TVO 297 December 2020 new

OBSERVER

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pick me up AND TAKE ME HOME

WALK YOUR WAY TO WELLNESS CHRISTMAS: WHO DOES IT BETTER? MEET OUR LOCALS: JANE DE GRAAFF Proceeds from The Village Observer support residents in need from Lane Cove, Hunters Hill, Ryde, Willoughby and North Sydney areas, through Sydney Community Services.

ISSUE 297

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DECEMBER 2020

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

Local Support for Local People

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SCS provides services to the aged and people living with a disability including social activities, gardening, home nursing, podiatry, Community Care Advisory, clean sheets and towels, home delivered meals, home modifications and maintenance, flexible respite, carers support, shopping services, community•and engagement programs, medical HOMEWARES CAFE transport and assistance in daily life.

Find joy in Spring 18

something for everyone 28 34

GARDENS • PLANTS •

THE VILLAGE OBSERVER: 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove NSW 2066.

PUBLISHER: Gillian Batt P: 02 9427 6425 gbatt@sydneycs.org EDITOR: Nicola Riches P: 0405 661 570 editor@thevillageobserver.com.au DESIGN + ADVERTISING: Sharon Curby P: 0450 370 575 sharon.tvo@gmail.com ADVERTISING: advertising@thevillageobserver.com.au PRINTED BY: Spotpress DISTRIBUTED: Monthly

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

• Readers are invited to submit articles for consideration. • Articles and items for community events should be emailed to the Editor with any accompanying images by the 15th of each month, for inclusion in the next month’s issue. • Advertising enquiries should be directed to advertising@ thevillageobserver.com.au • If mailing material and you would like it returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All care, but no responsibility will be taken for this material. © Copyright 2015. Original advertisements and editorial in this publication are copyright and remain the exclusive property of The Village Observer. No part of this publication may be reproduced and/or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written consent of the Publisher. DISCLAIMER: The content of editorial and advertisements in The Village Observer has been provided by a number of independent sources. Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor and Publisher of The Village Observer, and no responsibility is taken for the accuracy of the information, or any factual errors contained within any items printed. Readers should make their own enquiries directly to any organisations or businesses prior to making any plans or taking any action.

thank you

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Life’s Rich Pattern

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.

12 Meet our Locals - Jane De Graaff interview 18 Feature Story - Walk your way to Wellness

We’d like to extend a big thank you to this month’s supporters:

28 Christmas Traditions 30 Wellbeing

Plants, pots & contemporary homewares

34 Spotlight on Local Art licensed cafe. Open 7 days along with fully where passion, creativity and knowledge for all things gardening is celebrated.

36 Story A307place Lane Cove Road (cnr Fontenoy Road) Macquarie Park Ph: 02 9491 9900 - Jake and Sal by Janine Foley

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DR. ANDREW SEE Create a beautiful healthy smile with Dr Andrew See, one of Australia’s leading cosmetic and implant dentists.

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02 9816 4885

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Welcome distractions

greetings Everyone deserves a long, decent break and a Christmas sleigh-full of lie-ins and afternoon naps. Perhaps a walk or two along a beach, or through the bush. Some delicious food shared with family and friends. Perhaps a flight to another state to while away the hours in unfamiliar surroundings. What is really pleasing, and a massive relief, is that I can list these things here.

For now, the pandemic is under control and the anticipated occurrence of bushfires isn’t as high as last year’s horror. Our thoughts are with loved ones overseas who aren’t as fortunate as ourselves.

Perhaps this Christmas will be more low-key; less bustle, less fuss and a chance to really focus on what matters – our families, friends, our beliefs, our rituals, our pastimes. I hope so. I have a recurring habit of forgetting what’s involved at Christmastime and leaving everything to the last minute.

The first Christmas I spent with my husband, I left buying the turkey until 9pm on Christmas Eve. It was the last one on the shelf. Clearly, **traditional wife skills** weren’t high on his Christmas wish list.

Christmas aside, we have welcomed new salesperson Linda to the team who can be spotted enjoying coffee on a regular basis in the local area. We’re delighted to have Linda complete our all-female crew.

The printed edition of TVO has always enjoyed a rest in January, however, we’ve decided to put together a January summer read that will go out as digital-only. Think long features, short stories, interviews with locals, crosswords, recipes and more. Check our Facebook for updates.

Thanks to everyone for the warm reception to our comeback in October. It really is appreciated.

Have a lovely break whatever you do, and see you either online in January, or back out on the streets in February.

Nicola and the TVO team

Watching….

The Crown and The Queen’s Gambit. Hard to say which one is better.

Still trying to get over….

The hilarity of Rudy Giuliani giving a press conference outside the Four Seasons Landscaping business instead of the Four Seasons Hotel.

Reading…

Caro Llewellyn’s Diving Into Glass – Caro’s touching, personal account of the weaving of her and her father’s lives that were shaped by disabilities.

Drinking…

Have to own up here - TVO was sent some bottles of Famous Soda Company soda (and we’re never sent anything). No denying it – they were a hit in our household.

Listening and watching….

NICOLA RICHES EDITOR editor@thevillageobserver.com.au

To everything on: sydneyoperahouse.com/digital It’s a treasure trove.

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news Farewell to Deborah Hutchens It was with great sadness that we all learnt of the death of Deborah Hutchens on 2nd November.

Deborah was a much loved member of the Lane Cove Community. She was well known in the village for her smile, vivacity and great sense of humour. Deborah had been a councillor in Central Ward Lane Cove since 2012 and was a very popular Mayor from 2015 to 2017. During her time on Council Deborah was involved with a range of new initiatives including International Women’s Day and Lane Cove Night Out events, supporting the Hold My Hand initiative and establishing the Lane Cove Festival by the River which is enjoyed by thousands of locals each November.

During her time as Major she was a strong advocate for the the Canopy and initiated this project which provides open space, playgrounds, a 500 space carpark and a retail and entertainment precinct that will be a lasting legacy of her commitment to the local area Deb was very community minded, serving as a Director on the Pottery Gardens Board and on Sydney Community Services Board (formerly Lane Cove and North Side Community Services). On both Boards she brought her special blend of insight, emotional intelligence and common sense.

Please consider making a donation to the Stroke Foundation on behalf of Deb. https://strokefoundation.org.au/en/ How-you-can-help/Ways-to-donate/ An-in-memorial-gift/In-MemoryDonation

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Deb had worked for some time supporting children with a disability and it was a great delight to see the affection with which some of the members of Different Degrees Drama Group (who had been supported by her at school) greeted her with when she attended their performances.

Deb leaves behind Robin and her two daughters Catherine and Lucy. Everyone here at The Village Observer and Sydney Community Services extends to them huge sympathy for their loss.

We will all miss our beautiful Deborah.

Lane Cove Historical Society President Changes

Dr Sue Ingham wins Lane Cove History Prize

Dr Sue Ingham wins Lane Cove History Prize Dr Sue Ingham has been awarded the Lane Cove History Prize for her essay ‘Hold Your Course: The Participation of Women in the Lane Cove Sailing Clubs.’ This essay arose from Susan’s considerable personal interest in the emergence of sailing as a sport and in the participation of women in the sport.

It was described as an “engaging and lively account of the history of sailing in Lane Cove over the last century, demonstrating the ways women have become increasingly involved in the sport, while proving their excellence as sailors.” Sue was awarded an event at Carisbrook House, attended by Trent Zimmerman, Federal Member for North Sydney and the Mayor of Lane Cove, Councillor Pam Palmer. The essay will be published in a journal and housed at Lane Cove Library for the community to access.

After five years at the helm of Lane Cove Historical Society, Kay Leiper is stepping down as its President. Bill McLaughlin will resume duties of President having already served in the role for five years before Kay’s tenure.

Lane Cove Historical Society is responsible for the management of Carisbrook House, the 1880s historical home and gardens in Lane Cove.

Kay has been the driving force behind several developments at Carisbrook including the recreation of real interiors and items that would have been enjoyed and used by residents from the time the house was built. She also oversaw the creation of self-guided audio and video tours that are available on Carisbrook’s iPads, not to mention of course, using her expertise to apply for and secure grants where required.

Kay says, “I’ve really enjoyed my term as President of the LCHS. It’s great fun to work in an historic house and I shall continue to be one of Carisbrook’s volunteers. I look forward to working with Bill on promoting the love of history to the residents of Lane Cove”.

Bill has close ties with Carisbrook; his fatherin-law Jim Dargan was on the committee for several years. Bill was also on the board of the Historic Houses Foundation and was involved in the creation of The Museum of Sydney. “I’m happy to continue the work of LCHS. It’s good to have continuity across both the Society and Carisbrook,” he says.

The announcement was made at an event at Carisbrook House, celebrating 50 years since Lane Cove Council purchased it for the community to enjoy.

Long time coming for HH Gallery A community gallery has opened its doors at the Hunters Hill Museum. The gallery has been a long time in the making as when the doors originally opened to the museum in 1967 by then Governor of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler, a plaque was unveiled marking the building as a Historical Museum and Art Gallery. However, the collection owned by caretakers, The Hunters Hill Historical Society (HHHS) was so small, the gallery failed to see materialise. In recent months, HHHS and HH Council have merged their works into a substantial collection of more than 70 paintings. The collection is now rotated on several walls in the museum, which is open 10am-12pm from Monday to Friday.

New incoming President Bill McLaughlin with Lane Cove Mayor Pam Palmer

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Wishbone Sydney hosts evening event with Sam Bloom Wishbone Sydney, the boutique in Hunters Hill Garibaldi Village, is hosting an outdoor evening event with Sam Bloom for the publication of her book, Heartache & Birdsong.

Heartache & Birdsong is the sequel to international bestseller Penguin Bloom, the miraculous tale of a baby magpie that helped save Sam and her family after an accident led to Sam suffering devastating and permanent injuries.

In her latest book, Sam tells her own story for the first time - written by close friend, New York Times bestselling author, Bradley Trevor Greive, and featuring extraordinary photographs taken by Sam’s husband, Cameron Bloom.

The event is the second in a series of inspirational talks hosted by Wishbone Sydney.

Tickets for the event, taking place on Wednesday December 9th, are on sale now through Eventbrite.

Be sure to arrive at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm start.

COVID-safe restrictions apply, so take along a facemask.

Emma Grimes, Michael Fitzgerald & Peter Louridas A family business, now in our 48th year in Lane Cove CONVEYANCING | WILLS & ESTATES | COMMERCIAL LEASING COMMERCIAL LAW | DEBT RECOVERY | GENERAL MATTERS

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LANE COVE AUTHORS STORIES

Win a copy of ‘Where the Dragons Live’

Lane Cove dad publishes book for girls who love STEM

Written and illustrated

by Lane Cove local Serena Geddes

Local author, Lane Cove dad and ex-Silicon Valley Exec Mick Liubinskas has written and published, ‘She’s Building A Robot’ - a fun, exciting, and inspiring book for girls who love STEM (science, tech, engineering and maths).

The book is complemented online by interviews with 25 inspirational women who work in STEM fields. You can find out more and watch those videos by logging on to shesbuildingarobot.com.

Mick is also co-author of a book called ‘Startup Focus’.

Lane Cove author and international children’s book illustrator Serena Geddes has just released her newest picture book ‘Where the Dragons Live’.

The sequel to the delightful Rosie and Rasmus series follows Rasmus to the island of dragons where he meets a new friend, but his new friend has no name…Serena is looking for someone to help name her newest dragon and this is where you can help – email your suggestion for a name, why you chose it, along with your name and the best way to contact you to: wtdlcompetition@gmail.com - entries close by December 18th. The winner gets a signed copy of the book and an original hand drawn illustration, so get your thinking caps on for a boy or girl named dragon and tell Serena why you chose it.

Good luck!

SELLING YOUR HOME IN 2021?

Throughout Covid-19, due to low levels of properties for sale, the property market experienced high buyer activity with strong auction clearance rates. In recent months, attendance at open for inspections was higher than anticipated and property house prices, in the local area, have remained strong. A shortage of stock has resulted in an abundance of buyers actively looking to purchase their dream home.

For those who have held off selling until 2021, there is likely to be pent-up demand next year, so it’s important to be ready and start preparing your home for sale and make it stand out from the competition.

• • • •

Start with de-cluttering and doing any repairs that may be needed Get renovations done especially if these will add to the sale price of your property Repaint and/or update the flooring Create a welcoming entrance by tidying up the garden

For further advice in preparing your property for sale in 2021 call me today on 0402 913 537 RECENT SALES BY HAZEL MCNAMARA

HAZEL MCNAMARA

Senior Sales Agent/JP

0402 913 537 EMAIL: hazelm@lanecove. rh.com.au SOLD Suburb Record

SOLD Prior to Auction

SOLD Off-Market

SOLD Off-Market

54 Malvern Avenue Roseville Chase

9 Delta Road Lane Cove

1a Bridge Street Lane Cove

3 Bridge Street Lane Cove

www.raineandhorne.com.au TVO 9

ASPECTS

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT WHERE? The Canopy

WHEN? Friday 27 November

Christmas greetings from the Canopy 10 TVO

LIFE'S RICH PATTERN

Naming Rights

BY LIZ FOSTER

Through reams of analysis pinpointing the ins and outs of the tightly run US election, I feel we’re overlooking the glaringly obvious. The electoral race was close not because of polarisation, voter fraud or division. It all came down to the candidates’ names.

