In the digitally-dominated, fast-paced world we live in today, sometimes it’s nice to slow down and reflect on the simpler times, remembering the roots and past lives of our surroundings, through photographs. Check out these images from the Turramurra North Public School of yesteryear. Image Credit: Ku-ring-gai Library Local History Collection In Series 1, we go back in time to Turramurra North Public School - was first opened in October 1914, by the following March, there were more than 70 students enrolled. The school became the social hub of the area. There was a shop and a concentration of homes near the school, with orchards, dairies, poultry farms and market gardens close by. Turramurra North Public School, North Turramurra 1914 Taken by B Hughes, headmaster Turramurra North Public School 1914 Pupils assembled outside the school building, noting clothing and range of ages of children, suggesting this may have been the whole school. The original copy is water damaged. Some sections of the photograph, on the right, have been dissolved. 3rd & 4th Classes - Turramurra North Public School 1922 Showing a teacher with a combined 3rd /4th class. Persons shown: Les Cole, Horace Liversidge, ? Weinbeck, Fred Moll, Frank Helliwell, Erick Chamberlain, ? Henshaw, Jack Cale, Thelma Nagle, Kathleen Adams, Elma Pierce, John Shipton, Mamie St.Ledger and Renee Chamberlain. Children, Turramurra North Public School 1934 Shows a class photograph of pupils at Turramurra North Public School. Persons shown: Archie Palthorp, Roy Chamberlain, Evyanne Lanfear, Myra Stephens, Tom Tesoriero, Gloria Shelton, Molly ?, Lorna Liversidge, Peggy Wallbank, Joe Hope, Wally St. Ledger, Harry Whaling and Ray Chamberlain. 4th, 5th & 6th Classes - Turramurra North Public School 1948 Shows a class photograph of a combined 4th, 5th and 6th class at Turramurra North Public School. 4th. 5th. & 6th Classes Turramurra North Public School [1951] Shows a combined class photograph of 4th. 5th and 6th classes Do you recognise anyone? Let us know, info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au.

By Jamie Apps More on Dee Why In a modern, fast-paced, internet-focused age the world around us has become a fleeting folly. However, for one young man, the history of Sydney, and Dee Why has never been more important to focus on & highlight to the wider community. In order to do this Nathan Mete created the @RetroSydney_ Instagram page to showcase the history & beauty that many Sydneysiders have forgotten. “As a kid myself in the 90's, Sydney is just such a different place now which is truly fascinating - it became a great obsession almost, seeing the face of our city change over time (sometimes good & sometimes in a not so good way) but it makes up the story of where we are today & there's so many fascinating people & stories that have contributed to the history of Sydney.” Although Nathan didn’t have a photography background himself when he started @RetroSydney_ in August 2020 he has always been able to appreciate the skill & power of the art form. “The one thing I love about most of the photographs that I post is the level of detail & the story that one photo can capture,” explained Nathan. “It's a real art to capture a moment & there are so many complex layers to a photograph.” Since launching the page Nathan has grown his following to 101k in just 2 years. Many of the photographs Nathan posts on @RetroSydney_ are sourced from public archives, but the pictures which are “really special” to him come from public submissions. In terms of what makes for a great image to post on the page, Nathan says it comes down to “a sense of familiarity of a place & the contrast of it now is what's really amazing.” Nathan also notes that many of the images are “candid” in nature & thus “ truly are a snapshot in time” which shows just how much the way we live has changed. It’s not just the images that make @RetroSydney_ special though. As Nathan told us excitedly “the stories behind the photographs” can be magical. One set of photographs, in particular, that stands out in Nathan’s mind in this regard were submissions by a follower of the page. “One of my followers, Nick, sent me a collection of gorgeous images that his late father took in the early 1960's on his Leica camera & you have to remember this was at a time before Autofocus was a thing, so everything was done manually - the clarity of them is amazing & I just love the moments that they've captured,” Nathan beamed. “One day I was shopping & bumped into Nick & his mum Di & it was a surreal moment. It was amazing hearing how Di said it was like the photographs were keeping her late husband & his memory alive - so it's special when you hear stories of how it affects people in amazing ways.” It’s this connection with the images & the “nostalgic” feeling for a Sydney of old that Nathan feels is what has made @RetroSydney_ such a hit on Instagram. “With my posts, I try to immerse people in the journey back, mainly through the captions describing the time, sometimes it's the contents of the photograph - usually the cars or the place - & this adds another layer to the photograph or video giving it more context - & usually I'll couple that with a song of the era in a story post.”

