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Proceeds from The Village Observer supports residents of Lane Cove, Hunters Hill, Ryde, Willoughby and North Sydney, via Sydney Community Services – a local notfor-profit organisation that helps people to live a quality and independent life in their own home and in their community.
LOCAL SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PEOPLE
SCS provides services to seniors and people living with a disability including social activities, gardening, home nursing, podiatry, linen, home delivered meals, home modifications and maintenance, flexible respite, carers support, shopping services, community and engagement programs, medical transport and assistance in daily life.
THE VILLAGE OBSERVER
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The Village Observer is published monthly (except January) by Sydney Community Services (trading as Lane Cove Community Aid Foundation)
• Distribution occurs 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 10th of each month, for inclusion in the next month’s issue.
On a personal note this issue represents a full year that I have been in the role of editor, and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience.
One of my objectives since joining the team has been to highlight the work of the many wonderful education providers in the local area. From early education right through to tertiary study we are blessed with choice, and they all have inspiring stories to share. As the academic year moves into top gear it seemed like the ideal time for an Education feature. My sincere thanks to everyone who has partnered with us in producing this feature - I hope you find it informative and enjoyable.
Maggie Lawrence presents a charming interview with the enviably talented Kasia Jacquot, whose stunning embroidery has even featured in Nicole Kidman’s onscreen bedroom. Kasia shares the story of her childhood in Poland, moving to Australia and the inspirations behind her beautiful artworks.
I am happy to report that we have a new member of the team. Kieran has joined as our distribution contractor and will take on the role of ensuring our magazines are delivered safely across the local area. We are always looking for new distribution points for TVO. It’s free and we take care of everything, so if you have some space available at your business where we could place a small stack of magazines, please get in touch!
Early childhood is one of the most important periods of development, shaping how children think, learn and interact with the world around them.
Credit: Nicky’s Kids Town
Thank you to all our supporters this month.
And a special thanks to our regular advertisers for their loyal support.
As a local, small publication, run by a not-for-profit charity, TVO relies on our advertisers and partners to come to life every month.
North Sydney Council seeks stories of notable
local women
North Sydney Council is inviting the community to help recognise women who have shaped the local area and beyond through a new project celebrating notable women.
Launched on International Women’s Day, the Notable Women of North Sydney initiative aims to highlight the achievements and stories of women connected to the area - past or present.
Residents are encouraged to submit stories about women who have made a significant contribution locally, nationally or globally. This could include women who have advanced causes such as education, health, the arts, social justice, business or the environment; received awards or formal recognition; broken barriers in their field; or left a lasting legacy.
Mayor Zoe Baker said North Sydney has a long history of women making meaningful contributions to the community.
‘This began with Cammeraygal women of the Eora nation, continues through the leadership and wisdom of First Nations women today, and includes women from many cultures and backgrounds who help shape our community,’ she said.
To launch the initiative, Council is recognising 12 women in 2026, including Australia’s first Catholic saint St Mary
Paralysis tick risk lingers as cooler weather sets in
Pet owners are being urged not to become complacent about paralysis ticks and canine ehrlichiosis as temperatures drop, with new claims data showing the parasites remain active well beyond summer.
Analysis from Pet Insurance Australia reveals paralysis tick incidents continue through autumn and early winter, often catching owners off guard when they assume the risk has passed. These ticks can cause severe illness and become lifethreatening within days if untreated.
Spokesperson Nadia Crighton says a common misconception is that tick season ends with summer. ‘Our data shows tick incidents continue into cooler months, particularly when conditions remain mild and humid,’ she says.
MacKillop, renowned painter Catherine McGuinness and youth environmental campaigner Sophia Skarparis. Displays highlighting their stories are installed along Miller Street between Marist College and Victoria Cross.
The project was launched at the Daughters of Country panel event at Ensemble Theatre in Kirribilli.
Sunset Series returns to St Leonards Park
North Sydney’s Sunset Series is back for another year of live music, family activities and delicious food set in the beautiful St Leonards Park.
The free, outdoor event will offer an exciting mix of classical, swing, jazz and indie sounds for the whole family to enjoy, plus interactive children’s activities – all completely free.
Locals and visitors are invited to bring a picnic rug to the park and stretch out on the grass, ready for the music to start at 3pm.
• Sunday 12 April – Time to dance!
The Hot Potato Band will excite audiences with their unique high-energy performance, featuring all your favourite brass beats from trumpets, saxophones, trombones and more. They’ll follow openers, the exciting and local, The Young Guns.
• Sunday 17 May – A symphonic sunset
The afternoon will begin with multi-genre song woman Dyagula, before North Sydney Symphony Orchestra take to the stage. The return of the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra is a particular highlight, promising a dynamic performance that goes beyond classical music.
Beyond the music, families can enjoy a range of interactive experiences, from face painting to roving entertainment. A few delicious options of food and beverages will also be available.
Mayor Zoë Baker said Sunset Series is yet another way North Sydney’s stunning public spaces can be used for the community to come together through culture and creativity.
Paralysis ticks thrive in environments with vegetation, moisture and wildlife, making coastal regions of New South Wales and Queensland ongoing hotspots. Dogs in bushland, parks or even suburban gardens remain at risk.
Experts are also warning about canine ehrlichiosis, a serious tick-borne disease now widespread across northern Australia. Dogs Australia Health and Wellbeing Committee Chair Dr Karen Hedberg says the disease is a growing concern, with cases recorded across multiple states.
Pet owners are advised to maintain year-round tick prevention, especially when travelling, and to perform regular checks. Early signs of tick paralysis include weakness, vomiting, drooling and breathing difficulty.
‘Early detection is critical,’ Crighton says. ‘Staying proactive can make all the difference in protecting your pet.’
‘Accessible open spaces and live music play an important role in fostering social connection and it’s through events like these that Council supports a strong sense of community in North Sydney.’
Event Details:
- St Leonards Park, Miller Street, North Sydney - Sunday 12 April and 17 May - 3pm-6pm
Sophia Skarparis
Catherine McGuinness
The Age of Influence
Remember the days when hobbies were just hobbies?
You browsed recipes because you loved cooking. Home movies were confined to the rattling whir of a Super 8. You knitted the family Christmas jumpers because it was fun and expected.
If your thing was more of a long-term project, no problem. You tinkered for days, weeks, months on end on the Holden Monaro you picked up for a song - the one that cost roughly the GDP of a small island nation by the time you factored in labour, parts, road trips to find those parts, and the emotional toll of potholes. There was no sharing to be had, because sharing would broadcast the time and cost to all and sundry.
All that’s behind us. Step aside, humble hobby. Welcome to the age of content creation.
It doesn’t matter what it is. Scrapbooking. Sewing. Soapmaking. The moment you display even modest competence at something enjoyable, the modern world raises the bar: share it, monetise it, do better.
None of these pursuits once had a discernible revenue stream. But all that’s changed. Ninety-five percent of Aussies over seventeen now own a device. Simply prop it up and film yourself doing the thing you love. From hobbyist to influencer, a corner of cyberspace is reserved for every quirky pursuit imaginable. And honestly, useful. If you ever find yourself stranded at the North Pole, you’ll be fine. Just watch How the Inuit Catch Fish Through Five Feet of Ice first (now streaming on YouTube).
It’s even seeped into quieter endeavours. Just reading a book now feels vaguely unproductive unless you’re reviewing it somewhere.
Viral trends are impossible to predict, which can make life difficult for retailers. Coles shoppers were recently bemused to find empty shelves where the cottage cheese should have been, after the ingredient became the star of the viral high-protein, low-fat hot honey beef bowl. Everyone flocks to whatever is popular right now, even if they’re not entirely sure why. Like choosing the busy restaurant over the empty one next door, or joining a queue without knowing where it leads.
And yet here we all are, devices at the ready.
Doing something purely for pleasure is so twentieth century. You’re leaving money on the table if you’re not recording it and encouraging people to like and follow. If you’re unsure where to start, the internet is enormously helpful. Somewhere online, there is always a video explaining how someone turned their relaxing weekend pastime into a six-figure passive income stream.
Passive except for the filming, editing, marketing, packaging, shipping, bookkeeping, and answering customer messages at 11:56pm asking whether you can make the personalised Christmas jumper without sleeves.
The calamity isn’t that people make money from things they love. That’s genuinely wonderful when it happens. But the moment it morphs into a job, everything changes. Deadlines, spreadsheets, and customers conspire to repurpose your former escape into work.
And work, as many of us have noticed, already occupies a reasonable portion of the day.
So, what’s the alternative? If you permit the indulgence, I’d like to make a case for the hobby that goes nowhere.
Baking cakes that are eaten immediately and never photographed. Crashing through beginner guitar chords with no audience but the dog. Pursuits undertaken purely for the pleasure of doing them badly and getting a bit better over time. Or maybe not. The skillset is beside the point. Joy has to come from the doing - otherwise, there is literally no point.
Being an author is great, but it still means 99.9% of what’s written remains a hobby. A joyful endeavour. Take the fun out of it and it becomes worthless, however many readers you have.
No Instagram feed to feed. No TikTok account to cater to.
Just the old-fashioned satisfaction of wasting time in the most rewarding way possible.
LIZ FOSTER IS A LOCAL WRITER.
Her debut fiction novel, The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices, is out now with Affirm Press.
Illustration by Grace Kopsiaftis
Aged Care Residence Now Open in Longueville
Enjoy a Complimentary High Tea Crafted by our Head Chef While Exploring Our New Luxury Residence SCAN TO BOOK
Join us for Tea & Tour Fridays throughout the month of April for an experience designed to give you a relaxed, insider look at our brand new, state-of-the-art residence now open in Longueville.
Here’s what to expect:
Complimentary High Tea, freshly prepared by our Head Chef Guided group tour of Pathways Longueville
Every Friday from 10:00 –11:00 am throughout April Bring a friend or family member along
Spend the morning exploring our thoughtfully designed spaces, premium amenities, and vibrant community, and gain a genuine insight into the comfort, connection, and exceptional care our residents enjoy each day.
Whether you’re just starting to explore options or are ready to take the next step, this is the perfect opportunity to experience Longueville firsthand.
Premium Services and Support
Amenities & Lifestyle
Beautiful landscaped gardens
Café
Hair and beauty salon
Fully equipped gym & pool
State-of-the-art cinema
Health and ellness hub
Exceptional dining experiences
Care & Support
Registered Nurses 24/7
Extensive lifestyle program
Respite palliative care
Hope U Care Program
Advanced integrated care
technology
Allied Health Practitioners
Travel – educating yourself for a lifelong career
To use Gen Z parlance, working in the travel industry is one of the “funnest” options around, when viewed over the continuum of a decades-long career. However, look hard and you’ll find it can also be one of the most stressful – witness the ever-present threat of wars/strikes/flight delays/change of entry requirements and more that upset long-made plans and test the patience of even the calmest travel advisors.
I once wanted to be a flight attendant, but life took a different turn and forty years later I’m a very experienced consultant, advising, organising and selling plane, train and ship journeys as well as hotels, cars, tours, events and more. Add to this, several months a year escorting our golf tours and you can see I’m kept busy.
How do I manage? Well, it is not just experience but constant learning.
In this line of work, education is ongoing and there’s a constant stream of webinars and compliance seminars to attend. Much of my formal education is grandfathered due to my years of experience but I now always recommend completion of formal Travel Certification courses to get a headstart. Best of all, is the option of combining work experience/on-the-job training with two or three days a week formal learning to ramp up one’s skills. Not only do you get practical experience, but you’ll quickly learn if this now pressured career is right for you.
Ours is a multi-faceted industry, supporting several arms, among them air, cruise, hospitality, and of course sales. Each field offers many opportunities to get involved and learn.
