasure trove for market lovers with something to satisfy every craving, whether it’s for food, fashion, or funky finds. Grab your reusable bags and let’s dive into the best markets in your neck of the woods!

look no further than the Crows Nest Markets. Held every third Saturday of the month, 9am - 4pm, in the heart of this bustling suburb in the Crows Nest Community Centre at 2 Ernest Place. This market has a little something for everyone. Browse through stalls brimming with fresh produce, or treat yourself to a unique piece of clothing or jewellery from one of the many local designers. There’s a heap of arts, crafts, giftware, toys and more. With its laid-back vibe and friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to while away a weekend morning.

1 2

Kirribilli Markets

70-72 Alfred St S, Milsons Point

Nestled in the shadow of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Kirribilli Markets are a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. Held on the second Sunday of every month, this market boasts stunning views of the Sydney Harbour while offering up a tantalising array of artisanal crafts, vintage wares, and gourmet treats. From handmade jewellery to quirky homewares, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy at every turn. And with live music adding to the festive atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday by the water.

Rotary Crows Nest Market

Ernest Place, Crows Nest

If you’re looking for a market that’s as diverse as it is delightful,

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3. Mosman Markets

Mosman Square & Village Green

Where Fashion meets Foodie heaven. For a market experience that’s equal parts stylish and scrumptious, head to the Mosman Markets. Held on the Mosman Square & Village Green, this market is a paradise for food lovers and fashionistas alike, with over 130 art and craft stalls and gourmet food options. With its picturesque setting and vibrant atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to shop, eat, and soak up the sun. 2024 Mosman Market dates:

Saturday 3 February 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 2 March 2024 8am-3pm

Thursday 21 March 2024 (EasterFeast Night Market)

4.30pm-9pm

Saturday 6 April 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 4 May 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 1 June 2024 8am-3pm

Apply now for 2025

A unique educational environment for boys in Preschool to Year 6

To apply or find out more phone 8302 5200 stives@sydgram.nsw.edu.au www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/st-ives

Thursday 20 June 2024 (WinterFeast Night Market) 4.30pm9pm

Saturday 6 July 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 3 August 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 7 September 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 5 October 2024 8am-3pm

Thursday 24 October 2024 (OctoberFeast Night Market)

4.30pm-9pm

Saturday 2 November 2024 8am-3pm

Saturday 7 December 2024 8am-3pm

Thursday 12 December 2024 (Christmas Night Market)

4.30pm-9pm

4. Northside Produce Markets 200 Miller St, North Sydney (Ted Mack Civic Park)

Calling all foodies! If you’re passionate about fresh, local produce, you won’t want to miss the Northside Produce Markets. Open rain or shine on the first and third Saturday of the month, 8am till midday in the lush surrounds of Ted Mack Civic Park. This market is a haven with more than 70 + Stallholders coming from regional NSW, Sydney surrounds and the inner city. Stock up on farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet condiments, or treat yourself to a mouthwatering meal from one of the many food stalls on offer. Dogs on leash are welcome with water bowls available at the information stall. Free parking is available in the Ridge St, North Sydney carpark.

So there you have it, folks - the best markets that Sydney’s Lower North Shore has to offer. Whether you’re on the hunt for a unique gift, a delicious meal, or just a fun day out, these markets have got you covered. So grab your shopping bags and get ready to explore - you never know what treasures you might find!

A little further afield at Carriageworks, Eveleigh:

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5. The Finders Keepers Market

245 Wilson St, Eveleigh (Carriageworks)

Visit Australia’s most loved design market as The Finders Keepers returns to Carriageworks in 2024! The Finders Keepers Sydney Design Market is back this May 3rd - 5th, bringing 160+ of Australia’s best designers, makers and foodies together for a

fayfrischer@lawyerlanecove.com.au

lawyerlanecove.com.au

three-day festival-style event.

This is the place to connect and celebrate creativity, IRL. The Finders Keepers is more than Australia’s favourite design market—they’re growing the mindfully made, thoughtfully bought revolution, with you. From ceramics to slow fashion, fine jewellery to art, The Finders Keepers is where you’ll discover the latest from Australia’s craftiest cats.

CROSSWORD

Which local markets happen on the First and Third Sunday of the Month?

Thomas Jackson’s beautiful mural that brightens a wall in Aitchison Lane, St Leonards (and graces the cover of this month’s 2065 magazine) features what type of bird?

Name of the suspension bridge between Cammeray and Northbridge?

Where can you find $22 Steak Frites for dinner on a Monday?

Award-winning Crows Nest restaurant Garfish specialises in what type of dining fare?

Among the teachers at Big School of Music, legendary guitarist Bob Spencer played in which famous 1970s art-rock band?

Which suburb with the postcode 2065 is home to the Thomas Jackson mural featured on our front cover?

What animals did ‘Fatty Dawson’ farm near Long Gully Bridge that attracted sharks when blood from slaughtered stock flowed into Long Bay?

Across

7. Which local markets happen on the First and Third Sunday of the Month?

8. Thomas Jackson’s beautiful mural that b i ht ll i Ait hi Lane St d

3. Award-winning Crows Nest restauran Garfish specialises in what type of dinin fare?

4. Among the teachers at Big School of Music, legendary guitarist Bob Spencer t-rock b de 2065 ral fea on’ far acted sh ock flow

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