welcome
elcome to the very first issue of northsider magazine created especially for Turramurra, Wahroonga, Hornsby and the surrounding suburbs! You’ll find free copies every quarter in cafés, community centres, hotels, pubs, clubs, shops and more.
As north shore locals, Belinda and I have been independently publishing locally-focussed editions of northsider magazine for the North Sydney, Willoughby and lower Ku-ring-gai areas for over six years now. Due to popular demand, we’re so excited to head north to celebrate the inspiring people and special places in these vibrant and iconic neighbourhoods.
We’d love to hear what you think about issue one! Do get in touch at hello@northsider.com.au and let us know.
See you in Summer!
ART DIRECTOR: Belinda Spillane Anna Gordon EDITOR hello@northsider.com.au
ACCOUNT MANAGER: Megan
Honorary President of Lifeline International, John Brogden
Answering
THE CALL
Marking the arrival of new local face-to-face
Lifeline Connect Hubs, northsider speaks to Honorary President of Lifeline International, John Brogden, about hope, healing and helping others
stay alive
This feature discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. If someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
In Australia, 3300 people die by suicide each year. That’s nine people - seven men and two women - every day. Twenty years ago, John Brogden could have been one of them.
In 2005, the then NSW Liberal Party Leader survived a suicide attempt following the sudden implosion of his political career. Today, the north shore local is one of the country’s fiercest advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
“In the past two decades, we’ve seen an extraordinary improvement in public
“WE HAVE TO THINK OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE SAME WAY WE THINK OF PHYSICAL HEALTH”
understanding of mental illness and of suicide,” John tells northsider. “We’ve come a long way and I think we talk about mental illness more openly, and certainly with a lot more compassion. We have to think of mental health in the same way we think of physical health. It’s as normal to have a mental illness as it is to have, say, a heart condition. It’s another physical illness of the body that just happens to be in the brain.”
“Suicide remains a very difficult topic to talk about - it probably always will be,” he continues. “But there’s much more awareness of suicide and the importance and the need for suicide prevention. We don’t want to normalise suicide. We don’t want people to take their own life. We want them to stay alive. We want them to get through those dark periods and still be here.”
Chair of Lifeline Australia, the nation’s suicide prevention support charity, from
2012 to 2021, Brogden went on to become Chair, and now Honorary President, of the charity’s global arm, Lifeline International.
The organisation’s mission is simple and powerful: to listen without judgment, connect with those experiencing personal crisis and empower them to stay alive.
“Suicide rates are very stubborn in Australia,” John continues. “They’re not dropping and they’re actually growing among older Australians, older men in particular. At Lifeline, we believe every suicide is preventable with the right sort of support at the right time for somebody who’s in crisis.”
Despite growing awareness, many people feel unsure of how to help someone in distress.
“It’s not an easy conversation to have,” John admits. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it. But all our research shows the best way to approach someone you’re concerned about is to ask directly ‘Are you suicidal? Do you want to kill yourself?’ For many people that is an incredibly difficult thing to say to somebody, even if they’re a close friend. But what we’ve seen is rather than tiptoe around the subject, people will respond to that direct question.”
“You don’t have to be a heart surgeon to help somebody who’s had a heart attack, nor do you have to be a psychiatrist to help somebody who’s suicidal,” he continues. “You take them to an emergency department, you ring Triple 0, you ring Lifeline, you put your phone on speaker, you stay with them. That’s the most important thing. You’ve got to stay with them to get them through. Lifeline is like
“LIFELINE IS LIKE A PARAMEDIC - WE’RE THERE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE AND GET YOU TO TREATMENT”
a paramedic - we’re there to save your life and get you to treatment.”
Brogden reflects candidly on the personal circumstances that led to his lowest point, and the growth that’s followed.
“I was extremely ambitious as a young man,” he says, recalling his political rise. Elected to Parliament at 27, he became Leader of the NSW Opposition on his 33rd birthday in 2002, the youngest person ever to lead a major political party in Australia. But in 2005, after making offensive comments in a bar following a function, Brogden’s political career rapidly unravelled. Facing a storm of media attention and personal turmoil, he resigned as party leader, and, soon after, attempted to take his own life.
“My career - and back then I believed that my career was everything - was over...I was depressed, disgraced, ashamed and sorry for what I’d done,” John says. “I convinced myself that to kill myself was not just the only thing to do, but the best thing to do. To take away the shame and burden from the people who loved, cared for and supported me. I thank God I survived.”
“For me, those achievements were never good enough,” he admits. “I was always focussed on what’s next....my biggest piece of advice to myself back then, and what I try to do now, is to stop to smell the roses. Most things you do in life have stress attached to them. It’s how you handle that stress. And I think part of that is stopping to realise you’re going OK.”
“I still have downs from time to time,” John continues. “I’m medicated. I go to counselling once a week, sometimes twice. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll probably live my life with depression and suicidal ideation…particularly when something personal goes wrong or my reputation is challenged, I can go to a very dark place very quickly. But I know
how to recognise that now. You’ve got to learn to live with it, I think it’s very important. I don’t live through it. I think it’s got to be part of you, not all of you.”
John now uses his experience as a way to connect with others.
“People often come up to me after events or in the street and share their stories and it’s like we share a language,” he says. “I see them open up and I think it instantly allows you to have a more intimate conversation because they know you will understand what they’ve been through.”
“They will tell me they’ve called Lifeline,” John continues. “And when I ask them about that, the first thing they all say is ‘they listened.’ In many senses it’s extraordinary that at the darkest point in your life you’d ring a complete stranger. But it’s because you can’t speak to anyone else. And you know you’ll be listened to, anonymously and without judgement.”
Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line, along with text and digital services, are available 24/7, answered by highly trained volunteers at over 40 Member Centres across the country.