The name Joe Biden conjures up a certain boy next door kind of image. Bridge players will tell you the trump card is the most powerful and defeats all the others.

Whereas Biden is an Anglo-Saxon name with roots to the name Button. And where there’s a danger of the incumbent’s first name forming an image of a white duck in a blue waistcoat, it’s redeemed by the Trump surname.

The Democrats must be thanking their lucky stars their candidate doesn’t go by Joe Button, who would surely be unable to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Fiction writers will tell you name choice is an essential tool to shape the character in the reader’s mind. If you want someone that’s smart, strong and resourceful, Katniss Everdeen is going to get you a lot further than Kylie Jones.

And you just know someone called Uriah Heap is never going to be likeable.

But surnames are a relatively new thing, first used by European nobility and wealthy landowners. Merchants, townspeople and eventually rural folk adopted the custom over several centuries until everyone had to have one (thank the good old Tax Man for that).

Smith is one of the most common surnames around because a smith made something, and there were a lot of them. There were blacksmiths, shoesmiths, arrowsmiths, swordsmiths and goldsmiths amongst others.

A greensmith worked with copper, a whitesmith with tin.

Sickle making was a big enough thing to have its own name – sicksmith.

But Smith is the just Anglo name version, as many other countries had their own names for their smiths, such as Faber (Latin), Schmidt (German), Gow (Celtic), Herrero (Spanish) and the East European Kovacs or Kowalski.

I’m sorry to report if you have a name associated with the church, like Abbott, Pope or Bishop, it was most likely your ancestor’s nickname, linked to play acting. And if your grandiose surname is in the plural form, like Squires,

Illustration by Grace Kopsiaftis your ancestor is the servant of the great man rather than the great man himself.

In Iceland, with few exceptions, a person’s last name indicates the first name of their father (patronymic) or in some cases mother (matronymic), followed by -son (‘son’) or -dóttir (‘daughter’). My Icelandic name by that reckoning would be Elizabeth Grahamdottir, which sounds rather grand if a bit of a mouthful.

But the Icelanders take their naming heritage very seriously. It’s so enshrined that until recently, any first names not previously used had to first be approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee. In 2016, the Naming Committee refused to accept the names of Duncan and Harriet Cardew—Icelandic-born children of a British father and an Icelandic mother—because their names did not meet the criteria for being added to the registry of approved names, causing all sorts of problems with the passport office.

But back to Donald, who’s continual claims of cheating and voter fraud have defined the end of his administration.

According to vocabulary.com, to ‘trump’ is to outrank or defeat someone or something, often in a highly public way. But the term ‘trump’ originally implied a deceptive form of victory involving cheating, though this has lapsed out of modern use.

Maybe Donald’s defining legacy can be its resurrection.

Liz Foster is a local writer and author. You can find more Life’s Rich Pattern features and more at www.lizfosterwriter.com TVO 11

MEET OUR LOCALS

interview: Jane De Graaff Jane De Graaff is a TV presenter, food & lifestyle writer, editor, and podcaster specialising in food and making it accessible to everyone. A born and bred Lane Covian, she has recently contributed to a fabulous new book called “Places We Swim Sydney” which reveals the city’s most well-known and most hidden swim spots. We caught up with Jane for a chat…

Jane De Graaff is a TV presenter, food & lifestyle writer, editor, and podcaster.

 You are a born and bred Lane Covian! Tell us about growing up in TVO’s motherland…

I lived in the same house for the first 19 years of my life on Howell Avenue. I love that Lane Cove is such a leafy suburb and I think that has deeply shaped the places that I feel at home in. My childhood is full of memories of hot summers with painfully blue skies, the smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of whirring lawnmowers, overlaid with the screech of rosellas and the stinging coldness of bombing into the pool. We had a very typical brick bungalow house and plenty of room to play. These days I live in an apartment, but I’m back in Lane Cove for all those reasons.  You left Lane Cove when you were grown-up enough to do so: where did you go and why?

I did what a lot of kids of my generation did – took a gap year living and working in the UK and travelling around Europe. I worked at a boarding school in Berkshire, UK to get a feel for misty mornings and then came back to Australia for university. I came right back to Lane Cove though. While I was at Uni I lived in Leichhardt and Camperdown before heading off to live in Melbourne for four years and really finding my feet as a food writer.  You’ve enjoyed a successful career as a food writer and TV presenter – was there a particular moment when you felt as though it all took off?

I was lucky enough to get my start as a published food writer while I was in Melbourne. I was working in a different area of media but had a deep longing to write about food.

I tell this story all the time, but I credit my husband for encouraging me to change my career. He literally looked at me and said, ‘someone is doing that job, why not you?’

It was a ‘put your money where your mouth is’ moment - in 12 TVO

the most supportive way. It felt then - and still does now - so right and is so completely fuelled by passion that I’ve never looked back.  Australia is often referred to as a ‘Foodie Nation’.

Have you seen particular food trends come to life during lockdown and the pandemic?

Oh! Have I ever?! There was the sourdough baking wave at the beginning; so much banana bread that it was a household staple, and of course there was whipped Dalgona coffee taking the internet by storm. I did a series of cooking videos for 9Honey and channel NINE during that time called ‘Quarantine Kitchen’ that were all about getting back to basics and cooking directly from the pantry.

The recipes that were most popular were the comforting and nostalgic recipes; lots of cheesy toasted sandwiches, steamed golden syrup puddings and hearty soups. The world around us all was such a terrifying mess, so to take some control we turned to recipes that made us feel safe and loved and that took our minds off the madness.  You moved back to Lane Cove recently – what was it that brought you back to your childhood territory?

I moved back to Lane Cove when I had babies and literally moved two streets away from the house I grew up in. Firstly, I wanted to be close to my mum and dad because they were still in Lane Cove and my mum was battling cancer.

Secondly because it felt safe and right and is a perfect place to raise a family. I loved my childhood and wanted to give something like it to my boys.  Lane Cove has burst to life with the arrival of the Canopy. Do you think the suburb has potential to become a food destination?

Absolutely. It has been happening slowly but steadily for years and a place like the Canopy - packed with new cafes and restaurants - has just highlighted that we’re all ready.

My favourite café is Birdwood in the Canopy and I’ll say that loudly and proudly. But I do love the open space and the way the new restaurants look onto the green and the playground. There are a lot of families in LC and anywhere that serves up good food for mum and dad while the kids can play nearby will certainly make family dinners a delight.  If you were to take visitors out for a local meal, where would you take them?

I do love a pizza at Via Napoli in Lane Cove, and we also often take visitors from out of town to The Deckhouse in Woolwich for breakfast, because of the gorgeous view onto the harbour.

 You have contributed to a fabulous book called ‘Places We Swim’ – can you tell us your favourite local place to swim?

I just love Chinaman’s beach. But don’t tell too many people… I wouldn’t want everyone to crash the party. And my other favourite secret is McCallum’s Pool on the harbour.

But again, part of its charm is that it’s so hidden.

You can find Jane De Graaff on 9Honey, Channel NINE, in the Canopy, Via Napoli, the Deckhouse and probably just in the shops staring longingly at food produce.

Special tip: her videos are well worth checking out too.

Released on 7 October 2020 from Hardie Grant Publishing, Places We Swim Sydney, is a city guide for water-loving people by Caroline Clements & Dillon Seitchik-Reardon.

Seriously - it’s a joy to look at, and is brimming with great tips.

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Sydney Water fined for polluting Lane Cove River Sydney Water has been convicted and penalised a total of $145,000 over sewage pollution in Lane Cove National Park and Lane Cove River. In July 2018, more than 64,000 litres of untreated sewage overflowed from a maintenance point in Lane Cove National Park at North Epping and was subsequently flushed into nearby bushland, a local creek, and Lane Cove River.

Instead of removing the sewage that remained in the bushland and creek, Sydney Water washed the raw sewage into the Lane Cove River.

Pictured L-R: Mark Allerton, Tony Downs, Local Commander Peter Dadd, Gary Akehurst, Unit Commander Louise Bertoni, Marty Gully, Russell Evans - SES team members Phil Petersen and Graeme Davis, received the citation, but are not pictured here.

Hunters Hill SES Volunteers recognised for bushfire work NSW SES volunteers from Hunters Hill, who assisted during the devastating bushfire season of 2019-2020, recently received the NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation in recognition of their contribution. The volunteers were used in many functions, including being deployed in Fire Control Centres, taking calls on the Bushfire Information Line and providing logistical support to the Rural Fire Service. Coupled with the bushfires, volunteers from Hunters Hill and Ryde deployed to ACT to assist with SES repair and making safe properties that were damaged by severe storms.

NEXT VISIT

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Gladesville RSL practises the responsible service of alcohol and the responsible conduct of gaming. Offers subject to change and available through Nov & Dec.

A glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel Could it be true? Since the last edition of TVO there have been signs of hope ….. by Adrienne Witteman As I write, Victoria is out of lockdown, South Australia’s looks to be mercifully short-lived, and New South Wales goes from strength to strength – tracing, managing and containing any outbreaks. The Northern Territory, Tasmania and Queensland are open.

Only West Australia continues to drag the line. I’m not sure I would be as polite as Gladys Berejiklian and Scott Morrison over the last 3 months in regard to the ridiculous political posturing of McGowan and Palaszczuk. Interestingly, many clients must feel the same way as several have told me they won’t be travelling to those states even when open, such is their frustration.

We are also soon to have a vaccine it seems. Yeah! But please do temper your enthusiasm with the realisation that it isn’t going to happen anytime soon. So while near-to-home options might open up early in 2021, without a bubble and/or a vaccination, you’re not going to be going anywhere far overseas soon.

That doesn’t mean you can’t go anywhere. You will have noticed the Holiday Here This Year campaign and indeed that is what you should consider. You don’t need to fly to have a fun holiday – we have some fabulous self-drive itineraries and small group tours on offer, many with experiences you may not know existed.

Now that museums and art galleries and restaurants are allowed increased numbers, many of you are enjoying Staycations in our own city of Sydney.

We expect there will be a surge of interest for similar in Adelaide and Melbourne and Hobart over the summer holidays. Deluxe hotels are bleeding so rates are keenly priced to encourage maximum occupancy and as many staff employed as possible.

Speaking from experience, each of these cities is a great base from which to explore and when you book with Trendsetter, many include a Virtuoso bonus $100 spending money.

What is really trending for 2021 are Broome & Kimberley/Northern Territory holidays, and domestic cruising along the top of Australia and down the east coast – and Antarctica/sub-Antarctica journeys.

Everyone is focussed on small. Fewer people and smaller vessels allow for a more intimate (and more Covidsafe) experience. There has never been a better time to explore these destinations and I expect availability to become very patchy in early 2021 so do book now.

At this time of the year, we are invariably asked about Christmas travel gifts and of course we can assist.

The easiest and most flexible is a Gift Travel Voucher, personalised from you and to the value of your choosing. Or

you could consider an Experience – for example a day trip to Antarctica or a day tour from a wide range of options such as a garden tours, history tours, food and wine tours and more.

WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! While 2020 has been an extraordinarily difficult year for the travel industry – Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre included – we are still here. And next year and beyond we will still be working hard for you our clients. We thank you sincerely for your support and good wishes, and look forward to assisting with your future travel requirements.

We wish you all a lovely Christmas and a significantly brighter and healthy 2021!

Adrienne & David, Andrea, Tanja and Judy

Please note that we are currently open reduced hours. Please email or call prior to visiting our store.

3 Northwood Road, Longueville

9428 5900

www.trendsettertravel.com.au TVO 15

found

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS French Suede + Leather Bag Denim Life 42 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove www.denimlife. com.au

The Lost + Found Department 9879 7254 thelostandfound department.com.au

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off entire purchase

The Definitive Bucket List

By Lee Atkinson 100s of holiday ideas for Australia and New Zealand Always Add Lemon

By Danielle Alvarez Nourishing recipes and inspiring kitchen projects.

Available in Wishbone Sydney, Garibaldi Village, Hunters Hill. First person to shop at Wishbone and show their December issue of TVO gets 10% off their entire purchase.

Beautiful flowers and gifts

natural - sustainable - organic Be.U Natural https://be-u.co/ Shop 10, 115-119 Longueville Rd. Lane Cove.

Gifts At Eden Gardens At Eden, gift giving is all about joy.

9418 6770 spotted orchid 1/44 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove www.spottedorchid.com.au

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Eden Gardens 8599 1940 307 307 Lane Cove Rd, Macquarie Park https://edengardens.com.au

Christmas Inspired Drinks For the whole family Home Made Eggnog (no booze)

Passionfruit, mango and orange fizz • • • • • •

thanks to www.

Taste.com

1 cup (140g) frozen diced mango 2 oranges, juiced 2 passionfruit, halved 1 cup crushed ice 2 cups (500ml) chilled sparkling mineral water Mint leaves, to serve

Blend mango and juiced oranges until smooth.

Transfer to jug and combine with passionfruit pulp.

Pour the mixture into serving glasses.

Top with ice, mineral water and mint leaves to serve.

• • • • • • • •

12 large eggs 1-1/2 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 8 cups whole milk, divided 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 cups whipping cream Additional nutmeg, optional

thanks to www.imperfectly happy.com

Whisk together eggs, sugar and salt.

Gradually add 4 cups milk; cook.

Stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160°/71c for 30-35 minutes. Do not allow to boil.

Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in vanilla, nutmeg and remaining milk.