For air, young people might consider the Flight Centre Travel Academy, which advertises “With the Work, Study + Fly Program, you’ll gain hands-on airline training, industry connections, and one-on-one support — everything you need to get your career off the ground.” The programme is built in conjunction with Torrens University and several air servicing companies so there are plentiful streams to explore within the aviation industry. Or you can go down the route of applying to individual airlines. Pilots and flight engineers enjoy better prospects if they can demonstrate real commitment with prior flying experience. Understandably, this is expensive but there are many who have worked long hours part-time to afford private lessons so they can eventually join a prestigious carrier of their choice.
Qantas and Emirates have regular cabin crew intakes and for some the thought of living and working in Dubai has added attraction. At least it did until recently. The need for crew is constant as airlines continue to expand, and this is still one job that cannot be replaced by robots or AI.
Ditto cruise ships. Did you know that the broader cruise ecosystem supports 1.2 million jobs globally, spanning shipyards, suppliers, ports, hotels, catering, and transport, making industry partnerships essential to its success? This is one of the statistics you can discover at https://cruising.org/workforce-development/ cruise-line-careers-and-related-opportunities. There are over 450 job categories on a large ship. Hospitality and housekeeping roles may be top of your mind but a ship also relies on medics and lawyers, event managers, entertainment organisers, childcare workers, salon and spa technicians, expedition teams with ornithologists, geologists and more.
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) is a wonderful place to explore and find out more about training opportunities to allow you to run away to sea! Coming full circle, many of the cruise lines have their own mini-university courses so that you can become expert in that operation and further improve your knowledge base to better match the guest with the right ship.
The hotel industry too offers a variety of great roles. My son, who works with Marriott, has a super career in the property side with great future prospects. While he did not envisage this pathway, it was a degree in Property Management which opened that door. Hotel management is now a very attractive career, offering plenty of variety and meeting that wish to provide hospitality.
Even those who have never thought previously of working with tourists are giving it some thought, such is the wish to enjoy human connection. I occasionally book free guides in Japan, who while they are not certificate qualified, are nonetheless expert in their field. It could be architecture, medicine, the law, the arts, craft design and so on. They have generally retired from a senior role, love to meet and share with people and spending a day with interested foreigners brings reciprocal pleasure.
Education is valued and respected in the travel and tourism industry. Properly reviewing the training courses available, actively thinking outside the square and talking to industry professionals will help you on your way if you want an exciting career path.
The Ashes family are gearing up for another big trip to Vanuatu
– they need your help!
Debbi, Courtney and families are off to Port Vila, Vanuatu on 28th May 2026
From what was a highly successful trip in 2025 – the Ashes family are off on 28th May for their next trip to Vanuatu.
This marks 30 years that the family have been travelling to Vanuatu, not only for a holiday but for charity. The country is still recovering from a terrible earthquake, and supplies overall are scarcer than ever.
Your help and support are very needed and would be greatly appreciated. Debbi, Courtney and family’s annual visit to Vanuatu is fast approaching and they need your help collecting items for this trip.
Debbi has sponsored two Ni-Van girls, who were named Debbi at birth by their mothers in her honour. Both Debbis are now young women who Debbi has watched grow up and helped with schooling; they thoroughly enjoy their annual catch ups.
During their last visit in 2025, the Ashes family visited the local villages, schools of Port Vila and the women’s refuge, bringing with them electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, clothing, personal items and toys for children. They also made a visit to the children’s ward at the local hospital for the second time, bringing two suitcases of new and second-hand soft toys and games for the children in the wards. The smiles on the children’s faces are incredibly touching. The conditions on the children’s ward is heart wrenching and to see such happiness certainly makes our annual visits worthwhile.
We would like to call out to our giving local Lane Cove community for
donations. The family have paid for excess luggage with the airline and need your help!
The Ashes family are seeking for the local schools, villages, children’s hospital and women’s shelter:
• TECHNOLOGY: laptop computers, phones or smart tablets (must be in good, working condition)
• CLOTHING: new clothes and shoes for both adults and children of all ages
• TOYS: new soft toys, educational toys, unused children’s games and toys with no batteries
• SPORTING: new soccer boots, soccer balls with pumps, frisbees
• PERSONAL HYGIENE: new toothbrushes, toothpaste, antiseptic creams – anything that you would have on hand in your household – as most don’t have any of these items
Please help Debbi and her family brighten the faces of many Ni-Van schools and families and help support the education and happiness of many children and adults.
In 2025 our family took with us a total of 28 checked bags – and the grandkids are aiming for 48! We carry everything by hand and sort these bags individually prior to travel.
In conjunction with physical donation items, we have an active Go Fund Me fundraiser where all funds raised are used to purchase local supermarket vouchers at the Bon Mache – these vouchers can only be redeemed for food and household items. In 2025 we were able to purchase 25 x $100 AUD (equivalent) vouchers. The response from the locals was extremely overwhelming and these vouchers were distributed through many villages in Port Vila.
GO FUND ME
Our friends in Vanuatu need your help more than everhttps://gofund.me/9e82b54f5 Donations will be accepted with open arms and grateful smiles! It is all very much appreciated.
Please contact Debbi or Courtney on 9418 6866 or lanecove@helloworld.com.au for delivery of any donations.
02 9418 6866
Building confident, capable learners for the future
From early childhood learning to the changing nature of classrooms, education across Australia is evolving to support young people in new ways.
WORDS MELISSA BARKS
Across Australia, education is evolving. From the earliest days in childcare to the growing influence of artificial intelligence in classrooms, educators, families and communities are rethinking how children learn and thrive. Modern education faces challenges on many fronts, including student wellbeing, school engagement and rapid technological change, and is responding by becoming more student-centred, more responsive to wellbeing, and more connected to the skills young people will need for the future.
The foundations begin early
Educators recognise that the foundations for learning begin at the earliest stages. Those first experiences can shape how children see themselves as learners for years to come.
Childcare and preschool environments provide many children with their first experiences of group learning, where play, exploration and relationships with educators help develop confidence, communication skills and curiosity about the world.
Many early learning centres are also placing greater emphasis on outdoor play and nature-based exploration, recognising the role these experiences can play in children’s creativity, confidence and problem-solving.
Small, thoughtful changes, such as prioritising relationships, can make a big difference to how children feel about school.
Research from Edith Cowan University’s School of Education highlights the importance of supporting children through the transition to kindergarten not just academically, but emotionally and socially.
Lead researcher and Professor of Early Childhood Education at ECU, Professor Lennie Barblett AM, says schools have an
opportunity to do far more than simply help children adjust to routines.
‘Our research shows that small, thoughtful changes, such as prioritising relationships, can make a big difference to how children feel about school,’ she said.
Rather than focusing primarily on administrative processes, the research suggests schools should emphasise connection, belonging and family engagement during the transition period. When children feel safe and supported in their first encounters with formal learning, their confidence and curiosity can flourish.
A positive start can influence not only academic achievement, but also resilience, motivation and lifelong attitudes to learning.
Listening to students
If belonging is important in the early years, it remains just as vital in adolescence. Recent research led by students themselves offers valuable insights into what keeps young people engaged at school.
The Youth Engagement Research Group (YERG), a collaboration between education charity The Smith Family and a group of secondary school students aged 13–17, explored what motivates young people to stay connected to their education.
Through interviews with their peers, the students identified several key themes, including the importance of relevance in learning, having a voice in decisions, and feeling respected and supported within the school environment.
As Beccy Hulme, Project & Design Lead, Student & Family Engagement at The Smith Family, explained:
‘The YERG highlights the added value of including young people in the conversation. Understanding their lived experience really makes it clear what they think about attendance and engagement and having that perspective is essential for rebuilding student engagement.’
Students involved in the project described engagement as more than simply attending school. Instead, they spoke about curiosity, connection and a sense of belonging.
Supporting wellbeing alongside learning
Mental health awareness has grown significantly in recent years, with educators recognising that emotional wellbeing and academic success are closely linked.
Kids Helpline reports that Australian children and young people are experiencing increasing levels of mental health and emotional wellbeing concerns. However, many still face barriers to accessing support, including limited awareness of available services.
‘Early intervention is crucial in helping prevent mental illness later in life,’ said yourtown CEO Tracy Adams.
‘Programs such as Kids Helpline @ School aim to address this by providing mental health education and practical support directly within school communities.’
Kids Helpline @ School is an evidence-based program delivered by qualified counsellors and designed to complement a whole-ofschool approach to mental health and wellbeing.
‘The program is integrated with Kids Helpline for 24/7 counselling and support,’ Adams said.
The program reached almost 150,000 students, teachers and community members across more than 700 schools in 2024, reflecting a growing commitment to proactive wellbeing education, as schools increasingly recognise that supporting emotional literacy and resilience is just as important as teaching academic content.
Navigating pressure and expectations
Academic assessment remains an important part of education, but experts say the way it is approached can make a significant difference to how students experience learning.
NAPLAN is a snapshot of literacy and numeracy skills at a particular point in time – it is not a measure of a child’s intelligence, potential or future success.
Each year, national literacy and numeracy testing – NAPLAN –can become a source of anxiety for families and students.
Dr Elise Waghorn from RMIT University encourages parents to keep the tests in perspective.
‘NAPLAN can create unnecessary stress if it is framed as a high-stakes test and for many children, the anxiety surrounding NAPLAN does not come from the test itself, but from the pressure they feel from adults around them.
‘Parents can help by normalising the experience and talk about NAPLAN as simply another school activity rather than something children must ‘perform’ well in.’
Rather than focusing on results, she suggests parents emphasise effort and wellbeing.
‘Instead of asking children how they think they performed on the test, focus conversations on effort. Questions like ‘Did you try your best?’ or ‘How did you feel about the questions?’ can reduce anxiety and keep the focus on learning rather than results.’
‘Parents should remember that NAPLAN is designed as a snapshot of literacy and numeracy skills at a particular point in time, it is not a measure of a child’s intelligence, potential or future success.’
Consistent relationships are important in early childhood, helping children develop trust and emotional stability. Credit: Stringybark Childcare
Technology reshaping classrooms
In March, a ‘widespread technology issue’ forced schools across Australia to pause NAPLAN testing, adding an unwelcome layer of stress to many children’s test experience. While underscoring the importance of parents and schools dialling back the emphasis on these tests, this mishap also highlights the increasing role of technology which – for better or worse - is transforming how learning takes place.
This is a massive change, and it will change so much in the labour market that you have to care
Artificial intelligence is now entering classrooms across Australia, bringing both new opportunities and new questions for educators.
Researchers from the University of South Australia, Associate Professor Negin Mirriahi and Associate Professor Vitomir Kovanović, note that AI can both enhance and hinder critical thinking. AI-generated content can provide quick answers and summaries, but students still need the skills to evaluate and question that information.
‘Educators …need to model and scaffold students in using AI effectively and ethically so that it is not used as a shortcut but rather a tool that aids in efficiency without hindering learning.’ said Associate Professor Negin Mirriahi.
Associate Professor Vitomir Kovanović believes that ‘the scope of change we are dealing with is on the scale of the Industrial Revolution.’
‘This is a massive change, and it will change so much in the labour market that you have to care. We never expected AI to come to creative jobs, such as journalists, lawyers and doctors.’
‘Societies and governments should think critically about AI, as it will probably be the biggest change since the printing press that we will experience,’ he said.
While grappling with workforce implications that AI could have for the next generation, many parents are also engaged in more immediate technology battles at home, navigating questions about screen time, laptops for schoolwork and how to support children in using digital tools productively. While some families believe that childhood should remain screen-free, others opt for supervised access with boundaries, via passwords, filters, parental controls (and when all else fails, hiding the router.)
Preparing students for diverse futures
While the school to university pathway is front of mind for many families, others are welcoming a growing emphasis on pathways beyond traditional academic routes.
