The Village Observer

Powering Our Community

Proceeds from The Village Observer supports residents of Lane Cove, Hunters Hill, Ryde, Willoughby and North Sydney, via Sydney Community Services – a local not-for-profit organisation that helps residents to live a quality and independent life in their own home and in their community.

Local Support for Local People SCS provides services to seniors and people living with a disability including social activities, gardening, home nursing, podiatry, Community Care Advisory, linen, home delivered meals, home modifications and maintenance, flexible respite, carers support, shopping services, community and engagement programs, medical transport and assistance in daily life.

THE VILLAGE OBSERVER:

1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove NSW 2066.

PUBLISHER: Gillian Batt

P: 02 9427 6425 E: gbatt@sydneycs.org

EDITOR: Nicola Riches

P: 0405 661 570

E: editor@thevillageobserver.com.au

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The Village Observer is published monthly (except January) by Sydney Community Services (trading as Lane Cove Community Aid Foundation) • Distribution is at the beginning of the month.

• Readers are invited to submit articles for consideration. • Articles and items for community events should be emailed to the Editor with any accompanying images by the 15th of each month, for inclusion in the next month’s issue. • Advertising enquiries should be directed to advertising@thevillageobserver.com.au

• If mailing material and you would like it returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All care, but no responsibility will be taken for this material. © Copyright 2021. Original advertisements and editorial in this publication are copyright and remain the exclusive property of The Village Observer. No part of this publication may be reproduced and/or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written consent of the Publisher.

DISCLAIMER: The content of editorial and advertisements in The Village Observer has been provided by a number of independent sources. Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor and Publisher of The Village Observer, and no responsibility is taken for the accuracy of the information, or any factual errors contained within any items printed. Readers should make their own enquiries directly to any organisations or businesses prior to making any plans or taking any action.

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thank you

As a local, small publication, run by a not-for-profit charity, TVO relies on our advertisers and partners to come to life every month. We’d like to extend a big thank you to this month’s supporters:

EDITOR'S LETTER

A pretty significant birthday just went by and the husband and I, whose birthdays are two weeks apart, have a ritual of competing with each other for best homemade card. The winner with the best joke wins.

This year’s attempt saw his card gently mock me for recent attempts to keep trying new things. It’s a strategy designed to keep me physically and mentally well, young at heart, and forging new connections.

I’ve tried karate (don’t think I’ll get beyond yellow belt), bringing a rescue dog into the house (that failed on account of our other dog being petrified of it), doing the New York Times crossword every month (too hard), cooking recipes that include tofu (how on earth do restaurants make it taste okay?) and outrigger canoeing (that one really stuck – I love it).

Husband’s card – me, feet poking out the doors of a changing room, flinging out the unwanted – was pretty good. Nothing compared to mine, depicting him on a nudist beach. Details best left unsaid.

To keep ourselves on track – mentally and physically – it’s good to have a source of information and inspiration that can help us achieve this. This is where we hope TVO steps in and proves useful.

If anyone has any tofu cooking tips, let us know. Or, if you’ve tried something new lately and you would like to share your story in TVO, get in touch: editor@thevilleageobserver.com.au

NICOLA RICHES EDITOR editor@thevillageobserver.com.au

Celebrating Harmony Week with New Citizens

In the spirit of the message of Harmony Week everyone belongs, Hunters Hill welcomed eight new Australian citizens during a special Citizenship Ceremony in late March.

The conferees from Malaysia, Syrian Arab Republic, Iran, Indonesia, Mexico, Britain and Colombia, were joined by family and friends as they took the pledge of loyalty to Australia and received their Certificates before Mayor of Hunters Hill Zac Miles in a ceremony at Weil Park.

Mayor Zac Miles was honoured to officiate the Citizenship Ceremony.

“It is a great honour to be a part of such a significant day for these residents and a proud moment for our Council to officially recognise our new Australian citizens.”

“I offer my warmest welcome to our new citizens and on behalf of all Australians, I offer you my best wishes as you share in our country’s future,” said Clr Miles.

Amelie Matthews led the singing of the Australian National Anthem.

Conferees were joyous to take their final steps to becoming an Australian in the ceremony.

“Just such a beautiful ceremony and country. I am so proud to be part of the Australian community and share the values.” said conferee Ivonne Nivia.

Waed Haddad, conferee from Syrian Arab Republic, re-affirmed this sentiment.

“Such a lovely ceremony…a dream come true”, said Waed. “I also love the gift. So special to have something from the Australian soil.”

Hunter’s Hill Council congratulates all of the new Citizens and thanks everyone who attended the ceremony last night. As always, the Citizenship Ceremony was a special and moving experience for all involved.

Council administers Citizenship Ceremonies on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.

Emma Grimes, Michael Fitzgerald & Peter Louridas A family business, now in our 48th year in Lane Cove

Wollstonecraft Club Open Day

The Wollstonecraft Club is a hidden gem unknown to many local residents.

The club was opened on 9 April 1927 by former Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes. It will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.

Situated opposite Smoothey Park and a short walk from Wollstonecraft Station, the club enjoys leafy surrounds and a quiet location. Members participate in regular bowling and bridge sessions and social get togethers, and the club has become a popular venue for barefoot bowling and other functions, particularly in the pre-Christmas period when many business and government groups use the club’s facilities to celebrate the end of the year. Members, private individuals, organisations and businesses also book functions for birthdays, anniversaries, wakes, recitals, corporate workshops and other occasions. The club has a licensed bar facility. It is the rehearsal venue for the 90 year old Sydney Mandolin Orchestra.

The club aims to foster a community spirit and is supported largely by volunteers who generously give their time to promote and assist in the club’s activities and to provide staff for functions. Members come from the local area and from further afield and enjoy the friendships and social support that the club offers. Bridge lessons

are run from time to time, the next series of 8 lessons commencing on Monday 15th May at 10am at a cost of $160 in total.

The last few years have been challenging for the club due to the Covid-19 lockdowns and it has survived with some support by way of government grants and the contributions of its volunteers.

The club would love to broaden its membership and make its facilities known to locals, and to this end will hold an open day on Saturday 6 May from 11am until 3pm.

Come along for live music, a sausage sizzle and a drink and watch our bowlers and bridge players in action. You are most welcome to try the social bowling. The club is located at 7 Russell Street, Wollstonecraft. It is accessible via steps at the northern end of the site and via the lift in the club building at the southern end. Further information about the club and its activities is available on the club’s web site: wollstonecraftclub.com.au

Innovate or Die

by Liz Foster

Our mailbox was rebuilt lately, mostly for aesthetic purposes as it only ever gives out political flyers (three cheers for a hiatus in that rigmarole) and supermarket specials.

But it’s been put back at the wrong angle, as any mail we do get is ruined at the first sign of rain. HELLO was the only legible word on a recent postcard from my daughter’s travelling bestie. So I was pleased to rescue the plastic wrapped ‘Innovations’ mag, sent to me as a VIP no less, despite never having signed up for it. Old fashioned targeted snail mail at its best, though it’s fair to say the mail box, unlike my phone, can’t listen to me.

At first glance the whole magazine resembles a spoof marketing campaign from the eighties. Any models are all young, attractive and female, on the right side of tasteful. This month’s front cover sports a young girl smiling at the camera whilst brandishing a leaf blower. At least she’s not wearing a bikini.

The content is packed with ideas to make your life easier. Words like NEW and FREE are liberally peppered throughout. Special offers abound - spending $80 or more gets you fifty percent off the novel sounding Window Vacuum Cleaner, whilst an outlay of more than $120 rewards the shopper with access to a Cyclone Vacuum Cleaner, though it doesn’t specify if it can be used for windows too. Anything decorative is prefixed with the word STUNNING, from the Faux Lavender Tree – a burst of colour adding a touch of modern elegance to any space – to the variegated ficus sporting hundreds of beautiful realistic leaves. There’s literally no end to the stuff that can transform your living space.

I’ve reached the point in life where I need less stuff, not more. But it’s impossible not to get your eye caught by some of the gadgets, things you never knew you needed until you discovered their existence.

There’s an Amazing Flexible Torch that’s bendy and versatile, designed to wrap around that awkward dark pipe or spotlight your snags while turning them on the barby. And who can go past the Slide and Film Viewer, with triple magnification, letting you look over all those film negative strips you still have knocking around in shoe boxes (remember them?) to relive happy times arguing with Uncle Bill over how best to carve the Christmas turkey. But if someone’s going to go to the trouble of inventing handy stuff, I’ve got a few ideas. The Clever Cooling Pad to help your canine pals stay cool on a hot day is useful,

but what about a Dog Language Translator, like Google Translate for dogs, instead of talking to them in English and expecting a response (‘don’t sniff that woman’s bottom, Fido, you don’t know where it’s been.’)

A hands-free precision magnifier (aka, magnifying glass) could prove invaluable, but how about a single pair of glasses that I can wear at all times – in and out of sunshine, looking at a screen, reading, talking to people, watching a show, instead of the current four pairs I currently have to play swapsies with.

I’m all for the digital alarm clock radio adorned with exquisite butterfly art, but what I’m really after is an alarm clock that you can pair with your own body biorhythms, guaranteeing sleep for the period you set. The microfibre duster with the telescopic pole, ideal for accessing those hard-to-reach places, is all very well, but who can give me something I can wave across the bazillion tiny knick knacks in my children’s rooms and eradicate dust in one go without laboriously picking up each piece.

But I don’t want to seem churlish. Now I think of it, my husband uses his iPhone when barbecuing after dark so the bendy torch is actually not a bad idea. And if someone can just invent a weatherproof cover for my mailbox to preserve future snail mail I’d be forever grateful.

Liz Foster is a local writer. You can find her at lizfoster.com.au and www.facebook.com/lizfosterwriter, or email her at liz@lizfoster.com.au

Illustration by Grace Kopsiaftis

ASPECTS

Where: Blackman Park

When: a rainy day in April

The Lane Cove Cats AFL Club hosted Auskick, a training session for kids up to the age of eight. Cyggy, the Sydney Swans mascot made an appearance too.

interview: Tutti

Tutti cuts a stylish figure on the streets of Lane Cove. A resident for decades, her and her husband Paul Bennett are actively involved in our community.

Here she answers some of our questions.

 How did you end up in Lane Cove and what has kept you here?

We decided it was a good place to raise our family, and we stayed here because we went broke, and we couldn't afford to leave. It turned out it was the best place for us, and our children, and, most important of all, it’s fun!

 Where did you grow up?

Tell us a bit about your family life…

I grew up in Bathurst just beyond the Blue Mountains. My mother was born in America, but her parents were Russian. My father was a holocaust survivor from Germany who came to Australia for under €10, under duress.

 You ran a successful advertising agency with your husband Paul. How did you make that work?

Our marriage almost didn't survive, but we're best friends and that's how we made it work.

 Those who have seen you, or know you, see you have a keen eye for fashion. Has this always been the case?

My grandparents in Bathurst had a women's clothing store and a shoe shop, and I guess it came from there. My auntie in Hamburg always looked very beautiful as well, and I think I was just born with it.

 Do you have any routines and rituals to keep your spirits high and your lust for life buzzing?

A full glass of scotch when I'm stressed never goes astray. Just friends. People. People who are younger than me or who are older than me who have a zest for life. I'm a selfstarter.

 Tell us about your other great artistic loves. I love music. I love art. I love my husband. I love my children. They're all artistic.

 We hear you've been acting lately is this true? It is true. I'm not sure if it's acting though. I'm just playing myself really.

 If you're looking for some peace and quiet, where do you go?

Into my backyard, digging out weeds or Balmoral Beach.

 It's a special occasion where do you go and what do you do - the sky’s the limit!

Restaurants, a fabulous restaurant. Oh, but if we're talking somewhere really special, then I'd say New York New York, it's a hell of a town!

I love music. I love art.

I love my husband. I love my children. They're all artistic.

City of Ryde’s Cork & Fork by the Riverside

City of Ryde’s Cork & Fork by the Riverside showcase’s boutique wine from the Mudgee and Hunter Valley regions, locally made spirits, craft beer, food trucks, gourmet food products, bespoke items, and great music in a picturesque location next to the Parramatta River. It will be held on Sunday 21 May 2023 at Kissing Point Park, Putney from 10.00am – 4.00pm. To taste test all of the wonderful wine, brewery, and distillery suppliers you will need to purchase your own branded Cork and Fork wine glass on the day for $10. Glasses will be on sale at the ticket booths (cashless payment only).

The event has plenty on offer for the whole family to enjoy including kids’ workshops, face painting and rides.

FOR UPDATES VISIT: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/ corkandfork

Be a part of the KYDS Collective and help our local young people

We all know it takes a village to raise children. It also takes a village to ensure our kids can access essential mental health support all year round.

Local youth mental health organisation KYDS provides free, confidential counselling and mental health support services for young people up to the age of 19 across Northern Sydney. Each year it delivers around 6000 sessions without the need for a Medicare card, GP referral or mental health plan. All of this ensures young people can access support when they need it, for as long as they need it, without any barriers.

