Posted 17 October 2011

The NPA has received a WCC grant of $3,000 for Earth Hour 2012 to be held on Saturday 31 March next year.

The Council’s Small Grants program enables community groups to apply for funding for special projects.

The $3,000 is earmarked for African Drummers, hire of tables and chairs, candles and so on for Naremburn’s celebration of Earth Hour 2012 which is expected to be held in the Naremburn Shops car park.

Council’s award presentation ceremony took place on 12 October. Attending on behalf of the NPA were Frances O’Brien - President, Kevin FitzPatrick - Secretary, Helene Kemp - Membership Convenor, and Trisha FitzPatrick, NPA Public Officer, who had lodged the NPA’s application in May

Posted 17 October 2011

On Sunday 27 November the NPA will hold a community street party in Central Street from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to celebrate its 110 years. All Naremburn residents are invited.

• The Naremburn Progress Association was founded at a meeting held on 27 November 1901 in the old Temperance Hall, now a private residence at 31 Central Street
• The NPA holds its meetings in the Community Centre at 7 Central Street.
• The Centre is the result of the work of the Naremburn Amenities Development Association (NADA) formed in May 1947 under the sponsorship of the NPA to raise funds for a Public Hall for Naremburn.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STREET PARTY WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY!

Posted 6 October 2011

There was a bit of a stir at NPA meetings when the RTA process of installing safety barriers to prevent suicides from the Suspension Bridge resulted in the RTA calling it ‘Long Gully Bridge’. Between September 2010 and March 2011, I emailed the RTA requesting the historical background to the name change and elicited a promise shortly before the State Election that the name would be queried with the RTA’s external heritage consultants. On 13 April I received a phone call stating that the RTA had made an administrative error and that an email to the relevant parties would be sent; it was sent that evening. At the May NPA meeting it was decided to defer the issue of bridge naming to the Willoughby Heritage Advisory Committee (WHAC) and North Sydney Council.

On 1 June, the RTA emailed us to say: "Following your recent feedback it is clear that there is both strong historical and popular support for naming the bridge SUSPENSION BRIDGE. The changes have been updated in the RTA S170 Heritage Register: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=heritage.show&id=4309506. The amendments to the modifications field for the safety barrier and the updated photographs will appear via the internet when the upgrade of the register is complete - hopefully within the next few months. Again we apologise for the original naming error and any confusion that it has caused."

Trisha FitzPatrick
Editor, NM

Posted 6 October 2011

Burke Lane: John Burke, a founding member of our Progress Association 1901.
Carden Lane: Edwin Edward de Baskerville Carden presided over the public meeting called for residents who showed concern for Naremburn’s future welfare, and held at the Temperance Hall in Central Street on 27 November 1901. A builder and leading figure in the community, when the meeting decided to form itself into a Progress Association, he declined the position of President in favour of another public-spirited citizen, Harold McBurney.
Corbett Lane: Corbett was an early member of the Naremburn Progress Association.
Crowley Lane: Jeremy Crowley was the first Treasurer of the NPA in 1901.
Faunce Lane: A D Faunce of Garland Road, an Alderman, Deputy Mayor 1964-66; President of the NPA; also President of the NPA-sponsored Naremburn Amenities Development Association (NADA) when the Baby Health Centre, Public Hall and Library were opened on 18 October 1958. His wife, Ivy, was awarded Willoughby Council’s Citizen of the Year 1973 for her outstanding charity work.
Furnedge Lane: Furnedge was an early member of the NPA.
Hutton Lane: Mr Hutton was an early member of the NPA and an Alderman of Willoughby Council.
John Allen Lane: John Allen lived in Olympia Road; a member of the NPA, he held various positions; President of the Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations (FWPA) from 1995 until his death in September 2007.
Kershaw Lane: H J Kershaw was a founding member of the NPA
McBurney Street: After Harold McBurney, active in local affairs; Foundation President of the NPA 27 November 1901, later elected to Willoughby Council.
Rohan Street: After Joseph Rohan, active in local affairs; Foundation Secretary of the NPA 27 November 1901.
Schultz Lane: C Schultz, a local builder, was elected Auditor of the NPA in 1901.

We thank our public-minded Naremburn residents who founded the NPA, first progress association in the Willoughby Council area, on 27 November 1901.

