Manly Observer

03/09/2024

When it comes to political coverage, generally are readers interested in the details and preselections and speculations or would you rather just the basics on who is definitely running, a bit about them and when and where to vote ?

03/09/2024

Enjoy a nice little break from news while we see to this new laptop malfunction 💻 🔨 🗞️ 🫥

03/09/2024

Northern Beaches primary school teacher turned children’s author and illustrator, Mo Davey , has published her first book, I am Tree Rex, which educates young readers on the importance of the environment.

“I am hoping my book will inspire a whole new generation of little environmentalists,” Mo tells Manly Observer.

Besides the importance of the environment, the book also touches on themes like teamwork, problem solving, dealing with something that you love going missing, caring for others and doing things that bring you comfort, such as counting and hugging trees.

“As a teacher, I’ve made sure to include many educational aspects that can be discussed with children, both in the home and used in lessons in school,” Mo adds.

🔗 story on our website https://manlyobserver.com.au/local-childrens-author-i-am-tree-rex/

03/09/2024

A mayoralty in review

Earlier this year, Mayor Sue Heins used her casting vote to approve the Northern Beaches council budget, and it is still a memory that gets her fired up.

“Council spent two and half hours debating the budget and when everyone had to vote, the councillors made sure it was a 50/50 split so that I had to make the casting vote,” the incumbent mayor (and Your Northern Beaches Independent Team (YNBIT) Frenchs Forest candidate) told Michael Lester at Radio Northern Beaches .

Heins says it was a political move – no one wanted voters to remember they approved a budget which saw the maximum allowed rate rise. Particularly with the next local government election then months away (14 September if you wanted to pop it in your diary).

“Budgets are a contentious issue and while there are rumours that the Council is broke, we aren’t but we have to be fiscally responsible by planning for the future, planning for the upkeep of our assets, planning for the projects our residents want for the community, and being aware of increasing costs,” she said.

Have a read and a listen of the interview if it’s of interest now on our website.

🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/sue-heins-most-contentious-issue-as-mayor/

01/09/2024

Today’s the big day that Tommy attempts the first of 14 marathons in 14 days

Tom Harding has struggled with anxiety and depression for the majority of his life and it wasn't until he was at breaking point that he decided to not only open up about his own mental health, but to inspire other men to reach out for support.

01/09/2024

BIG POPPA 🐳🐳🐳 We’re just rounding out another massive day of local news with this insane image by Ariel Baron, who captured the antics of a juvenile humpback we’ve nicknamed Big Poppa, at Balmoral on Saturday.

“It was mid morning and he was repeatedly breaching, which was made even more special as it’s so unusual to see this kind of activity in Sydney Harbour,” Ariel told us.

“It eventually made its way back out the heads to continue its migration.”

If you’re keen for a high res copy of this stunning photo, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with Ariel. WE LOVE LOCAL! ❤️🐳

01/09/2024

BEHOLD ☄️

Several witnesses reported seeing a “huge fire ball” drop from the sky just after 8pm this evening with some believing it fell into the harbour area at Manly towards the wharf. However, a sharp eyed reader down south spotted a meteor at 8:06pm this evening, and in the image shown it is further south than Gerringong so the impact with Manly was presumably an optical illusion.

Though, of course, there could have been several falling at once !

If you happened to capture it please send us footage via our news tip line 0435 741 777

Local firies report no active incidents.

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01/09/2024

Meanwhile in our news app this evening…..

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01/09/2024

🔥 FIRE BAN, STRONG WINDS TOMORROW 💨

Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h tomorrow (Monday 2 September). The peak of the risk is from mid-morning through to mid Monday afternoon.

Possible gusts to 110km/h during Monday morning across elevations above 500m, though this will not affect the Northern Beaches.

The risk of damaging winds is expected to become confined to higher elevations in the south by Monday evening and ease below warning thresholds by late Monday night.

A fire ban is also in place for tomorrow for the Northern Beaches and the rest of Sydney due to warm weather and very strong westerly winds.

ℹ️ Check the “weather alerts” section on our news app for a quick link to any updates. Available on all devices in app stores.

01/09/2024

If you were here on the first day of spring you’d be doing handstands too! 🐠 🤸‍♀️ 🌊

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01/09/2024

🏡 It is now estimated that up to one in every three residential transactions locally involves a buyer’s agent.

A Buyer’s Agent has become an important part of finding a home in the highly competitive Northern Beaches market. It can also make a huge difference in the final price, as they can be brought in to manage the negotiation process too. I, (Manly Observer editor Kim Smee) have actually used this service from Lili at PMC Property Buyers in Manly as a private customer and happily sing their praises from that experience.

