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Maroubra Surfers Want a Dialogue Amidst Plans to Ban Hydrofoil Surfing

For the last three years, hydrofoil surfing in the beaches of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, including Maroubra, has gained quite a following but plans to ban hydrofoil boards, whether partially or completely, could soon be imposed. Some Maroubra surfers aren’t jumping at the idea.

A group of hydrofoil surfers based in Maroubra have invited members of Randwick City Council to visit Maroubra beach and see their activities in action. They said that they are willing to discuss the sport and prove that this is not a danger to the public, especially as most of them are seasoned surfers.

Randwick City Council said that the plan to ban hydrofoil surfing was due to safety concerns on a busy beach. In 2019, Waverley Councils outlawed the specialised surfboards in Bondi Beach because its “high speed and metal-like keel” is a safety risk.

During a meeting with the Coastal Advisory Committee in December 2021, Randwick City Council and Waverley Council said they will recommend the ban of these foil boards on the beaches.

“Discussion with the key stakeholders on the Coastal Advisory Committee would be valued prior to finalising this report. Proposed recommendations are that Randwick City Council (RCC) considers the following options:

a. hydrofoils be allowed on all RCC beaches during the times when the beach is not patrolled by the RCC beach lifeguards

b. signage be erected that clearly states the following:
- Hydrofoils are prohibited during the times when the beach is patrolled by lifeguards &/or lifeguards are on duty;
- Hydrofoils need to keep a minimum of 60 metres from all other persons and non-powered vessels; and
- persons engaged in recreational activities undertaken outside of the designated patrol hours do so at their own risk”

But Jeremy Wilmottes, who has been “foiling up” every morning at the beaches in Maroubra along with a dozen other surfers, said he is not aware of any reported incidents of injuries linked to hydrofoil surfing. The Councils said that they do not have enough data since the volume of foil boarders is still low.

Wilmottes also said that he doesn’t think that the planned ban makes sense. He said that hydrofoil surfing is quite expensive and non-mainstream so whoever is into it will not be reckless. Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club president Danny Donohoe acknowledged that the boards are dangerous but he believes that the ban could be over the top.

Hydrofoil surfboards are the latest in extreme watersports. It earned worldwide attention in 2020 after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was seen gliding on the water on an elevated board as he waved the U.S. flag during Fourth of July.

Authorities Issue Water Safety Warning in Maroubra and NSW Waterways

Maroubra locals are urged to take extra caution and be mindful of water safety, following a number of incidents across the state’s waterways.

On Sunday, 2 January 2022, two fishermen were rescued in Maroubra after their boat capsized in the early morning. Marine Area Commander Superintendent Murray Reynolds said it was not the only accident that happened in the last few days.

That same Sunday at noon, the police and the NSW Surf Lifesavers were called to Windang Island after a 21-year-old man, who was fishing on the rocks, was swept in the water. He easn’t wearing a life jacket. His body was located at 1:20 p.m.

Prior to these accidents, three people also drowned in the waters of NSW, including a 15-year-old boy who was swimming at Shoalhaven River.

“The most difficult part of our work is when someone dies or is seriously injured and we know it could have been prevented,” said Mr Reynolds.

“These deaths are incredibly tragic. Our heart goes out to the loved ones of the people who recently lost their lives in the water.

“We’re asking the community to help us keep you safe, always assess the environment and take simple precautions to prevent tragedy.”

Per the authorities, below are the things to remember:

Avoid the water if you do not know how to swim.
Swim only in areas where there are patrols or between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags
Wear a lifejacket if you’re out fishing or riding a boat.
Don’t swim at night.
Be mindful of the rips.

The authorities also said to check the water conditions and the weather before heading out. Remember that these conditions are unpredictable so when in doubt, it’s better to cancel plans than to proceed.

water safety at Maroubra beach — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Steve Pearce, the CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, said it’s extra challenging to rescue people during the busiest time of the year at the beaches. NSW locals, however, are fortunate to have “fantastically skilled and resourced lifesavers and lifeguard services up and down our coastline.”

Your Feedback Needed: Maroubra Junction $1-Million Urban Renewal Project

Did you know that an under-utilised strip at the Maroubra Junction will be transformed into an urban park and area for community use? Have your say on this million-dollar project before it proceeds to the next phase.

Public consultations are now open on the design for the Maroubra Junction urban renewal project, located along a block on Maroubra Road and Anzac Parade. The space at the heart of this urban junction will be turned into a vibrant park with new trees and enhanced garden beds.

The area will also include upgraded, high-quality paving for walking and biking, as well as new seating and lighting for people who may want to hang out. The green space has been designed with no impact on the adjacent car park.