The northside’s local HQ, Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney (H2HS), is based in Gordon. In addition to the national crisis support services, H2HS co-ordinates new face-to-face Lifeline Connect Hubs each week at Chatswood and Hornsby Libraries, Stanton Library in North Sydney and the Lindfield Hub, situated above the Lifeline Lindfield retail store.
Staffed by accredited Crisis Supporters, the Connect Hubs offer free, confidential, accessible face-to-face support for those who are struggling in the community Situated in discreet, safe spaces, Lifeline listens in a non-judgemental and caring way.
“We’re lucky to have Lifeline in Australia with over 10,000 volunteers answering more than a million calls and around >>
MEET THE VOLUNTEERS
“It’s a privilege to be there for people”
Marina is one of the Lifeline Connect Volunteers at Hornsby Library
I’ve been on my journey with Lifeline for over 16 years after seeing an ad in the newspaper calling for local volunteers. I went along to a meeting at the Gordon Centre and signed up straight away to start training to work on the phoneline.
As well as answering calls, I became a supervisor for the team, supporting Lifeline colleagues as well as those in crisis.
Now, I’m also part of the Lifeline Connect team at Hornsby Library, which takes place in a private room every Thursday from 1-5.30pm. It’s a drop-in service where anyone can come in – there’s no referral and no appointment necessary - and we talk face-to-face. Myself and the volunteer team, which includes a Mandarin and Cantonese speaker, are there to listen without judgement and guide people to help that’s available.
It’s a privilege to be there for people in a moment of crisis, for them to be able to trust you with their private struggles. We can’t change or control things for them but we can support, listen and empower them to find solutions.
For me, this work has been life-changing. Volunteering for Lifeline is grounding, it shifts your perspective and it reminds you how powerful listening can be. l
LOCAL LEGENDS
“THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL MOST HOPELESS”
100,000 texts every year,” John says. “So many countries don’t have a resource like Lifeline, or they have a very small helpline with limited funding and only a handful of volunteers. And around 40 countries still consider suicide a crime. There are lots of opportunities for Lifeline International to make lasting positive change and prevent suicide all across the world.”
At the end of last year, Brogden released Profiles In Hope, a book sharing the lived experiences of 15 people who’ve faced mental health struggles and suicide, ranging from everyday Aussies to world champion surfer Layne Beachley and media mogul James Packer. All royalties from the sale of the book go directly to Lifeline.
“I was lucky to interview extraordinary people,” John says. “Some of them are famous, others you’ve never heard of. I really wanted that mix because it doesn’t matter where you come from or how much privilege you have, you can still be suicidal or have mental illness. Stories of hope encourage others to reach out for help, they save lives, because they show that it’s possible to come back from the darkest place. There is always hope even when you feel most hopeless.”
“The reality is that with compassion, help, support and love, suicide is largely preventable,” Brogden concludes. “No matter how dark life gets or how hopeless things seem, no human is beyond repair. There’s always a way back.” ●
Profiles in Hope by John Brogden, Hachette, is available at all good bookshops.
“The anonymity of texting is powerful”
Sonny is a Digital Crisis Support Volunteer for Lifeline’s Text and Online Chat Service
In early 2021, I lost a close friend to suicide. A few months later, I took part in the Push-Up Challenge, 3,000 push-ups in a month to honour lives lost. That experience inspired me to want to do more. When I saw Lifeline was recruiting Digital Crisis Support Volunteers, I applied. I was approved in October that same year. I’ve been volunteering ever since.
I balance this role with my full-time job, usually doing early morning shifts from 6-10am. All of my interactions are through text messages which are displayed for me on a computer screen.
At first, even after all the thorough training, it was very confronting reading messages saying ‘I want to die’ but the more I’ve done this role, the more strength and purpose I’ve found. The anonymity of texting is powerful and people message us from wherever they are – libraries, workplaces, parks - without worrying about being overheard. It often helps them feel more open.
It’s an incredible feeling to be able to listen to someone and to help them shift from despair to a place where they feel heard. ●
To find out about fundraising or becoming a Lifeline volunteer, head to lifelineh2hsydney.org.au or contact Lifeline H2HS on 94988805
Find these treasures just around the corner...
Najo Divina Bracelet, $339 Road Less Taken 37 Redleaf Avenue, Wahroonga or online at roadlesstaken.com.au
Leif Buddha Wood Hand Balm, $65 Deer Willow 39 Rohini St, Turramurra or online at deerwillow.com.au
Brazilian Walking Iris (Neomarica gracilis), $18, pot not included The Palms Sydney 327 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills
Adidas Originals Tokyo Womens in Semi Pink/Spark, $170 Footlocker Level 1, Westfield Hornsby
Sour Cherries and Sunflowers: Recipes from Eastern Europe and Beyond by by Anastasia Zolotarev Novella Fine Books 5 Railway Ave, Wahroonga
Peahi Sun RX in Pink, 2 pairs from $149 Specsavers Level 1, Westfield Hornsby
Sol de Janeiro
Cheirosa 62™ Perfume Mist 240ml, $62 MECCA Level 2, Westfield Hornsby
Estelle Fedora, $139 Alyzz K Boutique 1/10 Princes St, Turramurra or online at alyzzkboutique.com.au
Spuddwiser 4pk, $20 Ekim Brewing 7/35 Leighton Place, Hornsby or online at ekimbrewing.com.au
Prices and availability correct at time of going to press.
WORK FOR YOU Home loans that
At Rate Money Hornsby, Branch Principal Alfred Wong is changing the game for self-employed borrowers and helping hardworking locals turn their property goals into reality
For Jason*, a self-employed IT consultant based on the North Shore, securing a home loan felt impossible - until he found Rate Money Hornsby.
Jason had spent over a decade as a software engineer before taking the leap to start his own company in 2023.
