Locana Cullen stole the spotlight at the Oz Grom Open, landing a perfect 10 to win the Under-16 boys final at Lennox Head. The event wrapped with competitors battling through barely one-foot surf.
Where others struggled, Cullen found flow, linking a crisp forehand snap straight into an air-reverse. Judges rewarded it with the only perfect score of the comp. He backed it up with an 8.67, sealing a dominant 18.67 total and the title.
Growing Up in Avalon
Cullen, who lives in Avalon Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, has been surfing most of his life. Inspired by his older siblings, he started catching waves before he was out of nappies. He’s become a well-known face at local surf comps and is recognised for his quick turns, stylish airs and calm mindset under pressure.
Community surf programs, regular training and support from family and coaches have helped shape Cullen’s growth as both an athlete and team player. At just 14, he’s already made a name for himself on the national stage with past wins in events like the Rip Curl GromSearch and the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp.
A Standout Performance
The Oz Grom Open is part of Surfing Australia’s junior series and draws the best young talent from across the country. Cullen’s performance at Lennox Head didn’t just earn him the win, it also pushed him higher on the Junior Series rankings. The final was especially tough due to the surf, but Cullen’s wave choice and execution stood out from the start.
According to Surfing Australia’s event coverage, the win had a clear effect on the season leaderboard, putting Cullen in a strong spot heading into the final leg of the series. His results could also play a key role in national team selection later this year.
Looking Ahead
Cullen’s win at Lennox follows a strong run, including a close second at the 2024 Australian Junior Titles in the Under-14 boys division. That narrow loss appeared to drive his focus this season.
He’s since trained at surf camps in California and Portugal, building skill in aerials and tough conditions. With Lennox behind him, he edges closer to a shot at representing Australia on the world stage.
Avalon has been included in a new series of alcohol-free zones across the Northern Beaches, aimed at reducing street drinking and related anti-social behaviour.
NBC, in consultation with NSW Police, reviewed all existing alcohol-free zones (AFZs) across the area ahead of their staggered expiry dates between August 2025 and June 2026. This review sought to identify which zones should be re-established, altered, or discontinued based on current community needs and behavioural patterns.
The public exhibition period ran from 21 March to 27 April 2025, during which 193 submissions were received. Feedback informed a report presented at the NBC meeting on 15 July 2025, where officials endorsed the revised list of AFZs.
As part of the update, an AFZ was established in Avalon covering the town centre and surrounding roads. Specific areas include Old Barrenjoey Road from The Crescent to the intersection with Barrenjoey Road, continuing south along Barrenjoey Road and east along Avalon Parade.
This decision aligns Avalon with other newly designated zones including Collaroy, Mona Vale, and two sections of Newport, and is set to be in place from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2029.
Ongoing Zones and Locations Removed
Six zones were re-established, including Narrabeen (Pittwater Road between Ocean Street and the lagoon bridge, plus the Wellington Street carpark) and nearby Church Point. In contrast, eight zones—such as those in Belrose, Cromer, Forestville, and a second Freshwater area—were not renewed due to decreased incident reports or non-compliance with updated criteria under the Ministerial Guidelines for Alcohol-Free Zones.
Public feedback on the AFZ expansion was divided. Some community members supported the zones as effective tools to manage alcohol-related incidents and maintain the safety of public spaces. Others raised concerns about over-regulation and the perceived restriction of public freedoms.
The established and re-established zones across the Northern Beaches, including Avalon, will remain in effect until August 2029. NBC and police will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures, using incident data and complaints to assess future needs.
The Avalon Bulldogs have celebrated a historic double on their home turf, with long-time coach Brian “Friendly” Friend marking 50 years guiding junior footy players, and club mainstay Kurt Stevenson running out for his 350th game in front of a packed community crowd at Hitchcock Park.
On Saturday, June 21, over 1,000 people gathered at Hitchcock Park in Avalon to celebrate Brian “Friendly” Friend’s 50 years of junior footy coaching. The event also marked Kurt Stevenson’s 350th game for the Avalon Bulldogs during their Round 9 win over the Asquith Magpies.
