developments
Oil refiner Viva Energy has revealed its board has not had any engagement with local federal MP Kylea Tink via correspondence or direct questioning after she claimed she bought shares in the oil refining company for the purposes of shareholder activism.
But works didn’t commence until March 2021 and by December 2021 it was clear the re-opening would be delayed. In the interim, the estimated cost of the refurbishment has increased from $28 million to $64 million.
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nation and finalisation, and another 38 days of delays from hazardous material removal as well as “additional strengthening works and other issues at the beginning of the project.”
By Grahame Lynch
Tink said on her website re the share purchases: “In each instance, I have been very vocal in my desire to see change and reform and remain committed to exploring shareholder activism as a way to affect change. The small amount of dividends I have received in the last 12 months were donated back into renewable energy campaigns or emissions offsetting.”
Tink, who was elected earlier this year on strong climate change and integrity policies, revealed the shareholdings in her Statement of Registrable Interests to the parliament, lodged just last week.
She continued: “I encourage anyone with the capacity to take such a course of action to also become shareholders in the companies that they
Neutral Bay Public | Primrose
And it’s a place which shares something in common with our own North Sydney: both places see high rise residential and commercial share the same streets at the same time attempting to balance their history with modernity.
in a number of companies where I felt shareholder activism may be a way to both better understand the entities involved and potentially exert pressure from within to drive in reform.”
She said the shares were bought in early 2021, which places their acquisition several months before she says she was approached to run for parliamentBut
What can North Sydney learn from New York City?
By Grahame Lynch
N Syd Olympic Pool opening deferred until July next year
Continued Page 3
Earlier, Tink said her investment in Viva was: “chosen as the company owns one of the last two remaining oil refineries in Australia and I was concerned the refinery was not being pushed to produce the highest quality fuel for the Australian market.”
With both the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph contacting her for an explanation, Tink said: “I purchased small shareholdings
Viva Energy claims no engagement with Kylea Tink
September 2022 Issue 16 News and views for North Sydney’s residential and business communities www.northsydneysun.com.au
As Frankie sang, New York City definitely makes the small town blues melt away. It’s a place which gets more than its share of bad knocks—9-11, airliners in the Hudson to name two—but through this adversity, it always manages to rebound with an essential and relentless energy.
New at tennis courts re-open Walker St
Cr Ian Mutton certainly thinks
This time Mutton spent time in both SoHo and Midtown, observing: “New York took me by surprise. It’s a boom economy. Absolutely buzzing away. So there’s no leftover from COVID. There was a vibrance on the street, there was a community on the street. So we’d go and have, breakfast at the restaurants, and people would
Tink is under media pressure after she declared that she held shares in two fossil fuel companies, Viva Energy and Beach Energy, as well as toll road operator TransUrban.
wish to see reformed as it is often only from working within that change can be driven.”TheSydney Morning Herald noted that she had not provided details of what that activism entailed nor the size of the shareholdings.
However, another 47 days of delays came from issues with design coordi-
A monthly progress report submitted to councillors puts the current delay at 161 days, attributed to four main causes.Sydney’s record-busting rain was responsible for 54 days of the delays while COVID-related shutdowns resulted in another 22 days of delays. These included site shutdown as a result of statewide policies, inefficiencies caused by COVID-19 and a positive COVID case on the site.
North Sydney’s Olympic Pool redevelopment is now running over 160 days behind schedule and is now anticipated to open in July next year.
When the original schedule of works was announced in July 2020, it was anticipated that the pool would be re-opened in time for Christmas 2022. The Council was still sticking to that timeline by early 2021.
“The Viva Energy board has not had any engagement from Ms Tink and there have not been any questions at our AGM,” a spokesperson told the Sun. Viva has held two AGMs since the shares were claimed to have been acquired: in May last year and May this year. Beach Energy referred inquiries to its minutes of its AGMs, which also
North Sydney Sun contacted Viva Energy to ask if they had engaged with Tink as an activist shareholder over her proposed reforms.
works
North Sydney can learn something from New York City. He has been travelling there regularly since the 1980s, most recently in August for the first time since the COVID lockdowns.
Kylea Tink
did not contain any record of questions from Tink.
Upgrades will look to improve out of hours facilities to help ease demand and improve student experience.
Vienetta Slama from Bloomingales. Photo: Michelle Hayward
These plans were initiated in 2017 by the School Council. If plans continue to progress, work will start in early 2023.
Despite the changes to the campus, student numbers will not be affected with the capacity of the school remaining at 900 pupils.
“Open plan classrooms provide flexible learning spaces. For example you could start the day off with an explicit teaching lesson, then as the day progresses there are more collaborative tasks, then you can open up those classroom doors and collaborate. Plus there is a lot more practical space for
$23 million Neutral Bay Public upgrade progresses to development approval stage
The proposed school development, principal Judy Goodsell (inset)
Another aspect of the plans is the removal of the demountable buildings along the Yeo Street side of the campus. Classes will move to the new building on Brydon St, with the current demountables site either being converted to a vegetable garden or
Gibson said the group was intended to be non-political and inclusive. It appears to have been formed as a reaction to what is perceived as the capture of pre-existing local committees by specific political factions.
One of the first objectives of the group is to create a unified awareness campaign so local businesses can benefit from the influx of visitors who come to observe the jacaranda season in October and November.
The bulk of the construction will be focussed on a new building to be erected on the Bydown St side of the campus, replacing temporary learning spaces. Existing learning spaces, library, canteen and staff rooms are also due to be refurbished as part of plans.
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 2
A $23 million plan to upgrade Neutral Bay Public has progressed to the council development application stage.
open playground space.
Goodsell was keen to point out teachers will also benefit greatly from upgrades providing them with greater lesson options, more resources and overall nicer learning spaces.
This will hopefully address the issue that the school has one of the lowest student to playground space ratios in theCurrentlystate. for lunch and recess only two year groups at a time are allowed out due to space constraints.
The meeting was observed by acting Council general manager Rob Emerson. Councillors Jilly Gibson and Ian Mutton, who both live in the precinct, also attended and spoke at the meeting.
Thecurrently.principal believes flexible learning spaces provide greater educational opportunities. “If you look forward to future job opportunities we don’t know what they will be but they certainly will need to be critical and creative thinkers, and have to be flexible in their learning,” she said.
Local residents and business owners in Kirribilli and Milsons Point have combined to form a new action group, called voices2061, to promote the amenity and interests of the village. Over 50 attendees participated in its first meeting at Bamfords, the Kirribilli small bar, late last month.
Last year the Department of Education acquired the vacant premises at 16 Bydown St with the aim to convert the unused land into playing fields while connecting the kindergarten and main school campuses.
