minor fractures, sprains, sports injuries and neck and back pain
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
minor cuts
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This issue we are featuring family sport. With everyone well and truly back in the swing of school and work routines, it’s important for us all to make time for our health and fitness. Physical activity is important at every stage of life and we are blessed in our local area to have so many options. Whether you love to hit the gym, swim laps, play in a sporting team (not to mention the all-important cheering from the sidelines!) or prefer a bushwalk, you have a plethora of fantastic facilities and beautiful locations to choose from.
We are also celebrating our local seniors, with many events across the area to mark the NSW Seniors’ Festival 2-15 March. This year’s theme ‘Live Life in Colour’ celebrates the role and contribution of older adults in our society.
Regular contributor Maggie Lawrence shares the story of 88-year-old Lane Cove resident Terry Eakin, who has certainly lived a life of colour, culminating in 24 years as resident caretaker at Carisbrook House. In celebration of the NSW Seniors’ Festival, Carisbrook Historic House will be offering a complimentary glass of champagne with every Devonshire Tea this month.
And of course we have our usual round up of local cultural events.
Local sisters Isabelle (9) and Chloe (6) embrace the best of Lane Cove life - enjoying family time in the village and staying active through swimming, dancing, and AFL.
Thank you to all our supporters this month.
And a special thanks to our regular advertisers for their loyal support.
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.
Aged Care Residence Now Open in Longueville
Enjoy a Complimentary High Tea Crafted by our Head Chef While Exploring Our New Luxury Residence SCAN TO BOOK
Join us for Tea & Tour Tuesdays, an experience designed to give you a relaxed, insider look at our brand new, state-of-the-art residence now open in Longueville.
Here’s what to expect:
Complimentary High Tea, freshly prepared by our Head Chef
Guided group tour of Pathways Longueville
Every Tuesday from 2:00–3:00 pm
Bring a friend or family member along
Spend an afternoon exploring our thoughtfully designed spaces, premium amenities, and vibrant community, and gain a genuine insight into the comfort, connection, and exceptional care our residents enjoy each day.
Whether you’re just starting to explore options or are ready to take the next step, this is the perfect opportunity to experience Longueville firsthand.
Premium Services and Support
Amenities & Lifestyle
Beautiful landscaped gardens
Café
Hair and beauty salon
Fully equipped gym & pool
State-of-the-art cinema
Health and ellness hub
Exceptional dining experiences
Care & Support
Registered Nurses 24/7
Extensive lifestyle program
Respite palliative care
Hope U Care Program
Advanced integrated care technology
Allied Health Practitioners
Eastwood Library begins 24/7 opening trial
The City of Ryde has become the second Sydney council to explore round-theclock access at one of its libraries, launching a 12-month 24/7 trial at Eastwood Library from Monday 23 February 2026.
The initiative follows the successful introduction of after-hours library services elsewhere in Sydney and will allow members to access the library’s extensive resources at any time.
During after-hours periods, all library spaces and self-service facilities will be available. Visitors can use study and reading areas, borrow and return items, and access computers and printers. The library will not be staffed overnight.
Mayor Trenton Brown said the trial expands access to an already valuable community hub.
“The after-hours access means students will be able to pop in for a late-night study session, avid readers can undertake an early morning hunt for a new novel, and workers will have a quiet place to unwind after a long day,” Mayor Brown said.
To support safety, measures include a security guard, two-factor authentication for entry, upgraded CCTV and other safeguards.
For more information, visit www.ryde. nsw.gov.au/AfterHoursLibrary.
World-first research centre dedicated to cancer survivorship launches in Sydney
A world-first research centre dedicated to improving life after cancer has officially opened in Sydney.
The Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship (ARCCS) has been launched through a $40 million partnership between Cancer Council NSW and UNSW Sydney. It is the first facility in the world focused solely on cancer survivorship – placing the person, not the disease, at the centre of care.
Australia is now a global leader in cancer survival, with more than 1.6 million people living with or beyond a diagnosis. While survival rates continue to improve
thanks to advances in research, prevention and treatment, many survivors experience ongoing physical, psychological, social and financial challenges linked to their care. ARCCS will lead research aimed at improving long-term outcomes and shaping health practice, services and policy nationwide. The centre brings together research expertise and strong community connections to support survivors at every stage and across all cancer types.
Led by international cancer expert Professor Bogda Koczwara AM, the centre will focus on designing and testing new models of survivorship support in partnership with consumers, primary care and industry. A priority will be addressing inequities in regional and rural communities and recognising cancer as part of a person’s broader health and life circumstances.
Professor Koczwara said the centre exists because “cancer survivorship comes at a price”, often leading to physical, psychological, emotional and financial problems, and that every survivor deserves personalised support to not just survive, but thrive.
Community Recycling Centres
The right place for your problem waste
It’s FREE to drop off these items at: Northern Sydney Community Recycling Centre 8 Waltham Street Artarmon
Hours: Wed to Fri: 8am–2pm; Sat, Sun: 8am–4pm (Closed public holidays)
For more information visit nsroc.com.au/recycling-centre Only household quantities accepted.
local finalists in the NSW Women of the Year Awards
There’s plenty for our community to be proud of as the NSW Women of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on 31 remarkable women and girls - including inspiring finalists from Lane Cove, Hunters Hill and North Sydney.
Now in its 14th year, the awards celebrate women who are quietly (and not so quietly) changing lives, strengthening communities and leading with compassion and courage. Winners across five categories will be announced on Thursday 5 March at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, the flagship event of NSW Women’s Week (2–8 March), leading into International Women’s Day.
Lane Cove’s Professor Tracey O’Brien AM is a finalist for NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence. A highly respected cancer clinician, researcher and advocate, Professor O’Brien is NSW’s Chief Cancer Officer and former Director of the Kids Cancer Centre. Her work in precision medicine and transplant and
cellular therapies has helped transform cancer care, while her focus on equitable, culturally safe treatment ensures no one is left behind.
108,000 specialist appointments to families across NSW.
Emma Grimes, Michael Fitzgerald & Peter Louridas
North Sydney’s Lou Hunter is being recognised as one of the founders of Gidget Foundation Australia, finalists in the NSW Community Hero category. Created in memory of their sister and friend Louise (‘Gidget’), the foundation has spent 24 years supporting parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety. Today it operates 39 Gidget Houses and has delivered more than
our 48th year in Lane Cove
And in the Ones to Watch category, 12-year-old Imali Bamji from Hunters Hill is already making a global impact. As co-founder of the Akka Project, she helps create volunteering opportunities for Australian teens and families to support a school in India. TVO has previously featured the Akka Project, and it’s wonderful to see Imali’s initiative recognised on the state stage.
To learn more or watch the livestream ceremony, visit nsw.gov.au.
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Imali Bamji - One to Watch finalist.
Professor Tracey O’Brien: Premiers Woman of Excellence finalist.
The Virtual Noticeboard
Mean girls have been around since, well, school. Even in tiny one-room classrooms, the social hierarchies somehow managed to organise themselves (Nellie Oleson from Little House on the Prairie, I’m looking at you.)
If you’re not in a WhatsApp group, congratulations. You’ve dodged a modern bullet. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a brilliant tool. A neat way to communicate without sliding into the swamp of endless email threads. End-to-end encryption, no need to sign up to Face-Tube or any other social behemoth, just a phone number and you’re in. A virtual noticeboard. Simple. Or so it began.
A group can hold more than a thousand people, which sounds efficient until you realise every single one of them can potentially post. What started as a handy messaging service has rapidly morphed into something more complicated. And occasionally, something less benign. These days you can follow news outlets and community channels too. It’s become a kind of all-you-caneat buffet: Twitter, Facebook and the ABC rolled into one.
My choir has two chat groups, which initially felt excessive but is actually rather civilised. ‘Announcements’ functions as a digital bulletin board: music scores, rehearsal dates - ruled with an iron thumb by the choir director and convenor, the only two permitted to post. The ‘Chat’ group, on the other hand, is for all and sundry. Observations, questions, the odd joke. There’s an unspoken rule that contributions remain music-related, with the occasional foray into arts events or fundraising pleas. Arty people tend to share similar political leanings, so disagreements are rare. When they do occur, they’re usually mild and politely sidestepped.
Open group chats, though, feel as if they need a firm set of guidelines. Because if you think it’s ‘just a chat group,’ think again. The same social rules apply as everywhere else online. Facebook had to invent the discreet ‘unfollow,’ after all, far preferable to the social equivalent of slamming a door. WhatsApp now allows you to leave a group quietly, without the digital flounce. A small mercy.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the volume of messages, many of them irrelevant, and to feel your will to live ebb away. Fair enough. A colleague’s son has just started high school and she’s frantically trying to keep up with what’s happening where and with whom - school events, social events, official stuff, unofficial stuff, and the murky space in between. No parent wants their child to miss out, but how do you separate key information
from the rogue side-chat about meeting for a coffee before the swimming carnival? Or bewildering comments about why the bus left an hour late to go to school camp?
Even celebrities aren’t immune. Former Disney star Ashley Tisdale took a more thoughtful route to ranting in the chat, publishing an essay titled Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group. She no longer felt supported; the group had grown quietly exclusionary. It turns out being left out hurts just as much, in that subtle, emotionally bruising way, whether you’re famous or not. Back to the playground we go.
It’s all a lot to keep up with. And if, like me, you remember life before the device, you may feel a certain moral obligation to read and acknowledge every message. My eyes might glaze over from time to time, but I’ll give it a go. Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, I’m not a mean girl.
LIZ FOSTER IS A LOCAL WRITER.
Her debut fiction novel, The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices, is out now with Affirm Press.
Illustration by Grace Kopsiaftis
LIVING LIFE IN COLOUR
NSW Seniors Festival
WORDS MELISSA BARKS
What does it mean to ‘live life in colour’? For many local seniors, it’s about staying curious, connected and confident in embracing whatever comes next. It’s about friendship and learning, health and humour, music and movement - and sometimes about making thoughtful changes that support the years ahead.
The NSW Seniors Festival returns from 2–15 March 2026, bringing that philosophy to life across the local area. The festival recognises the enormous contribution seniors make to community life - as volunteers, carers, mentors, professionals, neighbours and friends.
Colour in community
In Lane Cove, more than 30 events will take place across the month, offering opportunities to connect, create and celebrate.
The centrepiece event, Live in Colour, will be held on Wednesday 4 March from 10am–12pm at the new Galuwa Recreation Centre. Designed as a welcoming morning of connection and discovery, it will feature activities, information stalls and complimentary morning tea - a chance to catch up with familiar faces or meet someone new.
Hunters Hill Council will host its own Seniors Festival morning tea at Hunters Hill Town Hall on 5 March, complete with live music and community information, while the City of Ryde is extending celebrations across the entire month, with everything from healthy eating workshops to robotics for seniors.