KYDS helps young people understand, cope with and effectively manage issues such as bullying, stress, anxiety, relationship breakdowns, grief, loss, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. KYDS is also committed to promoting mental wellbeing and the prevention of mental health difficulties in young people. It runs school workshops, presentations and webinars to support youth (and their families) through challenges they might be facing, helping to build resilience and achieve their potential.

KYDS does not receive routine government funding and relies on community generosity to continue delivering its services.

Over the last few years, it has seen a huge increase in demand for its services. In fact, in November last year, KYDS delivered the highest number of counselling sessions in a single month in the organisation's history.

“It's encouraging that we continue to see young people reaching out to KYDS for help when they need it,” said Dr Anthony Rigney, CEO of KYDS.

“We aim to make it as easy as possible to seek support – counselling is free, there is no requirement for a GP referral, mental health plan or Medicare card, and young people can see our counsellors for as long as they need our support.

“Because our services are free, we rely on the community to help KYDS provide our vital counselling support for young people, but we need more certainty that we will have the funds available each and every month to help the increasing number of young people who walk through our doors.”

KYDS helps young people understand, cope with and effectively manage issues

How you can help

To ensure it can meet the needs of young people wishing to access KYDS, the organisation has launched KYDS Collective, which allows members of the community to quickly and easily set up a recurring monthly donation, knowing that not only will this help transform the lives of local young people, but it will give KYDS that level of certainty and a greater ability to plan and grow the service.

Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank have already jumped on board to show its support and help KYDS Collective members make an even greater impact. Sharon Franke, Community Development Manager of the Turramurra and Lindfield Community Bank, a franchise of Bendigo Bank, said, “Our Community Bank is a proud supporter of KYDS Youth Development Service and the vital work that KYDS does in ensuring young people can access mental health support when they need it. As part of that support, we are delighted to be tripling the first donation for those people who join the KYDS Collective as a regular monthly donor during May and June, up to total donations of $15,000.”

A team of passionate, qualified health professionals (counsellors and psychologists) offer a range of services that ensure young people have a voice in the type of intervention they believe will work best for them, including individual counselling, family-based interventions, parenting work, group work and online or face-to-face wellbeing programs.

As well as early intervention through counselling, KYDS is committed to promoting mental wellbeing and the prevention of mental health difficulties in young people. School workshops, presentations and webinars on a variety of topics from highly trained facilitators also form part of the KYDS service, supporting youth (and their families) through challenges they might be facing, helping to build resilience and achieve their potential.

In addition to creating meaningful connections, KYDS collects and analyses data to facilitate the continuous improvement of outcomes for young people and contribute valuable insights to the youth mental health sector and broader community.

KYDS does not receive regular government funding. Community collaboration with KYDS through fundraising, partnerships, community engagement activities and financial donations helps ensure local young people can access mental health support when they need it.

For more information on KYDS Collective and how you can have an impact on local youth mental health, visit:

https://www.kyds.org.au/kyds-collective/

The importance of KYDS in our community

KYDS bridges a critical gap in local youth mental health services, reaching those young people and families who:

 Might not traditionally access mental health services (due to multicultural issues, stigma, domestic violence, no Medicare card, lack of parental support or service availability);

 Do not wish to seek support from, or, have no counselling options available at their school;

 Face difficulties travelling to alternative providers;

 Have exhausted the sessions available through their mental health plan and cannot afford the ongoing cost of psychological services;

 Are unwilling to obtain a mental health plan due to fears that a record of this may impact their employment prospects.

“THE NEWGREENS PRECINCT IS THE REBIRTH OF THE HISTORIC AND MUCH CELEBRATED CHATSWOOD GOLF CLUB. THE NAME PAYS HOMAGE TO ITS GOLFING LOCATION BUT GIVES RISE TO A NEW LEGACY; ONE THAT PROMOTES THE ENJOYMENT OF GOLF, WELLNESS, LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNITY.”

Alan Hall-Watson - President and Project Chair, Chatswood Golf Club

A new vision for retirement living

The vision was born in a green, protected valley near the Lane Cove River. A serene oasis with views that seem to stretch forever, and a design philosophy based on the desire to look beyond the immediate and explore new possibilities.

Watermark Residences at Newgreens offers luxury golf-side living: stunning contemporary retirement residences and a wealth of entertainment and recreation spaces that will delight every sense.

In creating Watermark Residences, Pariter and Watermark Living joined with Chatswood Golf Club to reimagine the golf course and clubhouse and fuse it with Sydney’s most stunning apartments in a ground-breaking new community that will redefine how retirees choose to live.

Curated living will be delivered by a team of experts who have been selected for their vision, outstanding quality of work, depth of experience and unrivalled reputation. Every resident will enjoy the best life has to offer, in a secure, vibrant and caring environment. Watermark Residences at Newgreens is more than a place to reside, it’s a place to dream, explore and write your own story.

TREADING LIGHTLY ON THE EARTH

Sustainability is central to the Newgreens way of living and our team considers it a responsibility to future generations. To tread more lightly on the earth and reduce our carbon footprint, solar power will be harnessed for the entire community.

Residents will never receive a power bill for their home - a solar power system will generate and store 100% of the electricity for every apartment. Additional sustainability measures include double glazing on all windows and sliding doors for superior acoustic and insulating capability, in addition to energy star rated appliances.

Further green initiatives at Watermark Residences will include electric vehicle charging, water recycling for irrigation and the planting of more than 650 trees across the development.

Deep consideration will be given to reducing environmental impacts across the entire development. The entire green space of the golf course will remain and landscaping will be mindful of habitat creation to preserve local biodiversity.

UNPARALLELED DINING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Spaces, both indoor and out are designed for the generations. Residents, their families, and friends can enjoy open green spaces including a golf putting green, exquisite restaurant dining, private function room and bistro cafe. Residents will also have access to the gym, hydrotherapy pool, wellness spaces, movie cinema, art & craft room, and resident's exclusive lounge.

With health and wellbeing, a priority, Residents are provided with free and exclusive exercise classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi and Aqua Aerobics.

RESIDENCES - A VISION OF LUXURY

Exquisitely appointed 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments offer space, sophistication and comfort. Interiors and finishes are designed and crafted by award-winning architects and interior designers.

Every apartment has been designed with a focus on you, spectacular living with expansive balconies made for celebrating life. Every apartment offering uninterrupted and breathtaking views over the golf course and Lane Cove River valley and beyond.

A PEOPLE-FIRST PHILOSOPHY

Today’s retirees want to live well and be fit, healthy and sustained, so they can make the most of everything life has to offer. At Watermark Residences, the people-first philosophy is evident with individual wellness pathways and expert support with our care concierge on hand if needed. Our philosophy is to create a welcoming, comforting and caring residence that promotes happiness, wellness and longevity.

It’s all part of Watermark’s commitment to residents’ physical, emotional health, and wellbeing.

For more information or to visit our display suite, call Nada and Miranda on 1800 520 168 or visit watermarkresidences.com.au

A Day in the Life of a Marriage Celebrant

When Stephen Miller isn’t lounging on the sofa, critiquing TV shows for us, he’s actually a marriage celebrant. While you might assume that’s a piece of wedding cake, think again.

After losing our second child to cancer, I decided I needed a change of scenery. But instead of running away, I became a marriage celebrant—because what’s more uplifting than being surrounded by love all the time? I’ve officiated so many weddings now that I’m starting to feel like the wedding whisperer.

Each wedding is a unique experience—even at a repeat venue— as there’s always something new and unexpected that pops up. And to think, when I started, I’d been concerned that it might become a conveyor belt of wineries, white gowns and wildflowers and quickly lose its appeal—you know, like fireworks, seen one, seen them all. But nope! It’s more like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get. From sand in my eyes at the beach to animals heckling me at the zoo, it’s been quite an adventure. And let’s not forget about the wireless interference that turned the ceremony into a brass band concert or a guest’s phone that rang during the bride’s grand entrance, or the time when the best man lost the rings—yes, that really is a thing.

From an extravagant celebrity wedding in a $36 million dollar Potts Point mansion to one at a small AirBnB where the parents arrived, only to learn they were actually attending their children’s wedding. Talk about a surprise party! And don’t even get me started on ring-bearing dogs and flower girls with attitude.

I’ve been upstaged by screaming babies and married not one, not two, but THREE brides who were expecting themselves—one thankfully holding on until three days later. While I learn from these experiences and try to

ensure everything goes as intended, in all honesty, this game of wedding roulette actually adds spice and uniqueness to the ceremony. When something unplanned occurs, like a circus ringmaster, I just smile, keep calm and carry on.

When I thought things couldn’t get any different, I found myself in a hospital room officiating a wedding for a groom with only days to live. That’s the kind of stuff that makes you realise the true meaning of love and the importance of living in the moment. Then there was the time I had to pause the ceremony in Bundanoon because a freight train that seemed longer than the Great

Wall of China snaked passed by less than 100 metres away.

But hey, it’s all in a day’s work for a marriage celebrant. Sometimes though, I feel like I’m in a rom-com, but with way more chaos, and frankly, it’s what makes this job so much fun. Being a significant part of a couple’s special day is such an honour. Writing and presenting a ceremony that captures the essence of the individuals and their relationship is a worthy challenge and such a reward when done well.

I’m often asked what’s been my most memorable wedding. Well, in December 2021, I married my

Stephen marrying daughter Alice and fiance Jarrod

daughter Alice to her fiancé Jarrod. Talk about a proud dad moment! “So, will you be walking Alice down the aisle?” many would add. As with most decisions, getting the bride’s opinion before voicing one’s own is always best. Alice said she was happy for Mum to perform this role, so I took the opportunity to ask if I could do a 30-minute magic set at the reception. Her face looked like I’d just thrown her phone at the wall. Suddenly, I was making the wedding all about me! I tactically withdrew, reasoning that was the last thing I was trying to do; I just wanted to make it the best wedding ever!

The weather forecast kept Alice on edge, but I was pretty chill about it. I mean, as long as there’s a wet weather plan in place, what’s the worst that can happen? So what if it even rained all day? As she gloomily stared at all the rainy icons lining up across her phone, I helpfully suggested that cloudy skies eliminate shadows and highlights and therefore make for much better photos... I retreated again. But let’s just take a moment to appreciate the timing here. Alice lives in London, and this was the third wedding attempt after the pandemic postponed the first two. Finally, though, the stars aligned, and they were able to make it home to Lane Cove. Like the sun coming out after a storm two days before they arrived, things just incredibly opened up on cue. So in they came, no quarantine was required. Not only did we get to hold our first grandchild, threemonth-old Freddie, but we would get to witness their beautiful union. It was like the universe was saying, “Here, have a little joy to make up for the crazy sadness you’ve experienced.”

While the weather may not have been perfect, the wedding was still a huge success. Plus, Alice relented, and I got to show off my mad magic skills. Had that window of opportunity remained closed, there would have been no grandchild to idolise, no unrestricted wedding, no refund from the fully paid-up venue, and no first Christmas with Freddie and the family altogether.

When you take a step back and consider the bigger picture, the weather on December 10th was really of little consequence. I always advise couples to focus on being grateful for what they have—and for what they don’t have. While unforeseen obstacles may arise, these can definitely make the wedding day more unforgettable.

For the record, though, yes, it rained most of the day.

Launching the Lane Cove History Prize for 2023

Calling all local historians! The Lane Cove History Prize competition is back for this year!

Sponsored by the Lane Cove Historical Society, the competition is once again open to all with an interest in Lane Cove and its past. A successful entry must document aspects of the lives of people in Lane Cove and its environs, including beyond modern Lane Cove, which covered a broader area in the past.

As one of the earliest sites of settlement on the northern side of the harbour, colonial Lane Cove has had a very interesting history, and much of the details have yet to be fully documented. Moreover, into the 20th and 21st centuries, the community of Lane Cove has witnessed many social changes, all worthy of wider reflection and documentation.

A vibrant community like Lane Cove deserves to have its strengths and its achievements recognized and celebrated.

Research subjects can be individuals or families, early settlers or ethnic groups in the region, local roads and transport systems, private or public buildings, or the histories of community groups such as sporting teams, bush care groups or local churches.

• Submissions can be written essays, oral histories or DVDs.

• Entries must be received by 31st August 2023.

• Detailed information about terms and conditions and criteria for submissions can be obtained at the website:

www.loveandunderstanding.com.au

www.lanecovehistoricalsociety.com.au/ lane-cove-history-prize

• You can also ring Dr. Frances Christie for advice at 0418927995

If you’re looking for a marriage celebrant who can manage everything from wailing infants to thundering freight trains, Stephen’s the guy for you. You can reach him by visiting his website at

Morning

Planning ahead with My Aged

Planning ahead with My Aged

Planning ahead with My Aged Care

Thursday 25 May 2023, 10am - 11.30am

Planning ahead with My Aged

Thursday 25 May 2023, 10am - 11.30am

Join us for a delicious morning tea and a chat with friends.

Join us for a delicious morning tea and a chat with friends.

Our Community Care Advisor will answer all your questions about My Aged Care, and outline all the services and activities

Our Community Care Advisor will answer all your questions about My Aged Care, and outline all the services and activities

Sydney Community Services can offer as your local care provider.

