The debt owed to members of the Rural Fire Service is immeasurable. Volunteers risked their lives and worked to the brink of exhaustion; and most, if not all, are prepared to do it again this summer. Nic Lyons, Rural Fire Service Captain The summer of 2019-2020 hosted some of the worst bushfires Australia has ever experienced. The loss was devastating: more than 18.5 million hectares of land was burnt to cinders; almost 6000 buildings were destroyed; the loss of wildlife is inestimable; 35 people perished and thousands of individuals and families had their lives changed forever. Turramurra itself was breached by the fires, saved ultimately by the magical pink rain of fire retardant. Nic Lyons is Captain of Ku-ring-gai Bush Fire Brigade. He’s held that position for three years and been with the RFS for 12 years. “When I took a break from working in 2008 I joined my local brigade. Like most members I volunteered to have the opportunity of giving something back to the community I have enjoyed for so long,” says Nic. The brigade may attend structure fires and motor vehicle accidents; assist the SES with storm damage and occasionally search and rescue. Its primary responsibility, however, is bush fires which may be anywhere in the state or beyond. When they’re not responding to an emergency members undertake hazard reductions, maintain equipment and station facilities, train regularly and engage with the community help prepare for bushfires. RFS members come from every demographic. Almost anyone can join. Rural Fire Service Volunteer Requirements “There are no particularly special requirements,” says Nic. “ A basic level of fitness is necessary as some of the work can be strenuous. Clearly, we want members who are willing to give up some of their free time to assist our community - and the ability to work as part of a team and look after one another on the fireground is critical.” Together, the Ku-ring-gai and Killara brigades completed 95 deployments between August 2019 and February 2020, fighting fires throughout the state and in south east Queensland. Deployments lasted from 24 hours to several weeks, with crew changeovers every five or so days. “The most remarkable thing about last fire season was the large number and enormous size of the fires throughout the state,” says Nic. “The commitment of our members and colleagues to field crews through such a protracted season was outstanding, and the gratitude of the communities we visited was very rewarding.” Nic saw devastation and the grief for lost lives and homes that he would not easily forget, especially after the fires came into his own neighbourhood. “I think the fire in South Turramurra brought home to many residents the fact that no homes located near bushland are immune from the effects of bushfires, even in surburbia,” Nic reflected. “You just have to look at the fires of 1994 and 2003 which devasted many parts of Ku-ring-gai.” Catastrophic conditions had been forecast for that day, which meant crews were already on alert and were able to act quickly. One thing that frustrates Nic and other RFS personnel is that many vulnerable residents still don’t prepare and plan in advance and many wait too long then leave under highly dangerous conditions. Advice for Fire Prone Areas Nic’s advice to people living in fire prone areas is: 1. Prepare a bushfire survival plan and make sure your whole family understand it 2. Prepare you home and land to minimise the risk of damage or loss through bush fire by cleaning up around the house and ensuring embers can not get into your home 3. Stay informed of the bush fire danger levels during the fire season (these come out with the weather forecast and are available on the RFS website) 4. If your bushfire survival plan is to leave your home before the fire arrives – leave early. Don’t try and leave when the fire is imminent. 5. Stay informed of what fires are in your area and may impact you by downloading the Fires Near Me app and setting a watch zone around your home. Also listen to the emergency radio broadcasting service which is the ABC. Nic Lyons Bio Nic has lived in the Ku-ring-gai LGA for the past 30 years and in Turramurra since 2012. He loves the leafiness of the suburbs and proximity of the bush which is why he felt compelled to join the RFS. He knows the work of the RFS is valued and appreciated and that communities always pull together in a crisis. “It is very heartening to see the generosity of Australians, not only towards the RFS but most importantly, the many communities and residents who have been devastated by these terrible fires. As a nation we are at our best in these times.”