Staying curious
Throughout March, local libraries and community spaces will offer a range of Seniors Festival activities - from classic film screenings to creative workshops and engaging talks.
‘Living life in colour’ invites reflection on the many ways later life can be enriched. It’s about participation and presence, about keeping the mind active and the calendar full in ways that feel meaningful, perhaps by attending Sydney Community Services’ African drumming workshop, exercise classes or social bridge group.
Embracing change
For some, this stage of life is also a time for bigger decisions. Children have grown, work commitments have eased, and priorities shift. The festival’s theme resonates with those considering how their home and lifestyle might evolve in the years ahead.
In Longueville, Amara Residences by Pathways is preparing to welcome its first residents. The development has been designed around the idea that seniors’ living should prioritise lifestyle as much as accommodation. As Graeme Skerritt, Managing Director of Pathways Residences, explains, ‘Seniors’ living should be about choice, independence, longevity and quality of life. At Amara, residents will enjoy not just a home, but a holistic lifestyle - where health, leisure, and community come together seamlessly.’
Independence and wellbeing
For others, change may be less about moving and more about simplifying. Local service Seniors Downsize reminds residents that decluttering and downsizing are not simply about removing possessions, but about gaining ‘clarity, mobility, safety, and peace of mind’. Approached patiently and thoughtfully, the process can create a safer, more manageable home that reflects current needs - and frees up energy for social connection, travel or new pursuits.
Whether it is attending a morning tea, exploring a new hobby, considering a lifestyle move or simply clearing space at home, the common thread is independence. The ability to make choices that support health, safety and happiness is central to ageing well.
A time to shine
Ultimately, the NSW Seniors Festival is both a celebration and an invitation. It celebrates the wisdom, resilience and vibrancy of older residents across NSW. And it invites everyone - whether newly retired or well into their eighties and beyond - to keep participating, connecting and bringing colour into their lives.
Welcome to my world
It’s March, and I’m already feeling shocked at how far away last year seems, and how quickly this year seems to be racing by. A long time ago, when I was but a studious schoolgirl who felt the holidays stretched way too long and too slowly, I would express surprise when my mum talked about “how time was flying”. Sadly, I am fast becoming my parent!
We live in the age of fast, with AI weaselling its way into our lives and our jobs. Mine – that of a trusted travel advisor – is not immune to replacement theory. I recently read that my role will become redundant very soon though I somehow doubt it if the last few weeks are indicative of advisor value.
Things aren’t always what they appear, and we are all familiar with skewed or untrue reviews. When there is so much fake news out there, how do you know what to believe? Out of interest, I recently asked ChatGPT about Trendsetter and was surprised to find some strangely negative comments. I asked for the names of those leaving the reviews and for more information. On receipt, I could not find them on our database of 33 years.
Then the penny dropped. Iberostar, a hotel brand, named its loyalty programme Trendsetter a decade or so ago. However, it makes it hard for members to find contact details. Thus they google Trendsetter, up we pop and they send me an email requesting flights from New York to Mexico, and my help to redeem points for nights, for example. I politely explain by return that we are nothing to do with Iberostar. Yet some vent their frustration, and it is a black mark against little Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre downunder, not 120+ properties Iberostar.
In the meantime, we keep chipping away to bring meaningful value and experience to our clients’ travel dreams. My week this week has not been atypical but for those of you who wonder what a travel agent actually does, here is where I have “travelled”, albeit vicariously, this week. There is never a dull moment.
I always start Monday, having made sure I am up-to-date with special price releases that have happened over the weekend, letters to the Editor from the travel pages offering some great tips, and having caught up on product webinars about everything and anything – new ships, hotel and cruise ship refurbs, a new loyalty programme, rooms on special offer for singles, new rules for entering Britain (now there’s a minefield) … and the list goes on.
There’s continuing work from last week and some new briefs to replenish the momentary gaps. My year has started strongly with a big demand for small ship and/or luxury cruising – to Europe, the Kimberley, Tahiti, Africa, Antarctica and the Arctic for couples, singles, multigenerational and special occasion holidays.
Today I swung my attention from a European trip incorporating flights to Latvia, Ireland and Iberia with a Moroccan tour and insurance plus pre-existing medical conditions to a 10-day Amsterdam-Marseille-Nice -London birthday trip with hotels that needed carparking and were close to the beach, Eurostar and the best flights considering time and value. Then it was documentation delivery for two lovely ladies off on a cruise to the North Cape of Norway with visits to Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm to round out their Scandinavian experience. I hope they get to see the Northern Lights!
Next up was finalising some more of a complex bespoke trip to Africa for a favourite client – this will see her fly to Cape Town, join a cruise up the east coast of Africa to the Seychelles, fly to Madagascar for a private safari, fly back to South Africa for another safari to Chobe and the Okavango Delta and then a small group journey to Namibia. I’m as excited as she is and it’s so nostalgic to put myself back there in her shoes.
This afternoon, I’ve investigated options for a custom tour of Scotland, organised a six-day tour in Gallipoli and Istanbul followed by a Nile River cruise and Cairo touring, booked a luxury stay in Edinburgh and VIPed same guests with the Sales Director, ticketed flights to Noosa, finalised some golf in Hawaii for a gang of gals travelling next month, and started to research a tour of Japan in October for one couple, a cruise to the Aleutian Islands for a single in 2028, and a cruise for a family of 12 close to home in 2027.
To round off my day, I joined clients at a cruise presentation in the city, 6-8 p.m. The glass of champagne was well earned, I think.
My dedication and expertise, borne of years of experience is used every day to the benefit of my beloved clients. I know that ChatGPT can fulfill some of what I do but I’m sufficiently confident to predict I’ll be around for several years to come adding a meaningful human touch to one of life’s greatest pleasures, travel. Welcome to my world.
PROFESSOR HENRY BRODATY named 2026
Senior Australian of the Year
Dementia Australia has congratulated its Honorary Medical Advisor, Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO, after he was named the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year - a well-deserved recognition of his lifelong work supporting people living with dementia and their families.
Professor Brodaty is a leading figure in dementia research and care. As Scientia Professor of Ageing and Mental Health and Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney, he has led internationally recognised research into dementia prevention and best-practice care.
‘Congratulations to Professor Brodaty on being named 2026 Senior Australian of the Year,’ Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said. Professor Brodaty has led internationally recognised research into dementia risk reduction and prevention. His contributions to the nation’s health are immeasurable and certainly deserving of such a prestigious honour.’
Professor Brodaty founded Alzheimer’s Australia NSW and served as President of Alzheimer’s Australia, which later became Dementia Australia. He also established the Dementia Australia Research Foundation and chaired its board from 1995 to 2016. On the international stage, he co-founded Alzheimer’s Disease International and continues as its honorary vice-president.
‘Professor Brodaty’s leadership, compassion and scientific excellence have transformed our national and global understanding of dementia, influencing policy, research and practice to ensure better dementia care and support for hundreds of thousands of Australians, and many others globally,’ Professor Buchanan said. ‘We are deeply grateful for Henry’s enduring commitment to dementia care and research and congratulate him on this greatly deserved recognition.’
Today, Dementia Australia provides trusted support for more than 433,000 Australians living with dementia and over 1.7 million people caring for them, offering education, advocacy, services, and research funding to help people live as well as possible.
Lane Cove Council launches new Food Waste Service
Lane Cove Council will roll out a new Food Waste Service to help reduce the amount of food sent to landfill.
In February, food waste bins, kitchen caddies, compostable liners and information kits were delivered to all stand-alone houses across Lane Cove. Weekly collections will begin on 16 March 2026, with food waste bins collected on residents’ usual bin day.
Recent audits show the average Lane Cove household throws away around 3.5 kilograms of food each week - more than 3,500 tonnes of food waste every year. The new service aims to divert this waste from landfill and turn it into nutrientrich soil improver and renewable energy. Each participating household has received a maroon-lid food waste bin, a kitchen caddy and compostable liners. Residents can place food scraps into the lined caddy and empty it into the food waste bin every few days. All other bin services will remain unchanged.
The Food Waste Service will initially be available to stand-alone houses, with townhouses, duplexes, units and apartments able to opt in from 2027.
If this story raises questions or concerns about dementia, support is available through the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, or at dementia.org.au
Council is hosting a series of community information stalls and workshops throughout February and early March to help residents learn how to use the new service.
For more information about the Food Waste Service, including key dates and how it works, visit lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ foodwaste or contact Council on 9911 3555.
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FAMILY SPORT AND MOVEMENT: building healthy habits that last
Australian Government Physical Activity Guidelines
Moving more at every age delivers real health benefits - and it doesn’t all have to be structured sport or gym sessions.
Preschoolers (3–5 years)
Across our local parks, pools, courts and walking tracks, family activity looks different for everyone. For some, it’s Saturday competition. For others, it’s swim lessons, a gym session while the kids train, or simply a walk or bike ride together after dinner.
At its heart, family activity is about building habits, protecting health and making movement part of everyday life.
Why moving together matters
Staying active as a family offers opportunity, accountability and modelling. Tamar Dalton, Physiotherapist at ProHealth Physio & Fitness, explains: ‘Family activity is a great chance for everyone to get out of the house - whether it’s a walk, bike ride, game of tennis or swimming. What matters is aligning activity with the Australian Government physical activity guidelines.’
Should be physically active for at least 3 hours each day, including at least 1 hour of energetic play such as running, jumping, dancing or ball games. Activity should be spread throughout the day and focus on fun and exploration.
Children and young people (5–17 years)
Need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day. On at least 3 days a week, this should include vigorous activities and those that strengthen muscle and bone - such as running, climbing or organised sport. Several hours of light activity (like walking or active play) are also recommended daily.
Adults (18–64 years)
Should accumulate 2.5–5 hours of moderate activity (such as brisk walking or swimming) or 1.25–2.5 hours of vigorous activity (such as jogging or competitive sport) each week - plus muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days
Older people (65+)
Are encouraged to aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days, incorporating strength, flexibility and balance exercises, and minimise prolonged sitting.
At every age, the message is clear: any movement is better than none - and more is better than less.
WORDS MELISSA BARKS
Akira and Sayuri Uchida play giant soccer with daughters Adi and Sakura at The Canopy, as part of Council’s Children & Families eNewsletter launch.
Supporting young bodies
While sport brings enormous benefits, injuries can arise when growing bodies are pushed too hard. Tamar Dalton notes the most common issues he treats in children and teens:
‘Anterior knee pain, ankle sprains, and shoulder muscle strains are very common. Physiotherapy has an important role in preventing and managing these conditions.’
He also highlights the risk of burnout in junior sport:
‘We often see our younger population overloading themselves by playing multiple sports during school and on weekends. Signs of early fatigue or injury include joint pain in the knees, hips, lower back or shoulders that doesn’t resolve overnight. Parents and carers should look out for these signals and adjust activity accordingly.’