Sydney Community Services can offer as your local care provider

Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove

Bookings essential, please contact:

Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove

Sydney Community Services

Bookings essential, please contact:

Phone: 9427 6425

Sydney Community Services

Email: support@sydneycs.org

Phone: 9427 6425

www.sydneycs.org

Email: support@sydneycs org

www.sydneycs.org

Time to regroup

School holidays. For some they are welcome respite from 40km zones, grandparent pick-up duties and lunchbox routines. And for others, it’s holiday camp – tennis, golf, horse-riding, chess among a plethora of optionswhile the lucky ones, well-prepared and having planned well in advance for some family downtime look to enjoy time together.. By

Iremember school holidays, as a young mother, as a lovely time to explore Australia indulging in simple pleasures. We’d drive to Queensland or Melbourne, spend time at a beach or resort, swimming or canoeing and just chilling. Or we’d fly, as on one memorable occasion to the Red Centre, Darwin and Kakadu where dinner under the stars, climbing the huge steps at Kings Canyon, walking around Uluru and eating crocodile fascinated us all, as our photos attest. It was fun.

I’ve written before about multigenerational holidays, now a huge trend since the pandemic. We’ve all realised how quickly we can be robbed of precious family time, and don’t want to waste valuable opportunities. I’m now regularly consulting with grandparents seeking “to give with a warm hand” - rather than leaving an inheritance of assets, they value treating their families to memories of great times together.

To that end, every hotelier, cruise line and resorts offers wonderful family options. The best deals don’t always coincide with school holidays but with a little forethought you can make it happen.

I’m personally very excited about the mega-cruise ship, Celebrity Edge, making its maiden visit to Australia in late 2023. Truth be told, I’m not really a big ship girl but this one is so revolutionary that Trendsetter has

Adrienne Witteman

deposited an allocation of rooms, just perfect for extended families, on an early January Pacific cruise and again in February to Tasmania. Both will be perfect for family groups and if you’ve not sorted your summer holiday, please call us now while space remains.

The other big cruise news is that from 2025 Disney Cruise Line will base a brand-new ship in Asia so there’s no longer any need to travel to Los Angeles or Miami when Singapore is just that much closer. And cheaper. Imagine how much fun it will be to be with Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy and friends onboard? Me neither but your kids will love it! (And you for treating them …)

While there are currently cruise options everywhere for families, one line which is firm about NOT extending the fun and games to children is Virgin. Enjoy a smile and check out this quirky No Kids video, in the typical Virgin-isdifferent-and-fun vein: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=0Sc0VSFuRFE. Sorry kids but this is one indulgence not for you.

Away from cruising, there are plenty of simple touring options that will appeal to families. I’ve already mentioned the easy option of staying in Australia however if your budget has room for some international airfares, my favourite picks would be New Zealand, Japan and Vietnam. All are relatively close to home and while New Zealand

might seem similar to home, its thrilling adrenalin-filled adventure activities are a point of difference and will keep everyone excited.

Japan and Vietnam meanwhile offer fantastic cultural experiences and, on the ground, are very cost effective. Sushi and pho are cheap, delicious and appealing to children’s appetites, while activities such as a visit to sumo training stables, dressing up as ninja warriors or in kimono, mastering the Cu Chi tunnels and seeing ten pigs being driven to market on the back of a motor bike, rice paddies and exotic fish markets, are all very different to what our children experience at home. The educational quotient is incalculable.

We are blessed to have so many creative solutions for school holidays, and something to fit almost every budget. Holiday times with children are so very precious and the opportunities pass so quickly that I exhort you not to waste a moment if possible. I’ve been there, done that and have a treasure trove of inspirational ideas, should you need my assistance, please call.

The history behind Ulonga Avenue

The origin of Ulonga Avenue in Greenwich has a unique history, as it was named after Ulonga Station, the boyhood home of prominent architect David Thomas Esplin.

Ulonga Station was a 300,000 acre property located in the Hay district of New South Wales and was recognised as one of the best-improved runs in the later part of the 19th century.

Donald was born in Hay in 1874, the third child of George and Jane Esplin. George Esplin had entered the hotel trade in 1869 and by 1871 had taken over the licence of Hay’s smallest hotel, Tattersall’s, which he extended and upgraded. Soon the Town & Country Journal described Tattersall’s Family Hotel as the leading hotel in town.

George Esplin died two months after the birth of his fourth child in 1878. Nine years later, his wife Jane was remarried to Thomas Frederick Patterson, a grazier of Ulonga Station. After the marriage, Jane and her four children made their home at Tom’s Ulonga property. Ulonga employed 70 staff, had a large number of cattle and horses and 100,000 sheep that were shorn in a shearing shed with 85 stands. Although not named specifically, Tom Patterson’s property is commemorated in the traditional Australian poem and folk song, ‘Flash Jack from Gundagai’.

Donald went on to complete his schooling in Melbourne and at the age of 16 worked in the Melbourne office of architect Robert Lawson. In 1895 Donald became apprenticed to the Sydney architectural firm of John Sulman and Joseph Power and attended lectures at Sydney Technical College and Sydney University. In 1901 Donald Esplin was admitted as a member of the Institute of Architects of New South Wales.

Donald married Emily (Daisy) Reid in Melbourne in 1902. In May of that year, Donald purchased three acres of undeveloped land in Greenwich, advertised as the ‘Ancram Heights Estate’. It comprised four lots fronting Gordon Road (now the Pacific Highway) and a fifth lot with frontage to Innes Road. By 1903, Esplin had designed and built two houses on Lot 5, naming the homes Kitea Roa and Wongabella (later renamed Mandalay).

Esplin resold Lots 1-4 of the estate shortly after his purchase. He also dedicated to Lane Cove Council a 40-foot (12m) wide roadway to provide access to the allotments into which the Ancram Heights Estate was subdivided. The road was to be called Ulonga Avenue in commemoration of his childhood home in Hay. He sold the house Wongabella (now 4 Ulonga Avenue) after its completion. Kitea Roa (2 Ulonga Avenue) became his family home until 1907.

Donald became a distinguished architect who practiced for over forty years and designed more than 500 projects. He designed fifteen major buildings in the City of Sydney, including the Astor in Macquarie Street, The Carlton Hotel, and Her Majesty’s Arcade. The Astor is the only remaining city building. Esplin also designed more than three hundred

houses (including fifty on the North Shore), warehouses, factories, shops, memorials, grandstands, and even a garden suburb. Daisy Esplin died on 2 September 1960 and Donald shortly after on 23 September 1960.

Ulonga Avenue first appeared in Lane Cove rate books from 1915 and the Sands Directories from 1918.

Donald, Daisy and baby Tom Esplin outside Kitea Roa, 2 Ulonga Avenue, Greenwich in 1903. (Courtesy of Lane Cove Library/ A. Austin/ Esplin Family)

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

 MIXED SOCIAL GOLF

ANC golf established 1955 are looking for new members. Demographic 50+ WHERE: games are played at 6 different courses - Lower North Shore. WHEN: every second Sunday. Feb - Nov.

COST: $50 pa ( to cover cost of prizes) plus prevailing green fee. REQUIREMENTS: no handicap necessary. Understanding the basic rules and etiquette of the game required. CONTACT: robertharrington141@ gmail.com or petersmith55@aapt.net.au

 Pizza + Movie Nights

@ Longueville UC Hall, 47A Kenneth St, Longueville TIME : 6.30pm Pizza; 7.15pm Movie

Tuesday 2 May : The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)– A biographical drama about the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, born in poverty in Madras India, who earns entry to Cambridge University during World War I. Starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons and Stephen Fry.

Tuesday 6 June : Jane Eyre (2011) –Romantic drama based on Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 novel starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Judi Dench. Bookings essential on 9428 4287 or 9427 4740 Cost : $10 – the best value pizza/movie combo anywhere BYO drinks

 Time4U - Every Wednesday @ 10am

Friendly and fun mornings with home-made morning tea in St Andrew’s UC Hall, 47A Kenneth St, Longueville. After chatting over morning tea, we continue with the fascinating ABC series “Backroads”.. Enquiries : Frank on 9427 3215. Cost $5.00

 CONCERT: ACCENT STRINGS: BACH TO BEATLES

A changing of the guard

The solemnity of ANZAC Day has now passed – a time for reflection on heritage, sacrifice and heroism even while, unfortunately, the scourge of armed conflict continues to be a characteristic of our world.

An important element of ANZAC Day services is the catafalque party where four members of an armed guard stand, heads bowed and weapons reversed, facing outward from the catafalque as a symbolic form of respect for those who have fallen. Our son, an active Reservist with overseas service, has been privileged to be a part of such remembrance ceremonies on a number of occasions.

ANZAC Day gatherings reflect a changing of the guard as younger service men and woman emerge in place of older colleagues who experienced the conflicts of decades’ past. And so it is with life more generally – a never ending changing of the guard. Generations come and go, attitudes evolve and are refined; behaviours and expectations deviate from those of the past; technology matures at a rapid, even accelerating, pace helping to change society.

‘’If you don’t have a sense of where you come from how will you know where you are going?’’ is an adage that continues to ring true – leading in part to many television programs seeking to trace peoples’ ancestry so as to solidify a sense of belonging. Understanding and respecting the past also applies among our indigenous colleagues as they rely upon and publicly pay respect to their elders who have a profound and continuing influence on their society.

~ CONCERT ~

And now change has come to the Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy.

ACCENT STRINGS: BACH TO BEATLES

QUARTET: Jane Stanley – Violin. Leo Kram – Violin. Neil Thompson – Viola. Emily Palethorpe – Cello. Accent Strings is delighted to present a program beginning with some wonderful music from the Baroque and Classical periods including works of Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, followed by a selection of contemporary pieces which will get your feet tapping. These will include popular numbers by the Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Cyndi Lauper, Elton John and other millennial favourites.

Quartet: Jane Stanley – Violin. Leo Kram – Violin. Neil Thompson – Viola. Emily Palethorpe – Cello.

Karen Paull, the inaugural Chaplain, has moved to the NSW South Coast to provide chaplaincy and practical support to communities still struggling to overcome the aftermath of ferocious bush fires.

In her stead we are delighted to welcome Liam McKenna who brings a wealth of experience in community interaction and support from the UK and, more recently, broadly similar roles elsewhere in the Lower North Shore.

Tuesday 9th May 2023 at 7.30pm.

Accent Strings is delighted to present a program beginning with some wonderful music from the Baroque and Classical periods including works of Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart, followed by a selection of contemporary pieces which will get your feet tapping. These will include popular numbers by the Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Cyndi Lauper, Elton John and other millennial favourites.

With the changing of the guard have been fond farewells and encouraging welcomes. You can reach out to Liam via lanecovechaplain@gmail.com or 0404 596 592.

VENUE: LCM Anglican Church (St. Andrew’s), 9 Rosenthal Avenue, Lane Cove, behind the Post Office. Free parking opposite at The Canopy

Tuesday 9th May 2023 at 7.30pm.

LCM Anglican Church (St. Andrew’s), 19 Rosenthal Avenue, Lane Cove, behind the Post Office. Free parking opposite at The Canopy

Bookings with TryBooking, accessed via our website from: Tuesday 18th April 2023: www.lanecovemusic.org.au

Limited admission (cash only) at the door on the night, online bookings preferred.

As the circumstances of your life evolve and especially in the busyness of life, make a conscious effort to reach out to family and friends. Their influence and support contribute to who you are and, in turn, to a richer, supportive community for all.

Peter and the Chaplaincy team

Bookings with TryBooking, accessed via our website from: Tuesday 18th April 2023: www.lanecovemusic.org.au

P: 0410 489 161 (Pastor Rick)

E: lanecovechaplain@gmail.com

Cost: Adults $30, Students $10 enquiries are welcome at 9428 4287.

Limited admission (cash only) at the door on the night, online bookings preferred.

www.lanecovecc.com

Supported by Lane Cove Uniting Church

Adults $30, Students $10 - enquiries are welcome at 9428 4287.

Future 2023 Concerts, all Tuesdays at 7.30pm: 20th June, 8th August, 10th October, 28th November.

Northern Sydney women’s support program

Northern Sydney women’s support program

Thursdays

EXPECT RESPECT

THURS 4 MAY TO 8 JUNE

EXPECT RESPECT

THURS 4 MAY TO 8 JUNE

This six-week program is for women who are living with or have recently experienced domestic abuse.

This six-week program is for women who are living with or have recently experienced domestic abuse.

• Distinguish the difference between relationship issues and abuse.

• Create awareness that domestic abuse is more than physical abuse

• Distinguish the difference between relationship issues and abuse.

• Explore factors that may keep someone in a relationship with an abusive partner

• Create awareness that domestic abuse is more than physical abuse

• Enable women to gain practical and emotional support

• Explore factors that may keep someone in a relationship with an abusive partner

• Enhance a woman’s self-awareness of her needs and awareness of her children’s needs, if applicable

• Enable women to gain practical and emotional support

• Enhance a woman’s self-awareness of her needs and awareness of her children’s needs, if applicable

• Explore safe options for you and how to make healthy decisions

• Explore safe options for you and how to make healthy decisions

Free program runs for 6 weeks during school terms. Free childcare available but must be booked in advance as places are limited.