The 34–14 victory kept the team on top of the Sunday Gold Competition ladder. Friend began coaching in 1975 when his son needed a coach and has since guided players from Under 6s to Under 14s. Volunteers estimate he’s led more than 2,000 training sessions and supported over 1,500 young athletes.
Local Recognition and Support
The celebration brought together community members and local leaders, including Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby, who presented Brian Friend with a formal recognition from the NSW Parliament. The statement praised his decades of service and commitment to youth sport.
Friend’s impact extends beyond the Avalon Bulldogs, having helped run junior football programs that have welcomed hundreds of local kids. He’s widely respected for teaching the game’s fundamentals while promoting fairness, respect and inclusion.
A Club Built on Loyalty
Kurt Stevenson’s 350th game was a major highlight of the day, celebrating his long-standing loyalty to the Avalon Bulldogs. His milestone came during the A-Grade team’s win over Asquith, cheered on by families and junior players.
Stevenson represents the club’s strong culture of commitment and community spirit. While juniors remain central to the Bulldogs, senior players like Stevenson inspire the next generation.
The Bulldog Spirit Continues
The Avalon Bulldogs remain a strong part of Sydney’s northern beaches, known for both their on-field success and deep community ties. Events like this highlight how local sport brings people together and celebrates shared achievements.
For Brian Friend, the day was a moment to reflect on the many young players he’s mentored over the years. For the community, it was a chance to thank someone who has given so much. The celebration captured the spirit that has kept the club thriving for generations.
Babylon House, an Avalon castle that has captured imaginations for more than seven decades, has claimed two prestigious awards at the recent NSW Architecture Awards, cementing its status as one of Sydney’s most extraordinary homes.
It won two awards: The John Verge Award for Interior Architecture and the award for Alterations and Additions, recognising the masterful restoration and expansion that has brought this iconic structure into the modern era.
The property, which locals have long dubbed ‘The Castle’ due to its fortress-like appearance, sits dramatically on Bilgola Plateau between Pittwater and Avalon Beach. Built in the early 1950s by architect Edwin Kingsberry, the house was originally christened Götterdämmerung – a reference to Wagner’s Ring Cycle that reflected the opera-loving architect’s theatrical sensibilities.
The property’s colourful past reads like something from a novel. It was the opera devotee architect Edwin Kingsberry’s idea, who sold the land on the condition he could build exactly the house he envisioned. The arrangement became more complicated when Kingsberry began a relationship with the buyer’s wife, adding an element of scandal to the home’s early years.
During the 1960s and 70s, the house gained notoriety as a bohemian gathering place, with the owners’ son – a member of the Bilgola Bop Band – hosting legendary parties that attracted Sydney’s creative crowd. Among those who climbed the property’s distinctive stone steps during this era was interior designer Fiona Spence, who would decades later become the home’s current owner.
Spence and her husband, former concert production manager Morris Lyda, purchased the deteriorating property in 2015. Despite its neglected state, they recognised the potential to restore its unique character while adapting it for contemporary living.
The couple engaged Casey Brown Architecture’s Rob Brown to lead the restoration, which proved to be an exercise in balancing respect for the original architecture with practical modern needs. The project required sensitive handling of the building’s eclectic mix of styles – combining modernist elements with what architectural circles term the ‘Sydney School’ approach.
The restoration began with essential infrastructure improvements, including the installation of a cable car system to ease access from a new solar-powered carport and the careful restoration of the property’s dramatic stone steps with handcrafted wrought-iron handrails.
The existing three-storey structure, complete with its unusual trapdoor entrance to a basement bathroom, underwent comprehensive renovation. Workers repointed the sandstone walls, restored the central fireplace, and replaced the extensive roof system that spans multiple wings and outdoor areas.
Among the most striking new elements is a four-metre pivoting wall in the east wing and a guillotine-style steel shutter that dramatically separates the bar area from the terrace. However, the project’s most significant addition was an entirely new southern wing housing bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe, study and powder room.
This new section showcases perhaps the most innovative aspect of the renovation – its integration with the natural landscape. Rather than removing the site’s massive boulders and established trees, the architects built around them, allowing living rock to extend into the interior spaces.
