Take the family out for a day of fun, thrills, good food and entertainment at Festival on the Green.

This year, the Festival on the Green will be held on Sunday, June 15 between 10am and 4pm at St Ives Village Green.

There will be plenty of things to see and do for kids and adults alike – rides, live music, art and craft stalls, delicious food and wine and some fantastic performances.

“This is the fifth time we’ve run this event, and each year it gets bigger and better,” said Ku-ring-gai Mayor Nick Ebbeck.

“I encourage everyone to pop down during the day and soak up the festival atmosphere at this wonderful free event.”

The Festival on the Green features:

Main stage entertainment from 10am with dazzling aerial theatre, live music, martial arts and community performances.

Kids’ Zone, an interactive circus playground with hoola hoops, stilts, juggling, uni-cycling, and free inflatable amusement rides.

The Active Kidz Show will provide dancing and singing for children, while educating both kids and parents about the importance of living healthy lifestyles.

Australian Wildlife display of native animals such as pythons, possums, lizards, birds, bats, frogs and bugs sponsored by Century 21. Kids will also be able to decorate an animal mask, or make a balloon animal in the Century 21 Kids’ Tent.

Practise your swing at the Stealers Baseball batting cage.

Interactive roaming performers will entertain the crowd throughout the day including Griego the Great Roving Magician performing mental card magic; Joe Joe the Clown will juggle, make balloon figures and perform magic tricks; and watch out for the camels!

Food and wine area with multicultural gourmet cuisine and wine tasting stalls.

St Ives Shopping Village will hold Tastes of the Village with selected food from Village stores and Fun at the Village, a kids’ workshop with various activities such as food decorating and craft.

A huge variety of stalls including quality merchandise, arts and crafts, jewellery, Council and local community information.

2NSB-FM 99.3 Rhythm and Jazz will be broadcasting live on the day.
Ku-ring-gai Council will provide a free bus shuttle service every 30 minutes between Gordon Station and St Ives Village Green between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Commuters are encouraged to use Wade Lane Car Park at Gordon, as parking is limited at St Ives Village Green.

The Festival on the Green is proudly presented by Ku-ring-gai Council, with major sponsors St Ives Shopping Village and Lightfoot Sound; event partners Century 21 Gordon, North Shore Times and 2NSB FM99.3 and event supporters Triple H 100.1FM.

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Winter Orchid Show

The orchid flower has evoked great passion over centuries and continues to fascinate and astound with
its variety and complexity.


These highly evolved plants are very hardy and surprisingly easy to grow when selected for the right conditions.

From Monday 16 June to Sunday 22 June, the NSW Orchid Society presents their magnificent winter orchid display. Nine square metres of St Ives Shopping Village will be transformed, with mass displays of orchids from all over the world. Many different sizes and varieties, from the popular to the unusual, will be on display and available for purchase. Visitors to the Village will have the opportunity to speak with growers offering invaluable advice.

Exhibitors include orchid societies from the North Shore, Ku-ring-gai, Eastwood and the Hawkesbury District along with commercial nurseries Royale Orchids from Peats Ridge and Barrita from Culburra on the NSW Central Coast.

Talk to the experts and find an orchid that's just right for you.

For more information on the easiest way to grow these rewarding flowers, visit the NSW Orchid Society website at www.orchidsocietynsw.com.au.

Proudly sponsored by Gweneth Bleakley of Fine Art Prints, Pymble, phone 0407 660 410.

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A gift voucher from St Ives Shopping Village was included as part of a special commemorative pack presented to semi-finalists in this year’s 25th anniversary NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition.

The NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition is organised annually by the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO). It has become one of the most esteemed music competitions in Australia, this year attracting 115 entrants from throughout New South Wales. Auditions held earlier this year reduced the field of competitors to 20 semi-finalists. Among the semi-finalists were Vincent Lo of Pymble, Richard Narroway of St Ives, and Narek Shamavonian of St Ives.

Narek Shamavonian (pictured above) was recently selected at the semi-finals to compete in the final, the winner of which will receive a $5,000 cheque and an invitation to perform as a soloist in a concert with the KPO in 2009.

“St Ives Shopping Village has been a long-time supporter of Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra’s activities directed at young people in our community,” the President of the KPO, Louise Keller, revealed. “They have provided significant initial funding for a new Young Performers’ Scholarship, and it is a wonderful gesture to have also now provided a gift voucher to each of the semi-finalists in this year’s NSW Secondary Schools Concerto Competition.”

For more information and tickets to the finals, visit www.kpo.org.au

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The Ku-ring-gai Art Society announces its 43rd Annual Awards Exhibition. Over 200 works will be on display at St Ives Shopping Village from Monday 21 July to Sunday 27 July. The Society’s exhibiting members will be vying for $11,000 worth of prizes in eight categories, plus other special prizes.