“You are going to get children at a much younger age developing those different skills and passions. Teachers are also learning from each other because we have transition programs to both of those schools,” she said.
be making much more modern learning facilities, so there are areas for explicit teaching, also areas for collaboration and teamwork to take place as well as learning spaces. It will open up the classroom,” Goodsell explained.
The group aims to meet regularly to follow up on issues of concern as well as opportunities for local businesses.
The meeting heard from local shop owners—Rebecca Knights of Coco Chocolates and Venietta Slama of Bloomingales—about their ideas for a common streetscape and marketing campaign to encourage visitors to stay in Kirribilli and sample the local fare.
The Sun sat down with Principal Judy Goodsell to discuss what the upgrades mean for the education experience. Goodsell has been principal at Neutral Bay Public since 2018 after serving in the same role at Hunter Hill Public and Balgowlah Heights Public.
On the Bydown Street side, seven of these learning spaces will feature in a new permanent structure that will be constructed where the music rooms are
By James Mullan
A significant feature of the upgrades is the construction of more flexible learning spaces. This includes the transformation of twelve existing learning spaces, primarily in the two main heritage buildings on campus. “The complexity of the project is that we have these two beautiful heritage buildings. With these upgrades we will
Voices2061 targets Kirribilli opportunities
them to learn it which includes more task based learning.” Open plan learning is a key feature of the current upgrades to Mosman High School and has always been a part of Cammeraygal High School. The majority of Neutral Bay students will go onto these schools after year six.
“They’re wonderful and they are in the most gorgeous setting. We were here at the opening and the kookabur-
Mutton continued: “The vibrance of that community took me a little bit by surprise, and I started thinking about it, How is it different to North Sydney? And it’s really different in a very significant way. There’s an enormous amount of street activity.”
“The part of Crows Nest that we know, that is to the east of the Metro, is withering and dying, and we’re sitting back at Council saying we’re not going to allow any particular developments and do the negotiations we need to get the community amenities down there. No, we say leave it as it is which is another way of saying let it go to rock and ruin,” he said.
By James Mullan
Mutton also saw encouragement
“We kept lobbying for grants and
The courts were officially reopened
Muttonwant.”
Alsonow.”in attendance was Councillor MaryAnn Beregi, who said of the courts: “They’re fabulous. I have felt encouraged to get my tennis racket and to have a hit.”
ty, which makes it even more important that we them actually functioning, so that people get out of their houses and get out of their apartments and meet each other. And we’re sitting back saying, we don’t want anything that’s more active than a gum tree!”
Club manager David Chapman said: “We owe a big thanks to Shannon. We are all enjoying the courts because of her. We thank the council and the federal government for the money that made a huge difference because we wouldn’t have what we have
moving the centre of gravity of the suburb away from Willoughby Road.
So what’s causing that activity?
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 3
Welch, a nurse and active unionist at the time, decided to make an issue of it. “I liaised with council writing to the ward councillors of the day. They wrote back and did preliminary works to check out what needed to be done. For then I thought it was done and it was going to be easy. But it was going to cost $1m and we don’t have that kind of money. That’s where the problem was,” she remembered.
returned to his original New York observations. “Maintaining North Sydney today as it was 20 years ago is just not going to fit with the new society that we’re seeing which is about street activation and people working from home. All sorts of changes are going on in our communi-
in March 2020 when Covid hit, Scott Morrison started talking about stimulus money. It was around that time we got a petition going, which helped support the application.” Along the way, Welch also managed to secure the second highest vote in St Leonards ward and gain election to Council.
Continued from Page 1
Advantage Primrose Park as $2.1 million tennis court revamp opens
Mutton fears what might become of Crows Nest, with the new Metro station on the Pacific Highway inexorably
Upgrades essentially required a knock down rebuild of the site. Improvements also involved new nets, fencing, seating, shelters, lighting, toilets, change rooms and pro shop.
for cyclists but in a different manner to Sydney: “They’re also putting bike paths everywhere, but in a way that is totally different to what’s going on in Sydney. We’ve got an obsession here with the velodromes or speed bike channels, whereas in New York, they’ve just got an obsession with separating the bike riders from the people on the pavement. So it’s not as if they put a bike path along 34th Street from one end to the other. It breaks it into every intersection. There’s railing, there's pot plants, there’s fences, guttering, all sorts of things.”
“Firstly, with the beginning of COVID, the government in New York decided that they would do everything they could to boost the restaurants, so they effectively said to all of the restaurants, you can expand onto the sidewalk, and you can self-license and pay 1,000 bucks a year total. And that gave rises to an enormous number of restaurants putting tables and chairs out on the street. And tables and chairs attract people,” Mutton explained.“Secondly, they are expanding the pavements, the footpaths. They’re actually taking lanes off the road, and expanding the pavement, so there’s more space for pedestrians. And having done that, and you see it in front of Macy’s and you see it in some of the other streets, having expanded it, they then put chairs and tables there. Put chairs and tables there, people sit down and talk. So there’s this massive activation of the community.”
on 24 August by Mayor Zoe Baker. She told a launch ceremony: “First, we have to thank our community for this, the council could not have done it without the incredible women and players. Because the fund would not have come this early without their efforts and commitment.”
“Because you’re going to find that the developers, the owners of properties, can only build to three or five stories, so they’ll maximise their building footprint, and we’ve got to do something better,” he continued.
Cr Ian Mutton
“That is not a way for North Sydney to go. There’s no vision if you say no all the time. We’ve got to have the vision, and we’ve got to have the courage to get out and argue for the things that we
Shannon Welch’s tennis playing at Primrose Park started by happenstance: two decades ago she started by taking her daughter for lessons when one of the coaches invited her to play. She instantly loved it. But as time went on “unfortunately the courts fell into disrepair,” she told the North Sydney Sun. “You could use the holes on the court strategically so you could get an unreturnable bounce!”
walk into the restaurants and know each other. So these weren’t people coming from outside, these were people who actually live in a really densely -populated area.”
What can North Sydney learn from New York City?
Cr Shannon Welch addresses the launch
ras were singing, and we had a beautiful view of the park and bay. It’s North Sydney at its finest.”
There are also new features like outdoor seating and a communal BBQ area, a ‘hit up wall’ at the western end of the courts and a small children's playground. Drainage was also improved to address previous issues in and around the courts.
Outdoor seating in North Sydney is not a trifling expense for shop owners. North Sydney Council currently charges as much as $680 excluding GST per square metre per annum in premium locations such as the North Sydney CBD, Kirribilli and Crows Nest high streets, and $510 ex GST per square metre in secondary locations such as Cammeray and Neutral Bay.
