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Avalon Workshop: New Creative Space Sets March 2021 Opening

Do you need a venue for your creative workshops, crafts classes, dance rehearsals, talks and other activities? For groups with less than 14 people, the Avalon Workshop might just be the space for you! Early bird bookings are already underway before the site officially opens.

The Avalon Workshop will hold the Open Day on Saturday and Sunday, 6 to 7 March 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for its two workshop spaces and studio.

Located at the lower level of the Avalon Golf Clubhouse, the rooms are up for lease for six to 18 months. The spaces also have access to lockable storage cupboards, sinks, a kitchenette, tables, chairs and high-speed Wi-Fi.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council*

Following extensive 18-month consultations with residents, more than 80 percent of the Avalon Beach community agreed that the function space at the golf course could become a creative hub, where people could meet up, practice, or develop their skills, as well as engage in people with similar interests and inspiration.

The Avalon Workshop is an addition to the range of creative spaces around the Northern Beaches, including North Curl Curl Creative Space and the Manly Art Gallery and Museum.

Interested to rent the space? Avalon Workshop bookings are done online or you may also email creative@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au or call 02 8495 5123 for expression of interest and enquiries.

PURPOSE	RATES
Workshop hire	$25 per hour
Studio hire	$60 per week (open for 12-18 month hire agreement)
Creative Program Concession	$20
Creative Program	$30 (up to 3 hours) $40 (3-4 hours) $50 (4-6 hours)

Why The Johnsons of Mitre 10 are an Avalon Institution

Anyone who has lived in Avalon in the last 70 years knows a Johnson or has heard of The Johnsons, the Mitre 10 family business on Avalon Parade. The store has been around since 1957 and continues to serve the community even today.

Brothers John and Bob Johnson opened their Avalon hardware store after moving to Freshwater from Rydalmere. Building their reputation as credible and reliable businessmen, whose service and expertise was unmatched, the Johnsons opened a second store in Mona Vale in 1989.

By 2003, the brothers expanded their Mona Vale operations and soon took over 10 Hardwoods Australia outlets.

The expansion and incorporation were renamed into JBH Timbers and Building Supplies with the Mona Vale outlet becoming a “one-stop shop,” boasting of a wide product range like timber, hardware, tools, plumbing, fixings and all kinds of houseware, electrical and gardening items.

The Johnsons moved to a bigger and better site in Mona Vale, which has a separate retail and trade section, a heavy hardware area, an outdoor department and over 150 parking spots.

Meanwhile, the original Avalon outlet continues to trade the basic hardware and household needs in its most accessible and familiar location.

In the midst of their success, John and Bob found their partners, got married and had children. All 10 of John’s sons and daughters, as well as his in-laws, are working in the family business. Bob’s 10 children are also involved in some capacity at the Johnson Bros Hardware empire.

John and Bob are no longer hands-on with the business after retiring a few years back. Their children have taken over, learning from their parents’ training after school, or the weekends and school holidays.

The Johnsons are not just prominent figures in the Avalon business community. They are also involved in local sporting clubs and surf lifesaving clubs.

Watch the story of The Johnsons, an Avalon institution, in the below video:

Avalon Property Market Picks Up Despite COVID Cluster

The pandemic hasn’t deterred investors from seeking property in Avalon Beach despite the area becoming Australia’s COVID hotspot in recent months. The latest figures show that house prices in this Northern Beaches neighbourhood jumped to 22.4 percent in the last quarter of 2020.

According to realestate.com.au, Avalon’s new median house price has risen to $2.3 million from $1.885 million during the same time period in 2020. House trades reached 157 for 2020 to current, with more than a dozen deals closed in December when a virus cluster emerged in the suburbs and Avalon was under a tight lockdown.

Realtors think that Avalon’s response to the virus threat made it more attractive to prospective buyers as the community followed the rules, made responsible decisions and rallied to curb the spread for good.

Thus, inquiries about properties in this beach suburb continue to attract buyers looking for a lifestyle home with an “increased sense of urgency,” according to James Baker of McGrath Avalon. Even the rental market is on the upswing as people look for space and properties in a less crowded neighbourhood whilst working from home.

Avalon has always appealed as a quintessential lifestyle destination. Now, people want to stick around and snap up a holiday home for a change in scenery.

Avalon Beach Reserve Now an Off-Leash Dog Park

The Northern Beaches Council has unanimously approved Avalon Beach Reserve to be a permanent off-leash dog park.

