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Squash Faces Uncertain Future in Willoughby as Club Site Redeveloped

The future of squash in Willoughby is uncertain as the long-standing Willoughby Squash Club faces demolition for a multimillion-dollar childcare centre redevelopment, prompting community calls to preserve the sport’s local home.

Long-standing Sports Hub Faces Redevelopment

Willoughby Squash Club, a fixture on Sydney’s North Shore for nearly 50 years, is set to be replaced by a $2.9 million, three-storey childcare centre expected to serve almost 200 people. The family-owned site, located beside Hallstrom Park, has been sold for redevelopment, leaving hundreds of players concerned about the future of squash in the area.

The club, known for housing Sydney’s only doubles court, has served generations of players across multiple racquet sports, including table tennis, badminton, and racquetball. Over the decades, the facility has also trained athletes who went on to compete at national and international levels.

Sharp Decline of Squash Facilities

Players and advocates warn that the Willoughby club’s closure would accelerate a long-term decline in the sport. About 85 per cent of Sydney’s squash clubs have closed over the past 30 years, with fewer than 15 facilities now remaining across the city.

Rising property values have driven many closures, as courts give way to more profitable developments. The Willoughby venue has been one of the last remaining centres on the North Shore following closures in North Sydney, Lane Cove, and Mosman.

Push for Community Support

Club owner Peter Aitken and local supporters are urging Willoughby Council and the state to assist in securing land for a new facility. They argue that squash has not received the same level of support as other sports that benefit from subsidised leases and public land allocations.

A campaign titled “Keep Squash in Willoughby” has gathered 2,616 verified signatures through an online petition led by local resident Jack Goodman. The petition calls for councils on the North Shore—including those in North Sydney, Lane Cove, Willoughby, and Ku-ring-gai—to provide a permanent home for indoor racquet sports.

Community Voices and Local Action

Community members, including veteran players and local families, have voiced concern over the loss of one of the few inclusive and accessible indoor sports venues in the region. The facility also supports school programs and a large table tennis club run by former Olympian Vivian Tan.

The petition campaign has been supported by local events such as the “Keep Squash in Willoughby Open Day,” which invited residents to demonstrate their support through participation in racquet sports and community activities.

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Council’s Position and Future Outlook

Willoughby Council confirmed it was not involved in the property sale or redevelopment but acknowledged the community’s concerns. The council has unanimously agreed to explore opportunities for a new squash facility as part of its broader sport and recreation strategy.

With redevelopment plans proceeding, the Willoughby Squash community continues to press for immediate solutions to ensure the sport’s survival on the North Shore.

Published 12-Oct-2025

Together With Katie Lolas to Be Held in Willoughby

Photo Credit: Humanitix

Sydney wellness advocate and teacher Katie Lolas will host a community-focused wellness event in Willoughby, bringing together fitness, meditation and shared food.

Wellness Event in Willoughby

A wellness gathering led by Sydney teacher and influencer Katie Lolas is scheduled to take place at Vita Health Club, 83 Penshurst Street, Willoughby, on Sunday, 19 October 2025. The event, called Together With Katie Lolas, is part of a series that began in 2024.

The program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and is open to participants of all fitness levels. Tickets are priced at $50 and include access to the full program as well as breakfast and refreshments.

wellness event — *Photo Credit: Lady Lolas*

Activities and Schedule

The morning will begin with a talk by Katie Lolas, who will share personal strategies for self-care and wellbeing. She will be joined by guest facilitators Chaldee Gammo and Damien Giardina.

Mr Giardina, a personal trainer and owner of Vita Health Club, will lead a bodyweight workout designed for all levels. Ms Gammo, a cancer survivor and wellness coach, will guide participants through stretching and meditation exercises.

The program will conclude with a light breakfast featuring mint tea, za’atar manoush prepared by Lolas and her mother, and mini açaí bowls. Each guest will also receive a curated goodie bag.

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Background on Katie Lolas

Katie Lolas, known online as Lady Lolas, has built a strong following as a food, wellness and lifestyle blogger. Based in Sydney, she balances her work as a high school teacher with her online platform. Her content focuses on practical, balanced approaches to health and wellbeing.

She has openly shared personal experiences with grief and depression following the loss of her sister and the birth of her daughter, shaping her outlook on wellness as inclusive of both physical and mental health.

