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Mona Vale’s Charlie Pittman Impresses Judges on ‘The Voice Australia’

Charlie Pittman, who was born in Mona Vale but grew up in England, has returned to Australia compete in The Voice, where he chose to honour his late father’s memory and wowed the judges with a touching rendition of Dean Lewis’ “How Do I Say Goodbye” during the Blind Auditions.

The emotional tribute drew the attention of the judges, making Charlie an instant sensation on the show. As he sang his heart out, the judges on “The Voice Australia” were captivated by his soulful performance.

The first to turn their chair around was Jessica Mauboy, followed swiftly by Guy Sebastian and international sensation Jason Derulo. British singer Rita Ora, while not turning her chair, couldn’t resist sneaking a peek to catch the final moments of Charlie’s audition.

Charlie’s talent and the poignant choice of his audition song left the judges profoundly moved, and their eagerness to have him on their respective teams was evident.

A Tribute to His Late Father: Charlie’s Special Connection to Australia

Charlie’s decision to audition for “The Voice Australia” held deep personal significance.

“My late father was Australian,” he revealed, explaining that the audition was a heartfelt and healing experience to honour his Australian heritage. Charlie’s choice to pay homage to his father’s memory through music resonated deeply with both the judges and the audience.

From Suffolk to Mona Vale: Charlie’s Remarkable Journey

Charlie’s remarkable journey took him from his birthplace in Mona Vale to Holbrook in Suffolk, England, where he spent a significant part of his upbringing. Despite his time in England, Charlie’s roots remained firmly planted Down Under, where he has returned to pursue his passion for music.

“I’ve been chipping away at the industry for the last few years but have still had to work non-music jobs just to get by.”

In the end, Charlie had the challenging task of choosing his mentor for the competition. He ultimately opted for Australian singer Guy Sebastian, who will guide him through the next phases of “The Voice Australia.” With Guy by his side, Charlie Pittman is poised to continue making waves on the show.

“The Voice Australia” season 12 airs on Channel 7.

Uncertainty Surrounds Mona Vale Rd West Upgrade as Mona Vale Rd East Upgrades Near Completion

A cloud of uncertainty looms over the future of the Mona Vale Rd West upgrades, leaving residents and commuters concerned about the fate of these critical infrastructure initiatives. However, work on Mona Vale Rd East upgrades continues.

Mona Vale Rd West project covers a 3.4-kilometer stretch between McCarrs Creek Rd, Terrey Hills, and Powderworks Rd, Ingleside. Initially funded by the Perrottet Government with a $340-million commitment, the project’s future has been thrown into uncertainty following a strategic review of infrastructure projects by the newly-elected Minns Government.

Mona Vale Rd West: Funding Review Sparks Controversy

In the aftermath of a recent serious head-on collision on the road in mid-August 2023, Pittwater MP Rory Amon has expressed uncertainty regarding the fate of the previously funded project aimed at widening Mona Vale Road West. He has urged the State Government to uphold the upgrade despite concerns.

Mr Amon took action by writing to both the Minister for Roads and the Treasurer. He emphasized the crucial need to retain the allocated $340 million for the project in the forthcoming Budget.

“[The] collision is an unfortunate reminder that the widening and safety upgrades of Mona Vale Road West are paramount and must proceed. The allocated $340 million must remain in the Labor Government’s Budget being delivered on 19 September2023. With each day that goes by, lives are put at risk. The widening and safety upgrades will address these risks and also significantly reduce congestions across the road network,” Mr Amon stated.

Whilst the detailed design work for Mona Vale Rd West continues, the project itself has been placed under review. John Graham, NSW Minister for Roads, has acknowledged the review and noted that the project’s fate will be determined based on the findings.

SIGN THE PETITION TO PROCEED WITH UPGRADES

Key Features of Mona Vale Rd West Upgrade

Creating a new traffic signal intersection, dedicated turning lanes, and a truck climbing lane
Widening Mona Vale Road to four lanes with a central concrete safety barrier
Relocating and reconfiguring existing intersections for enhanced safety
Constructing local road connections, shared use paths, and fauna crossings
Upgrading street lighting, constructing retaining walls, and landscaping
Community Concerns and Advocacy

Mona Vale Rd East: Transforming a Notorious Traffic Route

For the past four years, a monumental effort has been underway to transform Mona Vale Rd East, the one-lane-each-way route that leads into the northern beaches of Sydney. The ambitious $140-million upgrade aims to tackle the notorious traffic jams that have plagued the road, with over 210,000 cubic meters of rock and soil already removed.

The project, which covers 3.2 kilometers between Manor Rd at Ingleside and Foley St, Mona Vale, involves massive rock breaking and excavations to reshape the terrain and widen the road to four lanes.