Mutton said North Sydney needs to learn how to genuinely live along side its high rise: “We have always found a utility from tall buildings dating back to the clock tower rising 7 storeys in the late 1890s and the weather station on the MLC building in the 1960s. Another example is the Greenway public housing apartments, that provides a realMuttonamenity.”believes there needs to be more flexibility around development policies, with more of an emphasis on the public amenity and utility of specific development proposals and not just a broad tolerance or prohibition of developments based on number of floors. “We’ve got to start asking, what is the community benefit we get out of having that particular building, be it 12 stories or whatever it is,” Mutton explained. “The way we’re going at the moment, North Sydney and Neutral Bay are just going to be a whole lot of shoe boxes with no real community areas around them.”
Fast forward to $2.1 million of federal funding and as of last month, Primose Park has new courts.
Victoria Cross Tower is due to be
By James Mullan
The 13-storey office building at 157 was last sold for $78 million to Marprop Real Estate Investors and its partner GLL Real Estate Partners, now owned by Macquarie Group.Next door, GOT bought out the six strata owners of 153 Walker Street for $60 million, giving it an additional 1900 square metres for its project.Overall, both sites cost a total of
Lendlease said it is beginning construction work on Victoria Cross, the new commercial and retail precinct above its namesake underground Metro station in North Sydney.
completed in 2024, with Sydney Metro City & Southwest services set to start in the same Lendleaseyear.managing director of development Tom Mackellar said: “We know that North Sydney’s CBD is on a path of complete transformation, and connectivity will be key with the introduction of Sydney Metro’s new Victoria CrossVictoriaStation.Cross Station will transform North Sydney’s CBD into one of the most accessible business districts in the city, cutting transit times to places like Barangaroo and Martin Place to mereTheminutes.Metro reached a milestone late last month with the state government announcing that all the tracks had now been laid on the City and South West Line. This connects Chatswood with Crows Nest, Victoria Cross (North Sydney) and then under the harbour to Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal (Pitt St), Central and then onto Bankstown via Marrickville and Canterbury.
destrian link from Walker Street to Little Spring Street.
Minister for Transport David Elliott, said the new metro railway line will have a target capacity of 40,000 customers per hour, similar to other metro systems“Sydneyworldwide.Metrotrains will make history as we complete the first railway crossing deep below Sydney Harbour, with the trip between Victoria Cross in the city’s north to Barangaroo a fast three-minute journey,” Elliott said. “It will be a real game-changer for commuters when turn-up-and-go services start running under Sydney Harbour and through the CBD, with services every four minutes in peak.
Artists impression of the Victoria Cross development
“The upscale, 252-room hotel encompasses 19 levels in the low rise including guest reception, restaurant and bar, executive lounge and gymnasium, providing an elegant, contemporary experience for business and leisure visitors,” says Billbergia.Further up the road at 73-179 Walker Street and 11-17 Hampden Street, Cbus intends to build a 28 storey tower with some 189 planned residences.
Stockland has had plans to build what would be the tallest building on the North Shore approved.The new 51 storey office building will be constructed on 110-118 Walker Street after developers managed to acquire a third and finalThesite.59,000 square metre site currently has medium rise commercial buildings. The new building will include commercial office and retail space, bicycle parking, car parking and loading facilities.
$185Themillion.developers plan to build a 46,000sqm tower. As it stands, the DA has been lodged and design is still in Theseprogress.two potential projects epitomise the skyscraper transformation of Walker St but are far from the only developments.
According to Billbergia, 88 Walker Street will be grounded by Citadines Apart’Hotel, an international accommodation hotel offering by The Ascott Limited.
Its location, wedged up next to the Warringah Freeway, makes it the ideal location for large scale developments due to commercial zoning and fewer challenges from neighbouring properties.
“Affinity Place will be among the most sustainable buildings in North Sydney, contributing positively to Stockland’s and our future tenants’ drive towards net zero carbon,” said Louise Mason, CEO of Commercial Property at Stockland.The new building will also feature a sky garden.
Located next to the One Denison St tower and behind the future Metro site the office building will have a publicly accessible pe-
This type of development has become the norm in North Sydney as several older office buildings make way for a new generation of mega towers. Across the road, this trend continues with GPT’s acquisition of 153 and 157 Walker Street.
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 4
The 42-storey office aims to be net zero carbon, powered by 100 per cent renewables and is targeting a Platinum WELL and 6-Star Green Star rating.
Designed by Bates Smart, the building aims to meet the changing needs of the workplace, with an expansive lobby and multipurpose hub space to facilitate community connection, and outdoor balconies and green spaces.
The project will support around 5,000 jobs in fields such as engineering, construction and design, with 90 percent of the workforce being local to the Sydney area. Victoria Cross Tower will accommodate up to 7,000 workers across approximately 58,000 square metres of space for office and retail use, supercharging North Sydney’s economic potential as an extension of the Sydney CBD into the future.
CBD centre of gravity moves northwards up Walker St
42 storey Victoria Cross precinct begins construction in Miller St
At 88 Walker Street, a 50 story mixed use precinct is being developed by Billbergia and is set to be completed before year’s end.
The development of the new Metro station along Miller Street between Berry and McLaren is spurring accompanying builds one block away in Walker Street.
On ground level, the lobby will flow into a retail-activated laneway with more than 20 new brands planned, and a dining and bar precinct with ‘grab and go’ providers as well as bars, cafés andVictoriarestaurants.Cross Tower is 25 per cent owned by Lendlease's flagship Australian office fund, APPF Commercial. The fund will continue its market-leading sustainability focus with the tower being the first building in its portfolio to be fully electric. Constructing the $1.2 billion precinct will see the building rise one floor each week.
Proposed development at 88 Walker St
CommsDay is launching a new Sydney forum speci ically addressing Australian telecommunications wholesale markets and opportunities.
The Wholesale Forum will include speakers from all the major telcos as well as provisioning time for lightning talks, enabling smaller wholesalers to get their 7 minutes or so on stage.
