From a humble start in her kitchen to the thriving business of Tasty Wiener Treats, Lauren's commitment to crafting high-quality, all-natural delights has garnered acclaim not just locally but beyond. More on Cronulla When Lauren, a dedicated fur mum in Cronulla, faced the challenge of finding suitable treats for her miniature dachshund Albert amidst the COVID lockdown in 2020, she embarked on a journey that would redefine dog treat standards. From Kitchen Experiments to Canine Delicacies Lauren's venture into the world of dog treats began with a simple $50 investment in a second-hand dehydrator. With time on her hands during lockdown, she experimented with recipes until she found the perfect formula, eventually leading to the birth of the beloved 'OG Chicken' treat. Inspired by her beloved dachshunds, Albert and Lucy, Tasty Wiener Treats became a testament to love and dedication towards pets ' well-being. Commercial dog treats often come with hidden ingredients and additives that can compromise pets' health. Lauren's commitment to purity and simplicity ensures that each Tasty Wiener Treat is a single-ingredient delight, free from preservatives and harmful additives. By offering pet owners a healthier alternative, Tasty Wiener Treats not only nourishes dogs' bodies but also strengthens the bond between owners and their beloved companions. Where to Find Tasty Wiener Treats Discover the delectable offerings of Tasty Wiener Treats at local markets, where you can meet Lauren and her charming dogs while your furry friend samples the delights. For convenient access, order online through the website for hassle-free click-and-collect delivery from Cronulla. Custom orders are also welcome via direct messages on Instagram, ensuring every dog receives the perfect treat tailored to their preferences. Connect with Tasty Wiener Treats www.tastywienertreats.com.au Facebook Instagram

From childhood sketches to mega Sydney street murals. By Lucy Pearson Read more on Marrickville Growing up in New Zealand, in a bustling family of five children, artist Reuben Boughtwood - when left to his own devices - often found himself exploring and creating his own worlds. Those were simpler times – there no internet distractions, just the freedom of playing outdoors and letting imagination run wild. This independent spirit led him to develop a deep love for art from a young age. Now settled in Sydney’s inner-west – a place whose vibrant community and support have been instrumental in his artistic journey - we caught up with Reuben to find out a bit more about how art has shaped his life, and how he found himself living in Marrickville. “My earliest memories of art are filled with half-finished projects and sketches. While I often began with grand plans to study animals or interesting topics, I would usually find myself absorbed in the act of drawing or painting, losing track of time. Thisintroverted nature became even more pronounced after a serious shoulder injury at age 17. During the six months I spent recovering at home, art became my sanctuary. It was during this period that I truly committed myself to the craft.” Art, for Reuben, has been a constantly evolving journey, “while my style has undergone transformations over the years, it currently blends elements of realism and surrealism. My work often serves as a reflection of my life's experiences, with emotions and events seeping into each piece. Looking back, I often recognize these themes only after the fact.” Throughout his career, he’s had the privilege of working on numerous projects that he’s immensely proud of, and explained that one highlight was creating murals for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation. “The opportunity to meet patients' families and interpret their stories into art was incredibly rewarding.” He moved to Australia over a decade ago with his wife, and - after trying various jobs- discovered his passion for wall painting during an aerosol company-sponsored festival. From that moment onwards, he knew that this was what he wanted to pursue professionally. He says of Marrickville, “I love the inner-west! It has such a forward-thinking approach to public art and culture, which is really reflected in the people who live there. People are always excited to see you out painting and to speak with you.” He also explains that one of the area’s main allures is that the inner-west council funds “more public art than any place I’ve seen round the world. They have several different programs that support Artists and commission works.” Reuben says that he finds inspiration everywhere, “while social media, particularly Instagram, serves as a contemporary source of inspiration, I draw inspiration from a myriad of places. Films, natural patterns in stone, and other artists like Vesod, Case McClaim, Adnate, and Fintan Magee, among many others, inspire me daily.” Like many artists, Rueben’s goals for the future are constantly evolving, but painting a silo remains a dream project. “I'm eager to delve into smaller communities and create art that resonates with their stories and culture.” And while he says that the hardest thing about being an artist is wearing so many hats when working for yourself, he explains that getting to paint every day never feels like work. As for the future, it's simple – Reuben wants to continue painting. With several large-scale projects on the horizon, including a trip to Griffith for a 12-day painting session, he’s excited about what lies ahead. “I cherish commissions that allow me to explore my conceptual ideas and incorporate my own photographs,” he says. READ MORE ON MARRICKVILLE

