FREE - PLEASE TAKE A COPY DECEMBER 2019 • JANUARY 2020 SYDNEYOBSERVER.COM Sydney Observer @sydney_observer Divine Dining Rooms Get Fit & Healthy in 2020 Best Camping Spots in Sydney Celebrating Summer SALLY OBERMEDER AN INSPIRATION TO ALL LOCAL NEWS • EDUCATION • WELLBEING • HOME & GARDEN • FOOD & WINE From the Editor s we settle into A the last month Luxury & adventure of the year, we start to reflect on our achievements then in Canberra! plan for our future hopes and dreams. A rare opportunity to spend 4 days and 3 nights in the most luxurious accommodati on This year, Sydney Observer has had an that Canberra has to off er, with adventure amazing array of individuals grace our covers. Apart from this month’s profile, acti viti es all included. another favourite has been Jessica Rowe. She was vibrant, kind and instantly made you feel uplifted in her presence. This month’s issue is just as great, with all your favourite sections filled with fabulous ideas. For me, this issue is extra special 20 though, as it is my last with Sydney Observer. Over the year, I have met magnificent members of the community and spoken to special people who shared their stories with me. CONTENTS Each of these interactions hold a place in my heart, and I will always remember the conversations and kindness that was 6. Snippets 34. Celebrating Summer shown to me. I have appreciated my time here immensely and thank you for letting Hyatt Hotel Canberra me into your community. 8. Local News 36. Fashion & Beauty So from my family at Sydney Observer to yours, I wish you a magical Christmas and 12. Education 40. Travel a wonderful year filled with blessings, love and light. 14. Profile 42. Food &Wine CHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE And for the last time, grab a refreshing summer drink, hold a loved one, and 18. Home & Garden 44. What’s On enjoy our December/January issue. uShaka lodge PACKAGE INCLUDES: Hannah 22. Seniors 48. Kids Corner 27. Wellbeing 50. Clairvoyant 1 night in the luxurious uShaka Lodge at the world renowned Jamala Wildlife Lodge PUBLISHED BY: Kamdha Pty. Ltd. 5 course gourmet dinner with fi ne wines and Moet Champagne, plus breakfast at EDITOR: Hannah Prasad ([email protected]) Jamala JOURNALIST: Isabella Ross Two great animal tours plus two days admission to the Nati onal Zoo and Aquarium CONTRIBUTORS: Lewis Godwin, Martin 2 nights’ accommodati on at the iconic Hyatt Hotel Canberra, a classic Park Hyatt Slattery, Kerrie Erwin, Dr. Ian Sweeney, Dr. Sue Hotel – including breakfast Ferguson, Sarah Wainwright, Susan Potthurst, Ben Williams, Rejimon Punchayil. Hosted Highlights Tour of the Nati onal Museum of Australia including a main course Upgrades available DESIGNER: Frederico S. M. de Carvalho meal with a glass of wine in the stunning waterfront Museum Café COVER PHOTO: Rob Palmer 2 ti ckets to Cockington Green Gardens, a fascinati ng display of meti culously BOOKING DEADLINE: 15th of the month handcraft ed miniature buildings from around the world (02) 9884 8699 PHONE: From the 21st October 2019 - 31st December 2019 2 ti ckets to Dreamworks ADDRESS: PO Box 420, Killara NSW 2071 28 34 Animati on Exhibiti on at the Nati onal Museum of Australia.From the 1st February 2020 - 29th February 2020 the package will change to 2 ti ckets to the Mati sse & Picasso Exhibiti on at the Nati onal Gallery of Australia SYDNEY OBSERVER is a monthly magazine published by Kamdha Pty SYDNEY OBSERVER is distributed to all Ku-ring-gai plus selected adjacent Ltd (ABN 97 098 661 959). Sydney Observer magazine, its Publisher and areas of Hornsby, Lane Cove and Willoughby. Additional copies are available Editor, hereby expressly disclaim to the full extent permitted by the law, all from local libraries, selected retail outlets and council offices. We personally THE 4 DAY/ 3 NIGHT ADVENTURE IS PRICED FROM $1,875 PER and any liability arising from any negligence whatsoever of the Publishers deliver to businesses in most suburban shopping areas in order to remain including damage, consequential damages, liability, expenses, costs to community-focused and personal. COUPLE, WHICH INCLUDES ALL THE ABOVE! any person and/or business/company arising from any action or inaction Available on selected dates from 21st October 2019 - 31st December 2019 and 1st February by any person in connection with any copy or arising from reliance on any Home, Commercial and Bulk Delivery 2020 - 29th February 2020 certain blackout periods apply. Price is for 2 adults. *Accommodati on copy which is published or failed to be published by the Publishers. The Chatswood Lindfield Roseville Chase Wahroonga in uShaka Lodge rooms – upgrades available at extra cost. copyright of all material published in the Sydney Observer magazine is East Killara North Turramurra South Turramurra Waitara owned by the Publisher, Kamdha Pty Ltd, and