Place bowl in an ice-water bath, stirring until milk mixture is cool. Refrigerate, covered, until cold for at least 3 hours.

To serve, beat cream until soft peaks form. Whisk gently into cooled milk mixture. If desired, sprinkle with additional nutmeg before serving.

little red robin restaurant & wine bar MODERN CONTEMPORARY DINING I A LA CARTE I DEGUSTATION WINE & COCKTAIL BAR I PRIVATE EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS Birdwood Lane, Lane Cove I littleredrobin.net.au

9418 9529

@littleredrobinrestaurant

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FEATURE STORY

Walk your way to wellness December and January: synonymous with indulgence, reflection, connections, and new beginnings. Walking as a pastime can weave magic through all of these and benefit our physical, mental and spiritual health. It can also boost our knowledge and lavish us with new learnings. Lane Cove and surrounds is brimming with walking tracks and walking groups to satisfy all our different needs.

WORDS: NICOLA RICHES

PHOTOS: SHAUNA FORREST

Mowbray Park River & Gum - S. Forrest

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Flannel Flower - S. Forrest

Y

Photo credit Anne Pauli

ou have no doubt come across countless articles about the physical benefits of walking. The magic number of 10,000 steps per day crops up in many health campaigns. Regular brisk walks are known to improve bone density. For women, walking helps regulate hormones and reduces the effects of menopause.

Walking, surprisingly, burns as much fat as running.

What is perhaps more interesting is the effects of walking on our mental health. The MindShift Foundation’s Clinical Psychologist Dr Lars Madsen notes five clear benefits: the reduction of stress; the release of endorphins to create feelings of happiness; the alleviation of anxiety; combatting insomnia and promoting melatonin release, and an increase selfworth. No-one feels bad for getting off the sofa and taking a walk around a local park, after all.

While many of us appreciate a solo walk and the quiet solitude it brings, walking in a group turbocharges all the mental health benefits listed above. Walking with others, says Madsen, “is an effective tool for promoting emotional wellbeing as it encourages interaction, social engagement as well as physical activity.

Walking is an inexpensive, low risk and accessible form of exercise, and combined with nature and a group setting, it is a powerful, under-utilised stress buster.”

Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy, run by Chaplain Karen Paull, organises three walking groups. Currently restricted to groups of 20 or less to comply with COVID restrictions, they include Wednesday’s Weekly Walk in

Blackman Park (pram and wheelchair friendly); Walk and Talk which sets out on a Sunday (with invitations to join longer walks organised by the group), and Walk and Wonder where the group meets on the third Sunday of each month and walks for 1.5 hours.

These groups are intergenerational and multicultural.

Many of the walkers are 50+, but there are also younger adults who take part. Anne Pauli, a member of the Chaplaincy walking groups, says that it is the social connection she enjoys, describing it as a “real treat” and being “good for the soul and the body”.

The mental health and spiritual aspects to walking are boosted by these groups.

Chaplain Karen sometimes helps facilitate a moment of contemplative practice during the walks, inspired by an ancient, indigenous ritual called Dadirri. Karen explains, “Dadirri is about listening deep within ourselves, and also to each other, life in dialogue. Listening with the heart. Listening with compassion and deep respect, a practice informed by community – where all people matter, and all people belong.”

One of the regular participants of the Chaplaincy walks, Heather Andrews, says, “I find being in the natural environment calming and a salve for my soul. When life is busy, it is such a blessing to slow the pace by walking and taking in the beauty of nature.”

Lane Cove and surrounding suburbs lends itself well to walking. The municipality has approximately 90 hectares

What is perhaps more interesting is the effects of walking on our mental health

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White-throated Treecreeper

Three recent Lane Cove bushwalk bird sightings

by Ted Nixon 1. Scarlet Honeyeater of bushland under the care, control and management of Council. There are around 625 species of indigenous plants among them several vegetation types such as wet and dry sclerophyll forest, heath land, mangroves and tidal flats. If you live in this area, you are never more than 500 metres from bushland. That is something to behold in itself.

While we may talk about the physical, mental health and spiritual benefits to walking, the pastime also offers us access to a massive bank of knowledge about our local, natural environment. For those keen to explore walking’s educational benefits, , Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society (LCBCS) is a good place to start.

Since its inception almost 50 years ago, LCBCS has been hosting bushwalks guided by experts in their fields of the natural environment to advance a love and understanding of our natural environment both locally and further afield.

Don Dove, a Society member, wrote the first ‘Bushwalks in Lane Cove’ book in 1982, which is now in its seventh edition.

The walks are enjoyed for their intrinsic beauty and pleasure, but with expert guides, participants get the extra benefit of learning the history and ecology of the locales.

Mark Wolff worked as a Bush Regenerator for more than three decades for Lane Cove Council, and now leads walks, on behalf of LCBCS, through Venteman’s Reach (beyond the BBQs at Blackman Park). LCBCS describes the areas as the “most expansive and diverse tidal wetland of the Lane Cove River”. Boardwalks through the mangroves keep your feet dry and enable a close-up look at the excellent birdlife, stunning native bushland, water views, sandstone outcrops, history, flora and fauna. On this stunning walk, Mark imparts his knowledge of salt tolerant She-oaks, Warrigal Greens, Eucalypts, Angophora and a beautiful

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A recent highlight was the sight of a male Scarlet Honeyeater at eye level, feeding in a shrub, apparently unconcerned by its audience. All too often these small honeyeaters are only seen flitting about in the tops of tall trees.

2. White-throated Treecreeper Another interesting recent find was a White-throated Treecreeper, which climbs tree trunks looking for grubs and other edibles on and under the bark. In contrast to most passerine birds, the Treecreeper has very long toes with curved claws, allowing it to better cling to the tree trunk.

3. Brown Gerygone While the birds lay low in the rain, we had some ‘hot spots’ when the weather cleared. A mixed hunting party of little birds provided an identification challenge as they moved swiftly from branch to branch. A highlight was a small warbler, the Brown Gerygone, its name coming from the ancient Greek for ‘born of song.’

Lane Cove Chaplain Karen Paull and Wednesday Walkers

It is never too late to start walking

under-storey of native plants and native orchids on the slopes. He explains that, due to the proximity of fresh water and fishing points, the area was valuable to the indigenous Gadigal peoples and for others, during the Depression, as evidenced by the concrete slab remains of makeshift houses.

Geologist John Martyn, author the ‘Field Guide to the Bushland of the Lane Cove Valley’ (2010) led what was the first, two-hour walk down the Fiddens Wharf Track in Lane Cove National Park last August. John’s explanations of the Gondwanan plant connections and beautiful rock patterns were a highlight, said participants, particularly when he revealed a 230 million-year-old ‘slump fold’ in a what appeared to be an ordinary rock.

Local bird authority Ted Nixon, past President of Birding NSW and Coordinator of NSW Bird Atlassers leads a three-hour Bellbird & River Bushwalk in Mowbray Park.

Ted estimates a total of 33 species of birds were seen and heard on one of his walks, including a Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Goshawk and King Parrots. “The advertised Bell Miners piped continuously, as they always do, and eventually everyone was able to spot them in the canopy,” he explained.

It is never too late to start walking. As Dr Lars Madsen says, “Walking for at least 30 minutes a day is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health and walk your way towards wellness.”

info:

• T o find out more about the Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy walks and or to book a place email: lanecovechaplain@gmail.com • If you would like to take part in a guided walk organised by LCBCS, email: lcbcs.correspondence@gmail.com

• Y ou can also join the Lane Cove Walking Group, which meets every Sunday at 7:30am (all levels and abilities welcome) at the entrance to Woolworths in the Plaza.

• B ushwalks Around Lane Cove (seventh edition) is available as a free download on the Council website

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Look out for our January digital edition

Thank you for being part of The Village Observer community.

We wish you and your family a safe and happy festive season.

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See you in 2021 for our January digital edition www.thevillageobserver.com.au Warm regards The Village Observer Team

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Love where you live Proudly bought to you by Lane Cove Council

2020: The Year of The Canopy In a year known for its challenges, it is reassuring to know that 2020 will also go down in history as the year Lane Cove embraced The Canopy.

The Canopy Periscope Credit Hamish McIntosh

This highly-anticipated public space was the vision of Lane Cove Council and has been well-utilised since it opened in June.

Recognising that surrounding shopping areas and commercial precincts have grown in scale and height, Lane Cove has focused on retaining the village look and feel. The Plaza has long been the focal point for the village and The Canopy has been designed to complement it by providing the only element missing in the village, a park.

Coming through the pedestrian connection from the Plaza to The Canopy, the first element is the new town square. It was inspired by the small squares in Europe, where people can sit and observe, pass through, enjoy fountains and the retail along the

edge. It is intended that the monthly Makers Markets may expand into the square along with other special events and equipment which can benefit from the flexibility of an open, hard surface that is central to the Village.

The Reflections entrance canopy is designed to be an iconic and flowing gateway which serves as an obvious entry and meeting point.

The reflective underside of the roof provides an artistic ‘periscope’ that visually connects the new park with the supermarkets below. The inclusion of the Green Wall helps to transition visitors from the underground level to the community park level.

The Village Green provides the opportunity for passive recreation and on occasions, performances. For many, the inclusion of grass provides a natural space to relax and the trees lining the walkway will ultimately provide dense shade to the western

sun in summer. It incorporates state of the art audio and visual equipment and a stage that extends to allow a full concert band to perform. Due to COVID-19 there have been restrictions on live performances however the first event is to be hosted on 29 November to celebrate the space. In time, an Australia Day event and movies in the park will provide a whole new experience with the quality that is now possible. These activities will be addition to activities and events which occur in the Plaza.

The Canopy playground is not your average neighbourhood playground, it has a different role. The equipment selected was intended to be ‘different’, incorporating height, water, sand, and timber unlike any other park in Lane Cove. It is designed to be a ’treat’ when visiting the village where children and parents can engage with the space. Consideration was given

>

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to fencing the playground, however, ultimately the decision was not to fully enclose it. The plentiful seating, including the deck to the southern restaurant tenancy and elevated sandstone edge which provides informal seating along the entire park, are all designed to allow easy surveillance for parents. Given the proximity of shops, the temptation to leave young children in a fenced area and go shopping was something to be avoided. There is approximately 40 metres between the playground and shared zone to provide a safety margin, should a child wander.

The design incorporates permanent shade sails for the area designed for younger children. For the area with equipment designed for older children, the arbor vegetation and other planting when established will ultimately provide shade. Children of this age are taught to be sun safe throughout their school lives and use of this area will require this until the vegetation is established.

The northern garden area is intended to be a quieter space. In time the dense planting along the main walkway will separate it from the rest of the park. It includes shelters and

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BBQs and a variety of smaller scale seating areas.

The Eat Street retail and shared zone activates Birdwood Lane and connect to the rest of the village.

The inclusion of a shared zone is designed to provide increased activity which prioritises pedestrians over vehicles, while still providing access for businesses and the shop-top residential units. Signage and rumble strips have been provided at intervals to remind vehicles to slow down.

RMS rules stipulate that there are no road lines, kerb or gutter in a Shared Zone to show that pedestrians and vehicles are equal. NSW road rules require drivers to travel at 10km/h or less and give way to pedestrians at all times. Council continues to investigate ways to help educate pedestrians and drivers to these new conditions.

Council is proud that The Canopy is also home to a range of features that promote an inclusive community.

Of note is Lane Cove’s first Changing Place, a change facility with adult change table, hoist, shower, peninsula door, which allows people with high support needs to fully participate in the community. There are just 136 of these facilities in Australia

and The Canopy Changing Place (at the northern end of P1) is the only one available in a public space on the North Shore.

In addition, there are bicycle end of trip facilities and racks at the northern end of P1, along with accessible toilets at each end of the park level. The amenities closest to the playground feature a Parents Room complete with nursing chairs and baby change facilities.

All connections to and pathways throughout The Canopy are at accessible grades, a huge improvement on the previous open-air car park which had a significant slope.

The Canopy Car Park includes 14 disabled, 16 Seniors and 8 Parents with Prams spaces located across the four levels of the underground car park which is supported by travelators and lifts to bring visitors to the retail and park levels.

For the latest information on The Canopy, visit www.thecanopylanecove.com.au

Councillor Pam Palmer, Mayor of Lane Cove P 0431 959 980

E mayor@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

DECEMBER 2020

As we enter the festive season I hope you find time to enjoy the special moments created with those around you this Christmas. It has been a challenging year however also one that has highlighted many reasons to be grateful for living here in Lane Cove. We have four new parks in Lane Cove, we completed The Canopy and opened the new outdoor pool, grandstand and youth centre. There are more new projects being rolled out in our community in 2021 and I look forward to sharing in the excitement of bringing these to you in the New Year.

Latest News

12ft Skiff Club: I am pleased to announce that works are scheduled to begin on the new deck and boat storage at the Club in the second quarter of 2021. The works will replace the previous buildings destroyed by fire at the Longueville site in 2018.

Council has been working with the Club to finalise the plans and has been providing temporary storage for the boats until the new structures are complete. Works will include installation of piles to support the new decking and amenities thereon.

More details will be made available on Council’s website in the new year.

Upgrade to Kingsford Smith Oval Pavilion: Council has recently completed upgrades to the Kingsford Smith Oval Pavilion and amenities partly funded a NSW Government Local Heritage Strategic Project Grant.