By Matt Murphy Read more on Marrickville Thomas Holt was born in England in 1811 and entered his family’s wool merchant business upon leaving school. Knowing that the wool industry was booming in New South Wales, in 1842 Thomas Holt migrated with his wife and young family to Sydney and soon became a wealthy businessman investing in this prosperous trade. Apart from wool, he invested in gold mines, insurance, railways and trams. He was made a magistrate and also a director of a bank. He also became a politician and in 1856, when New South Wales formed its first government, he became the colony’s first treasurer. By 1880, he owned over 1.2 million acres of farmland - an area the size of greater Sydney. Much of this was in northern New South Wales and Queensland. He also owned a property that he called ‘Sylvania’ - the land on the southern side of Botany Bay where Captain Cook first set foot on the continent. An obelisk Holt erected on the shore at Kurnell to commemorate this event is still in place. Here he started an oyster farm, although it proved unsuccessful. Due to his business interests elsewhere, he seldom saw these expansive properties. The property he lived in was in south Newtown, known as Camdenvilla, and his ‘pleasure estate’, Another, The Warren, was in present day south Marrickville. The Warren was a castellated gothic mansion designed by architect George Mansfield and built in 1857. Holt named it owing to the amounts of rabbits he imported to roam the area for hunting. Although he wasn’t the first to introduce rabbits to Australia (that was in Victoria in 1859), he was the first in New South Wales, doing so a year later. He also imported alpacas and peacocks to roam his property and had large aviaries of parrots and other exotic birds. The property also boasted stables made of stone, impressive, landscaped garden of sculptures, topiary and watercourses, all overlooking the Cooks River. The inside of the building was similarly adorned with statues, murals and paintings. The property also boasted a Turkish bath house. The Warren was certainly a landmark building. The Warren View Hotel in Enmore was named due to the impressive view it had. Thomas Holt returned to England in 1881 and dedicated the rest of his life to helping London’s poor and working for the Salvation Army. He died in 1888. The Warren estate was then subdivided and the Carmelite nuns used the main building as a convent until they were evicted for outstanding debts in 1903. The empty building then fell into disrepair and was fenced off for many years. At the start of World War 1, although the building itself was condemned, the grounds were used as an artillery training range. In 1919, at the end of the war, the building was condemned by the government and in 1922 the once-grand building was demolished. The land was then used to build a housing estate for returned soldiers. The location of the building at the centre of the estate was on the aptly named Mansion Street, opposite the corner of Day Street. The only part of the estate that remains are the magnificent gate posts that sat each side of the imposing entrance. They were relocated in 1968 to Peace Park, a few hundred metres from where they first stood. READ MORE ON MARRICKVILLE

By Izzy Edwards Read more on Marrickville The Mudcrabs began as a small community river clean-up group in 2004, and has now grown into a massive collective of over 530 passionate volunteers. We caught up with long-time Mudcrab Peter Munro to learn more.   Many locals will recognise The Mudcrabs from their scurrying around on the Cooks River foreshore, performing important river clean-ups and environmental surveys. You might even recognise their logo and t-shirts, which have become quite a local icon.   For those not in the know, the return of actual mudcrabs (as in the small marine creatures) to the Cooks River is a sign of ecological improvement in the area and their namesake is certainly living up to the claim. Their work includes removal of garbage and weeds from the Cooks River and the planting of restorative native trees and shrubs at bush restoration sites.   “The Mudcrabs have removed tens of thousands of bags of litter from the Cooks River and have established 13 bush regeneration sites along the river that are maintained at monthly working bees,” Peter told Neighbourhood Media. “We have planted and nurtured thousands of native plants into the riparian zone of the river.” This includes sites around the Inner West, such as Marrickville Golf Club and the Thornley St Children’s Garden.   The Mudcrabs have received support for their work from local councils, including Canterbury-Bankstown Council (pre and post amalgamation) and the Inner West Council, by way of providing equipment and funds for morning tea and t-shirts.   But the most encouraging support has been from the local communities, living along the river. “The community response has been fantastic,” Peter said. “We have an active group of volunteers that work at the various bushcare sites every month and many Mudcrabs who focus their energy on removing litter from the River.”   Local Businesses have even backed the cause with The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre hosting the Marrickville Mudcrab Raffle on Wednesday nights, where locals can win prizes like meat and prawn trays with the funds being donated to The Mudcrabs.   But it’s not just rubbish removal and bushcare for the Mudcrabs; thanks to their growing list of volunteers, the group has been able to broaden their ecological research in the area. “We also run a bird survey every month,” Peter revealed, “and we’ve built up 5 years of valuable data about bird numbers and habitat.” The data collected by the Mudcrabs will help monitor bird health and populations in the area, all important factors to improving the Cooks River ecosystem.   At their heart, The Mudcrabs are a grassroots environmental group passionate about cleaning up Cooks River, a notion that benefits everyone in our local communities and greater Sydney. This incredible organisation will be celebrating their 20th anniversary later this year, with a booklet to be released documenting their fantastic work in the Cooks River area over the last two decades.   To get involved with The Mudcrabs head to their website  and click the “Subscribe” to join their email list, or simply choose an event on their event calendar and turn-up! No need to RSVP. You can also keep up-to-date with what The Mudcrabs are up to by following their socials @the.mudcrabs on Instagram and “The Mudcrabs” on Facebook. READ MORE ON MARRICKVILLE

Read more on Marrickville In 2013, the vibrant drama scene of Sydney's Inner West welcomed a new player, Inner West Drama. Founded by Siobhan Lawless and Kate Bookallil, both seasoned actors with decades industry experience, the Inner West Drama emerged from a shared vision to combine a passion for storytelling with the demands of parenthood. The School started with one class at the primary school their children attended, and has since grown to run regular lessons in six different locations around the Inner West. Inner West Drama pride themselves on creating an environment that’s supportive, playful and inspiring. Founder, Kate, explains: “We use positive approaches that are designed to relax, delight, encourage, instruct, and stimulate our students. We teach everything from improvisation skills, to characterisation, script analysis, team building, devising a play, stagecraft and empathy. Our aim is to empower people through performance skills and drama games.” The School offers a comprehensive curriculum catering to students of all ages and experience levels. Whether it's a child discovering the joy of performance or an adult looking to explore their creative side, the school provides a welcoming space for all. Nurturing community is paramount at Inner West Drama. For locals curious about drama classes, there’s an invitation to experience the magic firsthand with a trial class. The School ensures everyone has the chance to explore their potential without the financial constraints - especially in this climate. “We love locals and are very happy for people to come along for a trial class! We know how daunting it can be to try something new, so we actively encourage everyone to come along for a trial if they’re feeling unsure. And please reach out if you are keen to join us and really can’t afford it.” Through a range of classes tailored to different age groups, the school encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the thrill of performance. The adults' classes, divided into Act I, II, III, and IV, serve as a testament to the school's inclusive approach, where participants are encouraged to embrace their creativity without the pressure of stardom. “Our adult classes are targeted to people who want to be brave and have a go, but don’t have plans to break Hollywood one day... although, who knows?! Inner West Drama is also fortunate to be the resident company at Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville, this offers students ample opportunities to showcase their talents on stage. From casual performances in class to larger productions, the school provides a platform for students to shine and pursue their dreams beyond the classroom. The school hosts yearly ‘Show Offs’ for kids, teens perform twice a year and adults perform at the end of every ten week term. The kids’ classes also make room for a bit of a casual performance at the end of every class. In the school holidays, there’s a week-long programme at Flight Path Theatre, during which the kids perform on the Friday afternoon. Interested in a trial class? Reach out to secure your spot today - 0419 405 659 READ MORE ON MARRICKVILLE