PLATINUM SPONSOR GOLD STANDREFRESHMENTSSPONSORSSPONSORSThe Fullerton Hotel, Sydney 8—9 November 2022 CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: * Swoop CRO Sean Clarke * Telstra executive, sales & wholesale Steve Long * Vocus chief executive, wholesale and international Jarrod Nink * TPG Telecom GE wholesale, enterprise and government Jonathon Rutherford * CPaaS Symbio CEO Giorgio Mihaila * Aussie Broadband COO Matthew Kusi-Appauh * FibreconX CEO Mark Rafferty * IPSTAR CEO Shannon Fisher * Amplitel CEO Jon Lipton * QCN CEO Derek Merdith * National Narrowband Network Co CEO Rob Zagarella * Telstra InfraCo executive, fibre assets Kathryn Jones * NBN Co chief corporate affairs officer Felicity Ross * Commpete chair Michelle Lim * Venture Insights MD David Kennedy * Accedian Australia & New Zealand Leader Bengt Beye * Oliver Wyman’s Zia Bhadiar * MC: James Linton * and many more to be announced Superfast fixed broadband * fixed wirele ss * enterprise fibre * dark fibre & wholesale * transit & interconnect * mobi le wholesale and MVNOs * towercos
Member for Willoughby Tim James is advocating for the NSW Government to investigate constructing a green space canopy over the Warringah Freeway to reconnect ANZAC Park with Cammeray Park.
For early bird delegates, we are offering registrations for $699 including GST and a three-for the-price of two deal ($1398, saving of $699 for groups of three) Register now at the link on www.commsday.com SILVER
The idea is hardly new. It was first pushed by then North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson as long ago as 2016, while in 2020, the Australian Institute of Architects submitted a schematic of a potential canopy to the NSW government (one of two pictured here).
North Sydney Sun understands that NSI has picked up considerable interest from North Shore for an independent campaign against Wilson in that seat.
To be held in a series of interlinked halls at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney, the CommsDay Wholesale Forum will also feature not one but two cocktail parties, open to all registered delegates to attend. The Wholesale Forum is targeted at wholesalers and retailers of the following products and services: • Superfast ixed broadband (both NBN and non NBN) • Enterprise ibre services • Mobile telecommunications (MVNOs) • Dark ibre and wavelengths, both terrestrial and subsea • Transit and interconnection • Datacentres • TowerCos
tion on that canopy, increase natural vegetation and the local tree canopy as well as create a wildlife corridor over and around the freeway, and enhance pedestrian and bicycle access in the area via dedicated paths.
The CommsDay Wholesale Forum is a two day event designed to maximise the knowledge base of the Australian telecommunications reseller and retailer market about their wholesale options, through a combination of conference, exhibition and networking opportunities.
funding for projects like the Western Harbour Tunnel and the Beaches Link should be contingent on the project delivering a carbon based case to track and limit emissions over the life cycle of a project, from design through to construction.
All up, the CommsDay Wholesale Forum represents the first and only conference and exhibition to specifically address the interconnectedness of Australia’s telecom industry and the reality that very few telecommunications retail services are completely in-sourced, and, instead, are constructed from a diverse supply chain.
If you have been to another CommsDay event you will know what to expect, with the difference that this event will place more emphasis on creating time for one on one interaction through morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and drinks.
His push comes as the state government comes under continuing heat from local residents over the removal of trees at Cammeray Park and elsewhere to enable the expansion of the Freeway and accompanying plans for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches
The NSI group launched the call at a meeting for over 100 of its supporters at the Crows Nest Hotel in late August
James is asking residents to sign a petition which calls on local infrastructure projects deliver net positive green space to the local community in the Willoughby electorate. The petition makes calls to reconnect ANZAC Park and Cammeray Park in Cammeray by building a green space canopy over the Warringah Freeway, provide open space for local sport and recrea-
The decision to prioritise Lane Cove was made partly with Roberts' track record as Planning Minister in mind, as he is seen by NSI as having moved away from the "sustainability" instincts of his predecessor, Rob Stokes. Roberts won his seat at the last state election with 64% of the“We2PP. will have more to say on the seats of Willoughby and North Shore soon. But if you are looking for change in these seats, please share your thoughts with us as soon as possible,” Lock said.The dynamic as to whether NSI backs a candidate for Willoughby may be influenced by whether independent Larissa Penn runs again. In last year’s by-election she attracted a 18% swing against the successful Liberal candidate, Tim James.InNorth Shore, Liberal MP Felicity Wilson looks set to gain party preselection with no internal challengers as of close of nominations. There are no declared independent candidates yet for that
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS OPEN NOW
NSI co-convenor Kristen Lock told the audience: “NSI has taken the last few months to review the democratic and political landscapes of our communities across Lane Cove, Willoughby and North Shore to assess if there was any significant mismatch between us and our political representatives.”“Wehavenow completed our review of one of these three seats, and we can today announce that we will definitely be launching at least one community independent candidate search, and that will be for the seat of Lane Cove.”
ty and sporting groups have continued to grow.”“Weshould pursue innovative solutions to these challenges to ensure the green, open spaces that our community needs are provided, enhanced, and grown for current and future generation,” he added.
JamesLink.said: “Various infrastructure projects and developments have led to the loss of green space, while at the same time the needs of our communi-
James’ push comes as North Sydney federal MP Kylea Tink has quizzed the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development about whether future infrastructure
North Sydney’s Independent, the community group which identified Kylea Tink as a potential and ultimately successful challenger for the federal election, has declared it is actively searching for a candidate to run against Lane Cove MP and state planning minister Anthony Roberts.
North Sydney’s Independent targets Lane Cove for election
MP Tim James pushes for park canopy over Warringah Freeway
Nevertheless,seat.
Lane Cove has been held by Anthony Roberts since 2003. He won the last election with 64% of the two party preferred vote with Labor scoring 36%. Willoughby was won by James in a byelection this year with just 53% of the 2PP vote, but historically, Liberal support there has been closer to 70-75%. Felicity Wilson holds North Shore with 61% of the 2PP vote after suffering a ten percent swing at the last election.
But there are still a host of reasons why this state election will not replicate the federal election swing and, critically, the preference flow which saw the ascension of Kylea Tink.
Tink managed to do this but the state election is different: the sitting member is female, diffusing the gender issue; the state government is the domain of Matt Kean and not Barnaby Joyce, which dilutes climate change as an issue; and the state has a integrity commission which demonstrably achieves outcomes, as the recent departure of Gladys Berejiklian shows.
The Sun Says…
But there’s also a whole bunch of reasons why lightning might not strike
Can indie lightning strike twice in the March state election?
Analysis by Sun publisher Grahame Lynch
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That said, there is definitely a push in the North Sydney half of North Shore to draft a high-profile independent to take on Felicity Wilson. Two suggested names we have heard are sitting councillor MaryAnn Beregi and former mayor Genia McCaffery. But with NSI kicking the teal ball down the road but not out in regards to North Shore, there appears to be an impasse where potential candidates are waiting for others to declare their intentions before declaring their own.
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One observation we would make: there appears to be very little overlap between the Tink support group and the Real Independents in North Sydney. Ditto for the Zali Steggall networks in Mosman. Simply, they are composed largely of separate social networks and this drags on the possibility of strength in collective action.
