Shop Fresh Produce From Farmer And Son At McKeon Street Plaza

Check out the fresh produce market at McKeon Street Plaza by Farmer and Son, owned and operated by the Duffell family. Get to know more about their farming history that dates back to the 1920s and all the fabulously fresh finds available there.


Read: Shared Space Trial At McKeon Street In Maroubra Encourages People To Use Public Spaces More


The ‘farmer and son’ refers to Roy and James Duffell, who are already the third and fourth generation prune growers in the family. They own Prickle Hill, a 40-ha property where they originally grew sugar plums and prunes, but now includes a variety of other fresh produce such as apricots, lemons, and oranges.

Farmer and Son
James with his father Roy Duffell (Photo credit: https://farmerandson.com.au/)

It all began in 1920, when Roy’s grandfather, William Duffell, a returned soldier from the First World War, established a fruit orchard at Yenda in NSW. William became famous for his nectarines and was known as “the fruit salad” king among locals.

Roy’s father John, carried on the tradition and grew peaches, apricots, oranges, grapes and sugar plums.

The Duffells are no stranger to farmers’ markets. Since 2015, they have been selling their produce in and around Sydney. They have since expanded the business to include wholesaling to some of Sydney’s best restaurants, as well as retail home-delivery services.

Both Roy and James are proud supporters of local Australian farmers and their families. Until now, the Duffells believe in using organic and natural techniques to produce better flavour, quality and longer shelf life for their fruits.

Farmer and Son
Roy Duffell (Photo credit: Farmer and Son/Facebook)

Today, 100 years on, Farmer & Son Markets proudly sells their own produce, such as peaches, apricots, oranges, grapes and sugar plums from their own orchards.


Read: Coral Sea Park Inclusive Playspace Now Open


About McKeon Street Plaza

For several weeks, the Farmer and Son Markets will be at the McKeon Street Plaza, a new, temporary public plaza created by the Randwick Council. It’s a temporary project for a period of six months, which commenced on 8 October 2022.

In order to provide more space for people, McKeon Street will be closed to traffic between Marine Parade and Fenton Avenue during the six-month trial period.

If you want to visit Farmer & Son Markets at the plaza, check out their market dates below,  from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.:

  • Sunday 20 November 2022
  • Sunday 27 November 2022
  • Sunday 4 December 2022
  • Sunday 11 December 2022
  • Sunday 18 December 2022
  • Saturday 24 December 2022 (Christmas Market)
  • Sunday 8 January 2023
  • Sunday 22 January 2023

To learn more about the project, visit https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au.

Have Your Say on the Proposed Woomera Reserve Playground Upgrade

Local families are invited to have their say on the proposed upgrading of the Woomera Reserve playground on Bunnerong Road in Little Bay.



Located in the southeast corner of Woomera Reserve in Little Bay, the Playground offers a range of play equipment for children of all ages with a concrete bike path for kids who are learning to ride a bike or scooter.

Last upgraded in 2005, the play area will see several improvements including new play equipment, soft fall, and seating to encourage families to visit and enjoy the park.

A new path connecting Esperance Close with the playground will also be built to allow for easier access to the park facilities. Access to the site is currently provided via Noora Avenue and Nurla Avenue.

Community feedback is welcome up to 27 November 2022.

Ideas gathered from this community consultation will be used to develop a concept plan for the upgrade that will be exhibited for further community feedback slated in early 2023.

“Council aims to maintain a very high community satisfaction rating for our open spaces, coastal walkways and playgrounds.” – Randwick City Council

The project is just one of the many undertakings that will be introduced over the coming years as part of the Council’s response to the community’s request for play spaces in the city to be upgraded and add more exciting and adventurous equipment that can accommodate a range of ages and abilities.



To have your say on the proposed project, you may take the survey, use the ideas board, or send your comments to the General Manager headed “Woomera Reserve Playground Upgrade” to council@randwick.nsw.gov.au or 30 Frances Street, Randwick 2031.