Both the Council and Mayor Michael Regan agreed that finding a balance is a must between the interests of the park users living nearby with those dog owners who want more areas to be more canine-friendly.

After receiving extensive community engagement, Council decided to make the northern section of the Avalon Beach Reserve an off-leash dog park. Other measures approved during the April 2019 meeting included putting up fences, new seating structures, extra landscaping, signages, bins, and drinking fountains throughout the said area.

The Council also responded to widespread community feedback regarding the overall maintenance of the dog park. Residents emphasised the need to keep the area maintained to a high standard, with regular ranger visits to the site.

Dog Water Parks

Dogs Swimming — *Photo credit: CCO Public Domain/ eyeImage/ Pixabay*

After Council’s approval of the Avalon Beach Reserve, up next would be the proposed off-leash area is the Station Beach at Palm Beach. However, more discussions will still be needed before this proposal can be considered for approval due to the growing tension between the proponents and residents who wish to keep things the way they are.

To ease the tension, Deputy Mayor Sue Heins called on the Council to look more closely into the introduction of dog water parks instead.

As a compromise between dog owners and residents who do not want dogs on the beach, adding water features and pools specifically designed for dogs on majority (if not all) of the approved off-leash parks was strongly suggested.

A number of Palm Beach residents have supported this idea since this seems easier to manage and more cost-effective rather than putting the open beach at risk for contamination.

Given the suggestion and support from the community, the Council officers have tabled the possibility of having dog water parks for further discussion.

Council Names Avalon Local Paris Jeffcoat as ‘Young Citizen of the Year’

Northern Beaches Council named Avalon local Paris Jeffcoat as its “Young Citizen of the Year” during Australia Day. She was one of 18 other individuals honoured and celebrated at this special event last January 2019.

Ms Jeffcoat was recognised for establishing One Eighty Avalon Inc., a non-profit youth suicide prevention organisation. Bothered by at least three incidents of suicide among the people she knew, Ms Jeffcoat created the charity to push for the improvement of mental health awareness and services in the Northern Beaches.

Two years after setting up One Eighty with her friend and fellow Avalon resident Leanne Westlake, Ms Jeffcoat and her group were able to establish training, workshops, events and counselling programs in Avalon and nearby suburbs.

One Eighty works other advocacy groups such as the Avalon Youth Hub, Lifeline and Gotcha4Life in carrying out their programs. Ms Jeffcoat was also able to tap the help of the Council, Northern Sydney Health and concerned non-profit organisations connected to mental health support.

“The lacking visibility and accessibility of youth mental health services in our area, the anger at losing too many friends to mental illness, and the poor representation of young people in the development and implementation of mental health care services were factors,” Ms Jeffcoat said of her motivation in a press release.

“One Eighty is youth mental health done differently. We’re approaching the issue from a young person’s perspective, which is really unique, and that allows us to best engage with the people we are trying to help.”

NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes also acknowledged the contribution of One Eighty to the Northern Beaches community. He commended the group for its objectives, passion and enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the other individuals named for the invaluable contributions to Northen Beaches included Graham Whittaker (Narraweena), a juvenile custody mentor, as Citizen of the Year; Maureen Rutlidge (Elanora Heights), an adults with special needs mentor, as Senior Citizen of the Year; and Reece Hodge as Sportsperson of the Year.

Fifteen residents, on the other hand, were also awarded the Outstanding Service Awards:

Allambie Heights – Geoff McKay
Belrose – Ralph Schubert
Collaroy – James Cowan
Collaroy Plateau – Joan Reid
Collaroy Plateau – Rowena Graham
Elanora Heights – Helen Hines
Elvina Bay – Mick Miller
Fairlight – Harriet Spark
Forestville – Peter Watson
Frenchs Forest – Peter Dean
Manly – Diana Aitken
Manly – Eli Demeny
Manly – Helen Pook
Manly – Robert Owen Carlon
Warriewood – Vivian Dunstan

Avalon Beach Boat Trailer Parking Permanently Banned on Barrenjoey Road

Boat trailers not in use will no longer be permitted to park on the stretch of Barrenjoey Road in Avalon Beach. The Northern Beaches Council announced that this is one of the 11 streets in its jurisdiction which must comply with the new boat parking rule.