Works included renovations to the existing sporting storage and club facilities; renovation of the existing public toilets; reconstruction of timber steps and seating; additions for the purposes of grounds maintenance and club storage; and provision of a barbecue area and a graded path.

The YARN: I recently attended the opening of The YARN in Hunters Hill. This fantastic new library and community space is located at 64 Gladesville Road. Lane Cove Council’s Library team will be providing weekly storytime and Baby Bounce programs and will also provide a click and collect Library service for Hunters Hill residents.

Out and about in Lane Cove

Eyes on new nests: The finishing touches are being put on the Ventemans Reach Nest Box Program which is funded by a grant obtained by Sydney Wildlife. Four of the nest boxes will be monitored using solar-powered wildlife cameras – we have already had visits during the first week which is a great sign for our local environment.

Park Upgrades: A new quad swing set has replaced the older swing set at Pottery Green Oval while new equipment has been ordered for Longueville Park ahead of works commencing on the playground upgrade in early 2021. A new cricket wicket has been installed at Burns Bay Reserve in time for the current season.

New Traffic Lights: The roundabout has been removed at the corner of Tambourine Bay Road and Burns Bay Road with construction of the new lights on track for completion in Autumn 2021. The lights will help improve pedestrian access at this busy intersection.

New Years Eve: At the time of going to print, the New Year’s Eve fireworks were still taking place, but at midnight only. For the latest information on how to participate safely in New Years Eve celebrations and details of any road closures, visit: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/nye

Caring for our community

Australia Day: Council has been successful in receiving a grant to help make sure its Australia Day activities are COVID-Safe. I hope you can join us for outdoor celebrations at The Canopy. For details of Council’s Australia Day activities, visit: www. lanecove.nsw.gov.au/australiaday at the end of the month.

Vale Councillor Deborah Hutchens: On behalf of Lane Cove Council I would like to acknowledge Deb’s service to the Lane Cove Community. My fellow Councillors, Council staff and the community have expressed their sadness in Deb’s passing and we extend our thoughts to Deb’s family and friends. Deb joined Council in 2012 and was Mayor from 20152017. She played a key role in The Canopy development and a seat will be dedicated to her at this location in the Village she loved.

Did you know?

Council offers a free Christmas Tree disposal service each year during early January.

The dates and instructions for this drop-off service will be available on Council’s website later this month.

Please note that if you do not use this service then you will need to make sure that trees are trimmed to the lengths and widths required for your regular green waste service.

For details visit : www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ greenwaste.

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What’s on Lane Cove December Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events Community

Red Ribbon Luncheon- Pop on a red outfit, cook up a redthemed meal and join us for an online Red Ribbon luncheon to commemorate World AIDS Day with Paul Caleo from Positive Life NSW. Tuesday 1 December, 12:00pm – 12:45pm, online via Zoom, registrations essential

Library

Learn to love your laptop - Join in a two-lesson program on Windows 10 to help you feel more confident using your laptop. In friendly, small group sessions you will learn to navigate around the screen, keyboard and mouse, with basic shortcuts to get you started. Bring your own laptop.

Wednesday 2 and 9 December, 10:00am – 11:30am, Lane Cove Library, registrations essential

In Conversation with Mary Li - You’re invited to this free online experience with internationally acclaimed ballet dancer and author Mary Li as she discusses her memoir.

Mary’s Last Dance is a powerful and uplifting memoir about chasing an impossible dream and of sacrificing ambition for the child who needs you. An unforgettable tale of passion, dedication and devotion. The long-awaited sequel to her husband Li Cunxin’s bestselling memoir Mao’s Last Dancer.

This event is a collaboration between NSW Public Libraries.

Thursday 10 December, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, online via Zoom, registrations essential

Holiday Reading Challenge for Adults Relax and read your way through summer this year. Choose your books from the suggested topics and you could win.

For every 5 books completed you will automatically be entered in the draw to win prizes!

Find out more: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library Tuesday 1 December 2020 – Sunday 31 January 2021 Summer Reading Club for ages 1 – 17 For every 5 book reviews you enter you will receive a luckydip prize and the chance to win a big prize at the end of the holidays. Reviews can be written or drawn as a picture.

There are also challenge activity sheets to finish throughout the holidays.

Find out more: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library Thursday 26 November – 31 January 2021

Lane Cove Youth

End of Year Skate Jam - Come and say farewell to 2020!

The team from TOTEM Skateboarding are coming out for an end of year skate jam. Great food, prizes and giveaways!

Ages 11-18. Due to restrictions, there is a total capacity of 30 young people in the Centre.

Saturday 12 December, 1:00pm – 6:00pm, skate jam between 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Lane Cove Youth Centre, 8 Little Street, Lane Cove, no bookings required

LANE COVE PHOTO COMPETITION - LANE COVE GOES GREEN FOR CHRISTMAS Enter the Lane Cove Green Xmas photo competition and go in the draw to win great prizes by uploading your images of creative, sustainable Christmas ideas to Instagram and tagging @lanecovecouncil and #LCGreenXmas.

TREE OF JOY 20 November – 9 December Share Christmas joy with those who are less fortunate by selecting a gift tag from the Tree of Joy. Donate your gift at the Lane Cove Civic Centre and Library foyers.

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CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FOR ADULTS Lane Cove Library: Tuesday 1 December, 6:00pm – 8:00pm The Yarn Hunters Hill: Tuesday 8 December, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Bookings essential at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

FUN FRIDAYS ONLINE WORKSHOP – POM POM SNOWMAN Available on Council’s Facebook page from Friday 4 December, 3:30pm For the full Christmas program visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/christmas

Vale Paul Murphy Paul Murphy AM, a pioneer of Australian broadcast journalism and a long-time Riverview resident, passed away in October at the age of 77.

Friends Allan Hogan and Ian Macintosh pay tribute.

P

aul was not just a pioneer, but a trailblazer, whose skills as a presenter, interviewer, and reporter were widely admired and emulated by his peers.

Whilst Paul’s storied career in broadcast journalism brought him into contact with countless of his fellow Australians, he and his wife Kay were also long-time Riverview residents. They had lived in Riverview’s Taleeban Road from 1979 before moving ‘around the corner’ to Carranya Road six years later.

A familiar presence around the suburb, Paul always found time to yarn with the neighbours and passers-by. The epicentre of his retirement years was the morning coffee session up the road, out at York’s Corner. There he held court with an informal, eclectic ‘coffee club’ of equals.

The world was put to rights, often with Paul in the thick of proceedings. His friend Cathy Wilcox paid tribute to him with a cartoon in the Sydney Morning Herald.

In 1967 Paul was one of the first reporters on “AM”, and after a stint as Staff Correspondent in the ABCs London office, he returned to Australia as a reporter on “This Day Tonight”, then later “Nationwide” before becoming the presenter of “PM” and at the same time the first presenter of the SBS TV program “Dateline”.

His work on these programs made him an authoritative figure in Australian public broadcasting. His deep resonant voice and skilled interviewing technique were the hallmark of his trade, but his talent was not confined to the studio.

In 1990 he gained exclusive access to the Mururoa atoll to report on the damage caused by the French nuclear testing program, and in 1995 he conducted a rare interview with Robert Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe.

He was recognised for his service to public broadcasting in 2000 with a Walkley Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.

Paul had a wonderful sense of humour, and was a gifted mimic, and would combine these talents to entertain friends with unpublishable stories of off-air conversations with the great and powerful. He told the hilarious story of a late night phone call with a former Prime Minister in which the former PM had given Paul a free and unflattering analysis of his performance on “PM” that evening.

During his last weeks, Paul was enormously pleased to receive a letter from that Prime Minister, Paul Keating, who wrote: “You brought to public broadcasting everything that was good about the integrity of the public process – directing the course of information to a broadly conscientious public.” At Paul’s funeral Mr Keating added to those thoughts: “His line of inquiry always had structure, always with objectivity and, importantly, he managed an air of detachment. He was a great servant of the public interest of Australia.”

Paul, a much-loved Riverview local, will be sorely missed in his community. His legacy and class live on over coffee at York’s Corner most days.

Cartoon by Cathy Wilcox in honour of Paul.

Reproduced with permission.

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Christmas: who does it better?

The first COVID Christmas means the season to be jolly will look and feel a lot different for most Australians this year. But for tens of thousands of immigrants it will quite literally be a world away from the type of festivities they are used to.

WORDS: TRACEY PORTER

F

rom cheesecake and clerico to panettone and prawns, the rituals many Australians adopt in the lead up to Christmas are anything but traditional.

For those who have grown up here, the silly season invariably involves a mixture of surfing santas, drinks with neighbours, festive road trips, backyard cricket and an abundance of seafood platters.

Enclosed footwear is as rare as a cold barbecue and a warm beer and locating an empty esky nigh on impossible.

A far cry from the romantic snowladen, garish festive jumper-wearing, sleighbell-ringing, carol-singing, mulled wine-swigging, turducken-chomping festivities that advent calendars and cheesy television commercials would have us believe represents a traditional Chrissy.

But for the 7.5 million migrants (or one third of us) who were born overseas, the combination of summer and seafood means it will never replicate the Christmases of their birthplace.

Christmas changed dramatically for then 11-year-old Vera Luczo, when her family emigrated to Australia from a small Serbian village, where they lived in poverty.

For a start, in Serbia, Christmas is on January 7, as per the prevailing religion of Serbian Orthodox Christianity.

Vera says her family could not afford a Christmas Tree 28 TVO

so had to make do with breaking a small branch off a tree and wrapping it in foil. The children would hang wrapped lollies and walnuts tied with string on the branch for decorations.

Traditions included the throwing of lollies and walnuts into the corners of the rooms for good luck, and the giving of a small gift, such as a lolly or a towel, to the first person to walk into your house on the belated Christmas Day, Vera recalls.

There was never money for a true feast, but her parents always made the table special – if it was finding a bit of smoked meat for the cabbage rolls or killing a chicken for fresh chicken soup – both big treats. If the kids got a banana or orange for Christmas they were delighted, she says.

After settling in Australia, the family kept marking January 7, with December 25 becoming an added bonus.

After all, who would say no to two Christmases’?

Vera says her favourite things about Christmas in Australia are in the build-up – all the decorations and Christmas music. Her memory of Serbian Christmas music is limited to harmonica tunes.

Vera’s husband Steve spent his first 11 years in a small Hungarian village, before his family immigrated to Australia in search of better job opportunities.

‘the rituals many Australians adopt in the lead up to Christmas are anything but traditional’

Hungarian Christmas traditions are very similar to Australian ones, with Santa Claus coming down the chimney to leave the presents and crackers on the table.

The family would get a tree a few weeks before Christmas, which would be decorated with lollies, real candles, baubles and tinsel. During the two-week school holiday he remembers building castles and snowmen, and listening to door-to-door carol singers and sleighs – drawn by horses, rather than Rudolph and his mates, with bells appropriately jingling.

The Luczo family Christmas meal would include any meats they could afford, including pork, chicken, perhaps a turkey and lots of vegetables. It also wouldn’t be a Hungarian Christmas without soup. Christmas sweet treats would include wafers, sweet balls and other local pastries.

Apart from the weather, Christmas in Australia was similar to what he knew, but “on steroids” in terms of excess and money spent compared to his homeland. After so long in his adopted country, Steve now believes the best thing about an Australian Christmas is the sheer variety of food that can be had at this time of year.

Like the Luczo’s, Paraguayan Patricia McCusker has lived in Australia for some time now. Despite this, she still finds it difficult to reconcile an Australian Christmas with the Paraguayan style of doing things.

Most Paraguayan families celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, she says, with the main meal consisting

of turkey, ham, chicken, beef, rice, potatoes, salads and a unique cheesy corn bread called Sopa Paraguaya. Lots of drinks are consumed, including Clerico, a specialty alcoholic punch.

The evening commences with Midnight mass before the opening of presents is allowed. It concludes with Latin dancing until the wee hours.

Patricia says while she loves the Australian way of doing things, she does find it a little odd that there is generally no hot food in sight.

“It’s just salads, cold chicken, cold ham, prawns etc because of the summer heat. This is despite the fact that Paraguay has 40-degree plus heat and 90% humidity but they still manage to cook and eat hot food at Christmas and in the summer heat.”

Sharon Butterworth, who was born in the UK but is about to spend her first Christmas back in old blighty after 25-plus years in Australia, says while she remains a big fan of some Australian Christmas traditions – such as pavlova and a champagne breakfast – she’s not sure her mother ever quite adapted to Yuletide Oz-style.

“For the first couple of years we were out there Mum insisted on keeping up our previous tradition of decorating our windows with a snow scene, complete with black tape to create olde-style windows.

“[Now that I think about it] it did look quite odd in the 30-degree temperatures.”

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Achieving a great smile with dental implants

BY DR ANDREW SEE

BDS Hons (Syd), FRACDS, MSc(Lond), PGDipDentImplantology, MFGDP(UK), FICOI

Thanks to advances in dentistry, dental implants are today considered the standard of care for many oral conditions, and the best alternative to natural teeth or dentures for many who have lost or are about to lose their teeth.

A dental implant is a small titanium fixture that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, when implants are placed in the upper or lower jaw, they fuse with the bone and thus serve as anchors for the replacement teeth.

ALL-ON-4 The term ‘ALL-ON-4’ refers to the replacement of ALL teeth ON FOUR dental implants which support them.

It is a modern technique where the back implants are tilted 15º to 45º to provide the required support for total rehabilitation. The tilting the back of implants helps overcome bone deficiencies often found in the back of the jaws and most often avoids the need for bone grafting.