Posted 6 October 2011

• Plan your weekly meals to save time and money
• Write a shopping list and check the fridge and cupboard before you go
• Measure serving sizes
• Store your food correctly - air tight containers help keep food fresher for longer
• Use your leftovers for an easy week night meal

WCC has received a $20,000 grant from the Office of Heritage and Environment (OHE) to continue the popular Love Food Hate Waste program and help combat the growing environmental and economic issues of food waste. New South Wales households currently generate 800,000 tonnes of food waste each year, equating to $2.5 billion worth of food. In the Willoughby City Council area alone, close to $25 million worth of food is wasted annually. The Love Food Hate Waste program aims to raise awareness of the scale of food waste within households and provide tips on how to reduce this waste and save money.

Posted 7 September 2010

The NPA is the oldest Progress Association in Willoughby City.

In 1901 the people of Naremburn felt that their area was "still the neglected outskirts of the Borough of Willoughby". A group of public-spirited residents called a public meeting in the Temperance Hall – 31 Central Street - on Wednesday 27 November 1901; a Willoughby Civil Heritage Plaque in the footpath lists this meeting at which the motion was put "that those present form themselves into a Progress Association".

The vision of these residents was for a better Naremburn. This has remained a constant for the NPA over the years. The Association has fought for our suburb and its people with challenges on many fronts; saving the remnant Naremburn Shops; the destruction of many homes in the State Government’s push for expressways. The NPA has continued through World War I, the Great Depression, World War II - and the GFC! Naremburn should celebrate these 110 years. Tell us how! Tell us where! Contact Naremburn Matters

Posted 6 September 2010

At the May meeting, NPA members complained about conditions at Naremburn Park. A letter was sent to Steven Head, WCC’s Director Infrastructure Services. His response includes the following information:-

• Rubbish Dumping – this should be reported to WCC’s Help and Service Centre on 9777 1000. Compliance staff investigate and action removals.
• Clean-up after Sports Hirers – subsequent to the NPA written comments, WCC sent reminder letters to the relevant sports hirers to clean-up after sporting events.
• Solar Lights not Working – water entry was detected and replacement/repairs were underway.

The NPA has representatives on the Bicentennial Reserve and Flat Rock Gully Advisory Group that exists as was recommended by its Plan of Management (POM). The NPA queried why there was not a similar body for Naremburn Park. The Plan of Management for Naremburn Park does not contain such a recommendation; there are "no plans currently to establish further Advisory Committees for individual parks".

Park problems - rubbish dumping, littering by sports groups, lights not working – phone 9777 1000

Posted 15 December 2009

Walking your dog in public areas

If your dog is in a public area it must be on a leash and controlled effectively by a competent person. Otherwise your dog needs to be confined to your property, not wandering around public or private property. Your dog must not enter:

• Eating areas
• School or childcare grounds
• Wildlife protection areas
• Within ten metres of children’s playground equipment.

Council has established off-leash areas where you can let your dog exercise under supervision.

Cleaning up after your dog

It is the responsibility of owners to clean up after their dog if it leaves waste in public areas. Dog poo on roads, footpaths and parks is a common source of complaint to Council. Council’s Rangers can fine owners who don’t clean up after their dog. The Companion Animals Act dictates a $275 fine for failing to remove dog faeces. When it rains, your dog's waste gets washed down the stormwater drains and into the nearest creek. It ends up in either Middle Harbour or the Lane Cove River. There is a high level of nutrients in dog droppings, and this contributes to toxic algal blooms and aquatic weeds in our waterways. These blooms and weeds harm the marine organisms that keep our creeks healthy. Plus, dog droppings contain bacteria that can be harmful to people. They can contain infectious roundworm eggs that can cause serious illnesses. When walking your dog carry bags to collect your dog’s droppings and put them in the bin. Don’t let your dog out unsupervised or let it poo on your neighbour’s lawn. Take responsibility for your animal; it’s something that comes along with pet ownership.

www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Posted 21 July 2009

Willoughby City Council, supported by the NPA, hosted representatives from the Department of Education and Training (DET) at a meeting to update the community on DET current policies for schools in the area. The meeting was chaired by Mayor Pat Reilly in the presence of State Member, Gladys Berejiklian, Councillors Barry Thompson and Kate Lamb, WCC GM, Nick Tobin, Father Frank Dineen msc, parish priest of the Catholic Parish of Lower North Shore, members of the NPA and parents. There was a disappointing attendance by parents given advance notice in the June issue of Naremburn Matters, emails, and 300 flyers and posters distributed throughout the community.

Presentations were made by the DET and the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay. Jane Simmons, Director of the Northern Region, DET, stated it is not an option to open a school in Naremburn. The former Catholic School site is not suitable for a school. DET has engaged an Assets Management consultant to look at all school facilities and plan according to prevailing demographics. On a positive note the Director said she was keen to work with CSO Broken Bay and WCC in school planning.