“While the business was solid and my income reliable, the banks were unable to recognise it,” he says. “Every major lender told me to come back in two years, once I’d built up my ABN trading history. It was very frustrating. I knew I was financially stable, but the system just didn’t see it that way.”
That all changed when he connected with Alfred Wong at Rate Money Hornsby. Having met years earlier at a local open home, Jason remembered Alfred’s approachable nature and depth of knowledge. Reaching out proved to be a turning point.
“Straight away, Alfred asked the right questions,” Jason continues. “He wanted to know how my business operated and what
“RATE MONEY HELPED ME UNLOCK A HOME LOAN MOST LENDERS WOULD’VE CLOSED THE DOOR ON”
my income looked like on a holistic level not just what was on a tax return.”
Alfred specialises in complex home loan scenarios, particularly for self-employed clients. Through Rate Money, he has access to products designed for people who don’t fit the traditional banking model, including those using company or trust structures or applying through SMSFs.
The result? With Rate Money’s help, Jason secured a mortgage without having to wait for another tax year or restructure his finances. He’s purchased his dream home, which has since significantly grown in value. It’s a financial move that likely wouldn’t have been possible if he’d waited for the banks’ timeline.
“Alfred changed everything,” Jason says. “He explained the options, broke down the rates and fees and gave me real confidence.”
“Rate Money helped me unlock a home loan most lenders would’ve closed the door on. Trusting Alfred with our home loan is one of the best financial decisions I’ve ever made.”
For self-employed borrowers across Hornsby and beyond, Rate Money is your go-to home loan provider if you’re tired of hearing “no” from the banks. With local expertise and a genuine understanding of what small business owners need, Alfred Wong and Rate Money Hornsby prove that the right home loan provider really can make all the difference. ●
Everyone should have access to a home loan
Alfred Wong BRANCH PRINCIPAL, RATE MONEY HORNSBY
I’ve always had a passion for numbers and problem-solving and spent a decade working in banking before I joined Rate Money. I was drawn to them because I wanted to work with a company that truly supports self-employed borrowers and offers more flexible solutions than traditional banks. I believe everyone should have access to a home loan that suits their unique situation and I enjoy working through scenarios to help my clients find practical solutions that work in their circumstances. Traditional loans often don’t fit the needs of self-employed people, especially sole traders who are juggling so many aspects of running their business. My focus is on finding flexible options
that take the pressure off and simplify the process. Too often, small business owners and tradies were told no simply because they didn’t tick a box on a form.
A builder might be thriving, but because his financials weren’t prepared in the way banks preferred, he couldn’t get the home loan he deserved. A freelancer could earn well but, without two years of ABN history, she’s turned away. Rate Money specialises in flexible solutions, like low-doc loans, that acknowledge the real story behind someone’s finances. That flexibility sets us apart.
Block party
How a lockdown hobby is connecting the community brick by brick
Artist Christine Armstrong is building an unexpected online following, all thanks to her clever LEGO brick recreations of much-loved northside buildings. The foundations to Chrissy’s construction project were laid during lockdown, when she was inspired by a photograph of Hornsby Railway station.
“Friends I went to school with posted the picture online,” Chrissy, a third generation northsider, recalls. “My grandfather had worked there as a station master and seeing the photo brought back so many memories. I decided to see if I could build it in LEGO.”
Having been gifted a set of the popular blocks by her kids, Chrissy got to work.
“IT WENT FAR BEYOND ANYTHING I COULD HAVE IMAGINED!”
“I popped a photo of my final model on the local history page for Hornsby on Facebook,” she continues, thinking a few locals might be interested in seeing it. Chrissy could hardly believe what happened next.
“I was completely blown away by the number of people who responded!” she laughs.
As the likes started rolling in, the connected blocks also started to connect people in the comments section, all sharing personal memories of the station.
“It went far beyond anything I could have imagined,” Chrissy says. “It really resonated with the community. People started sending me requests for new builds and started sharing their own stories with each other, all inspired by seeing my little Lego build. It was about more than just bricks. It was about nostalgia, about connection.”
Next, Chrissy did a series of six builds in a week, giving fun clues out every day to what
party
the next creations were going to be. But it was her pub series that really raised the bar.
Her miniature masterpieces of local watering holes include The Greengate Hotel in Killara, “a challenge due to the curves and Romanesque architecture,” The Blue Gum Hotel in Waitara, famous for its live music in the 70s and 80s, and The Pymble Hotel. North Sydney’s oldest pub, The Rag and Famish, and Chatswood fave The Orchard Hotel, were also given the LEGO treatment and racked up plenty of likes online.
“When we go to pubs, we rarely look up and see what’s above,” Chrissy says. “These buildings have Georgian, post war, art deco façades... and we often miss those details.”
Each model takes anywhere from half an hour to a few hours, depending on the complexity. Chrissy photographs them before dismantling and starting on the next one and now has more ambitious builds, including Ku-ring-gai Town Hall and Castlecrag’s Walter Burley Griffin designed homes, on her list.
And while Chrissy studied fine arts at Hornsby TAFE before moving into graphic
design in McMahons Point and Milsons Point based creative agencies, and teaching art classes, she insists you don’t need to be an artist to find the joy in modelling with LEGO.
“Like any creative project, some fall into place really easily, while others are harder, but it’s all very fulfilling,” she says. “Building is challenging and relaxing and I’d encourage everyone to give it a go. Go to op-shops and garage sales, get some second hand bricks and get started. Tap in to that inner child, build what you love and have some fun!” l
Artist Christine Armstrong, centre. Some of Chrissy’s popular pubs, clockwise from top left: The Rag and Famish, North Sydney; The Greengate, Killara; The Orchard Hotel, Chatswood; The Blue Gum, Waitara; The Pymble Hotel; Claudies aka Claude Fays aka The Hornsby Inn.