Last year, the Council laid out a trial run to prevent boat trailers from taking up parking spaces on busy streets. After six months, the trial run has become permanent following a successful result.

“We are getting an increasing number of complaints from residents fed up with trailers and boats taking up most of the parking next to playgrounds, parks, and fields and rarely being moved,” Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan told the press in a statement.

“The trial has resulted in the relocation of all trailers at the 11 designated problem areas with 30 per cent not returning to the area again and the remaining 70 per cent relocating to adjoining streets or nearby reserves,” Mr Regan added.

Aside from Barrenjoey Road in Avalon, below are the other areas around the Northern Beaches where boat parking will be permanently prohibited. The ruling is effective in March 2019.

Aitken Reserve, Queenscliff
Allambie Road, Allambie Heights
Balgowlah Road, Fairlight
Bassett Street, Mona Vale
Harbord Park, Freshwater
Jacka Park, Freshwater
John Fisher Park, North Curl Curl
Kenneth Road, Manly Vale
Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen
Richmond Avenue, Dee Why

The Council may add more streets to the initial 11 sites. Plans to set up a trailer parking permit and payment system with a third-party parking operator are also in consideration.

Paddle Up at Clareville Beach in Avalon

Enjoy the great outdoors and learn how to use a paddle board at Tony Henry’s Avalon Stand Up Paddle today.

Are you looking for a new sport or hobby? Why not try paddle boarding at the tranquil waters of Clareville Beach, where you’ll find one of the best paddle schools around Sydney, Tony Henry’s Avalon Stand Up Paddle.

What is Stand Up Paddle

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is a combination of exercise and leisurely paddle on a Sydney beach atop a Stand-Up Paddle board. Compared to surfing, paddle boarding is very stable and easier to manipulate. This makes this sport easy to learn and master regardless of a person’s fitness level and age. Overall, Stand Up Paddle can help take away stress, and given its physical benefits, it will surely make a person look and feel at his or her best.

Tony Henry’s Avalon Stand Up Paddle

Tony Henry’s Avalon Stand Up Paddle is an accredited SUP school in Avalon. The school is dedicated to teaching and helping out all its students to learn the sport from the best instructors in order for them to enjoy and easily paddle on the beautiful Clareville Beach.

Aside from paddle boarding, other facilities at Tony Henry’s Avalon SUP include picnic tables and chairs, electric barbecues, outdoor showers, toilet facilities, and viewing platform.

Check out the lessons being offered at Tony Henry’s Avalon SUP:

SUP Experience

A ‘taster’ session that is open for new SUPers who have not yet tried nor completed an SUP private or public lesson.
Fee is at $ 50. This includes a beach-based orientation for the board and rider safety, and it is followed by instructions and a short practice time on the water.
SUP Experience is only available during low wind conditions and favourable tides.

Individual 60 Minute Lesson

This is a comprehensive one-on-one lesson for beginners that covers all necessary skills and knowledge required to paddle safely on enclosed waters.
Aside from the 60 minutes of individual lessons, students get to have a free paddle time on water to hone their new skill.
An individual lesson cost $ 90.

Paddle Groups

Paddle Group Sessions run all year round. It is scheduled every Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.
Paddle group sessions also includes extra core strengthening and cardiovascular workout. These are needed for stamina building since the duration of the group paddle session is between 60 to 90 minutes and from 5 to 7 kilometres.
A SUP Experience is needed before joining one of the paddle group sessions.
The costs for joining a paddle group are $ 30 with board rental, and $ 15 for those who can bring their own paddle board.

Aside from these SUP lessons, Tony Henry’s Avalon SUP also offers special lessons namely, Twilight Paddle Tours and SUP Yoga. Click here to know more about all their offered lessons.

What are you waiting for? Experience the many pleasures of Stand Up Paddle today at the beautiful Clareville Beach by booking a lesson at Tony Henry’s Avalon SUP.

Top-Rated Restaurants Near Avalon

Find the best restaurants in and around Avalon, based on customer reviews.

What’s On Avalon Beach RSL Club

Photo credit: Avalon Beach RSL Club/ Facebook

The Avalon Beach RSL Club prides itself for their wide range of activities that is suitable for members and guests of all demographics. Come and visit the club for a fun and stress-free day!

Know more about the upcoming events happening at Avalon Beach RSL Club.

Top Events In Avalon

Looking for fun and interesting things to do? Check out upcoming events happening in and around Avalon, NSW.