Transport authorities anticipate that the completed upgrade will improve safety and reduce travel times for the approximately 35,000 vehicles that traverse Mona Vale Rd daily. The project includes various safety measures such as a fauna overpass and underpass to protect local wildlife from road traffic.

Although originally expected to conclude during the 2022/23 financial year, a firm completion date remains uncertain due to unforeseen delays.

Key Features of Mona Vale Rd East Upgrade

Widening Mona Vale Road to four lanes with a central concrete safety barrier
Adding three-meter-wide shoulders for breakdowns and cyclists
Replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings
Establishing bus priority lanes and new bus stops
Implementing speed limit changes and safety measures for trucks and buses
Building retaining walls, cuttings, and other terrain-related features
Enhancing fauna connectivity and upgrading drainage systems

Published 31-Aug-2023

Trial On For Toy Library Service at the Mona Vale Library

Photo Credit: Design Miss C/Pixabay

Did you know that with a toy library membership, you can now borrow and check out toys for your children from the substantial collection at the Mona Vale Library?

From 6 April 2023, the Northern Beaches Council launched the 12-month trial for the Toy Library service at Mona Vale and Manly libraries. Parents or carers may check out a maximum of six toys a month for their children.

The initiative is a partnership between the Council and the EarlyEd Cubby House Toy Library. Members may also use the services online and pick toys to borrow from the catalogue. Toy pick-ups are conducted every Thursday between 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Cubby House was started in 1979 to support the development and learning of children with special needs. and their families. In its early years, more than 70 families were part of the program but the number has ballooned to 8000 families in two decades.

The library offers a range of high-quality toys and play equipment for babies from six months old to primary school-age kids. The toys are selected based on guidance from parents, occupational therapists, and early education professionals.

Incidentally, is also looking for volunteers to help manage the toy library and keep the program active. Interested parties may phone 9923 2727 for more information.

After more than four decades, the Cubby House initiative has evolved into a community library to help all kinds of families save on the cost of toys. With this service, parents do not have to buy toys regularly and increase their cardboard footprint. They can simply borrow the right toys for their kids and return them at a reasonable time.

Membership to the Toy Library requires a separate registration from general library membership.

Published 14-April-2023

Giant ‘You Are Here’ Public Art Installation at North Mona Vale Headland Suspended

Photo Credit: NorthernBeachesCouncil

Plans to install a giant public art display, with the words “You Are Here” built in sandstone sculpture, at the North Mona Vale Headland has been suspended following significant community backlash.

Northern Beaches Council also did not push through with the Meet the Artist event scheduled for the 24th of February 2023 after listening to the feedback from the locals.

The Council was planning to spend $177,000 for the sculpture that did not receive public support. Instead, locals described the artwork as vandalism and a waste of public space and money.

“How to ruin a beautiful place. What does it add to the beauty of the place? The landscape is enough. This is all about ego and maybe tourism,” Elisabeth Lucy Moody said in the Mona Vale Facebook group.

“If it was covered areas with BBQ facilities underneath, perhaps that could be explained, but $44 thousand for just the sandstone is a joke and the artwork is not art,” Tracy Dellit said.

“Please stop the desecration of our green spaces by forcing these abominations upon us. The best way to pay homage to the traditional lands is leave it in its natural state, anything else is pure ego and a money grab for artists,” Garry Campbell said.

Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro were commissioned for the sculpture as part of the Coast Walk Public Art project. They said that their ideas were inspired by things they saw in Mona Vale, the sandstone headlands that formed during the Triassic age and heaps of hand-painted signs of well-wishes to family or friends that are usually placed along Barrenjoey Road.

“We live in an age of ultimate distraction – You are Here locates people within the park,” the artists said. “The coast is traditionally a place for contemplation and recharging one’s energy. You are Here is an affirming phrase. The words remind us of the here and now, celebrating our existence in a beautiful setting.”

In November 2022, an art committee composed of councillors, council staff members, and public art experts, voted to proceed with the project. However, in February 2023, Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Reagan said he has asked the CEO to formally stop the process.

“We need to take onboard the feedback from the public and find a better way to engage,” the mayor said.

“Talking to a number of people over the weekend, the one thing that stopped me in my tracks was a particular resident explaining the relationship this proposal had with her and a close relative who had fallen from the headland and died.

“The lady was visibly upset and gave some compelling reasons over and above the aesthetics of the project. I appreciated her time and sentiments as I do for all those that have written to us.”

Published 28 February 2023

My Place: Mona Vale Place Plan Due for Public Exhibition Mid-2023

Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council / northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/

The draft plan for the new “My Place: Mona Vale Place Plan” that will tackle priorities for improvement in and around Mona Vale town centre over the next ten years is set for public exhibition in the first half of 2023.