Tamar Dalton’s Top 5
Family Movement Tips
1. Move together – Make activity a family habit: walks, bike rides, backyard games, or swimming all count.
2. Start early – For children, early swimming lessons, gymnastics or play-based activities build strength, coordination and confidence.
3. Watch for pain – Don’t ignore niggles. Joint pain, persistent aches, or fatigue are signs to rest or seek professional advice.
4. Pace yourself – Adults returning to exercise should gradually increase intensity or distance; small steps prevent injury and build consistency.
5. Mix it up – Combine structured sport with informal play and social activity. Variety keeps children engaged and reduces burnout.
TIP: Positive early experiences and supportive environments make activity a lifelong habit for the whole family.
Starting early
Structured activity often begins with swimming. At Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre (MUSAC), Aquatic Programs Manager Sunny Fung explains that swimming is not just a sport, but a life skill.
‘Early swimming lessons lay the foundation for lifelong water safety, confidence and physical development. Research shows nearly half of Year 6 children do not meet the national swimming and water safety benchmark, making early lessons vital.’
For young children, gymnastics also builds transferable skills. David Mudd, MUSAC’s Manager of Fitness Services and Community Programs, says:
‘Gymnastics develops motor skills, strength, balance, confidence and a positive association with movement - foundations that benefit almost any sport. Offering both recreational and competitive pathways allows children to progress at their own pace.’
Community clubs and connection
Community clubs provide connection alongside skill development. At Lane Cove Netball Club (LCNC), the aim is to be ‘inclusive, social, and truly family friendly,’ with pathways from NetSetGo (7–9s) through to adult social competitions. Many parents participate as coaches or umpires, creating shared family experiences.
‘Parents and carers play a huge role in setting the tone of the club, encouraging positive behaviour and discipline both on and off the court. Following our Code of Conduct helps maintain a safe, supportive and fair environment,’ says Prue Carroll, LCNC Committee volunteer.
LCNC welcomes new or less confident players:
‘Our youngest players start in NetSetGo with modified rules, allowing them to learn and grow at their own pace. From age 10+, players are graded with a focus on skill assessment balanced with a low-pressure, encouraging approach.’
Older players benefit socially, too.
‘Being part of a club helps kids form friendships beyond school, and umpiring or coaching provides leadership experience,’ Prue adds.
Spaces that make participation easier
Facilities that bring multiple activities together make it simpler for families to stay active. Local hubs such as Galuwa Recreation Centre provide courts and spaces for a range of sports, community programs and informal recreation. Larger multi-sport centres, like Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre, offer swimming, gymnastics, social and competitive sport, and gym facilities under one roof - enabling participation at different levels and ages.
Sport and aquatic centres are often crucial hubs where people work, volunteer, coach, train and socialise. They help many feel a sense of belonging.
DAVID MUDD
Manager of Fitness Services and Community Programs, MUSAC
Activity in all its forms
Of course, activity doesn’t require a structured program.
A family bushwalk. Lap swimming. A social basketball game. Backyard cricket. Yoga or strength classes. Even a walk around the block counts.
The goal is consistent movement, not perfection. Positive early experiences, variety and supportive environments help ensure families stay active long term. When children feel safe, confident and supported - and adults model healthy habits - activity becomes part of family identity.
More Than a Game
Family sport and movement are less about trophies and ladders than building healthy habits and strong connections.
Whether it’s competitive netball, swimming lessons, gymnastics, a gym session, or a simple weekend walk, the goal is the same: keeping families active, healthy and connected.
It’s about strong bodies, confident kids, supportive parents, and communities that thrive together.
Sculpture welcomes visitors to GULUWA RECREATION CENTRE
Ascendance by Amy Thai, a marble sculpture commissioned by Lane Cove Council for Guluwa Recreation Centre.
A new public artwork at Lane Cove’s Guluwa Recreation Centre adds a thoughtful visual presence to a space designed for movement, wellbeing and connection.
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Titled Ascendance, the marble sculpture was commissioned by Lane Cove Council and unveiled at the centre’s official opening. Installed as a permanent public artwork, it has been designed to be experienced as part of everyday life at Guluwa, whether people are arriving for sport, fitness, or community activities.
The sculpture is carved from marble and features layered, leaflike forms that rise gently upward, suggesting both stillness and movement. As the light changes throughout the day, the surface shifts in tone and shadow, encouraging viewers to slow down and engage with the work from multiple angles.
Ascendance reflects the practice of sculptor Amy Thai, whose work often draws inspiration from botanical forms and the contrast between permanence and change in the natural world. Her approach to carving allows the character of the stone to guide the final form, resulting in a piece that feels both grounded and fluid.
The work’s title connects directly to the name of the centre. Guluwa means ‘to climb’ in the local Sydney Aboriginal language, and the sculpture echoes ideas of ascent, resilience and personal growth. Positioned within a recreation facility focused on health and movement, these themes resonate naturally with the experiences of those who use the space.
As part of Lane Cove’s investment in public art, Ascendance contributes to the identity of Guluwa Recreation Centre and highlights the role of art in enhancing shared community places
Eleven-year-old finds new life after rare childhood illness and groundbreaking surgery
At just eleven years old, Daisy should have been running across the football field and laughing with friends. Instead, much of her childhood was spent in severe pain, visiting emergency departments and searching for answers to a condition doctors struggled to diagnose.
From the age of three, Daisy experienced recurring episodes of intense abdominal pain and constipation. Her mother, Jessica, knew something wasn’t right.
“She would scream and cry in pain,” Jessica said. “Doctors suggested suppositories, but six months later we were back in the same situation.”
As Daisy grew older, her symptoms worsened. By the age of nine, she had lost 12 kilograms and could barely eat without vomiting. She no longer had the energy to ride bikes, play sport or finish a game of netball.
“Watching her miss out on being a kid was heartbreaking,” Jessica said. “She just had no energy at all.”
The turning point came when doctors finally uncovered the cause of Daisy’s
and chronic pancreatitis, a rare and debilitating condition in children. Daisy’s only chance at a pain-free life was a highly complex procedure known as a total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant, performed at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
The surgery required Daisy and her family to travel from Perth to Sydney, where she underwent a 16 hour operation performed by a specialist team.
“At first, I was really scared,” Daisy said. “But when they explained it and drew pictures of what would happen, I realised that if I had the surgery, my life could be
During the procedure, Daisy’s pancreas was removed, and her insulin producing islet cells were isolated and transplanted into her liver. This groundbreaking technique allows patients to continue producing insulin while eliminating the pain caused by pancreatitis.
Just over a year later, Daisy is back home in Western Australia, running around the backyard with her brother, playing footy with her dad and enjoying a childhood she once thought impossible.
“It’s amazing,” Jessica said. “We have our Daisy back.”
Daisy’s story demonstrates the life changing impact of world leading care and research made possible across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. By leaving a gift in your Will, you can help fund vital research and purchase cutting edge equipment, ensuring more children like Daisy receive the best possible care, today and for generations to come.
To learn more about leaving a gift in your Will to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, call 1800 770 122 or visit http://www.schf.org.au/gift-in-will
Mayor’s Message March 2026
Merri Southwood, Mayor of Lane Cove e: msouthwood@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
The month ahead brings many opportunities for connection and celebration in Lane Cove.
This March, Council is proud to deliver the Seniors Festival once again, celebrating the contributions, experiences and achievements of our senior community. In partnership with local groups and experts, more than 30 events will take place throughout the month under the theme Live Life in Colour.
A huge milestone this month will be the beginning of the Food Waste Service for stand alone houses, where
we will be helping to keep food waste out of landfill.
We will also celebrate International Women’s Day with a range of inclusive events spanning networking, discussion, art and entertainment, while continuing important conversations around equality and inclusion.
Nominations are now open for the Citizenship Awards, providing an
opportunity to recognise individuals and groups who go above and beyond for our community.
Here is a snap from the official opening of the new Galuwa Recreation Centre last month. Already welcoming strong daily visitation, the centre is fast becoming a vibrant hub for recreation, wellbeing and community connection.
Have a wonderful and vibrant March!
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR LANE COVE CITIZENSHIP AWARDS 2026
Lane Cove Council’s Citizenship Awards celebrate the individuals, groups and businesses who make a meaningful contribution to our community or excel in their field. Alongside these awards, Council also presents the Neighbour Day Awards, recognising residents who
go the extra mile to be great neighbours.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Awards, and Council encourages community members to put forward people they believe deserve recognition. Anyone can make a nomination, regardless of where they live, and nominees are typically Lane Cove residents, local business owners or employees.
There is a wide range of award categories, including sustainability, youth, arts and culture, sport, business, quiet achievers and community service.
Nominations close on Thursday 19 March 2026, with the Presentation Evening to be held on Wednesday 17 June 2026. For more information and to nominate, go to www.lanecove. nsw.gov.au/citizenshipawards
Resilience Events
• Climate Emergency Plan Community Workshops
Tuesday 10 March, 6:00–8:00pm and Thursday 12 March, 10:00am–12:00pm Cove Room, Civic Centre
Have your say on Council’s new Climate Emergency Plan. Free, light refreshments. Bookings essential
• Seniors Safety & Resilience Expo
Tuesday 24 March, 10:00–11:30am Cove Room, Civic Centre
Learn practical tips for emergency preparedness and speak with local groups. Free, light refreshments. Bookings essential
Lane Cove Rotary’s Linsday May won Citizen of the Year at the 2024 Awards
What’s on in Lane Cove March 2026
Find all our events on our website at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events
VISIT: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events for bookings and tickets.
All events are free unless otherwise stated.
Live Life in Colour this Seniors Festival! - Seniors Month
Lane Cove is celebrating its senior community this March with the annual Seniors Festival, the largest over-60s festival in the southern hemisphere.
With the theme Live Life in Colour, the program features 30+ events across Lane Cove, including live music, wellbeing activities, creative workshops and social gatherings. The centrepiece event, Live in Colour, takes place on Wednesday 4 March at the new Galuwa Recreation Centre, offering a vibrant day of connection, discovery and complimentary morning tea.
• Holi Festival of Colour
Sunday 1 March, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• Girl Power Concert
Saturday 7 March, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, $10 + bf,
• Macbeth Shakesperience Live Theatre
Saturday 14 March, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• Makers Market
Sunday 15 March, 9:00am – 4:00pm,
Live Life in Colour
Come and celebrate Seniors Festival with a lively day of wellness, discovery and connection at the new Galuwa Recreation Centre. Enjoy the chance to try new activities, meet others in your community, and learn more about local groups offering services and programs designed with you in mind.
When: Wednesday 4 March, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Galuwa Recreation Centre, 180 River Road, Northwood
This is a free event with morning tea provided. Go to lanecove.nsw.gov.au/seniors or scan the QR Code for more details and to book your spot.
Find all our events on our website at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events
Celebrating our new Japanese collection
Lane Cove will celebrate Japanese culture on Saturday 21 March with Autumn Harmony, marking the launch of Lane Cove Library’s new Japanese collection.