SPORT for all GAME
Newington College’s Lindfield Prep scores big with Special Olympics and co-ed sport milestone
It was a double celebration for Newington Lindfield Preparatory School earlier this year as students marked their annual Mini Special Olympics alongside the official opening of a newly upgraded basketball court, now equipped for netball as the school prepares to welcome girls from 2026.
Over the past ten years, the K-6 school’s popular Mini Olympics has raised over $125,000 for Special Olympics Australia to support athletes with intellectual disabilities or autism.
Associate Principal Pascal Czerwenka described the event as a calendar highlight. “The Mini Olympics models the importance
“THE MINI OLYMPICS MODELS THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSION”
of inclusion and enables a deeper understanding of the importance of giving,” he said. “Students have been busily raising funds by doing service tasks, like helping neighbours or selling items they’ve made themselves.”
This year saw a fun and energetic mixed basketball game between students and Special Olympics athletes, played on the school’s freshly resurfaced court. The revamped space now features netball rings and extra handball squares to support a wider range of sports and activities.
One of the stars of the day was Juliet Liddy, a basketballer who won bronze for Australia at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. Juliet hopes to qualify for the 2025 Special Olympics National Games in Melbourne and was delighted to be part of Lindfield Prep’s event. “I love seeing the younger students and playing with them,” she said. l
Moments in time
These images capture a glimpse of Hornsby’s past, from The Railway Hotel, top left, receiving a Tooheys delivery in 1900, to a cycling rally meeting on the Pacific Highway in 1932, below left. Above is the centre of Hornsby, Coronation Street, in the 1930s. The original Post Office is on the left of the image.
H.E. Daunt Groceries and Produce Store, below in 1939, was located on Peats Ferry Road and advertised itself as The Little Store with the Big Future. It offered a range of goods from every day essentials such as fresh eggs and cheese to items including alarm clocks, paint brushes and writing pads. Eddy Rankin, John and Henry Daunt are pictured outside the family-run enterprise. l
26TH OCTOBER WAHROONGA WINE FESTIVAL - CELEBRATING 11 YEARS
The Wahroonga Food and Wine Festival is back for its 11th year from 11am-5pm on Sunday 26 October at Wahroonga Park. Enjoy a free, family-friendly day out with 30+ wineries, gourmet food, boutique distillers, artisan markets and live music. Discover your new fave tipple with wine tasting packages from $39.50. For more information head to wahroongafood andwinefestival.com.au
SEPTEMBER
27 SEPTEMBER GERANIUMS SHOW
12-28
HORNSBY ART PRIZE
See this year’s finalists in the 2025 Hornsby Art Prize. Categories include Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture and Photography. The Hornsby Art Prize attracts artists from around Australia. Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm, free entry. Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Ave, Hornsby Left; Barrier Range, David Collins, 2024
Ave, any geranium advice or questions.
The Australian Geranium Society present their Spring Show with plant display, plants, cakes and craft for sale. Experts will be on hand for any geranium advice or questions. Centre for Seniors Hall, 1 Gilroy Lane, Turramurra, 12-3pm.
13TH
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KU-RING-GAI SCULPTURE TRAIL
SEPT - 19TH OCT THE ST(ART) OF LIVING ON THE RIVER
This exhibition is an open house to the mind of international modern autistic artist Charles Clapshaw. Paintings, writing, sketches, augmented reality and interactive installation. The Cottage at Brooklyn, 10 Dangar Rd, Brooklyn. Saturdays and Sundays 10am-3pm. Free.
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Do you grow too many lemons, have too many seeds, or excess end of season pesto? Come and meet your neighbours, swap excess produce and fairly barter for fresh, local, delicious goods. 9.30-11am, Caley's Pavilion, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives
FRIDAY LEGO CLUB!
Friday during NSW school
Lego Club meets at Turramurra Library on a Friday every week during NSW school term time, 3.30-4.30pm. For more info go to krg.nsw. gov.au
21 SEPTEMBER
PYMBLE FUN RUN
Ku-ring-gai’s Sculpture Trail celebrates sustainable art in the outdoors at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, showcasing over 40 diverse sculptures created by both professional and amateur artists. Don't forget to stop by the Visitor Centre to vote for your favourite sculpture. Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives
28TH SEPTEMBER
KU-RING-GAI MALE CHOIR ANNUAL CONCERT
The Ku-ring-gai Male Choir present their annual Hornsby concert with Anita Kyle and Lucinda Beck. Accompanied by chamber musician Hank Xiang and led and conducted by Dr Paul Whiting OAM.
If you love musical theatre you'll love this show! Hornsby RSL, 2pm. For tickets go to hornsbyrsl.com.au
@ PYMBLE PUBLIC SCHOOL
MONDAYS, 6.30-8PM BEGINNERS TENNIS
@ THE GLADE RESERVE COURTS WAHROONGA
EVERY SUNDAY, DRAW FROM 6PM MEAT RAFFLES
@ THE ASQUITH CLUB
OCTOBER
4
HORNSBY WELCOME MARKET
Stalls include fashion, jewellery, decor, art and crafts, assorted homewares and some great yummy treats and bites. Hornsby Mall, 8.30am-4pm
19TH OCTOBER
BROOKLYN SPRING FAIR AND MARKETS
Don't miss the annual fundraising event for Hawkesbury River Child Care Centre. Live performances, market stalls, rides for kids, food vans and stalls. And the Annual Pony Poo competition! Brooklyn Oval, Brooklyn Road, Brooklyn, 10am-4pm
EVERY FRIDAY, 8PM KARAOKE NIGHT
@ MAGPIES WAITARA
FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH DRAG BINGO WITH CONCHITA GRANDE
@ THE HORNSBY INN
11 OCTOBER, 5-9PM
HORNSBY TWILIGHT MARKETS
@ HORNSBY MALL
KILLER QUEEN AT HORNSBY RSL
The signature two-hour live show The Killer Queen Experience has toured to sold out shows all over the world and features all of Queen's greatest hits. John Blunt's uncanny resemblance of Freddie Mercury will transport you back in time! Get in quick - this will sell out! Head to hornsbyrsl.com.au for tickets.