The flooring throughout the new areas represents a particularly personal touch from Spence, who designed intricate terrazzo surfaces embedded with recycled marble and granite pieces. Drawing inspiration from Canberra’s Monster Kitchen and Bar and the original bathroom, she arranged the stone elements like an abstract artwork before the terrazzo was poured around them.
The material palette throughout celebrates both old and new, featuring black-painted ceilings and Tasmanian blackwood walls that Spence treated with a custom vinegar-and-steel-wool solution to achieve a distinctive ‘pickled’ finish.
Now called Babylon is a residential property built over four levels on a sheltered promontory west of Avalon Beach, and the completed renovation has attracted significant attention from the architecture community. Beyond its recent NSW Architecture Awards success, the project has also been shortlisted for this year’s Houses Awards in the alteration and addition under 200 square metres category.
The recognition reflects not only the technical achievement of the restoration but also the way it has preserved and enhanced a building that has long held a special place in the Northern Beaches community’s imagination.
For residents of Avalon and the broader peninsula, Babylon House represents both a connection to the area’s creative past and an inspiring example of how thoughtful renovation can breathe new life into architecturally significant buildings while respecting their essential character.
The property’s journey from Kingsberry’s operatic vision through its bohemian heyday to its current incarnation as an award-winning family home demonstrates the enduring appeal of bold architectural choices and the importance of owners who understand the responsibility that comes with stewarding such unique properties.
n the corner of Careel Head Road in Avalon Beach, the small, much-loved Careel Shopping Village has become the centre of a local storm. Plans to knock down the ageing cluster of shops and replace them with a two-storey building, featuring a Dan Murphy’s on the ground floor and a childcare centre just above it, have stirred up a wave of opposition among residents who say this is not what Avalon needs.
The plan, officially lodged as DA2024/1091, is still under review, with submissions open until 28 July. But for many locals, the debate isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about what kind of place Avalon should be.
One Village, Two Stories
For decades, Careel Shopping Village has been a quiet stop for locals. It’s a place to grab a coffee, chat with neighbours and support small, family-run shops. Many residents say they were open to the idea of an upgrade. But when they heard that part of the plan included a 500-square-metre Dan Murphy’s liquor store right beneath a new early childhood education centre, the mood shifted quickly.
Locals worry that families dropping children off at daycare will now have to walk past racks of alcohol signs and delivery trucks unloading boxes of spirits and wine.
One resident wrote to Council, saying it just doesn’t make sense to mix young children and alcohol in one building. He’s not alone. Dozens of Avalon Beach residents have sent similar messages, urging the Council to reject the plan.
Others fear the change will push the quiet corner into chaos. They talk about the intersection where Careel Head Road meets busy Barrenjoey Road — already known to flood when it rains and clog with cars during beach season. With parents dropping off children, delivery trucks for the bottle shop and more cars fighting for parking, some say the streets could become dangerous for kids and pedestrians alike.
A traffic report backs this up. The Council’s own engineer stated that the current traffic plan doesn’t adequately mitigate risks, particularly when delivery trucks and family cars share the same narrow driveways.
Health Experts Warn of Long-Term Harm
While residents argue over traffic and parking, health experts are focused on what the kids inside the centre might see. NSW Health’s Northern Sydney Local Health District says the plan is a step backwards for community health. Avalon Beach already has higher rates of alcohol-related harm than other parts of NSW. Placing young children so close to daily alcohol advertising, they warn, could normalise drinking at an early age.
Their report points out that there are already four other bottle shops within Avalon Beach, so adding another big outlet doesn’t make sense if the goal is to reduce alcohol harm.
Design Panel Echoes Community Fears
The Council’s design panel took a close look at the project, too. They agreed that the plan doesn’t protect families enough. They raised alarms about flood risks to the basement car park meant for childcare drop-offs. They also pointed out that the building’s layout does little to separate the bottle shop from the childcare entrance, something they say must change to make it safer for families.
Photo Credit: DA2024/1091
A Local Identity at Risk
Many residents say the issue goes beyond just this site. Avalon is known for its small shops, surf breaks and a strong sense of local character. People here say they’re not against change; they just want change that fits. For them, the idea of dropping their kids off at daycare and walking past a major bottle shop feels wrong and out of place.