Since fewer implants are used than older, less advanced methods, there is little to compromise the achievement of optimal results. It also allows for simpler longterm maintenance and uncomplicated cleaning.

Aesthetic Gum Replacement For good aesthetics in a smile there needs to be harmony between the teeth,

gums and the lips. In most patients who have lost or are about to lose their teeth, the gums lose their form and symmetry from gum disease or recession.

In such cases, ‘aesthetic gum replacement’ is the only predictable way to restore healthy proportions and harmony required for a natural looking smile.

All-On-4 incorporates an Alveolectomy procedure to help achieve this.

Alveolectomy is the reduction or reshaping of the underlying bone, which serves to create the required space for ‘aesthetic gum replacement’. It also creates a flat gum interface, which simplifies the cleaning process. The improved

Dr Andrew See is a key opinion leader in the areas of Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry. His practice in Hunters Hill, Sydney is focused on aesthetic rehabilitation and implant dentistry. 9816 4885 www.advanceddentistry sydney.com.au

restorative space facilitates the design and positioning of the implant-supported replacement teeth thus allowing for optimal appearance.

Implant-supported replacement teeth are aimed to look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink normally with renewed confidence.

Those pesky niggles It is common to hear people say to us I have been having pain or stiffness for a while, but they haven’t done anything about it. When their pain or stiffness worsen so it is significantly limiting their ability to do the things they want to do in life; they then come in for treatment. Similarly, people sometimes think their problems aren’t bad enough to seek physiotherapy treatment.

At Burns Bay Physiotherapy our physiotherapists are experts in understanding and helping pain and movement. We can help you whether your pain is severe, or it is a niggle or stiffness that annoys you or stops you from doing the activities you want to do with ease.

Stiffness is a good example of a problem that people often dismiss and think the answer is to stretch more or have more massages. Neither of these approaches address the reasons behind the problem. That is where high quality Physiotherapy can help. We can assess and treat these problems. We can assess where there is less than ideal movement patterns, your muscles, joints and nerves and then how these components interact with each other. From there we can develop a plan of management that works for you.

BURNS BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY 161 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove P: 9427 8333 E: info@burnsbayphysiotherapy.com.au

www.burnsbayphysiotherapy.com.au Ann 30 TVO

Jill

Kirsty

WELL BEING

Does an apple a day keep the Doctor away?

We’ve all heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Apparently, the phrase has Welsh origins and originally read: “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread”.

According to that most reliable of sources, Wikipedia, there are examples of the phrase being used in print in the late 1800s.

Highly-sceptical of this phrase we may be, but in 2015, three US Doctors (Matthew A. Davis, DC, MPH, PhD, Julie P.W. Bynum, MD, MPH, and Brenda E. Sirovich, MD,MS) embarked on a study: “The Association Between Apple Consumption and Physician Visits.”

Of 8399 eligible study participants who took part in the study, 753 adult apple eaters were identified (one small apple per day). From this, they deduced that apple eaters had higher educational attainment, were more likely to be from a racial or ethnic minority and were less likely to smoke.

However, final evidence did not support that an apple a day keeps the doctor away; the small fraction of US adults who eat an apple a day do appear to use fewer prescription medications. There were no differences seen in overnight hospital stay or mental health visits.

No excuse to avoid the apples….

One medium apple provides the following nutrients • • • • • • •

Calories: 95 Carbs: 25 grams Fiber: 4.5 grams Vitamin C: 9% of the Daily Value (DV) Copper: 5% of the DV Potassium: 4% of the DV Vitamin K: 3% of the DV

Healthline suggests that apples have also been linked to several other health benefits: • Support weight loss. Due to their fibre content, apples have been shown to promote feelings of

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fullness, decrease calorie intake, and increase weight loss.

• Improve bone health. Human, animal, and test-tube studies have found that eating a higher amount of fruit could be associated with increased bone mineral density and a lower risk of osteoporosis.

• Promote brain function. Animal studies suggest that eating apples could help reduce oxidative stress, prevent mental decline, and slow signs of ageing.

• Reduce the risk of diabetes.

According to one large review, eating one apple per day was tied to a 28% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared with not eating any apples at all.

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TVO 31

Is 2021 the year for a change of mindset?

This year has been tough, revealing that many of us would benefit from caring for our mental health in the same way we might our physical health. Perhaps it is time to re-appraise psychologists and their benefits, viewing their practice as akin to a check-up at the GP, or a training session with a personal trainer, only this time for the purposes of mental wellbeing.

This year, many of us have realised that looking after our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health. Registered Psychologist Melinda Barone says, “I am seeing more people who are taking a proactive approach to their mental health and not waiting for a crisis before they come in and this is something to encourage.”

A vital change in 2020 has been improvement in accessibility for psychological services. The availability of telehealth/video appointments, along with Federal funding to support people with Mental Health Care Plans to access partial rebates (up to 20 therapy sessions) is a game-changer for many people.

In the past, it was common to think that mental health support was only required when you reached a crisis. Today there is recognition that early support can prevent more serious impacts to mental health down the track. Ms Barone says a good barometer of wellbeing is asking yourself questions such as,

‘Am I finding it more difficult to cope with daily life?’ ‘Are my relationships challenging?’ and ‘Am I maintaining my values and self-esteem?’

Some of the benefits of seeing a psychologist can include a chance to find unbiased support; prevent ‘bumps’ from becoming ‘crashes’; reducing self-defeating thoughts; developing resilience; managing stress; mastering impulse control and building healthy boundaries.

Typically, psychologists see individuals (children, teenagers and adults) as well as couples and families.

Most will have a focus on specific treating areas. Don’t be afraid to diarise regular attendances to keep in a healthy state of mind.

Ramsay Psychology St Leonards MELINDA BARONE Registered Psychologist

SHARON CASHEL Clinical Psychologist

JOSEPHINE LAURIA Registered Psychologist

- Mood & Anxiety Disorders - Addiction - Sleep Disorders - Personality Disorders

- Children & Adults - Mood & Anxiety Disorders - Eating Disorders - ADHD & Autism

- Mood & Anxiety Disorders - Adolescents & Young Adults - Post-Natal Depression - Mood & Anxiety Disorders - Chronic Pain - Self-identity & Self-harm - Trauma & PTSD - Psychometric Testing

JENNA LAROQUE Registered Psychologist

AILEEN LUO Registered Psychologist

ANUSHA RAMCHURN Registered Psychologist

EMILY UPTON Clinical Psychologist

ANDREW WU Registered Psychologist

- Depression & Anxiety - Complex Trauma - Attachment Difficulties - Psychometric Testing

- Addiction - Complex Presentations - Mood Disorders - Interpersonal Development

- Adolescents & Young Adults - Mood & Anxiety Disorders - OCD - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

- Mood & Anxiety Disorders - Relationship Counselling - Eating Disorders - Addictions

ramsaypsychology.com.au 32 TVO

At Ramsay Psychology St Leonards our experienced and trusted psychologists provide therapy sessions for children, teenagers, adults, couples and families.

Our team has the depth and diversity to support most mental health challenges and concerns.

To book an appointment call our friendly team on 1300 171 715, email enquiries@ramsaypsychology.com.au or fill out an enquiry form at ramsaypsychology.com.au.

Both face-to-face and video conferencing appointments are available.

Gifting ideas Cafe Christmas

lunch

Gather your friends or family and book your end of year Christmas lunch in our garden cafe.

Our delicious menu includes all the classics like seafood and turkey along with all the trimmings.

A 2 hour unlimited beverage package is also included.

Reservations are essential and minimum table of 6 required.

Plants, pots & contemporary homewares along with fully licensed cafe. Open 7 days A place where passion, creativity and knowledge for all things gardening is celebrated.

307 Lane Cove Road (cnr Fontenoy Road) Macquarie Park Ph: 02 9491 9900 Follow us on

eden gardens macquarie park

eden_macquariepark

edengardens.com.au TVO 33

art

Cloudzones: Two Precious Minutes of Nothing

An upcoming exhibition by Lane Cove artist Paul Bennett

PAUL BENNETT

P

aul and his wife Tutti are familiar faces in Lane Cove. We have featured them in the pages of TVO before as their eclectic, colourful style and warm, smiling faces gets them noticed on the Village’s streets.

Artistry has propelled Paul’s entire life, from playing violin in the Queensland’s Musica Viva Society Orchestra, to a scholarship at the London College of Printing in the early 70s, to a life working with Tutti running their own advertising agency.

Ups and downs have never stymied their shared passion for art, style, knowledge, travel and fun.

In official retirement, Paul took to music, writing and painting. He is author of the book “The Cranky Guru: adventures in metaphysics” where he divulges his playful and funny take on our place in the universe. He also plays violin with the ‘Road Captains’ Blues and Country duo. But it is painting and sculpture – a gift given to him by his artist father – where his ideas really take off.

Paul’s upcoming Gallery Lane Cove exhibition is underpinned by one crucial piece of inspiration - his desire to gift the viewer “two precious minutes of nothing” where we can disconnect ourselves from our fast-paced lives and spend time contemplating something bigger than ourselves.

Paul’s work has timeless, beautiful quality; exploring air, wind, fire, water.

The poignancy of his work, so soon after the bushfires and lockdown, is inescapable. It is as though his works are symbiotic, and empathetic with 34 TVO

us and our environment. But the theme that encapsulates his work, “two precious minutes of nothing”, is eerily prophetic. Here is an artist who asks us to delve into silence; into nothingness; into stillness in order that we can be revitalised and rewarded.

Cloudzones: Two Precious Minutes of Nothing opens on 9 December 2020 at Gallery Lane Cove and will run until 19 December, before re-opening 4 – 16 January 2021.

Paul will give an artist talk on Saturday 12 December at Gallery Lane Cove from 11am – 12pm. Booking is essential: paulbennett-artists-talk.eventbrite. com.au

LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Margaret Vickers Do you find Lane Cove and surrounds a supportive place for artists and creators?

Lane Cove’s proximity to the beautiful waterways of our harbour and bushland explain why so many artists throughout history have found inspiration ‘on their doorstep’.

However, overdevelopment is threatening the very fabric that attracted artists to this area. Lane Cove also has a very welcoming art society which was established in the mid-1960s.

Waterlines by Margaret Vickers

Can you describe to us the type of artist you are, and the medium you work in?

Watercolour, mixed media and printmaking are central to my art practice. When I want to capture the beauty of a landscape, watercolour and mixed media are generally used. Printmaking with all its different techniques allows me to pull concepts and ideas through the printing press.

What motivates and inspires you?

Inspiration is everywhere. For me, when the “wow” factor happens I respond. Nature can provide outstanding inspiration as too can current issues such as climate change and land clearing. Natural patterns and textures also attract my attention.

Where did you learn your craft, or is it something you were blessed with?

After stepping away from my early career in education, art provided some sanity in the family raising stage of life. Botanical art was my starting point. Representational marks have now been replaced by raw, scratchy and often abstract marks. Many workshops followed but it was my time at the National Art School (NAS) between 2010 – 2012 that was particularly interesting. I learned to really see the world and it opened up the rich and stimulating world of art history.

I appreciated the encouragement from local printmaker Bernhardine Mueller post-NAS. She was a generous teacher and wonderful mentor.

Do you believe there should be more support for the arts, and if so, how would that manifest? a) Maitland Regional Gallery devoted the whole of January 2020 to a celebration of art. Every workshop was free to the general public. Art was accessible to everyone. b) Established artists could mentor other artists c) Mosman Art Gallery has a noticeboard near the main road at Spit Junction. The Corso would be an ideal place for a similar noticeboard.

How would we go about seeing your works?

I regularly exhibit with the Lane Cove Art Society. I aslo have a website www.margvickers.com that does give you some idea of the style of my artwork. From 19th January until the 30th January 2021 I will be having an exhibition at Gallery Lane Cove. Coastlines are my focus. I would love to see you there.

Which artists inspire you?

Betty Churcher for her egalitarian view of art and her communication skills. Matisse and Margaret Woodward for their compositional expertise and tonal colour application. Fred Williams and John Wolseley for their abstraction of the landscape. Corot and Lloyd Rees made exquisite ‘felt’ marks.

Our First Nations artists have finally gained the international recognition they deserve.

Margaret is a member of Lane Cove Art Society which meets on the fourth Thursday of the month where an artist gives a demonstration. Meetings start at 7pm at the Living and Leisure Centre, 180 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove (no meetings in Dec/Jan)

LISTINGS My Mother My Muse

Thea Weiss 9 December 2020 (Opening night) - 16 January 2021 A solo exhibition of prints, paintings and sculptures that revolves around the subject of the artist’s mother Anne Wolfson.

In Conversation:

Life Re-Gifted, Thea Weiss with Dr Leo Robba Saturday 12 December 1:30pm

Drawn to the Edge - Coastlines

Margaret Vickers 19 Jan – 30 Jan 2021 (Opening night – 20 January) Drawn to the Edge-Coastlines is a compilation of images that have attracted the artist’s eye over the last 12 months. Climate change, current issues and the beauty of the coastline is featured.

Far Horizons, Jewel Seas

Diana Borinski 19 Jan – 30 Jan 2021 (Opening night – 20 January) The artist’s series of paintings is inspired and invigorated by the love of the ocean. The seascapes of Sydney and Northern NSW with their scale and diversity of forms, textures and vibrant colours ask the painter for a delicate balance between technique and a creative flow, echoing the boundless energy of air and water.