Woomera_Reserve Playground | 1103-1281R Bunnerong Rd, Little Bay NSW 2036, Australia

‘Space to Create’ at Lionel Bowen Library Seeks Resident Creatives in Maroubra

‘Space to Create,’ a new space for the local creative community at the Lionel Bowen Library in Maroubra is now accepting expressions of interest from creatives who want to apply for a six-month residency in 2023.



The office space on the third floor of Bowen Library has been activated to provide eight artists with a six-month residency, for a nominal weekly fee and bond, with the potential to extend to 12 months. Fees and other charges will be confirmed before the end of 2022.

“Space to Create” is located adjacent to the library’s maker space (The Third Space), recording studio (The Studio Space) and meeting rooms for hire. At this space, resident writers and creatives will be provided access to the library’s extensive collection of books and materials, including maps and photographs, as well as an opportunity to showcase their work and provide talks or workshops about their work at the end of their residency.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said that the space will provide artists with a space to create and that it not only supports individual expression but also enriches our community, with the hope that some of the work will adorn the community.”

Randwick City Council is now seeking expressions of interest for its opening residency from local writers and creatives across different art forms including digital art, fashion, calligraphy, collage, crafts, drawing, décollage, graphic art, installation art, jewellery, mixed media, painting, mosaics, textile art, film, video, and video games.



Those who wish to submit their expression of interest for the opening residency may check out this page for more information and a link to the EOI form. 

EOIs close Monday 14 November 2022 and the outcome of the application will be sent in writing by early December 2022.

New Beachfront Apartment Development With Adaptable Housing in Maroubra Proposed

An application seeking to establish a new beachfront apartment development which includes two adaptable housing with basement parking on Marine Parade in Maroubra is currently being assessed.



The new boutique apartment development comprises ten high-end residential units across a four-level building with associated car parking on a 1,238sqm site on Marine Parade in Maroubra. The proposed five-storey building will have an effective height of 12.4 metres. 

The dwellings will be a mixture of two single-bedroom, two 2-bedroom and six 3-bedroom apartment units with two of the units designated as adaptable units, on top of the basement level.

On the ground floor will be two open-plan 3-bedroom dwellings (including one adaptable housing unit)  with each containing a living, dining and kitchen area plus a powder room, three ensuites, a walk-in robe and a wraparound terrace.

New Beachfront Apartment Development With Adaptable Housing in Maroubra Proposed
Ground floor plan | Photo credit: Randwick City Council / planning.randwick.nsw.gov.au/

Level 1 of the building will have two 1-bedroom and two 2-bedroom units with each having an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, a laundry, a bathroom and private open space. Each of the 2-bedroom units will also have a walk-in robe and an ensuite.

New Beachfront Apartment Development in Maroubra Proposed
Level 1 floor plan | Photo credit: Randwick City Council / planning.randwick.nsw.gov.au/

Level 2 will contain two open plan 3-bedroom units (including one adaptable housing unit) with living, dining and kitchen plus an ensuite, walk-in robe, a powder and private open spaces.

New Beachfront Apartment Development With Adaptable Housing in Maroubra Proposed
Level 2 floor plan | Photo credit: Randwick City Council / planning.randwick.nsw.gov.au/

https://maroubranews.com.au/free-sunset-silent-cinema-debuts-at-the-new-mckeon-street-plaza/


On Level 3 will be two open plan 2-bedroom units also with a living, dining and kitchen area. Each unit will have an ensuite, a powder room and private open spaces.

New Beachfront Apartment Development With Adaptable Housing in Maroubra Proposed
Level 3 floor plan | Photo credit: Randwick City Council / planning.randwick.nsw.gov.au/

The architectural design of the project is courtesy of MHN Design Union and landscaping by Wyer & Co.


The proposed subject site is located at 116 and 118 Marine Parade in Maroubra. The last time the property exchanged hands was on 16 April 2021 for $16.7 million.