From 10:00am–12:00pm, Lane Cove Library will host a Japanese Cultural Experience featuring music, dance, crafts and a Pokémon drawing activity. No bookings are required and all are welcome.
The celebration continues from 12:00pm–3:00pm with Kaleidoscope of Lane Cove in Lane Cove Plaza, showcasing live performances including father-daughter duo DJ Naiki and DJ Riri, Studio Ghibli jazz with Nana Koizumi, traditional Soran dance, Breakjuku breakdancing and Okinawan sanshin music.
Come along for a vibrant, familyfriendly cultural celebration across the precinct.
A Food Waste Service is Coming!
Your new maroon lid food waste bin will allow us to turn your food waste into a nutrient rich soil conditioner and renewable energy, which means less emissions, less landfill and a greener future for all.
The service will start for stand-alone houses in March 2026, with townhouses, units and apartments able to join from February 2027.
The new food waste bin will be collected weekly on your normal bin day.
ALL OTHER WASTE SERVICES STAY THE SAME.
For more details, visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/foodwaste
Your New Food Waste Service Starts 16 March
Lane Cove Council is introducing a new Food Waste Service to help keep food waste out of landfill and turn it into a nutrient-rich soil improver and renewable energy.
Stand-alone households across Lane Cove would have received their new maroon-lid food waste bins, kitchen caddies, and caddy liners in February ready for when collections begin on Monday 16 March.
The new Food Waste Service accepts all types of food, including both raw and cooked items, and is collected weekly on the same day as the general waste bin.
For more details, visit: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/foodwaste
Starts
March 2026
What’s on in Lane Cove March 2026
Find all our events on our website at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events
International Women’s Day
• Women of Strength and Honour: Being, Belonging and Becoming
Opening Wednesday 4 March, 6:00–8:00pm (exhibition until Saturday 21 March)
Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios
Exhibition showcasing works by Indigenous women artists. Free.
• Girl Power: 90s & 00s Tribute Saturday 7 March, 6:00–9:00pm The Canopy | $11.05 High-energy, picnic-style tribute to iconic women in pop music.
• Dyinalyung yana muru: Women’s Walk
Sunday 8 March, 9:30–11:00am Tambourine Bay Reserve
Guided walk exploring Aboriginal women’s connection to Country. Free.
• Small Business Networking Breakfast
Wednesday 11 March, 7:30–9:30am Pottery Lane Performance Space Free breakfast and financial wellbeing insights for small business owners.
• Advocacy for Women Thursday 12 March, 6:00–8:00pm Lane Cove Library
International Women’s Day event focused on justice and advocacy for women. Free.
Library Events
• Seniors Festival: Movie Matinee – The Wizard of Oz
Thursday 5 March, 2:00–4:00pm Lane Cove Library
Classic film screening for the NSW Seniors Festival.
lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events for bookings and tickets.
All events are free unless otherwise stated.
Weed of the Season: Cassia Cassia (Senna pendula var. glabrata) is a South American weed which has a sprawling shrub that grows two- to four-metres tall, with opposite compound leaves and long beanlike seed pods, and flowers from late summer to autumn. Cassia is commonly confused with the native Coffee Bush, which is similar in appearance but has alternate leaves and small berries.
Hand-weed small seedlings and place all seeds in green waste and cut and treat larger plants promptly to prevent spread.
Join Council’s free Backyard Habitat program to receive a garden consultation, personalised advice and native plants for your garden.
Backyard Habitat
Autumn is the ideal time for planting in Lane Cove. The weather is cooling, brush turkeys are no longer moundbuilding and weed growth is slowing.
Lane Cove residents are invited to join Council’s free Backyard Habitat program, for access to a garden consultation, gardening advice and native plants from the Community Nursery. Whether you have a balcony or a huge bush block, the Backyard Habitat program can support you in creating a native, wildlife-friendly garden.
Contact Miriam McInnes at backyardhabitat@lanecove.nsw.gov. au or 9911-3654 to register your interest.
Mapuche Women Warriors, Miriam Cabello, Mixed media on Canvas, 2021 – 2024 (Image courtesy of the artist)
Supporting You, Every Step of the Way with
Growing older doesn’t mean slowing down. It means living with confidence, staying connected, and continuing to enjoy the comforts of home and community.
At Sydney Community Services, we’re here to help — supporting seniors to remain independent, safe, and thriving at home for as long as possible.
We know that everyone’s journey is different. That’s why our services are designed with you in mind — your goals, your preferences, and your lifestyle. We value the wisdom that comes with experience and believe you’re the best person to guide us in how we can help.
Whether you need a helping hand around the house, support to stay socially connected, a regular delivery of nutritious and tasty meals, or clinical care provided with compassion, we work alongside you to make daily life easier and more enjoyable.
Everything we do is guided by care, dignity, and respect — and many of our services are low-cost or government funded.
LOCAL SUPPORT. TRUSTED CARE. COMMUNITY WELLBEING. Contact us or visit our website to learn more or get involved.
HEAD OFFICE: 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove T 02 9427 6425 E support@sydneycs.org
Terry
Maggie Lawrence chats with Lane Cove local Terry Eakin about his early life on a dairy farm during the second world war, and his long commitment volunteering as the caretaker at Lane Cove’s historical Carisbrook House.
MAGGIE LAWRENCE IS A LOCAL AUTHOR AND SCREENWRITER. YOU CAN VISIT HER AT WWW.MAGGIELAWRENCE.COM
From milking cows to Carisbrook House
Terry Eakin was born in Kempsey in 1937 and grew up on a dairy farm near Gladstone in NSW. He moved to Lane Cove in 2000 to take up a voluntary position as the resident caretaker at Carisbrook House.
‘I lived at the Carisbrook House Museum for 24 years after I retired. I ran guided tours four days a week. It was later reduced to weekends and public holidays,’ Terry told me.
‘I watered the garden, did general house-cleaning chores and also looked after the contractors who carried out repairs and maintenance of the house, the out buildings and the grounds. I kept the gardens looking good with bulbs that were always in flower and I grew Clivias for a hobby,’ he added.
Terry was most interested in the history of the house and he researched its connection to the Boer War in South Africa from 1899 to 1902.
‘Its original inhabitants were the Brooks family who sold the property and emigrated to South Africa in 1904. Reports from local soldiers fighting in the conflict, such as Harold ‘Bert’ Herbert, apparently influenced the family’s decision to move.’
‘Volunteer members, and the monthly guest speaker for the Lane Cove Historical Society educated me a lot about the history of the house and its local history.’
Living on a dairy farm during the war
Terry was one of eight children but his sister died when he was only one year old. His parents had a 152-acre dairy farm during the second world war. They also grew maize that was transported to Sydney to the Kellogg’s factory.
‘Each farmer’s milk and cream was collected by a milk boat twice daily in summertime and once daily in the winter months for delivery to the Nestlé milk factory,’ he said.
During World War Two Terry has vivid memories of six Bren gun carriers going up the right bank of the Belmore River Road and a 3-tonne army truck visiting his house.
‘Dad told us that the army men would be staying a few days. We were given brooms and told to sweep the floor in the barn and to get rid of any rubbish,’ Terry said.
‘Later, dad cut a 44-gallon empty drum in half and made a stove. We rolled about 15 wood blocks from the woodheap at our house for seats. There was an old wooden table from the implement shed that we also used. We ended up with 12 men as some of them left in their truck for Maguire’s Crossing and the beach where the coastal steamer, MV Wollongbar was torpedoed in 1943 off Crescent Head two days earlier. Among the five survivors of a crew of 37 was Bert Blinkhorn of Lane Cove.
‘Mum gave the army personnel eggs and milk as well as other things from the pantry. We ordered extra bread from the baker and extra meat from the butcher delivered once a week by horse and cart,’ Terry said. ‘Mum also had a weekly grocery order that the army paid for.
‘They had their own cook and messman and they set up bunks in our barn before dark. We had no electricity at the time and black-out blinds on all our windows. Every night my father would go outside and check that no lights were visible even though we were using kerosene lamps for lighting.’
The Army personnel stayed with Terry’s family for about two weeks. On their second Saturday the men connected their single furrow plough to the back of the army jeep and ploughed a three-acre paddock in about five hours so Terry’s father could sow his next maize crop.
‘It would have taken about three days to plough the same area with our draught horses. It was certainly kindness repaid and much appreciated by my father,’ he said.
Eakin outside Carisbrook House
Terry had three older brothers who went to St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill to board and only came home for the Christmas holidays, so his father’s workload increased at that time. Terry attended school at Upper Belmore River Public and in 1949 was sent to board at St Joseph’s Convent School in Smithtown.
Killing a poisonous sea snake
When Terry left school, he worked on the farm milking twice a day and doing all necessary farm work. On Good Friday in 1955 he rowed their boat across the river to take his mother and some of the children to the Stations of the Cross church service.
‘I spotted a snake swimming in the river and I hit it with the paddle. Then taking a second swing the snake fell into the boat so I killed it with the paddle and then rowed to the wharf and dropped everyone off.
‘I left the dead snake under a tree. After the church service I took the snake home and noticed it looked different to other snakes. I put it into a large jar and covered it with methylated spirits to preserve it.
‘The following Tuesday the dairy inspector came over and I showed him the bottled snake. He sent it to the Sydney Museum for identification. We discovered it was a venomous sea snake named Hydrophis Ornatus identified by Mr P Mackay of the Australian Museum. They asked if I would donate the snake and I did. It was written up by the local newspaper, Macleay Argus on 11 April 1955,’ Terry added.
Terry’s mother and father bought a house in Crescent Head where they retired. Two years later Terry left home and went to Sydney where he got a job at the Producers Distributing Society that was close to Central Station. He lived with his aunt and uncle in Punchbowl.
‘I was mixing butter and adding salt and other flavourings to produce half- and one-pound blocks of butter in various wrappers such as Norco, Foley Bros and Allowrie. I worked with a team of people that were mostly from country New South Wales.
‘I later worked for several years doing seven-day shift work at Mineral Deposits, Crescent Head building the mineral sands buildings and pre-fab sand recovery spirals as well as ponds and barges and I trained as an operator.’
When the sand mining came to an end Terry secured a position with Mount Isa Mines in North West Queensland. He was promoted to several different positions at the Lead Smelter, ultimately filling the position of Transport Superintendent where he had 120 workers to supervise including eight staff and 112 award workers.
‘I looked after rail freight, road couriers and road freight plus air freight and local surface freight. We also supplied cars,
trucks, cranes and a taxi service so I was in charge of the cost allocation and purchasing of replacement vehicles and equipment.
‘I stayed there for 29 years until I retired when I was 60.’
Learning to fly a light aircraft
Terry became interested in learning how to fly a small plane when he met Doug and Jean Muir of Muir Aviation in Mount Isa.