Across Australia, schools are expanding opportunities in vocational education, trades and emerging industries. Programs that connect students with real-world careers can help them see how classroom learning relates to their future ambitions.
Fields such as construction, engineering, health care and digital technology are increasingly highlighted as areas where young people can build meaningful careers while helping address national skills shortages.
A positive future for education
Across Australia, educators are experimenting with new approaches, students are contributing their own perspectives, and communities are recognising the importance of supporting young people holistically.
From early learning environments that nurture curiosity and confidence to classrooms that consider how students listen, engage and collaborate, education continues to evolve in response to new technologies and changing needs.
Underpinning these changes is the growing recognition that education is not simply about academic achievement. It is about nurturing curiosity, confidence, resilience and belonging –qualities that help young people navigate school, relationships and the wider world.
Healthy Harold helps little learners build safe screen habits
Healthy Harold recently visited a childcare centre in western Sydney alongside Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare MP to launch a new early learning program designed to help children build safe habits with technology.
The program, Harold’s Safe Screen Time, has been developed by Life Ed Australia, the country’s largest provider of preventative health education. It aims to introduce children aged three to five to basic online safety concepts in a fun, age-appropriate way.
Life Ed Australia CEO Karen Robertson said the program reflects the reality that children are using digital devices earlier than ever.
‘According to the eSafety Commission, many toddlers can swipe on devices before they can even speak, and 81 per cent of Australian parents report their two to five-year-old uses the internet,’ Ms Robertson said.
‘This may feel confronting for parents, but it shows how important education is in helping children navigate the digital world safely.’
The program explores ideas such as recognising when something feels unsafe, asking trusted adults for help, managing screen time and understanding personal boundaries.
Mr Clare said teaching digital safety early is increasingly important.
‘I’ve got two little guys at home and I see how important this work is every day,’ he said.
The program uses storytelling and classroom resources to help continue conversations at home and school.
Helping children grow through nature and play
How do you give your child growing up in Sydney today the best chance to grow, learn and explore their natural environment? How can you give your child the most holistic start to their journey in education?
Plenty of parents ask themselves these questions. Early childhood is one of the most important periods of development, shaping how children think, learn and interact with the world around them. For busy families, it can sometimes feel difficult to balance daily life while also ensuring children have the time and opportunity to explore and grow. One of the most understated ways to support a child’s development is through regular access to the outdoor world. It sounds simple, yet many children today see less of their local parks and natural spaces, often trading them for screens and digital entertainment.
Natural environments offer rich opportunities for young children to learn
through curiosity, movement and sensory exploration. Elements such as trees, grass, soil, water and rocks invite children to investigate, experiment and discover. These experiences encourage creativity, problemsolving and imagination in ways that structured indoor activities often cannot replicate.
Recent research from the University of South Australia into early childhood development has found that regular access to natural outdoor environments can reduce stress, promote complex cognitive reasoning, support the development of language and mathematical skills. When children explore outdoors, they also build spatial awareness, coordination and strong gross motor skills. Climbing, balancing, digging and running allow children to test their abilities, build confidence and develop an understanding of risk and resilience. Outdoor experiences also support emotional development. Time spent in natural environments has been linked
NICOLE UPFOLD Approved Provider and Vice President of the Australian Childcare Alliance NSW
to improved self-regulation, helping children manage feelings of stress and anxiety while building a stronger sense of confidence and independence. At the same time, there is increasing evidence linking higher digital screen exposure with poorer language and communication outcomes in early childhood. National guidelines recommend no screen time for children under two years of age, and no more than one hour per day for preschoolers aged two to five. Excessive screen use can reduce opportunities for limit language-rich interactions, active play and disrupt sleep routines.
Encouraging children outdoors can help restore that balance. Natural environments create space for movement, social interaction and hands-on discovery. For generations, the outdoor classroom has been the best tool in teaching children about the world around them, and now more than ever it is important to keep the natural world a part of theirs.
Teens, screens and starting high school
The start of the school year can be stressful for families, especially when a child begins high school. Alongside new routines and expectations, many young people receive their first phone and/or laptop, which can create understandable anxiety for parents. How do I keep my child safe online? How do we manage the new social media ban? Will they stay focused on homework instead of gaming? How do we keep devices out of bedrooms at night? Could they be exposed to cyberbullying?’
For many households, screen time becomes a constant negotiation. Parents are trying to balance the technology children need for school and social connection with the equally important need for sleep, family time, and physical activity. Most young people haven’t yet developed the skills to self regulate their device use, and teenagers in particular
can be vulnerable to online conflict or bullying when they remain connected around the clock.
There are many tools available to help parents manage devices more confidently. The eSafety Commission offers excellent guidance for parents and young people, but choosing and setting up the right systems can feel overwhelming.
As a parent of four teenage boys and an
Emma Grimes, Michael Fitzgerald & Peter Louridas A family business, now in our 48th year in Lane Cove
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STEPHEN
PARRY Owner
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• Schedule internet shutdowns for specific devices to support healthy wind down routines and prevent late night access.
• Create an ‘Administrator’ account on their laptop, giving kids a separate profile, so parents decide what they have access to and when.
• Involve kids in the conversation so restrictions feel fair and transparent.
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Listening is a crucial skill that enables children to learn in the classroom. Around 70% of primary school classroom time is spent listening, whether to teachers delivering instruction or to peers during group activities. Through listening, children are exposed to new ideas and information while also learning how to interact and socialise with others, helping them develop lifelong communication skills.
However, not all classrooms make listening easy. Many are challenging listening environments, with background noise from children talking or moving, as well as sounds from outside traffic or building systems such as air conditioning. Classrooms can also be highly reverberant, meaning sound echoes and noise builds up in the space. Background noise and reverberation make hearing and understanding more difficult, particularly for children whose listening and language skills are still developing.
Recommended guidelines for classroom listening conditions exist to support learning. However, these standards are not mandated in Australia, and up to 92% of classrooms fail to meet them. This means many children are trying to learn in environments that make listening unnecessarily difficult.
Listening to faces
Listening becomes easier when children can see the face of the person speaking. As we talk, facial movements — such as lip and eyebrow movements — provide visual cues that help listeners interpret speech, particularly when sound quality is poor.
Rebecca’s research has shown that seeing these movements helps children recognise speech more quickly and with less effort, making it easier to keep up in the classroom. Teachers can support listening simply by facing their students while speaking.
Listening in spaces
Classroom design can significantly influence listening conditions. Some
layouts support clearer sound, while others create more noise and distraction.
Kiri’s research has shown that listening can be especially difficult in open-plan classrooms where several classes share one large space. Noise from neighbouring groups can intrude into lessons, making it harder for children to focus and understand speech.
Policymakers are increasingly recognising this issue. In 2024, the New Zealand government announced it would stop building new open-plan classrooms. Schools may also improve existing spaces by adding sound-absorbing panels, carpets or furniture, or by creating more enclosed learning areas.
Listening with devices
Listening challenges are not the same for every child. Some students may find classroom listening particularly difficult, including neurodiverse children, those learning English as an additional language, and children who are D/deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH).
Rebecca is currently researching how children who use hearing aids or cochlear implants recognise and distinguish between different voices. If hearing devices make it harder to identify speakers, it may help explain why noisy classrooms can be especially challenging for these students. This research aims to inform strategies that improve listening conditions for children who are DHH.
Get involved
At Macquarie University, several studies are exploring children’s listening, language development and learning to help guide evidence-based improvements in classrooms.
To learn more about participating in listening and language research, contact hearing@mq.edu.au.
Tips for parents
• Ask your child about their experience listening in the classroom — do they find it difficult?
• Talk to your school about soundabsorbing classroom modifications or sound-field amplification systems.
Tips for teachers
• Face students when speaking so they can see your facial cues.
• Consider whether some students may find listening more challenging.
• Seat students who struggle with listening closer to you so they can see and hear more clearly.
Dr Rebecca Holt and Dr Kiri Mealings are Research Fellows in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University and members of Macquarie University Hearing. Their work explores how listening and classroom environments influence children’s learning and wellbeing.
Dr Rebecca Holt
Dr Kiri Mealings
Settling into Childcare: A Guide for Families
Starting childcare is a big milestone for both children and parents. For many families, it is the first time a child spends part of their day away from home. While this transition can feel emotional at first, high-quality early childhood education provides children with valuable opportunities to learn, make friends and build confidence. With the right support, children usually settle into their new environment and begin to thrive.
The Benefits of Smaller Childcare Centres
Many families today are drawn to smaller, family-based childcare centres. These centres often offer a warm, family-like atmosphere where educators can truly get to know each child. With fewer children in the group, educators are able to spend more individual time supporting each child’s interests, needs and development.
Another benefit of smaller centres is greater consistency in staffing. When children see the same educators each day, they build strong relationships and feel secure. Consistent relationships are important in early childhood, helping children develop trust and emotional stability. Research also suggests that stable educators help create stronger attachments between children and educators, supporting healthy development.
Smaller groups can also support children’s health and wellbeing. With fewer children sharing the same space, there may be fewer opportunities for illnesses to spread quickly. Smaller settings also allow educators to maintain high standards of hygiene and respond quickly if a child becomes unwell.
Just as importantly, smaller childcare centres often create a close community where families know one another. Children feel a stronger sense of belonging when educators and families work closely together.
What to Look for When Choosing Childcare
Choosing the right childcare service is an important decision for families. In Australia, early childhood education services are assessed under the National Quality Standard, which focuses on children’s safety, wellbeing and learning outcomes.
When visiting a centre, parents may wish to consider several key factors, including the centre’s quality rating, the qualifications and experience of educators, and the overall environment. A welcoming atmosphere, safe learning spaces and positive relationships between educators and children are strong signs of quality care.
It is also helpful to take a tour of the service, ask questions about the daily program, and
GITA YAZDANI Teacher and Service Provider
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Childcare
observe how educators interact with the children. Families should feel comfortable communicating with staff and confident their child will be supported emotionally and academically.
Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Growth
Childcare is not only about supervision, it is also about helping children grow socially and emotionally. In early learning environments, children learn important life skills such as sharing, taking turns and cooperating with others. These experiences help prepare them for school and for life.
Educators support children by modelling kindness, guiding them through conflicts and encouraging them to express their feelings. Through play-based learning, group activities and friendships, children develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.
When families and educators work together, childcare becomes a positive and enriching experience. With patience, communication and care, children soon discover that childcare is not just a place to learn, but a place where they can feel safe, valued and happy.
Students’ big dreams for tiny home
Students at Hunters Hill High School have swapped the four walls of the classroom to build the four walls of a tiny home.
In 2025, twelve Year 10 students began working on the structure from the ground up, getting hands on with every single element - from building the frame, installing insulation and cabinetry to decorating the house.
‘The Tiny Home Project will really help me achieve my goals of getting into the construction industry. I have such a solid basis thanks to the micro-credentials and practical learning,’ said Year 11 student Sasha Smith.
The school has paired up with the NSW Institute of Education & Training (NSWIET), who has sourced licensed tradies to supervise the students, organise micro-credentials for them and have them career ready.
‘Students are learning about construction workflow, safety requirements, how to use tools and get hands-on with the industry,’ said Alex Cantali, NSWIET CEO and Founder.
Hunters Hill High School careers advisor, Nikki Polak, said the experience aims to inspire students to explore pathways in construction and take up a VET course and apprenticeship.
‘Our job is to set up students for postschool success by broadening their prospects and working with industry to create opportunities,’ Ms Polak said.
The tiny home will be auctioned off on 29 March with proceeds going into another Tiny Home this year.
Local teen connects community
Small moments in the neighbourhood inspired 16-year-old Rishit, a Year 11 student at Chatswood High School, to create an app designed to help seniors access everyday support.