To enrol please call us on 9971 4499 or email admin@wacf.org.au

Free program runs for 6 weeks during school terms. Free childcare available but must be booked in advance as places are limited.

To enrol please call us on 9971 4499 or email admin@wacf.org.au

Women & Children

First 9971 4499

admin@wacf.org.au

www.womenandchildrenfirst.org.au

10am – 12noon

Thursdays

10am – 12noon

ENROL TODAY Make safe, informed decisions

ENROL TODAY Make safe, informed decisions

Women’s support group

Women’s support group

Respectful relationships

Respectful relationships

Women & Children

Councillor Andrew Zbik, Mayor of Lane Cove

P 0411 894 788

MAY 2023

The proposed sport and recreation precinct for 180 River Road will move forward to the tender phase. Following discussion and voting at the March and April Council meetings, we decided to proceed with stage one procurement. Work won’t commence prior to the close of tenders for stage two. There was a comprehensive update provided at the April Council meeting, check our website for the full details. We’re considering how to better support our community towards more environmentally friendly choices at home with rebates for energy and water saving measures. This is in line with my notice of motion about climate action at the April meeting.

See more on our website about how you can benefit and apply for rebates.

Longueville Road upgrades

We're upgrading the streetscape in Longueville Road to include new flexible outdoor dining options, parklets and seating. Thanks for your patience as parking and pedestrian access along Longueville Road have been disrupted. There’s also been some night works over the past couple of months. Works will continue until it’s finished at the end of June – weather dependent. This means parking will be limited along Longueville Road, with 4-5 car spaces unavailable at any one time.

Join the Sustainability Collective

Do you want to connect with your community and work together to combat climate change? Whether you live, work or play in Lane Cove, you're invited to join Council’s new Sustainability Collective to connect and empower the community to live more sustainably. The group aims to reduce emissions, and there are lots of actions we can take in this space, from solar, to electrification, composting to GreenPower and more! Visit Council’s website and search ‘sustainability collective’ for more.

Return and Earn

You’ve returned an enormous 689,388 bottles and cans to the Return and Earn machine inside the Little Street car park in the last quarter. Each item is 10 cents, so that’s nearly $69,000 paid to consumers. And it’s kept all of those items out of landfill. Well done, Lane Cove!

Liveability Census

How good is our hood? Here’s your chance to have your say about what it's like to live in Lane Cove. The Australian Liveability Census asks you to consider the attributes of a great neighbourhood – social, economic, cultural and physical. In 2021, Lane Cove's score was the equal highest score across the nation! Tied with Adelaide, our score was well above the national average. Fill in the 2023 survey, there's 50 x $100 vouchers to be won. You can complete the survey here: placescore.org/lc

DID YOU KNOW?

Power recycling

Over 1,000 bags are collected from Lane Cove homes each month by RecycleSmart. This includes soft plastics, polystyrene and loads of other tricky-torecycle items.

Book your free pick up at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ recyclesmart

An artists impression of the proposed Sport and FRecreation Precinct.

What’s on Lane Cove May 2023

For more information and to book, please visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Community Organisations Info Session

Tuesday 2 May, 8:00am – 9:00am, Lane Cove Community Hub

Deciding whether to “incorporate” your community group is an important decision and working out which structure will best suit your group can be a challenge. Join Deborah Hill, Lane Cove Chamber of Commerce President, as she takes you through how community organisations are structured, the processes involved and what the associated advantages, disadvantages and responsibilities are for the different structures available for NSW not-for-profit organisations.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Echidna Antics

Thursday 4 May, 7:00pm – 8:15pm, online

Join researcher Dr. Tahlia Perry from Echidna CSI for a fascinating look at Echidnas, their biology, behaviour and how we can help conserve these wonderful animals.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Learn to Love your Laptop

Thursdays 11 and 18 May, 10:00am –11:30am, Lane Cove Library

Experienced computer trainer, Ferg Brand, will deliver a two-lesson program on Windows 10 and Windows 11 to help you feel more confident using your laptop. Please attend both sessions as each covers different material.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Digital Technology Open Night

Thursday 11 May, 5:30pm - 8:30pm, Lane Cove Library

Join us for an evening of experimenting, learning, making and using a range of technology, equipment and tools. Explore 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering or the Cricut Maker at your own pace.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Law Week Webinar - Scams and the Law

Monday 15 May, 12:00pm- 1:00pm, online or Lane Cove Library

Friday 19 May, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, online or St Leonards Library

Senior Drivers Workshop

Wednesday 3 May, 10:00am1:00pm, Lane Cove Library

This workshop will offer senior drivers information on low risk driving strategies, road rules, new car technology and understanding the NSW Older Driver Licensing Assessment.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

The Canopy Music Concert - The AC/DC Show with Dirty Deeds

Friday 5 May, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, The Canopy Lane Cove

Dirty Deeds have been kicking the can for AC/DC for more than 20 years. No other show comes close to the pure power, energy and dedication of these High Voltage Rockers!

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Join legal experts and other community legal organisations during Law Week as they lead discussions on how to idenitfy and protect yourself against scams and what to do if you get scammed. Join this interactive webinar online via Zoom, or in-person at Lane Cove Library.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

What’s on Lane Cove May 2023

For more information and to book, please visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers Workshop

Thursday 18 May, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, online

The session will offer practical advice about the current driving rules and requirements for L and P platers, how learners benefit from supervised on-road driving and how you can help make learning to drive a safe and positive experience.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Ben's Book Club: How to be Remembered - Michael Thompson

Tuesday 23 May, 7:30pm - 8:30pm, online

Join Ben Hobson in conversation with author Michael Thompson to discuss his debut novel How to be Remembered.

How to be Remembered is a heartwarming, poignant, magical novel about the important things in life. This is an online event presented by Overdrive (Libby).

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Get that Job!

Thursday 25 May, 9:30am – 1:30pm, Terrace Function Room, Lane Cove Community Hub

Join us to receive tools and tips from a career management consultant on preparing your CV, interview techniques and developing your network. After the workshop participants are invited to have a oneon-one follow-up meeting to focus on individual needs – all designed to help you get that job!

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Street Art Cycle Tour

Sunday 28 May, 9:30am - 12:30pm, Cameraygal Park, Lane Cove

Join a guided bike tour of Lane Cove’s Street Art while discovering the safest and smoothest ways to get around your neighbourhood. Update your knowledge of road rules, bike safety equipment and how to plan your route.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Children’s Voices for Reconciliation

Thursday 1 June, 10:30pm –12:00pm, The Canopy

Join us at The Canopy as we celebrate Reconciliation Week. School groups will perform their interpretation of this year’s theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. This event includes song, dance and art from local North Shore Schools.

First Fridays: World Environment Day

Friday 2 June, 3:15pm – 4:30pm, Lane Cove Plaza

Join Scienza Viva in Lane Cove Plaza as they take you through some amazing science experiments in celebration of World Environment Day on Monday 5 June.

Child Car Seat Safety Checking Clinic

Saturday 17 June, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Lane Cove Council Car Park

Moments in Music - a Brief History of Opera

Wednesday 31 May, 10:00am12:00pm, Lane Cove Library

Join local musician Graham Ball as he takes you through the development of opera. This fascinating talk begins in Italy during the Renaissance over 400 years ago and travels around the world to the present day.

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov. au/events

Make sure your child is safe with a free inspection by a Transport for NSW Authorised Restraint Fitter. Have your child car seats and booster seats checked for safety and correct fit.

Book now via:

roadsafety@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

Family Holiday Fun

As you may have noticed, the year is already flying by! Thinking ahead for the December and January school holidays and looking to get away? Now is the time to start making your travel plans and securing the accommodation and travel arrangements for this busy time of year.

The team at Helloworld Lane Cove are here to help you every step of the way from planning the perfect itinerary, to managing all the finer details of domestic and international travel arrangements. With over 26 years owning and operating the travel agency in Lane Cove, Debbi Ashes and her experienced team can assist with whatever your holiday dreams may involve.

Whether it is a Northern Hemisphere Winter experience you seek or the sun and sand in South East Asia, make an appointment today with one of the knowledgeable consultants at Helloworld Lane Cove to get the ball rolling on your next trip away.

The first point of contact is to email or call us to make an appointment; lanecove@helloworld.com. au or 9418 6866, and share the details of your desired destination, travel dates and your travelling party. We can then make a time to meet with you to discuss further the options that would work within your budget and travel style.

Looking for some travel inspiration for the Christmas and New Year break?

Club Med offer a wide range of wonderful properties worldwide. With resorts in popular destinations like Japan, Mexico, the European Alps and Thailand (70+ resorts across 18 countries), the all-inclusive travel experience is very popular with families. Enjoy all day gourmet dining, Kids Club from 4 to 17 years, a premium open bar (T&C’s apply), no fewer than sixty different sports and activities and intimate evenings with night entertainment or live music with shows and dancing, there is something for everyone. The Club Med Ski experience includes Ski lift passes to access the slopes as well as group lessons tailored to all levels and age with English-speaking instructors.

Staying with Club Med offers a stress free, fun filled and convenient holiday for the whole family. With great savings now for December 2023 travel onward, don’t delay, reach out today and let us curate the perfect travel experience for you.

9418 6866

lanecove@helloworld.com.au

Talking Dentistry

This month we’re talking restorative dentistry with Dr Andrew See who combines passion, artistic flare and extensive knowledge of dentistry to answer any questions you may have. He has advanced training in aesthetic and implant dentistry.

Reader’s question:

“I’ve got really crooked and worn teeth with sharp edges. What can I do to make it look more pleasant?”

Dr See says: If you have really crooked teeth, orthodontics is always a good idea to help straighten crooked teeth that are not level. I understand that a barrier to having orthodontics as an adult is the length of treatment as it can take 1-2 years depending on the severity of crowding. However, in a lot of situations where the bite is in a good position, tooth alignment can be as quick as 6 months.

Almost always, crooked teeth are associated with uneven tooth wear that can be unsightly as the teeth are not sitting where they should be. In combination with tooth alignment with orthodontics we correct the uneven tooth wear with veneers. Veneers are tooth-like materials placed over teeth to mask what is underneath in order to improve function, appearance and protect from tooth wear. It is very similar to house rendering and cladding. Once a rarity, adding render and cladding to your home is now the new normal to transform the appearance, mask any visual imperfections, increase curb appeal and protect your home from the elements. Similarly, placing veneers on crooked teeth can do the same thing. At Advanced Dentistry Sydney, with years of experience and with specialised techniques, we're all about getting great results in a way that's healthy and conservative. We'll work with you to find the best approach from both a biologic and appearance perspective.

Let’s look at a case that we completed using a combination of orthodontics and veneers. Anne came to see us because her teeth were very crooked and had uneven tooth wear. She felt that like she couldn’t smile in photographs. We used specialised techniques to analyse precisely her bite and facial aesthetics to help us decide which treatment was appropriate for her.

THE PROBLEMS:

• Crooked teeth

• Teeth were on different angles and not level

• Severe and irregular tooth wear

THE SOLUTION:

• Aligner orthodontic therapy to align the teeth

• 10 x Upper porcelain veneers, Lower porcelain and composite veneers

Anne’s smile now is more balanced and harmonious. Advanced qualifications and experience ensured we achieved the results that Anne wanted and now she smiles in photographs.

** Any surgical or invasive procedure caries risk. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner **

9816 4885 dr.andrewsee advanceddentistrysydney.com.au

DR ANDREW SEE BDS Hons (Syd), FRACDS, MSc(Lond), PGDipDentImplantology, FCGDENT(UK), FICOI, MFDS RCSEng

HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT?

Dr Andrew See has dedicated the last 20 years to Aesthetic Dentistry and has unique qualifications in cosmetic dentistry and rehabilitation.

This includes a three year Masters in Aesthetic Dentistry from the prestigious King’s College London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Implantology.

Dr See completed his Fellowship by primary and secondary examinations for The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS). FRACDS is the mark of professional achievement in dentistry and demonstrates attainment of an advanced level and skill in Dentistry.

If you have any questions you have always wanted to know about aesthetic or implant dentistry write to us at:

info@advanceddentistry sydney.com.au

Kidney Health

WORDS:

DR CARL WONG

But another strong argument would be our kidneys (the body’s renal system) which play a critical role in us. Kidney health (or lack there of) is a strong factor as to how long we live for and the quality of that life we live. This month highlights Kidney Health week so here is what you should know about chronic kidney disease (CKD) .

Firstly, why are our kidneys important? The Kidney Health Australia website explains beautifully our kidneys and their function:

1. They clean our blood and circulate a fresh supply around our body 12 times every hour. This works out to a total of around 200 litres of blood per day.

2. They process excess fluid and unwanted chemicals and waste in our blood. The result is about one to two litres of urine that we pass each day, detoxifying our bodies.

3. They keep our blood pressure regular by telling the blood vessels in our body when to expand and contract

4. They manage our body’s production of Vitamin D, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones and producing red blood cells that carry oxygen around our body.

