Get the appBeacon Hill, NSW 2100 · 0 stories this week
Nearby: Allambie · Allambie Heights · Brookvale · North Manly · Oxford Falls · Warringah Mall
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Giovanni Pilu, a finalist for Chef of the Year in the 2027 Good Food Guide Awards, has spoken about his life and career. He grew up in Sotza, a small village in Sardinia, where his family's food and community shaped him. He worked in kitchens in Sardinia before moving to Sydney to marry Marilyn. He now runs his namesake restaurant at Freshwater, which is 22 years old. The awards decision is due later this week.
Bec Lynch, aged 35, died peacefully in Manly on Saturday, 10 October 2026, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A PDHPE teacher at Narrabeen Sports High School, she inspired her students and colleagues. Known as a familiar face along the Manly beachfront, she ran by the ocean each morning. Her family, friends, former students and the Northern Beaches community will deeply miss her.
Sydney’s Southwest Metro will open on 30 October, extending the line from Sydenham to Bankstown. The 66-kilometre route will include stops such as Marrickville, Canterbury, and Lakemba, replacing the old T3 heavy-rail line. Transport for NSW says the new Metro will carry 50 per cent more passengers and provide faster trips, with trains running every four minutes during peak times. Premier Chris Minns and Transport Minister John Graham have thanked commuters for their patience during the delays. Further extensions to the line are in early planning stages.
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Get the appParramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
Brendon and Emma Reynolds have put the historic Junee Hotel on the market so they can move closer to family. The couple took over the lease in 2023 and later bought the property, restoring its rooms, bathrooms and bar. They have added community events, including a singles night that Emma says led to five relationships. Emma criticised government taxes on regional pubs and staffing rules that limit backpacker workers. The couple plan to live in the hotel while a sale progresses, which they say can take six to 12 months.
Griffith Police Station will begin accepting eligible firearms from 2 November under the NSW Government's gun buyback scheme. The scheme follows the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025, which killed 15 people. Owners must book an appointment online through Gun Safe, and compensation ranges from $450 for an air rifle to $1000 for a centrefire rifle or revolver. Local firearms dealers, including Anthony Mancini of Riverina Firearms Centre, say the reforms have hurt their businesses and that the payments are too low. Further police stations will join the scheme from 1 December and 18 January 2027.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Drivers travelling between Armidale and the coast on Waterfall Way should allow extra time from Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 8 November. Transport for NSW says a string of maintenance jobs and projects may cause cumulative delays, with some sections of up to 10 minutes. Vehicles wider than 3 metres face restrictions on parts of the route, and a permit is needed. Motorists can follow signs and directions from traffic controllers, or use alternative routes including the Oxley Highway, Gwydir Highway or New England Highway.
Credit Corp Group, which buys bad debts at a discount and collects them, is on track for another record result this year. The listed business posted a record $105.5 million net profit in 2025/26 and is targeting between $112 million and $120 million this financial year. Chief executive Thomas Beregi told shareholders the purchase of one of HSBC's run-off credit card books was a key driver. Its consumer lending arms grew almost a fifth in the September quarter, led by its Wallet Wizard loans, which carry an annual interest rate of 47.8 per cent.
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