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SPRING TWILIGHT CONCERT IN THE PARK
This FREE concert will kick off at 5pm with Endless Summer performing classics from 60s, 70s and 80s. This will be followed by the main act, Running in the Shadows, Australia’s longest running tribute to the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. Either picnic in the park or buy dinner and support the food stalls at the event. Wahroonga Park, corner of Illoura Ave and Millewa Ave, 5-8pm.
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HORNSBY SHIRE
AUSSIE BIRD COUNT
Join the Annual Bird Survey in the heart of the majestic Blue Gum High Forest. Become a citizen-scientist and participate in a 20-minute bird survey, bushwalk and gourmet picnic! Rosemead Road picnic area, Hornsby, 8-11am. For more info go to hornsby.nsw.gov.au
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SYDNEY SIXERS WBBL GAMES
Catch all the T20 Spring Challenge action at North Sydney Oval this season with the Sydney Sixers taking on Hobart Hurricanes on 21 October, Sydney Thunder on 25 October and Melbourne Renegades on 26 October. Then the Women's Big Bash League heats up with the Sixers up against the Hurricanes on 13 November, Melbourne Stars on 20 November, Sydney Thunder on 30 November and Adelaide Strikers on 7 December. For game times and tickets head to sydneysixers.com.au
NOVEMBER
4
2025 MELBOURNE CUP
Dig out your fascinator and giddy on up to the Hornsby RSL, the Blue Gum Hotel, Waitara or Magpies, Waitara, for an afternoon of food, drinks and racing fun. Think bubbles, lunch specials, sweepstakes and best dressed comps. Seats fill fast so contact the venues to book a spot.
1+2
HORNSBY RELAY FOR LIFE
Lace up your walking shoes for the 21st Hornsby Relay For Life at Rofe Park in Hornsby Heights for 24 hours of community, fun and fundraising for Cancer Council NSW's lifesaving work. 9am start. Head to relayforlife.org.au/ event/hornsby-2025 for info.
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8+9
THE
NORTHERN POTTERY OPEN STUDIO
Get hands-on with clay at The Northern Pottery in Hornsby during the nationwide Australian Ceramics Open Studios weekend from 10am–4pm. Meet TNP founder Dan and the team, watch demos, browse unique handmade ceramics, and try your hand at the wheel. Beyond the weekend, TNP runs regular classes and workshops for all abilities as well as a monthly Pottery Social, where local makers gather over drinks to share ideas and inspiration. Unit 2, 2 Leonard St, Hornsby. thenorthernpottery.com.au
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MOZART, STRAUSS AND BEETHOVEN
Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra featuring French Horn soloist Ben Jacks and conductor Monica Buckland. Turramurra Uniting Church, 3pm. For tickets go to kpo.org.au
GIBBERAGONG WATERHOLE BUSHWALK, NORTH WAHROONGA
Visit the Gibberagong waterholes and nearby rainforest gully and spot several threatened plant species along the way. This moderately challenging guided bushwalk is for Hornsby Shire residents only. Free.
9 NOVEMBER, 9AM-1PM
SECOND HAND HORNSBY MARKET
@ CORONATION STREAT PRECINCT
EVERY WEDNESDAY
$18 SCHNITTYS
@ BLUE GUM HOTEL, WAITARA
30 NOVEMBER
15
OPEN MIC NIGHT
@ HORNSBY RAILWAY HOTEL
BICYCLE REPAIR WORKSHOP
Get to know your bike and learn basic maintenance and repair techniques from the bike experts from Revolve Recycling. Free for Hornsby Shire residents but bookings are essential at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. Storey Park Community Centre (Fowler Hall), 12 Old Berowra Road, Hornsby. 9.30am-12.30pm.
Foodie news
Discover these tasty little nuggets from around the northside
Local eats and treats!
Cluckin' delicious
Get ready for a burger that really brings the noise. The Snap Crackle Pow! from Burger Hounds in Wahroonga stacks a Southern fried chicken breast in a crispy rice bubble coat, delivering crunch in every bite. With smoky chipotle maple mayo, fresh lettuce and Spanish onions, it’s a flavourpacked punch that’ll leave your tastebuds popping.
WINNING MENUS!
Congrats to these foodie champs who took home trophies at the recent 2025 Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Local Business Awards.
GROUNDS FOR CELEBRATION
Talk about a latte of love for Brick Lane Espresso! The West Pymble gem scooped the top title of the event, the prestigious Business of the Year award, as well as being named Café of the Year. Celebrate with these local faves, located in Philip Mall, and head over for brekkie with dishes including a soft serve acai, coconut chia with tropical fruits and pineapple sorbet and chilli scrambled eggs on the menu. Or join them for lunch for chicken and smoked almond salad or ceviche ocean trout tostadas with pickled jalapeño, avocado and yuzu. And don't forget to include a serve of their zingy housemade turmeric chilli oil on the side!
A CHARMING WINNER
From their sizzling stir-fries to fragrant curries, fresh salads and succulent BBQ lamb, dished up with the team's signature warm and friendly service, it’s no wonder Charmed by Hanuman Thai is winning awards. Congrats to the St Ives venue, which was crowned Outstanding Restaurant at the event.
SIP SIP HOORAY!
Discover a matcha made in heaven at Replay Espresso in Turramurra! Whether you choose the classic matcha latte or sweeten things up with the TikTok-fave strawberry matcha latte, both of these cool sips are served icy-cold and packed with flavour.
One delicious year!
It's a happy first birthday to Vivana Café and Bakery in East Wahroonga. The menu blends traditional Aussie dishes with Persian delights such as their popular Baked Eggs, served with a turmeric and herb ragu, Persian fetta and house made Sangak bread.