More on Dee Why In the digitally-dominated, fast-paced world we live in today, sometimes it’s nice to slow down and reflect on the simpler times, remembering the roots and past lives of our surroundings through photographs - step back in time to the Dee Why of yesteryear! In Series 2, we have gone back in time to Dee Why Public School. The school was first opened on July 17th, 1922 - a two-roomed brick building designed to fit 96 students. The school was soon over-capacity with more than 160 children. Subsequently, two more classrooms were built in 1923. Over the years, the school saw continued growth requiring more portable classrooms, the temporary hire of a basement hall on Pittwater Road, and eventually, the acquisition of more land. Image credits: Northern Beaches Council Library Local Studies Opening of Dee Why Public School - July 17th, 1922 Dee Why Public School - Grade 6 - 1936

BY ALEC SMART More on Surry Hills The Hopetoun Hotel, the legendary, State Heritage-listed pub on the corner of Bourke and Fitzroy streets in Surry Hills, which was closed and boarded up in September 2009, has gone through several transitions since its foundation in 1839. Hopetoun Hotel, as it stood in 2013, boarded-up and abandoned. Photo: Alec Smart The Hopetoun Hotel Origins Initially, it was known as The Cockatoo, and occupied a building a little further along to its present location at 416 Bourke, on the opposite side at 471B Bourke St (which became a vehicle repairer named Metro Automotives, since replaced by terraced houses). When, in 1846, a new landlord relocated to larger premises on the corner (where it remains today), he transferred it all, lock, stock and many barrels, as well as the avian brand, and the patrons followed. By the start of the 20th century, the venue had seen four name changes: The Sportsman’s Arms, Kilkenny Inn, and The Great Western Hotel. In 1901 it was taken over by Tooths, which, as one of colonial Australia’s first and largest companies (established 1835), amassed many drinking establishments across Sydney, with the liquid amber supplied by their Kent Brewery on Broadway (now high-rise apartments and retail space). Hopetoun Hotel, 1922. Photo: Tooth's Hotels Tooths upgraded the building in the popular Federation Warehouse style (typically red brick with decorative roof finials and cupolas, sometimes including balconies and gables) and renamed it to honour the newly independent nation of Australia’s first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun. For the next half-century, the Hopetoun continued trading as a licensed hotel serving meals and beverages and providing accommodation for travellers. They had to keep an outside lamp burning all night (a legal requirement) and relinquish their premises for autopsies if the authorities demanded (due primarily to the convenience of a chilled basement for storing beer, where bodies could also be kept). Wog (featuring Ray Ahn from The Hard-Ons) performing at Hopetoun, March 2007. Photo: Alec Smart Music at the Hopetoun Hotel - Rock ‘n Roll Revelry From the 1950s, when six o’clock closure laws (aka the “six o’clock swill”) were rescinded in NSW, the Hopetoun hosted live music for the after-work patrons seeking entertainment. Australian bars became perhaps the world’s foremost training ground for live music, engendering noisy pub rock in the 70s and 80s, which honed the talents of AC/DC, Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel, etc. In this heady mix, the Hopetoun Hotel was arguably one of Sydney’s best venues for nurturing new bands, due to its central location and the mixed music-loving clientele living in close proximity. Sarah Blasko, Paul Kelly, Wolfmother, Hoodoo Gurus, Ed Kuepper (The Saints), Michael Hutchence (INXS) and The Cockroaches (two of whom co-founded the internationally successful kids’ music phenomenon The Wiggles) were among the many talents that performed in the small but intimate main bar. There was even a series of ‘Rock Against Work’ concerts on Tuesday lunchtimes for unemployed workers that this reporter remembers fondly, including one where he met a grumpy Paul Kelly at a Ramones tribute gig. Edwin Garland fronting Waxworks in the 1990s, during the Hopetoun's glory days. Photo: supplied The tradition of music at the Hopetoun Hotel includes Edwin Garland, who patronised the Hopetoun for several decades. He performed with his band, Waxworks, or solo. In 1991, with venue booker Darcy Condon, he co-created a compilation album of bands that played on the premises, called Big Hope, Little Town. Edwin explained why the Hopetoun, affectionately known as ‘The