Little Bay Archives - Maroubra News

Beyond Profit: The Philanthropic Mission of Site Pizza Bar’s Owner

Despite his own hardships, Glen Mezei, the owner of Little Bay’s Site Pizza Bar sets an exemplary example of businesspeople driven by a stronger sense of empathy for the community in an era where financial margins frequently dictate business decisions.

Site Pizza Bar, which is right in the middle of Little Bay, is more than just a restaurant; it’s a place where people meet and help each other. Giving away free food isn’t just a kind thing for Mezei to do; it’s a reflection of his values and a promise to help those around him.

At first glance, this kind of behaviour might make you wonder if it can last. But for Mezei, it’s not about making money; it’s about making a difference. “I believe that, as a business owner, I have a responsibility to give back to the community that supports us,” Mezei says. “It’s not just about selling pizzas; it’s about contributing positively to the lives of others.”

Mezei’s path to giving back to the community isn’t easy. Just like many other businesses, he also had to deal with uncertainty. However, Mezei didn’t run away and he saw a chance to step up and help where it was most needed. “The outbreak showed how important it is for people to help each other. People were having a hard time, and I felt like I had to do everything I could to help,” Mezei says.

He feeds field workers and gives free pizzas to families who are having a hard time with money. He also helps people feel like they belong and are part of the community.

But Mezei’s generosity and kindness extend beyond his business dealings. To increase his influence, he collaborates with local organisations. By collaborating with food banks and shelters, he ensures that his assistance reaches those who need it most. “When we collaborate, we can do much more. In order to truly impact people’s lives, Mezei asserts that “collaboration is the key.”

Positive comments about it have come from several neighbours. Many clients applaud Mezei for his selflessness and are inspired to follow in his footsteps. Glen’s goodwill is contagious. “It motivates us all to improve and support one another more,” a regular customer comments.

His story shows how love and charity can change things. His actions give us hope in a divided world. They demonstrate that cooperation for the greater good can provide benefits.

Mezei is still on a mission to feed both the body and the soul, and he wants other people to help him make society more caring and welcoming. “Your acts, no matter how small they may seem, can make a difference. “Together, we can make the future better for everyone,” Mezei says, ending with a smile that shows how generous he is.

Published Date 28-March-2024

Jennifer St High-Rise Development in Little Bay to Proceed Following Appeal Approval

A high-rise development on Jennifer St in Little Bay will proceed, following the approval of amended plans and a successful appeal, after a previous dismissal of the development application to protect the flora and fauna at the site.

The residential project, which will deliver apartments and townhouses near the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, has already been advertised after the developer won its appeal with the Land and Environment Court (LEC).

Though the project has been seen as a likely threat to local wildlife such as the Maroubra Woodland Snail, Randwick City Council said that it will respect the decision of the LEC.

In 2021, Council disapproved the Jennifer St development application to protect the flora and fauna on the site. Community groups also rallied against the proposal because of fears of the destruction of banksia scrub.

However, the developers amended and then escalated their plans with the LEC, which decided to approve the application in October 2022. The new plans now comprise 83 apartments, down from 95, as well as “tree removal, native vegetation maintenance, species relocation, landscaping and associated works through bushland management practice.”

Little Bay Jennifer St — Photo Credit: DA/698/2020

Based on the amended plans, Council stated that the development “does not cause adverse serious and irreversible impact to biodiversity values or likely to affect threatened species.”

A spokesperson for the Council also said that they will see to it that the developer will implement all agreed conditions in the appeal.

Published 1 February 2023

Marine Expert Explains Increased Shark Activity in Little Bay After First Fatal Attack in 60 Years

A marine expert from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is shedding light on what may have triggered the deadly shark activity in Little Bay which took the life of British diving instructor and Royal Air Force veteran Simon Nellist.

Iain Suthers, a professor at UNSW, said that sharks should be swimming towards the cooler sections of the Tasman Sea during this season, where planktons are abundantly attracted to small fish.

It’s the small fish that bigger fish like sharks feed on but the shark that attacked Mr Nellist might have not been able to swim towards the colder water as the East Australian Current has brought uncharacteristically warmer waters this year.

Sometimes, sharks could just bump into humans as they swim towards the Tasman sea. This time, however, the hungry shark preyed on the man.

The professor believes the animal might have been a great white, which has a propensity for hunting warm-blooded animals, based on the victim’s injuries.

Prof Suthers, however, emphasised that this shark attack is a rare occurrence. It has been nearly 60 years since the last fatal shark attack on Sydney’s beaches.

The expert said that the public needs to understand the nature and movement of sharks, as well as the conditions in the water, to come up with better measures to prevent another injury or death. It would also be impossible to forecast a looming shark attack since there is still no proven “scientific reason ” why sharks suddenly go after humans.

Instead, he said that swimmers should avoid swimming in dangerous sections of the beach during dusk or dawn during the summer months, when sharks are actively moving towards the Tasman Sea’s colder areas.

Meanwhile, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has deployed SMART shark drumlines in the beaches from Bondi to Cronulla for the safety of beachgoers. At least six of these drumlines are now on the beaches between Little Bay and Malabar.

Photo Credit: SurfLifeSavingNSW/Facebook

Family and friends of Mr Nellist said he has been advocating for this improved technology for years and an aunt said that he likely would not want his attacker to be killed as he is a nature lover who has swum with sharks before.

Drowning in Little Bay Prompts Call to Observe Increased Rock Fishing Safety Measures

Surf Life Saving Australia is calling on the public to observe increased safety measures for rock fishing following the tragic drowning of a father and his son in Little Bay near Maroubra.

Shane Daw, the general manager for coastal safety of Surf Life Australia has been advocating for those engaging in rock fishing to wear lifejackets and he believes that this should be mandated nationwide. The safety expert also wants more education on the importance of a lifejacket, including in areas where it has become compulsory.

A 40-year-old father and his nine-year-old son were believed to have been swept by the tide as they were rock fishing in Little Bay on Monday, 31 Jan. The pair were not wearing lifejackets when paramedics took them out of the water. According to reports, the dad and son were in critical condition and could not be saved.

According to Mr Daw, every council in Australia should have laws about mandatory lifejackets, as well as continued enforcement and education about its use. He said that even in councils where it has been required, many fishers are still not aware of the law, especially among recreational fishers. He believes that this safety guideline should also be taught in schools and community groups as the death toll has been climbing.

Data from Surf Life Saving Australia showed that 80 per cent of all rock fishing fatalities were not wearing a lifejacket.

Little Bay, under Randwick City Council, is considered one of the most dangerous places for rock fishing. In 2018, the Council mandated lifejacket use for rock fishers.

However, according to NSW Police, only two violations have been logged in Little Bay since its enforcement. The recent accident is the fourth rock fishing-related death in the area since 2017 and the 21st since 2001.

A review of the lifejacket policies, education, and implementation will be conducted by Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker. Meanwhile, the victims’ family and friends have launched a GoFundMe page for the mother, who painfully watched her husband and son drown in the water.