SPRING INTO BRUNCH
Check out the neighbourhood's new season menus, which are being served up alongside local faves, like this Snowy Mountain Croissant at Camper Tamper Café in Turramurra. This vibrant twist on the classic avo smash layers creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes and a perfectly poached egg on top of a buttery toasted croissant. Finished with rocket, roasted nuts and a delicate parmesan snow. Yum!
THREE OF THE BEST Spring salads
CAFE MINAMISAN, ASQUITH
Deep fried soy marinated karaage poke bowl with quinoa rice, mixed leaves, cabbage, seaweed salad, edamame, cucumber, carrot, avocado and a choice of sweet and spicy mayo, yuzu ponzu or yuzu sesame dressings.
STEAK NIGHT DONE RIGHT AT THE HORNSBY INN
Sink your teeth into a juicy rump steak for just $20 or level up with a Scotch Fillet or T-Bone for $26, every Tuesday from 5-9pm at The Hornsby Inn. Tender, cooked to perfection and served with all the right sides, make sure you arrive hungry.
GET THE SCOOP
Stay chill at C9 Chocolate & Gelato in Wahroonga, where artisanal Italian-style gelato and sweet treats reign supreme. Their new flavour is the viral Dubai Chocolate gelato. Lusciously rich with decadent flavours of premium Middle Eastern pistachio knafeh, you can get a scoop or a tub or add it to menu items like their new cookie skillet, served warm, gooey, straight from the oven and topped with your fave sauce.
POTTERY GREEN BAKERS, TURRAMURRA
Asian rainbow salad with choice of lemongrass chicken or beef, BBQ pork or tofu served with noodles, mixed leaves, cucumber, tomato, pickled carrot, shredded cabbage and nuoc cham dressing.
JAMIES KITCHEN, WAITARA
Grilled haloumi, soya bean, beets, avocado, quinoa, roasted nuts, dried berries, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, rocket and mint with house-made lemon basil dressing.
The spice is right
Fire up your tastebuds for the warmer weather with a trip to Itihaas Indian restaurant in Turramurra. The Tandoori Kukkad, right, is a traditional recipe featuring chicken marinated in creamy yoghurt and spices and then kissed by the flames of the tandoor oven for that irresistible smoky finish. The dish pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine, perfect for Spring!
SALAD days…
Northside
foodie, TV presenter and cookbook author Will Stewart freshens up the menu
for Spring
Bright, zesty and delicious, this dish says Spring all over! You can use pretty much any combination of seasonal greens depending on what’s available weather-wise (and in budget of course!)
I’ve blanched these vegies, which means cooking them in boiling water for a very short time and then straining and cooling them immediately, ideally in iced water. This technique brings out the crispness and the colour of the veg and helps these glorious ingredients really pop with freshness. Charring the lemons also gives an added sweetness to the dressing. Perfect as a side salad or a light lunch as the days get longer and the temperature begins to rise. Let me know if you make it! Enjoy.
Lots of love Will x
Got a cooking question, local recommendation or idea you’d like to see me rustle up in the northsider kitchen?
Drop me a line at hello@northsider. com.au!
SPRING GREENS WITH CHARRED LEMON & MINT
SERVES: 3-4
TAKES: 15 MINUTES
DRESSING:
2 lemons
3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
SALAD:
125g of snow peas
1/2 cup of frozen baby peas
2 bunches of asparagus, trimmed and cut in half lengthways
1 baby cos lettuce, leaves separated
50g goats chèvre
Handful of fresh mint leaves
Salt and pepper
METHOD:
• Begin by making the dressing. Start by zesting the lemons while they’re whole and set the zest aside. Cut the lemons in half and heat a frying pan over a medium to high heat. Place the lemon halves in the pan face down and cook them until they begin to char and caramelise. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Squeeze the charred lemons into a bowl. Pour in the extra virgin olive oil and half of the lemon zest then whisk vigorously until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
• To make the salad, begin by blanching the asparagus, peas and snow peas in boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove from the hot water and chill immediately in iced water and set aside.
• In a large bowl, using your hands gently toss the vegetables and lettuce leaves together with half of the dressing until everything is coated. (Make sure you re-whisk the dressing to emulsify it if it has separated)
• Arrange the salad on a large platter, garnish with fresh mint leaves, the remaining lemon zest and goats chèvre. Drizzle over some more dressing, then serve immediately.
A TASTE OF SPRING!
From cocktails to comfort eats, discover the local club serving up big flavours this season
Renowned as a place where live music, big shows, community spirit and ANZAC pride come together, Hornsby RSL is also proving that clubs bring the flavour when it comes to their food and drinks menus. Whether you’re after a sweet treat, a bite for lunch or a boozy twist on brunch, Hornsby RSL has got every craving covered.
The Courtyard is the Club’s bustling daytime heart where families gather for midweek dinners, tradies grab a post-work schnitty and coffee lovers fuel up on baristamade brews. The venue is big on choice with Asian favourites, including dumplings, stir
COCKTAIL BAR MEETS
fries and noodles at The Noodle Bar, alongside pizzas, steaks, burgers and club classics on the main menu. There’s sure to be something for everyone at the table.
Head upstairs to Level One and you’re in for a different vibe. Think cocktail bar meets neighbourhood hideaway with wood-fired pizzas, share plates perfect for grazing and a drinks list packed with top tipples and innovative cocktails, including sangrias, spritzes, low and no alc options and dessert-style drinks including a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini (and yes, it’s every bit as indulgent as it sounds).
The Club’s beloved High Tea returns to Level One this Spring, serving delicate finger sandwiches, fluffy scones with jam and cream and petite pastries being served on selected Sundays. Sip on premium teas for $45pp or upgrade your experience
to include cocktails or bubbles for an extra special treat.