Community Focus

The Willoughby event emphasises community connection, encouraging attendees to take part either individually or with friends. Free parking will be available at the venue. The organisers note that only basic items such as a water bottle and towel are required to participate.

Looking Ahead

Together With Katie Lolas continues the series of wellness events designed to promote balance, connection and self-care. With activities combining exercise, meditation and shared food, the Willoughby event offers participants a structured opportunity to engage in practical wellbeing strategies within a community setting.

Published 28-Sep-2025

Willoughby Farewells Renowned Jazz Pianist Judy Bailey OAM

Photo Credit: Judy Bailey/Facebook

New Zealand-born jazz pianist and composer Judy Bailey OAM has died in Willoughby, aged 89, following a long career that shaped Australian jazz and music education.

Judy Bailey’s Passing in Willoughby

Judy Bailey died on Friday, 8 August 2025, at Estia Health Willoughby, where she had lived since 2021. Her children, Lisette and Chris De Gray, were present at the time of her passing.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born Judith Mary Bailey in Auckland on 3 October 1935, she grew up in Whangārei. She began ballet lessons at seven, but shifted to piano at the age of ten. At 16, she completed the performer’s diploma at Trinity College, London.

Her early influences included jazz recordings by Fats Waller, George Shearing, and Horace Silver. By her teenage years, she was already arranging and composing for the Auckland Radio Band.

Move to Australia and Career in Sydney

Bailey relocated to Sydney in 1960, originally planning to continue to the United Kingdom. Recommended to conductor Tommy Tycho by fellow pianist Julian Lee, she became the resident pianist in the Channel 7 television orchestra.

Her first album, You and the Night and the Music, was released in 1964. She later worked with orchestras at Channel 9 and Channel 10, and collaborated with musicians such as Don Burrows, John Sangster, and Graeme Lyall.

Contributions to Music and Education

Bailey’s career extended beyond performance. She became a founding member of the jazz faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in the 1970s, teaching jazz piano and composition.

She also created children’s music for ABC Radio and in 1973 began contributing to the program Kindergarten. In the early 1990s, she helped establish Jazz Connection, later serving as its musical director, mentoring young Australian musicians for more than two decades.

Her compositions were recorded across multiple labels, with her 1976 track Colour of My Dreams later sampled by US rapper Rick Ross in Santorini Greece (2017).

Recognition and Honours

Bailey received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004 for her services to music and education. In 2018, she was awarded the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award, and in 2022, she received the Don Banks Music Award for sustained contribution to Australian music.

Family Life

In 1967, she married American bassist Richard De Gray. The couple had two children, Lisette in 1968 and Chris in 1971, before separating in the early 1970s.

Legacy

Judy Bailey is remembered as a trailblazer for women in Australian jazz, a dedicated educator, and a composer whose influence extended across generations. Her life’s work in performance, education, and mentorship left a lasting mark on the national music scene.

Published 18-Aug-2025

Invasive Spanish Moss Threatens Willoughby’s Native Trees

Photo Credit: New South Wales

A fast-growing weed known as Spanish moss is smothering native trees across Willoughby, sparking a public campaign to protect the region’s unique bushland and biodiversity.

The call for public involvement comes after a noticeable increase in infestations of the plant, which is also commonly known as Old Man’s Beard. This month, local officials passed a resolution to take proactive steps to contain the weed, with a public education campaign scheduled to launch in the coming months to support the effort.

An Escalating Environmental Threat

Though it is not currently listed as a prohibited plant under New South Wales biosecurity laws, Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is officially recognised as a weed by the Department of Primary Industries. The plant poses a serious problem by smothering the branches of its host, blocking essential sunlight and preventing photosynthesis. The sheer weight of a heavy infestation can also stress limbs, causing them to break and damage the tree.

This invasion alters the natural habitat, affecting native species and the delicate balance between predators and their prey. Officials have noted that warmer and wetter climate conditions are helping the weed to spread even faster, making containment a difficult and costly challenge, especially when it reaches high into the tree canopy.

Mayor Tanya Taylor stated that Spanish moss is becoming a significant environmental threat in the area’s urban forest. She emphasised that early action and strong community cooperation are essential to protect the health of the local tree canopy and biodiversity.