More on Turramurra Emma Nedov and Georgia-Rose Brown are elite athletes, buddies, and business partners. Their start-up, Artium Sport, consolidates their years of experience in competitive level artistic gymnastics with a passion for coaching and creative instinct for design. Neighbourhood Media spoke with Emma about being an athlete, entrepreneurship, living in Turramurra, and life in pandemic times. Interview with Artium Sport Founder Tell us more about your gymnastics and sports background. Short story, I’ve been an elite artistic gymnast for 19 years. I started when I was 6 and fell in love with the sport. I’ve represented Australia internationally for over 10 years, been to 3 World Championships and won a World Cup gold medal on the balance beam, which is my specialty apparatus. Did you grow up in Turramurra? Share some of your childhood experiences. What do you like about the area? Yep! I attended Turramurra Public School for my primary education where I had the best time and the school was always incredibly supportive of my gymnastics. I remember they’d put my results from State and National competitions on their billboard making me feel extra special. I also remember getting the bus home from high school (on the rare afternoons when I wasn’t training) and sitting at Turramurra station eating potato scallops and chips with my friends. I still live in Turramurra now and I love the bush and the birds. How long have you and Georgia been friends? About 13 years. We met at a national training camp in the AIS in Canberra when I was about 11 and have been close friends ever since, travelling the world competing together, despite living in different states. When did you and Georgia create Artium Sport? We started playing with the idea in early 2018 and we received our first prototype of our training bag for World Championships that year, which is when we launched the business in October of 2018. Describe Artium Sport. Artium Sport is a niche sporting brand selling products (and soon to be apparel) that are designed for athletes by athletes. Georgia and I initially created our first product ‘The Kit Bag’ for gymnasts, but have since found how perfect it is for other individual sports such as diving, athletics, boxing and dance. We have also started Workshops for gymnasts, athletes, coaches and schools where we offer to educate and motivate others with the knowledge we have acquired from our 20 years as elite athletes. This is sponsored by our business ‘Artium Sport’ as at the end of each session we offer a voucher to our shop to all attendees. How has COVID-19 affected your business and your gymnastics careers? As for business, we’re currently out of stock of our Kit Bags and that’s due to slower production during COVID. It’s also affected our ability to travel interstate to hold ‘in person’ workshops so we’ve modified them to allow for the workshops to be done online. Other than that, fortunately business has been normal. As for my gymnastics career, COVID unfortunately affected my qualification to the now 2021 Olympic Games. I was in the middle of a qualifying event when COVID hit and the spot I was vying for was compromised. I likely would’ve qualified to the Olympics had COVID not happened so as you can imagine it was devastating. Why should kids do gymnastics? It’s the BEST fundamental sport, whether you want to continue in gymnastics or go into another sport it teaches young kids how to move their body and develop physical strength, challenge themselves a little bit and also teaches some great tricks to show off to all of your friends! https://artiumsport.com

More on Turramurra When it comes to origin stories, it’s hard to find one more unusual than how this grungy cafe got its name. “It is called Kipling’s for sentimental reasons: a favoured family dog, now long deceased, was called Kipling,” explains Helen Thompson who owns the bar with her husband, Chris. She then shares the second reason. “My husband Chris was reading Jungle Book while travelling through Thailand on a bus, in the jungle, when the bus slid off the wet dirt road and rolled down the hill. He was reaching into his backpack and put the book in his mouth to free up his hands when he was flown from the bus. He wasn’t injured. The book still has his teeth marks in it. Bit of a lucky charm in the name.” Kipling’s Garage Bar opened in August 2013, serving an eclectic cuisine and an evening “street food” menu. “Our General Manager who started with us is originally from Brazil, and he designed the menu,” says Helen. We have had popular staples such as duck pancakes, zucchini flowers and calamari, Barramundi and eye filet, since the beginning. Head Chef Ryuji Yashiki and his team now design the menu and, tweak it with specials such as Tempura Cauliflower, Porchetta & duck spring rolls.” The street food menu references typical street vendor fare you might find in Spain, Brazil, Indonesia. It’s ideal for sharing. It’s also perfect for sampling any of the over 300 different