In Conversation:

with Margaret Vickers and Diana Borinski Saturday 23 January 11am Hear about each of the artist’s practice and then a discussion about their different approaches to the theme of coastlines and seascapes.

(All events have COVID safe measures in place, limited numbers, registration essential, free to attend) The gallery will be closed between 20 December 2020 – 3 January 2021.

Exhibition will resume from 4 January 2021.

TVO 35

story N

o, I’m not going out again. I’m staying right here, thought Jake closing both eyes and settling back into his nap. His face and body were being gently warmed by the sunlight streaming through the French windows; his favourite spot for this time of the day. Besides, he and the others had decided that they were on strike until walk times resumed normality. Charlie had explained the concept and they had committed to refraining from their usual duties.

Her footsteps were getting louder, thudding across the wooden floor.

They stopped with a squeak of trainer on laminate. Then Jake felt his skin tighten as she began to drag him across the floor.

I’m staying here. You go out if you want. I don’t have to go with you. You used to leave me here alone while you went out, and you were gone all day. I was ecstatic when you returned, thought Jake as his body began to slide a couple of inches towards the front door. Not being propelled by one’s own volition was a most unusual sensation. He sank his weight into the floor and the movement stopped.

Her muffled voice was getting louder and shriller. He shifted his head and opened one eye. What little he could see of her face was turning pink. Her green eyes blazed above the face covering. She kept glancing over to that rectangular silver-coloured toy.

She was obsessed with that one. It talked to her all day and sometimes Toby’s voice talked from it. It was usually in that corner, where he wasn’t allowed anymore. She was usually angry over there. That’s why he liked it over here… sigh. He was thrilled when she started staying home, especially since Toby left. If only Toby was here. I shouldn’t have a favourite, he thought, but Toby’s special. The footsteps retreated, so Jake settled back down again. Peace at last, let sleeping dog lie, he thought.

A heavenly sausage aroma accompanied the returning footsteps.

Jake lifted his head and grinned, as drool began to pool on the floor. He stood up and padded towards the sausage treat she brandished as she moved towards the door. Sneaky and a tad unoriginal, but I’ll go with it. The 36 TVO

JAKE AND SAL BY JANINE FOLEY

others will understand, thought Jake.

She grabbed the small rectangular black talky toy, with which she was also obsessed, as the keys rattled and the leash clicked into place. The scent of eucalyptus was strong as he padded into the warm sunlight.

At the park, Jake spotted the others. Bailey, lured by a bacon treat; Ruby, chasing her beloved tennis ball, and Charlie, the champion of the strike idea, was attempting to hide behind a tree. We have no resolve, no backbone. Just as well we’re not running the country, thought Jake while wagging his tail.

Sal’s mask made her skin feel warm, each breath warming it further.

It was uncomfortable, but necessary.

She relished this half hour break, scheduled in between Zoom meetings.

The work day blurred into home life these days, but this trip to the nearby park gave her a sense of freedom and normality. The vet said that Jake needed to lose a bit of weight and that regular exercise would help the arthritis in his poor old legs. When they first brought him home all those years ago for a delighted ten-year-old Toby, Jake had been a lively bundle of blonde fur with a grin as wide as Toby’s. Those happy, carefree days seemed a lifetime ago.

Sal’s beloved husband, Brian, had been gone five years now. His big, generous heart finally gave in after years of struggle. While her world crumbled, their time spent at the cardiac ward had inspired young Toby to become a nurse. He said that he wanted to help people, day in, day out. He wanted to be there to help

them get well again. That was Toby, completely unselfish and generous like his father. She was so very proud of him, but also beside herself with worry.

After qualifying, Toby had moved to Melbourne to take his first nursing role and was now working on the frontline.

She looked again at the photo he had messaged her weeks ago. A Tobyshaped hazmat suit wearing a face mask and face shield from which his unmistakable hazel eyes smiled. Of course, the photo was his attempt to reassure her, but the reality of his nursing life on the frontline had hit her hard. Tears regularly soaked her pillow as she cried herself to sleep. He tried to phone every Thursday night, usually quite late, and she found herself struggling to settle until she had spoken to him, or preferably, seen him on a Zoom call. Jake would join her, wagging his tale and grinning at the sound of Toby’s voice. “Please keep him safe,” she found herself saying aloud to an anonymous deity who might be listening. Some people are like the petals of a flower blown in the wind, they fall apart easily, she thought.

She liked to think she was strong, but losing Toby... Tears began to sting her eyes. Jake nudged her hand gently, his brown eyes gazing up at her, and his familiar grin prompting her to return a smile. She stroked his silky ears. A kookaburra laughed its loud whooping cackle, which carried from a distant gum tree. The mobile phone buzzed again. Three more messages. It was time to get back to work.

Reassuring snores arose from Jake’s dog bed, while one of his back legs kicked out from time to time. Sal brandished the remote as she clicked impatiently through the TV channels.

It was Thursday night and, as usual, she was struggling to settle. She had turned the volume up loud on her mobile phone to make sure that she heard Toby’s call; if he was able to call.

The situation in Melbourne was worse than ever, as the media reminded her regularly. There’s never anything to cheer us up on TV, she lamented.

Switching to Netflix, she began browsing again. The mobile phone buzzed. Sal checked the message: Hi Mum, Zoom call at 10.00pm? Half an hour until Toby’s call. Sal replied

“Fine, love Mum xxx” and fetched the laptop before trying to concentrate on an episode of Seinfeld.

At 10.00pm, the laptop sprang to life and Toby’s oval face and beaming smile filled the screen. He looks so much like Brian now; he would be so proud, thought Sal. “Hi Mum.” “Hello Toby love, how are you?

The TV news says it’s terrible there in Melbourne,” her voice full of concern.

She blinked at her appearance in the little square at the top of the screen.

She looked so old. Missing her regular trips to the hairdresser was clearly taking its toll.

“It’s busy,” replied Toby. “Long shifts, but I’m learning loads and the team’s fantastic. We’re really making a difference.”

Sal fought back the tears. Jake was awake now and padded across at the sound of Toby’s voice, so Sal turned the laptop’s camera towards the old

Golden Retriever.

“There he is. Hi Jake pal!” exclaimed Toby. Man and dog grinned at each other and Jake attempted, as usual, to lick the laptop screen.

“How are you keeping, Mum?” “Oh, me and Jake are just fine. Not much news, we still just go to the park and the shops. That’s about it.”

“As long as you wear your mask. I’m sorry Mum, but I don’t have long. I’m back on shift in a mo.”

“You’re keeping safe?”

“Of course! Look after yourself, Mum. Love you.”

“Love you too. Stay safe. Bye Toby darling.” Toby’s smile vanished and the laptop screen darkened.

Peace was restored to the little house on the leafy North Shore, where Sal and Jake spent most of their time together, clinging to the semblance of a routine while taking each day at a time.

P.S. from Jake – I may be a bit reluctant to go for walks these days as

the legs are not what they once were, but you know I’d do anything for my loved ones.

Dedicated to everyone on the frontline providing essential services and their loved ones

thank you.

SHORT STORY contributions welcome Please email your story to: editor@thevillageobserver. com.au All stories pblished will be gifted a $40 voucher from The Lost & Found Department, Hunters Hill.

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Proceeds from The Village Observer support residents in need from Lane Cove, Hunters Hill, Ryde, Willoughby and North Sydney areas, through Sydney Community Services.

ISSUE 293 I MARCH 2020 I

thevillageobserver.com.au

Advertise with The Village Observer Ray White Lane Cove is supporting Wesley Mission, because everyone should receive a gift this christmas.

Drop a present under our tree at 162 Longueville Road or donate directly to Go Fund Me gf.me/u/y9ip59 Ph: 9428 4100

Contact: Linda Wortel

Advertising Manager advertising@thevillageobserver.com.au

TVO 37

review GIFTS AND HOLIDAY READS

A PROMISED LAND

by Barack Obama A Promised Land is an elegantly written political memoir detailing Obama’s early years in The White House. The political book of the year!

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB

by Richard Osman A clever and funny murder mystery set in an English retirement village - perfect holiday reading.

COOK, EAT, REPEAT

by Nigella Lawson Nigella is back with a delightful book musing on food, recipes and life. A book to keep on the bedside table as much as in the kitchen.

THE ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF DANGEROUS ANIMALS

by Sami Bayly Following the huge success of the Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals comes Dangerous Animals.

Fabulous illustrations and lots of information for curious minds.

A BOOK LOVER’S REVIEW

BY JACQUI SERAFIM

Hamnet

by Maggie O’Farrell In 1596, an 11-year-old girl in Stratford-Upon-Avon, falls ill with a fever. Her mother is out in the fields, her father is working in London, and it falls to her twin brother, Hamnet, to stay with her until an adult returns. It is her brother, Hamnet, who will not survive the illness and four years later his father will write Hamlet – an outpouring of a father’s pain. Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel, Hamnet, brings to life the tragic story of a family’s grief and loss which inspired one of the world’s most well-loved plays.

Little is known about Shakespeare’s family life. Only the barest of historical facts remain on record. Shakespeare was 18 years old when he married the 26-year-old Anne and their first child was born six months later.

There has been much speculation regarding the nature of Shakespeare’s relationship with Anne Hathaway (also known as Agnes) and his extended absences in London while his family remained in Stratford– none of it reflected well on the character of the world’s most beloved bard. But this wonderful historical novel provides an irresistible interpretation of the facts – it is a tender and heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s upbringing and family life. O’Farrell depicts an intelligent and sensitive young man, beaten by an abusive father, who falls in love with a gentle and intuitive older woman.

The portrayal of Shakespeare as a young husband and father, in love with his gifted wife and children but burning with the need to dramatize his ideas, to write and perform his stories, is sympathetic and compelling.

Shakespeare, who is never named but only referred to in terms of his relationships as the son, brother or father, is deftly and sympathetically drawn. But this is a story about Agnes - a strong, independent woman of immense insight and compassion. A woman is who is feared and reviled in the neighbourhood for her talents but is capable of great love and sacrifice.

A heroine who demonstrates her selfless love for her husband, her deep love for her children and unmatched compassion for those in need.

There are so many exquisite elements in the narrative of this work. There are the myriad details that so forcefully depict the daily trials of Elizabethan life. There is the unforgettable representation of the path of the bubonic plague as it travelled across the world to find Shakespeare’s children in Stratford. There is the incomparable depiction of the intensity of maternal love from the yearnings of pregnancy to the grief of loss. And finally, the recognition of moments in a life from which point everything is changed forever.

“Every life has its kernel, its hub, its epicentre, from which everything flows out, to which everything returns... It will lie at her very core, for the rest of her life.”

O’Farrell’s Hamnet is a beautifully written, lyrical portrait of provincial Elizabethan life in Shakespeare’s time and an unforgettable reimagining of the love, joy and loss he shared with his wife - Agnes.

Hamnet is the Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020 38 TVO

100

WORDS Sydney Town Hall awards evening. With every step towards the entrance our excitement mounts. We feel proud of our achievements. It’s all here for us: violins, society people, a celebrity chef offering truffle and black caviar canapés.

Glamorous waiters offer Martini or French Champagne. My friend shrugs, “Why not both!” We giggle and gulp. Our host takes the microphone: “Before we commence proceedings this evening, we believe some guests are here for the Community College Awards. To those, we ask you kindly, to finish your drinks and make your way to the exit. You are in the wrong room.” Oops.

SHEILA SPARKES, RYDE

Alice Street is where my heart flies when I think of my beautiful brothers, parents, and wonderful grandmother. Now ghosts who I can conjure up, my throat tightens as I reminisce. It was there I played in the security of my family.

Happy innocent days, my imagination was boundless, I was Tarzan. Sixty years ago, we played in the home of my Nan. I am now her age and realise the powerful truths she showed me. One day, when my granddaughter is still young enough to imagine but old enough to appreciate, I will take her to see Alice Street.

Karen Paull

Community Chaplain

One of Us ‘You’re one of us now’ indicates inclusion, often through an initiation. My daughter’s partner longs for the day Australia includes him via citizenship. It will be a huge milestone, passing from stateless to citizen. Less formal initiations hold significance for us too: acceptance into a social group, a sports team, or a local community group. Then there’s the darker side – the groups we reluctantly fit into and find hard to leave.

Christmas is founded upon God generously becoming one of us, with the incarnation of Jesus, the God-man.

Born into humble, risky circumstances, this young family soon ran for their lives, becoming refugees. No longer ‘one of us’ but ‘one of them’. Surprisingly, Jesus didn’t come as a ruler, but identified with various disenfranchised people. Joan Osborne pictures God as ‘just a stranger on the bus’ in her song One of Us . That’s a long stretch from some of our ideas about God, but captures the common humanity of Jesus well, with a subtle, (very biblical!), implication to care for the strangers around us too.

Hence, Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy was created to intentionally enable people to become ‘one of us’ without major barriers. A Chaplain has been provided by Lane Cove Uniting Church to be welcoming, supportive, available and non-judgemental for anyone in our community. This can be simply a chat over coffee or as part of a group. Being ‘one of us’ can look very different to attending a Church service these days. Contact me (details below) if you are interested.

We were designed to be in relationships which bring mutual richness to our lives. Christmas should be a time of joyously giving and receiving love. Hence, this Christmas, I encourage you to prioritise your relationships, to build on the ‘us’ you may have been blessed with.