Hoey’, was such a popular watering hole during its 1980s-90s heyday. “The Hopetoun helped new bands and those from interstate break into the Sydney live music scene,” he revealed. “There were lots of run-down terrace houses throughout Surry Hills that were cheap to rent, so the surrounding neighbourhood was full of students, artists and musicians from where their audiences came from. “The rock ‘n’ roll community and the Hopetoun Hotel were intertwined; on a night out you might see punk rockers with mohawks alongside a transgender person. You had a diversity of subcultures because Surry Hills itself was a lot more accepting of different people and lifestyles (like the many music tribes, LGBT crowd and the theatre community of playwrights and actors), wearing clothes they couldn’t get away with in Blacktown, the Eastern Suburbs or the North Shore and Northern Beaches areas.” 'Big Hope, Little Town', the 1991 compilation album of bands that performed at The Hopetoun The Hopetoun Hotel Musician Compilation Album Edwin continued, “The Hopetoun was special. Women could go there and feel safe and there were a lot of mixed-gender bands thanks to bookers like Darcy Condon and Peter Kelly. The Triple J Radio DJs used to loiter there because it had an ‘underground’ music vibe, like the legendary CBGBs in New York. “Interesting characters could also be found there, such as the neighbourhood pieman who baked pies in his kitchen and sold them out front of the Hoey on Friday and Saturday nights; Tony “Danger Mouse” Young, a tiny fellow who played air guitar onstage during gigs; and a black & white dog that used to randomly walk in and watch the bands.” Gentrification Exodus Unfortunately, with the gentrification of Surry Hills in the late 1990s, new neighbours began complaining about the Hopetoun’s rock ‘n’ roll music revelry, and despite spending money on soundproofing, the venue owners paid several Court fines for exceeding noise levels. Sadly, the beloved Hopetoun began to lose its regular patrons as the gentrification of Surry Hills brought inevitable rent rises. Artists, students, musicians and low-income workers who loved live music relocated to cheaper accommodation options in the Inner West, where new bars sprung up to cater for the exodus. Eventually, the iconic venue shuttered its doors on Monday 28 September 2009, the owners attributing new licensing regulations plus fines levied by NSW Police for crippling their operation. A 5000-signature petition was unsuccessful in getting the closure reversed. On 6-7 August 2012 the Hopetoun interior was adapted to look like a Japanese bar for a scene in the Marvel superhero film The Wolverine, starring Australian actor Hugh Jackman. (In November 2012, nearby Brisbane St was transformed to look like a Japanese laneway, including Japanese language signs, for another scene in the film, which was released the following year.) Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. A movie scene was filmed inside the Hopetoun. Photo - Maurya Rohit Apart from the movie, the premises have remained closed to the public since 2009, although occasional rumours have arisen of rescuers promising to resurrect the historic Hopetoun. In November 2019, Time Out magazine spoke to the wrong soothsayer when they confidently predicted the legendary pub was set to reopen in 2020. “Hopetoun .. will reopen as a pub and bar in 2020. The catch? There will no longer be live music performed here to meet with local compliances regarding noise.” The Covid pandemic with its accompanying social distancing rules inhibited the opening of licensed venues throughout the peak transmission periods of January 2020 – January 2022. Now the Hopetoun is locked in limbo, with resurgent speculation on its future. A Facebook page that announced in July 2022 that the ‘Hoey’ was “making a comeback” has not posted since. The webpage link it provided is inactive. This reporter contacted Hopetoun’s Sydney owner, Evangelos Patakas, director of The Lion Investment Group Pty Limited, (which purchased the venue in 1997) for an update on the Hopetoun’s situation, however, there was no response. Recommended reading: Hopetoun, A Colonial Survivor? by John Walter Ross. Online link: https://www.shazbeige.com/pdf/Hopetoun_Hotel_History.pdf The Hopetoun Hotel as it currently stands (2023). Photo: Alec Smart