wines on offer. Staff are continually trained in wined knowledge and will recommend certain wines if they feel confident about doing so. “Since reopening during COVID we offer a single use, one page wine list,” explains Helen. “We offer the extended list to patrons who may have an interest in a wider selection.” Kipling’s occupies a space that was previously a mechanic’s workshop, hence the “garage” in the name and the industrial chic decor. “We like the integrity of the structure with the enormous RSJs spanning the ceiling, and we installed the huge Big Ass fan in keeping with the large open space,” says Helen. The cafe attracts a range of patrons, from millennials through to retirees. Its convenient location makes it an ideal meeting place for people from the North Shore and beyond. Helen and her family have lived in Turramurra for 20 years. The last year has been challenging but she’d like people to know that Kipling’s is surviving. “While our opening times and our business model has had to change due to COVID restrictions, we are doing our best to remain positive and continue to welcome guests with warm, hearty smiles, and always ensure the best experience for them.” Kipling's Garage Bar 2 Eastern Rd, Turramurra https://kiplingsgaragebar.com.au/

More on Turramurra Buying good quality organic and artisan produce is as easy as strolling down to Karuah Park once a week. Turramurra Fresh Produce and Gourmet Market has been holding its weekly markets in Karuah Park for a number of years. Operator, Suzanne Herft has gathered an eclectic group of stallholders who offer an exceptional range of farm fresh produce, home-made gourmet goods, and delicious ready-to-eat delights. Suzanne herself holds a stall - Herft Creations - where she sells delicious hot meals prepared with a Sri Lankan eye. She’ll even cook a meal for you, free of charge, if you buy the ingredients from the market. Karuah Park Market Stall Holders Other stall holders include: Pettiford Pantry - Tar10 relishes, sauces, gluten and preservative free R&G Williams - free range eggs, cut flowers, garlic, rhubarb, limes, honey AB Cheeses - cheeses, cold meats, crackers, preserved fruits, charcuterie Rita’s Farm Fresh Produce - organic fruit and veg Sweet Vegan - vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free treats Belicious Foods - Spices and Sauces Bel’s Churros & Chorizo - Churros and South American-inspired Burgers S & K Second Breakfast - Muesli and Baking Mixes Fikoz Gozleme – gozleme Le Caffina – hot beverages, soft drinks If you can’t get down to the market, never fear, you can order a box pre-packed with what you need to cook a variety of meals. Or you can select individual items to purchase. They deliver to all suburbs in the Ku-ring-ai Council area, as well as Hornsby, Glenhaven, Dural & Windsor. (Order and pay by 12pm Wednesday for delivery on Friday.) Suzanne prides herself on the sustainability model of the market which was recognised with an award in 2018. Turramurra Produce market has signed onto the Bye Bye Plastic Pledge, agreeing to actively discourage single-use plastics and encourage BYO and re-usable bags and foodware. They use solar power where possible and ask stallholders to practice energy efficiency. They reduce waste by encouraging recycling and composting and minimising water waste. Suzanne believes in equality for all and is happy to help promote positive causes. Wednesdays, 8am - 1pm, Karuah Park turraproduce.com.au

You don’t have to use nasty chemicals to get rid of those pesky bugs munching on your new blooms. Everything you need to make an organic, safe insect spray can be found in your own kitchen. It’s summer and gardens across the southern hemisphere are alive; alive with new foliage, alive with colour…and alive with bugs. Now, there are good insects and there are bad insects., Many insecticides, however, will kill all insects and then just hang around in the environment like that last party guest who won’t leave. There’s no need to purchase expensive products filled with ingredients that all have more than five syllables. Here’s a simple pet/people/plant/purse friendly recipe that will keep aphids, beetles, fruit flies, and many other small insects away. Grab a handful of garlic cloves, peel them, and mince them in a food processor or mortar and pestle. Put the minced garlic in a jar and fill with water. You can add a teaspoon of mineral oil and/or dishwashing liquid to the garlic as well. Let it sit overnight, then strain the liquid. When you’re ready to use it, add a small amount to an all-purpose spray bottle then fill it with water. You can strengthen the mix and annoy even more insects by adding hot chilies. Just be mindful that garlic and chilies are irritants, so avoid getting them on your skin or in your eyes. Test it on delicate plants first and don’t overuse, especially in hot weather. As this mixture is organic it will eventually spoil, so store the jar in the fridge or somewhere cool and discard once it starts to go off.

