As we venture into 2025, we’ve listed here our top 10 stories from the past year that received the most attention from readers and/or had the biggest impact on the community.
10. Love to a tee: how Jim and Maureen captured our attention (and hearts): February 5
This story was one of Manly Observer’s most popular in 2024, not just locally, but internationally.
Jim created custom shirts so people would say hello to his wife Maureen, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, when they strolled around Manly. He noticed Maureen reaching out to people, but this went unnoticed. This promptly led to his creative customisations.
This love story spread quickly through the Northern Beaches, then Sydney and even across the pond to China, the US and Europe – Jim even received fan art by an artist from Hong Kong.
We caught up with Jim for our 2024 wrap-up to ask how people see Maureen now. He showed us a list he made on his phone of the hundreds of people he has met as a result of the exposure, so it’s safe to say he is grateful to the community.
“I’ve had hundreds of people, as a result of that article in the Observer, address Maureen by name,” Jim told us.
“When they come up and chat to us, she opens a bright eye, she gives them a big smile, she’ll hold out her hand to them. People are just so wonderful in the way they really enrich her time here. We’re so lucky.”
9. Extreme weather event rolling updates
Northern Beaches bushfire: rolling updates: September 21
Australians are no strangers to summer bushfires, but as the sky filled with smoke and an ocean of blazes blanketed over 140 hectares of land, many Northern Beaches residents looked on in awe – and well-placed concern.
A fire at Meatworks Avenue, Oxford Falls, originally intended as a hazard reduction, was classified as out of control by 1:30pm on 21 September. Unexpected winds were to blame.
The fire burnt through Oxford Falls, Beacon Hill and Cromer bushland and bordered properties around Willandra to the point where residents were given evacuation orders. The event had almost 300 firefighters and multiple aircraft water bombings to control the blaze.
Manly Observer provided rolling coverage from when the fire was first reported as ‘out of control’ to when the fire warning was downgraded to ‘Advice’, and then finished off with report of the aftermath the following day.
Northern Beaches Severe Weather Warning: What You Need To Know. Rolling news thread – April 5
The Northern Beaches had the year of the fire and the flood – fortunately, for readers, Manly Observer was on the case providing constant updates as well as providing preparation and safety tips.
The NSW SES had their work cut out for them over a sudden 24-hour period as 150mm of rain fell around the beaches. Manly and Warringah/Pittwater SES Units responded to 127 calls for flood and storm assistance from residents.
Some of the worst places to be hit by floods were those living near Narrabeen Lagoon, as low-lying properties were given evacuation orders at around 7pm. There were also contamination warnings for water pollution around Manly and Clontarf, Manly Dam was given a watch order as it was at 96.4 per cent capacity and around 1,700 homes in Balgowlah, Seaforth and Clontarf also lost power.
8. Surf and turf: how Manly snubbed both PINK and a Kardashian this week – February 14
Who doesn’t love a bit of celebrity drama? Our readers certainly did but the Manly Skiff Club less so when they turned away international superstar Pink (P!NK) from their venue after she couldn’t produce an ID.
According to witness, Manly Market Manager, Mark Eymes, the American singer had already secured a booking with a deposit, but we suppose even having a globally recognisable face means squat under the Aussie RSA.
It was shared that Pink didn’t kick up a fuss but instead went for a relaxing evening at 4 Pines Manly instead. So what? She’s still a rockstar.
It was also reported that Kourtney Kardashian was booked in for a surf lesson that same week on Manly Beach. However, had to be relocated due to choppy weather.
7. Investigation: Grim find brings Manly’s Little Penguins plight to light – July 25
Manly Observer conducted a major investigation after it was brought to our attention in January 2024 that a severed little penguin fin – fashioned into a necklace – was discovered at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park walking track.
After hearing reports from sources of this being a repeated event we looked into any evidence of poaching on the Northern Beaches. We communicated with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Police, Taronga Zoo and multiple wildlife rescue and protection agencies. Fortunately, there was no conclusive data on poaching and the penguin fin was a gruesome one-off event.
However, it did lead us to look deeper into the little penguin population crisis in Manly. Recent data showed there are only 19 breeding pairs left in the area. The ‘urban rarity’ colony’s dwindled numbers are estimated to be a result of feral animals and boat collision incidents, topped off with the penguins provability to only mate for life – making repopulation difficult if a one of the breeding pairs partners is killed.
To protect the species the NPWS is constantly monitoring and baiting the area for feral cats and foxes. There are also protection zones where boats are unable to anchor or access after certain times.
6. Northern Beaches Council: Local Government Election Candidates 2024 – September 24
It was a very interesting local election this year as residents and local members alike were shocked to discover that none of the Liberal-endorsed candidates could run due to a monumental ‘resources’ blunder by the party.