St Ives and Gordon Youth Hubs have re-opened - and they're offering free entertainment for teens! With the return of the school term, the Ku-ring-gai council has opened the doors of its youth hubs once again. Both hubs — St Ives and Gordon locations — provide many activities for children aged 12–18, perfect for teens looking for some afternoon entertainment after school or TAFE! Gordon Youth Hub is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 pm to 8 pm. Located in the old school building next to Gordon Library, the hub offers Foosball, table tennis, Nintendo Switch, computers, music, TVs, and Netflix. The youth hub offers a safe space for people to hang out and enjoy free activities. The St Ives youth hub offers many of the same activities and facilities as the Gordon location. It has also recently been redone with new floors, furniture and equipment added last year. Both hubs provide free recreational activities and other support for young people and are staffed by professional youth workers. These activities include special events focused on community involvement and youth development. For example, last November, St Ives Youth Hub held an event for young people to meet local police officers and discuss their roles over a free burger and juice! Similarly, Gordon Youth Hub regularly works in collaboration with Gordon Library to provide study sessions and free coffee and snacks for local Year 12 students. St Ives Youth Hub will partner with Ku-ring-gai Youth Development Service (KYDS). This will provide local children with free access to mental health services. Mayor Jeff Pettett had this to say: “This will be a free and confidential service to our young residents who may be experiencing problems at school or home and feel they need extra support.” KYDS provides aid to teens as well as their parents and carers via mental health support. They have been operating in the Ku-ring-gai area for over 15 years, tackling stigmas surrounding mental health. Over the past year, KYDS has provided counselling for over 400 young people. Issues such as suicidal thoughts, break-ups, addictions, body image, grief, loss, study stress and family breakdowns are some areas in which KYDS can provide support. This support takes shape in many forms, including personalised counselling, family counselling, early intervention workshops and information events. KYDS also offers free online resources for parents and teens. In addition to donations by local businesses and community groups, KYDS also receives Local, State and Federal funding, according to their 2021/2022 annual report. At time of publication, the youth hubs are officially open and waiting for your teens to come along. If you know someone aged 12–18, send them down to either the St Ives or Gordon locations to take advantage of the fantastic, free activities and services being provided! You can see more details online - www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Community/Young-people/Youth-centres

These dog treats are easy for you to make and require no special equipment. They are perfect for warmer weather and can be made using items you may already have in your fridge. Frozen Unsweetened Apple Sauce This inexpensive treat is super-easy to make and, being unsweetened, you know you are being good to your best friend. Simply freeze in a small plastic container or ice cube rack, and serve when ready. Not only is this a delicious treat, but it will keep your pup happy for at least a couple of bites, and cool him off on a hot day. Green Smoothie Bowl For our healthy friends searching for a green option, why not try a Green Smoothie Bowl? Simply blend a handful of frozen pineapple, mango, 1 banana and a bunch of fresh spinach. Add ½ cup of water, 1 cup of chicken broth, and blend. Garnish lightly with doggo’s favourite treat, and you’ll be the best loved dog owner on the planet! TWO OPTIONS FOR THE GOOD/BAD FOOD BELOW - bigger list with name only, smaller with name + reason GOOD Human Food: Oatmeal - provides lots of fibre as well as some vitamins and minerals. Watermelon (not including Seeds/Rind) - low in calories and packed with nutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin C. Salmon (cooked, boneless) - great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation and may help keep your dog’s skin and fur healthy. Carrots - low in calories and a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. BAD Human Food: Grapes/Raisin - contain toxic compounds that can lead to rapid kidney failure. Chocolate - contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs can't metabolize. Onions - contain N-propyl disulfide, which is toxic and damages your dog’s red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen through the body. Avocado - contains a toxin called persin which is highly poisonous and may lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and chest.

