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Bronte Duo Recognised: ReLove Founders Nominated for NSW Australian of the Year

Congratulations to Renuka Fernando and Ben Stammer, the dynamic duo behind the local social enterprise ReLove, for being recognised as a 2025 Local Hero for NSW and finalist for the Australian of the Year Award!

ReLove, a beloved local store, has made a name for itself by championing sustainable furniture and home goods. The store rescues homewares from hotels and corporate refits, promoting a circular economy and encouraging conscious consumerism.

Beyond retail, ReLove actively engages with the community through workshops, upcycling events, and partnerships with local organisations. Fernando and Stammer’s passion for sustainability extends beyond fashion.

They are committed to creating a more equitable and environmentally friendly future. Their Australian of the Year Award nomination and their award as the 2025 Local Hero for NSW highlights their dedication to social and environmental causes and their ability to inspire positive change.

The Bronte community joins in celebrating the achievements of these two remarkable individuals.

This year’s nominees represent many achievements, from journalism and activism to scientific research and youth advocacy. All 137 nominees, including Fernando and Stammer, will be celebrated at a ceremony on 13 November at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. The event will also be streamed online for those unable to attend in person.

The award recipients for NSW will then progress to the national competition, joining finalists from other states and territories. The national Australian of the Year awards will be announced in Canberra on Australia Day, 25 January 2025.

National Australia Day Council CEO Mark Fraser praised the nominees, highlighting their ordinary backgrounds and extraordinary contributions.

ReLove’s nomination for such a distinguished award suggests a significant impact on the lives of Bronte residents and beyond.

The upcoming ceremony promises to show their achievements and celebrate their dedication to making a positive impact.

Published Date 06-November-2024

Bluebottle Invasion Hits Bronte Beach

Photo Credit: Facebook / Hu Beer

Bronte Beach has been hit with a bluebottle jellyfish invasion this week. Swimmers and beachgoers have been warned to exercise caution as hundreds of bluebottles have washed up on the shore.

**A bluebottle jellyfish**
Photo Credit: The Australian Museum

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has put swimmers at risk of painful stings from the venomous creatures. Bronte Beach, located just south of the world-famous Bondi Beach and north of Coogee Beach, is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

In a statement, Waverley Council, the local government authority responsible for the beach, said that it would be conducting clean-up operations throughout Thursday night to address the issue.

“Bluebottles come ashore frequently in the warmer months when there are prevailing onshore winds and are deposited on the beach at high tide,” the council spokesman said. “This has been particularly noticeable this week at the southern end of Bronte Beach which is exposed to north-easterly winds.”

Bluebottles, also known as the Portuguese man-of-war, are not deadly to humans, but their sting can be extremely painful. According to researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the bluebottle’s long, trailing tentacles are designed to sting prey and any creatures they feel threatened by, including humans.

The bluebottle swarm at Bronte Beach comes just days after a similar incident at nearby Coogee Beach, where hundreds of mysterious black balls were discovered washed up on the shore. Randwick Council, the local authority responsible for Coogee Beach, closed the beach while it investigated the material, ultimately concluding that the balls were a hydrocarbon-based pollutant “consistent with the makeup of tar balls.”

Published 2-November-2024

Bronte Beach Reopens After Mystery Black Ball Scare

Bronte Beach and several other eastern beaches have reopened just a day after closing due to mysterious black debris washing ashore, though questions remain about the origins of the peculiar substance.

Read: Heroic Rescue at Bronte Beach: A Community’s Fight Against a Deadly Rip Current

The incident happened last week when beach authorities first spotted tennis ball-sized black spheres at Coogee Beach, prompting immediate closure. The debris quickly spread to neighbouring beaches, including Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Clovelly, and parts of Maroubra, leading to temporary closures across Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“No remaining evidence of the reported debris can be located on Bondi, Bronte, and Tamarama beaches,” Waverley Council announced on October 18, giving the all-clear for beachgoers to return to the water. The swift reopening comes as a relief to locals and tourists alike, particularly with the popular Sculpture by the Sea exhibition proceeding as planned.

The Mystery of the Black Balls

Photo credit: NSW Environment Protection Authority/Facebook

The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has taken charge of the investigation into the strange debris, which varied in size from tennis balls to marbles. Early observations suggest the spheres might be “tar balls” – a phenomenon that occurs when oil spills coagulate into spherical shapes over time.