That’s the question many are asking after Kylea Tink’s stunning victory in the May federal election as voters swung a full 12% against Liberal Trent Zimmerman.Withthe Liberal brand seemingly on the nose, logic would suggest that this is the best opportunity since the days of Robyn Read and Ted Mack for an independent to snare North Shore.
Ditto, it is great to see the shopkeepers of Kirribilli unite under the moniker of voices2061 to create a sense of shared mission around the coming Jacaranda season. Their ideas are simple but effective: decorate the neighbourhood with purple ribbons and banners as one example. Cost-efficient to be sure, and a sign that Kirribilli is a welcoming community and destination for day visitors.
North Sydney’s Independent group has deprioritised North Shore as a target in favour of Lane Cove. NSI was the group which identified Kylea Tink as a candidate for the federal domain and made the essential connection with Climate 200 that was so key to Teal success last May. By this stage last year, Tink had already announced her candidacy and spent the next nine months campaigning and building up her profile.
Email for editorial: grahamelynch@northsydneysun.com.au
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Founding editor and Decisive CEO: Grahame Lynch
Office address: Unit 704 6a Glen St Milsons Point NSW Australia 2061
Barterequity.has extensive experience in finance, fundraising and climate awareness, while Bessell is a former Optus executive who also has fundraising credentials. The group said last month that: “When we first started North Sydney Conversations, we were a loose collective of friends and acquaintances who shared a common interest in big, thoughtful discussions. We operated as a volunteer-run group, reaching far into our networks to secure speakers, borrow technical expertise, and grow … sadly, after much thought, we have decided to shut down North Sydney ConversationsThirdly,indefinitely.”theNorth Shore electorate
This time, nominations have already closed and Felicity Wilson is the only candidate. She awaits a formal endorsement next month and then is
Responsibility960for election comment taken by G Lynch
free to enter campaign mode.
URL: www.northsydneysun.com.au
She is still readily categorised and diminished by opponents for her past issues around the accuracy of her CV. She is also not the style of politician who goes in hard against opponents.
Premier Dominic Perrottet & North Shore MP Felicity Wilson who has stolen a lead on under-prepared challengers as the election countdown begins
As you can see from this issue, the Crows Nest Festival is returning next month, injecting a much needed marquee event into a high street that has felt a tad sleepy of late.
Firstly,twice.the
spans two local government areas: North Sydney and Mosman. There are a plethora of independent groups in the former—Voices of North Sydney, Committee for North Sydney and an explicitly political wing, the Real Independents—but they have little cutthrough in Mosman. Ditto, the veteran mayor of Mosman, Carolyn Corrigan, has run as an independent but may be past her peak: she scored 23% of the vote in 2017, falling to 19% in 2019. She has relatively little profile in the western half of the electorate.
We also can’t forget the two biggest party challengers: Labor and the Greens. The Greens are expected to begin a preselection process soon while the word on the street about Labor is that they are yet to locate any standout candidates. But both are professional political machines who will eventually find competitive candidates. Which brings us to a key observation: the state poll is decided by optional preferential voting. Even as the North Shore electorate becomes more self-identified as progressive, the nature of optional preferences means that whoever comes first in primaries is likely to go on to win.
Felicity Wilson scored over 20% more primary votes than her nearest challenger just four years ago. With many votes simply exhausting after the first preference, a successful challenger would have to pull votes off both the Liberals to the right and Labor and Greens to the left to come up through the middle to win.
North Sydney Sun has also picked up chatter of plans for a major Hindu festival, likely to be held before year’s end in Bradfield Park.
Can the so-called Teal independents pull off a miracle and win the local state seat off the Liberals next March?
Much of the media reporting of Climate 200 mischaracterised it as a source of finance only, when it was just as equally a clearing house of invaluable political advice, professional skills and polling resources.
None of that is to suggest that Felicity Wilson can take it easy.
Associate publisher: James Mullan james@northsydneysun.com.au
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 6
A state independent candidate would need to start campaigning as soon as possible to overhaul the incumbent based on the experience of the Tink campaign and the likely absence this time around of a Climate 200Secondly,contribution.a key group which helped Kylea Tink with her election bid has now effectively disbanded and will not be around to help with a state campaign. North Sydney Conversations was founded by Trine Barter and Suzy Bessell to raise awareness of issues dear to the hearts of independents such as integrity, climate and gender
After two and a half years of COVID induced torpor, it is great to see special events and occasions returning to the North Sydney area.
Fourthly, the state Liberals have avoided the mistake made by the feds of delaying preselection to the last possible minute. Former federal member Trent Zimmerman was only confirmed as the candidate some six weeks prior to the election, which precluded him from spending party money on his campaign before that.
It augurs well for what will hopefully be a buoyant and active North Sydney community event series in 2023.
In 2020 the festival was completely cancelled with a smaller scale campaign called “Back to the Nest” filling the void. Aside from live street music and mural painting, there wasn’t much that resembled the full scale event locals love. 2021 was similar but with Burger Festival as the main attraction. This competition was popular amongst businesses and customers alike, with Johnny Bird taking out the title. Considering the COVID health circumstances over these years, there weren't many options for organisers.
The October issue of North Sydney Sun will feature a special guide to the coming Crows Nest Festival, focusing on F&B and retail establishments around the Willoughby Street shopping strip.
Neutral Bay Community Centre 190-192 Military Rd, Neutral Bay Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre 16-18 Fitzroy St, Kirribilli Nimba Bakehouse 4 Ennis Rd, Milsons Point
“It’s going to be packed with fun and creative things. Because Crows Nest is known for its food, food alley is going to be at the forefront. This year we are having a pretty exciting licensed area with comfortable couches, drinks and music. We’re doing a circus playground so kids can learn how to use circus equipment. We are doing pony rides, a petting zoo and guide dogs are also taking up a stall,” she
Kirribilli Club 11 Harbourview Cres, Lavender Bay Blues Point Hotel 116 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point
ly high rates for footpath dining. They were all quite unhappy, there was a time frame when it was free but the council started charging again quite quickly.”TheCrows Nest Festival will be held on Sunday, 16 October with festivities kicking off at 10:00AM.
The festival comes at an intriguing time for the suburb. There are some large scale developments like the Metro Station, Hume St to Willoughby Road park throughway and the soon to commence Holtermann St Car park to green space project, that present opportunities.However, when the Sun asked Henderson about the mood of businesses, she simply responded “It’s bad,” adding “businesses are struggling. It keeps on compounding with cost increases from factors like lack of foot traffic. Businesses are paying fair-
Greenwich Post Office 91a Greenwich Rd, Greenwich Greenwich Library 48 Greenwich Rd, Greenwich Incinerator Cafe 2a Small St, Willoughby
Now with little to no Covid restrictions, the festival will return to its normal form. JoEllen Henderson is a member of Crows Nest’s Mainstreet committee and the head organiser for this year’s festival. She filled us in on what to expect.