DET presented the following demographic snapshot and how government grants would be used. It was stated there are seven schools within four kilometres of Naremburn, of significance to Naremburn, are:-

• Cammeray: Present enrolment 705. Expected five year increase 103. A new two storey six classroom building is to be built.
• Artarmon: Present enrolment 692. Expected five year increase 79. Library conversion, new library to be built.
• Northbridge: Present enrolment 482. Expected five year increase 78.
• North Sydney Dem: Present enrolment 639. Expected five year increase 109.
• Willoughby : Present enrolment 804. Expected five year increase 148.

A total of $59,262,000 has been allocated for upgrade of school facilities in the Northern Region.

A representative of the CSO showed projected increases based on the ABS figures, bottom line being Naremburn’s growth does not merit opening a school here. The Mayor stated with feeling that the demographics of the period when the Naremburn schools were closed in the ‘90s did not successfully predict present population trends.

The CSO claims the decision not to open a Catholic School in Naremburn is based not just on demographics but on the unsuitability of the Naremburn site within the Catholic Church grounds. While DET’s Jane Simmons could not give any DET policy as to the ideal size of a public school, she was quick to point out that schools of less than 200 are not economically viable.

St Philip Neri Catholic Primary, Northbridge, which takes a number of Naremburn children, has less than 200 pupils. Northbridge also has the smallest State School – 482. NPA research has shown that twelve Naremburn families choose to send their children to St Mary’s Catholic Primary, North Sydney.

We continue to rely on ABS figures of 2006. Any of us living in Naremburn know from walking our streets and observing our neighbourhood that there is a marked presence of children under three years. To our knowledge the Naremburn Catholic parish has not conducted a census of its adherents for at least fourteen years.

We might also ask:

1. Is the current church land being used to the best advantage of the community?
2. Could the former school building be upgraded to meet present standards, or, a second storey added to its eastern wing?

Read more

Posted 29 April 2009

The NPA was successful in its persistent request for Willoughby City Council to install ‘Keep Clear’ marked on the northbound lanes of Willoughby Road at the Rohan Street intersection. Residents had been experiencing difficulty with access to and egress from the western area of Naremburn due to traffic obstructing this intersection.

Posted 6 February 2009

The NPA in conjunction with the Willoughby City Library is conducting an oral history program with some of Naremburn’s longstanding residents. So far we have interviewed and recorded the Naremburn memories of:-
Dulcie Barratt of Dalleys Road; Cyril and Lorna Clark, of Brook Street; Mary Teteris of Merrenburn Avenue; and Jack Dean of Mitchell Street.
For seniority Jack Dean tops the list at age 94. His many memories are reinforced by his family pictorial history. Jack’s mother numbered Billy Hughes’s wife among her customers at her millinery shop in Miller Street, North Sydney. She later ran a similar store at 29 Willoughby Road, next to the present W.H. Soul Pattison Chemist. Jack played Aussie Rules way back in 1926 but named tennis as his first love. He recalls the grace and style of Jack Crawford. Jack Dean first played on the tennis courts at the back of Naremburn Primary School in what is now Lawson Lane. The Plummers, Fleggs and Hopmans had courts there. The Hopman was Harry Hopman, uncle of famous Australian Davis Cup Coach, Harry Hopman. Jack recalls that the Hopmans had a holiday home at Collaroy and always rented a court nearby. Young Harry Hopman was playing at Wimbledon about this time. On one occasion Jack shared a court at Strathfield with two former Australian Davis Cup players, J.O. Anderson and Aub Willard. Jack still attends the Men’s Shed at Lane Cove where he engages in wood-carving, Formula One racing cars a specialty. He also paints and creates his own hand-painted Christmas cards.

If you would like to contribute to this Oral History Program with your stories, pictures, newspaper cuttings, or, you know someone with valuable memories of life in Naremburn, please contact Kevin FitzPatrick on or or 9439 8119.

Willoughby City Council has installed three bike racks on footpaths in the Naremburn Shops area.

1. adjacent to Old Fashioned Fish ‘n Chip Shop and Naremburn Natural
2. adjacent to Raymond’s Framing and 1st Choice Liquor, and
3. outside 1st Choice

We invite the ever-growing number of cyclists using the shared path that passes through the shopping area to secure their bikes at these racks. The NPA thanks WCC for installing the bike racks at our request.

In 2008, un-named lanes within the Willoughby City Council Local Government Area (LGA) were named; 16 Naremburn lanes now honour some of our past residents who contributed to our community.
Click here for details