The latest data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that chronic kidney disease affects around 11% (1.7 million) adult Australians. The prevalence of CKD increases rapidly with age, affecting around 44% of

people aged 75 and over, with similar rates in both men and women. Like many health conditions, Indigenous Australians are worse off, having twice the risk. CKD has been associated as being a factor in 11% of all deaths in Australia.

The greatest challenge is that kidney disease remains largely an undiagnosed condition. At its earliest stages, it is identified often by chance on routine health checks and only identified at the advanced stages when symptoms become more apparent. By this stage, kidney failure is more common, requiring either a kidney transplant or dialysis to survive. There is no cure for CKD, so early detection enables treatment to prevent or slow its progression. This is where managing important risk factors are paramount.

Significant modifiable risk factors that can lead to CKD, include diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiovascular disease, overweight/obesity and smoking. Kidney and transplant specialist Dr James Tang agrees ‘kidney disease is a multi-systemic disease where something else affects the kidneys, commonly diabetes and hypertension, and therefore it is especially important to screen for these two conditions. Patients will have a lower quality of life once they get end-stage renal failure, so that is why prevention is so important’.

So what is the best way to detect it early? See your regular GP who can do all the tests required for detection. Tests

Dr Carl Wong is a Lane Cove-based GP and sits on the board of Sydney Community Services.

This month highlights Kidney Health week so here is what you should know about chronic kidney disease

include a blood pressure measurement, blood tests (to detect how well your kidneys are filtering wastes from your blood (eGFR), your electrolytes, blood count, sugar and cholesterol levels) and urine tests (to check for protein and blood). These results also determine the level of kidney disease there is. Further tests may include a kidney ultrasound and for other things that may impact, including kidney stones and an enlarged prostate in men. These should be done annually, and sometimes even more regularly depending on your background health.

Other measures include drinking two to three litres of water daily to help flush out the body’s toxins (people with fluid-retaining conditions like heart failure will need to drink less though, under medical advice). Be careful of certain medications which can cause both acute kidney damage and permanent damage with longer term use. Whilst paracetamol usage is safe at recommended doses, antiinflammatory medications (often those used for headaches, period pains and sporting injuries) can be hazardous. Be especially careful as these can be inadvertently found in over-the-counter painkiller combination medications.

Unfortunately about 1-2% of those with CKD will develop kidney failure, where the kidneys cannot survive on their own and require either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Wolfgang, a 58-year local resident, knows this well, ‘I was diagnosed with kidney disease when I was 42 years after developing high

blood pressure. Three to four years later my kidney function dropped dramatically, and my specialist told me I needed dialysis. I decided to do dialysis at home for the convenience of being able to still work, and I attended courses to learn how to do it. I was well whilst using dialysis, though the biggest inconvenience was on lifestyle as it meant I could not be away from home for too long. I was fortunately able to receive a donor kidney only two years later though initially I needed convincing to have the transplant as I was doing well on dialysis’.

Dr Tang says that Wolfgang’s journey is common, ‘end stage treatment is individualised, importantly including the patient’s wishes and life goals. Whilst organ transplant is curative, it requires lifelong medications to prevent donor organ rejection. There is an increased risk of infections and cancers which require lifelong surveillance. Unfortunately too, there is always a donor organ shortage, with an average five-year waiting time’. Many patients, especially the very elderly, may opt instead for conservative measures just to support symptoms’.

Kidney health is so important and often unappreciated as to its impact when things start to fail. If we look after our kidneys it will help ensure a better quality of life and reduce the burden of this disease. As the saying goes: awareness and prevention can lead to long term protection.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO IF YOU HAD LESS KNEE PAIN?

It’s important for you to know…knee pain is not something you have to “live with.” Take a moment, close your eyes and imagine what else you could do today…if you didn’t fear your knee hurting or limiting you.

ARE

YOU FINDING IT HARD TO:

• Walk without pain?

• Bend your knee?

• Go up or down steps?

• Get up out of a chair?

If you’d like to know more about living with much less knee pain, then this FREE special report is perfect for you. It details solutions to help avoid surgery, maintain independence and get back to moving pain free.

FOR EXAMPLE:

• How to ease your throbbing knee pain

• Discover the little-known way to exercise - without increased knee pain.

• A simple remedy for easing knee pain that will cost you nothing - perfect to stay active and mobile

• The one thing that you can change today to dramatically improve your knee pain

• The safest and most effective movements to ease your knee pain

Request your FREE copy of “How to stop knee pain

5 simple secrets without having to take pain killers or see the GP” by calling 9427 8333

OR EMAIL: lanecove@weareswitch.com.au

There are many options out there to treat knee pain. But, many of them require you to take pills, take dangerous injections to your knee and WORSE end up with surgery!!

If you have had enough of your knee pain and want to take control of your health and you want to get back to playing golf, walking with friends or get down to the local shops without pain, then contact us for your FREE copy of “How to stop knee pain - 5 simple secrets without having to take pain killers or see the GP”.

Burns Bay Physiotherapy 9427 8333

161 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove E: info@burnsbayphysiotherapy.com.au www.burnsbayphysiotherapy.com.au

I think if I was to ask you to name a body organ that is essential for life, the first thought that comes to mind might understandably be the brain, heart or lungs.

Harrison Brown James Becerra

100 Words Contribution

The Bobbo Classic of ’23

The men had slipped into Turramurra in the still of the night, undetected. Four horsemen of the modern age. Out-of-towners. Facing 4000 others in a battle of will and wiles over 100 kms of helter skelter cycling.

On the marshal’s cry, the posse exploded with fury through the streets. They screamed through the valleys and over the hills.

Hundreds fell short, their bikes in pieces and dreams shattered.

The four finished in triumph. One man rode highest in the saddle that day - Rohan Saldanha. Once again it was Kudos to the King of Kuringai!

ANTHONY LANE

The ‘Dramatic Structure’ formula or your novel

Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan is a casual academic at Western Sydney University and Macquarie University.

So you want to write a novel but you’re not sure where to start? Best to get out Freytag’s triangle to help with your dramatic structure. This recipe for the perfect novel was developed by the 19th century German playwright, Gustav Freytag. The original narrative arc of Freytag’s outlines five key acts although other explanations of his pyramid or triangle identify seven elements.

THE FIVE ELEMENTS ARE:

1. Introduction

2. Rise, or rising action

3. Climax.

4. Return, or falling action

5. Resolution

Some authors divide the first act into inciting incident or exposition, however here, the introduction encompasses both. While the exposition introduces the characters and their relationships, the setting and some back story, the inciting incident is where the action happens. It is where the story deviates from the norm. Think Frodo Baggins leaves the Shire with his ring, Katniss volunteers for the Hunger Games, or Harry Potter finds out he’s a wizard from Hagrid. The second act shows rising tension and the escalation of the plot. The inciting incident events start to build momentum as we find out what is at stake for the characters while a false promise of hope is offered.

She yanked her dog from the filthy bunting connecting the red bins. His car was in their driveway. Her heart jumped, stomach dropped. A bouquet of flowers peaked out from the top of their bin. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t done it herself; reject the gift in a gust of dramatic effect only to regret it later.

Scared she’d be seen, she whipped the flowers away and took them home. She knew he’d slip in the back door later; preened, guilty and itching to touch her. She fanned them neatly in the vase, the scent filling the sunlit bedroom.

The climax is a highly dramatic point such as when Frodo and Sam reach the top of Mount Doom and we read with intrepidation about Frodo’s struggle to finish his quest. Return or falling action is when conflicts and wants become resolved and the answers of questions and conflicts of a character are resolved. An example of this in Lord of the Rings is the post battle and the rescue of the hobbits. The resolution is when loose ends are tied up and questions are answered. Think Aragorn being crowned king and the hobbits returning home to finish off the dark forces in the Shire.

Finally, while Freytag did not include denouements in his structure, many have added this as the concluding element. An example of this is when Frodo and Bilbo leaves the shire by boat with the elves to the Undying lands.

We welcome all contributions! Please send them to editor@thevilleageobserver.com.au

LINDA PATTY, GLADESVILLE

GARDENING WITH BONSAI... THE BASICS

For many gardeners, caring for a bonsai is a creative. rewarding and space saving form of gardening. A bonsai plant can recreate a forest or a beautiful mature tree in miniature, allowing us to enjoy the wonder of nature in our suburban homes.

The art of Bonsai originated in China and was then embraced and further developed by the Japanese (“bon-sai” meaning “plant in a pot” comes from the Japanese language).The artform and its popularity spread throughout Europe and America thanks to returning soldiers from World War 2 who took home these fascinating little trees as mementos.

Many plants are suitable for bonsai however those with interesting trunks and compact fine foliage are ideal. Apart from buying a readymade bonsai you can buy young nursery plants, prune the branches into shape and watch them grow or rescue garden castaways that can be cut back and pruned into shape.

Many people think that caring for and maintaining a bonsai is difficult. This is not so! The watering, feeding and pruning of bonsai are general gardening techniques that can be learnt easily, even by beginners! The main reason why people fail is by allowing the plant to dry out or suffocate it in waterlogged soil. Bonsai pots are small and heat up quickly when exposed to intense sunlight meaning delicate roots can become dry very quickly. To avoid this keep your bonsai in a semi shaded position/bright light and avoid full sun. On the flipside bonsai do not like to be waterlogged and need free draining soil.

Because your bonsai plant lives in a small pot, it has limited soil to obtain nutrients. Replacing the growing media every couple of years and trimming the plants roots enable’s more nutrients to be replaced and space for fresh new roots to grow. Use a good quality potting mix and add in one third sand to help provide adequate drainage. Because bonsai plants are constantly being trimmed (always producing new roots and shoots )

A bonsai will essentially remain young and never reach maturity. This in theory means that your bonsai could potentially live forever!

Some recommended plants for Bonsai in Sydney

• Bougainvillea

• Jacaranda

• Trident Maple

• Port Jackson Fig

HAPPY

• Callistemon

• Japanese Maple

• Serissa

• Japanese Box

GARDENING!

Did you know that trees which are regularly pruned live longer because they never reach their maximum dimensions or maturity!

April Exhibitions at Gallery Lane Cove 3 - 27 May 2023

A new solo exhibition by Sam Zengping Lai exploring the Australian landscape through expressive colour and confident brushstrokes.

From coast, to desert, from rainforests to mountains, Australia is rich in diverse natural features. In this land we call home, we are graced with a distinctive vitality and spirit that weaves through the varied elements of the Australian landscape, rendering these disparate parts into a landscape that is paradoxically cohesive and familiar. Indeed the same could be said of Australia's proudly multicultural identity. It is this vital energy and spirit of diversity that we see at the forefront of the work of veteran landscape artist, Sam Zengping Lai.

Through his expressive use of oil paint, Sam weaves together moments of colour and structure into living snapshots of Australian life. The

vignettes that result seem to hum with vitality. Sam’s painting practice emphasises the dramatic interplay of bright colour and muted shadows. In the words of curator, Guan Wei, Sam has transplanted the Daoist concept of “harmony between man and nature" from the Chinese shanshui painting tradition. Indeed, there is a trace of the calligraphic in the free-wheeling contours of Sam’s brushwork, resulting in depictions of the land and our place in it that are at once playful, sublime, and joyous. In this exhibition, Sam Lai’s very first solo show in Australia, we present a selection of Sam’s plein air oil paintings showcasing the extraordinary topography and natural vitality of the Greater Sydney Area.

Golden Pasture

The Street Lane Cove in the Rain

Land Cove National Park (1)

Driftwood The Musical

The powerful new Australian production, Driftwood The Musical tells the inspirational story of the renowned Austrian/ Australian sculptor Karl Duldig and his artist-inventor wife, Slawa Horowitz-Duldig. We follow their lives in pre-war Vienna, the family’s narrow escape from Nazi Austria, Slawa’s ingenious invention of the foldable umbrella, and the incredible chain of events that took place after miraculously escaping the Holocaust and rebuilding their careers as artists in Melbourne.

Driftwood The Musical is based on the original memoir by Eva de Jong-Duldig and stage play by award winning playwright Jane Bodie. Acclaimed Director Gary Abrahams brings a stellar cast to the stage. This epic story features original music, lyrics and arrangements by Anthony Barnhill with additional lyrics by Tania de Jong AM and Jane Bodie.

Driftwood The Musical will be returning to Chapel Off Chapel from 3 – 20 May (by popular demand) and then touring to Sydney’s Glen Street Theatre from 24 – 28 May, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta from 31 May – 4 June and Eternity Playhouse from 7 – 18 June.

Watch the short trailer and visit the website to learn more. https://driftwoodthemusical.com.au

Our world premiere season sold out! Critics have described it as “mesmerising”, “sublime” and “stunningly crafted”. Don’t miss out…Book tickets now for the May and June season at: https://driftwoodthemusical.com.au

JOIN US AT:

• Melbourne, Chapel Off Chapel: 3 May - 20 May 2023

• Sydney, Glen Street Theatre: 24 May - 28 May 2023

• Sydney, Riverside Parramatta: 31 May - 4 June 2023

• Sydney, Eternity Playhouse: 7 June – 18 June 2023

Sing for Health & Fun in 2023 Coome and join LaVoce

Sing for Health and Fun Come and join LaVoce

LaVoce, a Lane Cove community choir is back in full swing for 2023 with three concerts planned on June 27th, September 14th and December 7th. Put the dates in the diary but better still come and sing with us each Tuesday in the Living & Learning Centre at 6.15 pm so you can be singing in the concerts.

