FREE - PLEASE TAKE A COPY FEBRUARY 2021 SYDNEYOBSERVER.COM Sydney Observer @sydney_observer @Sydney_Observer IN PRINT SINCE 1996 Having a laugh with CHATTING WITH Julia LOCAL Morris HEROES HOME BAKING RELATIONSHIP REBOOT 5 INTERIOR SOUTH TRENDS FOR 2021 COAST GETAWAY IS CHARCOAL THE NEW BLACK? LOCAL NEWS • HOME & GARDEN • SENIORS • BEAUTY & WELLBEING • TRAVEL • WHAT’S ON Hello readers – welcome to 2021! e are so grateful W to be back doing what we love – sharing premium local news and lifestyle content with the North Shore community. Starting the year off with a bang, we have the charismatic Julia Morris as our February cover, talking all things I’m 12 A Celebrity, the unattainability of New Year’s resolutions and reflecting on the chaotic year that was 2020 (14-15). CONTENTS There is also plenty of back-to-school content in our Education section, 6. Snippets 37. Pet Corner including messages from some of the great schools in the local area, along with the 8. Local News 38.Beauty & Wellbeing news you need to know (16-19). Even more exciting, are our additional profiles with 14. Profile 44. Travel Opera Australia (47), Ku-ring-gai Local Citizens of the Year (9) and the NSW State 16. Education 45. Food & Wine Recipient Local Hero for 2021 (12). With a tantalising dessert recipe (45), a cheeky 20. Home and Garden 46. What’s On Pet Corner (37) and plenty of Beauty and Wellbeing tips and tricks (38-43), there is something in this issue for all. 28. Seniors 48. Clairvoyant Be sure to send us some love and get in touch via @sydney_observer on Instagram. PUBLISHED BY: Kamdha Pty. Ltd. EDITOR: Isabella Ross 8 ([email protected]) CONTRIBUTORS: Ralph Davis, Russell Bailey, Brian Roach, Dr Sue Ferguson, Rejimon Punchayil, Dr Ian Sweeney, Amy Sandig, Sarah Wainwright, Kerrie Erwin. DESIGNER: Frederico S. 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Gordon Pymble St Ives Chase West Pymble www.kamdha.com Killara Roseville Turramurra Willoughby 4 FEBRUARY 2021 | SYDNEYOBSERVER.COM.AU LocalSnippets News krg.nsw.gov.au Wahroonga Shopping Strip Makeover Fox Valley Shopping Centre in Wahroonga is set to be upgraded. Work is expected to be completed by the middle of 2021, as part of council’s ‘Neighbourhood Centres SN IPPE TS Revitalisation Program.’ On the agenda is modified layouts, new paving and footpaths, bike parking and added seating and landscaping. “Fox Valley Road is a thriving local centre, and we hope the upgrade will make it even more attractive for shoppers,” noted Mayor Jennifer Anderson. Sardaka, Feb 2013/Wikimedia Water New Roseville Park Local Property Restrictions Eased Abingdon Road Reserve is the latest Hotspots playground in the Ku-ring-gai area to Vincent Rivaud/Pexels Water Wise Guidelines have now replaced be upgraded and made inclusive for In 2020, the Upper North Shore saw great Level 1 water restrictions according to all kids. Located in Roseville, the new interest from property buyers, and it looks the NSW Government given the rise of playground has accessible pathways and like this trend is here to stay for 2021. Pacific Highway Road Works Ku-ring-gai Mayor’s Milestone Warragamba Dam. The guidelines apply play equipment suited for a range of ages According to data published by 9news, St to all in Sydney, Blue Mountains and the and abilities, along with new fencing, Ives, Pymble and Hornsby are predicted to Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on the Pacific Ku-ring-gai Mayor Jennifer Anderson reached a historic milestone Illawarra. Things you cannot do is allow landscaping, drinking fountains and increase in popularity. Given the local area is Highway at Wahroonga, Turramurra and Warrawee for road work recently, officially becoming Ku-ring-gai’s longest serving Mayor in water to run off onto hard surfaces, leave seating. Work on the new playground was abundant with schools, parks and beautiful to be carried out at the intersections of Redleaf Avenue, Fox Valley the council’s 104-year history, news which we published in detail taps and hoses running unattended and partially funded by a grant of $50,000 from homes, it is no wonder it is a property Road and Finlay Road. Work involves