‘They treated me like the son they never had. They had two Piper Comanche aircraft, a DC2 twin-engined aircraft that mostly flew stores to cattle stations, returning with buffalo beef for pet food manufacture. The Comanches mainly flew passenger charters and stores,’ Terry told me.
‘Doug employed four pilots and an aircraft mechanic and he could fly all the aircraft. I would sometimes go on trips to help unload and reload the stores.’
In 1972 Terry bought a four-seat Cessna 172G and flew to Melbourne to pick it up from Moorabbin airport. He flew it back to Mount Isa via Temora, Bourke, Cunnamulla and Boulia arriving at Mount Isa the next day.
‘I used this aircraft for recreation purposes and for getting outside Mount Isa on my rostered days off work. It used about six US gallons of fuel an hour and held a total of 36 US gallons in two wing tanks. This gave a range of between 600665 kilometres so flight planning was very important as well as wind direction, as a head wind had to be deducted from your given range.
‘I would fly to Delta Downs cattle station and spend the weekend with the owners. Often, I brought back frozen whole barramundi for the Mount Isa Club or for friends. I later sold the Cessna to the Mount Isa Aero Club,’ he said.
Terry retired from Carisbrook House in 2024 but he still volunteers there on the third Saturday of each month.
‘I love Lane Cove. It’s the perfect place to retire and the health services are wonderful. I intend to live here for the remainder of my life and I hope I will make my 100th birthday,’ Terry who is now 88 concluded.
In 1972 Terry bought a four-seat Cessna 172G
Venomous sea snake
Family sport
Playing together: why family sport is a prescription for lifelong health
Last month I took part in my first game of pickleball, playing with several families together with all our children. Being a tennis player since childhood, pickleball had been on my do-list to try. It didn’t disappoint and I have now found a new sport to love. Importantly, it was a sport that my whole family enjoyed playing together (a rarity!)
On any given weekend across Australia, ovals fill with junior cricketers, netball courts squeak with shoes on polished floorboards, and coastal paths welcome a parade of bikes, scooters, and jogging prams (with leashed dogs trailing close behind). Increasingly though, sporting groups aren’t just made up of children - they also include families and can come in all shapes and sizes. Walking groups, community fun-runs, swimming at the local pool, dance sessions in the living room, or casual backyard games are all included. From Saturday morning parkruns to backyard basketball, family sport is emerging not merely as recreation but as powerful preventive medicine, and for many good reasons.
Movement = medicine
Regular physical activity is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent chronic disease. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, osteoporosis, and depression. For children and adolescents, sport supports healthy growth, coordination, bone density, and cardio-metabolic fitness. For adults, it preserves muscle mass, joint function, and cognitive health. The long-term economic and health implications are substantial. Preventing chronic disease reduces healthcare costs and preserves quality of life.
And when families participate together, the benefits multiply. Research consistently shows that children with active parents are significantly more likely to meet the recommended Australian physical activity targets of 2.5 hours per week of moderate exercise (or half hour daily spread over five days).
Understandably though this may feel very daunting to follow. Instead, families can build play into the rhythm of their personalised week – a brisk walk after dinner, beach cricket, bushwalks, social sport competitions. Remember that behaviour is contagious; framing activities as ‘family time’ rather than ‘exercise’ will get fewer child groans and adolescent protests, making a Sunday bushwalk feel less like obligation and more like an adventure.
The benefits are also reaped because Australia, like many developed nations, face rising sedentary behaviour across all age groups. Extended screen time is associated with obesity, poor posture, sleep disturbance, and metabolic problems. Families who choose active leisure together replace these sedentary hours lost.
DR CARL
WONG
IS A LANE COVE-BASED GP AND SITS ON THE BOARD OF SYDNEY COMMUNITY SERVICES
Cardiovascular gains across the generations
Aerobic activities such as cycling, swimming, soccer, and brisk walking strengthen the heart and lungs at any age. For children, this enhances endurance and supports healthy blood pressure trajectories into adulthood. For middle-aged adults, it reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke. For older adults, it maintains vascular flexibility and reduces frailty.
What also makes family sport unique is its intergenerational modelling. Children witness parents valuing their own health. Adults, in turn, benefit from the spontaneity and energy children bring. The result is often longer, more consistent participation through family bonding.
Mental health: the underrated benefit
While the physical advantages are well known, the mental health impact of family sport may be even more profound. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins (‘happy hormones’), regulates stress hormones, and improves sleep quality. For
children, navigating academic pressures and computer screen/ smart device overload, outdoor play offers a reset. For adults juggling work and caregiving, shared physical activity reduces stress and enhances mood.
Crucially, family sport strengthens attachment and communication. Shared goals - learning to ski, finishing a funrun, perfecting a tennis serve - fosters teamwork and mutual encouragement. In adolescence, when communication can be strained, side-by-side activities often allow conversations to unfold more naturally (rather than the usual single word replies at the dinner table when asking how their day at school was). Emerging evidence also suggests that physically active families report stronger cohesion and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Musculoskeletal strength and injury prevention
In children and adolescents, jumping sports, running, gymnastics, and racquet sports stimulate bone formation and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Adults benefit from maintained muscle mass and joint stability, which lowers the risk of falls and injury as we age.
But it is also important to have balance. Overuse injuries are rising among children who specialise early in a single competitive sport. Family sport provides a valuable counterweight - less structured, more varied, and typically lower pressure. Alternatives like backyard games, recreational and mixed-skill activities can promote broad motor development without the intensity of elite training.
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Building a healthy culture at home is a long-term investment
Creating a family sport culture begins with small, consistent rituals. A weekly active outing, shared training for a community event, or even a nightly walk after dinner, establishes routines. By involving our children in choosing activities, it can foster their autonomy and enthusiasm. Celebrating our children’s effort rather than performance helps them build motivation which can carry them into adulthood.
Nutrition and hydration also naturally integrate into this. Active families often become more mindful of fuelling appropriately - balanced meals, adequate protein for muscle repair, and sufficient fluids during our ridiculously hot summers.
Finally...
But beyond all the clear health benefits, family sport builds memories: muddy shoes by the door, regrettable sunburn from forgetting to apply the sunscreen regularly, and triumphant highfives after the winning goal.
Healthcare systems increasingly focus on treatment. Family sport represents prevention at its most basic level. It requires no prescriptions - just time, intention, and a willingness to move together – which leads to stronger families. When sport and physical activity is normalised in the family, it becomes an amazing lifelong habit, rather than something you once read somewhere by some doctor in a magazine article.
We provide personalised, friendly, and caring 1-on-1 physio and exercise physiology services to help clients recover, reduce pain, and improve their health, fitness, and wellbeing — empowering you to LIVE LIFE BETTER!
Ryde Eisteddfod welcomes new Dance Convenor Naomi McMillan
Naomi McMillan has been named as Dance Convenor of the Ryde Eisteddfod as of February 2026.
Her parents say has been dancing before she was walking.
Naomi is a Putney resident and a former student of Putney Public School, Hunters Hill High School and Muirfield High School (HSC dance) and Jdance Marsfield, and now operates her own Crestwood School of Dance at Baulkham Hills where she teaches ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, acrobatics and strength and conditioning classes for ages two years and up.
She also has a full-time position at Rouse Hill High School teaching Physical Development Health and Physical Education and Dance.
As a dance instructor, Naomi says there are multiple pathways in dance; not everyone wants to dance for a living and that ‘some kids want to dance for fun and not necessarily a professional career.’
Naomi says dancing can improve confidence during and after school, helping to overcome shyness and awkwardness.
‘Dance can help build confidence, resulting in a knock on effect at school with academic teams, sporting teams, debating, standing in front of a room for presentations, and lowered anxiety when outside of comfort zones.’
She says dancing teaches ‘time management, physical health, musicality, taking pride in our appearance and the message we are putting out into the world while dancing to share stories and emotions with others.’
When asked if she could envisage the Ryde Eisteddfod branching out to new dance forms, she responded ‘absolutely, when I started out at Eisteddfods when I was little it was ballet, jazz and tap, and that was it, but now we have broader styles like modern, modern lyrical, cultural, acrobatics, the world of dance is now very dynamic.’
As the new Ryde Eisteddfod dance convenor, her message to readers is to get in there and give dance a go, and spread that message all over Sydney,
encouraging all local schools, dance schools and individual students six years and up, involved with ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop to be a part of the Ryde Eisteddfod.
The 2026 Eisteddfod competition season is July through September, and enrolments in dance as well as instrumental, vocals and speech and drama are open on-line now until April at www.re.org.au.
For dance enquiries phone Naomi directly on 0432 228 618 or Eisteddfod Secretary Suzanne Maslen (02) 9874 2809 for any other enquiries.
Naomi McMillan - Dance Convenor of the Ryde Eisteddfod
Handel, Mozart & Mahler with the KPO
In its opening concert for 2026, the Kuring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO) will perform Handel’s spectacular Suite of Music for the Royal Fireworks, Mozart’s Piano Concerto no.20 in D minorfeaturing award-winning Australian international pianist Vatche Jambazian - and Mahler’s towering first symphony, ‘The Titan’.
Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks was composed for the grand celebration marking the end of the War of the Austrian Succession. It is a joyous and
festive work comprising a rousing overture and dance movements. The KPO will perform the orchestral suite scored for full orchestra.
The KPO welcomes Vatche Jambazian to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto no.20 in D minor. The majority of Mozart’s compositions are in major keys but this concerto in the brooding key of D minor conjures up a stormy picture. Vatche Jambazian is one of Australia’s pre-eminent pianists – with a string of national and international appearances to his name.
The climax of KPO’s 2026 debut is Mahler’s Symphony no.1 ‘The Titan’, possibly one of the most impressive first
symphonies ever written. It is scored for a large orchestra used to reveal Mahler’s wide palette of tonal colours as the audience is taken on a stunning journey of heroism.
• Sunday 15 March at 3pm
• Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood
• Tickets: www.kpo.org.au or in person at the Concourse Box Office, Chatswood or 8075 8111
AT HOME CONCERT
Tuesday March 31, at 6.30pm
Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Road, Lane Cove
Choirs can change our lives. Also, choral singing is considered one of our most significant forms of collaboration and helps to improve our participating and listening skills. It’s never too early (or too late) to join a choir and improve your health, your brain and your memory, as well as make new friends and have fun!
LaVoce Community Choir rehearses every Tuesday during school terms from 6.15 to 8.00pm at the Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville, Road, Lane Cove. There is no audition or requirement to read music. We sing popular songs selected by the choir members for the joy of it. Join us! We also present a number of free public concerts during the year for us to enjoy, along with the audiences. This is the first of our concerts for 2026. Others will be held later in the year.
Come and sing with us at the Living and Learning Centre and see how contributing to and experiencing the collective music making in community choirs is an unadulterated joy.