We chat to PMC Property Buyers Director Will Hosking (far left in main pic with the local team) in the sponsored article now on our website.

Will, a local lifesaver for over 20 years, shares his experience with the growth of Buyer’s Agents on the beaches, and his insights for getting ahead in the busy spring market ahead.

Story: https://manlyobserver.com.au/lifesaver-will-shows-the-way-to-catch-property-wave/

ℹ️ Sponsored by PMC
www.pmcproperty.com.au
Suite 30, Level 4, 22 Darley Rd, Manly NSW 2095

31/08/2024

To the father made, to the father lost 🩵 💙

31/08/2024

This is why I would like you to please download our app. It hasn’t happened on our main page yet but my news articles are continually removed by Facebook from my own group, with no recourse.

As news is slowly (but not that slowly) being squeezed out of Facebook and Instagram, it will be harder for our news to be seen.

Please download the app- there’s good reason we’ve invested all of our recent ad income and donations into developing it.

www.manlyobserver.com.au/app

30/08/2024

LET’S SUPPORT THE SILENT STRUGGLERS

Tom Harding has struggled with anxiety and depression for the majority of his life, it wasn’t until he found himself staring down the bottom of a long drop that he decided to open up about his mental health and take a different route.

The Brookvale local, now a husband and father of two, is embarking on a near-impossible challenge in hopes of inspiring other struggling men to open up and pursue a path of support. He will attempt 14 marathons in 14 days.

“I’m ultimately doing 14 marathons in 14 days in the hopes to raise $10,000 for men and their mental health through the charity, Talk2MeBro,” Tom said.

“As someone who suffered quite severely with my own mental health, you know, suffering depression and anxiety for most of my teenage years, I know just how many men are doing the same, and I want to sort of make a change and lower the male su***de statistics in Australia.”

The leading cause of death in Australia between 15 and 44 year-olds is su***de, according to data from The Australian Institute of Health and Wealthfare. In 2022, 3249 people died by su***de, 75.9 per cent of those deaths were men.

“It’s kind of a bit of an emotional thought, thinking about that night in 2019 because it means that, you know, if I had gone through with it, my kids wouldn’t be here today. And I love being a dad. It’s the best job that I have,” he said.

“Another goal, I suppose, is to just show them that anything’s possible. And it doesn’t really matter if I fail spectacularly on this challenge, it’s just about putting myself out there and trying to give it a go.”

Join him on the run, or donate to help him reach his goal. He is just over $1,000 of his $10,000 goal.

Donation link: https://talk2mebro.grassrootz.com/14-marathons-in-14-days

Full story: https://manlyobserver.com.au/locals-run-through-hell-to-save-the-lives-of-struggling-men/

ℹ️ We would also love to encourage anyone needing counselling to consider reaching out to Lifeline Northern Beaches for a counselling appointment.

Lifeline crisis line 13 11 14

30/08/2024

Tom Harding has struggled with anxiety and depression for the majority of his life, but it wasn’t until he found himself contemplating ending his life that he decided to open up about his mental health and take a different route.The Brookvale local is now in a much better place, and also a father of two. He is embarking on a near-impossible challenge in hopes of inspiring other struggling men to open up and pursue a path of support.“I’m ultimately doing 14 marathons in 14 days in the hopes to raise $10,000 for men and their mental health through the charity, Talk2MeBro,” Tom said.Tom will begin the gruelling run this Monday, 2 September, and will be tackling circuits of Queenscliff to Shelly, Narrabeen Lake and Centennial Park and invites anyone to run with him.“Mental health doesn’t discriminate and neither does running. So if you’re in the area and you want to come through for a few laps, then yeah, by all means, please come along and share your story or just come and run some kilometres, it’ll be fun,”You can follow Tom’s journey or get more info on his run’s via his Instagram out his page for more info or to make a donation. More on our website site over the weekend 🔗 We would also love to encourage anyone needing counselling to consider reaching out to for a counselling appointment. Lifeline crisis line 13 11 14@talk2mebro_au 🕺Donate 💰 https://talk2mebro.grassrootz.com/14-marathons-in-14-days

30/08/2024

RORY AMON DENIES CHARGES, QUITS PARLIAMENT

Manly Observer has viewed the court documents which show the following charges against Roderick (Rory) Amon over a period of June 1 2017 and 25 July 2017 regarding alleged involvements with a 13 year old boy.

-five counts have s*xual in*******se with person over 10 and under 14
-two counts attempt s*xual in*******se child over 10 under 14
-two counts indecent assault person under 16 years of age
-one count of commit act of indecency with person under 16 years.