Photo Credit: DA2024/1091
The developer insists the childcare centre will have a separate lift and entrance to keep kids away from the bottle shop. They say they are following all planning rules because the alcohol is sold packaged, not drunk on site.
But the pushback shows no signs of fading. Residents and health experts are still lodging submissions, hoping Council will hear their message: Avalon wants improvements, but not at the cost of its community feel.
We’ve combed Avalon Beach, Bilgola Beach, Bilgola Plateau, Clareville, and Whale Beach for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!
Haruna J ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Such a nice vibe and friendly staff! They serve amazing batch brew and hand-drip coffee as well. The food and desserts were super tasty! See you soon!
Juliana A ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Had a very nice family brunch here. The latte art was spectacular (give extra happiness 😊), and the Balinese kwe tiau goreng was especially delicious. Great service and friendly atmostphere! Highly recommend 👍
Flora N ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good food, great atmosphere and friendly staff for a Friday brunch!
Jo-ann ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 star. We had a luncheon with friends, table for 4, end December. Such a beautiful experience on the eye, the palate & the surrounds. Delicious. I used to come here 20 years ago, same place, different hosts now. It lived up to its reputation of a gorgeous & humble place to dine. The stylish service was excellent, friendly & knowledgeable. The wine list has a simplicity of selection, yet a good selection & perfectly paired with the menu. Lovely to stroll on Clareville Beach after lunch. A treat for us to finish off the end of a year & bring in a new one.
Linda M ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon enjoying the degustation menu with wine pairing. Absolutely outstanding! Cooper’s menu is original and exquisite. All the staff are very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. We suspect they’re all sommeliers. Fantastic place for a celebration or an intimate meal. Highly recommend this wonderful little restaurant.
Dean J ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Went to the Clareville for a Saturday lunch and could not have enjoyed it more. Staff were amazing, the food was delicious and the wine was perfect. Went for a walk along the beach afterwards and head home feeling very relaxed. Can’t wait to find an excuse to do it again.
Danielle M ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The most amazing, authentic Mexican food you will ever try. Staff are so lovely and friendly, always making sure you’re happy. Not to mention that the atmosphere is lively and has a traditional Mexican style. The guacamole, empanadas, barramundi tacos and birria tacos MUST be tried! We will definitely be returning soon.
Jorge U ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It was my first time at this Mexican Restaurant. It was for my wedding anniversary and I must say that I got very impressed with the quality and tasty food. It was beyond my expectations. We had a 5 course meal tasting and the dishes were so well presented and tasty that it completed change my mind about Mexican Food in a good way. All the flavours mixed in such way that made a perfect balance. You can’t miss this amazing Alma Restaurant at Avalon Beach. I don’t have enough words to describe it. And what about the staff??? Simply unsurpassed!! Really friendly staff. The atmosphere and decoration invites to enjoy this great experience. Very well located at the heart of Avalon Beach. Opens till late. I will definitely come back again soon.
Axel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great place for a special occasion, food was lovely and prices were reasonable. Service was great, table was given a free desert because of a birthday. Would recommend reserving as there is limited seating options
Michael S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nice place in Avalon! Food was nice flavour, and staff were friendly. Food looked good….
Sabina U ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sunset Diner was a great find. The burgers were delicious and the staff were warm and attentive. They even offered us a complimentary drink while we waited, which was a really nice touch. Would happily come back next time we’re in the area.
Kaz N ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A big shout out to the new manager, Yasmin, who really made our experience so nice. Big smiles with a ‘can do’ attitude who moved tables so we could all sit together outside. She is positive, passionate and professional. A real credit to herself and to the Sunset Diner.
Krishna S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Really nice place with great food. We had the chicken tacos and they were so tasty. Everything on the menu looked good too. If you’re nearby, this is definitely the place to stop and eat. We’ll be back for sure! 💯
Chica & Lavalle ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hola 👋 Fernando!!! Absolutely amazing food. Worth every penny and driving from The Hills to Avalon!!! I tried the Pan con Chorizo plus the Chimichurri sauce and Huancaina sauce delicious 😋 definitely coming back🤩Gracias Fernando!!!
Bruno S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Everything from the coffee to the food is perfect. Delicious coffee, bacon and eggs in the morning, the best burgers and salads for lunch. A local legend. This guy is the real deal!