The EPA indicated that preliminary findings suggest the material appears to be hydrocarbon or oil-based in nature, leading them to assess the threat level as relatively low. However, the agency continues to exercise caution, conducting extensive testing on collected samples to determine the exact composition and origin of the material.

Ongoing Precautions

Despite the beaches reopening, authorities maintain a cautious approach. The EPA has advised the public to avoid contact with any remaining debris they might encounter. “While we understand initial Randwick City Council testing suggests the presence of hydrocarbon, at this stage EPA tests cannot confirm the contents,” EPA stated.

Photo credit: Art Takes Over Tamarama: Sculpture by the Sea Returns to Wow Sydney

Ocean pools throughout the affected areas remain open for swimming, providing a safe alternative for those still concerned about entering the ocean waters.

Published 23-October-2024

Mackenzies Bay: The Beach That Vanishes as Quickly as It Appears

There is a secluded inlet between Sydney’s iconic Bondi and Tamarama beaches where, almost overnight, a rocky cove can transform into a sandy beach. This elusive phenomenon occurs at Mackenzies Bay, a spot known for its fleeting beauty.

While normally a rocky haven for surfers and sunbathers, Mackenzies Bay occasionally becomes a proper beach, a change that has fascinated locals for decades.

A Beach That Defies Predictability

Mackenzies Bay is not your typical beach. Its formation is erratic, with no set pattern for when or how long it will remain a sandy shore. Some years, Mackenzies turns into a full-fledged beach with a wide stretch of sand, while in other years, no sand appears at all, leaving it as a rocky inlet.

Local myths suggest that the beach emerges every seven years, but the reality is far less predictable. For example, in 1997, the beach appeared with so much sand that at low tide, it was nearly possible to walk between Tamarama and South Bondi.

What makes Mackenzies Beach so special is its unpredictability. The beach can last for just a few months before disappearing due to a strong storm or high tides. A major east coast cyclone in 1997 swept away the sand overnight, and the beach didn’t reappear until 2007. That year, Mackenzies reappeared dramatically, with locals recalling the beach as being the widest and deepest in over 50 years. However, just a few months later, it was gone again, illustrating the fleeting nature of this unique spot.

*Photo Credit: Mackenzies Bay Watch/Instagram*

Sudden Disappearance After Storms

The tiny, temporary beach had only re-emerged last summer, but its sandy shoreline vanished following two large storms that hit the coast. According to experts, the sand was washed away by waves as high as nine metres during the storm events. Coastal geomorphologist Ana Vila-Concejo explained that the storms came with just the right strength and from the right direction to remove all the sand that had accumulated over the last year.

Despite its short-lived presence, the beach has been a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike. Mackenzies Bay is known for its “pop-up” nature, turning from a rocky inlet into a sandy beach every few years. Its unpredictable appearance and subsequent disappearance have long fascinated the local community.

Andrew Quilty, a celebrated Australian photojournalist, had been documenting the beach daily before its recent vanishing, creating a visual archive of the beach’s various moods and transformations.

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A post shared by Mackenzies Baywatch (@mackenziesbaywatch)

The Science Behind Mackenzies Beach

Mackenzies Beach’s formation is tied to specific seasonal and oceanic conditions. Coastal experts explain that the beach forms when there is a combination of low-pressure swells and offshore winds. Greg Skilbeck, a sedimentary geologist from the University of Technology Sydney, stated that increased wave energy during winter can sweep sand onto the shore from nearby sandbars. This results in the occasional appearance of a sandy beach where there is usually only rock.

Dr. Rob Brander, a coastal geomorphologist from the University of New South Wales, believes that broader climate patterns also influence Mackenzies’ transformation. He notes that La Niña phases tend to bring more storms and larger waves, which erode the beaches. On the other hand, during El Niño phases, there are fewer storms and calmer conditions, which allow sand to accumulate.

A Hidden Gem with Local Charm

Despite its unpredictability, Mackenzies Bay holds a special place in the hearts of many Sydneysiders. When the beach does appear, it becomes a local favourite, offering a serene alternative to the busier Bondi and Tamarama beaches.

Although dogs are not officially allowed on Waverley’s beaches, the absence of lifeguards and the secluded nature of Mackenzies Bay make it a de facto dog-friendly spot. This has earned it the nickname “dog beach” among locals.