Mr Amon texted Manly Observer this evening with his statement denying the allegations and confirming his resignation from parliament. He has been released on conditional bail.

A non-publication order from his legal team was withdrawn in court today.

The full statement and coverage is on our website.

ℹ️ The Pittwater MP’s departure from Parliamentwill trigger a by-election for the state seat.

🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/pittwater-mp-rory-amon-faces-child-s*x-charges/

30/08/2024

Pittwater MP and former Northern Beaches councillor Rory Amon has reportedly been charged with several child s*x offences.

We are court to review further information. Updates here: https://manlyobserver.com.au/pittwater-mp-rory-amon-faces-child-s*x-charges/

30/08/2024

A teenager sustained serious head injuries at Bare Creek bike track in Belrose yesterday evening.

Just after 5pm the Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance. A teen sustained serious head injuries from an accident. CareFlight’s specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the patient at the scene. The patient was then airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital.

29/08/2024

29/08/2024

🧐 Borrowing from the cat philosophy of “if I fits I sits”, this vehicle creatively interpreted the meaning of a shared path on the Manly Beach front this week, presumably to try and get a close squiz at the size 6 font on the signs that stipulate cars must be parked front to kerb else face the wrath of a determined ranger hell bent on bringing the council out of its deficit in one fell swoop of his biro, so well drained it puts the pen back in penalty.

And so forth.

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29/08/2024

• Live notification of news events in your area

• Quick menu links to check weather and traffic conditions

• Will provide news, emergency and community connection if Meta turns off social media news access (you can disable notifications until then if you like)

• Cuts through noise to provide simple summary with links to more info if it’s relevant to you

• Does not track data or require annoying log in or password (may be an option in future if you want to leave a comment). For now, it’s download and go.

The Manly Observer news app is now available in the Apple and Google Play stores. This means it should be workable on all reader phones and modern devices. We invested heavily in this to ensure a reliable information service with real time alerts could continue regardless of social media politics and algorithms.

Please take the time to download it this evening. If you don’t know how, ask someone. Check your friends and family have it. Don’t like notifications? You can easily toggle them off.

For as long as we have all channels to communicate with you, such as Instagram and Facebook, we will continue to do so. But we worked really hard and put in everything we had to get this up and running before social media news was switched off (which gladly hasn’t happened yet), so please respect our efforts by downloading it. We have a remarkable 10,000 or so do you who have done so, and we appreciate the great feedback. There are 200,000 or more on the Beaches though.

Its free, simple, and may just inform you of something in a timely fashion that makes a big difference in your life one day.

Google “download manly observer app” and it will pop right up.

Thanks ✌️

29/08/2024

The People’s Choice Awards for the 2024 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize have been announced.

Crowd favourite Shona Williams has been awarded the People’s Choice Award at Manly Art Gallery & Museum for the second year running. Her work (main pic) explores what scientists have termed the ‘insect apocalypse’ and the preciousness of these small creatures.

Northern Beaches local, Tate Boswarva, was the People’s Choice winner for Design at Curl Curl Creative Space. Her wearable art challenges over consumption, fast-fashion and the impact of plastic waste.

At Mona Vale Creative Space Gallery, the People’s Choice Award for young artists and designers went to 14-year-old Sierra Knights, another Northern Beaches resident, for her beautiful creation of the endangered whale shark.

Full story on our website, congratulations to the winners 🌱

https://manlyobserver.com.au/your-top-picks-revealed-a-win-for-artists-designers-and-the-environment/

29/08/2024

DALWOOD SPLITSTEAD SERVICE SAVED

The system works: after almost 12 months of relentless campaigning, the Dalwood Spilstead Family Intervention and Support Service (DSS) at Seafroth has been saved.

The campaign has been led by John Darragh, President of Dalwood Auxiliary, who confirmed to Manly Observer the good news: DSS has not only won back the funding that was threatened to be removed but it has also secured the funding to be renewed each year. And if that’s not something to celebrate, then the fact that NSW Health is considering rolling out the program to other parts of the state (something DSS has long advocated for) definitely is.

“We were moving the campaign to the next phase, which included a petition of around 5,000 signatures and to organise public meetings to really put the pressure on NSW Health, when we got the letter from Chief Executive of Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), Anthony Schembri,” John tells us.

“The e-mail said we not only got ongoing funding, but Schembri wanted all the DSS staff to be permanent employees, which is huge in terms of staff retention.