Others are not so fortunate. Can you help to welcome someone into your circle? Especially this Christmas when many are stranded away from their loved ones.

Alternatively, donate to others who are providing Christmas hospitality like Wayside Chapel.

It’s been a tough year, so let’s be gentle with ourselves and gracious to others.

‘Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other’ – Jesus

Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a refreshing break

GRAHAM JONES, GREENWICH

If you would like to contribute to 100 Words, email us: editor@thevillageobserver.com.au

Contact details: Karen Paull 0400 299 751 lanecovechaplain@gmail.com www.lanecovecc.com LANE COVE COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY SUPPORTED BY LANE COVE UNITING CHURCH TVO 39

HELPING YOU TO ENJOY AN INDEPENDENT, COMFORTABLE LIFE AT HOME

9427 6425

HOME DELIVERED MEALS

20,000

WWW.SYDNEYCS.ORG

An end of year thank you to SCS staff and volunteers from John Devine, Chair

LINEN

900

BEDS CHANGED

8500

HOME NURSING VISITS

PODIATRY

2395

HOME VISITS

40 TVO

GILLIAN BATT - CEO

JOHN DEVINE, CHAIR

2019/2020 has been a year like no other. The latter half of 2019 was a normal time with clients receiving their services at home and the Hubs in Lane Cove and Hunters Hill bursting every day with social activities.

Little did we know that life would change completely. In the first six months of 2020, COVID-19 made its presence known and changed the way we did everything.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Sydney Community Services continued to thrive and hold steadfast as an organisation that seniors, those living with disabilities, or those disadvantaged, could rely on.

Throughout the last financial year, we were able to provide 8500 home nursing visits. 22,000 home delivered meals made their way out of our kitchen, while food runs skyrocketed by 30% to cope with the increased needs of people during lockdown.

Almost 12,000 hours were dedicated to disability support and we changed the linen on 900 beds for those

unable to do so themselves. We are very proud of these numbers and hope we can be of even greater service next year.

However, none of this was possible without our staff, led by CEO Gill Batt, and our fleet of volunteers.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Sydney Community Services. Without local people giving up their time and local knowledge the organisation would not exist. More than 300 volunteers work closely with our dedicated staff meaning that we can deliver services and support residents to remain active, independent, and happy in their own homes. We are very thankful for their work and commitment.

I would also like to thank the Board. They bring their own expertise from their past careers and a wealth of life experience. All are members of the local community and undertake to keep abreast of the burning issues in the local area.

Board Directors of Sydney Community Services Warren Bell (Vice Chair), Deborah Hill, Rod Cooke, Ian Longbottom, Peter Fay, James Shevlin and David Brooks-Horn.

We would like to welcome Alexandra Meldrum and Dr Carl Wong, who joined the Sydney Community Services Board in August 2020.

Finally, everyone here at SCS wishes you a wonderful Christmas. We all deserve a well-earned rest. And our wishes too for the coming year – let’s hope it’s an improvement on the last.

Warm regards, John Devine, Chair – Sydney Community Services

HELPING YOU TO ENJOY AN INDEPENDENT, COMFORTABLE LIFE AT HOME

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION OF: $50

$100

$200 My choice: $

MY DETAILS: Title:

2020 has been a very difficult year for everybody Here at Sydney Community Services we have been running to keep up. From late January we were putting in place new guidelines and procedures to keep our clients, volunteers and staff safe and well.

Meals on Wheels has had a huge increase in clients.

People unwilling to go out have called on us to deliver meals to their homes. We remain completely reliant on our committed team of volunteers who have continued to turn up and assist us. We have provided full PPE training, face masks and hand sanitiser. Volunteers remain at a distance to ensure clients are well, and able to collect the delivery at the time.

Our linen service provides clean sheets and towels to those unable to make their beds alone.

Throughout the pandemic we have kept in touch with all our clients, offering emotional and practical support such as shopping, either in person or online. We have also offered advice, financial counselling and emergency food parcels. With the support of Harris Farms we have also been able to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to families in need, including women and children staying at Delvena Women’s Refuge.

We have had some additional financial support for Meals and Nursing but all other services have been funded through our own resources.

We hope you can donate funds to help us continue to provide these important services to our local community.

Please consider sending us a donation with the tear off slip or go to www.sydneycs.org to make an online payment.

WHERE TO FIND US:

First name:

Surname: Address: Suburb:

State:

P/C:

Phone: Email:

MY PAYMENT DETAILS: OPTION 1: Cheque/money order (made payable to Sydney Community Services)

OPTION 2: Donate Online at - www.sydneycs.org OPTION 3: Credit card Visa

Mastercard

American Express

Name on Card: Signature: Card Number:

Expiry:

PLEASE SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO:

Sydney Community Services, 1 Pottery Lane Lane Cove NSW 2066 I would like to make a bequest

FIND OUT MORE OR CONTACT US AT:

www.sydneycs.org

T: 02 9427 6425

All donations are Tax Deductable. CFN12188

SUPPORTED BY LANE COVE COUNCIL, HUNTERS HILL COUNCIL AND RYDE CITY COUNCIL

LANE COVE (Head Office), 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove HUNTERS HILL 46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill p: 02 9427 6425 e: support@sydneycs.org

www.sydneycs.org

We are a registered My Aged Care and NDIS service provider TVO 41

HELPING YOU TO ENJOY AN INDEPENDENT, COMFORTABLE LIFE AT HOME

Community Spotlight:

735

GARDENS AND HOMES MAINTAINED

DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

708

SERVICES PROVIDED

274

HOME MODIFICATIONS

500 HOURS OF ADVISORY

42 TVO

James Blackwell’s Halcyon Days WORDS BY EDA UTKU

J

im, 91, a Lane Covian since 1955, is a retired journalist and story writer who’s enjoyed seeing his words, 400,000 of them, in print.

Einstein once said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Jim appears to be a living proof of that statement.

Jim’s career as a writer has taken his him to places such as government departments to functioning as equerry to Queen Elizabeth for the grand opening of the Sydney Opera House to the jungles of South America to being mentored by Henry Lawson’s step brother-in-law.

Mr. Blackwell’s life started in the humble working-class suburb of Tempe. His father was a plain clothes detective. A bright student, Jim was Dux and school captain in his final year of college in 1945. His love of English language and writing served him well all his life.

Jim’s writing career started off in the Board of Fire Commissioners, where he was a clerk but soon his writing ability was discovered and he was called upon to write and edit many pages of technical text. Jim’s passion for the work of the fire commissioners and his persuasive writing ability helped the firemen receive funding for equipment they required. With this achievement behind him, Jim took on a role with NSW Milk Industry Board and became an agricultural writer for “The Land” and “Country Life” newspapers.

In a twist of fate, Jim’s writing career led him to functioning as

equerry to Queen Elizabeth for the Sydney Opera House opening in 1973.

He and his late wife Marie were with the Queen at a small private cocktail party at Government House when the her highness slid out of her high heel shoes, noting they were “becoming uncomfortable”.

Later, the Queen presented Jim two royal cuff links which he would make into two brooches with diamonds for each of his two daughters. During the festivities, Jim ran into an old classmate, second in his class. He was one of the architects who worked on Sydney Opera House.

Throughout his career, Jim had the privilege of working with some of the most high profile Australians of the time. He was personally asked to write confidential citations for the late Sir Laurence Street, Chief Justice of NSW and for Sir Garfield Barwick, Justice of the High Court of Australia. Jim also served as press secretary to Minister for Social Welfare, Hon. John Waddy and also for Hon. Bob Askin.

Though busy in the real world of Australian affairs, Jim found the time to write and publish a number of fictional short stories. His last story “Cause Sister Said”, was a Christmas story published in The Telegraph in 1983.

These days, Jim can be found in his peaceful home in leafy Lane Cove where he reads many books from his home library and is surrounded by beautiful artwork. The latest book he enjoyed was on the life and times of actor James Stewart and he says that Cary Grant’s life story was another very good read.

The artwork hanging on his walls ranges from the Archibald Prize winner Henry Hanke’s landscapes to a piece by another Archibald Prize winner, Judy Cassab. Dmitri Krivs, Maximillian Feurring, Grace Cossington-Smith pieces also decorate his walls. One of Jim’s favourites is a still life of an orange peeled like an apple by a Northern Beaches artist.

Jim is part of the Sydney Community Services family and we are honoured to support him.

Community Spotlight is proudly supported by Anthony Roberts MP. Authorised by Anthony Roberts, Ground Floor 215 Victoria Road GLADESVILLE NSW 2111.

Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.

TRENT ZIMMERMAN MP P: 9929 9822 E: trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au

Vale Cr Deb Hutchens

Christmas 2020

Lane Cove lost one if its most ardent supporters at the beginning of November. Deb Hutchens served our community in so many ways but perhaps most prominently as a Councillor and as Lane Cove Mayor between 2015 and 2017. She had endured several strokes and passed away due to related health complications in early November.

Every year I run a Christmas card competition for local primary schools. I feature the winner on my official Christmas card as a way of encouraging our young budding artists.

I worked closely with Deb in her role on Council and she brought to the role incredible energy, vision, empathy and a determination to make Lane Cove an even stronger community.

Many of us have been enjoying the Canopy. The contracts for this incredible project were signed while Deb was Mayor and will always be one her enduring legacies.

Deb lived with her husband Robin in Longueville for 30 years. During that time, she lent her support and volunteered for numerous community organisations: from sporting clubs to local arts groups. She was a real ‘doer’.

I know she will be missed and to her family and all those who worked with her at Council I extend my sincere condolences.

Congratulations to Polina Kotlyarova, Year 3, from the North Sydney Demonstration School for taking out 2020’s top spot with this beautifully artistic painting.

Thank you to all 18 schools who participated including Currambena, Greenwich Public School, Lane Cove West Public School, St Ignatius’ College and St Michael’s Primary School. Choosing a winner was no easy task such was the quality of the many hundreds of entries!

Finally, I would like to wish all residents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This year has been one of the most challenging times that our nation, and indeed the world, has faced but thanks to the entire community’s support and effort there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Once again, Merry Christmas and may 2021 be a whole lot better than 2020!

Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year from Trent, Carlos and Simba the Christmas Cavoodle.

As we head towards Christmas I encourage everyone to shop locally to support local business.

TRENT ZIMMERMAN MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NORTH SYDNEY

Level 10, 2 Elizabeth Plaza, North Sydney NSW 2060 trent.zimmerman.mp@aph.gov.au TrentZimmerman

9929 9822

trentzimmerman.com.au trentzimmermanmp

Authorised by Trent Zimmerman MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 10, 2 Elizabeth Plaza, North Sydney NSW 2060.

TVO 43

ANTHONY ROBERTS MP

ROSS WILLIAMS MAYOR OF HUNTERS HILL

P: 9817 4757 E: lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au F: https://www.facebook.com/ AnthonyRobertsMP/

P: 9879 9400 E: mayor@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

D

ecember is finally upon us, and with it comes the anticipation of the Christmas break, a time in which all Australians of every faith, creed and colour use this time to come together and celebrate. Something which we have all undoubtedly earnt throughout the course of this challenging year.

During this time I encourage you to take advantage of all the amenities on offer throughout our electorate. Cool off with a swim down at Woolwich or Greenwich baths, play a game of tennis at one of the multitude of courts littered around our suburbs and enjoy the incredible views on offer from our harbour side parks such as Clarkes Point and Aquatic Park. This year has taught us not to take for granted the incredible spaces we have at our disposal.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each and every one of us. Many of us have been separated from family members, lost work or tragically, have lost loved ones as a result of the virus. To these people, please know that our thoughts and prayers are always with you, and remember that there is always a friendly person at Lifeline on 13 11 14 who is happy to chat and be of assistance.

During this time I suggest we all look for ways to make a positive and direct impact on our community.

Whether that is checking up on our elderly and at risk neighbours or using the recently announced government entertainment vouchers, valued at $100, to support our local businesses such as restaurants and cafes, who have been hit hard by this pandemic. No matter the act it is important to remind one another that we are in this together.

Finally, we all deserve to relax and rejuvenate after such an arduous year. But, there is never any excuse for drink driving and speeding. For the safety of yourself and others, please be responsible when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

On a personal level, my beautiful wife Alicia and I have celebrated the birth of our fourth child. Joseph Alberts Bush Roberts was born on the 23rd of October and he was a healthy 3.63 kilograms. We’re low on sleep but over the moon.

So on that note, I’d like to wish each and every one of you a safe and merry Christmas and New Year. With love from my family to yours!!

Happy Holidays What a year 2020 has been, with the pandemic creating unprecedented challenges for many in our community.

No doubt we all have an even greater appreciation this year of the simple pleasures of the festive season - of being able to enjoy a well-earned break and spend time with friends and family.

Our traditional celebrations in Hunters Hill will look a little different this year, in line with public health measures.

For latest updates on our events, Council news and services over Christmas and New Year, please keep in touch with our social media channels or check our website: huntershill.nsw.gov.au.

Remember to take care on our roads if you are travelling, but most of all to enjoy the time to relax and keep in touch with loved ones.

I wish all in our community a safe and happy holiday period.

Get active for inclusion Earlier this year we joined with the Gladesville Chamber of Commerce and social enterprise Play for All Australia in an innovative pilot project, to harness the support of our community to make our playgrounds more inclusive for all children to enjoy.