By Sammy Blades-Moore Read more on Marrickville Marrickville is known for many things... breweries, live music and the mighty Vietnamese Bánh Mì, aka, Pork Rolls. Let's be honest, when it comes to pork rolls it comes down to three main metrics: Cost Crunch Filling We’ve unearthed Marrickville’s best Pork Roll spots and hit the ground running, literally! If you’re looking to tantalise your taste buds and indulge in a pork roll, here’s where you should go and why. These are the top three spots in Marrickville. Let’s see how they ‘fess up! Marrickville Pork Roll, 236 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville The OG Sydney pork roll. You would have to travel far to find someone who doesn’t know and love Marrickville Pork Roll. The proof is in the seemingly endless queue that forms from the early hours until close, 7 days a week. Fear not food lovers - these guys have efficiency down to a fine art and you’ll be front of the line in no time. If you know what you're doing, you’ll go for the OG (traditional, aka mystery meat) pork roll or crispy pork. Some seasoned veterans get a meatball roll for a treat, but that is a rare sight. And if you’re going to Marrickville Pork Roll, you are most likely going traditional. The French baguette itself is without doubt the crunchiest on the list, if not the crunchiest in Sydney. They are baked fresh daily, and when it comes to the filling, these guys fill it to the brim. The standard pickled carrots, onion and daikon, a piece of spring roll, slice of cucumber and a huge bunch of coriander. For lubrication it's a flavourless mayo, a generous spread of pate and that magical juice that makes everything it touches taste a million times better. Honestly, if you are not getting coriander and paté, I think it’s time you started questioning your life choices. Marrickville Pork Roll has become so popular they have started opening other locations, which, I’ll be honest, is a can of worms for anyone who lives in Marrickville. I dub thee: The Everyday Pork Roll. Cost 9/10 Crunch 10/10 Filling 10/10 Alex N Rolls, 321 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville Famously compared to the late great Anthony Bourdain’s favourite pork roll in Hoi An, Vietnam, Alex N Rolls offers a completely different pork roll situation to the OG Marrickville pork rolls. First of all, Alex N Rolls go with a soft bun which has really caused me some issues with the rating system, however, this pork roll is an absolute gift to the culinary world, so we crack-le on. There are no mystery meat (traditional) options here which surprisingly isn't missed. You can choose from BBQ pork, roast pork, or the greatest thing to live between a piece of bread, possibly ever… caramelised pork. It melts in your mouth like nothing else and is bursting with flavour! When it comes to the filling, all the regulars are on offer, with the addition of lettuce. Which, and I never thought I would say this, is welcome. It really adds something to the richness of the pork and makes it almost refreshing? Hot tip - Join the Facebook group ‘Is ‘ALEX ’N’ ROLLS Open?!?!’ as the hours are.. to put it politely, ‘unique’. I dub thee: The Special Occasion Pork Roll. Cost 8/10 Crunch 0/10 Filling 10/10 Delish, 228 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville Let’s be honest now... if you’re in Marrickville and hanging out for a Pork Roll, Delish probably isn’t the first destination to spring to mind. But it’s there, and I’m a man of the people, so let’s do this thing. I mean, they aren’t bad pork rolls by any stretch of the imagination. I really like them and as a Marrickville local myself, I do frequent this spot regularly.  But, they just don't have the street cred that Marrickville Pork Roll has amassed. And they can’t match the uniqueness and flavour of Alex N Rolls (did I mention the caramelised pork at Alex n Rolls?). This is the same as Pepsi. If you’re given the choice of Coca-Cola or Pepsi, what are you picking? Exactly. But, if you didn’t have a crisp cold Coke, then Pepsi is usually a pretty reasonable substitute. I dub thee: The Pork Roll To Get When Everywhere Else Is Too Busy. Cost 7.5/10 Crunch 6.10 Filling 7/10 As the results show - if you are in the market for an everyday pork roll, head straight to Marrickville Pork Roll. If you want something a little fancier, Alex N Rolls (and the caramelised pork) is your spot. And if both of those places are too busy, you’ve always got Delish. Do you think you know of a better Pork Roll in Marrickville? Let us know - info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au READ MORE ON MARRICKVILLE