“All the conditions we asked for – guaranteed recurrent funding, permanent staffing, and to roll out the program in NSW were all covered in Schembri’s letter.”

Read the full article and hear from key campaigners as well as

🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/months-of-campaigning-has-saved-dalwood/

29/08/2024

FORESTWAY CYCLIST DEATH MATTER RETURNS TO MANLY LOCAL COURT

An Allambie man accused of negligent driving resulting in the death of cyclist Nick Sky, and injuring another, has again had his matter appear before Manly Court on Wednesday, 28 August.

However, Kyle Hakki, 22, remains on bail and has had his matter adjourned until 9 October while the prosecutor continues to review evidence relating to the case.

The Allambie Heights resident is currently facing three charges over a June 4 incident wherein his vehicle is alleged to have swerved, “with certain misconduct” colliding with 47 year old cyclist, Nick Sky and his riding partner, 56 year old Michael Collings, on Forest Way at Belrose at six in the morning.

His charges remain as one count negligent driving causing death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and cause bodily harm by misconduct. A prior driving offence is noted on his charge sheet.

Full story on our website

🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/young-man-faces-court-over-forest-way-cycle-death/

📸 Main image is Kyle Hakki and the vehicle he is alleged to have been driving; second image is Nick Sky with family

29/08/2024

Your local news week in review

(Lordy, it was a big one).

An Allambie man accused of negligent driving resulting in the death of cyclist Nick Sky, and injuring another, has again had his matter appear before Manly Court Wednesday, 28 August. However, Kyle Hakki, 22, remains...

28/08/2024

🗳️ Let’s Get Political 🗳️

Registered voters will be electing new councillors for the Northern Beaches on 14 September 2024.

Here you will find helpful links about pre-polling, polling booth locations, candidates in order of ballot draw, and hear from primary candidates why they want you to vote for them.

Each candidate has been provided equal space and identical questions, and no part of our election coverage is sponsored in any way.

Link in bio and stories 🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/northern-beaches-council-local-government-election-candidates-2024/

28/08/2024

GALE WARNING; SES REQUESTS MOVE CARS INDOORS

Our local State Emergency Service is receiving numerous calls for help as wild winds lash the Northern Beaches bringing trees down and debris flying. Manly SES has asked us to request readers move their cars undercover if it is safe to do so and not to stand under any trees. It’s a good idea to bring in any loose outdoor furniture too. Call SES on 132 500 for assistance or to report a large tree down.
Call 000 in an emergency

A gale warning is currently in place for Sydney enclosed waters.

📸 Adam Vidal

28/08/2024

FRUIT AND VEG AT SEDUCTIVE PRICES?

Today I’d like to pay homage to the deliciously ugly fruits and vegetables that Harris Farm brings to market as part of their imperfect picks range— an end to the horrific waste caused by minor imperfections in otherwise perfectly good food. Or in the words Harris Farm,  “Imperfect Picks is our seasonal range of fruit and vegetables that might not look perfect from the outside, but are as perfect as ever on the inside.” 
They are also a great way to save a few dollars at the till too. Financial and Sustainable benefits aside, these gorgeously grotesque creatures also tend to give me a good giggle, so if you have your own amusing find (from anywhere, even your own garden) please share with us ! Images with white background from Harris Farm, but the main pic is from a Google search for “seductive carrot”, which did not disappoint.

ℹ️ A sponsored post in support of ugly fruit and beautiful news

28/08/2024

Local man Principe Antonio has appeared before Manly Local Court regarding charges he allegedly used a camera on his shoe to film a 12-year-old girl under her skirt at Kmart last month. When he appeared before court yesterday, Tuesday, 27 August 2024, he faced a total of 17 counts of filming people’s private parts.

🔗 full story on our website https://manlyobserver.com.au/man-arrested-for-filming-up-childs-skirt-attends-manly-local-court/

ℹ️ Comments turned off due to the controversial nature and extent of moderation required.

Antonio Principe appeared before Manly Court House on Tuesday morning, 27 August 2024, having been arrested and charged with numerous counts of filming people’s private parts last month, however, the court was adjourned.

28/08/2024

Let's Get Political

Registered voters will be electing new councillors for the Northern Beaches on 14 September 2024.

Here you will find helpful links about pre-polling, polling booth locations, candidates in order of ballot draw, and hear from candidates why they want you to vote for them.

Each candidate has been provided equal space and identical questions, and no part of our election coverage is sponsored in any way.

Registered voters will be electing new councillors for the Northern Beaches on 14 September 2024. Here you will find helpful links about pre-polling, polling booth locations, candidates in order of ballot drawer and how to learn more about these candidates.