A terrible incident fractures the local community choir leaving several of its members struggling to reconcile with the fallout. Yearning for the comfort and connection that singing gave them, they form a new choir to try to create something hopeful through their shared passion.
The Heartbreak Choir by Aiden Fennessy is a warm, funny and moving play which takes us on a journey through heartbreak and reconnection through the power of music, friendship and community.
Having performed in seven productions for Pymble Players, the last seen as Virginia Noyes in It’s Only a Play, this is Heather Pitt’s debut as Director. She has previously directed school musicals as well as written and directed short scenes and longer plays for youth theatre groups. Heather trained at the Ensemble Studios and worked professionally as an actor for ten years before embarking on a High School Drama teaching career. She is delighted to be directing this warm and uplifting play.
BOOKING DETAILS
• 20 – 29 March 2026
• VENUE: Zenith Theatre and Convention Centre, Cnr McIntosh St and Railway St, Chatswood
• BOOKINGS: https://pymbleplayers.com.au/ tickets or T: 0490 366 346 (no SMS) (Monday to Friday 12 noon - 8pm)
The Comedic World of Gilbert & Sullivan
An hilarious and joyous evening of stunning highlights and excerpts from the famous duo presented by G & S Opera Sydney.
• 7.30pm Tuesday 10 March 2026
• Venue: LCM St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 19 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove (behind the Post Office and opposite the entry to the Canopy Carpark)
• Concert prices 2026 Season $90 annual subscription (for 6 concerts) or $30 visitor| $10 student per concert
• Bookings w ww.lanecovemusic.org.au Online bookings preferred. Limited admission at the door on the night. Enquiries: 9428 4287
Heartbreak Choir Rehearsal
Heather Pitt, Director.
Seize the day with Exit Laughing at Hunters Hill Theatre
It’s never too late - or too early, for that matter - to seize the day. That’s the uplifting message of Exit Laughing, the Paul Elliott comedy that kicks off at Hunters Hill Theatre on Friday 6 March.
‘The show is going to be a major success’ said Chrissie McIntyre, President of the Theatre. ‘I don’t think a group of performers has ever had as much fun as the cast, crew and I had in putting on this play’ said Annette van Roden, Director.
The production is not only funny but very poignant. It is one of those productions that makes you step back and look at your own life.
• Tickets selling fast but plenty of seats left for the four-week season. www.huntershilltheatre.com.au or call the Box Office 0478 097 525.
At Currambena Preschool and Primary School, learning is grounded in connection, community and shared responsibility. When one of our parents joined students to play and train together, it was more than just a fun session, it was a living example of philosophy in action. Families are active participants in school life, bringing their skills, passions and time to enrich children’s experiences. Through collaboration, mentorship and joyful learning moments like these, students grow not only in confidence and capability, but in their sense of belonging within a caring, supportive community.
Just Go
By Saya Sakakibara
I am not really one for the Olympics, I couldn’t really tell you where I was when Ariarne Titmus won gold for Australia in the 400m freestyle ...but I absolutely can tell you where I was when Saya Sakakibara called in to Dymocks Eastgate to sign her book Just Go (I was working at Dymocks Eastgate haha). I immediately bought myself a copy and read it cover to cover straight away! Since then, Just Go has been on my bedside table and is just one I will pick up and read a random page or two most days. It’s an incredible sport memoir.
This is the book that tells of Saya Sakakibara’s triumph over fear, self-doubt and family tragedy to become an Olympic gold medallist. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s one I have gifted nephews and nieces and will quote whole sections from endlessly apparently! For me it is memoirs like this that speak to the power of books; thanks to my love of reading I have been able to watch the video of the BMX finals and know exactly how that winner feels! Imagine being able to turn fear into a superpower. It is a book that tells of a family that have experienced both great success and tragedy in the same sport. The memoir is about the family’s love of BMX, that competitive love that saw Saya competing as a four-yearold. It tells us about Kai’s horrific crash that saw him in a coma and having to learn to walk and talk again. It tells of Saya’s own concussions and almost quitting the sport. Learning to love BMX racing again and the desire to be proud and just go …such an incredible memoir of resilience and self-discovery with lessons for even the least sporty person!
What a triumph of determination and self-belief. Just Go is an incredible book that really does a fantastic job at telling the story of Saya Sakakibara’s journey. I loved it and really think you will too!
March new book releases are coming up fast aren’t they! I’m so looking forward to by When The Party’s Over by Katie Hoskins, The Second Wife by Ali Lowe, The Cursed Road by Laura McCluskey, Laws of Love and Logic by Debra Curtis and The Gambler by J.P Pomare! What about you? I’d love to know what you are excited to read next! Let’s chat!
Review by ANNA LODER
Anna is the founder of www.readabook. com.au where you can find so many more reviews. She has a podcast of the same name and is a bookclub devotee. She is the store manager of Dymocks Eastgate and will die under a towering pile of books she wanted to read.
Lane Cove Seniors’ Festival event
In celebration of the Lane Cove Seniors’ Festival, Carisbrook Historic House will be offering a complimentary glass of champagne with every Devonshire Tea this month. We invite you to enjoy fresh, homemade scones and delicious cakes with coffee or tea in our lovely courtyard.
For our seniors and their family and friends, it’s a sparkling start to a unique day’s outing.
During your visit, the House will be open for you to explore. Experience life in the 1880s with an in-depth audio tour as your guide.
Our Museum Room currently features a special new exhibition on the life of local artist H. Leonard Greening, a friend of the Northwood Group of artists. The display includes paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, diaries, and memorabilia. This exhibition was inspired by the 2023 Lane Cove History Prizewinning essay written by his granddaughter, Jane Van Balen.
We look forward to welcoming you.
No Bookings necessary. Free parking via Waterview Drive.
When: Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd March from 10am to 4pm
Where: 334 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove
Cost: Devonshire Tea $15, includes a complimentary glass of champagne; House Tours from $10, includes access to the exhibition
Aminya Place, Riverview - A street where amazing things happened
Based on her highly commended entry for the 2025 Frances Christie History Prize, local resident Barbara Palmer presents a unique study of social history centred on the remarkable community connections formed within her street in the Riverview Estate.
Historical records regarding the establishment of the Estate and the broader Riverview peninsula provide context for the development of Aminya Place. Her story offers an engaging and heartwarming account of building community spirit.
By exploring the lived experience of one street in the Riverview Estate, this study provides a deeper understanding of Lane Cove’s strong community connections more generally.
When: Tuesday 24th March at 7pm
Where: Lane Cove Library
Cost: $5 includes refreshments (wine and cheese); free for LCHS members
Lane Cove Historical Society Inc www.carisbrookhouse.com
DATE: SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2026 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Sunday 15 March 9:00am - 1:00pm
PAM PALMER President
Celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival with City of Ryde Libraries
The City of Ryde is celebrating our seniors with events to help you live life in colour!
Book in now to create healthy, colourful meals, grow a vibrant garden or laugh your way through a yoga session. Hum along to the sounds of local band The Guitar Shed at our Musical Morning Tea, keep yourself and others safe with our healthy bones and lifesaving workshops, and dive deep into the history of Sydney’s Luna Park with author Helen Pitt!
For more information on all these events and more, head to https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/ seniorsfestival.
100 WORDS
While world leaders held high level negotiations over Greenland, discussing military bases and rare Earth minerals, its most mysterious inhabitant remained completely oblivious.
Born on the day of King Henry the Eighth’s coronation, she’d survived the War of Independence, industrial revolution and Moon landing. Only the native Kalaallit knew of her existence, but this was about to change.
With a deal in place, surveillance of the arctic island’s seabed commenced. As the ice drill engineers manned the submersible reaching two thousand metres underwater, their first discovery wasn’t neodymium or dysprosium, but its best kept secret, ‘Skalugsuak’ the world’s oldest shark.
Perihan Bozkurt, Lane Cove
Do you have a 100 word story? Email: editor@thevillageobserver.com.au
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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 people to live a quality and independent life in their own home and in their community.
OBSERVER
Hunters Hill Probus celebrates Golden Anniversary
Australia’s first Probus Club at Hunters Hill is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Its inaugural meeting was held on 3 February 1976. Probus, derived from the words ‘professional’ and ‘business’, is for retired and semi-retired people. Initiated by the Rotary movement, it began in the UK in 1965 and gradually spread internationally. It provides an opportunity for social interaction and continued engagement in community life. Its philosophy centres on ‘Fun, Friendship and Fellowship’. It is non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit with no fund-raising activities.
The Hunters Hill Probus Club started with just 16 male members. Now it boasts a membership of 95 active retirees, men and women. There are now over 400,000 members in some 4,000 Probus clubs in 23 countries. Australia has 1500 clubs alone in all states and territories.
Like other clubs, the Hunters Hill Probus Club meets monthly; traditionally on the first Tuesday of the month at Gladesville Sporties Club. Its program includes guest speakers and participation in activities such as dining out, outings, tours, holidays, theatre visits and special interest groups like golf, art, music and book reading.
This important milestone in the club’s history is being marked by various occasions throughout the year. The high point will be a celebratory lunch, hosted by local state member Anthony Roberts, at Parliament House in Sydney on 20 March. In August, a Mayoral Reception will be held at Hunters Hill Town Hall. An heritage Harbour Cruise in November are among other planned events.
A 50th anniversary booklet is to be published incorporating submissions from club members, profiling their various backgrounds.
The Probus South Pacific association has been celebrating its 50th anniversary since 2024. This was when the first club in New Zealand was formed. This year, Hunters Hill will spearhead Probus South Pacific’s Australian anniversary celebrations by all clubs around the nation. If any retirees are interested in finding out more about Probus and possibly joining, they are welcome to visit the Hunters Hill Probus Club or any other club in the area.
For further information, visit www. probussouthpacific.org or call 1300 630 488. Hunters Hill Probus Club’s membership officer, Kevin Manie, can be contacted by email: kevinmanie@mac.com or by phone: 0412 349 270.
LCSAG Signs Off After 16 Years
After more than 16 years of environmental action in Lane Cove and beyond, the Lane Cove Sustainability Action Group (LCSAG) officially ceased operations in December 2025.
Formed in 2009, a dedicated core group remained active until the end. Over the years, LCSAG led and supported a range of initiatives aimed at reducing waste and improving local environmental outcomes.
One of its earliest projects was introducing Bag Share bins in the shopping precinct, encouraging residents to reuse bags well before single-use plastic bags were banned. The bins remain in use today. In 2016, the group presented a handwritten petition of 13,000 signatures to NSW Parliament, contributing to the successful push for legislation banning single-use plastic bags.
LCSAG also campaigned for the NSW container deposit scheme, working alongside organisations including the Total Environment Centre. Their efforts - which featured a giant Coke bottle displayed at locations across Sydney, including outside Parliament House - helped build support for the 10c refund scheme introduced in 2018.