We are a great community of about 50 with 30 rehearsing each week live and on Zoom. It’s fun, healthy and social! We sing popular songs selected by the choir. No audition.

Following our successful library carol concert with a bumper audience of 140, LaVoce, a Lane Cove community choir is back in full swing for 2023 with three concerts planned on June 27th, September 14th and December 7th. Put the dates in the diary but better still come and sing with us each Tuesday in the Living & Learning Centre at 6.15 pm so you can be singing in the concerts. We are a great community of about 50 with 30 rehearsing each week live and on Zoom. It’s fun, healthy and social! We sing popular songs selected by the choir. No audition.

Women and Children First invite you and your little ones to join us for morning tea on Tuesday mornings for six weeks from May 2 in the Lane Cove area. Children from 0-5 welcome.

Women and Children First invite you and your little ones to join us for morning tea on Tuesday mornings for 6 weeks from May 2 in the Lane Cove area.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT ADRIAN LEE AT : adrianlee2@mac.com or 0424 507 321 or our website at www.lavocelanecove.com/

To book or for more information, please call 9971 4499 or email vicky.c@wacf.org.au

Children from 0-5 welcome. To book or for more information, please call 9971 4499 or email vicky.c@wacf.org.au

For information contact Adrian Lee at adrianlee2@mac.com or

What I watched on TV…

Well, a huge welcome back to the couch to Stephen Miller, who once again provides his roundup of some great tellybox viewing he recommends we watch.

Wellmania (Netflix)

Wellmania is an engaging dramedy consisting of eight episodes featuring Celeste Barber and based on Brigid Delaney’s book Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness. While the show has moments of hilarity, it also delves into the themes of friendship, identity and health. Barber, who has an impressive 9.5 million followers on Instagram (including myself), portrays the character of Liv with perfection, delivering provocative lines while immersing herself in an extreme wellness expedition.

Why you should watch it: This humorous, sometimes sobering series is well worth your time.

Beef (Netflix)

I think Beef might be one of the best shows of 2023 so far. Two strangers get into a road rage incident that brings chaos into their lives. It’s a stormy ride with increasingly higher stakes and tragic complexities. What begins as crazed revenge veers off into a profoundly philosophical exploration of the generational issues Asian immigrants to the US experience.

Why you should watch it:

Ali Wong and Steven Yeun deliver fantastic layered performances.

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel – Series 5 (Amazon Prime)

As The Marvelous Mrs Maisel enters its fifth and final season, Midge is on the cusp of achieving the success she’s always desired. The reality, however, proves to be a far cry from her dreams still. The first season is set in the late 1950s, where Midge Maisel, a wife and mother living in a sophisticated apartment on New York’s Upper West Side, appears to have the perfect life. However, her life takes a surprising turn when she uncovers her hidden talent in stand-up comedy.

Why you should watch it: This is about as fine as a TV production that you can make. Flawless.

The Big Door Prize – Series 2 (Apple TV)

The arrival of a mysterious machine promises to unveil the true potential of every resident in a small town, resulting in a transformative effect on their lives. Jobs are swapped, relationships are reconsidered, and previously held beliefs are questioned, causing an everlasting change in the community. This thought-provoking and enjoyable show poses an intriguing question: is it more fulfilling to be aware of one’s untapped potential or to remain unaware and content with one’s current circumstances? ★★★★

Why you should watch it:

A unique concept. Excellent writing, acting and directing.

Rogue Heroes – Series 2 (SBS OnDemand)

In the aftermath of a training exercise gone wrong that results in an officer being hospitalised, a plan is formed to radicalise traditional commando units. Steven Knight’s excellent story—akin to a classic Boy’s Own adventure— recounts the inception of the SAS in 1941—mostly truthfully. Regardless it wholeheartedly embodies the organisation’s iconic motto: ‘Who Dares Wins’.

Why you should watch it: It’s Peaky Blinders in the desert (sort of).

Yellowjackets – Series 2 (Paramount+)

Yellowjackets is about a squad of exceptionally skilled high school female football players who survive a plane crash in the remote wilderness of Ontario. Season two further asserts its position as one of the most captivating and well-crafted series on television. Yellowjackets blends multiple genres–psychological thriller, murder mystery, coming-of-age drama, and survival horror. It’s a reminder that being a teenage girl can be an incredibly competitive and ruthless experience! ★★★★½

Why you should watch it: Yellowjackets possesses an ineffable quality that completely engrosses you. There’s nothing else like it.

TOP 4 BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH

The Sun Walks Down

by Fiona McFarlane

The Bookbinder of Jericho

by Pip Williams

A beautiful and thoughtful exploration of a slice of history seen through women's eyes. We have read it and loved it!

Fire With Fire

by Candice Fox

Candice Fox's latest heart-pounding thriller is set in the world of forensic science in LA as a desperate couple launch a deadly plan to find their missing child.

The Earth

Transformed

by Peter Frankopan

From the international bestselling author of The Silk Roads comes a major history of how a changing climate has dramatically shaped the development of civilisations across time.

Bowerbird Blues

by Aura Parker

Bowerbird loves blue. Brilliant vibrant blue! It is a moving story of longing and connection that unfolds as the bowerbird's search send him soaring across the sea, sky and city. Ages 3-6

WORDS: ELIZABETH ALLEN

McFarlane’s latest novel takes place in the imaginary town of Fairly in South Australia. It is September 1883 and a six-year-old boy, Denny Wallace, goes missing during a dust storm. We meet the colourful residents of Fairly as their lives and perspectives overlap, conflict, and intersect during the search for the missing boy.

This book is beautifully written; the language is nuanced and intelligent. I set out underlining striking passages as I read but soon realised I would be underlining most of the book so had to give up. The text is very poetic and the phrasing nimble. Like all the best writers McFarlane uses language to make you see ordinary things differently but also to reveal to you what you didn’t realise you already knew. Time after time I felt a deep chord of recognition and delight in what she was saying.

This rich narrative is densely populated with myriad characters including newlyweds, landowners, farmers, mothers, artists, Indigenous trackers, cameleers, children, school teachers, widows, maids, policemen, and a prostitute. You might think that with such a crowded cast each character could be dealt with only superficially but, on the contrary, each feels fully realised and thoroughly thought out. You get the impression that McFarlane could tell you the entire back story of even the most minor characters who appear only briefly.

There is a reoccurring theme of the missing child in Australian art. McFarlane writes into this cultural trope and challenges it, problematises it, and teases it out. She also plays with the motif that exists in Australian writing of the bush being strange, hostile, and empty. Through her work she argues that the land isn’t empty and perhaps not strange and threatening to those who have grown up in it.

McFarlane’s colonial Australia is not what you might expect – it is multicultural, polyvocal, and complex. The physical setting of this book is also very important. It takes place against the backdrop of the Flinders Ranges. We see the striking geology of the landscape and its vivid sunsets through the eyes of a Swedish artist, Karl, who feels he has been chosen to try to render them in paint.

This is a fabulous read and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I won’t be surprised if this novel ends up on the shortlist for many important literary prizes this year. It will have earned its place!

ART WITH LOCAL ARTIST ROS GERVAY

Should you listen to your creative urge?

I was chatting to some friends the other week about artmaking and some really relatable blocks came up.

One friend shared that she used to absolutely adore making art but can't find the time for it these days. Another friend told me that she would absolutely love to try her hand at watercolour painting, but she just can't justify spending money on something that feels so indulgent. And yet another told me that despite being an incredibly creative soul, she couldn't make any more art because she had nowhere to hang it. These stories awoke in me a knowing sadness.

I completely understood what they were talking about. I'd been in the same position, and I’d allowed those blocks to affect my creative practice in the past too.

But the value of artmaking goes much deeper than time, cash and space. For creatives, the act of creation is a need. It is something we need to feel whole. To be ourselves. To connect with our power and our inner world.

Thomas Merton, the late spiritual writer, wrote that "art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." Merton was likely referring to both artmaking and art appreciation, possibly to all areas of art including drama, dance and song, yet his message strongly advocates for the hidden benefits of art, specifically in relation to identity exploration and escapism.

And to sit here typing about why our limited wall and storage space shouldn’t affect our artistic output starts to feel slightly, well, silly.

If you are a creative heart and feel that urge, I challenge you to tune in to that. Listen to the calling. Make the art.

And with the wise words of Neil Gaiman, the English author, I will leave you inspired to get your art on: "The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before."

COOK WITH BERN THE CHEF

Change of seasons

Beanies and scarves have taken the place of sun hats and toggs and the footy is in full swing. There’s hot chocolates and porridge, chilly mornings and weekend sleep-ins.

It’s hibernating time, including nourishment from slow cooked hot pots and puddings, so let's get the soup cauldron out!

Cooking years ago with a school friend, I mentioned that caramelising your onions makes a world of difference. Catching up over summer, Natalie reminded me that even her girls now insist on browning the vegies before adding anything else to the pan. Winter slow cooking gives you time to stir in flavour with sauteing your mirepoix, and evenly browning your meat to add so much flavour, it’s the backbone of rich wholesome goodness that makes the most out of your recipes. Not only casseroles, but soup too.

A simple economical roasted soup recipe makes the most of the oven heat while bickies and baked dinners are in the oven.

Here’s a soup trick to save time & your sanity.

Pumpkins can be fiddly to peel, so this pumpkin soup is a doddle, WITHOUT peeling, get it in the oven while baking cakes or dinner, and your weekday lunches for the week will be sorted!

Halve lengthwise a butternut pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Lay cut side up in a deep roasting pan, add two carrots (also unpeeled) and two large brown onions, sorry, you’ll have to peel these, but simply cut in half, cut side up and into the pan as well. Drizzle the lot with about a quarter cup of extra virgin olive oil, season with sea salt, pepper, a teaspoon of ground cumin and a teaspoon of ground ginger. Place in your oven on the bottom shelf for about an hour, till the onion has collapsed and a knife pierces the carrots like butter.

Now to puree, either in batches in your blender, or tip the lot into your soup pot, and use a stick blender. Adding liquid, you can choose water, stock, coconut milk, or a mix of all three. Blend to a soup consistency, and check the seasoning. To boost the flavour, try grated fresh nutmeg, crumbled crispy bacon, or freshly chopped herbs - I like coriander or chives, for creaminess, add a dollop of greek yogurt or sour cream. It’s as simple as that.

The same method can be used for a roasted zucchini and tomato soup, adding fresh basil and lemon zest after blending. To make it more of a meal, add a rinsed can of lentils, chickpeas, or add a little shredded chicken.

The rules are your rules, cook what suits you, and what you like, after all, variety is the spice of life

Trip down the Tana River, Kenya 1960

BY GUY HALLOWES

Like all boys of European descent, once I turned 18 years old, I was 'called up' for National Service in the Kenya Regiment, which was part of the British Army. Something that was expected of me and quite normal. It involved six months in The Kenya Regiment Training Centre (KRTC) near Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley and then three years of weekends and an annual three-week camp if one remained in the country. I knew many of the intake of 100, having attended the same schools.

At the time Kenya Colony was still in a 'State of Emergency' trying to deal with the Kikuyu-led Mau-Mau insurrection. Jomo Kenyatta, who later became Prime Minister of an independent Kenya, was still incarcerated.

Once I had completed my six months stint, I was thrilled to be included in a trip down the Tana River in Northern Kenya, organised and paid for by the army. As far as I was concerned it was just another wonderful opportunity to explore the country.

A dozen graduates from our intake plus an officer and a sergeant from the training centre piled into one of the training centre trucks, something we were quite used to, having been on several expeditions as part of our six months training. Taking two days, we drove north from Nakuru to Thomson's Falls (now Nyaharuru) Nyeri, Nanyuki and passing Mount Kenya just to the south continued on to the lower lying and therefore hotter small towns of lsiolo and Garba Tula, and then on to the tiny village of Bahadale, the starting point of our journey, located on the bank of the Tana River.

The Tana rises on Mount Kenya, flows north and then turns south, eventually emptying itself into the Indian Ocean, about three hundred miles later, halfway between Lamu and Malindi.

I, with a 12-bore shotgun and another member of the intake, Robin Hillyar, with a .256 rifle had been authorised to take our own weapons, to help provide for the pot, which we did. Bahadale is part of the tribal area of the Rendille tribe, one of several small tribes in Northern Kenya, some of whom are related to the Oromo of Ethiopia. I found it interesting to come in contact with a tribe, one of some 70 in the country, with whom I had had no previous dealings. The lingua franca in Kenya and the whole of East Africa and beyond is 'up country' Swahili, a derivative of the pure or safi Swahili spoken by the small Swahili tribe resident on the Kenya coast.