Northern Beaches Councillor, David Walton, and Deputy Mayor, Georgia Ryburn, were among over 100 candidates in 16 council areas who did not have their nomination forms submitted on time by NSW Liberal HQ.
According to this article’s popularity, it seemed Northern Beaches residents were very interested in who the running candidates were – or perhaps who was most closely related to their party’s values since the Liberals had been eliminated from the race.
In any case, Manly Observer had locals covered by providing an extensive background on each candidate accompanied with a statement of why they think locals should’ve voted for them.
5. Newly wed drowns at Shelly Beach – January 17
Although this is a thread outlining the most impactful stories this year on the community, it’s also worth noting the ones that also had a major effect on us.
One of the stories that most affected us was the tragic death of a Korean woman on her honeymoon while swimming at Shelly Beach at the beginning of the year. What we didn’t share at the time was that the husband, overwhelmed with grief, had lost his wedding ring on the sand in the chaos of the day.
We were alerted to the problem privately by an official on the scene who hoped Manly Observer could help somehow. We managed to arrange a metal detection expert lostjewelleryrecovery on the beach ASAP and after a long search got word they had found the ring and returned it to Manly Police station.
It was hard to call it a good news story in the scheme of things, so we didn’t report on it at the time, but on a personal level, being able to diffuse one small element of suffering was a powerful experience.
4. Battle of the bowl: Açai recipe war becomes talk of town – March 8
Allegations of a pillage in Freshwater Village turned the heads of many locals and then later the attention of national news organisations and broadcasters as two businesses locked horns over accused copied açaí bowl menus.
Ella Rose from Blessed Bowls accused the owner of Mr Gelato, Matteo Dominici, of stealing their acai bowl menu. However, Mr Dominici sat down for a debrief with us insisting that the resemblance was nothing more than a coincidence and that he simply found the recipes online.
A side-by-side comparison did convey some pretty damning similarities; but what do we know about açaí bowls?
Since then, Mr Gelato altered the menu slightly and Blessed Bowls told Manly Observer they will be leaving the issue with their legal team.
3. Local mum’s death prompts discussion on post natal depression; friends rally to support husband – August 7
CONTENT WARNING: the following discusses themes and events that could be particularly distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
In July this year, with the explicit and express permission of Stephanie Castellanos’s husband, we shared a snippet of her story.
Stephanie was being treated for symptoms relating to Post Natal Depression leading up to her sudden passing. Ordinarily, an incident of suspected self-harm would not be publicly known or written about, but this caught public attention because police issued a public news alert hours earlier when the 28-year-old first went missing, and mentioned that she had recently given birth. They also reported when the body had been discovered by the public, ergo so did we.
Through telling her story, Stephanie’s husband, Harry Kelleher, hoped to save a life by raising awareness of Post Natal Depression, and tell the world about what a beautiful human we lost.
New parents experiencing concerning emotional symptoms can call Gidget House on 1300 851 758 to book an appointment or view their website for the services they provide. Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support service is available 24/7.
2. Calamari Kindness: How a fish and chips investment turned into friendship – May 16
A random act of kindness can go a long way. In Wiraphat ‘Will’ Plathongkham’s case, it changed his life.
The 24-year-old was in an incredibly stressful situation around December 2023. He was seated outside of his newly purchased store, in tears, as a dispute with builders – at no fault of his own – was about to cost him his business, which was established to support and employ his family.
But as what he can only be described as a ‘Christmas miracle’ Curl Curl resident, Andy King, saw Will and asked what the matter was. After hearing his story, the local dad took pity and decided to invest in his dream.
The two have since spawned an unlikely friendship and created a fish and chips shop called ‘Calamari Kid’, which is quickly becoming a staple of the community.
The story took the hearts of Northern Beaches regulars and beyond. So much so that the shop was crowded with business after Manly Observer shared their story.
1. CrackerJack’s Fighting Chance: our community’s bid to save a child – February 13
Jaimee, Trent and their sons, six-year-old Ted and four-year-old Jack were living the typical life of a young family in Freshwater – until Jack was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma cancer.
Treatment was incredibly expensive, and the family did not have the money.
This story was special as it represented the power of local news. Not only did it shine a light on a family asking for help to save their son, the community responded and within a day of the story being posted over $100K was donated to the cause.
Jack had fended off the cancer but the family needed special treatment in New York in an attempt to avoid the 50 per cent relapse rate. Unfortunately, their worst nightmare came to fruition and the relapse happened, causing Jack to re-undergo treatment and the family needing to change their game plan.
Thankfully, CrackerJack stayed strong and fought hard against the cancer once again and is now in remission. Thanks to the community’s financial support, he is now in New York at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre receiving maintenance treatment.
“We’re very excited to end 2024 in New York. Jack is currently in remission, and thanks to our incredible Manly Observer community,” Jack’s mum, Jaimee, told Manly Observer in a video.
“We’re just so excited that he’s in remission, and he’s doing really well and feeling good.”