The area is also rich in history. The bay and its surrounding point are named after the Mackenzie family, who ran Waverley Dairy from the 1860s to the 1920s. Their cows once grazed on the cliffs above the bay, an area now known as Marks Park.

Published 9-Oct-2024

Bronte Beachfront Home Sells for $25 Million After Year on the Market

A Bronte beachfront home, initially listed for over $30 million, has sold for around $25 million after spending a year on the market.

Sale and Background

The luxury property, owned by commercial property developer Andrew Podgornik and his wife Chloe, was sold after being listed for more than $30 million in late 2022. The couple purchased the site for $7.55 million in 2008 and commissioned a pavilion-style home designed by Neeson Murcutt Architects, which was completed in 2017.

The house, located on Gardyne Street, Bronte, won the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Residential Architecture Award in 2018 and national recognition for its landscape design by 360 Degree Landscape.

Despite the earlier price hopes, a well-placed source indicated that the sale was finalised at approximately $25 million. The sale was facilitated by agents Alexander Phillips from PPD and Brad Pillinger of Pillinger.

40 Gardyne St Bronte — *Photo Credit: realestate.com.au*

Local Buyer and Design

The new owner, Nadia Jacob, is a well-known interior designer and property developer with a history of buying and flipping properties in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Jacob, who recently sold her Bondi Beach home for around $9 million, has been active in the real estate market for over 20 years, focusing on beachside homes in Bronte and Tamarama.

The Bronte home is widely admired for its unique design, which blends concrete, timber, and stone materials and incorporates large timber doors and windows that open to expansive ocean views. It sits on a rare 1156-square-metre block, with a garden that includes a swimming pool and an inbuilt trampoline for children.

Market and Price Adjustments

The sale of the Bronte beachfront home comes after the property was on the market for a year. Despite earlier expectations of securing a higher price, the final deal reflects a softening in the ultra-luxury property market.

Real estate insiders believe the extended time on the market contributed to the eventual price drop. Bronte’s record sale of nearly $30 million earlier in 2023 further underscores the high demand for properties in the area, though the Podgorniks’ sale fell slightly short of breaking that record.

The sale highlights Bronte’s continued desirability as a residential hub for high-net-worth individuals. Local property experts note that while demand for beachfront properties remains strong, fluctuating market conditions and rising interest rates may have impacted the final sale price.

Nonetheless, the transaction solidifies Bronte’s standing as one of Sydney’s most sought-after coastal communities for luxury homes, offering both natural beauty and architectural distinction.

Published 8-Oct-2024

Heroic Rescue at Bronte Beach: A Community’s Fight Against a Deadly Rip Current

Photo Credit: Serena Woodward/Unsplash

A seemingly calm Saturday evening in Bronte Beach transformed into a desperate struggle for survival. Four swimmers, caught in the grip of a fierce rip current, found themselves fighting against the powerful forces of nature.

The drama unfolded around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, 13 January 2024. What started as a peaceful day for beachgoers quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation. The swimmers, unable to overcome the strong current, were seen struggling in the water.

A lifeguard, officially off duty but ever vigilant, noticed the distressing scene. Alongside him, local surfers, well-versed in the ocean’s temperaments, did not hesitate. They plunged into the water, battling the fierce current to reach the struggling swimmers.

The rescue was fraught with challenges. Battling the rip current required strength, skill, and determination. The rescuers worked in unison, each move critical in ensuring the safety of the swimmers.

Their efforts were not in vain. The swimmers, exhausted but alive, were brought back to the safety of the shore. Emergency services, which had been called to the scene, provided immediate medical assistance. The swimmers were then transported to the hospital, where they began their recovery.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of rip currents.

Rip Current Bronte Beach — Photo Credit: Anders Marlowe/Unsplash

A rip current, often called a rip tide, is a strong, localised, and narrow current of water which moves directly away from the shore, cutting through the lines of breaking waves. These currents can be hazardous to swimmers who get caught in them because they can drag swimmers away from the shore.

To escape a rip current, it’s important not to swim against it, as this can lead to exhaustion. Instead, try to remain calm and float or tread water to conserve energy. Signal for help if you can.

The key is to swim parallel to the shore to escape the current’s pull. Once out of the current, swim at an angle away from the current and towards the shore. Remember, rip currents are typically narrow, so swimming parallel to the shore helps you exit the current more quickly.