Our dug-out canoes, with two strapped together for stability, had elaborate grass roofs, I suppose because our hosts

were used to catering for fancy 'Safari Parties'. We asked the villagers to remove the grass roofs. There were also four local paddlers attached to each pair of canoes; since we intended to help paddle our own canoes, we arranged for two of the paddlers to travel in our truck to Garissa which is about 100 miles down-river from Bahadale, and our halfway point, where we would pick up another set of canoes to take us on the second part of the journey. An African game ranger, dressed in his smart Kenya Wildlife uniform and carrying a well-maintained .303 service rifle, joined us.

The journey south down the huge river, about 200 yards wide, was completely wild and magical to me, despite the fact that I was brought up on a farm in a very rural part of Kenya and was familiar with local wildlife.

We stopped paddling as we came round each bend, so as to be completely silent and trying not to disturb any wild animals who happened to be coming down to drink. We saw a multitude of animals. The river of course was home to a seemingly endless number of crocodiles and hippo; we also saw herds of antelope, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe. We expected to see herds of elephant round every corner and were rarely disappointed. On a couple of occasions, a group of lions appeared. Mostly the animals stayed put, or just eased their way quietly back behind the canopy of trees when we drifted into sight. There was often a large crocodile sunning itself on a sand bank, who silently slipped into the river when it became aware of our presence. Hippos are very territorial and often followed us while we traversed what they saw as their patch. Once or twice we had to fire a shot next to a more aggressive or just curious hippo.

The wild animals seemed to be relatively undisturbed by the local tribesman and their herds of cattle, goats and camels also came down to drink.

We camped for two nights on the bank of the Tana. Our ‘tents’ consisted of two groundsheets buttoned together and shared by two people; exactly what we had done on the various field expeditions during our six months training. A small fire was kept going during the night, which was enough to keep the wild animals away.

Robin Hillyar and I always went out hunting while the rest of the group set up camp, and most days we came back with a guinea fowl or two. They were a bit tough but edible if cooked long enough. Guinea fowl really need to be ‘hung’ for a few days to make them tender. On one occasion, when walking down a game trail we almost bumped into the rear end of an elephant and had to make a hasty retreat.

We stopped and camped in Garissa, which is the main administrative centre for the region.

We then said farewell to the Rendille boatmen, who now had the arduous job paddling their canoes back upstream. The fresh boatmen were Somali, since we were now in Somali territory.

The second leg of our journey would take us from Garissa to Bura, about 60 miles further downstream. The training centre officer had been replaced by the centre’s commanding officer, whom we had nick-named ‘Buffalo Bill’ (BB) as he was intent on shooting a buffalo, he was a bit ‘gun happy’. I was detailed to accompany him due to my Swahili language skills.

On one of the mornings, before dawn, a small group made up of BB, the game ranger, one of the boatmen and yours truly went out into the neighbouring scrub to shoot quail that regularly flew down to the river for an early morning drink. The whole area is semi-desert, usually with big trees on the riverbank for a few yards, but because of the low rainfall, this degenerated into scrub quite quickly. On that day I remember disturbing a little dik-dik, one of the smallest antelopes in Africa, who glanced at us before dashing off into the bush, disturbed by the human presence.

BB with this fancy double barrelled 12 bore shotgun was a very good shot and within half an hour we had a bag of some twenty quail, including a few from me.

While we were out hunting the rest of the expedition had packed up and not long after dawn continued on the journey. Our little side trip had delayed us a couple of hours, so we were hurrying to catch up with the other two boats.

Sometime after noon we came round a bend in the river and encountered two elephants frolicking in the water. We thought to avoid them by moving towards the righthand bank but one of the boatmen said in Swahili, “No, the mainstream of the river is on the left and the bank on the left is too steep for the elephants to climb out of the river. So we should stay left, but maybe the bwana (referring to BB) could fire a shot into the air, then the elephants will run out on the right side, which is quite shallow.”

BB was persuaded to fire the shot and both elephants, as predicted, rushed out to the right. After a collective sigh of relief, when we seemed to have averted danger, one of the elephants turned and charged us through the shallow water. Standing up in the boat BB yelled: “Should I shoot it? Should I shoot it?”. He waved his fancy double barrelled ‘elephant gun’ about. Somehow, I remained quite calm. “No sir,” was my response, “No sir. Over its head, shoot over its head.” The two boatmen, not trusting the situation had leapt off the canoes and notwithstanding the presence of crocodile and hippo in the river had swum to the left bank.

For those who have never been under fire, if one is being shot at, firstly there is a bang when the bullet, breaking the sound barrier, goes over one’s head and secondly one hears the report of the gun. So, with me repeatedly firing my 12 bore, the game ranger firing his .303 service rifle again and again and BB firing a barrage of shots, the elephant, who had got to within ten yards, was suddenly confronted with this cacophony of noise coming from what he must have seen as an intruder into his territory. So he backed off and followed his companion into the nearby bush. Once calm had been restored dafter the few minutes of pandemonium the game ranger smiled at me. “Pasipo license,” he said. “Without license.” Meaning that BB did not have a license to shoot an elephant.

“I should have shot it, I should have shot it,” muttered BB. We paddled the canoes to the left bank, picked up the two boatmen, and an hour or so later joined the rest of the group, who had already pitched camp, further downstream.

“What was all the shooting about?” our companions asked. We explained about the elephants.

“Oh yes, we went past them on the right-hand side. They took no notice.”

“I should have shot it,” BB kept muttering.

“Sir, there would have been a lot of trouble, best you didn’t. You didn’t have a license.” I told him.

As before Robin Hillyar and I went off and bagged few guinea fowl for the pot, to be included with BB’s quail for our evening meal, adding to the usual baked potato, boiled carrots and ‘ugali’ – maize meal cake.

A day or so later, our little adventure, much treasured by me, ended in Bura, a small dusty village on the bank of the Tana. We all piled into the truck, having said a grateful farewell to the boatmen. We arrived back at the training centre two days later.

A month afterwards I caught the ‘boat train’ from Nairobi to the port of Mombasa and had a three-week voyage on the Durban Castle mailboat from Mombasa via Mogadishu, Aden, where I was able to use my Swahili, Suez, Port Said, Genoa, Marseille and Gibraltar to the London Port of Tilbury, to continue my education. It was the very first time I had left Kenya. I have not lived in Kenya since -something I had not anticipated when I left. I have visited Kenya in intervening years- my Swahili is a bit rusty although I can make myself understood throughout East Africa. I feel quite comfortable there, Kenya will always be a part of me.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO, GILL BATT

At Sydney Community Services, our volunteers are the most valued members of our organisation. So much of our work could not exist without their contribution. We depend on our volunteers to help us support local seniors and those living with a disability in the Lane Cove, Hunters Hill and Ryde communities. When you volunteer with us, you become part of our team. We make volunteering a rewarding experience and many of our volunteers have worked with us for many years, a testament to the fact they enjoy what they do.

However, with busy lives, it can be difficult to find time to volunteer. But the benefits of volunteering can be immense, not only for the recipient but for the volunteer as well. Volunteering offers crucial help to people in need, the community, and worthwhile causes, but the benefits can be even more significant for the volunteer. The right volunteer role can help you find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and possibly advance your career.

Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, and even feel happier and healthier.

Volunteering benefits communities, the economy, and improves social unity. Volunteers provide an irreplaceable service. Almost 4.9 million people in NSW volunteer, giving more than 1.5 billion hours, valued at approximately $127 billion.

Volunteers tend to be more satisfied with their lives because they’re interacting with other people, setting and achieving goals, and learning new things.

Volunteering can provide physical and mental rewards. Giving to others can help reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of

purpose. And while it is true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you will experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a large amount of time out of your busy day. There are simple ways of giving and volunteering that can also improve your happiness and health.

Each year a week is dedicated to celebrating volunteering in Australia. National Volunteer Week, 15-21 May 2023, is a week-long event recognising the crucial support millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities. This week of celebration also encourages people to consider volunteering. Sydney Community Services will be celebrating and acknowledging the important work of our volunteers. We will be saying thank you for the many hours, kindness and dedication given so the quality of life of people in the local community remains at a high standard allowing them to continue living independently in their own homes for as long as they can.

The volunteers at Sydney Community Services fill numerous and varied roles. Some deliver meals to people in their homes whilst also checking in on them and providing face-to-face contact for someone living alone. Other volunteers tidy and make gardens safe and are led by a qualified gardener, and some volunteers undertake simple home maintenance and modifications. Some volunteers go into the homes of the local community on a fortnightly basis to change the sheets, pillows and towels. We also have volunteers who take people shopping or to medical appointments, drive our buses or assist with our community activities and events. Every day is different and every day our volunteers make a difference to someone’s life.

Why not consider becoming a volunteer? We have numerous volunteer opportunities available. The key is to find a position that you would enjoy and feel you are capable of doing. Help make a difference to your local community as well as yourself. We would love to hear from you!

Volunteer today and help make a difference

WE WOULD LIKE TO PLACE VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

• Gardeners - We would like to find enthusiastic people to assist our gardening team. This runs on Tuesday to Thursday, 8.30am - 12noon. There is flexibility and you can decide to volunteer weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Great team environment.

• Individual transport - This is a new service. You will require your own car and will collect a client from their home and take them to an appointment, most often a medical appointment. You would then return to collect the client and drop them back at

home. Initially this will be offered on a Thursday only, but days will increase in the future.

• Home visiting - Italian speaking - We are hoping to find a volunteer to assist on the Italian group outing once per month. Being able to speak Italian would be an advantage.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in any of the volunteer vacancies, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Yvonne Hughes, for more information and find out how you can get involved.

P: 9427 6245 E: yhughes@sydneycs.org

Become an Aged Care / Disability Support Worker

Supporting people to live full and independent lives in a trustworthy, safe, enjoyable, and inclusive way.

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make a significant difference to the lives of seniors and those living with a disability, in a supportive, flexible, working environment?

If you enjoy helping others, are compassionate and sensitive, dedicated, patient, discrete, flexible, and are culturally aware, then this could be the role for you. Why work with us? The Aged Care and Disability Support Worker will provide expert care and support services to clients and participants to increase their independence, social inclusion, and recreation skills.

You will require a car, a clean and current NSW driver’s licence, and in return for your passion and dedication, Sydney Community Services can offer a rewarding career with variety, a flexible work schedule, an above average SCHADS award level, ongoing supervision and training, as well as paid travel during shifts. Find out more. If you would like to find out more then get in touch. We would love to hear from you and have you join the team.

P: 02 9427 6425

E: support@sydneycs.org

THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION CAN BE VIEWED: https://www.sydneycs.org/join-the-sydney-community-services-team/

Podiatry Service

Sydney Community Services offers a Podiatry Service for people who are unable to leave their own home to access basic foot care. A registered podiatrist can visit clients to conduct treatment and assess the need for ongoing care.

If eligible for this service, it is available for seniors and those with a disability in the local government areas of Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Ryde, Hunters Hill, Willoughby, Hornsby, Ku-ringgai and Northern Beaches.

FOR MORE INFO:

P: 02 9427 6425

E: support@sydneycs.org

Your support allows us to continue to improve the quality of life of people in the local community so they can remain living independently in their own homes for as long as they wish.

WHAT’S ON MAY 2023

Lane Cove Hub Activities

HEAD OFFICE

1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove 9427 6425

Park View Cafe

ITALIAN LUNCHEON

BOOK NOW!

Monday 8 May, 12noon – 2pm

COST: $20, includes 3 course Italian lunch, tea and coffee

Book Club

Monday 15 May. 1.30-2.30pm

Cost: $5 inc book and afternoon tea

Seniors Hub

Movement Matters

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Term 2 commences w/c 9th May Contact us.

Mah Jong

Wednesdays 1.00-3.45pm

Cost: $5 inc afternoon tea NEW PLAYERS please call prior for registration.

Social Bridge / Solo / Rummikub

Thursdays 12.30-3.30pm

Cost: $5 inc afternoon tea

Seniors Social Support:

Scrabble

Thursdays 4 and 18 May 10am - 12noon

Cost: $5 inc morning tea

Table Tennis

Fridays 12.00-4.00pm

Cost: $5

Hunters Hill-Ryde Hub Activities

46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill 8598 7051

All-day tailored program for seniors, from Monday to Friday. Includes excursions, picnics, and wellness activities. Door-to-door transport and nutritious meals and snacks catering for all dietary requirements are included. This month make sure you join us on 17 May for a 'Sing-along with Leyla' and a delicious courtyard BBQ.

Cost: $35

Contact us for a monthly program. E: rliu@sydneycs.org

Room available for Hire

@ The Meeting House Hub

23a Stokes St Lane Cove

Meeting House Hub Activities

23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North 9003 1399

Large double room. Outside area

Plus kitchen. Cost: $55 ph incl GST

For pricing and info contact:

P: 9003 1399

E: support@sydneycs.org

Seniors Shopping Bus

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Return trip from your home to Lane Cove shops. Cost: $12

P: 9003 1399

E: jvenn@sydneycs.org

For Afghan, Chinese, Iranian, Italian, and Spanish seniors

Each group is supported by bilingual staff and volunteers to meet and share their cultural heritage and interests. Social inclusion activities such as excursions, cultural celebrations, English language conversation classes, wellness activities and information sessions are offered to all CALD communities in the Greater Sydney area.