After an incredible 3 weeks lost in local bushland, Baxter the lost 12 year old Cavoodle dog has returned home. First coming to light in early August, the plight of Baxter and Layla captured the hearts of people right across the Northern Beaches. The two Cavoodles managed to escape into bushland in Elanora Heights and despite huge efforts from the local community, no trace of them was found for days on end. There was a a mammoth effort from the local community, with hundreds out walking in search, and thousands seeing and sharing posts online. Unfortunately, Layla required medication for various medical conditions and following consultations with various veterinary professionals, it was acknowledged she couldn't survive beyond 7 days without her medication. On August 22nd, their devastated owners made the heart breaking decision to scale back the search, with the following announced on social media: Posted August 22nd: Feeling like all hope was lost, missing posts became less frequent and Baxter and Layla's devastated families began to contemplate life without them.. Until - a call came through on Saturday September 2nd, almost 3 weeks since he first went missing, that Baxter had been sighted! A local homeowner in Elanora Heights had witnessed the dog emerge from bushland and wander towards the back of their house, however, as they approached the dog scurried away. The call was made and Baxter's owner Deb was on scene within minutes, after what seemed like a lifetime of frantic calling, it was only about 5 minutes, Baxter came running! He was immediately taken to the vet and placed on an IV drip and despite grave concerns - his vet is hopeful he will be making a full recovery! His owner Deb released a much happier statement on Facebook today: Posted September 3rd, 2023 We wish Baxter and his whole family a very speedy recovery, and a much quieter life from here on out!

The team at MUSQ Farmceuticals are refreshing the skincare game with farm-to-face Aussie-made, Hemp based skincare. If you’re one for locally-made, naturally-sourced skincare, MUSQ Farmceuticals is for you. Cold-pressed Hemp Seed Oil and Lanolin are two key ingredients in effective natural skincare. Thankfully, MUSQ Farmceuticals takes inspiration from their Hemp and Sheep farm in NSW’s Southern Riverina, region to create their incredible range of products. Did we mention that on top of the hydrating Hemp oil and barrier-protecting lanolin, they also use skin-soothing honey? We can thank the bees on their farm for that! MUSQ Farmceuticals is packed full of antioxidants and is cruelty-free – the perfect way to keep your skin looking and feeling, its best! Farm Balm SPF15 (RRP $24.95) Farm Balm has everything your skin needs to combat farm (and city) life. With SPF to aid in sun protection, Farm Balm is an excellent cure-all to help with all things, dry and depleted skin. Wind-whipped skin? Dry hands? Chapped lips? Reach for Farm Balm. Revitalise Face Cleanser (RRP $39.95) Everyone needs a good face cleanser. No matter who you are or what you do, your skin gets absolutely filthy. Sweat? Dirt? Make-up? It all creates a layer of build-up on your face that can lead to pimples and stops your other skincare from working effectively. MUSQ’s Revitalise Face Cleanser works to brighten skin with anti-inflammatory properties to keep your skin fresh and clean. Hydrate Face Toner (RRP $39.95) Hydration! Hydration! Hydration! Good skincare is all about hydration! Toners are an important in-between step in skincare, keeping your skin soft and hydrated like a sponge! The Hydrate Face Toner is designed to keep your skin soft and supple, allowing you to make the most of your moisturisers and face oils. Nurture Face Moisturiser (RRP $54.95) Do you fancy pump, smooth skin? What about a strong skin barrier and an intense hit of hydration? Sounds like you need MUSQ’s Nurture Face Moisturiser. It’s full of radiance-inducing goodies and botanical oils that will help restore moisture to your skin like Hemp Seed and Camelia Oils. Nourish Face Oil (RRP $59.95) Face Oil – despite the name, face oils do not make your skin oily! They help to balance out the oils on your face and help repair your skin's barrier. BUT MUSQ’s Nourish Face Oil is special – not only is it ultra-hydrating and non-greasy, but it also contains seaweed extract and a gentle Retinol to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and increase skin elasticity. Younger-looking, supple skin? Sign us up! Radiate Face Polish (RRP $49.95) Exfoliation is a crucial step in your skin-care routine as it helps generate and renew skin cells. Natural exfoliation can slow down as we age, so it’s important to give our skin a helping hand. MUSQ’s Radiate Face Polish is a gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead skin and even your skin’s texture and tone. With White Kaolin, Rice Powder, and Bamboo to help regenerate your skin, all you need to do is use Radiate Face Polish once or twice a week for bright, even skin. Not familiar with Hemp Seed Oil? Hemp Seed Oil is a magnificent natural ingredient that is chock-full of antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids like Omegas 3 and 6. It packs a strong, moisturising punch to ensure that your skin is supple and glowing all day long.