Meanwhile, beachgoers are advised to stay alert, swim in patrolled areas, and understand how to safely extricate themselves from a rip current: by swimming parallel to the shore and conservatively conserving energy until they can safely reach the beach.

Published 15-Jan-2024

Locale: Bronte Cafe Lives Up on Mission to Stick to Local

Photo Credit: Locale/Google Maps

The dynamic pair of Nick Bardetta and Ash Quigley-Bardetta, who ran Pilgrim at a stunning beachfront spot in Bronte for two years, have transformed their old cafe into Locale, a casual and family-friendly eatery where visitors can enjoy completely locally-sourced food options.

In replacing Pilgrims, the Bardettas decided to overhaul the menu for Locale and go with a simplified list, where every food comes from around the area. For instance, Locale uses meat supplied by Bronte’s Lucas Meats and gets the produce from the Flemington markets. The pastries are prepared by Luxe Woollahra, whilst the specialty coffee and other drinks are also certified local from Pablo and Rusty’s.

Chef Kevin Chung refined the menu to reflect Bronte’s laid-back vibe with options like a filling breakfast burrito (with avocado, bacon, roasted tomatoes, halloumi, mushrooms, hummus and eggs), a light but still flavourful buttermilk pancakes, poke bowls, fried chicken burger topped with Swiss cheese, and prawn linguine.

As a family based in Bronte for many generations, the couple wanted to stick to Locale’s mission to support other Bronte-based businesses and uphold its strong community ties to give what the locals want.

To match the quality and freshness of the food and drinks, Locale’s new sun-drenched interior — with large open windows, clean white tables, wood benches and woven chairs — deliver a chic and comfortable atmosphere. Here, diners can enjoy a hearty meal right after swimming in the beach and getting sand on their feet.

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A post shared by Locale Bronte (@localebronte)

Follow Locale on Instagram for updates or visit their official site for opening hours, order delivery and pick-up.

The best bacon n egg roll I’ve ever had! And amazingly good coffee. Friendly, warm and fun staff. Could use cushions on their bench seats 🙂
Olivia Miller

“Located just minutes away from the Bronte beach. Staff was kind, place was spacious and inviting. I loved the decor and atmosphere. Menu includes special items that you don’t normally find in other counterparts. We ordered the breakfast burrito and breakfast tacos, they were both wonderful, full of flavours, great portion sizes. Coffee by Pablo and rusty was amazing. One of my favourite sydney cafes The only critic is everything is done via your phone e.g., ordering, making the whole dining experience ‘cold’ and odd. We felt uneasy not getting the chance to saying thanks to the team as we left.”
Joyce Lau

“Best vanilla milkshake in Sydney. Meine Tochter loves it and asks regularly to visit this friendly local cafe in Bronte. The super strong iced latte is a crowd pleaser too with 4 shots! Staff are friendly, fast and efficient.”
Jean-Paul Buhagiar

Published 1-April-2023

Bronte, Tamarama Beach Found to Have Very Low Levels of Microplastics

Did you know that Bronte and Tamarama Beach have some of the lowest levels of microplastics in the sand compared to other beaches in Sydney?

According to a study, Bronte and Tamarama Beach have very low levels of microplastics compared to the other samples gathered across 300 beaches in Australia by the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project.

A total of three million microplastic fragments were collected from the samplings in the beaches, which were then logged into the interactive hot map. It showed that Bronte Beach had just seven microplastic fragments per square metre while Tamarama Beach had three microplastic fragments per square metre. Both are in the green zone for having a very low level of microplastic fragments.

The worst beach has over 4,000 tiny particles of plastic per square metre.

Manly Cove in the Northern Beaches has been marked in the black zone as the researchers sampled 4,051 microplastic fragments per square metre.

AUSMAP Research Director Dr Scott Wilson of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Macquarie University said this project provided the “most substantial data we have on the scope and impact of microplastics in Australia’s waterways.”

“Australia’s massive coastline makes us particularly vulnerable to microplastics,” Mr Wilson said.

“While we know that we have a big problem with plastic pollution entering ocean currents everywhere, one of the major findings we have uncovered through this project is that most of the microplastics on a shoreline will be from that local catchment.”

AUSMAP said that microplastics levels were higher around urban waterways, in cities and towns with a large population.