Despite widespread local belief that authorities make substantial profits from ‘renting’ public spaces, government regulations strictly limit the fees councils can charge film productions, a reality brought into focus by recent disruptions at Avalon Beach.
The partial closure of the beach in April for filming ignited heated community discussions, revealing a divide over the balance between public access and economic benefits.
The Avalon Beach Incident
On Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the northern end of Avalon Beach was partially closed to accommodate filming for ‘Place to Be’, an indie drama by Hungarian filmmaker Kornél Mundruczó. Local residents attempting to access sections of the beach or the north Avalon car park were reportedly turned away by security personnel employed by the production crew.
This restriction angered some locals, who voiced accusations of foreign movie producers “abusing Aussie generosity” and concerns that Council was making “huge money” from public spaces.
Community Reaction Divided
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The incident sparked strong reactions both locally and online. Some residents expressed deep frustration, asserting that the beaches belonged to the community and criticising the inconvenience, including reports of film trucks occupying parking spaces near a Montessori school, which some viewed as posing a safety risk for children.
Conversely, other community members dismissed the complaints as overreactions, suggesting that a partial closure for just one day was a minor inconvenience and that those upset were acting like “spoilt rich overprivileged brats.” Many welcomed the film crews, highlighting the jobs created within the performing arts sector and the overall contribution to the local economy.
Council’s Stance on Filming Fees
Northern Beaches Council has clarified that it cannot use film productions as a major source of revenue. Council reported earning approximately $230,000 from about 400 photography and filming applications in the 2023/2024 financial year, which excludes charges for parking or traffic management.
Under NSW’s Local Government Filming Protocol, the act of filming itself does not attract a fee; instead, councils can only recover specific costs such as application processing or traffic management plan assessments, typically ranging from $100 to $300. Council also stated that exclusive use of public venues is rare, granted only under strict conditions with extensive notification.
For the ‘Place to Be’ production, Council confirmed that while screens and security were approved for the northern section of the beach due to the sensitive nature of filming, the rest of Avalon Beach remained accessible, and pedestrian access paths from the car park were maintained. Residents and businesses in the vicinity were notified about the temporary restrictions.
State Push for Film Production
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The NSW government actively promotes increasing film production across the state. Regulations include a presumption that councils will grant rather than reject film project approvals, with rejection only permitted under “exceptional circumstances.” NSW Arts Minister John Graham last year indicated a desire to cut red tape to make NSW more appealing to producers, aiming to streamline logistics, improve traffic management, and ease road closure processes.
The protocol stipulates that councils cannot charge fees for the use of open space itself, and higher fees cannot be imposed for frequently filmed locations. However, if public land use extends beyond three days or significantly disrupts public access, film productions are expected to provide some form of compensation to Council.
The Northern Beaches area has a long history as a popular filming location, having hosted productions such as 1979’s ‘Tim’ starring Mel Gibson, Bryan Brown’s ‘Palm Beach’ in 2019, and more recently US productions ‘The Fall Guy’ and ‘Anyone But You’. The local soap opera ‘Home and Away’ has filmed at Palm Beach since 1988.
A notable past controversy involved a proposal in the late 1990s by producers of the US surf soap ‘Baywatch’ to film extensively at Avalon Beach, which was strongly opposed by residents and ultimately did not proceed. Council acknowledges that production companies filming in the area support the local economy, promote the region, and generate funds directed towards projects that benefit local residents. Council’s aim is to balance the impact of filming on residents with these wider community advantages.
A development proposal for a Dan Murphy’s liquor store and a childcare centre in Careel Bay has triggered widespread backlash, with residents warning it could bring traffic chaos, flooding risks and a clash of community values to the heart of Avalon Beach.
The $10 million plan, listed as DA2024/1091, proposes replacing the Careel Bay shopping village with a two-storey retail and childcare complex. It includes underground and street-level parking, and is now before the NSW Land and Environment Court after bypassing council. Of 127 public submissions, 126 opposed the project.
Locals are alarmed by plans to pair a 500-square-metre Dan Murphy’s with a 78-place childcare centre, arguing it’s an unsuitable mix for a family-focused area.