More on Turramurra Accountability is the key to success in achieving your fitness goals. According to David Bowman, Coach and Head Trainer at refreshYOU, ‘accountability’ is the number one thing you must include when you decide to “get fit”. According to David, there are numerous studies to support the importance of accountability when it comes to achieving your goals. In fact, there are many case studies to show that the most highly successful people and leaders all have accountability coaches in some format. David says; The benefits of accountability include: Accelerates your performance. By working with a wellness/fitness coach you can iron out the kinks in your plan and develop a sure-fire winning strategy that you can execute knowingly with confidence. Helps you measure your success and progress. A good coach will help you define what success looks like and will help you set milestones to measure your progress along the way. Keeps you engaged. There are things that will come up that will distract you from achieving your goals and take you off course. Knowing that your coach is there to track your progress will keep you going to the finish line. Keeps you responsible. When you work with someone who pushes you to make a change and holds you accountable for your actions each week, you will also begin to recognise your progress and know that you are ultimately responsible for these outcomes. Confirms your thoughts and ideas. You can silence your inner critic and bounce your ideas off someone else. They can help you make sound decisions and give you constructive advice. So, how do you get yourself an accountability coach? Accountability coaches come in many forms and can include hiring a personal trainer, joining a gym, engaging a nutritionist or even simply finding a relative or friend who can help you stay motivated and on track towards achieving your goals. They need to be someone within your circle of influence, that you can confide in. According to David, creating and establishing accountability doesn't need to be a long-drawn-out process either. He suggests by following 3 simple steps you can be on your way. Step 1 is to find a purpose partner to keep you accountable, step 2 is becoming personally accountable for your success, and finally step 3 is getting a mentor or coach to support your journey. If you would like to learn more about accountability or refreshYOU, be sure to check out their website or speak with one of their coaches. W: Link E: Link C: 0408 647 690

More on Turramurra It’s probably not one of those occupations you think much about, yet this practitioner can change the lives of her clients - eyebrow tattoos by Jane Simpson. After a long and challenging corporate career, Jane Simpson desperately needed a change. One day, while coming home from the airport after a work-related trip, a thought spontaneously popped into her head: “You should be doing tattooing of eyebrows.” She quit her job, opened Jane Simpson Brows, and has never looked back. That was 25 years ago. To say the business has been a success would be a gross understatement. Earlier this year, Jane Simpson Brows was awarded Best Small Business in Australia by the accounting software giant, Xero. “It was a boon to me,” says Jane about the award. “You did it - well done!” That sort of acknowledgement, however, is not what Jane finds gratifying about her job; it’s all about how she makes her customers feel. “The one thing I learnt very quickly is that whilst I make them look better, it’s all about the confidence; about making them feel better, especially after having lost the brows…some have been in an accident or been badly burnt or anything like that. It’s about getting your confidence back,” says Jane. Her customers include people whose eyebrows have fallen out or been affected by age, alopecia, illness or some other reason. “And, closest to my heart, I do a lot of people who are undergoing or have undergone chemo,” she says. Jane has a very good reputation and customers often come to her via referral from friends, oncologists, and nurses. She’s professional, yet very personable and has a sharp sense of humour. People instinctively trust her, which is a good thing, given that her job requires her to be physically close to a client and make a noticeable change to how they look. Her clients sometimes get so comfortable with her that they tend to overshare. Many of the women who have had breast cancer and a mastectomy will get transplants later on. And when they do… “Well, they don’t want to keep that quiet, they want to show that sh*t off!” laughs Jane, explaining that some will lift their tops and yell “look at these!” or “feel these!” then grab her hand and make her touch them. It’s not offensive, though - it’s joyous. Clients also get chatty and remove all their filters. “I could bring down businesses, I could bring down marriages,” says Jane. “It’s phenomenal what they tell me.” She says this in jest. Jane has high principles and integrity. In fact, one thing that really angers her is practitioners who are unqualified or unscrupulous. “I spend probably 30% of my time fixing up bad jobs now.” Sometimes, the damage is irreversible. Her advice to anyone seeking eyebrow work is to do lots of research. “Ask as many questions as you can think of, and absolutely check their qualifications - even ask to see them,” she says. “I’m government accredited. There are only three of us in NSW who are government accredited.” Jane has lived in Turramurra for 26 years. “We love it. We love that you’re so close to the city but you live in the country. It’s a beautiful community. We’ve got 1500 square metres here with beautiful big green trees. It’s fantastic! “[The business] just makes me happy, and this community makes me happy. I have the most sensational clients, and we just love living here.” janesimpsonbrows.com