Living on Mowbray Road, Rishit often noticed older residents travelling independently, some using walking sticks or electric wheelchairs and commuting alone by bus. During evening walks with his dog, he was occasionally asked to help - once by an elderly man struggling to carry groceries across the street, and another time by a woman in a motorised wheelchair who needed help unlocking her apartment door. These encounters highlighted a simple challenge: many seniors only need small, everyday assistance but don’t always have someone nearby to ask.
Inspired to make a difference, Rishit developed HelpMate, a community app that connects people who need help with nearby volunteers.
Users can request assistance with a single tap, sharing their location with registered volunteers within a one-kilometre radius. Nearby helpers receive an alert, and once a request is accepted, a secure chat and live location feature allow both people to coordinate safely.
Rishit began developing the self-funded app in early 2025, teaching himself coding through online resources, with the goal of strengthening community connections and encouraging young people to support local seniors.
Creative excellence shines at Riverside Girls
Riverside Girls High School is celebrating an exceptional year of creative achievement, with students recognised at the highest levels of the HSC in both music and visual arts.
2025 Performance Captain Freya Nylund was selected to perform in ENCORE, a prestigious showcase of outstanding HSC Music major works. Freya performed a beautiful vocal trio with Ella Donavan, Riverside’s 2024 Performance Captain, and her brother, also a public school graduate. The performance took place at the Sydney Opera House on 2 March, featuring students from both public and non-government schools across NSW. Freya was the only student representing a comprehensive high school.
The school is immensely proud of Freya and her teacher, Ms Wang, who has guided her musical development since Year 7. Riverside’s strong music and performing arts program provides students with rich opportunities to explore music, dance, drama and performance as part of a vibrant cocurricular culture.
Riverside students have also achieved remarkable success in visual arts. Four HSC 2025 students - Amelia Boccabella, Mincheong Ko, Ye-Eun Seo and Rebecca Zirn - were selected for ARTEXPRESS, the prestigious exhibition showcasing outstanding HSC Visual Arts works across New South Wales.
Their artworks will be displayed in galleries across the state, highlighting the remarkable creative talent within the Riverside community.
Performance Captain Freya Nylund at the ENCORE performance.
Mayor’s Message April 2026
Merri
Southwood, Mayor of Lane Cove e: msouthwood@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
As we make our way through Autumn, there are many opportunities for our community to come together, have their say and continue making our area an even better place to live.
I would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who attended the Seniors Festival special event at Galuwa as part of Seniors Festival month in March. It was fantastic to see such a great turnout, with residents enjoying a morning of connection
Changes to Public Forum Guidelines
Lane Cove Council has adopted new Public Forum Guidelines, with public forum sessions now held at 7:00pm on the Monday before each Council Meeting. The updated format ensures a clear process for speakers who wish to address Council on matters listed on an agenda for the council meeting and also a community forum segment, time permitting, on other general matters. The next public forum will take place on Monday 20 April at 7:00pm.
For more information and to register your attendance, visit lanecove.nsw. gov.au/councilmeetings
and celebration, recognising the important contribution seniors make to our community.
We will soon gather to commemorate ANZAC Day at our annual service, proudly presented in partnership with Lane Cove RSL sub-Branch. We warmly welcome you to join us in The Canopy from 7:15am - 8:30am for this important event to reflect, remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women.
Finally, congratulations to our community for embracing the new weekly Food Waste Service for stand-alone houses. Even small amounts recycled each week help keep waste out of landfill while creating valuable soil improver and renewable energy.
Have a wonderful April!
School Holiday Program and Youth Week Event
Lane Cove’s young people are invited to join the fun these April school holidays at Synergy Youth Centre, with a packed program of creative, sporty and social activities.
Running from 7–17 April, the holiday program for 10–17-yearolds includes fashion flip workshops, drumming, craft, bingo, science activities and touch football, plus access to sports equipment, video games and tabletop games.
The centre will also celebrate Youth Week with a special event on Friday 17 April inspired by this year’s theme, Do, Dare, Dream. Young people aged 10–24 can enjoy free outdoor laser tag, dreamcatcher making, a BBQ dinner and more.
Programs run weekdays from 12:00pm–5:00pm at Synergy Youth Centre, 8 Little Street, Lane Cove. For program times and bookings, visit lanecove.nsw.gov.au/youth
Have Your Say on Lane Cove’s Climate Future
Lane Cove Council is preparing a new Climate Emergency Plan to guide local climate action over the next four years and wants to hear from you!
Members of the community are encouraged to share ideas, priorities and practical solutions to help shape the plan and the future of the local area by completing a short online survey.
Submissions close on 19 April 2026. The survey is available via the Have Your Say webpage at haveyoursay.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ climate-emergency.
Wild About Lane Cove Photo Challenge
Calling all budding nature photographers – snap and share your local bushland discoveries in the Wild About Lane Cove Photo Challenge from 1–30 April!
Photograph a feature of Lane Cove’s bushland that provides habitat for wildlife and share why it supports local species. Submit your photo and a short description to go in the draw to win great prizes! For details and how to enter, visit lanecove.nsw.gov. au/wildaboutlanecove
Lane Cove News April 2026
Find all our events on our website at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events
Backyard
Habitat
Join Council’s free Backyard Habitat program to receive a garden consultation, personalised advice and native plants for your garden.
Contact Miriam McInnes at backyardhabitat@lanecove.nsw. gov.au or 9911 3654 to register your interest.
Weed of the Season: Cassia
Cassia (Senna pendula var. glabrata) is a South American weed that grows as a sprawling shrub two to four metres tall, with opposite compound leaves, long bean-like seed pods and flowers from late summer to autumn. It is often confused with the native Coffee Bush, which has alternate leaves and small berries. Hand-weed small seedlings and place seeds in green waste. Cut and treat larger plants promptly to prevent spread.
Our Food Waste Service Is Here!
Congratulations Lane Cove, we’re on our way to keeping even more waste out of landfill!
Our community is already great at recycling, and with the new weekly Food Waste Service we’re getting even better. The new food waste bin accepts all types of food scraps, including items that can’t usually go in a home compost bin, such as bones, meat, seafood and dairy.
To use the service correctly, it’s important to remember the food waste bin is for food only and can’t accept items such as tea bags, paper towels or any packaging.
Recycling even small amounts of food waste makes a difference. Put your bin out each week to help turn food scraps into valuable soil improver and renewable energy.
For more information, visit lanecove.nsw.gov.au/foodwaste
Lane Cove News April 2026
Find all our events on our website at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events
Get Your Groove on With Dancing in the Shadows of Motown
Enjoy an evening of classic soul at The Canopy with Dancing in the Shadows of Motown on Saturday 18 April, 6:00pm–9:00pm.
The 10-piece band delivers a high-energy tribute to Motown legends including The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and The Jackson Five, featuring hits such as My Girl, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Stop! In the Name of Love. Accessible tickets available. Book at lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events.
Don’t Miss a Night of K-Pop at The Canopy
Enjoy a night of K-Pop fun for all ages on Saturday 25 April.
Start with the K-Pop Demon Hunters Glow Disco (6:00pm–7:00pm) with glowing dancers, interactive moves and K-Pop hits.
Then Beauty & The Beatz (7:15pm–8:15pm) brings high-energy live dance hits from pop anthems to feel-good classics.
Tickets $16.30. Book at lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events.
Lane Cove Library: A “Little Piece of Joy” for Our Community
The State Library of NSW has released its 2024/25 public library statistics, with Lane Cove Libraries once again ranked #1 in NSW for loans per capita.
This year’s result coincided with Library Lovers’ Day on 14 February, celebrating the important role libraries play in supporting literacy, learning, and community connection. As part of the celebrations, visitors were invited to write Love Letters to the Library, with 73 heartfelt messages received. Many shared their appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere and supportive staff:
“The Library is like the Count of Monte Cristo’s cave of treasure, and the lovely librarians are like the Abbé who helps Edmond Dantès.”
“We love that the library is such an inclusive and safe space that fosters community. We’ve even signed up our 10-week-old baby for their first library card.”
“Lane Cove Library is a little piece of joy for me.”
What’s on in Lane Cove April 2026
Find all our events on our website at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events
COMING UP @
visit thecanopy.com.au
Open Mic Night
Thursday 16 April, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Chess Weekly
Every Thursday from 1:30pm Makers Market
Sunday 19 April, 9:00am–4:00pm
Dancing in the Shadows of Motown
Saturday 18 April, 6:00pm–9:00pm Play Garden
Thursday 23 April, 9:00am–11:00am
ANZAC Day Service
Saturday 25 April, 7:15am-8:30am
KPop and Beauty & The Beatz
Saturday 25 April, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Bike Maintenance Workshop:
Combined with Hunter’s Hill Council
Saturday 9 May, 10:00am–1:00pm Cove Room at Civic Centre Lane Cove Council, 48 Longueville Road, Lane Cove.
This workshop provides practical guidance on how to look after your bicycle. Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety
Car Maintenance Workshop:
Combined with Hunter’s Hill Council
Saturday 9 May, 11:00am–1:00pm Lane Cove Council Car Park, 48 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove (enter via Little St or Phoenix St). Learn how to do basic maintenance checks on your vehicle, what to do in an accident and how to choose a mechanic. Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety
LIBRARY EVENTS
Learn to Love your Laptop @ Lane Cove
Thursdays 9 and 16 April, 10:00am–11:30am.
Using Windows 10 and 11, learn screen navigation, keyboard and mouse skills, and basic shortcuts. BYO laptop. Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library
Tech Topics: Types of AI
Fridays 10, 17, 24 April and Fridays 1, 8 May, 10:30am–12:00pm. This five-session series explores uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through presentations and hands-on experiences. Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library
Introduction to Video Editing PART 1 & 2 @ St Leonards
Thursday 30 April and 7 May 2:30pm–4:00pm.
Join this two-part introduction into video editing at St Leonards Library, for ages 16+. Bookings essential, $10.00 + booking fee: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library
Moments in Music – Music that helped win the war
Wednesday 22 April, 10:00am–12:00pm.
Join local musician Graham Ball as he presents popular songs of the World Wars that sustained morale and provided much needed relaxation and entertainment. Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library
Meet Gill Shaddick – The Lion behind the Anthill @ Lane Cove
Thursday 23 April, 2:00pm–3:00pm.
Meet the author of this captivating memoir about love, adventure and travel to exotic places. Books are available for purchase on the night.
Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library
Discover Your World War Australian Soldier: NSW Heritage Festival
Tuesday 21 April, 2:30pm–4:30pm.
Trace your Australian World War I and II serviceman or woman using TROVE, archives, genealogy websites and published sources to find out what your ancestor did during World War I and II. Bookings essential: lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library
The threads that connect
For Polish born Kasia Jacquot embroidery has way more meaning than simply the joy of this fibre art. The flowers and colours she chooses remind her of her early years living in the town of Krosno, famous for its beautiful glassware.
‘My grandparent’s village is what I remember most fondly. I stayed there for the first ten years of my life. There were wildflowers everywhere in the spring and summer. Her town had small houses, a birch tree forest, one local shop, a tiny train station and everyone there knew each other,’ Kasia told me.
‘There was an elderly neighbour I really liked. She lived in a beautiful old wooden cottage and she had many things decorated with brightly coloured floral motifs. As well as embroideries she’d painted cooking pots, wooden spoons and other decorations. I always felt good being in her home. Often when I stitch, I think of her,’ she said.
Kasia was just five years old when she had her first experience of embroidery.
‘I have a vivid memory of sitting in my grandmother Halina’s kitchen. She gave me some fabric and thread and showed me a stitch. I was focusing so hard I ended up stitching the fabric to my trouser leg!’
In 1981 when Kasia was 10 years old she and her mother escaped from communist Poland and fled to West Germany.
