Northern Beaches community Archives

What started in Avalon as a simple school idea has grown into a Northern Beaches charity recognised by the President of Timor Leste, with the community now coming together for a major fundraiser at a Brookvale brewery.

Avalon’s Role In The Partnership

The story began more than 15 years ago at Maria Regina School in Avalon, where students wanted to support children in the remote Timor Leste village of Soibada. Their idea spread beyond the classroom and brought in parents, teachers, and local groups, forming the foundation of Friends of Soibada.

*Photo Credit: Friends Of Soibada/Facebook*

The charity formally registered in 2010 and built a long-term partnership between the Northern Beaches and the village. Avalon remains central to its history, as early fundraising, awareness events, and support grew from the school community before expanding to surf clubs, churches, Rotary groups, the council, and 18 other schools.

Friends of Soibada focuses on sustainable development, with volunteers visiting twice a year to work with residents on education, health, hygiene, and community needs.

Recognition And Community Impact

Earlier this year, Friends of Soibada received the Order of Timor Leste, awarded by President Jose Ramos Horta. The honour recognised the charity’s long-standing contribution to improving daily life in Soibada. The award also highlighted the unusual beginnings of the organisation, which grew from a student-led idea into a cross-community partnership spanning two countries.

Many of the original Avalon students have since grown into adults who continue to support the work. Some have travelled to Soibada as volunteers, strengthening personal ties between the Northern Beaches and the village.

January Fundraiser At 7th Day Brewery

The next chapter of the partnership takes place at 7th Day Brewery in Brookvale on 24 January 2026, where Friends of Soibada is hosting a large community fundraiser.

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The event features live music from local bands, raffles, and stalls, with all funds directed toward projects in Soibada. Money raised supports teacher wages, health initiatives, and a dental program aimed at improving access to basic care.

The fundraiser reflects the same community-driven spirit that started in Avalon. Local businesses, musicians, and residents are contributing time and resources to support the cause.

A Continuing Avalon Connection

While the charity’s reach now extends across the Northern Beaches, Avalon remains closely linked to its identity. The suburb is regularly referenced in the charity’s story as the place where the partnership began.

Supporters describe the work as proof that small, local actions can lead to long-term change when a community stays involved.

Published 17-December-2025

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.

Dan Murphy's building — Photo Credit: DA2024/1091

Safety and Traffic at the Heart

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.

Careel Bay Shopping Village Dan Murphy's — 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.

Careel Bay Shopping Village environment — 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.

Published 3-July-2025

Tag: Northern Beaches community

Community Fundraiser Builds On Avalon’s Link To Timor Leste