More on Turramurra Martin Gillespie is the founder and CEO of GEM Wellness Warriors, a consulting business designed for men, and founded in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic after many years of research. Its focus is the wellness of men in society. GEM, which stands for G- Growth, E - Empathetic, M – Mindset, provides a place for men, and woman to feel safe to be themselves, to grow, to become more empathetic and to change their mindset to heart values. Martin works with individuals and groups, and looks at questioning the preset mindset, challenge preset beliefs and look at the pillars of good wellness which includes the relationship with nutrition, sleep, connection and emotional wellbeing. GEM Wellness Warriors came about after Martin’s personal journey which included trauma, divorce, parenting and overcoming stage 4 cancer. These experiences brought him to the conclusion that health wellness was the number one priority in life. In Martin’s words, “Men's wellness is one of society's unspoken areas, which sadly also represents the global highest suicide rates in the world. More men in the age bracket 30 - 50 commit suicide than any other age group. We are programmed not to talk about emotions, about vulnerabilities, as these regardless of upbringing are not discussed openly. More men would rather discuss the performance of their car than that of their health and wellness.” Support for men's wellness has a society and perception challenge as it is still regarded as an emotional area of weakness if you ask / seek help. We men, learn during the attachment years (Aged 0 - 7) not to show emotions, be strong, be brave, crying in a sign of weakness. We are not encouraged during our schooling to discuss matters of emotion, or from the heart. As we develop we retreat into our 'man cave' and only show small amounts of emotion on a reactive basis. It is a common misconception that showing emotions are a sign of weakness in our society.” Martin is a Board Member at Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and a firm believer that change is necessary in society, including the teaching of wellness, good nutrition, holistic health, connections and optimism. Martin says, “There are many signs people show, not just men when needing help. An obvious one is their physical appearance, their mental state, the consumption of alcohol, the use of drugs / medication, withdrawing from social surroundings, constantly changing mind / plans, detachment in relationships, lack of sleep, the overuse of social media, the reliance of external validation for actions.” To find out more about GEM Wellness Warriors and the important work they do, Martin can be contacted via Facebook. Martin E Gillespie GEM Wellness Warrior Tel: + 61 413652170 ABN: 98250784197

More on Turramurra Danielle Littlewood explains the process of bringing Try Turramurra’s Art Trail of street art to life. Locals and visitors alike felt wonder and awe at the Try Turramurra Art Trail! A gallery of street art works displayed along Turramurra’s streets and pedestrian areas as a part of the Turramurra – try, taste, trail festival that has been occurring over the summer months. We spoke with the art trail’s organiser, Ms Danielle Littlewood, to learn more. Try Turramurra Art Trail Curator Zest Events International, the company that curated the trail and of which Danielle is the Project Manager, works under the guiding principle of “Art for Purpose”. Danielle described this credo as: “Our projects focus on providing 'art for purpose'. The purpose may be to educate the community, convey a particular message, or in this case with our Try Turramurra Art Trail, to reinvigorate public space and create a reason for people to come out onto the streets to explore not only the art trail but all of what this great little Sydney suburb has to offer.” The Turramurra art trail’s works have received warm responses since their installations, with Danielle noting: “The members of the public we spoke to were very excited to see the art trail being installed and injecting a bit of fun back onto the streets.” Art has long been an important tool in connecting people and sharing ideals. However, the trail's artworks put a unique and fun spin on classic conceptions of art. “We love being able to use our unique 3D artworks to bring a feeling of colour and interactive fun into the community. Through our pavement art illusions, people can take part in the art, something that both big and little kids get a kick out of, and it’s also completely inclusive for people with limited abilities.” Said Danielle Littlewood. Moreover, artworks offer an intense ability to evoke a sense of place and community within their images. This element was strongly implemented throughout the artworks that make up the Try Turramurra Art Trail. “Through the Try Turramurra project, we aimed to speak to the historic culture of the suburb and highlight unique characteristics of the community and the local environment, for example, you can find a local lorikeet reading a book near the library and local native creek characters such as the Green and Golden Bell Frog playing around in Stonex Lane” Danielle recounted. Head out into the Turramurra Streets to see how many artworks you can spot!