Maggie Lawrence chats with Gladesville folk artist Kasia Jacquot about her embroidery art and the deeper meaning it holds for her.
‘It was a difficult time in Poland - massive food shortages, riots and a corrupt government. My mum wanted a better life for us and so we escaped to a port city in West Germany. We were given refugee status and allowed to stay for two years.’
Kasia and her mother discovered that Australia was taking migrants and they signed up for the migrant program and came to Sydney where they lived in a migrant hostel in 1983.
‘Our escape had to be kept a secret from everyone, including my dad. If my mum was found out she’d have lost custody of me, and been arrested.
‘In 1989 communism was abolished and it was safe to return to Poland. I’ve been back and forth many times since then. I try to go back as often as I can,’ she said.
After moving to Australia, Kasia was very drawn to creating traditional Polish folk art and craft.
‘I painted traditional Easter eggs each year, made paper crafts and painted and stitched on and off. I think this helped me to feel closer to my Polish home.’
Kasia grew up as an only child. Her parents were divorced when she was five. Her father Henryk was a very talented woodworker. He married three times and had one child with each wife. Her mother had a clerical job.
‘I never got to see my dad until I returned to Poland in 1991 when I was 19. By then I’d graduated from high school in Sydney,’ Kasia told me.
Polish folk craft was a way to reconnect
For many years Kasia felt far away from her family and culture, so traditional Polish folk craft was a way to feel that connection.
‘When I stitch, I feel connected to the women in my family, my heritage, my history, my culture. I also feel through whatever I’m stitching that I’m connecting to future generations of my family.’
Kasia separated from her spouse and 12 years ago met her current partner at a Lane Cove local café she used to visit when taking her two children to school.
‘He’s a retired chef, now running a gardening business and he’s a talented and avid landscape photographer,’ she said.
Kasia has been embroidering most of her life. All her designs are inspired by traditional folk art and folk embroidery on traditional costumes.
Kasia Jacquot
‘I’ve always loved fabrics and fibre arts and hand made things. I also like textures and colours and the idea of being able to add vibrant patterns onto the surface of a piece of fabric. But I think what I love the most is it gives me a way to express my creativity with my hands and tell the story of where I’m from.
‘Embroidery for me is so unique because with simply the use of a piece of thread and a few movements of a needle, stunning colours and images appear that people love. It seems almost a miracle. When I embroider something and then look at it, I feel happy. That simple happiness is enough for me,’ she said.
Kasia’s designs all feature flowers and botanical motifs. Occasionally there are birds and hearts.
‘The flowers are all reflective of the floral patterns on traditional folk costumes, embroideries on the women’s blouses and bodices. My family love what I do and how it shares our culture with people in a different country.’
Kasia was good at art and it was her favourite subject in high school. After finishing school in 1991 she returned to Poland to reconnect with her family.
‘I loved being back and considered moving there permanently. I enrolled at a Polish university and began a degree in architecture and design.
‘I struggled a lot in the first year. I was missing Australia and discovered that Poland was not how I remembered it as a child. I loved being closer to my family but I felt that Australia was also my home. I’d spent my teenage years in Sydney and found it hard to connect with my peers in Poland who’d lived through the worst times.
‘After a year I returned to Australia and enrolled in architectural drafting at TAFE but I gave it up to study graphic design at the University of South Australia. This became my career until I had my two children,’ she said.
Teaching embroidery and passing on stories
Kasia started teaching formally in 2014.
‘One of my friends had a shop in Lane Cove and asked me if I wanted to teach an embroidery workshop. I didn’t think anyone would be interested but agreed and we advertised a workshop. It took off slowly and I started building my
business from there. I ended up running workshops in many locations around Australia.
‘To witness the delight on the faces of students when they discover their own abilities with a needle and thread, is so rewarding,’ she said.
Kasia doesn’t see herself as a stand-alone artist. She’s never exhibited her work. The idea of being a folk artist and being connected to the history of the work that came before her is rooted deeply in her heart.
‘I have sold one-off pieces in the past but my preference is to teach, to share my designs and to pass on stories rather than being recognised as an individual artist. All the work I create is an inspired continuation of the work that was created before me by others.’
Kasia also designs and sells embroidery kits. Now she mainly teaches online with a group she’s created.
Creating a Christmas Reindeer
Kasia’s talent for art can be seen around Lane Cove. She painted the two electricity boxes on the corner of Centennial Avenue and Epping Road. She also painted a metal table tennis table at Stringybark Creek Reserve in Lane Cove North.
‘Lane Cove Council have been wonderful in supporting me with a number of projects,’ Kasia told me.
‘In 2011 the Council commissioned me to create a Christmas reindeer which was
covered in hand embroidered fabric. I also painted the huge windows at West Elm in Chatswood many years ago. That was such a fun project,’ she added.
I was curious to know how long it takes her to create her beautiful pieces of embroidery.
‘An average pattern takes me about 6 hours to stitch. I select thread and fabric colours as well as stitches before I’m happy with it. The design itself often comes from one of my many sketchbooks. I sketch often and then find a pattern I like and turn it into an embroidery.’
Embroidering for television and film
The biggest commission Kasia ever did was for the bedroom of Nicole Kidman’s character in the TV series Nine Perfect Strangers
‘It was a two-metre by two-metre bedspread. It took me just over 110 hours to create. Ironically, I was also commissioned to create tiny miniatures for a George Miller film called Three Thousand Years of Longing. It took me around 15 hours to make, then it only appeared for a few seconds,’ she said.
‘There are two distinct joys I get from embroidery: the connection I feel to history and culture and stories of Polish women who have come before me, and the joy I see in my students when they discover what they can do,’ Kasia concluded.
It took Kasia over 110 hours to embroider a quilt for the bedroom of Nicole Kidman’s character in the TV series Nine Perfect Strangers.
Christmas reindeer commissioned by Lane Cove Council
Patient education
DR CARL WONG IS A LANE COVE-BASED GP AND SITS ON THE BOARD OF SYDNEY COMMUNITY SERVICES
The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patients in care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease – Thomas Edison (1903)
More than a diagnosis
Over many years working as a General Practitioner, I have learnt that having medical knowledge alone is not enough. A brilliant diagnosis or a perfectly written prescription means little if my patients do not understand what their condition is or how to manage it.
This is where the art of patient education becomes essential and is the cornerstone of being a healthcare professional. Patient education is the bridge between clinical expertise and health outcomes that actually make a difference. If done well, patient education empowers individuals for their own health betterment. If done poorly, it can create confusion, non-adherence, and even preventable harm.
The art of explaining health
But what is it actually? Education in healthcare is often thought of as a one-way process: doctor speaks and patient listens. But true patient education is not simply the transfer of information. Rather it is a skilful blend of communication, empathy, cultural awareness, psychology, and timing. It requires myself to move beyond technical jargon and adapt my language (both verbal and non-verbal) to suit my audience. The way I convey information will be vastly different if sitting across from me is an anxious parent, an older adult with poor hearing or dementia, a defiant teenager, a migrant with poor English skills or a patient I need to deliver bad news to of a life-threatening diagnosis.
It’s been said that by the end of medical school, new doctors have learnt an estimated 55,000 new specialised words. We are trained in a language rich with technical precision. Terms like ‘halitosis’, ‘myocardial infarction’, or ‘bovine spongiform encephalopathy’ are second nature in professional settings. However, to patients, these words can sound intimidating and incomprehensible.
Turning medical jargon into meaning
Successful effective patient education starts with translation. A term like ‘high blood pressure’ is clearer than ‘hypertension’; ‘stroke’ is more impactful than ‘cerebrovascular accident’. But true understanding must go beyond my choice of words. It needs explaining how this condition impacts your daily life and your years to come. For example, telling you that you have diabetes is one thing. But explaining to you how your blood sugar affects your energy, vision, kidney and heart health, and wound healing connects your diagnosis to real-world consequences. When you understand the ‘what and why (it is)’, then you are more likely to engage with the ‘how (to fix it)’.
Helping patients understand and remember
Because health literacy - the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information - varies widely. Even highly educated individuals (including those who work in the medical field themselves) may struggle to interpret medical instructions under stress when it is they who are sitting on the other side of the table or treatment bed.
Research has shown that patients often forget 40% to 80% of the medical information and recommendations given to them by their healthcare worker immediately after a consultation. Furthermore, of the information that is remembered, almost half is recalled incorrectly. Anxiety, pain, or emotional shock can limit information retention. For this reason, doctors may often
use simple language, visual aids, and repetition. For example, when I explain a new diagnosis of osteoporosis, I pull out my trusty bone-structure anatomy desk model as a teaching aid. In an increasingly digital world and knowing the importance of being environmentally conscious, I will email my patients written materials that is concise and readable to enhance comprehension. Short educational videos (for example, to explain how to use an asthma inhaler device or an anaphylaxis EpiPen) can reinforce in-person discussions.
Shared decisions, better outcomes
It is also important to note that impactful healthcare needs to involve shared decision-making. When I am explaining different treatment plans, I will explain options, risks, and benefits whilst considering my patient’s preferences. A patient deciding between surgical and non-surgical treatment for knee pain, for example, benefits from understanding recovery times, complication rates, and expected outcomes. There is often no one ‘best’ choice and may depend on personal priorities – past experience, cost (financial, time off work or as a caregiver), and one’s risk tolerance. When done this way, patients participate actively in decisions and are more likely to follow through. Patient education thus becomes empowering rather than prescriptive.
The power of understanding
For these with chronic health conditions (61% of Australians from 2022 census data), patient education is not a one-time event
Nasal spray offers new option for treating anaphylaxis
A new needle-free treatment for severe allergic reactions is now available in Australia, with the approval of neffy®, an adrenaline nasal spray developed by CSL Seqirus.
The spray has been approved for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in adults and children aged four years and over who weigh at least 15 kilograms. Anaphylaxis can occur after exposure to allergens such as certain foods, medications or insect stings and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly with adrenaline.
Adrenaline works by reducing throat swelling, opening the airways and supporting heart function and blood pressure.
Australia has one of the highest documented rates of anaphylaxis hospital admissions in the developed world, with emergency department presentations rising significantly in recent years.
Leading NSW allergist Professor Connie Katelaris AM said the approval provides patients with an alternative to injectable adrenaline devices.
‘This is the first new way of administering adrenaline approved in Australia in more than 30 years,’ she said. ‘It offers patients and doctors another option for managing this serious condition.’
but rather an ongoing process. Patients must learn to monitor symptoms, adjust medications when appropriate, recognise warning signs, and adopt sustainable lifestyle habits. Follow-up appointments with your healthcare professional reinforces knowledge, addresses new questions, and adapts plans as your circumstances change.
Unfortunately, patient education often competes with time pressures. Standard medical appointment slots can make indepth conversations challenging, worsened by administrative tasks and documentation demands further compressing available time. Medicare sadly disincentivises long GP consultations when it comes to remuneration. This is slowly improving but it has a long way to catch-up after decades of government neglect of the primary healthcare system.
Yet investing in education ultimately saves time and money. Patients who understand medication instructions are less likely to require hospital emergency visits due to misuse. Clear postoperative guidance can prevent complications. Improved adherence, reduced hospital readmissions, better disease control, and higher patient satisfaction all reflect effective communication.
For that is the true marker of success of patient education – not by how much information is delivered, but by how much is understood and applied. That is healthcare at its best.
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Ryde Eisteddfod strikes a new chord in 2026
After several challenging years for community arts, the Ryde Eisteddfod is launching new initiatives in 2026 aimed at rebuilding participation and celebrating the diversity of local performers.
At the centre of this effort is the Ryde Choral Revival, a project designed to reinvigorate choir singing across schools and the wider community.
Communal singing was particularly affected during the pandemic, with choir participation dropping significantly. In 2025 only a handful of school choirs entered the Eisteddfod and there were no entries in the K–2 category. Church choirs were similarly impacted.