Council Outlines Proactive Strategy

To manage the problem, Willoughby’s city council is implementing a multi-faceted plan. The strategy includes the removal of infestations from trees on public land and reserves. Management and monitoring of the weed will also be integrated into existing bushland and reserve action plans.

Additionally, training will be provided to bushcare volunteers and staff to help with early detection and rapid response. To support the community, updated fact sheets and communication materials will be distributed. Local authorities are also advocating for the state to review the official classification of Spanish moss to give communities more power to control it.

How Residents Can Protect Local Trees

The success of the campaign relies heavily on residents taking action on their own properties. The weed particularly affects important native canopy trees like turpentines, brush box, lilly pilly, and cheese trees, along with popular ornamental species such as maples and bottlebrush. Spreading easily by wind, birds, and even human activity, it can quickly colonise new areas, including private backyards and apartment balconies.

Residents are being asked to check their trees and gardens for any signs of Spanish moss and to remove it wherever it is safe to do so. Officials strongly advise against using the plant for garden decoration or landscaping, as this practice directly contributes to its spread throughout the community. Information to help residents identify and responsibly manage the plant will be shared through social media, newsletters, and the local government website.

Published Date 24-July-2025

Local Parents Secure $1 Million Property for Daughter in Willoughby

Photo Credit: Willoughby Grounds

A Willoughby family has made what could be one of the most forward-thinking property investments in Australia, purchasing a $1 million apartment for their four-year-old daughter.

Mark and Alana Kensley decided against waiting until their daughter reached adulthood to help her enter the property market, instead choosing to secure her financial future now. Their daughter, aptly named Willoughby after the suburb where she was conceived, is now the owner of a one-bedroom unit in the new Willoughby Grounds development on Willoughby Street.

Mark Kensley described the decision as refusing to kick the can down the road. The Willoughby Grounds development on Walter Street is completing in August 2025, and the family saw the location as particularly meaningful given their personal connection to the area.

Young Willoughby has already begun telling people about her property ownership, though at four and a half years old, the concept remains somewhat abstract. Her parents plan to remind her annually about the investment as she grows up.

The property won’t legally transfer to Willoughby’s name until she turns 18, at which point she’ll have complete control over the asset. She could choose to live in it during university, sell it to fund other ventures, or continue using it as an investment property.

In the meantime, the Kensleys plan to rent out the apartment, banking on Willoughby’s strong rental market and convenient transport links. They’re even planning to make the unit pet-friendly to attract tenants, accommodating their own cavoodle in the process.

This approach reflects a growing trend across Australia, where parents are increasingly stepping in to help their children navigate an increasingly challenging property market. Recent research indicates that 82 per cent of parents are open to helping their children enter the property market, driven by a desire to provide the same financial security they experienced.

The move comes as Australia grapples with a well-publicised housing crisis, with families increasingly exploring various strategies to support their children’s property ownership aspirations.

Tim Abbott from Ray White’s projects and developments division noted that such purchases are becoming commonplace, with parents looking to get ahead of market conditions rather than simply react to them. The Willoughby Grounds development has particularly attracted buyers with personal connections to the area, including those returning after years away.

The Kensleys’ investment strategy demonstrates how some Australian families are adapting to current market conditions by taking a long-term view of property ownership, effectively gifting their children a head start that many of their peers may never receive.

For now, the property serves as both a sentimental gesture and a practical investment, with the family confident that Willoughby’s desirable location and quality development will ensure steady rental returns until their daughter is old enough to make her own decisions about the property.

Published 21-July-2025

New Recycling Services Introduced in Willoughby

Photo Credit: Pexels

Willoughby city officials have launched two new kerbside recycling services to support residents in managing waste more efficiently and sustainably.

Strategic Direction and Background

Willoughby’s latest waste service changes align with the long-term environmental objectives outlined in Our Future Willoughby 2036, the city’s strategic plan. The plan prioritises sustainability, increased resource recovery, and reduced landfill use over the next decade.

Mattress Collection Begins in August

From 1 August 2025, residents must book a separate kerbside collection for used mattresses and bed ensemble bases, excluding frames. The program introduces a new partnership with Soft Landing, a not-for-profit recycling organisation that processes up to 75% of mattress components. Recovered materials such as steel, foam, and timber are reused for items like carpet underlay and mulch or converted to energy.