After 2 years of small scale events, the Crows Nest Festival is back at full strength for its 31st year.
Galleria Cafe 66 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards Norths Cammeray 12 Abbott St, Cammeray
By James Mullan
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 7
Suggest a new site, email james@northsydneysun.com.au
Coal Loader Centre Waverton 2 Balls Head Dr, Waverton Waverton Community Bookshelf 94A Bay Rd, Waverton
said. Organisers are expecting to have 200 stalls spread across the Crows Nest commercial area. Willoughby Road, Burlington St and parts of Hume St will be closed off to traffic and opened up for festival goers. Big Music will host live music at Ernest Place, which will include live bands and music workshops for kids. There will be another stage for local school bands to perform in a side street yet to be decided.Thefestival is expected to provide a boost for local businesses, attracting local tourism and having community buildingHendersonbenefits.believes the festival has many benefits. “We all need something to look forward to, and I think it’s something all year business know it’s happening and look forward to it. It’s a lovely day where Crows Nest is at its finest and looking best. It’s an event that people will come from far away, people have heard about the festival and creates great awareness for the area. They might come every year and come back throughout the year. It’s great for the businesses.”
If you trade in this area, don’t miss out on this one-off Jacaranda season special. Deadline: September 20
To gain editorial coverage or take an advertisement, contact James Mullan at 0420 542 516 james@northsydneysun.com.auor
The October issue of North Sydney Sun will feature a special guide to the coming Jacaranda season, focusing on F&B establishments around the Kirribilli, Milsons Point and Lavender Bay precincts.
North Sydney Council Chambers 200 Miller St Stanton Library 234 Miller St, North Sydney North Sydney Community Centre 220 Miller St, North Sydney Crows Nest Community Centre 2 Ernest Pl, Crows Nest North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre 36 Hume St, Crows Nest
High hopes for return of Crows Nest Festival
James Milson Village 4 Clark Rd, North Sydney
Jacaranda season is coming
Focus on Crows Nest
If you trade in this area, don’t miss out on this special feature. Deadline: September 20
Rustic Charm Cafe 2/102 Alfred St S, Milsons Point
Where to find a copy of the Sun
To gain editorial coverage or take an advertisement, contact James Mullan at 0420 542 516 james@northsydneysun.com.auor
The Haven is considered a magical space and patrons are encouraged to
Saturday 10 September
Alexey Botvinov - From Ukraine with Love
The outdoor setting isn’t the only factor that makes this a different style of Shakespeare production.
It is also the creative approach taken working with Chi, the chakras and the energy of the space and land to create an experience they hope will “jolt us all out of a sleepy haze”, according to co-founding performer CharlesMayerMayer.has a deep experience adapting Shakespeare to draw in different audiences and contemporise performances.Theactorrecently featured in the innovative ‘Streamed Shakespeare’ mini series which brought classic works to the Zoom stage.
Venue: Luna Park
After an acclaimed run at Waverton’s Coal Loader, the troupe called ‘Come you Spirits’ will perform Shakespeare’s the Tempest, MacBeth and Romeo & Juliet outdoors at The Haven Amphitheatre, Castlecrag.
Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club
Venue: Independent Theatre, North Sydney Concert Pianist Alexey Botvinov will bring the poetic piano to life in this intimate recital of romantic masterworks. Making his Australian debut with a deeply romantic programme of Brahms, Chopin, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, this will be an afternoon to savour!
Co-founder and performer Jo Bloom added “We’ve drawn on the practice used in ancient temples, where they used giant stones to ensure sound was not just heard but was felt throughout the body.”
Venue:Jesabel Crows Nest Hotel
attend all three shows. Each performance is just 90 minutes long and the audience will see and hear the actors move throughout and around them.
All that Fosse
Wednesday 14 September, 8:30
From Fri 23 to Sun 25 September the event called ‘Celebrating the Spring Equinox’ will feature The Tempest at dawn (6.30am) on Friday morning and Sunday night 6.30pm; Romeo & Juliet on Saturday and Sunday at 12.30pm; and Macbeth on Friday and Saturday night at 6.30pm.
WHAT’S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY
Jo Bloom and Sontaan Hopson
Midnight Oil - One for the planet Venue: Big Top, Luna Park
Shakespeare in the Spring at the Haven, Castlecrag
DJ Jesabel is coming to Crows Nest
A superstar DJ, television presenter and radio host, Jesabel was Australia’s first female DJ to mix a Ministry of Sound compilation CD, her technical skill as a DJ is evident and respected by her peers and the electronic music industry alike.
Friday 30 September, 8:00
Venue: Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne Willkommen! Put on your fishnets, tilt your cap and click your fingers. Welcome to the ultimate cabaret tribute show to the late, great choreographer and director: Bob Fosse!
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 8
Expertly curated by the World Famous Comedy Store, this is a match made in heaven with the perfect combo of chuckles, choc-tops, and all-star lineups!
James O'Connell, Joel Pearce, Tim Glovers, Brain Damage and Krysstal (UK) will be giving the Luna Park clowns a run for their money in a stacked night of comedy on the harbour.
The natural landscape is complimented by Brandon Read’s spinetingling soundscape and original score.
Saturday 10 September
Wednesday 28 September
Sunday 18 September, 3:00
Sydney Comedy Club
“Shakespeare has included so much ancient wisdom and knowledge of the universe in his writing. Our goal is to share this with audiences as witnesses to the wonder and recipients of the energy. It’s an intensely magical experience” he said of the works and production.
Kirribilli actors Jo Bloom and Charles Mayer will join Sontaan Hopson, Alec Ebert and composer Brandon Read in bringing Shakespeare classics back to life later this month.
Since Midnight Oil’s new album Resist debuted at #1 early this year, the legendary Australian band are touring again including One For The Planet” featuring “10-1” in its entirety. A portion of proceeds from each of these new gigs will be donated to environmental and Indigenous causes
Just off Brett Whiteley Plaza and only a short walk to Greenwood, the location is prime for good business.
BENEFACTORS: 16 JUNE – 22 JULY Michael Frayn brings us to a cultural and societal crossroads; the 70s. With cities changing rapidly characters like David and Jane envision a dense urbanist towers metropolis as the future while Colin and Sheila don’t agree Director Mark Kilmurry explores the social tensions between couples at different ends of the socioeconomic ladder.