Organisers say the aim is to restore the joy of singing together and rebuild vibrant choir competitions. While performing against a few choirs can be rewarding, larger fields create a richer and more exciting experience for performers and audiences alike.
Supported by a City of Ryde grant, the Choral Revival builds on last year’s Ryde Eisteddfod Cultural Community project, which created a network of performers, teachers and organisers to support local arts activity throughout the year.
The Choral Revival will focus on four key areas:
• Promoting the wellbeing and social benefits of choral singing across the Ryde community, encouraging participation not only during the Eisteddfod season but throughout the year.
• Encouraging current and retired music teachers to develop classroom singing and school choirs capable of performing at community events and competitions.
• Partnering with students from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to inspire the next generation of choir conductors and music educators, particularly those interested in working with schools.
• Exploring the creation of a Ryde Choral Day, bringing together school and community choirs for a celebration of group singing.
Alongside the choral revival, the 2026 program introduces several new competition categories designed to broaden participation. Piano Partnerships invites pianists to collaborate with vocalists or instrumentalists in repertoire such as sonatas and art songs,
with both performers adjudicated. A new Ethnic Instrumental Solos or Ensembles category celebrates the area’s cultural diversity, welcoming instruments from around the world - from tin whistles and sitars to erhus and djembes.
Dance is also expanding with The Unstoppables, created for dancers who continue performing beyond the traditional peak ages of childhood and early teens.
The Ryde Eisteddfod season runs from July to September, with entries closing in April. For details visit www.rydeeisteddfod.org or contact Secretary Suzanne Maslen on (02) 9874 2809.
Pay it forward for future generations of sick children
“Having a child in hospital affects the whole family in a profound way. When a baby, toddler or teenager comes through our doors, they never come alone. Their entire family comes with them, if not physically, then emotionally,” said Anne McFadden, Director of Planned Giving at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF).
A hospital stay can stir up a complex mix of emotions for the families we support, from fear and uncertainty to hope and deep gratitude. Many people who have experienced having a child in hospital, whether their own or a loved one’s, feel forever changed by the experience. For some, it sparks a strong desire to give back, whether by supporting other families, volunteering, or making a donation to help other sick and injured children.
“Providing support and care for parents and families is absolutely crucial. When families feel supported, they’re better able to focus their energy where it matters most, on their child in hospital,”
Ms McFadden added.
While supporting children in hospital today is vital, so too is planning for the
countless children and families who will need worldclass paediatric care in the years ahead.
One parent who has chosen to make a lasting impact is Lyn Cecil, whose baby boy Mark, survived thanks to the exceptional care he received at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, in the 1970s.
“I’m a retired mum. I may not be in a position to make a significant donation today, but through my Will I can in the future. Any gift I leave, I know, will go to help little babies like Mark survive and thrive.”
Every person has the power to make a meaningful difference. By helping ensure hospitals can continue to deliver extraordinary care and drive advances in paediatric healthcare, supporters create lasting change for generations of children and their families.
For those unable to give right now, leaving a gift in your Will to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation is a powerful way to create that future impact. Even a small portion, as little as 5 percent, can help shape a lasting legacy of care, hope and support.
Writing or updating your Will is also easier than many people realise. SCHF partners with two trusted online Will writing services:
• Gathered Here — a free, easy-to-use platform that allows you to create or update your Will in minutes.
• Willed — a paid service offering a guided, step-by-step process with access to legal support, ideal for those wanting additional assistance or with more complex needs.
To learn more about leaving a gift in your Will to SCHF, call 1800 770 122 or visit www.schf.org.au/gift-in-will
World-class music returns to Hunters Hill
For more than 80 years, Hunters Hill Music has been bringing exceptional chamber music to the local community. In 2026, the much-loved concert series returns to Hunters Hill Town Hall with a season that celebrates outstanding musicianship, storytelling and the special atmosphere of live performance.
Led by Artistic Director Lerida Delbridge - a Hunters Hill resident and Principal Second Violin with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra - the volunteer-run organisation continues its tradition of presenting worldclass artists in an intimate setting where audiences can experience music up close.
‘The magic of chamber music is the connection between artists and audience,’ Delbridge says. ‘Hunters Hill Music creates an environment where people can really experience that connection.’
The 2026 season brings together a remarkable group of performers, including musicians from the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Symphony
Orchestra, as well as internationally acclaimed Australian pianist Andrea Lam, whose expressive playing has captivated audiences around the world and recently featured on ABC’s The Piano
A highlight of the season will be the October gala concert featuring internationally celebrated Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg alongside acclaimed pianist Jonathan Ware in an exclusive Sydney appearance. Following the performance, audiences will have the opportunity to share supper with the artists - a hallmark of the warm and welcoming spirit that defines the series.
Later in the year, accordion virtuoso James Crabb will bring his extraordinary artistry to the stage, demonstrating the expressive possibilities of an instrument rarely heard in classical recital.
While the musicians appearing in the series perform regularly on major international stages, Hunters Hill Music remains proudly community-focused.
Sunday afternoon concerts invite audiences to relax and enjoy the music in a friendly atmosphere, with a glass of sparkling wine included in the experience.
For audiences across the lower north shore and beyond, Hunters Hill Music offers the chance to experience world-class performers in an intimate local venue.
One,
Two, Three, Four, Five
Sunday March 29th
2.30pm
Musicians of the SSO and ACO ‘deconstruct’ the sound world of the string quintet.
Andrea Lam, Piano
Sunday June 28th
2.30pm
Be captivated by virtuoso pianist and star of the ABC’s ‘The Piano’, Andrea Lam.
Tickets from $50. Purchase a 2026
Season Subscription before March 29th and enter the draw to win 'The Cookbook’ by Boronia Kitchen’s Simon Sandall.
Opera
Gala with Siobhan Stagg
Saturday October 10th 7pm
Be transported by the incandescent voice of Australian operatic sensation, Siobhan Stagg.
Inclusive of post-concert supper curated by Boronia Kitchen
James Crabb, Accordion
Sunday November 29th
2.30pm
An afternoon with the ‘dazzling, explosive and wildly passionate' accordion virtuoso, James Crabb.
Following each concert join the artists for a complimentary glass of Savannah Estate Wine
Andrea Lam
100 WORDS
Law enforcement mobilised all resources to locate the missing woman. Helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs descended on the southern town like a dark storm cloud, scouring the desert for signs of life. Days turned into weeks. Social media channels posted frequent updates, with no resolution in sight. The townspeople became amateur super sleuths overnight.
While the FBI pulled out every high-tech surveillance device available, Nonna DeFrancesco pulled out her rosary, seeking the intercession of the Italian go to saint for all lost things …St Anthony.
The next breaking news story announced a miracle, ‘woman found alive, safe and well’.
The world’s most wicked dictator, cowered in his bunker, while ballistic missiles flew overhead. The military coup had succeeded.
When his loyalists escaped over the border, via secret tunnels, abandoning him, he fled the Presidential Palace, stuffing his pockets with rubies, diamonds and sapphires.
Meanwhile, his limited supply of bottled water and tinned rations wouldn’t last beyond a few days.
On his final night underground, a deafening blast blew his hiding place to smithereens. Now a prisoner of war, his captors waved their national flag in a victory salute, which ironically matched his concealed gemstones: red, white and blue.
Perihan Bozkurt, Lane Cove
BELIEVING IN MAGIC
I dreamt my kangaroo paw nudged me awake to admire its blooms and to thank me for feeding it. It seems it will flower in autumn to brighten up the place but we haven’t had summer yet.
Or was it ragdoll Stella who nudged me? Hungry as usual. Eat, sleep and be merry. Wish I could, but with all these dependents…
The magic of my story lies in nocturnal visits. I am alone, but loved. My purple stick leans against the wall ready to fly me to breakfast in a village cafe where they call me darling.
Sylvia Petter, Lane Cove
Do you have a 100 word story?
Email: editor@thevillageobserver.com.au
Redbelly Crossing
BY CANDICE FOX
Review by Melissa Barks, Editor, The Village Observer
The cover promos declare that this book is ‘addictive’ and I concur. It has been quite a while since I devoured a 400page novel so quickly outside of a holiday.
Renowned crime writer Candice Fox delivers a pageturner populated with well-drawn, layered characters. The Powder family is certainly no Brady Bunch, and the novel explores the grief and darkness of family trauma with depth and candour, punctuated by the occasional sharp jolt that keeps the reader on edge.
Two estranged brothers - both police officers - are assigned to the murder of young journalist Chloe Lutz in the small Australian hamlet of Redbelly Crossing. Their personal and professional lives have been shaped by the malignant influence of their odious father Arthur, a retired cop. Older brother Russell has succeeded professionally, but his personal life is in tatters. The case comes at a difficult time as he attempts to rebuild a fragile relationship with his teenage daughter Bridie, seemingly the only person able to breach his emotional defences, although affable local sergeant Louis Dodge is making surprising inroads.
Evan, meanwhile, is attempting to salvage his police career after a disastrous mistake, while grappling with concerns about his teenage son. Rather than restoring his reputation, the lead he uncovers threatens to unravel everything. As the investigation deepens, the brothers find themselves ostensibly working together while pulling in different directions, with Chloe’s murder opening the door to a string of cold cases - and possibly a serial killer.
As a thriller, Redbelly Crossing delivers in spades, and I would readily recommend it to crime fiction readers. But the novel also has a deeper resonance. Inspired by discovering a familial link to two unsolved homicides from the 1970s, Fox uses the story to explore the enduring horror and ripple effects of violent crime. The afterword outlines the real cases - the murders of Lynette White and Maria Smith in their Eastern Sydney homes - in the hope that renewed attention may prompt fresh information.
Supporting You, Every Step of the Way
Staying connected and independent makes all the difference in living a happy, fulfilling life. At Sydney Community Services, we’re here to help people with disability do just that.
We offer personalised one to one support at home or out in the community, along with group programs where you can try new activities, meet people and build confidence. Our friendly Social Support team takes the time to understand your goals and provides reliable assistance when you need it - weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
With the right support, everyday life becomes easier, more enjoyable and more connected.
Hunters Hill Seniors Week a colourful celebration
The Hunters Hill Town Hall was blossoming for the Seniors morning tea celebration on 5 March. The event was jointly presented by Hunter’s Hill Council and Sydney Community Services as part of the 2026 Seniors Festival.
This year’s theme, Live life in colour, invited attendees to commend the vibrancy, diversity and happiness that seniors bring to Hunters Hill.
At the morning tea event, seniors were able to enjoy a cup of tea or barista-made coffee along with delicious treats. Live music from King Olav and the Rescue Cats created a wonderful atmosphere, and a variety of educational and interactive stalls were on display from local service providers and community groups including:
• Sydney Community Services
• Str yder Community Transport
• Hunters Hill Medical Practice
• Hunters Hill Rotary Club / Hunters Hill Art Group
• Hunters Hill Lodge
• Australian Academy of Tai Chi & Qigong
• Moocooboola Computer Club
• Rehoming Unwanted Things
• SES
• St Johns Ambulance
NSW HSC Drama Teacher brings Neighbourhood Watch to the stage
NSW high school drama teacher Kathryn Thomas is collaborating with Lane Cove Theatre Company to bring the major HSC text Neighbourhood Watch by Lally Katz to the stage this May.
A long-standing work on the HSC syllabus, Neighbourhood Watch explores friendship, xenophobia, generational trauma and human connection. Thomas says staging the play offers students a deeper understanding than classroom study alone.
Kathryn Thomas
‘Discussing a play in the classroom can only take you so far. The themes and nuances that are crucial to understanding Neighbourhood Watch truly come to life when it’s onstage, as the playwright intended. As an HSC drama teacher, I see first-hand how much of a difference it makes for students to see a play come to life,’ she said.