Contact us for a monthly program

E: tliu@sydneycs.org

Senior Services

Seniors Social Bus Outings

Mondays and Wednesdays

Contact us for details

Trivia and Lunch

Monday 29th May 10.30am - 1pm

Test your general knowledge, have fun and meet new people.

Cost: $30

P: 9003 1399

TRIVIA TIME

E: jvenn@sydneycs.org

The Velveteens

2nd Monday each month 10am – 4pm

Join us for morning tea before heading off to a different venue each month.

If you are over 65, registered with My Aged Care, have a referral code for Social Support Group and are totally independent then contact us for more information.

Cost: $20 (does not include lunch/beverages)

E: rliu@sydneycs.org

Seniors Hub every Friday

Centre Based Service for over 65 year olds.

Providing a safe, warm and engaging environment for people who would like to spend more time with other seniors. The hub offers a tailored program providing a break for family carers.

For more details contact Rosemary

P: 9427 6425

E: rliu@sydneycs.org

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS FOR ACTIVITIES: 9427 6425 support@sydneycs.org

BOOMers Mens Group

BOOMers is for senior independently mobile men who enjoy an opportunity to socialise and visit interesting places in the company of other men.

When: Fridays

Departs: 10.00am from Lane Cove Hub, Pottery Lane

Returns: 2.00pm

Cost: $20 including morning tea and lunch

E: hheggie@sydneycs.org

Older Women

Exercise Class

Tuesdays

Strength and balance exercise

Time: 10.00 am – 11.00 am

Cost: $12.00

E: ccampion@sydneycs.org

Day Trips for Seniors

Tuesdays and Fridays

Weekly, full and half-day trips, Door-to-door transport. Visiting places of interest and beauty, around Sydney and its surrounds.

E: hheggie@sydneycs.org

Children’s Services - Playgroups

Cost: $10 casual visit, or $60 one session per term, or $100 per term for multiple sessions.

Tuesday Playgroup

All inclusive, ages 0-5, with arts, craft, music and storytime. Free play: educational equipment. Session: 9.30-11.30am

Thursday Playgroups

Ages 0-5 with arts, craft, music and storytime. Session: 9.30-11.30am

E: jvenn@sydneycs.org

Disability Supports

Group community access activities from Monday – Friday in centres and community.

Activities include drama ensemble, creative movement, full and halfday excursions, Sailablity, art groups and virtual meetups.

Cost: based on the NDIS pricing schedule. Individual support, including transport, daily living activities and community access available on request.

E: gstarkey@sydneycs.org or ccampion@sydneycs.org

HOURS OF OPERATION:

8.30am - 4.30pm I Monday - Friday

www.sydneycs.org

FREE EVENT:

My Aged Care Information Session

Planning ahead with My Aged Care

WHEN: Thursday 25, May 10am – 11.30am

Learn why it is important to register with My Aged Care. Our Community Advisor will answer all your questions

Bookings essential

P: 9427 6425

Face

Wednesdays, 9.30am-11.30am

• 3 May – Cyber Security

• 10 May – Data Backup

• 17/21 May – Password Management

• 31 May – Online shopping

BYO DEVICE

Call Arlaine Berman to book P: 0414 683954

Social Bus Outings

Join

visit Central Gardens Nature Reserve and The Marsden Brewhouse and Lindt Chocolate factory to name only three!

TIME: 9.00am - 4.00pm

E: support@sydneycs.org Contact

COST: $25 (Bus only)

P: 8598 7051

E: hheggie@sydneycs.org

Be Safe Online

COST: $40 per

ZAC MILES HUNTERS HILL MAYOR

P: 9879 9400

E: mayor@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

Promoting a circular economy

Hunters Hill Council is committed to promoting sustainability in our community through the promotion of circular economy initiatives which help to build a cleaner and lest-wasteful future.

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability in Hunters Hill, we conducted a Textiles in Kerbside Waste Audit to gain a better understanding of the amount and types of textile waste and potential options to divert items from landfill.

The audit identified that across the Hunters Hill local government area, an estimated 87 tonnes of textiles waste is generated each year.

These items include things like everyday wearable clothing, carpet, soft furnishings, linens and towels.

Recommendations from the audit included that Council undertake community education to encourage residents to donate good-quality and wearable clothing to charity for resale; and explore opportunities to increase textile recycling avenues by partnering with textile collectors and recyclers.

As part of this project, which was aided by the NSW Environment Protection Authority initiative and funded from the local waste levy, we are holding a free linen and clothing drop-off day on 27 May, from 10am to 3pm in the car park at Clarkes Point.

Our Council will partner with Vinnies and textile recovery business BlockTexx for this local drop off. BlockTexx will collect unwanted clean household linen, including sheets, towels, pillowcases and covers to be converted into high-grade recycled materials that can be used to create new products, while Vinnies will collect wearable clothing, bags and shoes for sale in the charity’s op shops.

See our website and social media channels for more information.

Reuse and Re-WARE

It is also great to see our community taking the initiative to promote sustainability through running exciting local events that promote the reuse of much-loved items.

The Hunters Hill Vintage, Antique and Homewares Fair is being held at Hunters Hill Town Hall on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May from 10am to 4pm.

The fair, hosted by a group of friends who have all lived, had children or grown up in Hunters Hill, will be selling vintage items, homewares, art, antiques, bric-a-brac and up-cycled clothing. So if you are looking for a bargain or if you are wanting to move on some of your well-loved wares, make sure you save the dates for this fantastic local initiative.

For more information contact Heather Kitson on 0422 273 250 or heather@indianjane.com.

CLR SARKIS YEDELIAN OAM CITY OF RYDE MAYOR

P: 9952 8222

E: mayor@ryde.nsw.gov.au

There’s an exciting month ahead at the City of Ryde, with one of our biggest annual events taking place on the banks of the Parramatta River and plenty of other activities to keep the whole family entertained as we move into the middle of autumn.

For many people, it’s the best time of year and a perfect opportunity to relax with a picnic in one of our many parks, take some exercise on a family-friendly bike path or dine out at one the vibrant, multicultural restaurants situated in our town centres.

One of our undisputed favourite annual autumnal treats is Cork & Fork, a festival of food and wine held at picturesque Kissing Point Park, Putney.

This year’s event - showcasing boutique wine from the Mudgee and Hunter Valley regions, locally made spirits, craft beer, food trucks, gourmet food products, bespoke items, great music, and activities for kids – is taking place on Sunday 21 May from 10.00am - 4.00pm.

To taste test all our wonderful wine, brewery, and distillery suppliers you will need to purchase your own branded Cork & Fork wine glass on the day for $10. Glasses will be on sale at our ticket booths (cashless payment only).

For more information visit ww.ryde.nsw.gov.au/corkandfork

Another great event is the Get Connected Festival for Youth Week 2023, which the City of Ryde is hosting in collaboration with TAFE NSW.

The event will be held on Tuesday 2 May between 10.00am - 2.00pm at TAFE NSW Meadowbank Campus at 26 See Street and will feature information and activities provided by local youth and community services, life sized games, live music, a sausage sizzle and much more.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering furthering their education at TAFE NSW to get a taste of what the campus offers.

For more information and to book visit www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/youthweek

And for those with a literary bent, Ryde Library at 1 Pope Street is hosting a Sydney Writers’ Festival event where Professor Emerita Lesley Hughes will be in conversation with Australian climate scientist Dr Joëlle Gergis about her new book Humanity's Moment: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope.

Taking place on Wednesday 24 May between 6.30 - 8.00pm, it promises to be a thought-provoking conversation about one of the world’s greatest challenges. For more information and to book visit www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/swf

Need a lift to feel optimistic? Read on …..

At our recent Clean Energy Community Fair, I saw the future, with more than a dozen electric motorbikes, cars and a ute, and solar solutions that demonstrated how to achieve the carbon neutral future we need. Those displays, coupled with the inspiring speakers, was enough to create quite a buzz across our community.

The following day a group of senior schoolboys came to my office to deliver a petition signed by 800 of their schoolmates calling for Urgent Action on Climate Change. I was struck by their maturity in campaigning for change and by their willingness to stand and be counted.

The very next day we had our first official Youth Summit, which saw senior students from schools in North Sydney talk about what they see as the most pressing issues facing our community.

The issues raised, and conversations had, were fascinating. From the role of technology in our lives and the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence, through to workplace conditions for young people, gender equity in pay, the

ongoing mental health impact of the COVID experience on young people, consent education, cost of living pressures, fossil fuel reliance, deforestation, and the upcoming referendum on The Voice – these students did not hold back.

While one girl spoke poignantly about the microaggressions she experiences in her daily life since moving here from overseas, one of the boys lamented that more than 100 students had been suspended from his school for vaping in this past year alone.

Some of the issues raised were more local, including the unreliable nature of public transport and poor street lighting making it unsafe to walk around at night and I look forward to relaying this information back to our local councils and State representatives.

I am so grateful to these young men and women for their honesty and generosity, and I look forward to seeing who among them may eventually go onto to fill the role of a local MP. We’d certainly be in good hands.

LANE COVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 7pm 23 May, Lane Cove Library: AT THE PODIUM Professor Paula Hamilton: Footprints across history: the stories of the invisible women who worked as servants in the 1920s and 30s tell us a great deal about Australian homelife 100 years ago.

OBSERVER Advertise with The Village Observer and support your local community

For enquiries, or to book your advert, please contact:

PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH

DETAILS: 13TH MAY AT 10.30AM ON SITE

VIEW SATURDAY & WEDNESDAY 10.30AM – 11.00AM

• Formal and casual living/dining rooms with hardwood floors

• Seamless flow to an entertainers' terrace and outdoor kitchen

• Serene bedrooms, built-in robes, French doors to charming deck

• Wonderful garden oasis surrounds and a double automatic garage

Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 E: simon.harrison@belleproperty.com

Kim Walters 0499 014 886 E: kim.walters@belleproperty.com

DETAILS: 13TH MAY

VIEW SATURDAY & WEDNESDAY 11.00AM – 11.30AM

• Open plan family zone, fully equipped media room and rumpus

• Privacy hedging, alfresco kitchen/dining area and heated pool

• Dual access block, ducted air conditioning and new carpets

• Impressive facade, electric entry gates and a double automatic garage

Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 E: simon.harrison@belleproperty.com

Kim Walters 0499 014 886 E: kim.walters@belleproperty.com

SOLD - PRIOR TO AUCTION

• Lovely living room offers leafy views and a gas fireplace

• Delightful deck with water views, and flourishing pear trees

• Modern stone topped kitchen has a gas cooktop and Miele appliances

• Lock-up garage plus extensive under house storage

Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 E: simon.harrison@belleproperty.com

Joshua Jarvis 0468 899 443 E: joshua.jarvis@belleproperty.com

Art Expressions @ 184A Pittwater Rd

SOLD AT AUCTION

• Character living room, wood fireplace and a lovely verandah

• Generous family/dining rooms and paved entertainers' terrace

• Lush private gardens surround an updated pool and sauna

• Large granite kitchen includes Neff appliances and a corner pantry

Patrick Lang 0434 990 307 E: patrick.lang@belleproperty.com

Monica Carollo 0491 001 539 E: monica.carollo@belleproperty.com

Belle Property Hunters Hill 3/52-56 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill 9817 7729

Belle Property Lane Cove 162 Longueville Road, Lane Cove 9087 3333

WHEN: Two Sessions, Thursday, 9 30am – 12 30pm, & 1 00pm – 4 00pm

WHERE: 184A Pittwater Road, Gladesville

Art Expressions @184 Pittwater Rd

Creativity that stimulates & energises the mind

WHEN: Two Sessions, Thursday, 9.30am – 12.30pm, & 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Come and join us for various mix media combinations using: water colours, acrylics, pastels, pencils and crayons

WHERE: 184A Pittwater Road, Gladesville

Buses available - for Hire

 21 seat Toyota Coaster Buses x2

 18 seat Toyota Coaster Bus x1 - with wheelchair hoist

 12 seat Toyota HiAce Vans x4

Our vehicles are fully maintained, sanitised, COVID-19 safe and available seven days a week. We have safe accredited drivers also available for hire.

P: 0437 041 811

E: gstarkey@sydneycs,org

enquiries please contact:

Sydney Community Services

Come and join us for various mix media combinations using: water colours, acrylics, pastels, pencils and crayons.

Gaynor Starkey, Disability Services Coordinator:

Phone: 0437 041 811

Email: GStarkey@sydneycs.org

Pricing and info please contact:

P: 8598 7051

E: support@sydneycs.org

8 De Milhau Road, Hunters Hill 4 bed 2 bath 2 car

14 Pengilly Street, Riverview 6 bed 3 bath 2 car

22 Parklands Avenue, Lane Cove North 5 bed 3 bath 2 car

37 Wangalla Road, Riverview 4 bed 2 bath 2 car