Don’t Throw it Out - Pass it On! Meet the clothing company taking care of the disadvantaged Pass It On Clothing & Co is a Darlinghurst-based social enterprise that puts donations of used apparel, shoes, and accessories directly in the hands of those who need it most. Founded in September 2016 by Chris Vagg and Olga Puga, Pass It On Clothing & Co has been instrumental in providing quality men’s and women’s clothes donations to Sydney’s homeless community, making the giving of clothes more direct, efficient and effective. The idea for Pass It On Clothing & Co stemmed from a house move for Chris and Olga and a resulting wardrobe cull. Many of the pieces to be thrown away were expensive and near new and needed to be given a new appreciative owner. This sparked the idea of taking clothing directly to Sydney’s homeless and disadvantaged community by setting up outdoor boutiques, offering clothing free of charge to those in need. Pass It On Clothing & Co currently operate weekly outreach services in Sydney City, Parramatta and Gosford and once a month in Arncliffe + Darlinghurst. They've been operating for almost 5 years and have passed on over 150,000 pieces of clothing to those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. After two years, Chris quit his full-time job and went full-time to build the enterprise, creating a subscription clothing bin for businesses to engage with, and developed a suite of corporate programs known as The 100 Club. In May 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, they opened their first retail shop, thanks to a partnership with TOGA and Ashe Morgan, where they sell quality fashion items not suitable for those on the street, at outlet prices. The local community can support Pass It On by coming into the store and purchasing items for themselves, or buy for someone experiencing homelessness. Businesses can install a clothing bin at their workplace for staff, engage with one of Pass It On’s programs as an education + team-building exercise, or simply follow them on their social media channels @passitonclothing and follow / like / share the posts to amplify their message. FB: @passitonclothing E: passitonclothingandco@gmail.com

By Tahney Fosdike More on Dee Why Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter calls itself a “haven” - a place for women to find a sense of safety and independence. The shelter in Sydney’s Northern Beaches operates on the premise that women in crisis should be helped in - and by - their community. “It exists to serve our community,” NBWS’ website proudly states, “It survives because of our community.” The non-profit, community-funded charitable organisation also says they are “more than a safe haven.” The shelter prioritises its residents’ futures. While providing crisis and transitional accommodation, they also seek to address underlying causes of homelessness and equip women with long-term benefits from their time at the shelter. Stating that “homelessness doesn’t discriminate,” NBWS offers individual case management and an outcomes-based approach. Sydney’s Northern Beaches women staying in the shelter can access assistance in finding permanent accommodation and community systems and services. NBWS strives for residents to gain hope of rebuilding their lives during their stays of up to three months. “Each day at NBWS is different,” says Shelter Manager Narelle Hand, while making special mention of their Empowerment Group, an 8-week meeting cycle focussing on cultivating healthy boundaries and connections. Women’s shelters like NBWS exist to provide safe spaces for women and children. They provide crisis intervention, counselling, legal and financial aid, and access to support networks. Shelters range in their focus, and NBWS hones into assisting women experiencing homelessness resulting from factors like family violence, harmful substance use, mental health and economic issues. The NBWS Story In Australia, shelters emerged from momentum in the 1970s women’s liberation and feminist movements. Volunteers opened the country’s first refugees to combat domestic violence and abuse. The first state-funded shelter for women, The Elsie Refuge, opened in Glebe in 1974, with the National Women’s Refuge Network established in 1980 to maintain women’s shelters across the country. Today, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in six Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner (while one woman is killed by a current or former partner every nine days in Australia). As domestic violence and abuse remain prevalent, shelters like NBWS remain vital to ever-necessary community advocacy for at-risk people. “People think ‘women’s shelters’ are a place where the people accessing the service are not like them,” Hand explains. “But when they come to the shelter, they see people you know, people you work with and people you find in the general community - this really hits a nerve as they realise homelessness can happen to anybody.” NBWS