Originally put forward by the former Pittwater Council in 2016 but was put on hold due to community resistance. A new Place Plan for Mona Vale is now being developed which will incorporate the new local, district and metropolitan plans.

The Mona Vale Place Plan comes following the identification of a number of priorities and directions for Northern Beaches centres. The new place plan will consider key elements including traffic, public domain, green and open space, and how all these can be improved according to the Towards 2040 Strategic Planning Statement and other related studies and strategies.

To kick start the planning process, a Project Working Group (PWG) was formed in February 2022 which is tasked with gathering a representative-based view of the community, providing a forum for discussion on issues related to the proposed Mona Vale Place Plan.

The PWG comprises 17 representatives from resident and business associations, representative bodies, community members and other special interest groups. Three PWG meetings, a community drop-in at Village Park and a survey have been conducted so far.

The results of these community engagement activities will form part of the draft place plan which will go on exhibition in the middle of this year.

Following the public exhibition of the draft place plan, the outcomes will be reviewed and will be considered in the revised plan in mid-late 2023 prior to submitting it to Council for endorsement.

Published 3 February 2023

The Basin Dining Room Now Open at Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club

Photo credit: Facebook / Basin Dining Room

Impressed with the newly rebuilt Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club? Check out the latest diner to open its doors at the new $10-million surf club building, featuring spectacular views of the beach and a mouth-watering seafood-focus menu.

The Basin Dining Room opened last November 2022 just in time for summer. The new 90-seat venue is located within the newly renovated Warren and Mahoney-designed Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club building and offers a menu that leans heavily on seafood dishes.

Photo credit: Facebook / Basin Dining Room

Chef Doug Fraser and his restaurateur wife Kylie had the idea of opening a Mona Vale restaurant after seeing the then-undergoing redevelopment during a visit for a swim. The Warren and Mahoney-designed club facility features three elevated glass pavilions and a terrace. It is now home to the Brightside Cafe by Nine Yards Coffee and the Cook Terrace bar.

As for Basin Dining Room Head chef Dan Weier’s menu, starter offerings include kingfish marinated in lemon, betel leaf, coconut, chilli and tamarind paste; fried calamari with green papaya salad & aioli; and duck liver parfait, port jelly and toasted brioche.

Rare tuna pasta, free-range egg spaghetti, Parmesan, rocket, chilli & capers | Photo credit: Facebook / Basin Dining Room

The mains, meanwhile, includes rare tuna pasta, free-range egg spaghetti, parmesan, rocket, chilli and caper; steamed hapuka with ginger, bok choi & soy broth; and free-range pork cutlet, agrodolce, salsa verde, preserved lemon & roasted witlof.

There are light meals and salads available as well including fish burger with lettuce, pickles, tartare sauce, milk bun and served with french fries; Angus beef burger with lettuce, pickles, onion relish, milk bun and french fries; and local flathead beer battered – chunky chips and tartar.

The Basin Dining Room is located at 1 Surfview Road, Mona Vale. For bookings, visit their website here.

Mona Vale Library Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Honours Woman Who Made It All Happen

Half a century ago, Olive Beaton dreamt of a library for the local community and made it happen! More than 100 guests recently paid tribute to the woman whose efforts gave rise to the Mona Vale Library, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Olive Beaton was a Mona Vale resident who was passionate about establishing a library in Mona Vale, after realising that the nearest library was at Warringah. For five years, she attended Council meetings and worked tirelessly to ensure that the creation of a local library was not overlooked.

Ms Beaton was on-site at Park St for the turning of the sod of the library’s construction in 1971. One year later, her dream had become a reality.

Designed by award-winning architect Col Madigan, the Mona Vale Library officially opened in 1072 to serve the Northern Beaches Community.

Olivia Beaton — *Photo Credit: NBC History Hub*

Linda Touw, Ms Beaton’s daughter, attended the celebration of her mother’s passion.

The North Narrabeen resident said that her mum “happily endorsed” the construction of the second building knowing it will provide more space for books, learning, and enrichment.

“With two children at primary school, (Olive) came to realise how important a library was to the whole community. Warringah Shire Library was so far to reach after school and it was even more difficult without a car,” Ms Touw said.

“Mum’s contribution to the establishment of the library was commemorated in a tree-planting ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of the new building,” she added.

Serving the Community

Now home to 44,500 collections, including media and audiobooks, the Mona Vale Library has been a huge benefit to the Pittwater community.

In 2021 alone, the library has loaned over 142,000 items and hosted nearly a hundred Storytime sessions for the children. It has consistently hosted reading groups, movie clubs, and other community activities.

Mona Vale Library 2004 — *Photo Credit: NBC History Hub*

During COVID-19 lockdowns, the library still provided service with home deliveries and drop-off borrowing. In recent times, its popularity has resurged with students and parents.