116 Marine Parade, Maroubra NSW 2035, Australia

Free Sunset Silent Cinema Debuts at the New McKeon Street Plaza

Photo Credit: CrDavidRosenfeld/Facebook

Did you know that McKeon Street Plaza will be debuting a series of FREE Sunset Silent Cinema events at the newly opened public space? 



Launching on Saturday, 30th of October 2022, the Sunset Silent Cinema will open with a spooktacular family-friendly movie featuring Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” at 7:00 p.m. 

Prior to the film’s showcase, an opening ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m. and things will get a lot more spine-tingling by 9:00 p.m. when the first “Scream” film will be showcased at the event.

However, the fun does not stop with Halloween as Sunset Silent Cinema will run with two movies for November 2022, January 2023 and March 2023. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming movies: 

Film DateTime
The GrinchSaturday
26 November 2022
7:00 p.m.
Love ActuallySaturday
26 November 2022
9:00 p.m.
MoanaSaturday
28 January 2023
7:00 p.m.
Point BreakSaturday
28 January 2023
9:00 p.m.
Minions: Rise of GruSaturday 11 March 20237:00 p.m.
The Lost CitySaturday 11 March 20239:00 p.m.

Currently, free ticket reservations are limited to 50 people but Council advised there may still be opportunities for other locals to watch the movies if there are no-show guests 15 minutes before the start of each program.

Ticket holders are allowed one beanbag and one set of headphones. The headphones only work within the cinema space and are not compatible with Bluetooth. Ticket holders are required to check in upon their arrival at the event.



This is strictly an alcohol-free event. Smoking is not permitted under any circumstances within the cinema space. 

McKeon Street Plaza officially opened on the 8th of October 2022 following years of planning under the NSW Government Shared Spaces Program, aligning with Randwick City’s Economic Development Strategy. 

McKeon Street Plaza Design
Photo Credit: RandwickCityCouncil

Opening of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Matraville Fast-Tracked for January 2023

Photo Credit: Sacred Heart Matraville/Facebook

Did you know that Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Matraville, the newest primary school in the Eastern Suburbs, has been fast-tracked to open one year ahead of its schedule?



By January 2023, the amalgamated Catholic primary schools of St Agnes in Matraville and the Our Lady of the Annunciation in Pagewood will be called the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, maintaining the Matraville site as the campus. The site will have over 420 students with two classes each from Kindergarten to Year 6.

According to Sydney Catholic Schools, the amalgamation warrants “contemporary, flexible, multi-use spaces to support modern learning practices” where both schools will transition as one institution with one identity and equal access to the new building.

The said building is geared for completion by the end of 2022 with 12 new learning spaces and a canteen. Development, however, will still continue as Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Matraville will incorporate a bigger outdoor space, an Early Learning Centre, and shared parish and school facilities. 

“We’re very excited to see the Sacred Heart community realised ahead of schedule,” Tony Farley, the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, said. 

“We trust our students will enjoy the adventure of new facilities, classmates, teachers and new learning experiences.

“This master plan is a multi-million-dollar investment in education that will allow students to thrive in a dynamic and faith-filled environment and become the next generation of change-makers in their communities.”

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Matraville
Photo Credit: Sydney Catholic Schools

The name Sacred Heart was chosen for the amalgamated schools as it’s the founding order for both St Agnes and the Our Lady of the Annunciation.

“Parents have responded very positively to the early amalgamation: they especially loved the new uniforms and school name which keeps the charism of both schools alive,” Sacred Heart Principal Rosemary Andre said. “We’re very excited about the new resources and opportunities for collaboration and excellent teaching and learning ahead. We also look forward to creating a new vision for the school in consultation with staff, parents and students.”

For enrolment enquiries, phone 0476 183 408 or email info@shmatraville.catholic.edu.au.