This change aims to divert mattresses from landfill and improve material recovery across Willoughby.

HomeCycle Launches in September

Starting 1 September 2025, Willoughby households will also have access to HomeCycle, a free home collection service for hard-to-recycle materials including soft plastics, textiles, and blister packs. The program is particularly beneficial for apartment residents and others without easy access to drop-off points.

Residents can book pick-ups for up to 20 bags per collection. The service includes clear tracking of collected materials, providing assurance that items are being processed responsibly.

Supporting Broader Sustainability Goals

These additions directly support Willoughby’s environmental targets, including increasing the waste recovery rate to 80% by 2030 and achieving net zero community carbon emissions by the 2040s. Both services improve recycling access for materials not handled through regular programs.

recycling services — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Community Feedback

Consultation conducted as part of the strategic planning process showed strong support from residents for waste reduction and sustainability measures. These new services reflect that demand.

Next Steps

Residents are encouraged to schedule bookings for mattress or HomeCycle collections through the official waste services portal. The rollout marks another step in Willoughby’s efforts to support responsible waste management and environmental progress.

Published 21-July-2025

New EV Chargers to Make Life Easier for Willoughby Apartment Residents

Photo Credit: Transport for NSW

Willoughby is among more than 20 suburbs across New South Wales set to receive new electric vehicle (EV) chargers, with 18 kerbside units coming to local streets as part of a major push to support drivers without off-street parking.

Making Charging Easier for Local Drivers

The rollout will bring 549 kerbside EV chargers to 130 suburbs, backed by $5 million in combined public and private funding. Installations will take place over the next 12 months. Willoughby is set to receive 18 new chargers, placed on local streets or in council-managed parking spots.

*Photo Credit: Mayor Tanya Taylor/Facebook*

The goal is to support residents who can’t charge at home, especially in denser housing areas. For many locals, particularly renters and unit dwellers, this makes owning an electric vehicle more achievable.

Simple Setups Backed by Industry Support

Five companies, including ChargePost and Connected Kerb, will work with councils and energy providers to install the new chargers. Each unit will provide between 7kW and 22kW of power, enough to top up an EV while it’s parked during the day or overnight. The chargers will be either pole-mounted or pedestal-style, designed to blend into local streets and car parks.

Their visibility and ease of use are intended to make charging part of everyday life. The Electric Vehicle Council says convenient public access like this helps more people feel ready to make the switch to electric.

EV Popularity Growing Across the State

Electric vehicles are gaining traction across Australia, with more than 12% of new car sales in the first half of 2025 being EVs. As interest rises, so does the need for more charging access, especially in urban centres like Willoughby.

While this rollout focuses on kerbside infrastructure, it works alongside other programs building fast-charging sites and regional support. Together, they aim to give more people the tools they need to transition to lower-emission transport, without the pressure of home installations.

Supporting a Practical Shift in Transport

For Willoughby residents, 18 new chargers will bring more convenient access to EV charging in public spaces. This helps remove a key barrier for locals without off-street parking.

Installations will roll out over the next year, with councils overseeing placement alongside delivery partners. The aim is to make charging a simple part of daily life across the suburb.

Published 16-July-2025

Willoughby Locals Invited to Help Guide Arts and Culture Board

Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council/Facebook

In a move that could impact Willoughby’s cultural life for years to come, the City Council is inviting applications for two key positions on its arts trust board.

Willoughby Calls For Community Voices To Help Shape Local Arts Future

Willoughby residents are being called on to help shape the future of the city’s arts and culture scene, with expressions of interest now open for two positions on the Civic Place Trust Board.

*Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council/Facebook*

Applications close 5:00 pm Friday, 10 May 2024. Willoughby Council is calling for locals with experience in arts, fundraising, law or finance to join the board, which meets a few times a year to support the city’s cultural growth.

Supporting Local Arts in Willoughby

Established in 2004, the Civic Place Trust supports cultural projects in Willoughby, including fundraising for The Concourse in Chatswood and backing groups like the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

*Photo Credit: Willoughby Symphony/Facebook*

Willoughby City Council says the board helps guide donations and sponsorships that support the arts in the local area. It ensures that the money raised goes toward improving facilities, events, and opportunities for local residents to experience and take part in cultural life.