utility adjustments, tree on our website (to read visit sydneyobserver.com). “My thanks to allow pools or spas to overflow when being the Everyone Can Play program, a State hotspot. Also consider getting your home lopping and removal, kerb works, road asphalting, line marking the Sydney Observer for marking my terms as Ku-ring-gai’s longest filled. Even though restrictions have eased, Government initiative aimed at creating valued – it’s always great to know how your and signposting work. Temporary lane closures, traffic control and serving Mayor by publishing my call for more women in local it is always best to remain water wise! accessible and inclusive play spaces. property is reflecting the current market. reduced speed limits will be in place for the safety of pedestrians, government. With council elections in September this year, it workers and motorists. The work will be carried out from February would be great to see more women stand for election to their local to late March, weather permitting. council,” commented Ms Anderson. Get a quote or order SHOWROOM/FACTORY @ www.sydneydoors.com.au80 Redfern Street, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Ph: (02) 9725 4444 Return & Earn Sydney Home Royal North [email protected] Turramurra, St Ives Coming Soon Shore’s Message Return & Earn is coming to the Upper Sydney Observer is excited to announce Clinicians at Royal North Shore Hospital’s North Shore. The Ray Street public that there is something on the horizon as burns unit are urging the community to be RENOVATING YOUR KITCHEN OR WARDROBES? car park at Turramurra and the St Ives part of the Kamdha Media family. Sydney careful and avoid burns this summer. Royal Shopping Centre car park will be the Home is Sydney’s choice home inspiration North Shore Hospital’s Head of Department, Just replace the doors and save $$$ first sites in Ku-ring-gai to have reverse digital platform, featuring the latest trends Burns, Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, vending machines installed. Reverse in home improvement and lifestyle – Dr Rob Gates said on average the team treats vending machines work by taking coming soon! We are thrilled to continue to 120 burn injuries sustained from fire pits, collections of approved bottles and share premium local-minded content with barbeques and campfires per year. “While containers in return for 10 cents for each our amazing North Shore community. the summer season is a great time for family bottle or container. A printed or digital To keep up to date with the exciting and friends to get together for a barbeque CUSTOM MADE KITCHEN receipt can be reimbursed for goods and venture, follow Sydney Home on Instagram or campfire, it’s so important fire and burn & WARDROBE DOORS & PANELS services at participating supermarkets. @sydneyhome_ safety remain top of mind,” he said. 6 FEBRUARY 2021 | SYDNEYOBSERVER.COM.AU FEBRUARY 2021 | SYDNEYOBSERVER.COM.AU 7 Local News Local News Ruth – Justice Ginsburg Worn Up Project Ku-ring-gai NSW In Her Own Words. Launches Locally ive local schools have joined Ku-ring-gai Local Citizen of F Council’s initiative to reduce clothing waste by recycling unwanted school uniforms into usable products. the Year Awards he Ku-ring-gai Australia Day Awards are presented each Plant Rescue Ku-ring-gai rescues plants often Sadly, approximately 700 tonnes of unwanted year in recognition of groups and individuals who made a thrown away when a property is demolished. uniform clothing end up in landfill each T significant contribution to the community. “The pandemic year – a statistic Worn Up aims to reverse. has not stopped hundreds of volunteers who have worked round Worn Up is the brainchild of the Sustainable the clock to help local people. This year more than ever we a free pantry of home-grown products, with The Pink Pantry’s Schoolwear and Workwear company and should recognise and applaud their contribution,” Mayor Jennifer Facebook page sharing with members updates on what seedlings, has the backing of EPA and the UNSW Smart Anderson noted. A special congratulations from Sydney Observer fruit, vegetables, flowers, and other produce have been added.