The group promoted reusable coffee cups, encouraging local cafés to offer discounts for keep cups, and ran community stalls at events such as Sustainability Lane, Plastic Free July and World Environment Day. Members regularly attended council meetings, supported emerging community groups through mentoring, and organised clean-up walks throughout Lane Cove.
LCSAG thanks its members, Lane Cove Council staff and the broader community for their support in helping make Lane Cove a more sustainable place.
Glimpses of Another World: Anecdotes from a Life in Africa
BY GUY HALLOWES
Extract from Guy’s book Glimpses of Another World.
PART 3: THE FARM.
The Laikipia area had traditionally been used as an emergency grazing ground by the Maasai. In about 1910 a number of white settlers took it upon themselves to chase the few Maasai out of Laikipia, burning down their manyattas, using guns where necessary. All the names in the area are Maasai - Oleolondo, Ol’Kalou, Ol Joro Orok, Ol’Bolossat for example. The Kenya Government then declared it Crown Land and sold the land, in about 1916, to speculators for two shillings and sixpence an acre. Ol’Kalou area was then gradually settled from 1916 onward.
My father, Rupert and his brother Brab had, in 1946, bought adjoining farms, Passenham and Carrigans, near the small village of Ol’Kalou (the place of Kalu, the Maasai chief). They had both already spent ten years in Kenya and considered they understood the country and the people. Rupert spoke several African languages, including Swahili and Kikuyu which were relevant to living in Kenya. He and Brab also spoke Zulu having been brought up on a mission station in a remote part of Zululand. They ran the farms as one unit.
Despite being in the Rift Valley and almost on the equator the farm was cool, being at almost 9000 feet above sea level. We had a fire in the lounge every night of the year.
The two farms together (run as Hallowes Brothers) was about fifteen hundred acres and was about five miles from Ol’Kalou.
Dad and of course Mum put every effort into making the farm a success. Virtually every penny they ever made was put back into the farm. Dad drilled boreholes and soon there was water piped to every corner of the property. He built pigsties, a milking shed, barns, stone cottages for some of the labour force - not a great
success; they didn’t want them, preferring their own traditional huts. They had a large dairy herd, sending about three hundred gallons of milk a day to Naivasha, about fifty miles away (for the Nairobi market). They had a wool clip from six hundred sheep, they sent ten pigs a week to the bacon factory, they grew most of the food for the animals and then there was the success of growing pyrethrum, an operation which Mum ran, with the Kikuyu women. Pyrethrum is a small daisy like flower from which pyrethrin, which is the base for a natural insecticide, is extracted.
In the seventeen years they were on the farm Mum and Dad certainly made the farm viable financially and in every other way. In 1956 they built a new house (Rupert’s fort as it was described).
St Peters Church in Ol’Kalou in 1970. Built by settlers in about 1950, including Mum and Dad.
The new house as it was in 2013. It used to be surrounded by a pretty garden, with a vegetable garden and an orchard behind. It was designed by a neighbour who was given a bottle of whisky for his efforts and built with farm labour from stone quarried on the farm. It now serves as a boarding house for primary school children
A MESSAGE FROM BRANKA IVKOVIC, CEO
Seniors Festival Month is here! A time when communities across New South Wales come together to celebrate the vibrancy, resilience, and lifelong contributions of older people. This year’s theme, ‘Live Life in Colour,’ invites us to recognise the richness, diversity, and joy that seniors bring to our community every single day. At Sydney Community Services (SCS), this message resonates deeply with the work we do and the people we support.
Throughout the month, SCS will be hosting a variety of colourful and engaging activities, from creative workshops to exercise classes, music sessions, and information events. Each activity is designed not only to celebrate seniors but to spark connection, joy, and curiosity. We want our older community members to feel energised, supported, and included, while encouraging the broader community to appreciate the vibrant role seniors play in our shared life. This is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to experience firsthand everything SCS has to offer.
Celebrating the People Who Bring Colour to Every Day: Our Support Workers
While we celebrate the achievements and experiences of older people, we also acknowledge the dedicated individuals who make ageing at home possible: our Support Workers.
Support Workers are often unsung heroes, yet they are at the heart of everything SCS delivers. They brighten homes with conversation and care, prepare meals, ensure safety, and offer companionship to those seeking connection. Their work is practical, emotional, and deeply meaningful. They help our people maintain independence, dignity, and wellbeing—supporting seniors to truly live life in colour in the comfort of their own homes and communities.
This Seniors Festival Month, we also take time to recognise the compassion, professionalism, and dedication that Support Workers bring to their roles every day. They build trust, form strong relationships, and advocate for people’s needs. Their impact is far reaching, touching not only the individuals we serve but families, neighbours, and the broader community.
Over the years, sharing updates through The Village Observer has been incredibly valuable for SCS. The community trusts the magazine, and it continues to be a wonderful way to connect with people from all walks of life. Seniors Festival Month offers the perfect opportunity to highlight the support we provide, while also promoting meaningful employment opportunities for local people. When community members join our workforce, they bring a shared understanding of the neighbourhood, its cultures, and its values. This connection enriches our services and strengthens the bonds that make our area such a welcoming place to live and age.
Sydney’s population is wonderfully diverse, and so are the people we support. Many people feel most comfortable communicating in their first language, especially when discussing health, personal care, or emotional concerns. For this reason, SCS is currently seeking bilingual Support Workers to join our team.
We especially welcome applicants fluent in Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Farsi, and other community languages. Whether you have years of aged care experience or are exploring a new, purposeful career path, SCS provides training, support, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.
As we celebrate Seniors Festival Month 2026, we reflect on the unique stories, cultures, passions, and personalities that shape our community. Older people bring history, wisdom, humour, and perspective—and our Support Workers help ensure these contributions continue to shine brightly.
Together, we honour the theme Live Life in Colour by fostering a community where every senior is valued, every culture is welcomed, and each day is filled with connection and possibility.
Celebrating Seniors Festival
LIVE LIFE IN COLOUR
Discover West African instruments, songs and rhythms in a lively one-hour drumming workshop. Drum, dance and sing together—no experience needed. Inclusive, hands-on, fun and joyful.
Date: Monday 2 March 2026
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Venue: Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
Join Sally Castel for ‘Active, Able and Stable’ - a workshop for older adults on exercise, falls prevention and cognitive health, with practical tools to stay active, safe and confident.
Date: Friday 13 March 2026
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Venue: Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
You are invited to a free, friendly, informative session answering your questions about My Aged Care. Learn about the services and activities we offer as your local care provider.
Date: Monday 9 March 2026
Time: 10am – 11.30am
Venue: Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
Join our friendly session on living well with dementia. Connect with others and carers, enjoy lunch, share stories, and discover practical ways to build confidence and meaningful connections.
Date: Wednesday 18 March 2026
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Sydney Community Services, The Meeting House Hub, 23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
Enjoy uplifting ukulele music at this lively cultural concert, by the Holy Name of Mary Parish, Hunters Hill Ukulele Group, followed by light island-inspired refreshments.
Date: Tuesday 10 March 2026
Time: Concert: 10:30 - 11:30am
Refreshments: Until 12:30pm
Venue: Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
Join us for our second free, friendly My Aged Care information session. Have your questions answered and learn about the services and activities we offer as your local care provider.
Date: Tuesday 24 March 2026
Time: 2:30pm – 4pm
Venue: Sydney Community Services, Park View Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
WHAT’S ON MARCH 2026
LANE COVE HUB
1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
Movement Matters
• Monday, 10.30 - 11.30am.
• Tuesday, 12 - 1pm and 1.15 - 2.15pm
• Wednesday, 11.15am - 12.15pm
• Friday, 9.30 - 10.30am and 10.45 - 11.45am Book Club
• Monday 16 March, 1.30 - 2.30pm
• Cost: $5 includes book and afternoon tea.
Mah Jong
• Tuesday, 9.30 - 11.30am.
• Wednesday, 1.00 - 3.45pm.
• Cost: $5 including morning/afternoon tea. New players please contact us.
Scrabble
• Thursdays, 10am - 12noon
• Cost: $5 includes morning tea
Social Bridge
Cards and conversation! Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of social bridge every Thursday, 12.30–3.30pm. $5 includes afternoon tea. Contact us to register.
Social Tennis Group
• Every Thursday 9-11am
• Cost $5
Lane Cove Tennis Club, Central Park, Kenneth St, Longueville. Players must register prior to playing.
BOOMers Mens Group
A relaxed social group for independent senior men who enjoy good company and great outings every Friday.
• Departs 10.00am from Lane Cove Hub, returns 2.00pm.
Contact us for this month’s program and cost.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
• 8.30am - 4.00pm
• Monday -Friday
www.sydneycs.org
MEETING HOUSE HUB
23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
Seniors Shopping Bus
Tuesdays and Thursdays. Return trip from your home to Lane Cove shops. We can also assist and carry your shopping into your home.
• Cost: $15
Chess Club Every Monday
The group is friendly and sociable, and all abilities are welcome.
• Mondays, 1pm - 2.30pm
• Cost: $5pp, includes afternoon tea.
Memory Cafe
A place to meet for people living with dementia, their family and friends.
• Wednesday 18 March
• 10am - 12noon
• Cost: FREE
reACTIVATE Fitness Solutions for Seniors
Join us for a series of functional fitness classes.
• Monday, 10.45am - 11.45am
• Friday, 11am - 12pm
• Cost: First class free, then pay by term: 11 week term. $132
Meeting House Playgroups
Meet local parents and children.
• FREE to attend. Arts, Craft, Music & Stories
• Playgroups for 0-5 years
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am - 11.30am.
HUNTERS HILL-RYDE HUB
46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill
Seniors Hub
Fun, welcoming weekday programs for seniors and dementia-friendly groups. Enjoy outings, activities, great company, door-to-door transport and nutritious meals.
Get in touch for this month’s program.
Seniors Social Support
Supporting Afghan, Chinese, Iranian, Italian and Spanish seniors through culture, connection and care. Enjoy social outings, cultural events, English classes and wellness sessions.
Contact us for this month’s program.
Social Bus Outings
Hop on board every Tuesday and explore new places with friendly local seniors! Enjoy half or full-day adventures from 9.00am–4.00pm. Contact us for this month’s destinations and cost.
The Velveteens
Morning tea, great company and a new outing every month. For independent over-65s with a My Aged Care referral.
• 2nd Monday monthly, 10am–4pm.
reACTIVATE - Move Well & Live Well for Men & Women
Move better, feel stronger and enjoy great company! Our welcoming seniors fitness class builds strength and balance in a supportive setting.
• Wednesdays, 11am–12noon
• $132 for an 11 week term.
Supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Costs indicated are for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) participants only. Contact us and speak with one of our Coordinators to learn more about other funding options.
YOU'RE INVITED...
Strength & Balance
Build confidence and move with ease in this supportive seniors class focused on everyday strength and stability.
• Tuesdays
• 10.45–11.35am
• 44 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill.