Meanwhile, the Pagewood site will transition into a secondary co-educational school for Champagnat Catholic College. The institution will welcome its first female Year 7 students in 2023. 

McKeon Street Plaza To Open for 6-Month Trial

Heads up, Maroubra locals! The McKeon Street Plaza will be open beginning the 8th of October 2022.

The temporary public plaza will be open for a six-month trial period, during which the area between Marine Parade and Fenton Avenue will be closed to cars and opened to the community for shopping, dining, and other activities.



“This is an opportunity to prioritise people and our local businesses. Creating a plaza on McKeon Street will provide more opportunity for visitors and locals to stay in the area and enjoy the beautiful beachside suburb of Maroubra, while also spending time at the local businesses and outdoors,” Mayor Dylan Parker, who will officially launch the public plaza, said.

Once opened to the public, the McKeon Street Plaza will feature new landscaping, outdoor furniture and public art. And from launching up to the end of March next year, local entertainment and music will delight visitors every Saturday as well.

The six-month trial is funded through a $500,000 grant from the NSW State Government as part of its Street as Shared Spaces (Round 2) initiative in partnership with Randwick City Council.

“The community and local businesses were consulted on this project and the responses were very supportive,” adds Mayor Parker.

Mayor Dylan Parker talking about the new public plaza at McKeon Street, Maroubra in May 2022

Based on the feedback collected from the community consultation, an overwhelming majority or 87 per cent agree that the area will benefit from the pedestrianized public space. Moreover, 86 per cent said that they agree or strongly agree that people would visit or stay longer in the public space if it was well-designed.



To address concerns about the loss of parking, Council will create an angled parking area on Fenton Avenue, resulting in 29 new parking spaces or a net gain of 15.

“Overall, the objective is to strengthen the vibrancy of the area, enable more day and night activity, and encourage more walking to and from the area while preserving the area’s unique local character and identity.

Initial Phase of the Maroubra Junction Makeover Begins

Following a long consultation with the community, the Maroubra Junction makeover has finally started with the greenery planting, which will be followed by the actual construction of the central plaza.



More than $1 million has been set aside to develop the Maroubra Junction Oasis Project which will see the planting of over 1,000 trees at the park. These trees are predominantly of the native variety that requires little tending to and maintenance. These are also meant to provide a new habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies to thrive. 

The funding is part of New South Wales’ Your High Street Projects to create a public space at the heart of Maroubra. Per the NSW Planning and environment, this revitalisation will merge “two halves of a divided town centre by converting a wide median strip into an urban oasis with a raised turf platform, seating, lighting and landscaping.”  

Maroubra Oasis
The Maroubra Oasis
Photo Credit: RCC

The tree planting initiative is expected to take over six weeks and then the plaza construction is expected to kick off in early 2023. The work will include new seating areas, picnic tables, bike racks, and pavements. 

“This project is the beginning of our journey to improve the entire town centre,” Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said.

“Maroubra Junction is a bustling centre but sections are tired, uninviting and in need of a makeover. This project is a first step towards cleaning up the area by creating a greener and more inviting space for everyone across our community to enjoy.”



In May 2021, Randwick City Council presented the Maroubra Junction Masterplan that identified three key areas in need of revitalisation, including Bunnerong Road and Flower Street. Nearly 300 locals responded to the survey.

NSW Measles Case Now Recovering, Had Visited Pacific Square Maroubra and 3 Other Venues Whilst Infectious

NSW’s first confirmed measles case since February 2020 has now been found to no longer be contagious. The person has been infectious for a week and visited several venues during that time including Pacific Square in Maroubra.



NSW Health said that the person who contracted the disease is in their 50s and was infected whilst travelling in Asia, but developed the symptoms after returning to Sydney.

The person who had been infectious for a week before developing symptoms had visited St Andrew’s Catholic Church Malabar for mass (4 September 2022, 10.30 am), Tyree Energy Building, University of NSW (6 September, all day), University of NSW’s Lounge Restaurant (6 September, 12.15 pm to 2 pm) and Pacific Square Maroubra (7 September, 9 am to 11 am).