The entrants will be judged by two prominent Sydney artists, Ross Harvey, who paints wonderful traditional works in oil and Jasper Knight, a creator of outstanding contemporary works and a finalist in the 2007 Archibald Prize for his portrait of Bob Carr.

Award winning artist Noeline Millar, Artist of the Year for 2006 in the Combined Art Society’s Awards Exhibition, has contributed a beautiful painting 'Sunshine at Chinaman’s Beach' to be raffled during the exhibition. There will also be a Viewer’s Choice Prize.

The official opening takes place on Wednesday 23rd July at 6pm. The exhibition will be opened by popular, award winning Sydney artist Paul McCarthy in the presence of the Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Cr. Nick Ebbeck.

This is an outstanding investment opportunity to acquire quality works of art at non-gallery prices by the society’s talented exhibiting members, many of whom are prize winners in prestigious art exhibitions.

For information phone 0419 983 917, or log on to
the website www.kuringaiartsociety.org.au.

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This season's best fashions were out on parade to support a worthy cause.

Over 350 guests enjoyed the spectacular Le Winter 08 parade and showcase at the St Ives Village Girls Night Out on Thursday 27 March.

The night not only celebrated the new season's fashion but also raised money to support St Lucy’s School for disabled children, in Wahroonga.

"Congratulations on another great event," said Gailene Keen, St Lucy's School Development Manager. "The opportunity and support you give these students means so much, not only to the children but also to their families. Thank you.”

Through the Girl's Night Out ticket and raffle sales a total amount of $4,280 was raised on the night.

Jo Karaolis, Principal of St Lucy’s said, "Raising this amount of money was fantastic. We are going to use it to buy a portable mirror and bar for the dance studio."

St Lucy's is an independent school and receives only partial funding from the government for essential services. The remainder must be raised through fundraising events, donations and bequests. By supporting St Lucy's, St Ives Shopping Village assists the school to continue the highest quality education.

The event touched the hearts of many when St Lucy’s children became part of the fashion parade itself. It is considered a great event by the staff and parents of the school with many a parent in tears on the night. "The children were all smiles, ear to ear, the next morning when they came in for school," one parent commented.

Another proud mother said, "I was unsure if Trudi would understand the situation, or how she would handle it, but as has happened in the past, she more than rose to the challenge and seemed to delight in the experience."

All of us here at St Ives Shopping Village also delight in the experience that community effort brings – the next Girls Night Out will be on Thursday September 18th, with funds raised going to St Edmunds, a secondary school for children with disabilities.

Tickets go on sale Saturday August 23rd.
Above: Matthew from St Lucy's School

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nina ynez - Modern Apothecary and The Village recently hosted the inaugural Beauty with a Purpose event, raising awareness and funds for the St Ives Spastic Centre.

On show were magnificent floral arrangements created by leading Sydney floral designers Seed Flora. Shoppers had the opportunity to bid on their favourite floral arrangement with all funds raised from the closed auction bid going directly to the Spastic Centre.

The event also celebrated that beauty comes in more ways than one. Miss Australia 2007-8, Caroline Pemberton of St Ives opened the event and spoke of her strong belief that young people can do more to raise awareness of special causes and that beauty should have a purpose.

Special guest hosts on the night were the local member for Davidson Mr Jonathan O'Dea?MP, Cr Tony Hall of Ku-ring-gai Council, Mr Warren Harrison, Managing Director of Global Perfumery and Dr Welly Firmanto, Brand Manager of Global Perfumery.

Dr Firmanto told guests that the event was also to express gratitude to everyone who has supported nina ynez – Modern Apothecary since their opening last August and to recognise all mothers on
Mother's Day.?

Above: Dr Welly Firmanto, Caroline Pemberton,
Sue McKindkay, Jonathon O'Dea, MP.

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Some years ago, Lance Young’s mother, was diagnosed with advanced cancer. A widow of 25 years, she lived alone and was deeply attached to her home and her beautiful garden. Lance, who was living and working interstate at the time, constantly worried about how his mum would be able to cope in an emergency. “The most important thing for her peace of mind was to know she could pick up the phone and call family or friends if she needed urgent help,”
Lance said.

“We installed a care dialler with a transmitting pendant and base station, but it couldn't be used as a normal phone. It added an extra expense every month when a phone with the same functionality would have been ideal.”

Now, years on, Lance has set up his own communications business, ezyphones.com.au, which offers an excellent range of ezy-to-use, Australian designed Oricom phones.

Lance believes by far the most important phone in the range is the ezycarephone. It is an emergency help telephone with up to five wireless, waterproof panic buttons that are placed on the walls, just above the floor, in key areas around the home.

“If an accident occurs, one of the panic buttons can be pressed, making an automatic call for help without the need to reach the telephone. The ezyphone calls out to a predetermined list of family and friends. When someone trusted arrives, a special combination keysafe, installed outside the home, gives instant access. This ensures that access is not delayed finding door keys. “This system would have been so helpful in my mum’s situation,” Lance says.

