BITS AND PIECES FROM AROUND THE BEACHES Words Lisa Anderson Picture Mark Hunter Instagram @bondihunter GET PAID TO PLAY WITH ANIMALS Do you love pets? Do you want to get paid to cuddle them? Will you be based in the Eastern Suburbs over the summer holidays? If so, Christmas has just come early. With a record number of beachside residents looking for pet carers over summer, pet sitters are now at a premium. In response, Mad Paws, Australia’s largest pet sitting community, is searching for 100 new pet sitters by Christmas Eve. To apply to spend your summer playing with furry friends, visit www.madpaws.com.au. COURTYARD CAFE'S CHRISTMAS PRESENT DRIVE Each year Dave Martin and the crew at Courtyard Cafe in Coogee look to their customers, friends and the local community to donate a Christmas gift to pass on to someone less fortunate. These people include struggling local families (mainly children of all ages), older homeless men and women, abused women and kids fighting sickness. If you are able to spare a gift (either wrapped or unwrapped) please drop it into the cafe no later than Friday, December 14 and help Dave bring a smile to someone less fortunate at a time when we all should be celebrating and giving.
Sundown at Dudley Reserve.
CHRISTMAS AT COOGEE PAVILION Coogee Pavilion will be taking the Christmas spirit to new levels again this year. They’ll be selling Christmas trees from December 1 for $65 (cash only, plus $30 for a stand, if needed) and all proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House, Randwick. They’ll also have a letterbox on hand for those young whippersnappers who want to express post a letter to Santa. On the first two weekends of the month (December 1, 2, 8 and 9), the jolly gent himself will be in the building for Santa photos from 10am to 12noon. There’ll also be festive face painting and Christmas crafts to keep even the grumpiest kids happy. No bookings required. For more information, visit www.merivale.com/venues/coogeepavilion. CAROLS ARE A COMIN’ Christmas ain’t all about presents the festive season just wouldn’t feel the same without the cacophony that is carols by candlelight. There’ll be a whole heap of carolling events in the Eastern Suburbs and here are a few that should consider getting along to. In the Woollahra Municipality there’s the QSWWA Community Christmas Carols on December 4 at Chiswick Gardens, the HMAS Watson Carols by the Bay on December
8 at the HMAS Watson Navy Base and the Combined Churches Christmas Carols at Rose Bay on December 21 at Pannerong Park. In Waverley, there’s Carols by the Sea on December 12 at Bondi Park, and in Randwick there’s Matraville Carols by Candlelight on December 8 at Barwon Park, Carols by the Sea on December 8 at Grant Reserve, Coogee, Christmas Carols and a street party at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Clovelly on December 9, the South Maroubra Christmas Party on December 15 at South Maroubra Village Green and the showpiece event, Coogee Carols, on December 16 at Coogee Beach. Visit the respective council websites for more information. BONDI’S LATEST SURFING WORLD CHAMPION When Bondi boy Grayson Hinrichs isn’t spearing fish more than half his size, he’s back out in the brine surfing like a pro. And the realms of professional surfing are now much closer after Hinrichs took out the Vissla International Surfing Association Under 16 World Championship in early November. The young Bondi Boardrider was understandably stoked to take out the title in fun surf at California’s Huntington Beach.