values transitioning resident women into sustainable accommodation that is both suitable and affordable. Their dedicated, qualified, skilled team of professional support workers and volunteers “go above and beyond” to provide the shelter’s services. Staff at NBWS “The staff at NBWS work from a trauma-informed, client-centred perspective,” says Hand, “We understand that our residents are the experts in their own lives, and most have at some time experienced trauma that affects how they live.” “The staff were there to support me from the moment I arrived. They are angels” says former NBWS resident Daisy, “I was in heaven… [the staff] helped me regain my life.” The shelter opened after more than 300 women contacted Manly Community Centre and St Vincent de Paul in Brookvale for crisis accommodation, in one calendar year. NBWS, then known as Manly Women’s Shelter, then opened in 2010 from collaborative community efforts. Over 70 women used the shelter’s emergency accommodation in the first year, operating from two small rental houses. In early 2018, the refuge’s name legally changed to Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter. Soon, NBWS hopes to expand its support of women with children through additional physical premises. NBWS Contact Details NBWS encourages women and community members in immediate danger to contact the police. Their website also lists a range of resources and helpline numbers, such as 1800RESPECT and the NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63, to anyone seeking assistance. Residents often come through referrals from these listed third-party services. If referred to NBWS, residents receive care from trained staff and volunteers. However, some factors can make it challenging for women to access shelters, such as lack of awareness, cultural and linguistic barriers, and fear of retaliation from abusers. On these barriers, Hand says, “When you come to our shelter, we try to make the experience safe and welcoming.” She continues, “At NBWS, everyone is treated with dignity, respect, kindness, and care. We have weekly groups and events to encourage connection, understanding, and support for each other to feel like you belong somewhere and you are not alone.” Financial contributions from the Northern Beaches community are integral to NBWS’ ongoing viability. Community members can attend regular fundraising events or donate to the essential service. All donations above $2 are tax deductible and can be made at: https://nbws.org.au/donate/

MyBond, the Australian tech-start up disrupting the rental market, celebrated it's first anniversary in 2020 MyBond celebrates Its first anniversary with a private dinner at Eros Sydney, Potts Point. The event honours MyBond's path from a COVID Pandemic-inspired start-up to a March 2021 debut with only four customers. Since its inception, MyBond has been on a mission to scale up, serving over 1600 Australians and counting who have moved into their homes in the three states where it operates: New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, and funding millions in dollars in rental bonds. MyBond hosted a three-course dinner with accompanying refreshments and entertainment by DJ Zaku for a select group of journalists, influencers, corporate guests, and friends of the brand. In attendance included Cyrell Jimenez Paule from Married at First Sight, with Partner Eden Dally from Love Island, The Bachelor’s KiKi Morris, Luxe Listings Sydney and Founder of Black Diamondz Monika Tu with partner Jad Khattar, Celebrity Stylist Jamie Azzopardi and Carrington Brigham; Founder of Potts Pointers Facebook Community Group and Managing Director of Agenda C who officiated the event with an Acknowledgement to Country. The vendors used for the event were all local businesses in Darlinghurst and Potts Point communities. The use of Magnolia leaves as name cards and recycled materials as props made the event styling and production environmentally friendly. The event concluded with a toast to commemorate the occasion with “Loud and Proud” sparkling wine, with 100% of the sales going to The Pride Foundation Australia. Guests were also given Cacti, a sign of endurance and fortitude that symbolised the brand's resilience during the COVID pandemic and growth as MyBond scales up so that all guests may take a piece of the brand and grow with it as well. Victoria Anthony, an award-winning DJ, LGBTQI champion, and local resident, performed joyous tracks to round off the celebration. These parts of the event pay tribute to MyBond's commitment to being a community-focused business while also encouraging ESG stewardship as a social enterprise. “During MyBond‘s journey, we realised that tenants globally are the largest underserved market. MyBond is providing tools and services to tenants to empower them to live a life that is convenient and comfortable. Ultimately, it's all about giving people flexibility and choice in paying and managing their rental bond and allowing them