Thomas also acknowledged the support of Lane Cove Theatre Company in making the production possible.
‘It’s one thing to have the idea to stage Neighbourhood Watch for students, it’s something else entirely to have the support from a theatre company to make it happen. Lane Cove Theatre Company is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation, so it’s a great example of how our community comes together to support students and provide performance and production experience opportunities.’
The play is a dark comedy about hope, death and pets. It follows Ana, a battle-hardened Hungarian-Australian, and Catherine, her young aspiring actor neighbour. As their unlikely friendship develops, Catherine is transformed by Ana’s stories of war, displacement and survival, while Ana finds companionship at a pivotal moment in her life.
‘One of the key themes in this show is human connection, so working with Lane Cove Theatre Company and its volunteers to bring the story off the page and onto the stage makes it even more meaningful,’ Thomas said.
Performances run from 20–31 May at Pottery Lane Performance Space, Lane Cove, with additional daytime shows scheduled to improve access for HSC students. Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 concession, with group discounts available.
More information at www.lanecovetheatrecompany.com. Bookings online at www.trybooking.com/DHVSU
Councillor Carla Kassab welcomed seniors to the event and Lane Cove MP Anthony Roberts handed out NSW Government Legal Aid diaries to attendees.
The $1,500 Lane Cove History Prize
The Lane Cove Historical Society is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Lane Cove History Prize. We are once again calling for submissions focused on an aspect of Lane Cove history, which may be presented in essay, interview, or documentary form. This year’s winner will be awarded a prize of $1,500, with separate awards available for entries submitted by school students.
The Lane Cove History Prize aims to encourage new and indepth research into our community’s history. By growing public knowledge about the area and its people, we gain a better understanding of our history and see how it matters today.
Have you always been interested to find out more about a notable local person, a unique building, the history of your street, a business that used to operate in your local area, or how a local sport, club, or event got started? Simply choose a topic you are passionate about! Just make sure we receive your entry by the final closing date: August 31st.
All details regarding the conditions of entry, guidelines and criteria, can be found at: www.carisbrookhouse.com/lchs/historyprize.
History Writing Workshop
Need a little help with your research? The Society is putting on a free History Writing Workshop this April to give you all the best tips and inspiration. We’ll cover:
• Where to find the best research sources
• How to make your entry look professional
• What makes a winning submission
Plus, this year we’ll include a special session on how to create oral histories.
When: Monday, April 20th at 6:00 PM
Where: Lane Cove Library
Booking: Free via the trybooking app using the QR code
Additional inspiration is available by attending the Historical Society’s monthly “At The Podium” presentations at Lane Cove Library.
Visitors are also welcome to view the latest exhibition at Carisbrook Historic House, which was created and curated by the 2023 Lane Cove History Prize winner.
Celebrate
Youth Week at City of Ryde Libraries!
Are you aged 12-24 and looking for a new hobby or skill? Our libraries are offering a wide range of activities this April to celebrate NSW Youth Week!
If you’re looking to get creative, join our Beginners’ Knitting Workshop or Chinese Fan Painting Workshop!
Want to give new life to a beloved item? Come along to our Youth Clothes Repair Drop-In Session.
Our free Driver’s Licence Workshops on can help you prepare for getting your L plates and working towards your licence.
Want to focus on getting ready for the HSC? Our HSC Study Night has everything you need (including snacks and our special guests from Paws Therapy Dogs!).
For more information and bookings, head to https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Events/Youth-Week
PAM PALMER President Lane Cove Historical
Society Inc
www.carisbrookhouse.com
Staying Connected @ The Hubs
Strength & Balance
Build confidence and move with ease in this supportive seniors class focused on everyday strength and stability.
Date: Tuesdays
Time: 10.45–11.35am
Location: 44 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill
Line Dancing
Looking for an activity that’s easy to start, great for all fitness levels, and packed with benefits?
No partner required.
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 1.30pm– 2.30pm
Location: Sydney Community Services, 44 Gladesville Rd, Hunters Hill
Love music and movement? Enjoy a faster-paced, feel-good workout designed for seniors who like to keep active—safely and confidently.
Date: Tuesdays
Time: 11.45am–12.35pm
Location: 44 Gladesville Road Gladesville Community Hall, Hunters Hill
Memory Cafe
A warm, relaxed space for carers and those living with dementia to socialise, unwind, and discover ways to live well.
Date: Wednesday 15 April
Time: 10am - 12noon
Location: The Meeting House Hub, 23a Stokes St, Lane Cove North Cost: FREE
A MESSAGE FROM BRANKA IVKOVIC, CEO
The Power of a Teaspoon: Community, Connection and Collective Action
On 7 March, a few of us attended the City of Ryde’s International Women’s Day Forum. One of the keynote speakers, Ronni Kahn AO, founder of OzHarvest, invited us to join “The Order of a Teaspoon.” I hadn’t heard of it before, but the concept resonated immediately: even the smallest acts can help us confront the biggest challenges. The concept traces back to writer Amos Oz, who likened society’s problems to a great fire. Faced with that fire, we can run away, complain loudly, or help—even with a teaspoon. A teaspoon is small, the fire is huge, but there are millions of us, each with a teaspoon. Together, we can make a difference.
This message reflects the heart of Sydney Community Services. Every volunteer who delivers a meal, each staff member who checks in with an older individual, and every Council partner, such as the Lane Cove Council, who provides support, funding and advocacy adds a “teaspoon” to our collective effort. When these teaspoons combine, the impact is profound: neighbours feel supported, information is easier to navigate, and a sense of belonging grows stronger across our community.
The Seniors Festival brought this to life, showing how information and education can empower healthy ageing. Seniors had the chance to learn about My Aged Care, ask practical questions, and clarify their next steps, particularly valuable for those not yet registered. They tried new activities such as drumming, enjoyed intergenerational performances, and were reminded how vital it is to keep both body and mind moving. Learning builds confidence and movement supports independence.
Together, they help people stay well and connected. Here at Sydney Community Services (SCS), we are fortunate to draw on the expertise of Sally Castell, a respected physiotherapist and senior health educator with more than 40 years’ experience across rehabilitation centres, community programs and healthy ageing projects. Her work focuses on exercise for older adults— from fit to frail—with a special emphasis on falls prevention and safe, functional movement. Sally has contributed to multiple research and training initiatives and developed practical programs that build balance, strength and mobility, key elements for preventing falls and maintaining independence. Through SCS’s Movement Matters classes, our community benefits directly from her knowledge, with sessions designed to maintain capacity, protect function and support everyday confidence.
Most importantly, our participants’ voices tell the story best.
These are our teaspoons in action: a friendly phone call, a timely piece of information, an hour of safe exercise, a lift to an event, a small donation. Each one may feel modest, but together they protect health, reduce isolation and strengthen our local connections.
Small actions matter.
Everyone has something to contribute. And together, our collective effort transforms lives — one teaspoon at a time.
Voices from the community...
‘I have enjoyed taking part in several Sydney Community Services activities, including the Aged Care Community Services Information Session and the Active, Able and Stable Exercise Workshop. These programs have helped keep me informed and supported, especially when I need guidance.
A moment that stood out for me during the Seniors Festival was how up to date and helpful the information was. It made me feel more confident knowing that support is available when I need it.
Events like the Seniors Festival help me stay connected to the community and support my healthy ageing. Being involved keeps me active, engaged and independent. I think these events are very important, although it would be even better if the exercise classes were free for everyone.
I would definitely recommend SCS services and events to others. They help with ageing well, staying independent, and preventing illness.’
Anonymous
‘From my first visit as a 73-year-old senior to the Lane Cove Hub to play bridge casually, I felt welcomed and included.
Now as a regular participant I can only thank you for the wonderful warm and friendly environment you have created (plus a terrific af ternoon tea).
I have made new friends and intend joining in on new activities (exercise).
What a gift you provide. Heartfelt thanks.’
Michele
‘I have enjoyed participating in Sydney Community Services programs, including the Aged Care Community Services Information Session and the Active, Able and Stable Exercise Workshop. Both have given me useful information and helped me understand what supports are available as I get older.
A highlight of the Seniors Festival for me was the presentation on My Aged Care. I am not yet registered, so the information was very helpful. The presenters were excellent.
Events like the Seniors Festival are important because they help seniors meet others in the community and learn about activities and exercises that are relevant and beneficial for our wellbeing.
I would recommend SCS services to others. Ongoing funding is essential to keep these free programs running, especially for seniors who live on their own. Staying connected, active and involved in the community is vital for our health and wellbeing.’
‘I have really enjoyed taking part in Sydney Community Services Seniors Festival this year, especially the Islander and Ukulele Performance and the Active, Able and Stable Exercise Workshop
A standout moment during the Seniors Festival was the Islander and Ukulele concert. Watching seniors make music together, alongside the lovely young dancers, was very special.
This year’s festival activities were both enjoyable and worthwhile. They gave me opportunities to connect with others, participate in group events, and stay engaged in my community.
I would certainly recommend SCS activities to others. Continued support from the Council is vital to keep us ‘oldies’ moving, participating, socialising, and staying active in any way we can.’
Judy
‘Volunteering with Sydney Community Services makes me happy because I know I’m helping my community. I support BOOMers, Tennis and other events, and every moment, especially during the Seniors Festival, feels special.
Supporting you, every step of the way
SCS activities are so important because they give older people a reason to get out of the house, stay active and connect with others. We need SCS to keep offering these wonderful programs that bring our community together.
I would absolutely encourage more people to volunteer.’
Reza
SCS VOLUNTEER
WHAT’S ON APRIL 2026
LANE COVE HUB
1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
Movement Matters
• Monday, 10.30 - 11.30am.
• Tuesday, 12 - 1pm and 1.15 - 2.15pm
• Wednesday, 11.15am - 12.15pm
• Friday, 9.30 - 10.30am and 10.45 - 11.45am Book Club
• Monday 20 April, 1.30 - 2.30pm
• Cost: $5 includes book and afternoon tea.
Mah Jong
• Tuesday, 9.30 - 11.30am.
• Wednesday, 1.00 - 3.45pm.
• Cost: $5 including morning/afternoon tea. New players please contact us.
Scrabble
• Thursday, 10am - 12noon
• Cost: $5 includes morning tea
Social Bridge
Cards and conversation! Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of social bridge every Thursday, 12.30–3.30pm. $5 includes afternoon tea. Contact us to register.
Social Tennis Group
• Every Thursday 9-11am
• Cost $5
Lane Cove Tennis Club, Central Park, Kenneth St, Longueville. Players must register prior to playing.
Yoga
Join Sinead Costello, an experienced yoga/ wellbeing specialist, in our yoga class.
• Wednesday
• 9.30am - 10.30am
HOURS OF OPERATION:
• 8.30am - 4.00pm
• Monday -Friday
www.sydneycs.org
MEETING HOUSE HUB
23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
Seniors Shopping Bus
Tuesdays and Thursdays. Return trip from your home to Lane Cove shops. We can also assist and carry your shopping into your home.
• Cost: $15
Chess Club Every Monday
The group is friendly and sociable, and all abilities are welcome.
• Mondays, 1.30pm - 3.00pm
• Cost: $5pp, includes afternoon tea.
Movie and Morning Tea
‘The Six Triple Eight’ - a powerful drama spotlighting the incredible 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
• Wednesday 29 April
• 10am - 1pm
• Cost: $30
reACTIVATE Fitness Solutions for Seniors
Join us for a series of functional fitness classes.
• Monday, 10.45am - 11.45am
• Friday, 11am - 12pm
• Cost: First class free, then pay by term: 11 week term. $132
Meeting House Playgroups
Meet local parents and children.