The complete system has no-ongoing monitoring costs because family and friends are called. Ezycarephones can also be used in conjunction with an existing emergency neck pendant system.

The ezycarephone includes an extra large talking keypad, a high quality hands-free speakerphone and, ideal for those suffering a hearing impairment, a large indicator light which flashes when a call is incoming. Adjustable volume controls make it easy to hear the phone when it rings and to hear the caller’s voice through the receiver.

In the case of poor mobility the phone can be answered by pressing any panic button, then calling out to the caller that you are coming to the phone. This saves the frustration of arriving at the phone only to have it stop ringing on lifting the handset.

Village Life has one ezycarephone valued at $425 to give away! For more details see the competitions page.

For more information visit ezyphones.com.au or local
call 1300 299 399.

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Demia de Tonnerre is the first St Ives Showgirl to reach the state level and compete at the Royal Easter Show for the Miss NSW Showgirl title.

Demia, 19 from Terrey Hills, is studying Veterinary Science at Sydney University and has been involved with the St Ives Show since she was a child. Entrants for the NSW competition came from zones throughout NSW and QLD and met during the week leading up to the crowning of the Miss NSW Showgirl title.

"It was a very busy week," Demia recalls. "We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, met the Governor General and attended public speaking workshops." But the highlight of the week was handing out showbags to the children at Westmead Children's Hospital. "It was eye-opening, but very satisfying to meet the children. It brought us back to reality." The girls were judged throughout the week which culminated in an interview asking competitors to share their views on international issues and those affecting rural Australia.
The Miss NSW Showgirl title went to Anna Unger from the Peak Hill Show Society who was also the 2007 Rural Achiever.

"It's been a wonderful experience," Demia adds. "It was a great opportunity to promote agriculture in the area and bridge the gap between city and country. I would also like to thank St Ives Shopping Village for their support, without which I could not have competed in the event."

Above: Crowning of Miss Showgirl NSW Title, Demia far left.

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Ronnie from RG Collections shares his tips for wearing hats and clip on earrings.

"Hats should be put on towards the front of the head, then pushed back slightly before being tilted to the side."

"Clip on earrings should always be worn straight up and down, not on an angle. Use the right hand to attach the earring to the right ear and the left hand for the left ear. Aim for the middle of the lobe, avoid wearing the earring where the lobe meets the face."

Kerry Bartlett from St Ives Jewellers shares her tips for Jewellery cleaning.

"Imagine wearing a white T-shirt for six months without washing it. Many people wear jewellery for months without cleaning it. We recommend regular cleaning using ultrasonic on the premises, and we also sell a wide range of cleaning products that will keep your jewellery sparkling.

"Kerry can also check settings and advise you of any wear and tear to avoid future heartache. "Come in and see us for a free clean and safety check."

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In a leafy street in St Ives, close to the Garigal National Park, there is a very devoted group of people who are providing support and education for children with special needs.

They are the staff, parents and volunteers at the Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School. The students all have severe intellectual and physical disabilities together with high support needs.

The Rotary Club of St Ives is again teaming up with the school to provide extra facilities, which will make life a little easier for the students, and they are encouraging the St Ives community to join in.

Dr John Paterson, the school principal said, “The school has always had a close relationship with and support from the local community. In particular we have had a lot of support from the St Ives Shopping Village and retailers such as Franklins. We certainly value our ongoing relationship with St Ives Rotary.”

The school has some excellent facilities, such as a hydrotherapy pool and provides an exceptional learning environment for the students. However, there are always extra needs that can improve the facilities for the students.

St Ives Rotarians have previously provided funding for a rubberised surface to create an outdoor play area. Additional funds were donated from the proceeds of St Ives Rotary’s Annual Christmas Concert. Rotary are now planning to raise further funds to provide a similar surface for the second playground as well as organising a working bee to carry out maintenance.

“This is such an important community resource and we want Rotary to provide a focus for the broader community to support these students,” said Margaret Dean, President of the Rotary Club of St Ives.

The school was established in 1971 and has enrolments from preschool to senior high school, a much wider range than similar schools. Each child is provided with an individualised education program to maximise their potential, in a caring and stimulating learning environment.

Mrs Dean continued, “Due to the individual support each student needs, the actual parent body is quite small which is why the broader community needs to help."

“Extending the rubberised play surface will give the students what all Australian children love – more time outdoors. In addition, the working bee will enable some simple maintenance and improvements to take place. We would also love to hear from trades people who could undertake more skilled work.”

The school also benefits from the assistance of dedicated parents and volunteers who read to the children and provide help with feeding and other activities. More volunteers are always welcome.

Anyone who would like to help with contributions towards the playground, the Rotary working bee or other volunteer activities should call Margaret Dean on Phone 9488 9161.

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