Who the Council is Looking For

The Council is seeking two new trustees, one with experience in arts, fundraising or philanthropy, and another with a background in law, governance or finance. Applicants don’t need to be professionals but should have relevant knowledge and a strong commitment to the local community.

People selected to join the board will be asked to attend a few meetings a year and contribute their ideas and guidance. Their role will be to help keep Willoughby’s arts scene active and accessible, especially as the city continues to grow.

How to Get Involved

Locals who are interested can apply by sending a cover letter and CV to: civicplacetrust@gmail.com

More information about the Trust and what it does is available on the Willoughby City Council website, under the Civic Place Trust section.

Council officials said they hope to hear from people of all backgrounds who are passionate about helping their city thrive through culture and creativity.

Published 22-April-2025

Willoughby Mayor Demands Stronger Powers to Combat Tree Vandalism

Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council

Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor is calling for the NSW State Government to implement stronger enforcement tools following the conclusion of an investigation into one of the area’s largest tree vandalism cases.

The investigation into the deliberate destruction of 256 trees at H.D. Robb Reserve in Castle Cove has ended without sufficient evidence to prosecute those responsible, according to a Council statement. Among the destroyed vegetation was an iconic 21-metre Sydney angophora that had stood for over 80 years.

**Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor**
Photo Credit: Willoughby City Council

Mayor Taylor described the destruction as “simply heartless in its disregard for our cherished flora and fauna” and presented her concerns directly to state officials. She met with NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, Minister for Climate Change & Energy Penny Sharpe, Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale, and mayors from neighbouring councils to discuss three key points and seven recommendations from Willoughby Council.

“This case was unprecedented in its scale and will go down in Willougby’s history as a low point for our community,” Mayor Taylor said. “Council’s officers have worked tirelessly to identify those responsible, however we’ve been unable to unearth the necessary evidence that might lead to the prosecution of those behind this act.”

The Mayor noted this isn’t an isolated incident, with Willoughby experiencing an increasing number of tree vandalism cases in recent years, reflecting a troubling trend across Sydney’s North Shore.

Willoughby Council has already implemented multiple strategies to address tree vandalism, including educational initiatives, hiring additional compliance staff, and participating in a Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC) working group focused on regulatory frameworks and enforcement.

Mayor Taylor emphasised that current resources are inadequate: “We simply need more support in our efforts to investigate tree vandalism to ensure that this doesn’t become an even larger issue.” She added that these incidents undermine Council’s work to balance housing requirements with the NSW Government’s urban tree canopy targets.

Published 20-February-2025

Middle Cove Residence Features Secret ‘James Bond’ Rooms

Photo Credit: Belle Property

A modernist Middle Cove residence with secret rooms at 15 The Quarterdeck has been listed for sale with an $8.25 million guide price. The property, currently owned by advertising businessman Stuart Archibald, was previously purchased from former Facebook chief executive Paul Borrud.

The home is strategically positioned next door to 13 The Quarterdeck, which set a suburb record when it sold for $11.5 million in 2021. That record-breaking property was owned by the late newsreader Brian Henderson and his wife Mardi for 27 years.

Number 15 itself made headlines in 2020 when it sold for $7.25 million, exceeding the previous suburb record by approximately $3 million.

Architectural Heritage and Modern Features

The original home was designed in 1959 by Glynn Nicholls, son of Eric Nicholls who partnered with internationally acclaimed architect Walter Burley Griffin. During Borrud’s ownership, the mid-century residence underwent significant renovation that more than doubled its scale, enhancing the harbour views and natural setting while preserving the original facade.

The property’s most distinctive feature is a secret wine cellar and tasting room concealed behind a bookcase — a sophisticated design element reminiscent of spy films. This 1252-square-meter property now includes high-technology features, large picture windows, and oversized living spaces.

The residence offers six bedrooms, five bathrooms, parking for three cars, a pool, lawn, and extensive decking that creates a resort-like atmosphere.

Sale Details

Mark Jackson of Belle Property Cammeray is handling the auction, scheduled for March 1. At the guided price of $8.25 million, the property would become the second most valuable house in Middle Cove.

Following the sale, Archibald, who has recently left his shared agency Archibald Williams to focus on his independent advertising business CA.5, plans to divide his time between Sydney and London with his family.

Published 4-February-2025