• FREE to attend. Arts, Craft, Music & Stories
• Playgroups for 0-5 years
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am - 11.30am.
HUNTERS HILL-RYDE HUB
46 Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill
Seniors Hub
Fun, welcoming weekday programs for seniors and dementia-friendly groups. Enjoy outings, activities, great company, door-to-door transport and nutritious meals. Get in touch for this month’s program.
Seniors Social Support
Supporting Afghan, Chinese, Iranian, Italian and Spanish seniors through culture, connection and care. Enjoy social outings, cultural events, English classes and wellness sessions.
Contact us for this month’s program.
Social Bus Outings
Hop on board every Tuesday and explore new places with friendly local seniors! Enjoy half or full-day adventures from 9.00am–4.00pm. Contact us for this month’s destinations and cost.
The Velveteens
Morning tea, great company and a new outing every month. For independent over-65s with a My Aged Care referral.
• 2nd Monday monthly, 10am–4pm.
reACTIVATE - Move Well & Live Well for Men & Women
Move better, feel stronger and enjoy great company! Our welcoming seniors fitness class builds strength and balance in a supportive setting.
• Wednesdays, 11am–12noon
• $132 for an 11 week term.
Supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Costs indicated are for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) participants only. Contact us and speak with one of our Coordinators to learn more about other funding options.
YOU'RE INVITED...
Disability Services
- Individual and
Group
Our dedicated disability support team is here to help you (or a loved one) stay connected, independent, and involved in the community.
Programs run monthly. Whether you’d like to try something new or build on what you love, we’re here to support your journey. Contact us for more information.
BOOMers Mens Group
A relaxed social group for independent senior men who enjoy good company and great outings every Friday.
• Departs 10.00am from Lane Cove Hub, returns 2.00pm. Contact us for this month’s program and cost.
Friday Group at the Seniors Hub
Join us each Friday for fun outings and day trips for seniors! Enjoy social connection, dementiafriendly support, and tasty meals—carers can relax knowing everyone’s safe and happy. Contact us for details.
ANTHONY ROBERTS MP
P: 9817 4757
E: lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Learning is Everything
March has been another busy and positive month across our community, with many local events and achievements that highlight the strength of the Lane Cove electorate.
The education of our children is the single most important aspect of our community and our future. Our local schools provide exceptional opportunities for students and are supported by dedicated teachers and staff, not to mention their parents and families. I always enjoy visiting schools across the electorate and seeing firsthand the enthusiasm and commitment of students who are developing the skills that will shape our future.
I wished all students the very best as they undertook NAPLAN testing last month. NAPLAN is an opportunity for students to demonstrate the skills they have been developing in reading, writing and numeracy, and I encouraged them to approach the tests with confidence. Most importantly, it is a chance to reflect on their learning and continue building strong foundations for the years ahead.
Early last year we finally saw the completion of the Lane Cove Public School Hall. After much adversity with builders, we finally saw its completion, and what an asset it has become to the school and its growing cohesion. More whole school assemblies, school functions and events will increase the return on investment we made as a State Government way back in 2021-2023.
March has also brought a range of community activities across the area. The NSW Seniors Festival has been celebrated throughout the Lane Cove community, recognising the contributions of older residents and encouraging connection, wellbeing and active participation. Events like these are a wonderful reminder of the importance of community spirit.
Our local sporting and community organisations continue to play a vital role in bringing people together. Clubs and volunteer groups across Lane Cove, Longueville and Hunters Hill provide opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, build friendships and strengthen community connections.
My office continues to assist residents with a range of state government matters, and we are always pleased to hear from local community groups, schools and organisations. If you have an upcoming event or initiative you would like to share, please feel welcome to contact my office. lanecove@ parliament.nsw.gov.au.
Lane Cove is a wonderful place to live, and it is a privilege to represent such a strong and engaged community.
If you have concerns about the 25 Austin St Development Application, please call and or email my office; 02 9817 4757
Youth Week
TRENTON BROWN
CITY OF RYDE MAYOR
P: 9952 8222
E: TMayor@ryde.nsw.gov.au
The focus is on young people in the City of Ryde this month as Council puts on a busy program of events and activities for Youth Week, which runs from 16-26 April.
From live music, skate jams, creative workshops and more, Youth Week is all about embracing possibility and celebrating the energy, ideas and diversity of young people across our community.
The highlights of our 2026 program include Battle of the Bands, where local musicians get a chance to strut their stuff in an epic showdown at Lachlan’s Line Auditorium on 17 April, and our Youth Week Skate Comps for both under and over 18s at Meadowbank Skate Park on 18 April.
There are plenty of other great opportunities for locals aged between 12-24 to be a part of this wonderful annual event and I encourage everyone to actively participate.
Mayor’s Youth Forum
I’m especially looking forward to the inaugural Ryde Mayor’s Youth Summit Forum, which is taking place at the Gale History Museum at Macquarie University on 23 April at 9.00am.
This will be an informative and entertaining day for young people filled with engaging discussions, insightful talks, and networking opportunities.
This Forum is a great platform for young leaders to voice their opinions, share ideas, and connect with like-minded individuals.
It has been designed to put young voices front and centre, giving young people the space to challenge norms, influence policy, and connect directly with the leaders shaping their future.
I am excited to hear some of the ideas and suggestions that emerge from this unique gathering of an important community demographic.
School holiday fun
It’s also time for the autumn school holidays, which run from 7-17 April, and as usual Council has a terrific range of programs and activities for kids and families to enjoy.
City of Ryde Libraries program is called ‘Threads of Imagination’ and features some fascinating insect-themed craft activities as well as an interactive journey through the origins of chocolate, knitting and digital art workshops, and much more.
There are also Youth Events for 12-24-year-olds featuring creative competitions, sports activities, live music and social gatherings.
For more information on these events and others happening in the City of Ryde throughout April, go to: ryde.nsw.gov.au
The Village Observer assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content provided on these pages. Views and opinions expressed are the author's own.
TIM JAMES MP
P: 9439 4199
E: willoughby@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Supporting community childcare
You don’t build a better community by bulldozing the services local families rely on.
Quality childcare is not a luxury. For modern families it is what makes work, family life and the daily juggle possible. Parents need to know their children are safe, supported and learning in an environment where they can grow and flourish.
That is why community-run childcare matters so much. These centres are often at the heart of a local community. They are run for families, often by parents, and focused on care and education rather than profit. At a time when confidence in parts of the for-profit sector has been shaken, many families are crying out for quality community services they know and trust. Yet these centres are under growing pressure. Community preschools are being squeezed by pay inequity, making it harder to attract and retain skilled educators. At the same time, the state government has moved to increase fees imposed on early learning providers, costs that will inevitably flow through to families already struggling with the cost of living.
If governments are serious about supporting families, they should be backing trusted community providers, not making life harder for them.
That is why the threat facing Kelly’s Place Children’s Centre in Crows Nest is so concerning. Kelly’s Place has served local families for almost 40 years. It is a much-valued community-run, not-for-profit centre with a reputation for exceptional care and education.
Yet it is now facing closure because North Sydney Council plans to demolish the centre at year’s end to extend a small park. Our community supports more open space. But we should not be forced to choose between a park and a childcare centre. A growing community needs both. Public investment in growing areas such as St Leonards and Crows Nest should mean more infrastructure and more services, not the loss of one to make way for another.
Kelly’s Place and its families deserve a secure future. North Sydney Council and the NSW Government must ensure that no demolition proceeds unless the centre’s future is properly secured.
ZAC MILES
HUNTERS HILL MAYOR
P: 9879 9400
E: mayor@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
Gladesville Masterplan on Public Exhibition
The Gladesville Masterplan Project is now on public exhibition, marking an important step in shaping the future of the Gladesville Village Centre. The proposal reviews the planning rules that apply to the area and outlines a long-term vision for how the centre may evolve.
I encourage residents across Hunters Hill to review the Planning Proposal and draft Development Control Plan and have your say before submissions close on 24 April 2026.
The exhibition documents can be viewed on Council’s website, via the NSW Government’s Planning Portal, or in person at Council’s Customer Service Centre.
Key features of the proposal include a 19-storey mixed-use development a supermarket located beneath a new public plaza basement car parking approximately 522 new residential dwellings.
The proposal also includes a new community shared zone extending from Massey Street to Cowell Street and more than 4,000 square metres of new publicly accessible open space. Community feedback will play a vital role in informing the next stages of planning for the Gladesville Village Centre, and I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to be involved.
ANZAC Commemoration Events
I invite our community to join our 103rd Combined ANZAC March and Memorial Service hosted by Hunters Hill Council and the Hunters Hill RSL Sub-branch.
This commemoration will be held on Thursday, 23 April, allowing us to reflect on the contributions of those who have served, those who continue to serve, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The evening will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the RSL Memorial Wall at 6.30pm, followed by the ANZAC March at 6.45pm from outside the RSL Memorial Hall. The march will conclude at Hunters Hill Town Hall, where the Service of Remembrance will commence at 7pm.
A dawn service will also be held at Huntleys Cove on Saturday, 25 April. Community members are invited to gather on the lawn in front of the Community Hall at 5.45am for a 6am ceremony, accompanied by the traditional sound of the bagpipes. Light refreshments will be available afterwards.
In honour of their service, we remember them — lest we forget. City Nature Challenge
Council is again participating in the global City Nature Challenge. Residents are encouraged to photograph local plants and wildlife using the iNaturalist app between 24–27 April and upload observations by 10 May.
It’s a great way to explore our local area and contribute to documenting the nature here in Hunters Hill. To learn more and take part, visit the Council’s Event page.
The Village Observer assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content provided on these pages. Views and opinions expressed are the author's own.
From bus outings to bingo to bollywood music, there’s plenty on offer at the Crows Nest Centre.
Pizza + Movie nights @ Longueville UC Hall 47A Kenneth St, Longueville Time : 6.30pm Pizza; 7.15pm Movie
BUILDING DESIGN & DRAFTING SERVICES FOR:
• Development Application - DA
• Complying Development Certificate - CDC
• Construction Certificate Application - CC
• New Dwelling - Alteration-Extension
• Dual Occupancy - Single house - Town house Terrace house and Secondary dwelling
7 April - Six Minutes to Midnight (2021) – British war drama telling the story of evacuating the finishing school for girls –daughters of the Nazi elite - from Bexhill-on-Sea, just before the outbreak of WWII. Starring Eddie Izzard, Carla Juri, David Schofield and Judi Dench.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: 9428 4287
Cost $15 cash only – the best value pizza/movie combo! BYO drinks
A sanctuary of sophistication, this stunning 2022 built home showcases distinctive contemporary interiors, high-end inclusions and a premier north to rear aspect. Destined for grand entertaining, the outstanding double brick and concrete home delivers luxurious open living zones highlighted with a centrepiece void ceiling and elegant lighting.
Tim Holgate 0400 802 888 E: tim.holgate@belleproperty.com
Rising high with district views in a peaceful, tree-lined corner setting, this beautiful new architecturally designed home achieves the perfect fusion of contemporary luxury and captivating lifestyle.
Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 E: simon.harrison@belleproperty.com
A haven of effortless luxury, this refined family home showcases an expansive indoor/outdoor layout replete with state-of-the-art inclusions. It’s less than approx. 100m from sought-after Putney Public School, while a stroll to village shops, parks and transport.
Cameron Brown 0438 594 708 E: cameron.brown@belleproperty.com
Michael Gallina 0402 320 265 E: michael.gallina@belleproperty.com
A haven of relaxed vibes and fresh modern style, with light-filled interiors, generous outdoor space and lush green views from every window, this wonderfully low-maintenance and versatile home truly ticks all the boxes.
Patrick Lang 0423 891 807 E: patrick.lang@belleproperty.com
Iris Shi 0448 077 859 E: iris.shi@belleproperty.com