to control when and where they want to live. It was fantastic to spend the evening with key stakeholders, influencers, the media, and the local community.” - Ray Dib, CEO and CoFounder of MyBond. About MyBond MyBond is disrupting the Australian rental market with a first-of-its-kind in-the-world service that helps tenants pay for the rental bond. An alternative to paying rental bonds with a single fee of just one week's rent with no interest, no repayments and no credit checks. MyBond’s vision is to be the preferred and trusted partner throughout a renter's life, and since the company’s launch in March 2021, it has funded millions of bonds and has helped over 1600+ Australians move into their dwellings in NSW, VIC, & QLD. We are one of the fastest-growing FinTech, with a growth rate of 15% month on month and have plans to expand and scale-up. www.mybond.com.au

The tailored tutoring approach turning local students' academic challenges into success! More on St Ives The birth of Bush To Bridge Tutoring As Serena Chedid, founder of Bush To Bridge Tutoring, reflects on her schooling years it’s with mixed emotions. Throughout her years at both primary and high school, she faced significant struggles with academic concepts and found it challenging overall to keep up. After many tried, tested and failed approaches, Serena finally found a tutor who was pivotal in helping her excel in her exams, which ultimately improved her overall well-being! The far-reaching impacts of reducing academic pressures on a student can be immense.  After graduating from Abbotsleigh in 2020, Serena began her own journey as a tutor, gaining extensive experience through work at both tutoring companies and as a private tutor. This experience helped Serena understand and see first-hand what truly works when tutoring students. Fuelled by these critical observations, Bush To Bridge Tutoring was founded in February 2023. The Bush To Bridge difference From her time as a tutor, Serena’s biggest observation was that many tutoring services rely on a one-size-fits-all approach that often falls short in addressing the individual needs of each student. Standardised programs and group classes can be rigid, overlooking unique learning styles and personal academic goals, ultimately hindering a student’s ability to fully benefit from tutoring. A lot of services also lack the flexibility to adapt to evolving schedules or additional educational requirements. At Bush To Bridge, these issues are tackled head-on by offering customised tutoring plans tailored to each student's specific challenges and strengths. This personalised approach ensures students not only improve academically but grow in confidence and develop a deeper passion for learning. By providing a more effective alternative to conventional tutoring methods, Bush To Bridge ensures each student receives the attention and support they need to thrive. To ensure students are getting the highest quality support available, Bush to Bridge tutors have to meet a strict series of requirements. All tutors are on the HSC Honour Roll or hold equivalent qualifications. During the interview process, tutors must demonstrate their teaching abilities by instructing the interviewers on various topics. This rigorous process ensures that tutors possess the right teaching styles, level of engagement, and subject mastery necessary to provide exceptional support to students. Could a personalised tutoring plan help you? Tutoring is not just for students who are struggling. It is a powerful tool for any student eager to deepen their understanding, sharpen their skills, or surpass the standard curriculum. Whether a child is looking to master complex concepts or explore subjects not fully covered in school, personalised tutoring can be a game-changer. By tailoring the learning experience to fit each child's unique needs and aspirations, tutoring can unlock potential and foster an enduring passion for learning. Every student stands to gain from the focused and customised support that quality tutoring provides. For local parents considering tutoring options, starting with Bush To Bridge Tutoring is straightforward. You can submit an enquiry on the website, send an email or make a phone call. The team at Bush To Bridge will take over from there, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process. This user-friendly approach reflects the company’s commitment to accessibility and convenience for families seeking quality educational support. Bush To Bridge Tutoring prides itself on being an extremely flexible and tailored tutoring company. Unlike many other tutoring services, there are no lock-in contracts or upfront term payments. Parents can also always request a change of tutors if they feel the current match is not the right fit. Additionally, Bush To Bridge boasts a huge bank of resources and is able to create new ones on demand, tailored to each student’s needs. Bush To Bridge Tutoring bushtobridgetutoring.com 0404 750 219