Microplastic, which never completely breaks down, can come from activewear clothing, synthetic grasses, rubbish, and many other sources that become contaminants when it’s absorbed in the water, harming marine life that eats the bits of these plastics.

“They’re not just eating the plastic – they’re potentially getting a whole cocktail of chemicals as well.

Volunteers for AUSMAP
Photo Credit: Macquarie University

“We don’t know yet, what the long-term effects will be from ingesting microplastics and how much of these harmful chemicals will find their way into humans.

“What we do know, is that we can’t wait around to find out how bad it is. AUSMAP will help us to track where microplastics are coming from so we can stop it at the source.”

AUSMAP partnered with local governments and state environmental agencies for this project. The next step is educating the public about the best practices to reduce microplastics contamination on the beaches.

The AUSMAP data was cited for the Eureka Prize in 2021 for Innovation in Citizen Science. About 800 volunteers participated in the project that started in 2018.

Enjoy Authentic Pizza at the Newly-Renovated Vacanza Pizzeria in Bronte

In the mood for some authentic, masterfully-made pizzas? Vacanza Pizzeria Bronte has you covered. Recent renovated, it is now an even more perfect place to enjoy hearty pizza dishes and antipasti.

From the mind of Nick Gilbert comes the famous Italian pizza place ‘Vacanza Pizzeria’ which has been in the business for 11 years now, with branches in both Bronte and Surry Hills. The restaurant’s name draws roots from the Italian word ‘vacanza’, which roughly translates to ‘holiday’.

Just recently, the pizzeria has finished undergoing renovations for the first time in ten years. Some additions include the implementation of their all-new takeaway window on the ground floor, as well as the installation of a giant window to allow customers to view the kitchen and watch the magic happen live. The upstairs area, on the other hand, has received new pendant lights and decorative wall paneling along with some fancy marble top tables.

The restaurant offers both takeaway and dine in, and their menu features many classic pizzas such as pizza margherita, pizza gamberi, or pizza diavola with unique twists. Also available at the restaurant are calzones, salads, and both a curated selection of antipasti and a bufala mozzarella bar.

Photo credit: Instagram/Vacanza Pizzeria Sydney

Reviewers raved over the restaurant’s pizza, with numerous accounts lauding it as the “best pizza around”. The atmosphere and the service have also been commended by the restaurant’s customers. One reviewer in particular complimented the staff on their ability to work well under pressure despite the venue being extremely busy. Another had written that the food, the prices, and the staff were all incredible.

Mr Gilbert’s pizzerias first came about after he quit his corporate job to travel all across Europe and learn how to make pizza. His ventures across the continent have led to him mastering the particular style of pizza which he now serves at his restaurants in Sydney. He claims that Vacanza came about not for financial reasons, but because he wished to serve the community.

Vacanza Pizzeria can be found at 261 Bronte Rd, Waverley, open Wednesdays to Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on meals, deals, and other special announcements.

Bronte Surf Life Saving Club Set for $9 Million Redevelopment in Mid-2020

Construction of a new state-of-the-art facility for the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club is expected to be underway by mid-2020. Waverley Council has confirmed that it has received $9 million in funding to redevelop the site, which Bronte locals have enjoyed since 1903.

The existing clubhouse will be demolished and replaced with a sustainable building that can fill the demands of a growing community. Currently, Bronte Surf Life Saving Club has over 1,900 members, staff and lifeguards.

Among the proposed new features that will be incorporated in the new clubhouse include lifeguard and first aid facilities, family and accessible public amenities, function rooms, kiosk, gymnasium, and administrative offices. In addition to a new building, the promenade and surrounding areas by the beach will be upgraded to be more accessible and useful to locals enjoying the Bronte Beach.

Council has pledged $4.625 million for the redevelopment whilst Bronte Surf Life Saving Club members have pooled over $2.03 million in donations. The rest of the funds will come from the state and federal governments.

*Photo Credit: Bronte Surf Life Saving Club/Facebook*

“A Council/Club joint project control team will oversee the project to ensure all necessary financial and probity measures are in place. The project will result in significant improvements to amenities, provide better lifeguard facilities, improve workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements and will ensure the service the Club provides to the community will continue into the future,” Mayor John Wakefield said in a press statement.

Consultations have begun for the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment. Club members and residents are enjoined to let their ideas and opinions be heard as feedback will shape the design and features of the new clubhouse.

A development application will be submitted once the community’s inputs have been integrated into the project.