The restaurant and bar will host 300 seats, specialising in sustainably sourced seafood and charcoal cooked veggies.
Venues like RAFI and the Green Moustache (opened 2019) grow the North Sydney CBD’s night time offerings, no doubt attempting to tap into the existing office crowd but also an ever growing residential population.
A BROADCAST COUP: 26 JANUARY – 4 MARCH Melaine Tait’s comedy tells the tale of a ruthless journalist hell bent on taking media stars down. Journalists may be one of the least trusted professions in Australia, but director Janine Watson will have you laughing and loving protagonist Jez Connell.
CLYDE’S: 5 MAY – 10 JUNE A tasty Tony Award nominated play will be making its Australian premiere in Kirribilli. Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage takes us to Clyde’s truck stop to meet the colourful kitchen staff, most of whom are fresh out of prison. Sandwiches sure beat prison food, but juggling a tough boss, customers and their dark pasts might leave the team with too much on their plate. Darren Yap backs up Ensemble production ‘The One’ by trading chicken corn soup for grilled cheese.
The hospitality group runs venues including Bopp & Tone (Wynyard), June’s Shoppe (Wynyard), Hester’s (Wynyard), The Butler (Potts Point) and Forrester’s (Surry Hills). Northsiders might be most familiar with SoCal Sydney (Neutral Bay) and The Botanist (Kirribilli).
Ensemble Theatre reveals stellar line up for 2023
RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA: 10 MARCH – 29 APRIL One of Australia’s most renowned and cherished playwrights returns to the Ensemble; David Williamson. Known for his commentary on class, culture and Australian society Williamson has crafted a hilarious romantic comedy. Will symphony violinist Monica and DJ Rhinestone Rex possibly be able to make it work?
Hospitality is moving into North Sydney CBD with the opening of ‘RAFI’ due in September.
James Mullan
THE MEMORY OF WATER: 20 OCTOBER – 25 NOVEMBER One’s memory can be shaky especially when recalling their childhood. But what about settling on what happened when there are three siblings attempting to recall their families history. Don’t worry, this isn’t a family drama, but this family’s drama is hilarious. Shelagh Stephenson’s piece attempts to get to the bottom of family mythology as Director Rachel Chant introduces us to Mary, Catherine and Teresa on a journey full of love, anger and laughter.
Applejack11
Hello RAFI! North Sydney CBD welcomes new 300 seat hospitality venue
THE NEW ALBUM Straight ou a North Sydney via Krungthep, Orlando and Berlin QR CODE TAKES YOU TO MUSIC
CRIME SERIES TO FILM IN NORTH SHORE
BAILEY’S MINDER: 28 JULY – 2 SEPTEMBER Fresh out of prison Therese is tasked with caring for trainwreck Leo, who after years of alcoholism mixed with a strong self hatred requires round the clock care. The two down and out characters wouldn’t appear to be on a great path. But Playwright Debra Oswald and Director Damien Ryan invite us to look a little deeper.
Crime is set to spike on the North Shore and the whole world will be watching. However, locals shouldn’t be concerned because it’s part of a new fictional crime thriller coming to Paramount+. The six part series created by Mike Bullen follows detectives trying to solve a murder mystery in and around Sydney’s North Shore. While following these detectives the clash of cultures between the British and Australians becomes evident as they uncover a conspiracy much more serious than they had envisaged. North Shore will be directed by Australian Gregor Jordan who has a track record of bringing Australian stories to life. He has previously directed Two Hands (1999) and Ned Kelly (2003), both iconic Australian films. The production is st ill in early stages with actors and a release date yet to be announced. So keep an eye out for any clues and perhaps a camera crew on your next walk around the area.
We preview some of the best productions hitting the Ensemble stage in 2023.
Wasabi Bytes Tales of the City
Located at 99 Mount St, the venue will sit on top of Aldi and JB Hi-Fi. RAFI will be the first major tenant of the site since its refurbishment in 2020.
IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT LADY? 18 SEPTEMBER – 14 OCTOBER Debra Oswald is one of Australia’s most beloved playwrights. She’s also remarkable on the stage. Oswald has teamed up with Director Lee Lewis to write and perform in a show about the ups and downs of life as a writer.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page
Sun: Before we dive into the deeper discussion, let’s start with an icebreaker question. If you had to live in one Disney movie, which would you choose and why?
For more information to get the conversation started check out Headspace’s “7
interested in
Debunking myths on child mental health
Further resources
To identify if mental distress is occurring across these three key components of an individual’s identity, it is important to look out for the below signs and symptoms: lack of concentration and motivation, withdrawal from school, social and family withdrawal, mood disturbances, maladaptive coping strategies to manage distress or emotions such as substance use or self-injuring behaviours, drastic fluctuations in weight, repeated outbursts of anger, lack of autonomy, poor selfesteem/self-worth.Parentsandcarers can look out for severity and persistence across these signs and symptoms, and it should be noted that
272 196 or you can utilise the many
explain it to you. This provides an open and safe dialogue, and you can gauge your child’s understanding. Let them be the teacher of what they are experiencing or going through.
When it comes to parenting, teenage and child mental health can be scary and uncomfortable for many.
Things“healthy”.like daily water, exercise, moving our body and eating well. A great activity you can do is discuss what a good mental health routine could look like to care for your mind.
By Living To Thrive’s AndersonChuck
Jo: Encanto! Because it’s based on a village supportive of one another. It is about positivity, connection and working together to be resourceful for one another and explores the power of healing in a magical house.
these in isolation do not correlate to mental distress but when compounded with other presenting signs could justify action.
Jo: Go prepared for the discussion, do your research and look up the topic you would like to raise. You can begin by being curious and asking your teenager what they think mental health is, ask them to
A great place to start is to discuss physical health and how when we physically don’t feel well that shows up in the mind and body and can then affect our behaviour. You can explore that connection by explaining that just like physical health when we are not feeling well it can show up in these areas. You can include the idea that we have physical health routines to stay
On challenging days, you can pull this up and encourage them to engage in healthy coping strategies.
ways for friends and family to support a young person” info sheet.
Sun: Tell us about some of the services that you provide.
Jo: Clarity Minds Therapy provides inclusive counselling support for adolescent families and couples. The service focuses on building connections and helping young people and families manage adversity, and mental health difficulties, whilst creating internal and external resources to manage when things come up. Clarity Minds Therapy runs parenting workshops, educational seminars, and tailored group work programs for schools and families.
Sun: What are some of the signs of mental distress in adolescence that may differ from “normal” teenage angst?