Area for Revitalisation — The current area marked for revitalisation
Photo Credit: RandwickCC

Location map Maroubra Junction Urban Renewal Project — Photo Credit: Randwick City Council

However, Council is still looking for additional inputs for the project. Some of the suggestions include adding a chess or table tennis section.

Council will open the online feedback until Monday, 17 January 2022. Construction is expected to start by the first half of 2022.

Funding of $1 million has been allocated for this project courtesy of the Your Hight Street grant from the NSW Government. Launched in 2020, the program sees the importance of turning streets into community spaces that will also support economic recovery.

Maroubra Family Supports Pioneering Baby1000 Program

Did you know that the family of the late Dr Lynn Joseph, a prominent Maroubra GP and alumnus of the University of Sydney, has been funding the Baby1000 Program since its inception in 2015?

Led by Professor Adrienne Gordon and her team at The University of Sydney, the groundbreaking project incorporates early intervention for the mother during conception and for the baby’s first 1,000 days of life to ensure the healthiest outcome.

The estate of the late Dr Lynn Joseph, a Maroubra GP and an alumnus of The University of Sydney, has been funding the Baby1000 Program along with the doctor’s three brothers, Maurice, Neil and Douglas.

Dr Joseph practiced in Maroubra for 60 years. He was also a World War II Veteran of the Kokoda Track, who loved cricket and was regarded as a compassionate physician. His brothers were also graduates of medicine from The University of Sydney.

Prior to his retirement and death in 2013, Dr Joseph delivered generations of babies during a period when this was a common practice for GPs.

Helping to Ensure the Best Outcomes

“A healthy pregnancy is the best gift that we can give to an unborn baby,” Prof Gordon said. “We are all working to ensure the best lifelong health outcomes for the next generation. The earlier we can make these preventative interventions, the better,” Prof. Gordon said.

“The funding from the Joseph family has been amazing. We simply wouldn’t have been able to do our work without it,” she added.

Prof Gordon and her team are currently trialling how affordable, custom-designed pillows will help pregnant women sleep better on their side than on their backs since the latter has been associated with stillbirths.

The team has recruited 400 pregnant women to wear a device for monitoring for this trial.

The Baby1000 Program has also been conducting ongoing research on the links of maternal weight in the health of a newborn by acquiring the “BodPod” for mums and the “PeaPod” for babies.

BodPod — Photo Credit: The University of Sydney

The program has also been working with the NSW Health Statewide Biobank for storing samples of human tissue, blood, DNA and cells in temperature-controlled systems, which can be used and shared for other future researches.

Data from these samples are used for analysing maternal stress or maternal dietary and gut microbiome that helps the team draw significant findings in the gut health of the mothers and their babies.

Maroubra Community Garden Digs In For 2022 Opening

Efforts to open a sustainable Maroubra Community Garden bore fruit after more than two years of planning and preparation when volunteers finally received approval to open the site in 2022.

In a statement on Facebook, stewards of The Garden at Maroubra confirmed that the local Council has signed off on plans to build a working garden for everyone, the third community garden in the Eastern Sydney suburbs after Coogee and Randwick.

“[We] began this journey to build not only a community garden for Maroubra, but a sustainability resource within our community to enable ALL of our community to learn to garden if they wished, but also to learn how to take care of the green areas within our homes and our community. Maroubra, this garden is for YOU,” the statement read.

In early 2021, Randwick City Council received the proposal for the design of the community garden. The group also opened a fundraiser and a “Friend of the Garden” distinction for regular donors and contributors to enable the gardeners to buy supplies and pay for expenses like water and utilities.

Following the approval, the project has started offering memberships to residents who live within the five-kilometre radius who can tend to the site. In the near future, a Working Member training will be underway before the garden officially opens to the community.

“The Garden at Maroubra project was borne out of the desire to create a beautiful, accessible community-destination around gardening that connects, educates and invigorates our community around organic gardening and related sustainable practices including seed saving, organic pest control and composting,” Mimi Curran, one of the supporters stated.

Published 14 December 2021

Police Warns Matraville Vehicle Owners: Secure Your Car and Valuables

Photo credit: rutshapong / Pixabay

Theft from motor vehicles in Matraville, Chifley, and Little Bay area has been on the rise recently and NSW Police are appealing to residents to secure their cars and valuables.

Police said that according to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, theft of vehicles, particularly of older models, is accomplished through the owner’s very own keys, as opposed to hot wiring. Such cases account for 70% of all reported vehicle theft and half of all stolen cars are taken from the owner’s home.

It is important, therefore, to be always mindful of vehicle security and never leave your car keys and valuables in open view, even when you are already parked in your garage. Offenders target car keys and vehicle key fobs to gain access to the car and steal valuables.