The way we use and view our homes changed, possibly forever, last March when Sydney went into lockdown. Suddenly people have needed their home to function as a home office for remote working, a classroom for remote learning and a resort for holidaying at home. Spare rooms have been cleaned out and re-purposed, backyards had kids running around in them every day and those with high speed internet, air-conditioning or solar power appreciated these additions more than ever. And even as the pandemic restrictions are easing in Sydney, many of these lifestyle changes have lingered and have had a noticeable impact on what many buyers and tenants are seeking when it comes to finding a new home. These are some key features that I feel will make your home more desirable in the current climate; Home Offices Dedicated work spaces are highly sought after. If you don’t already have a dedicated study consider repurposing an unused room or installing custom joinery into the corner of a living space to make it more a multi-purpose space. Properties with a floor plan that can comfortably accommodate working from home parents and studying children without compromising family living provide the ultimate flexibility and are more sought after than ever. Cabana & Pool Houses In the past cabanas and pools houses were often under-utilised, especially during the colder months, but now they can be a much needed extra living/study/retreat space with families all at home together. With travel restrictions continuing to limit and disrupt holiday plans, having a cabana or pool house can allow you to entertain and relax or just get some much-needed separation between kids and parents and make a ‘holiday at home’ just as satisfying. In some cases, adding a cabana can be a simpler and less expensive exercise than adding a room to your existing home. Connectivity, and Creature Comforts Looking beyond the space a home has to offer, there are smaller improvements that can still give a home extra appeal to today’s potential buyers and tenants. Remote working, home schooling and Netflix binges are putting an unprecedented pressure on home internet connections and having a reliable, high speed service, such as fibre to the premises, has become a highly desirable feature that you can add to your property. To remain comfortable whilst using your ultra-fast internet you may also want to install air conditioning or heating - another inclusion that has become increasingly sought after as people spend more time at home. Solar Power One of the downsides of these creatures comforts is the power they consume. Solar panels and battery systems have become even more valuable as electricity consumption increases, especially during day time hours. We are fortunate in Ku-ring-gai to often enjoy larger than average block sizes, great public facilities and some beautiful natural surrounds which have all contributed to make the area even more appealing compared to more heavily developed areas of Sydney. If you are interested in how the value of your home has fared in the current market or how you can further improve your property’s worth please don’t hesitate to get in touch.’ Josh Luschwitz Director - B.Ec LREA E josh@luschwitz.com.au M 0412 067 676 T 02 9449 5511 W luschwitz.com.au

More on St Ives Recognising the inclination of young boys to dig, fossick, climb and collect, Sydney Grammar School St Ives Preparatory decided to build an inspiring natural playground. It harkens back to old-world child’s play, with dry creek beds, water pump and trough, rocky climbs, and grassy fields. The new natural playground at St Ives Prep provides quiet, open and active play areas, challenging play spaces, sustainable natural materials, and areas for outdoor teaching and learning. The School worked closely with a landscape architect throughout planning and design to ensure the playground incorporated functional, play and educational elements. Phase One was completed in July 2019, with the benefits immediately evident. The boys displayed active child-directed play, exploring the natural world, creating complex, imaginative games. Their activities called upon and built skills in resilience, ability to calculate risk, physical fitness, teamwork, empathy, organisation, and resourcefulness. Phase Two was completed in July 2020 with another dry riverbed full of rocks to explore, challenging climbing areas and an Astroturf space, which quickly became the ‘penalty shoot-out’ corner for football enthusiasts. The playground continues to evolve as boys and staff find new ways to engage with their surroundings. The natural, irregular and challenging new playground offers a wide range of benefits for child development, including: 1. More diverse play opportunities 2. Measured risk to develop problem solving, persistence and creative thinking. 