Headspace offers their “Headspace Action Plan” that you can fill out together. Develop your well-being plan and role model to your young person how to practice self-care for your mental health and keep each other accountable.
https://www.parentingstrategies.net: guidelines to help parents prevent depression and anxiety problems in their teenage years. https://www.parentline.org.au: a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 https://kidshelpline.com.auhttps://headspace.org.au (1800 55 1800): a 24hr telephone, web-based and email counselling service for people aged up to 25
Jo Homsi
Jo is a therapist with 14 years of experience in child, adolescent and family clinical counselling. She has worked in professional learning and training and is passionate about providing support and education to primary and secondary schools, families, parents and the community. Jo has worked across NSW and national school sectors to support and promote mentally healthy communities to empower children, young people, educators and their families.
Jo: The words and validation of a parent or carer in their early and teenage years will shape and impact how this young person will view themselves later in life and into adulthood. One of the most important tools a parent possesses is to validate what their young person may be experiencing. This process allows for a parent to further strengthen the relationship's foundation and increases opportunities for early intervention. However, by using the phrases mentioned above, a young person not only feels judged and not empathised with but may not develop the internal resources to manage these distressing situations in the future.
You can then ask your teenager to write a list of strategies they can engage in for ongoing positive mental health. Then on another list, you can add strategies that they could engage in when they have a challenging mental health day.
Sun: How do you suggest parents tackle the topic of mental health when some do not feel comfortable themselves or just don’t know what to say?
NORTH SYDNEY WELLBEING
North Sydney Sun | September 2022 | Page 10
Jo: Adolescence years involve rapid growth and development; I like to call this stage “under construction”. Young people will experience physical, psychological, and social development that will commonly present across these areas: Physical development: puberty and secondary sex characteristics and ongoing brain development. Psychological development: establishing identity, values, autonomy, attitudes, beliefs and intimacy. Advanced thinking and reasoning skills. Social development: greater awareness and understanding of one’s sexuality, achievement primarily such as academic, sport or work.
If you are exploring this topic further, please reach out to Jo directly at www.wellbeingmentalhealthacademy.com, 0431 resources that she has provided. She offers a free 15 min consultant to parents and carers.
There is no handbook provided when you become a parent on how to raise a mentally healthy child or young adult. We spoke with child, youth and family therapist, Jo Homsi of The Wellbeing & Mental Health Academy to demystify and debunk some common misconceptions on child and adolescent mental health.
Sun: What are the risks of telling your child to “suck it up” or “stop being so sensitive” should they show signs of mental distress?
Notably, North Shore Bombers talent Kate Reynolds was also on debut, joining Zoe Hurrell as only the second Bomber to get the AFLW call up. For now, North Sydney Oval is not due to host another game this season, with the Swans playing their next home game Saturday September 10 against GWS at the SCG.
Norths rugby have won their first silver since the 2016 premiership, sneaking into top spot on the Shute Shield ladder late in the season to claim their first minor premiership in 21 years.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
The team has been considered a title threat every year but seem to just fall short or experience bad luck.
They won the premiership in 2016, made the grand final in 2017 and won the Minor Premiership this season.
Stand out performers for the year included new recruits George Thornton and Jamie Mazzarol-Kotz
Across all grade rugby, Norths ranked in second place just behind Sydney Uni and 4th in the club championship (combined Colts and Grade), which shows the club is in good shape in NSW competitions.
In a defensive, grind it out kind of game Jamie Mazzarol-Kotz was the only Shoreman to cross the line while the rest of the points came off the boots of Nathan Russell and Josh Henderson. At the full time siren Gordon had triumphed 13-23 leaving the Minor Premiers shell shocked and disappointed after a season in which they were tipped to go all the way.
Top flight AFL returned to North Sydney Oval with a bang as 8,260 fans packed into the historic ground on August 27 to witness a historic fixture. In August 2021 the AFL announced plans to expand the AFLW to 18 teams including the Sydney Swans. Only a year later the Swans would run out onto North Sydney Oval for their inaugural match against St Kilda.Thefirst term was neck in neck which continued until later in the 2nd when two Kate Shierlaw goals gave St Kilda the momentum. It was all Saints in the second half as they pulled away to a 56-27 victory, despite a spirited Swans performance.
SWANS WOMEN IN HISTORIC FIRST
After the game, co-captain Brooke Lochland spoke to Swans TV about the night. She added: “It was a really historic night for our club and seeing the stands packed, the energy and the roar was really special.”
snuck away with a 1 point win. Gordon would get their revenge in Round 14 with a 25-22 win. Despite close head to head performances Gordon, in contrast to Norths, had just snuck into the finals after finishing 7th after a late season winning streak to register 9 win 9 loss record. Ladder positioning may have been deceptive. At least on paper the Shoremen were favourites heading into the Preliminary Final at Pittwater Park.
There is no love lost between these local rivals and when these sides matched up in the regular season both matchups went down to the wire. At Chatswood Oval in Round 7, Norths
This season, coach Zak Beer’s squad got better with time. In early rounds they had dominant results but began to fall into close games as the season heated up. By mid season the side hit a rough patch but managed to turn it around when it counted most. This definitely displayed the quality and talent in the side.
“Everything was so special. From getting off the bus, walking in and having the guard of honour with our family there was really special. Out here on the ground you could really hear the roar from the fans when we were out and into our forward 50.”
who joined established Norths’ stars like leading try scorer Nick Duffy, Max Burey and scoring machine Nathan Russell. The Shoremen recruited very well but it was the consistency in the line up and the ability to retain top talent that proved to boost the team to the top spot this year.
The squad managed to take care of Manly 34-27, in their first round of finals to earn the week off and a spot in the preliminary finals. After dramatically beating Randwick 24-23, Gordon set up a local derby to fight for a spot in the Grand Final.
At the end of the regular season Norths had 12 wins, a draw and only 5 losses, which was one win short of Sydney University; the other main threat for the title. Despite having 1 less win the Shoremen managed to leapfrog Uni thanks to a league leading 19 bonus points. Going into the finals Norths were one of the premiership favourites amongst an extremely competitiveThroughoutfield.the season Norths had grappled for top spot with Sydney Uni, Randwick and Manly. They were able to claim the title after an impressive run to end the regular season finishing with 7 wins from the last 8 games.
Gordon would ultimately go on to lose to Sydney University in the Grand Final 19-26.
It was a bittersweet season for Norths to reflect on. The club is in somewhat of a golden era, perhaps better described as a silver era, finishing top four in the last six seasons of the Shute Shield.
James Mullan
Shoremen win minor premiership, but miss out on spot in grand final
The power of print. The power of local The North Sydney Sun media kit for 2022/23 is out soon. Email james@northsydneysun.com.au for your personal copy