Prefer savoury over sweet? Then High Cheese is for you! On selected dates, this un-brie-lievably delicious twist on High Tea swaps cupcakes for camembert to make a variety of cheeses the stars of the show.
Hornsby RSL’s menus bring fresh flavours and share-worthy plates to the table this Spring.
Level One also transforms into a Mexican fiesta on selected Sundays, with spicy share plates, margies and more. For $60pp for a minimum of two people, you can expect a rolling feast of tacos and nachos, that’s just the thing to shake off the Sunday scaries.
So whether it’s a casual lunch, a high tea experience or a Sunday feast with friends, Spring is the perfect time to check out Hornsby RSL - a club that wears its heart on its sleeve and its love of good food on every plate. ●
Walk this way
Discover the Bobbin Head Loop Track this Spring
Lace up your trail shoes northsiders because there’s no better time of year to step out for a local bushwalk. For a Spring hike with breathtaking views, the Bobbin Head Loop Track is a local gem. This scenic, moderately challenging grade 4 bush track runs through a variety of landscapes in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The 10km walk starts at the Sphinx war memorial and takes in mangroves, Aboriginal carvings and middens, lush
rainforest and Empire Marina before arriving in Bobbin Head. Take a break, grab a snack at the kiosk or enjoy a picnic accompanied by the soundtrack of kookaburras and cocktatoos before heading back to the track for your return journey. This walk is very steep in places and includes a number of steps so bushwalking experience is advised. l Head to krg.nsw.gov.au for more info and to discover a range of local walks.
Ted the puggle, northsider’s ‘rover’ reporter, meets Bruce the Beagle, who found his fur-ever home with the help of Wahroonga based North Shore Dog Rescue
“I can’t wait to go on adventures every day!”
Ted: Hi Bruce! Tell us about how you came to stay with North Shore Dog Rescue.
Bruce: My family weren’t able to look after me anymore and North Shore Dog Rescue said they could help rehome me. The team look after lots of dogs like me and they find us fur-ever families. I was a bit stressed when I was surrendered, but I loved the 5-star care my foster mum Martine gave me. We went on adventures everyday!
T: What was your day like in foster care?
B: As soon as my Martine woke up, we’d go for a loooong walk, somewhere different every day. Sniffing is my favourite pastime, it’s what I do best! When we got home I’d have my breakfast, then I’d rest and sniff in the backyard while Martine worked. I’d have a bone around lunch time and in the afternoon
we’d jump in the car and head for the dog park where I’d play with my friends Chief the Bull Mastiff, Staffy Cross Bella and Trevor the Jack Russell. When we got home it was time for dinner and snuggles on the lounge.
T: Why is the NSDR’s work is so important?
B: For dogs like me, when there’s no other option for my family other than to rehome, they are a godsend. They’re the Sydney arm of Dog Rescue Newcastle and they give us a chance at a new life. As well as settling us in with a foster family and getting us vet care, they make sure potential adopters are a good fit and even do yard checks with them to make sure we’ll be safe and secure.
T: Is the rescue busy at the moment?
B: It’s very busy. The hoomans tell me there are a lot of factors causing this, such as cost of living. Having a pet can be expensive with vet bills, food, training and more. Then there’s rentals not always allowing pets and senior humans who may not be able to look after their pets anymore. There’s so many factors that mean we might need help and so many of us looking for a new home.
T: What should people think about before getting a pet?
This is me heading off for my adoption trial!
B: I’d advise hoomans to do their research and spend time talking to friends with pets to understand the time, cost and commitment needed.
Left, me being a very good boy and above; out and about on walkies - my favourite thing along with cuddles and dinner time.
The puppy stage can last up to a year and I’m told we can be challenging! I’d advise hoomans to think about fostering. It’s a really great way to get a real life view of what owning a pet would be like with a shorter term commitment. At the same time, they will be helping good bois like me to find a new life.
T: What do doggos look for in a fur-ever family?
B: Ideally they will love taking us on lots of adventures and have heaps of energy to keep up with us! Us pups are smart too, so we love to continue doing our training to help us be the goodest we can be.
T: How can northsiders help out NSDR if they’re not able to adopt?
B: There are lots of ways they can help! Fostering is a great way to help as you learn what it’s like to own a dog and help us find our fur-ever homes. Sometimes the hoomans foster fail too, which means they fall in love and end up adopting us. Helping out with walkies or doggy daycare are other ways to get involved with dogs in care. Donations are always a grrrreat help and Martine says they always need volunteers for transport, events and even puppy cuddles. We all think cuddles are pawsome! She says to head to @northshore.dogrescue on the socials to get in touch and find out more. ●
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And don’t forget to tag us to be featured! We want to see your garden pics, your pets, coffees, sunsets, bush walks, fave restaurants, artworks and everything in-between.
PUZZLES with Quizmaster Clay
The Village Quiz
1. What is currently the tallest building in Sydney?
2. How many North Shore stations on the North Shore train line start with the letter W?
3. What is the postcode of Asquith?
4. How long did it take to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge? 8, 10 or 15 years. Bonus point for the year it opened.
5. Which former Australian Test Cricket Captain played for Northern District Cricket Club?
6. In which suburb would you find Willow, Reddy and Ginger Meggs Parks ?
7. Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga was designed by Harry Seidler for his: a) Wife, b) Mother or c) Daughter?
8. Which local suburb’s name is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘big hill’?
9. Which two time Academy Award nominee, born in 1947, attended Hornsby Girls School and was dux of the school?
10. According to the 2021 Census which suburb has the higher population: Asquith or Waitara? Do
Sudoku
Slot the numbers 1 to 9 into every horizontal line, vertical row and 3 x 3 square.