By Mark Mordue (Addi Rd) More on Newtown Addi Road's Food Pantry Camperdown is running a monthly "Let's Get Cooking" session. Here’s how they are feeding and empowering the community. “These chicken wings are freezing!” Andrew, a volunteer at our Addi Road Food Pantry Camperdown store, has his hands bowl-deep in a pile of at least a hundred wings. He’s wearing gloves but it makes little difference. It's tough job, people laugh, but somebody’s gotta do it. Still thawing, the chicken wings are being turned over in a sauce prepared by other volunteers in the spanking bright kitchen. The room is humming with energy: around ten people on a production line of vegetable dicing, marinating flavours (oyster and fish sauce with tamarind puree) (plus some brown sugar), and flat-out cooking over a burning stove.  Phil, their ‘head chef and ‘spiritual mentor’, does his best to maintain order – and make his pad Thai cooking process understandable. It helps he has a recipe book open for everyone to double-check. In the opposite corner, an apple tart is being set into trays before being baked. Another volunteer, Matthew, moves around cracking bad jokes. “I’m not the head chef, but I’m the chief stirrer. I do my work without a spoon.” Outside the kitchen door, a 470 is pulling up on Pyrmont Bridge Road. Customers to our food pantry  – just a few doors down from our kitchen – are arriving by bus from Glebe, as well as on foot locally, to start shopping when it opens from midday.   Addi Road Food Pantry Camperdown operates as a low-cost grocery store, making use of rescued food that we save from going into landfill, what purchased stock we can afford from distributors, and the support of our donors. We give away free fruit-and-vegetables and free bread with every shop that goes over $5.00. Compared to the big supermarkets, most people walk away with four-to-six times the value on a simple spend.  Sitting between Addi Road Food Pantry Camperdown and our buzzing kitchen is Common Ground Sydney, a Mission Australia housing project offering wraparound services to its residents. Not far away is Johanna O’Dea Court, a multi-storey NSW Family and Community Services apartment block. Across the road, some of the most expensive apartments in the inner city. Quite the contrast. At Addi Road Food Pantry this varied clientele mingles. Locals-in-need shop beside those who like to support the pantry’s environmentally-friendly approach to rescued food. There’s a deeper sense of people searching for what community can mean, customers chatting to one another and our volunteers, finding ways to become familiar and feel less alone. Food as a foundation for connection. Inside the Common Ground building it’s just as busy.  Our monthly ‘Addi Road  'Let's Get Cooking' session (AKA "the Cook-Up") offers 260 free hot meals for residents as well as those shopping at our Food Pantry . We also run a monthly cooking demo inside the CG courtyard with Phil and Bronwyn, who set up all the ingredients on a table for today’s Pad Thai and Apple Tart.  Food literacy is the goal, helping people to shop and cook with limited funds. Each month there are extra tips for their kitchen cupboards, essentials to facilitate simple, inexpensive and nutritious recipes that match whatever Addi Road Food Pantry has in stock. It's an integrated food ecology for people battling. With that extra special ingredient: camaraderie. People cheer and laugh at the cooking advice and how they might manage a recipe. For many our Addi Road Cook Up is an impetus to leave their rooms and gather. Those struggling with mental health issues, or simply feeling shy, can take their free hamper boxes – packed and stacked beside the food demonstration table – back to their private rooms, along with the cooked meals that have come from our kitchen.  Outside on the street, tables are set. Phil’s pad Thai is being brought out and served. Then Bronwyn’s apple tart dessert. Residents from Common Ground and Johanna O’Dea Court are joined by more people jumping off the 470. A volunteer asks how it tastes. A young man raises both hands over his head and opens his fingers up like he has won something: “Ten out of ten.” Add Road Food Pantry Camperdown, 31 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown. Open Monday to Friday, 12–4pm. With a Saturday opening starting from June 1st. Our next monthly ‘Cook Up’ is on Friday May 31st. Thanks to the City of Sydney for support. For more information, or to volunteer or donate to our food justice work, jump on the Addi Road Website.