Movement Plus
Love music and movement? Enjoy a faster-paced, feelgood workout designed for seniors who like to keep active—safely and confidently.
Looking for an activity that’s easy to start, great for all fitness levels, and packed with benefits? No partner required.
• Wednesday
• 1.30pm– 2.30pm
• 44 Gladesville Rd, Hunters Hill.
Friday Group
at the Seniors Hub
Join us each Friday for fun outings and day trips for seniors! Enjoy social connection, dementiafriendly support, and tasty meals—carers can relax knowing everyone’s safe and happy. Contact us for details.
ANTHONY ROBERTS MP
P: 9817 4757
E: lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Protect your home
Dear friends and neighbours,
We have sadly recently had a spate of breaking-andentering and thefts in our community, and I thought now would be a good time to remind us of all the practical steps we can take immediately to strengthen your home and property.
I have had a Protect Your Home leaflet printed that gives guidance as to how to protect your home, using information which was provided courtesy of our NSW Police Service.
This seeks to provide some clear instructions on proven security measures that can dramatically reduce risk.
We can all do our part to protect ourselves and our neighbours.
Here are some helpful hints that you can undertake:
Secure your home
• Fit quality security doors, windows, locks, alarms, lighting, and warning signs.
• Secure all windows and doors.
• Activate your alarm, smoke detectors, and security lighting.
Check your home
• Ensure your street number is clearly visible.
• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to improve visibility around your home.
• Lock away your items such as ladders, tools, and gardening equipment.
When away from home
• Use a timer to activate an internal light or radio to give the impression someone is home.
• Have family, a trusted friend or neighbour regularly check on your home. Inform them of your travel plans and have them collect your garbage bins and mail.
• Consider redirecting your mail, newspapers, and deliveries.
If you would a full list of the advice from Police, and would like a copy of the Protect Your Home leaflet, please email my office using lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9817 4757 and I will promptly send you a copy.
Please remember for emergency or life-threatening situations, ring 000. For non-emergencies ring the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, and for Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
TRENTON BROWN
CITY OF RYDE MAYOR
P: 9952 8222
E: TMayor@ryde.nsw.gov.au
West Ryde Easter
One of City of Ryde’s most popular family-friendly events is occurring on Saturday 28 March when we celebrate Easter at ANZAC Park.
The West Ryde Easter celebrations have become a muchloved tradition for our community and feature a vibrant lineup of performances, a petting zoo full of adorable animals, exhilarating amusement rides, and an array of food trucks serving up sweet and savoury delights.
The event, which runs from 9.00am-3.30pm, truly captures the essence of what our community is all about – families spending time together, friends reconnecting, and people from all walks of life sharing in a joyful and inclusive experience.
The City of Ryde is proud to support events like this that bring people together and make our community such a wonderful place to live and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there on the day.
Harmony Week
The City of Ryde community will join together to celebrate our wonderful cultural diversity in March with a series of special Harmony Week events.
During this important week, we’ll be celebrating inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional custodians of the land to those who have come here from many countries around the world.
The ongoing theme of Harmony Week is ‘everyone belongs’ and includes the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.
We’ll be celebrating with a great program, including a special Cultural Encounter on 18 March, a Storytime with First Nations performer Mitch Tambo on 21 March, a Bushfood Talk on 24 March, and a keynote event on 17 Match titled Building Belonging: Harmony in a Multicultural Ryde.
Seniors Festival
A vital and active part of the Ryde community gets its own celebration this month, with the NSW Seniors Festival taking place from 2-15 March.
This festival celebrates the role and contributions of older adults to our local communities. Attracting tens of thousands of participants to events and activities across NSW, the festival is a much-loved annual celebration.
The City of Ryde is extending its participation in this fantastic event across the entire month, with a wide variety of activities and workshops designed specifically for seniors, and most of which are free.
For more information on activities and events happening in the City of Ryde throughout March, go to: ryde.nsw.gov.au
The Village Observer assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content provided on these pages. Views and opinions expressed are the author's own.
TIM JAMES MP
P: 9439 4199
E: willoughby@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Our community is fed up with having to continually dodge unsafe e-bikes on footpaths and recently we have seen far too many examples of dangerous riding in our local area.
The scale of the problem is clear. In just the first seven months of last year, 233 people were seriously injured in e-bike incidents, up from 84 in 2022. On average, eight people a week are being hospitalised. This highlights the seriousness of the risk of injuries and growing anxiety for pedestrians, families and older residents who simply want to move safely about.
We have seen high-powered ‘fat bikes’ ridden recklessly by young people on suburban streets, often without helmets or regard for basic road rules. At the same time, delivery riders are travelling at speed through crowded pedestrian areas in our local centres such as Chatswood, St Leonards and Crows Nest, weaving through foot traffic in places that should be safe and accessible for everyone. This behaviour is unsafe, it is dangerous, and people quite rightly expect firm action.
The NSW Government has announced a new e-bike crushing scheme, but it focuses almost entirely on bike power and wattage. That misses the point and deals with a small part of the problem. Many of the e-bikes causing concern in our community would actually fall within the rules and would not be touched by this scheme at all.
Rider behaviour matters. Unsafe riding on roads is already illegal, and riding on footpaths is already illegal. What is missing is real, visible enforcement of the laws that already exist, along with proper accountability for those using these bikes.
That is why I am supporting a practical proposal from the NSW Liberals to introduce a low-cost registration and identification scheme for certain e-bike users, including shared e-bike services, food delivery riders and children. Registration would make enforcement easier, improve accountability when incidents occur, and help change behaviour before more innocent people are seriously injured.
E-bikes can play a positive role in transport and active travel, but only if they are used responsibly. Our community deserves streets, footpaths and public spaces that are safe, orderly and usable for everyone.
ZAC MILES
HUNTERS HILL MAYOR
P: 9879 9400
E: mayor@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
We have some wonderful activities and initiatives coming up in March that will bring our community together.
The NSW Seniors Festival 2026 is just around the corner, and it will be a great opportunity for our seniors to connect, socialise and enjoy a morning of entertainment and information. This year’s theme, ‘Live Life in Colour’, encourages everyone to embrace life with joy and vibrancy.
Council will host a delicious morning tea, featuring live music from King Olav & the Rescue Cats and community information stalls offering helpful advice and promoting services available for our seniors. It will be held from 10am to 12pm on Thursday 5 March 2026 at Hunters Hill Town Hall. Registrations are required. More information can be found on Council’s website.
I also encourage residents to take part in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 1 March from 9am to 11am at Gladesville Reserve. This annual event is a great way to care for our local environment while spending time with neighbours and friends. Gloves and rubbish bags will be provided. Even an hour of your time can make a meaningful difference.
For those interested in nature and our local bushland, I am delighted to invite you to a Native Plant and Weed Identification Walk on Saturday 28 March from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Kellys Bush, Woolwich, led by Michael Shilman and our council staff.
This relaxed walk will introduce participants to identifying native plants and weeds using simple features and helpful resources. Registrations are essential and can be made via vollmerj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au.
Finally, I am proud to share that Council has partnered with Share the Dignity to provide free products for our community. Free packs are now available at The Yarn for anyone who needs them.
Share the Dignity is an Australian charity dedicated to poverty awareness and restoring dignity for people doing it tough.
Local businesses interested in supporting this initiative and who would like to help keep the dispenser stocked are warmly invited to contact Council at info@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
The Village Observer assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content provided on these pages. Views and opinions expressed are the author's own.
Moocooboola Computer Club for Seniors
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday @ Community Centre, 44 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill. Working at your own pace, learn how to explore your needs and interests such as archiving photos or planning holidays with guidance from our volunteer trainers, have fun with your IT devices, (no Apple Macs), and meet new people.
P: 9816 5293 or P: 9879 4588 (during club sessions) E: moocoo@netspace.net.au
Improve your health Expand your mind Make new friends
From bus outings to bingo to bollywood music, there’s plenty on offer at the Crows Nest Centre.
Services and activities for older people, people with a disability, migrants, parents and those who are homeless or at risk.
Connecting Our Community crowsnestcentre.org.au Phone: 9439 5122
Crows Nest Centre
Room Hire at the Meeting House
Looking for the perfect venue for your next celebration, meeting, or community event? The Meeting House in Lane Cove offers a versatile and welcoming space that takes the stress out of hosting at home.
With both indoor and outdoor areas, you’ll have the flexibility to create an event that suits your needs – whether it’s a birthday party, family gathering, workshop, or social get-together.
47A Kenneth St, Longueville Time : 6.30pm Pizza; 7.15pm Movie
3 March – The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) – A romantic comedydrama based on Oscar Wilde’s much loved 1895 comedy of manners, starring Reece Witherspoon, Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and Judi Dench.
7 April - Six Minutes to Midnight (2021) – British war drama telling the story of evacuating the finishing school for girls – daughters of the Nazi elite - from Bexhill-on-Sea, just before the outbreak of WWII. Starring Eddie Izzard, Carla Juri, David Schofield and Judi Dench.
Bookings essential on 9428 4287 Cost $15 cash only – the best value pizza/movie combo! BYO drinks
SOLD
Nestled behind a manicured garden frontage, designed with comfort and functionality in mind, it features versatile formal and family living areas, a well-equipped central kitchen, excellent storage, and a rear deck overlooking the charming backyard.
Jay Assay 0452 185 529 E: jay.assay@belleproperty.com
SOLD
Close to Artarmon village and station, this oversized brick apartment is revived for contemporary living and offers a haven of space and light in a great location. Modern kitchen, full bathroom and internal laundry, two balconies and access from within to a lock-up garage.
James Bennett 0403 504 724 E: james.bennett@belleproperty.com
Showcasing a “best in block” renovation, this stylish second floor apartment enjoys a desirable northerly aspect. Beautifully presented for a modern lifestyle, high-end finishes and quality design choices, plus two north balconies and a lock-up garage with room for storage.
This impressive dual-level entertainer’s home feels wonderfully peaceful and private - a hidden treasure behind its substantial street presence. Grand in scale, five spacious bedrooms, three living areas, a quality family-sized kitchen and beautifully designed alfresco spaces.
Tim Holgate 0400 802 888 E: tim.holgate@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
Belle Property Willoughby 551 Willoughby Road, Willoughby 9958 5211
Belle Property Lindfield Suite 20, 12-18 Tryon Road, Lindfield 9416 6999
Belle Property Ryde 95 Blaxland Road, R yde 8080 9116
13/6 Benton Avenue, Artarmon 2 bed 1 bath 1 car
10/8 Murray Street, Lane Cove 2 bed 1 bath 1 car
4 Cilento Crescent, East Ryde 3 bed 1 bath 2 car
21 Matthews Avenue, Lane Cove 5 bed 3 bath 2 car
READY TO LIVE AND
LOVE
Sydney’s Best New retirement on the Chatswood Golf Course offers a lifestyle beyond compare
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