Author

Jay

Competitions

Woollahra Young Writers’ Award 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers

In a world filled with quick messages and fleeting content, there’s something incredibly powerful about young people taking the time to write—thoughtfully, creatively, and from the heart. The Woollahra Young Writers’ Award 2026 is now open, inviting teens across the Eastern Suburbs to slow down, reflect, and share their voice through storytelling and poetry. For young writers, this is more than just a competition—it’s an opportunity to be heard. Whether it’s a story inspired by everyday life, a poem capturing a moment in time, or words shaped by imagination, this much-loved local award celebrates creativity in all its forms. Who…

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Moving Houses

5 Meaningful Ways to Say Farewell to Your Home Before You Move

A home is never just a structure. It’s where life unfolds—quiet mornings, loud family dinners, milestones, and everyday routines that slowly become memories. So when it’s time to leave, even for exciting reasons, it can feel surprisingly heavy. Moving isn’t just logistical—it’s emotional. Taking the time to say goodbye properly can help you close one chapter and step into the next with clarity. Here are five thoughtful ways to farewell your home before you move on. 1. Leave a Subtle Piece of Yourself Behind Part of what makes leaving difficult is the feeling that life will continue there without you….

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Trends

The Rise of “Slow Communication”: Why Vinyl Records and Letter Writing Are Defining a New Cultural Movement

In a world where messages are sent in milliseconds, songs are streamed instantly, and attention spans are constantly fragmented by notifications, something unexpected is happening. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl sales have grown for the 19th consecutive year, officially passing $1 billion for the first time since 1983. At the same time, handwritten letters are quietly making a return. Younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials—are turning backwards, not out of nostalgia alone, but out of necessity. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl sales have grown for the 19th consecutive year, officially passing $1…

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Amazing, Free, Sydney

Bondi Firelight: A Night of Inspiration by the Sea

There are few places in Australia as iconic as Bondi Beach—but every so often, it reveals a completely different side of itself. In the cooler months, when the crowds thin and the pace softens, Bondi becomes something quieter, more reflective. And for one special evening each April, Bondi Firelight transforms the shoreline into a place of warmth, connection, and inspiration. A Rare Kind of Bondi Experience Bonfires are not part of everyday life at Bondi Beach. That’s what makes Bondi Firelight so special. For a few hours, the southern end of the beach glows with flickering firelight. People gather barefoot…

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Competitions

Woollahra 2026 ANZAC Day Writing Competition: Honouring Stories Through Words

Woollahra 2026 ANZAC Day Writing Competition: Honouring Stories Through Words In the lead-up to ANZAC Day 2026, Woollahra Council is inviting young voices from the community to take part in a meaningful tradition that blends reflection, creativity, and remembrance. Mayor Cr Sarah Dixson is encouraging local primary and high school students to enter the 2026 ANZAC Day Writing Competition, submitting original stories or poems that honour the spirit of ANZAC. This special initiative gives students the opportunity to express their understanding of courage, sacrifice, and community through the power of writing. What makes this competition truly unique is the chance…

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Inspiration, Perth, Travel

5 Inspiring Perth Spots to Write a Letter

Perth is a city where nature and creativity naturally come together. With its wide blue skies, stunning coastline, and peaceful green spaces, it’s easy to slow down and let your thoughts flow. Whether you’re writing a heartfelt message, a postcard to a friend, or a letter for the future, Perth offers plenty of inspiring spots for families to relax and put pen to paper. Here are five wonderful places in Perth where letter writing feels especially meaningful — with a local tip for the perfect place to sit and write. 1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden Perched high above the…

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City Farms, Sydney

From the Farm to the Page: Inspiration in Every Season

Why We Love Pocket City Farms Pocket City Farms is one of those special places that instantly makes you slow down and appreciate the simple things. Tucked away in the middle of the city, it feels like a small pocket of calm where nature, community and sustainability all come together. What makes this place so special is the way it connects people to the land and to each other. You’ll find rows of thriving vegetables, herbs growing in every corner, volunteers working side by side in the soil, and school groups discovering where their food really comes from. It’s a…

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In the Media, Sydney

An Endless Summer Surprise on the Bondi to Bronte Walk

As an Eastern Suburbs local, the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk is practically part of my DNA. It’s where I clear my head, find creative inspiration, and occasionally bump into familiar faces. But last Saturday, what unfolded was something altogether unexpected. I was walking toward Bondi Beach, camera never far from reach, when I noticed a very recognisable figure heading in the opposite direction toward Bronte. It was none other than Richard Marx. Yes — the voice behind “Right Here Waiting,” “Hazard,” and “Endless Summer Nights.” The soundtrack to countless 80s and 90s love stories. And there he was, casually…

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Cafe's, Free

Bakers Delight to Give Away Over 150,000 Free Hot Cross Buns as National Hot Cross Bun Day Returns

National Hot Cross Bun Day is back! On Friday, March 13, more than 500 Bakers Delight bakeries across Australiawill be giving away 300 free hot cross buns at each store — that’s over 150,000 freshly baked buns up for grabs nationwide. Following the overwhelming response to last year’s inaugural National Hot Cross Bun Day, Bakers Delight is cementing the event as an annual tradition to kick off the Easter season. Whether you’re a fan of Traditional, Choc Chip or Apple & Cinnamon, there’s a free hot cross bun waiting for you — no purchase required — for the first 300…

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Community, Story to Story

More Than Just Mail: The Outback Post Offices Keeping Small Towns Alive

In the vast stretches of outback Queensland, post offices are far more than just places to send and receive mail — they are lifelines for small communities. From banking and bill payments to providing a friendly face and a place to connect, these humble buildings hold towns together. In remote Australia, a post office isn’t just infrastructure. It’s continuity. It’s conversation. It’s community. Saving Thargomindah’s Post Office Take Thargomindah, affectionately known as “Thargo” to locals. With a population of just 243 people and located nearly 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane, it’s a town where every single business matters. When the…

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