The Mona Vale Library has seen some changes in its 50 years, including the opening of a bigger second building in 2004. The main building is now the Customer Service Centre.

The Mona Vale Library is open seven days a week. Phone 02 8495 5024 for enquiries.

Sydney’s Super Ambulance Project Almost Complete Months After Mona Vale Site Opens

Editor’s Note: This article has been edited for accuracy and clarity. The Mona Vale facility is a traditional ambulance station, not a super ambulance station.

Did you know that the planned super ambulance stations under the Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy program are now almost complete? The final site in Central Sydney had its sod-turning ceremony recently, nearly six months after a new, traditional ambulance station in Mona Vale went live.

In May 2021, NSW Ambulance unveiled the new Mona Vale ambulance stationwithin the redeveloped Mona Vale Hospital campus following years of planning and construction work. The traditional ambulance station in Mona Vale is part of a series of constructions that include super ambulance stations located in Caringbah, Kogarah, Blacktown, Liverpool, Bankstown, Penrith, Artarmon, Northmead, Randwick, Haberfield, and Glebe. The last super ambulance station, located in Central Sydney, is expected to finish construction by 2023.

During the planning stages for the Mona Vale ambulance station, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes told residents that the emergency services facility will have the capacity to deliver helicopter services and other transport linkages to the Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest and the Royal North Shore Hospital in St Leonards.

“When you look at figures over the last decade, the reality of ambulance transport is it goes to North Shore hospital,” Mr Stokes said. “This will actually make it easier to have an ambulance take you to the even closer Northern Beaches Hospital. It is a significant improvement on what we have at the moment.”

Work on the site was simultaneously done with the Randwick super ambulance station. The NSW Government invested $184 million into the SAMIS network.

“With all the new superstations and Paramedic Response Points, there will now be 55 operational facilities across metro Sydney to respond to emergencies,” NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan said.

The Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy (SAMIS) program covers:

• Ten superstations were completed at Bankstown, Blacktown, Kogarah, Liverpool, Penrith, Northmead, Artarmon, Caringbah, Haberfield, Randwick
• a traditional station at Mona Vale
• another superstation under construction in Central Sydney
• Seven PRPs completed at Kellyville, Mortdale, Bonnyrigg, Quakers Hill, Roselands, Leppington and Holroyd
• Fit-out of two Sector Offices at Werrington and Mascot

Mona Vale Couple Shares Free E-Books for Kids for the Lockdown

Since most establishments, including libraries, are closed during the Sydney lockdown, a couple from Mona Vale has generously shared free e-books online for parents to read to their children during this trying period.

Chris and Kate Stead, a pair of Mona Vale parents with young kids, have written over 20 children’s books together, including one insightful and timely story about COVID-19.

In Superheroes Wear Masks, the Stead couple imparts ways to let the children understand why people have to wear this protective gear and, in the process, appease their anxieties about the pandemic.

Chris and Kate have also created activity books and picture books for the children to while their time away as they stay cooped indoors. The couple first shared their creations for free in 2020, when the Northern Beaches was the hotspot for virus transmission.

Their e-books for kids are released via their own publishing house, Old Mate Media. They are available for free for a limited time. Parents can download the e-books on the official site and follow their Facebook page for updates and other offers.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council*

Meanwhile, adult bookworms in Mona Vale and the Northern Beaches LGU may also check out books during the lockdown, which will be conveniently delivered to their homes. The Northern Beaches Council has re-activated Library2U, which has expanded its collection with more books for all ages.

To take advantage of this service, Northern Beaches residents may download the library app. The service will remain in place amidst the extension of the stay-at-home orders in Sydney.

Organic Food Market: Popular Mona Vale Attraction Here to Stay

The weekly Organic Food Market that offers the Mona Vale community a wide variety of goods and produce is here to stay.

Following a final decision by the independent Northern Beaches Planning Panel, the Organic Food Market — which relocated to Mona Vale from French’s Forest in 2019 — will be able to remain and continue operating in their new home until 2024, where they will have to make another application to stay.

Earlier in 2019, the Organic Food Market from French’s Forest was forced to pack up and relocate after 25 years of being hosted in the same location — the car park of a local pub. The site had to be cleared to make room for new developments, leading to the demolishing of Parkway Hotel to build a new pub on top of a Dan Murphy’s liquor store.

Following their cancellation, the future of the market was uncertain. Later in the year, they had announced that they will be reopening 15 kilometres away in Mona Vale, specifically north of the Pittwater RSL car park on a trial basis.

Despite the Organic Food Market being set up as a mere trial, it managed to garner thousands of visitors who flock to the grounds every Sunday morning. In fact, the market still draws crowds to this day, allowing customers to purchase a variety of goods including fruits and vegetables, bread, and even have their children partake in bouncy castles.

The market can be found at Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those interested in learning more can visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning the market and produce available.