Find the below words in the grid, right. Words may be found going forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. 7 2 4 9 5 8
Wordsearch
LAVENDER
BOTTLEBRUSH
JASMINE WISTERIA
PICTURE
From Hornsby to the National Portrait Gallery, meet the artist painting his way into Australia’s cultural imagination
Artist Thom Roberts paints the world as he sees it - vivid, layered and alive with imagination. With his first solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery opening earlier this year and a nod as a 2025 Sulman Prize finalist, the Hornsby Shire local has stepped firmly into the national spotlight. Roberts has spent the past decade crafting his rich visual language of playful portraits, sculptural cityscapes and emotional storytelling as part of Studio A, a St Leonards based creative collective championing professional pathways for artists with intellectual disabilities. His NPG exhibition, The Immersive World of Thom Roberts, brought together 100 works. Visitors discovered a wall of emotion cards, sculptural cityscapes, a performative work of a ping pong game that examined the power dynamics of the courtroom, and a major new work that invited the audience to consider the world through the artist’s eyes. >>
“MAKING ART MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY AND PROUD AND TERRIFIC”
this…
Studio A artist, Thom Roberts
Included in the show was one of Roberts’ favourite works, a special portrait of his mentor and friend, lawyer Shane Simpson AM, Studio A’s former chair, who Thom calls Adam. “He is my big brother,” Thom says of the piece, which he created for the 2021 Archibald Prize. Brushing aside barriers
Studio A was established in 2014 as a subsidiary of Studio ARTES, a not-for-profit organisation in Hornsby that provides creative programs for adults with disabilities. Under the leadership of CEO and Artistic Director Gabrielle Mordy, Studio A helps talented artists gain public recognition,
“WE WORK TO ENSURE OUR CULTURE AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDE THE VOICE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY”
secure mentorships and commercialise their work. “The biggest obstacle we have is the perception that artists with disability can only do art therapy,” says Gabrielle. “When you buy work from our artists, you’re not making a donation, you’re investing in a valuable, collectible piece.”
The team also manages the artists’ resumes, applies for grants on their behalf and organises commissions. Over the years, their work has included large scale corporate installations and urban art projects around the CBD, coffee cup designs for Biopak, tableware for MUD Australia and fabrics for fashion labels including Romance Was Born and the current Spring collection for Alemais.
“We work hard to ensure our culture and cultural institutions include the voice of people with disability,” Gabrielle continues.
“Making art makes me feel happy, proud and terrific,” Thom adds. “I like being an artist, until I become a very old man in the future.”
Portrait of an artist Roberts’ practice is a sustained act of world building and storytelling. In his work, and in his life, people are bestowed new identities and exist as multiple personas. Roberts himself identifies as the Country Link Express train and the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai. His portraits don’t just depict faces, they reveal identities - often layering subjects with extra eyes, noses, and his signature, piano teeth. Animals, cities, Sesame Street characters and references to fast food chains feature in his imagery, as do Roberts’ personal experiences, such as managing anxiety.
His distinctive paintings have been widely exhibited, from appearing at Carriageworks, which Thom calls his “Giant Castle”, where his work made up a major part of The National: New Australian Art in 2019, to the Archibald Prize, where four of his portraits have been shortlisted. The most recent piece selected as a finalist featured fellow
ART AND ABOUT
Clockwise from left: Thom Roberts with Shane Simpson; ‘Dinkie Duck’, Thom’s Sulman portrait; ‘Big Bamm Bamm’ Archibald portrait of Ken Done; Thom with Studio A artists at the Art Gallery of NSW. In the last five years, Studio A artists have been finalists in the Archibald and Sulman prizes 23 times; Studio A CEO and Creative Director, Gabrielle Mordy, with Thom.
northside artist, Ken Done, or “Big Bamm Bamm,” as Thom calls him. Roberts was also a finalist in the 2024 Sulman Prize for a portrait of his friend Subita, Studio A’s cleaner, known to him as “Dinkie Duck.”
The art of inclusion
As well as Studio A’s ongoing commissions, a range of new design collabs and public artworks is being sketched out for 2025/26. An education program designed to connect primary school students with Studio A will also launch soon, providing a chance for young creatives to draw inspiration from Thom and his fellow artists.
“We are beyond proud to see Thom’s talent recognised,” Gabrielle says. “Studio A is all about supporting our artists to reach their potential as creative leaders and ensuring the art world includes diverse voices,” she concludes. “We exist because these artists make great art.” l
For more information about Studio A, head to studioa.org.au
My favourite place for coffee and brunch is...
The Corner Café in Asquith. On Mondays I exercise with some of my school friends. We go for coffee and brunch afterwards and I usually have the avocado toast, which comes topped with colourful tomatoes and is beautifully garnished. The coffee is excellent and I sometimes splash out and have an iced coffee if it’s hot or a hot chocolate if it’s chilly.
One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in the area was at…The Old School in St Ives, which serves fabulous Italian cuisine. My favourite local takeaway would be… Johnny Gio’s pizza near Turramurra Station. We don’t get takeaway very
Local’s last word.
Robyn Elizondo has lived in Turramurra since the early 1970s
If I want to go out for a drink I’d head to… Kiplings Garage in Turramurra. Great for cocktails or a good wine alongside some of their tapas dishes.
often, I prefer to be taken out, but when we do, that’s my pick.
My top three favourite local stores are…all located on Eastern Road, just a short stroll from home. The IGA is great for that last minute forgotten item; I’ll get baguettes from Pottery Green
Bakers and visit the butcher for their quality meat. My favourite local walk is… with my husband and our Japanese Spitz, who loves a good outing. We often can be seen at Turramurra Oval or making our way down Bobbin Head Road to East Turramurra shops for a coffee. A bush track then leads to Lovers Jump Creek, and on Wednesdays, we’ll stop by the organic fruit and veg market. The things I love about living on the North Shore are…the community, the tree canopy and that as a member of Holy Name Catholic Church, I can share my love of music and be part of their concerts.
The words I’d use to describe this area are... peace, green, community
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