We know times are hard, so Neighbourhood Media & Frenchic Paint Australia are bringing you the most cost effective ways to refresh your home, without breaking the bank! For Series 1, we focus on the hub of the home, the kitchen! Keeley’s existing kitchen was installed when the house was first built, and was overdue a facelift! The units and doors were still in great condition and quotes to replace the kitchen came in at over $20,000 an expense which really wasn’t needed! Keeley’s vision was to create an airy, elegant kitchen with hints of timber, Keeley and her husband, Brendan added new handles and it was instantly updated! Durability was key, which is why Keeley chose Frenchic’s Al Fresco Inside Outside Range, which requires minimal preparation, no priming and no sealing (its all built in!) once cured is as hard as nails, and comes with a 2 year “satisfaction guarantee” The best part is, it has no odour, minimal VOC’s, and is safe to use around children (it even self levels!) Keeley and her Husband, Brad set about preparing the kitchen, and gave the cupboards a good scrub clean with Sugar Soap, removed the handles and filled the holes, and as the units had a gloss finish they gave a light sand with very fine sandpaper, once washed down with water and dry, they set about painting the doors using the Frenchic Synthetic Oval Brush Once the first coat had dried, they applied a further coat (no need to sand in between) and the final coat was applied to finish the doors off! They then drilled new holes for the hardware and added a gorgeous stone effect tile to the backsplash to really finish it off! How much did it cost? 3 Tins – Dazzle Me! 750ml - $147 Frenchic Sugar Soap - $8.00 Frenchic Synthetic Oval Brush - $24 Splashback - $300 TOTAL - $500 Saving a massive $19,500!!! What Paint Is Best For Kitchen Cabinets? Apart from the colour you are dreaming of, the best paint to use on kitchen cabinets needs to be both robust and practical. To minimise the messy, smelly and time-consuming aspect of painting your kitchen, you need a self-priming, self-sealing paint that requires simple surface preparation. For this, the best paint for your kitchen cabinets is Frenchic! Water-based with low VOC content, these paints are a pleasure to use. They are self-priming, self levelling & self sealing! so cut out the need for smelly primers and are low odour themselves. Both our Al Fresco & Lazy Ranges to have a flat finish, meaning little sheen, so a great for hiding imperfections that glossy surfaces tend to highlight. In addition, Frenchic is extremely robust so will withstand daily use, we even provide a warranty! Is It Easy To Paint Kitchen Cabinets? You can paint kitchen cabinets in just THREE easy steps with minimal fuss, equipment and expense. All you need to do is; clean, Scuff Sand, with a. fine sand paper (to provide a key for the paint), apply paint Find The Best Colour For Your Kitchen Frenchic Paint is a cost effective way to revamp your kitchen. All our products are self-priming, durable and with minimal VOCs. There's a kaleidoscopic range of colours available to suit every taste and setting, from classic neutrals to greens, blues and greys. Whatever your preference, we have you covered. Join us for Series 2 (out in 2075 Issue #8 and 2074 Issue #6) to see the steps to transform your tiles & bathroom! Head to www.frenchic.com.au to arrange your free colour consult and order a Colour chart!

More on St Ives Over the past few months, there has been a massive amount of negative media speculation predicting a slump or total crash of the real estate market. However, the reality is that whilst the market slowed for a short time it has maintained its foundation and has rebounded strongly. The low levels of property for sale on the market has meant gains each month this year. There is always strong buyer demand in St Ives, with the wealth of acclaimed local schools, our wonderful Shopping Village, parks, great transport links and of course the close-knit community. Here at Ray White we’re seeing high numbers of buyers at inspections which is translating to high numbers of registered bidders at auctions. The result of which has created a competitive environment ensuring vendors receive the highest possible price. Sales of houses and in particular new builds are leading the price gains in St Ives. Since the beginning of the year, 88 houses have sold at an average price of $3,170,083. (59 prices were disclosed at the time of publishing.) The highest price achieved was $7,850,000.* Compared to the same period last year when 99 houses were sold with an average price of $3,001,758. The highest price of $6,200,000 was achieved by our team at Ray White St Ives for the sale of 2 Lancaster Ave, St Ives.* In addition, since the beginning of the year, 69 units have been sold with the average price of $1,108,246 and the highest being $3,600,000. Compared to the same period last year, when 65 units were sold, with the average price of $1,331,552 and the highest being $4,000,000.