To protect your car and valuable items in your vehicle, the police suggested the following:

Whether in your driveway or in a public place, be sure that you do not leave your keys in the ignition when you leave your car unattended.
Remove temptation. Never leave your keys and valuable items in open view.
Make sure that your car’s doors and windows are locked when you get out of your car or even when you are driving.
Consider upgrading to a quality alarm system. For older model cars, you may install an after-market electronic immobiliser to prevent it from being hotwired..
When parking, always choose a well lit or populated area.
For tradies, make sure to lock your toolboxes and ute trays and avoid parking on the street when it’s already dark.

Lastly, if you are selling your car, never include your address in the advertisement and always verify the identity of your potential buyers. And don’t let them take your car for a test drive without supervision.

If you happen to witness someone breaking into a car, you can call 000 or Maroubra Police on 02 9349 9299. Or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 for non-urgent matters or if you have any information on suspects.

Kobie Dee: Gomeroi Rapper from Maroubra Aims to Take His Music Up On a Larger Scale

Kobie Dee, a Gomeroi rapper based in Maroubra, just launched his debut EP, “Gratitude Over Pity,” after years of hard work and he’s aiming to take his music up on a larger scale to help more people in the community.

The 24-year-old talent started dabbling in music and music writing at 10 years old, drawing inspiration from Tupac, Kendrick, J. Cole, and Easy-E. The musician comes from a Bidjigal community in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, which is popular not only for its white-sand beaches and surf culture but also for its rap scene.

With his background, Kobie Dee grew up hearing stories of heartbreak and empowerment that reflected in his own music. In an interview with GQ, the rapper said that he’s using his music to bring awareness and tell stories of people dealing and overcoming struggles.

After his rehabilitation from drugs and drinking, Kobie Dee worked on his debut album ” to self reflect on what I do have in my life.” Taking charge of his life, the rapper has also been active at various detention centre and cultural programs, where he speaks to young people about making a better future for themselves.

In April 2021, Kobie Dee staged the South East Block Party in Maroubra, along with Randwick City Council, to showcase young talents and promote mental health awareness. The drug and alcohol-free event was live-streamed at juvenile facilities.

Because of his work and influence in the youth sector, this Maroubra native was named an ambassador for NSW programs like Weave Youth and Just Reinvest NSW. Apart from his music, Kobie Dee also launched a “Know Role Models” podcast to highlight the work of First Nations people in Sydney who can inspire the next generation.

Kobie Dee said that he is driven to take his music to a “larger scale” one day and it seems he’s off to a great start based on his recent recognition in the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class 2022, with his profile featured in New York and Los Angeles.

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A post shared by Kobie Dee (@kobiedee47)

Follow Kobie Dee on Instagram and learn about the artist on his official site.

Maroubra Road Corridor Study Stage 1 Consultation Opens

Public consultation is open for Stage 1 of the Maroubra Road Corridor Study, which aims to identify transport connectivity problems and improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Council is encouraging locals to contribute their ideas on how to improve the area and from these inputs, concept plans will be developed to prioritise the following goals:

Improve safety at intersections for all road users
Improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Create stronger links for active transport, including pedestrian and cycle connections
Create spaces for people, such as new street furniture
Consider changes to parking whilst minimising parking loss

Have Your Say

Whilst the consultation is ongoing, development of design options, site investigations, traffic surveys, and modelling will also be underway so Council can present the Draft Corridor Study Report at the Randwick Traffic Committee meeting in April 2022.

Following the technical endorsement, Stage 2 of the consultations will be underway to finalise the concept plans by the middle of 2022.

“I have lived in Maroubra for 20years cycling to work and to the shops every day, but I never cycle on Maroubra Road because I feel very unsafe,” a resident contributed. “I always have to find back routes to avoid it. My children do music classes at the school on Maroubra Road in North Maroubra, but I can’t let them ride their bikes to class because it isn’t safe. It would be a great help if there was a bike path all the way down to the Eastgardens end of the road.”

“The wide empty stretch between Bunnerong Road and Anzac Parade is crying out for medium to tall trees particularly given the oversized new development near Eastgardens, the area desperately needs more greenery to look inviting to humans and birds alike and to cool down the hard surfaces,” another resident said. “It would be good if all traffic lights, not just those at central intersections would automatically switch to green for pedestrians in line with cars going the same way. Some improvement was made at the beginning of COVID but this should be rolled out widely.”

“I use Maroubra Road regularly as both a motorist and cyclist. Firstly as a motorist, if you come from Hinkler Street and want to turn right onto Maroubra Road then this is quite a dangerous maneuver. It is very hard to see cars coming from the right as parked cars obscure your view and if you nose the car out so you can see you almost get swiped. Given there are effectively 4 lanes of traffic and depending on the time of day, it can take some time to get a clear gap to turn (or even go straight ahead across Maroubra Road).