3. Psychological benefits including fatigue restoration, building confidence and competence 4. Increased physical activity 5. Positive impacts on children’s social behaviour such as facilitating more group play All of the above have already been observed in the new playground. After the initial flurry of excitement and random racing around, boys instinctively formed into groups dedicated to a range of creative and social activities. One industrious group has coordinated in building a dam at the bottom of the water trough in an attempt to run a river into the dry bed. The structural integrity of dams is scrutinised and progress is checked and discussed at the beginning of each play session. Other boys have formed a ‘rock’ group, crushing and grinding stones to produce sand of varied colours; stacking, rearranging, stockpiling, and generally being creative with smaller rocks. Each group is fluid and is often made up of boys from different year levels. One constant among all groups is the need for problem solving as each boy suggests new ideas. It’s not just about being wild and rugged, either. Boys will find a quiet space among the sandstone or under a tree to read. They take part in practical science lessons, hunting for interesting flora and fauna. Kindergarten boys learn basic mathematics with hands-on experiments such as measuring the volume and capacity of containers in the large sandpit. The most rewarding outcome of the new playground is the social and emotional benefit to the boys. Small squabbles have become a thing of the past with boys highly engaged in a wide variety of play spaces. The new playground was designed with the sole intention of supporting a balanced approach to child development. It has provided boys with exciting possibilities: should they dig, climb, fossick, build or create today? The boys’ engagement and eagerness to head out and play every day demonstrates that the natural playground is a magical place for the boys to experience wonder, curiosity and joy. Leigh Higgins, Preschool Form Master Susan Ward, Kindergarten Form Master www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au

More on St Ives Untouched native bushland with plenty to offer all ages, with free entry. At Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, the Nature Play activities encourage children to explore and have fun playing in a healthy environment, opening their minds to the wonders of nature! Set across 123 hectares of pristine, untouched bushland and free entry all year round, this is a perfect place to bushwalk, picnic, host or join an event. The Wildflower Garden runs a number of environmental education programs, including Junior Rangers (After School Program); Nature School for Homeschoolers; School Holiday/Vacation Care; and Wild Birthday Parties. Ku-Ring-Gai Wildflower Garden Programs Upcoming family-friendly experiences include Family Animal Walk; Twilight Safari; and Campfire Experience. The nature programs are created especially for children and involve play-based investigation and discovery in nature, led by experienced Environmental Education Rangers. The program is structured with new nature themes each week designed to develop curious minds and playful spirits. The garden also offers a range of walking tracks into the bushland you can explore, ranging from 200m to 2km in length, and there are plenty of programs on for the kids to join and learn about the animals and plants of this region. For green fingers there is a nursery that specialises in plants growing locally. There is also plenty of space for picnicking, with facilities and stunning views to suit all occasions. Bookings for picnic areas can be made on the Ku Ring Gai Council website. With free entry to the Wildflower Park and an extensive range of things to do, this is one of our favourite places to visit. A: 420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives W: krg.nsw.gov.au/Things-to-do/Ku-ring-gai-Wildflower-Garden