* So what can you expect to see in the coming months? The property market will typically slow down over winter as school holidays have an impact, yet this year with the scarcity of available properties for sale, buyers will definitely be out and about. New listings across Sydney are down 17% compared to the same period last year and for some suburbs of the Upper North Shore it’s up to 30-40%. Buyers are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of options, yet in this situation sellers can certainly benefit. The lack of stock is resulting in intense competition for each property, evidenced by the highest average number of registered bidders at Ray White auctions across Sydney of 7.5, with an auction clearance rate of 85% (the highest we’ve seen since 2021), versus the low of 2.2 average registered bidders nationally in November 2022. We will continue to see further price growth with the recovery of Sydney's property market being led by the premium segment. Data from CoreLogic reveals that the most expensive houses in the top quarter of the market are experiencing the fastest recovery. In the past three months, values in this segment have surged by 5.6%, outpacing the 2.6% increase in more affordable segments. Strong demand and limited supply have contributed to this upward trajectory. Despite various challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple interest rate hikes, low consumer confidence, negative media coverage, and stricter lending regulations, the property market has demonstrated remarkable resilience and is now in a positive phase. Contrary to those predictions of significant price declines, the market has shown strength. Given the current supply-demand dynamics, it is likely that the upward trend will continue until supply catches up with demand. This all presents an opportune time to sell. As the highest-selling real estate agency in St Ives and across the Upper North Shore, we meet more buyers than anyone else, providing a significant advantage in selling your property. If you are considering selling, I would be delighted to discuss how I can help you secure the highest price in the current market. James Levy Licensed Real Estate Agent Ray White St Ives +61 414 474 868 james.levy@raywhite.com *Source: Pricefinder (1/1/23-16/6/23 vs 1/1/22-16/6/22)

More on St Ives Ku-ring-gai Council has joined The Sunflower Program to raise awareness and promote better assistance for residents with chronic health conditions or hidden disabilities. The sunflower has become a symbol of recognition of those with chronic health conditions or hidden disabilities. This includes disabilities such as autism, anxiety, and dementia, as well as conditions including chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes and sleep disorders, to name a few. As a member of the program, Ku-ring-gai council members and staff will be trained to assist both children and adults alike who live with chronic health conditions and hidden disabilities. The Sunflower Program provides free sunflower-patterned lanyards and bracelets to residents, which help notify council staff that they may need additional support, time or understanding. Mayor Jeff Pettett said, “Residents with a hidden disability or health condition can now be confident our frontline staff will be empathetic and considerate if they need extra help.” Sunflower lanyards and bracelets are available at: The Council’s customer service centre, Level 4, 818 Pacific Highway Gordon All Ku-ring-gai libraries Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre at West Pymble The Wildflower Garden at St Ives Ku-ring-gai Art Centre at Roseville Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre at St Ives To learn more about this program and the impact of hidden disabilities and chronic health conditions, visit: www.hdsunflower.com/au For more information about Ku-ring-gai Council’s disability services, visit their website: www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Community/People-with-a-disability/People-with-disability

More on St Ives Ku-ring-gai Council seeks women from diverse backgrounds to join its Women’s Advisory Committee in 2024. About the Ku-ring-gai Women's Advisory Committee The committee is to advise Council on local issues affecting women and will ideally be drawn from a range of residents, including young women and those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Indigenous heritage and/or LGBTQI interests. Professional and business women, advocates from women's organisations and specialists in women's health and wellbeing are also strongly encouraged to apply. The committee will accept a maximum of 15 women and will be responsible for identifying and participating in projects, activities and opportunities that promote the inclusion of women in the Ku-ring-gai area. Additionally, where appropriate, it may also provide advice and feedback on Council's planning processes, events and policies to ensure its objectives and actions address issues affecting women. Membership to the committee is voluntary and requires attendance at quarterly meetings to be chaired by the mayor or an appointed councillor. Second Attempt This is the second attempt that Council has made to form a Women’s Advisory Committee; after Council fielded applications in 2022, then Mayor Jeff Pettett moved to reduce the number of committee members from 15 to 10 and replace these community volunteers with sitting councillors, seven of whom were men. Council then voted to dissolve the committee, despite strong support from current Deputy Mayor Christine Kay, and it was replaced by two public forums. The dissolution of the committee did not go unnoticed, with coverage in the North Shore Times calling it a “political stoush”. Ku-ring-gai businesswoman and former local government candidate Adrienne McLean began a petition to reinstate the committee and was vocal about the need for one, stating a committee had the advantage of leadership and focused advocacy over forums, which were largely talkfests. At its November 2023 meeting, Council once again voted to form a Women’s Advisory Committee and applications are now open. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 12 January 2024 and successful applicants will be informed in time for the first meeting, to be held by March 2024. More details can be found at krg.nsw.gov.au/womensadvisory By Adeline Teoh

More on St Ives By ALEC SMART As well as being one of the nicest people in St Ives, Roy Cato, just a few months shy of his centenary, is also among the eldest. Having spent the latter half of his 99 years (at the publish date of this article, 12th of Sept 2020) on the Upper North Shore (37 in Gordon, eight in St Ives), Roy is well known and respected in the district where he still drives (albeit cautiously, on doctor’s advice) and socialises with friends. Roy Cato has a sharp memory and a mischievous wit. I was treated to one of his jokes about a man with a small hand squeezing drops from a lemon that had already been juiced. When asked how he achieved it, the squeezer revealed he was a taxman. During World War II he served as an infantryman, then in the military police, which saw him transferred to New Guinea to preside over the Japanese surrender. “I was in the jungle for two years and four months,” he recalls, “protecting prisoners. We took the Japanese down to Port Moresby military headquarters for interrogation after the infantry brought them in, then returned by plane or small ships. “There were several surrender points where the infantry brought them in. Most of the prisoners behaved themselves, but the infantry made sure they didn’t have guns before they reached us! “I was in Wewak in August 1945 for the formal surrender ceremony of the Japanese in New Guinea. The first person I had to handle was a commanding officer, Sergeant Kato – the same name as me but spelt with a K.” Between 1943 and 1945, Wewak, on the north coast of what is now Papua New Guinea, was the site of a large Japanese airbase and it is still in use today as an international airport. Imperial Japan announced their surrender on 15 Aug 1945; Wewak was the location for the official surrender of Japanese forces in New Guinea on 13 Sept. Roy proudly shows me his 75th Anniversary Commemorative Medal that arrived recently, honouring him for his service. The medal, issued to WWII Australian military personnel, marks 75 years since the cessation of hostilities. Roy Cato - Post-War Career After he returned to civilian life, Roy resisted the expectation to work in his uncle’s cane furniture factory, where he’d been employed prior to military service, and instead hit the road as a freelance commercial traveller. Until his retirement and relocation to St Ives in 2003, Roy specialised in retailing women’s and children’s clothing (an unlikely occupation for a former soldier!) in a region that covered south-eastern NSW and ACT. “I worked between Sydney and Albury,” he says, “travelling west to Hay and east to Bega near the coast, via Canberra. I worked with Vietnamese, Italians – they all trusted me. Being a traveller you have to be versatile and trustworthy.” Roy's Life Today Roy reveals he has a close cadre of five female friends with whom he enjoys luncheons and social activities. “They’re good fun, they’re very talkative and give me advice about food… They’re great friends. We respect each other like brother and sisters. We talk a lot and help each other out. “I often enjoy morning tea with them because I can’t go to many functions, due to hearing loss.” Roy was born in June 1921 - what does he attribute his longevity to? “Golf and swimming! Although I quit golf a few years ago – I find it difficult to walk, so I take my time going down stairs and pace myself… “But I still swim in the pool every morning with my friend Dianne. She and I started swimming together in 2004, and we used to ride exercise bicycles before we swum. “Golf is the game that gets you through life. The course is my second home… It takes your mind off troubles. It’s good to start your week with a round of golf, Monday morning, sets your mind at rest. “And if you have a bad week, play a game of golf, listen to others, you don’t even have to say anything, just listen, and you come back refreshed.” Roy has been a member of La Perouse Golf Club for 73 years. “Golf is everything. I’ve played with so many people, of all abilities - most of them doctors, funnily enough! I used to have a have a caddy who was deaf and dumb. He knew the distances and always handed me the right club, I never had to ask why, he always got it right.” Roy’s philosophy for life: “Be grateful for what you have. I try to help people and bring them out when they’re in trouble, tell them a joke or stories. You have to be compassionate… And talk respectfully to women, don’t take advantage.”