The first stage called on our local business community to get behind the initiative as sponsors. Despite the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and the tough economic circumstances the pandemic created for many, businesses responded swiftly and generously to join with us to bring this project to fruition.

We have now taken the exciting next step and are inviting you all to get involved. The Play It Forward program is now underway in Hunters Hill. An inclusive highbacked infant ‘smart swing’, with built in swing counting technology, has been set up at Buffalo Creek Reserve playground.

We are asking our young citizens to use the swing and clock up the count, which will tally up to a target that then ‘unlocks’ the upgrades to add inclusive swings to other playgrounds in our municipality. The swing count will be tracked in live time online at: playforall.com.au.

So please do join with us in making this initiative a great success.

44 TVO

LOCAL GROUPS

Keep in touch in your local area.

Enquiries: editor@thevillageobserver.com.au Listings to be approx 20 words per group.

1ST LANE COVE SCOUT GROUP Joeys 6-8yrs. Cubs 8-11yrs.

Scouts 11-15yrs. Venturers 15-18yrs 428 4061 www.lanecovescouts.com.

ALL AGE SUNDAY SCHOOL 223 Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove West.

0434 432 175 www.metropolitanbaptist.net.au ANC MIXED SOCIAL GOLF CLUB Looking for new members to join social golf club, on the North Shore.

0411 559 909.

AQUALUNA CHOIR Fun acapella; pop, gospel, world, sacred music. St Andrews Church Hall, Longueville.

0402 839 499 paula@lul.com.au CARER SUPPORT Free telephone information/support service specifically for/about carers providing information, support and referrals. 1800 242 636, M-F, 9-5pm.

CLAN MACLEOD PIPE BAND Always wanted to learn to play bagpipes or drums? St Leonards Park, North Sydney. www.clanmacleodpipeband.com LOCAL GROUPS 2020 Community Chaplain offers activities enabling locals to connect: walks of varying difficulty; meditation, book club and spiritual discussion groups on Zoom. Connect over coffee to discuss your concerns with Karen.

0400299751 www.lanecovecc.com COVE INVESTORS Monthly evening meeting at Lane Cove Library, discuss and broaden investment skills. julianradom31@hotmail.com DRAMA SPOT Classes for 5-15yrs help to build strong and confident kids. Currambena, LCPS & LCM Church. 0402 342 986 / info@dramaspot.com.au ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS Improve your conversation English with trained facilitators. $3/ week.

9427 1163 www.lcmchurches.org.au EVANGEL BIBLE CHURCH ESL Classes - Meadowbank Free English conversation classes starteradvance Contact Andy 043 3119 083 FOODFAITH COMMUNITY GARDEN ​ Free individual plots for growing your own veggies, fruit and herbs still available. info@foodfaith.com.au GREENWICH SAILING CLUB Kids Learn to Sail. New members of any age are always welcome. gsc.org.au/gsc-training@gsc.org.au GREENWICH TENNIS CLUB INC Friendly local tennis club.

New members welcome. www.greenwichtennis.com.au admin@greenwichtennis.com.au HALLAM AVENUE TENNIS CLUB 58 Hallam Ave, Lane Cove West.

New members welcome. Hire courts from $10 per hour. 0424 229 259 hatc.hire@gmail.com HUMMINGSONG COMMUNITY CHOIRS A network of women’s a cappella choirs. Chatswood choir ‘Alkira' is open to new members. www.hummingsong.com.au HUNTERS HILL BRIDGE CLUB Keep mentally fit, have fun and make friends? Hunters Hill Bridge Club, Crown St, Henley. 0438 619 780 or

sheldrakecarol@gmail.com HUNTERS HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Main gathering is Sundays in various homes in our community.

Cnr Ferdinand & Alexandra Street.

9817 2282 or www.hhcc.org.au HUNTERS HILL CROQUET CLUB 1 Matthew Street. New members welcome. Contact us and arrange to come and try the game 0490494965 huntershillcroquet@gmail.com HUNTERS HILL MUSEUM Hunters Hill Town Hall, Alexandra Street.

Regular exhibitions and events. www.huntershillmuseum.org.au HUNTERS HILL WOMEN'S BOWLING CLUB Seeking new members. Free 0419 258 662 or 0408 110 082.

HUNTERS HILL SENIORS’ CHESS GROUP Weekly social games – no expertise needed. Ironwood Company Coffee House, 102 Woolwich Rd, Woolwich. Register: SCS 9817 0101 / ssmall@sydneycs.org HUNTERS HILL SAILING CLUB Kids/teens/adults learn to sail programs, coaching, racing weekly at 2018 NSW Sailing Club of the Year. info@huntershillsailingclub.org.au www.huntershillsailingclub.org.au JAZZ BAND Rehearses Monday nights, vacancies available. Jazz, Swing, Blues, Latin, R&B and Funk. davidcbraybrook@bigpond.com 0410 566 953.

KEYSTROKES CHOIR Have you had a stroke/Aphasia and looking for fun ways to improve your speech?

Our choir helps recovery by sharing song. Northside Baptist Church 63 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest. 1300 650 594 or info@keystrokensw.org.au LANE COVE BOWLING CLUB Play lawn bowls. Social or comp. Fun and exercise. Free coaching.

151 Burns Bay Road. 9428 4325 / 9420 5793 info@lawnbowls.com.au LANE COVE BUSH KIDS Nature activities for 2 to 5 years (term time) and 2 to 10 years (school holidays). www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/bushkids LANE COVE BUSHLAND & CONSERVATION SOCIETY Lane Cove Tennis Club, top of Kenneth Street, Longueville.

New members very welcome.

Ron, 9427 1125; Helen, 9427 4845.

LANE COVE CHORISTERS Senior ladies' choir welcomes new members. Rehearsals at St. Aidan's Church, Longueville. 0419 680 910.

LANE COVE CONCERT BAND Local, friendly musical organisation.

Six ensembles; beginner to advanced concert bands, two jazz bands and a woodwind ensemble. 0407 124 600 www.lccb.org.au LANE COVE MASTERS SWIMMING Lane Cove Aquatic Centre, caters to all levels of swimming LANE COVE MUSIC has been presenting first class classical and semi-classical concerts for more than 70 years. 9428 4287 www.lanecovemusic.org.au info@lanecovemusic.org.au LANE COVE MUSIC AND CULTURAL CENTRE Not-for-profit organisation

offering music tuition for children and adult learners. Suzuki and traditional methods. 9427 8027 LANE COVE NETBALL CLUB We welcome players from local schools High quality netball coaches and facilities. LC Public School Netball Courts e lanecovenetball@gmail. com w lanecovenetball.com.au LANE COVE RESIDENTS FOR RECONCILIATION (LCRR) Local group of Aboriginal and nonAboriginal community members working together to advance the process of Reconciliation and social justice. All welcome to walk with us. lanecovereconciliation@gmail.com www.reconciliationnsw.org.au LANE COVE UNITING CHURCH Worship and face to face meetings remain suspended due to COVID19 See our web-site for info lanecoveuniting@bigpond.com LANE COVE YOUTH ORCHESTRA Calling young musicians to play in a symphony orchestra?

Scholarships offered. 0411 413 335 mcn114@bigpond.net.au www. lanecoveyouthorchestra.org.au LANE COVE RSL SUB-BRANCH Keep up-to-date with RSL matters, DVA and community services.

9906 5934.

LANE COVE TOASTMASTERS Become a confident public speaker supported by a friendly group. 23A Stokes St, Lane Cove. 0403 392 122 www.meetup.com/Speak-LeadInspire-Lane-Cove-Toastmasters/ LANE COVE SUSTAINABILITY ACTION GROUP 9428 3553 0421 442 840.

LANE COVE WEST TENNIS CLUB Courts for hire day or night at Blackman Park, Lloyd Rees Drive.

Amenities and children's playground.

0417 667 020 www.lcwtennis.com.au LAUGHTER MELODY YOGA Join one hour laughter yoga sessions to help you feel good, boost health and happiness. 403 392 122. www.meetup.com/LaughterMelody-Yoga/ LAVOCE, A LANE COVE COMMUNITY CHOIR, is celebrating new members.

Readers are invited sing with us each Tuesday. http://lavocelanecove. com/index or adrianlee2@mac.com or 0424507321 LONGUEVILLE ST AIDAN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH Sunday morning services. Friendship Services. Healing services. Youth group. Playgroup.

Craft Circle. Corner Christina/Arabella St. www.staidans.com.au LOWER NORTH SHORE MULTIPLE BIRTH ASSOC Volunteer parents of multiples (twins, triplets etc) supporting and assisting other parents. @lnsmba.amba.org.au www.lnsmba.amba.org.au MEALS ON WHEELS HUNTERS HILL Volunteers deliver healthy, affordable meals to client's homes on a daily or weekly basis. 9817 0101 MEETING HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE Not-for-profit organisation for all ages; playgroups, Community Café, community garden, yoga, craft, seniors outings and shopping trips.

23a Stokes Street, LC Nth, 9427 1841.

MEN'S SHED Looking for new members, drop in for a cuppa & chat.

St Columba Retirement Centre, 15 Figtree St. 10am-3pm. 0428 024 208 lanecove@mensshed.net MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR SENIORS Bringing peace and joy

into your life. 178 Longueville Rd. livinginharmony.com.au/meditation 0428 569 373 NORTH SHORE BRAIN TUMOUR SUPPORT GROUP Provides patients and families with education and emotional support. Facilitated by health care professionals. North Shore Private Hospital. snog@snog.org.au / www.snog.org.au NORTH SHORE PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Information and encouragement for men, family & friends impacted by prostate cancer, monthly meetings on hold due to COVID.John Fullagar (convenor) 9498 1984 or john.fullagar@bigpond.com OSBORNE PARK TENNIS Play tennis in beautiful bush setting with club house & children’s play area.

Community-run/reasonable rates. oppa.tennis@gmail.com 8003 3316 PROBUS CLUBS Fellowship meetings for retirees.

Guest speakers, excursions, refreshments and lunches.

Judy Carroll President 0414785745 Crows Nest Combined Crows Nest Centre, 2 Ernest Place, 9439 3455 Lane Cove Combined Lane Cove Bowling Club, Burns Bay Road Lane Cove Ladies Lane Cove Library 9427 5891.

Willoughby Combined Chatswood Bowling Club, Gordon Ave, Chatswood 9428 3357.

Hunters Hill Combined Hunters Hill Club at 9.30am, 9816 2374.

Hunters Hill Ladies Probus Club Inc Hunters Hill Club, 12-20 Madeline St 9816 5116.

Waverton Combined Lane Cove Country Club, 180 River Road, Northwood 9955 5126.

ROTARY CLUB OF LANE COVE Meets Tuesday evening, alternating weeks between a local venue & a Zoom meeting. All welcome https:// lanecoverotary.org P 0407 216 552 SAHAJA YOGA MEDITATION Experience meditation and state of thoughtless awareness. Awaken the innate energy inside to experience a sense of inner peace, balance and wellbeing. 0422 798 498.

SHINNYO-EN BUDDHIST TEMPLE 231 Longueville Road, Lane Cove.

Details 9418 6688 info@shinnyo.org. au or www.shinnyo.org.au SPIRIT OF LIFE UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre. 9599 1180, Sydney Unitarians – Spirit of Life www.sydneyunitarians.org/ THE LOCAL VOCALS’ COMMUNITY CHOIR Performing contemporary and traditional songs, this unique choir will be participating in community events and activities. 0452 006 693 U3A UNIVERSITY OF THIRD AGE Events and intellectually stimulating daytime courses in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Ph 9262 2702 or www.sydneyu3a.org WAIG - WOMEN'S ACTION AND INFO GROUP Stimulating speakers, discussions and book reviews for women. waigwomen@gmail.com facebook.com/waigwomen/ WOM:NI - WILLOUGHBY OLDER MEN: NEW IDEAS "Meet a friend - Make a friend - Be a friend." For men over 55. Club Willoughby, Crabbes St, Willoughby Contact: 9417 3715 ZUMBA CLASSES IN LANE COVE Get fit, sweat, make friends and have fun! Classes suitable for everyone.

Dianne on 0406 765 827 www. zumba4u.com.au

TVO 45

health r u o y e v o Impr ind m r u o y d Expan friends w e n e k a M 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. ntre.org.au crowsnestce 122 95 Phone: 943

Crows Nest Centre

Connecting Our Community

2021 Concerts

Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm (October concert’s start earlier – 7.00pm.)

Venue Lane Cove-Mowbray Anglican Church, Rosenthal Ave. www.lanecovemusic.org.au • March 16: Alison Claire Robertson and Glenn Amer: “You are my Heart’s Delight” Waltzing in Vienna with Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar.

• May 4: “Music over the Centuries” performed by former principals of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, flautist Janet Webb and harpist Louise Johnson.

• June 22: Virtuosic clarinettist/saxophonist Mark Walton OAM and piano accompanist Sumiko Yamamura joined by two of Mark’s dazzling senior students.

• August 10: Pianist Andrew Rumsey together with clarinettist Thomas Azoury and cellist James Larson - an evening of music, stories and ‘joie de vivre’.

• October 12: Sydney Eisteddfod Alf & Pearl Pollard Memorial Instrumental Awards for Performing Excellence; ten outstanding young solo instrumentalists competing for these awards.

• November 30: Cantorion Sydney Male Voice Choir in the Welsh tradition presenting a repertoire of classical, traditional, sacred and Christmas music.

end OFF Now there’s GET 50%

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46 TVO

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