The person, however, has now been reported to be no longer infectious and is already recovering at home after being reported to be isolated in hospital last 13 September 2022.

There were no secondary infections detected following the incident. But whilst NSW Health said that the locations where the infected person had visited do not pose an ongoing risk, people who may be susceptible to measles and were also present at the said locations are urged to be on alert for possible symptoms until 24 September 2022.

Those who are considered to be susceptible to measles are the people who never had two-lifetime doses of the measles vaccine, have a confirmed history of measles infections, or have a weakened immune system.



“If you develop symptoms, please call ahead to your GP to ensure you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients,” Dr McAnulty said.

Dr McAnulty also highlighted the importance of measles immunisation as “maintaining high rates” of  immunisation within the community “reduces the risk of measles being imported into Australia by returned travellers.” She furthered that through herd immunity, the spread of the virus locally, once it is introduced, is reduced.

Controversial Matraville Incinerator Proposal Officially Withdrawn

The proposed Matraville incinerator has been officially withdrawn following the passing of a new regulation law in July 2022, banning energy-from-waste operations within the Sydney basin. 



With the exception of the West Lithgow Precinct, Parkes Special Activation Precinct, Richmond Valley Regional Jobs Precinct and Southern Goulburn Mulwaree Precinct, the use of waste to generate energy has been banned within the Sydney basin. That meant the beginning of the end for the controversial plan to establish an incinerator in Matraville.

On 31 August 2022, Randwick City Council announced that the Matraville incinerator proposal had been formally withdrawn. 

“The NSW Government’s Planning Portal has been updated as of this afternoon 31 August 2022 to list the incinerator project (also called the Botany Cogeneration Plant) as ‘withdrawn’,” the announcement said

Mayor Dylan Parker was elated by the news saying that it was “huge news” for the community who had been fighting against the “ill-conceived idea” ever since it was proposed three years ago.

“Burning waste just metres from people’s homes to power a private business is just a bad idea. The community knew it from day one and I am very pleased the NSW Government has now acted to stop it from happening,” Mayor Parker said.

“I am very pleased that Veolia has responded to community feedback and now formally withdrawn their proposal.”

The Mayor then went on to congratulate and thank the local community members who have actively participated in the fight to stop the plan including Randwick and Bayside Councillors, State Member Michael Daley, Federal Member Matt Thistlethwaite, the No Matraville Incinerator community group, the Matraville Precinct.

Mayor Parker also mentioned in particular, well-known locals Mike Whitney and Russell Fairfax who have been the voice of the campaign against the incinerator. 

“This is a win for people, it’s a win for common sense, and it sends a message that industry cannot trample over the environment and the community for their own benefit,” Mayor Parker said.



An online petition launched by a group called No More Incinerators received an overwhelming response from the community with more than 20,000 supporters signing against the proposed waste-to-energy incinerator plant at the paper mill recycling site on Botany Road in Matraville.

 The proposed incinerator plant was meant to generate power for the OPAL paper mill and help reduce operating costs
The proposed incinerator plant was meant to generate power for the OPAL paper mill and help reduce operating costs | Photo Credit: Randwick City Council / randwick.nsw.gov.au

Under the now scrapped proposal, the plant would have a capacity of incinerating up to 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable materials yearly to generate power for the OPAL paper mill and help reduce operating costs. 

Amid the celebration, the group is still reminding the members of the community that the fight continues against two other plans for massive waste incinerators in Western Sydney.

“The Next Generation (TNG) wants to build a waste incinerator at Eastern Creek and is appealing the EPA’s new regulation in the Land & Environment Court. TNG are trying to say that this regulation doesn’t apply to them!” the group’s social media post reads.

No More Incinerators warned, “…what happens in Sydney’s west affects ALL of Sydney!”