One submission compared the proposal to “children’s TV with gambling ads,” while others warned it would hurt small businesses and erode Avalon’s village character.
Flood Risk and Traffic Pressures
Careel Bay’s flood risk is a key concern, with the site sitting below the AHD 4.9 flood level. Council notes confirm it’s in a low to medium flood zone with coastal hazards.
Residents say the development would worsen traffic at Careel Head and Barrenjoey roads, with access points likely to add congestion during peak times. Transport for NSW may also require the Barrenjoey Road exit to be closed.
Safety and Amenity Under Scrutiny
Council notes from late 2023 flagged design and safety issues, including shared lift access between the bottle shop and childcare centre, poor pedestrian safety, and minimal setbacks. The building’s scale was seen as out of step with Avalon’s low-density, coastal character.
Residents cite a past development nearby that left an open excavation for years, causing water issues and safety risks. They fear this project could follow the same path.
Council Advice: Redesign Needed
Northern Beaches Council recommended a full redesign, calling for separate childcare access, better landscaping, and smaller building mass. Planners said the mix of uses doesn’t suit the surrounding low-density homes and nearby recreation areas.
Despite lacking council approval, the application is now before the court. For many Avalon residents, the plan doesn’t reflect the needs or values of the Careel Bay community.
Emergency services were called to Buyuma Place, Avalon Beach, off Catalpa Avenue, just after 7:15 PM on May 1. NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station, and NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Warringah/Pittwater Unit responded to the incident, navigating wet conditions to reach the property located at the end of the cul-de-sac backing onto Stapleton Reserve.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered significant structural damage to the house caused by the fallen tree. Six people were inside the home when the incident occurred, including two elderly and infirm residents.
Firefighters assisted all occupants from the damaged structure to the street, where paramedics assessed them. Despite the severity of the incident, the residents sustained only minor scrapes, with none requiring hospitalisation or further medical treatment.
Authorities deemed the badly damaged house too dangerous for the residents to return. The displaced family was collected by relatives and taken to stay in a nearby home.
SES volunteers were unable to remove the large fallen tree in the dark and stormy conditions but secured the area to ensure the tree posed no additional threat to neighbouring properties.
The incident occurred during a period of wet weather in the Northern Beaches area, with more rain expected in the coming days according to weather forecasts.
An experienced Avalon Beach beekeeper astonished onlookers by calmly handling a massive swarm of 20,000 bees barehanded while dressed in shorts and thongs, successfully relocating them without receiving a single sting.
Giles Stoddard, who keeps several beehives at his home, recently faced a large swarm that had departed one of his hives due to overcrowding. The bees had settled on a nearby flowering crepe myrtle tree.
A remarkable video showed the beekeeper, without wearing his usual full protective gear, carefully reaching into the dense cluster of insects. He aimed to find the queen bee. By locating and moving the queen into a new, empty hive, he knew the thousands of loyal worker bees would follow her into their new home, allowing them to restart the honey-making process.
Before searching for the queen, Mr Stoddard broke off the branch holding the swarm and carefully shook the bees onto a blanket placed beside the new hive.
Mr Stoddard used the incident to educate people about bee behaviour. He reassured viewers of the video on his Avalon Honey Facebook page that the bees were not acting aggressively. He explained that most bees and wasps are generally not aggressive insects.
Their nature, he stated, is purely defensive, meaning they only become aggressive if their colony, their young (brood), or they are threatened. Mr Stoddard emphasised that bees do not actively want to sting people. He noted that bees are particularly calm during the swarming process because they are not defending a home or their young.
Beyond managing his hives – four at Avalon Beach, four at North Avalon, and two at the War Vets home at Collaroy Plateau – Mr Stoddard is passionate about teaching the community about honey bees and their vital role in the natural world. He sells honey collected from his hives directly to locals from his front door.
The beekeeper strongly encourages people to respect their insect neighbours and aims to correct common misunderstandings, particularly the idea that swarming bees are likely to attack.
For residents who find a bee swarm and feel worried, Mr Stoddard advises contacting Amateur Beekeepers Australia for assistance. He also pointed interested locals towards the “Honey Map” resource to find backyard honey producers in their area.