“As a cyclist, there is no cycle lane between Bunnerong Road and Anzac Parade. It is not safe to ride down the side of the parked cars and risk getting a door opened on you, so you have no choice but to take a lane and then get honked at by cars who are angry. So anything that can be done to make it safer would be appreciated! Thank you!”

Have Your Say

The Maroubra Road Corridor Study will be up for public consultation until 15 December 2021.

Maroubra Tutor Installs Street Libraries Across Sydney’s East

Did you know that you can find FREE books, magazines, and even games at a street library in Maroubra? It’s one of a handful of street libraries installed by Maroubra tutor and business owner, Harry Mavrolefteros, to help make learning materials more accessible to those who need them.

Mr Mavrolefteros is the owner of First Education, a tutoring facility for K to Year 12 students, and he decided to put up these street libraries at various sites in Eastern Sydney because of the pandemic lockdowns.

The passionate tutor stocks up the street libraries with free textbooks on Maths, English, and Science, which he has either bought out of pocket or received through donations. Mr Mavrolefteros said this is his way of letting the students and their parents know that support is available, as they cope with a unique learning experience amidst a public health crisis.

Some of the donations have also included “hardcore” Greek books that still appealed to readers. Mr Mavrolefteros, who is of Greek heritage, realised that no matter what books he adds to the library, it would be grabbed by a bookwork in a matter of days.

The locations of his street libraries are:

SUBURB	STREET
Maroubra	below the First Education tutoring site at the corner of Anzac Parade and Boyce Road
Earlwood	next to the Earlwood Post Office on Homer Street
Bondi	on the corner of Bondi Road and Penkivil Street
Mascot	on Botany Road near the corner with King Street

Mr Mavrolefteros established First Education in October 2010, above the Maroubra optometry shop of his parents. Aside from Maths, English, and Science, there are also debating classes and study sessions to prepare Year 12 kids for their final year in high school. The tutor believes that learning is a privilege, especially if the students find the right mentor.

Meanwhile, Street Library is a worldwide movement to encourage literacy and foster positive community engagement. In Australia, the Street Library movement aims to establish 5,000 street libraries by December 2021. As of November, the group has over 3,000 sites across the country.

Learn How to Build or Support Street Libraries

Maroubra Junction Public School Principal Focuses On Developing A Strong School Culture

Photo credit: Liam Mcevoy/Google Maps

‘School culture’ has been the focus area of the 2021 International Teacher Exchange program between Helen Empacher, Principal of Maroubra Junction Public School and a colleague from Alberta, Canada.

Read: Proud Maroubra Resident Dylan Parker Taking Public Service to New Heights

In an exchange done virtually with Ms Kathiana Marc of Ecole Sainte-Catherine School in Alberta, Ms Empacher shared how the culture of a school can impact relationships with key stakeholders and learning outcomes for students.

“In my current school, I would confidently say that our school culture is strong. One way of knowing this is via our annual involvement in the Tell Them From Me surveys,” Ms Empacher said.

Tell Them From Me is a self-evaluation tool for schools based on two complementary research paradigms (‘effective schools’ research and ‘Dimensions of Classroom and School Practices’). Amongst other markers of success as a school, these surveys measure the school’s abilities in the eight drivers of student learning.

“For all eight, we have graded as above state average for the last three years. This is not to say that we are without challenges where our school culture is concerned. This is why I keep this at the top of my priorities because it is this that strongly drives student learning outcomes,” she said.

Developing a Strong School Culture

Photo credit:Maroubra Junction Public School

Ms Empacher, a principal at Maroubra Junction Public School for over eight years has shared a few recommendations to Ms Marc, who was new to the position of a school principal, working in a small school in this role for just over a year.

She believes problems within schools can be resolved more readily and successes can be celebrated more authentically if relationships and communication are strong.

“Once relationships are established, more challenging questions can be asked, for example, as trust has been built,” Ms Empacher said.

According to Ms Empacher, there are three main categories when developing or sustaining and growing a school culture:

Verbal – includes written and spoken, evident in things like the school motto, the school plan, a shared vision, the school’s goals and the language used by teachers when talking about school.
Behavioural – evident in the school’s procedures, ceremonies, rules and regulations, rewards and consequences, structures and curricula.
Visual – evident in the school’s symbols, uniforms and facilities.

Culture, for Ms Empacher, is the environment that surrounds people at work all of the time. It is a powerful element that shapes your work enjoyment, your work relationships and your work processes.

Lastly, Ms Empacher recommended working with key stakeholders to identify the school’s culture and to negotiate the way forward for improvement. Principals should find ways to collaborate, to have parents involved, to communicate with students about their home lives and their learning at school and to be inclusive of students at all levels of need.