must not be used in any form East Lindfield North Wahroonga St Ives Warrawee without the written permission of the publisher. This copyright includes all Bookings can only be made by phoning Jamala Wildlife advertisements unless photo-ready material is provided by the advertiser. Gordon Pymble St Ives Chase West Pymble www.kamdha.com Killara Roseville Turramurra Willoughby Canberra Lodge - 02 6287 8444 Please note that while the animals generally join guests as shown, no guarantees can be given 4 DEC. 2019 • JAN 2020 | SYDNEYOBSERVER.COM.AU www.jamala.com.au | 02 6287 8444 as they are free to roam their enti re area at all ti mes. [email protected] Local News Profile LocalSnippets News Luxury & adventure Grateful Locals Community Australia Donate to Fire Day in CANBERRA!! Christmas A rare opportunity to spend 4 days and 3 nights in ServiceLee Kernaghan: Join thousands of locals for SN IPPE TS Tree Lighting the Australia Day celebrations at the most luxurious accommodation that Canberra Bicentennial Park, West Pymble. has to off er, with adventure activities all included. Following the catastrophic bushfires With live performances, animal thatThe swept across Country the state, including our MusicianEnjoy the Ku-ring-gai community encounters, amusement rides, and a belovedIsabella South Ross Turramurra area, grateful Christmas tree lighting with family Citizenship Ceremony to welcome new locals haveee Kernaghan’s raised over $900025th Anniversary for the Tour is setand to friends. wow A special community Australian Citizens, there is something Rural Fireaudiences Service. across The donation Sydney andcomes NSW as in lateevent, November local danceto group Itty Bitty for everyone. Mayor Jenniferearly December. Anderson With noted the to concerts locals featuringDance Lee’s and classic Dae Hahn Culture School that,L “having a plan of what to do in a Choir will be performing, while hits, ballads and rural anthems, there is no question that the Given your connection to rural and regional Australia, I bushfire is essential protection for you attendees are encouraged to support country legend has won a nationwide legion of fans. can imagine that the current drought is tugging at your and your family.” The bushfire danger the Mayor's Christmas Appeal. Mayor’s heartstrings. forFirst our and summer foremost months - congratulations however is still on your 25thThe official lighting commences at looming,anniversary with tour, Sydney what expected an achievement! to reach 7.55pm on 2 December.I recently went out to a fundraisingChristmas concert in Tamworth and unprecedented temperature levels across performed there, and people are truly struggling. But I have I’ll tell you what – that’s the fastest 25 years I’ve ever known! the New Year period. got to say how heart-warming it is to see the entire nation and It has been a full-on national tour, and for the very last shows Australian media get behind Appealour farmers and support them. of the tour we will be coming to Hornsby, Campbelltown,Hornsby Penrith and Wollongong. It’s been phenomenal. We have had an You were also involved in theThis release Christmas, of the giveofficial back song unprecedented amount of sales nation-wide, and it has felt like for the Invictus Games in Sydneyto those in in October. need by How donating did this going from one party to the next. Waterway Quality Webers Circus opportunity come about? tinned and packaged foods, toys Would you say that ‘Boys from the Bush’ isExcels still your most Yes, I’ve recently been involvedand presents for disadvantaged requestedReturns song? with writing and recording thefamilies in the Ku-ring- official song. I guess it camegai about and Hornsby area. On Yeah, it is definitely the one that is closest to my heart because it The iconic and family-run Webers A twenty-two year studythrough of the health the spirit of the Anzacs,behalf and of Lifeline Harbour changed my life and gave me the opportunity to make albums. I Circus is set to impress Sydneysiders of Hornsby’s waterways,being has noted involved the with the Australianto Hawkesbury, the Mayor’s remember this time in 1992, I was driving into Sydney, I tuned Hyatt Hotel Canberra again, with show times from 6 – 15 stable condition of its waterWar despite Memorial major – it’s a real honourChristmas Appeal will be into the radio, scanned around and there it was – ‘Boys from the December in Narrabeen. With a touch population growth. Commissionedto be able toby share this song takingwith donations until 5pm Bush’ on the radio for the first time. of the Wild West, the show is the perfect Hornsby Council, the studyall the aimed men to and identify women who Tuesday,have 17 December. way to spend the lead up to Christmas, long-term changes in the local aquatic Donations can be left at Ku- But it’s not just my song – it belongs to the nation.