HOW A GROUP SAVVY LOCALS LURED MICHELLE OBAMA TO SYDNEY THIS WEEK
Behind Warringah Mall, in an unassuming Brookvale office, a team of around 25 people is preparing for one of the biggest speaking events to land in Australia this year.
Later this week, former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama @michelleobama will make her first public speaking appearance in Australia, appearing in Sydney (and Melbourne) as a part of ‘In Conversation with Michelle Obama’.
Helping bring her here is Narrabeen local Karen Beattie, founder of Growth Faculty @growth_faculty – a Brookie@business she started more than two decades ago.
Read more on our website 🔗
📸 Michelle Obama on stage, the team at Growth Faculty with founder Karen Beattie centre in white.
Jumping on quickly to extinguish fast-moving rumours of a shark attack at Manly Beach — this is NOT a shark related incident, but a person in the surf who suffered a medical episode.
The rumours have likely come from reports of sharks seen from shore this morning, which led to the beach being evacuated earlier this morning (Sunday).
Ambulance helicopter has landed at the nearby oval to provide urgent care the the unwell person on the shore.
HOUSE FIRE FRENCHS FOREST
A house fire on Fitzpatrick Avenue East in Frenchs Forest brought 25 firefighters from five stations to the scene just after midnight this morning (Sunday). Crews from Manly, Dee Why, Forestville, Narrabeen and Willoughby arrived within eight minutes to find smoke coming from the house. Thankfully the residents had already evacuated.
A few more details on our website
Seven sharks feeding at North Narrabeen, Sydney - Tuesday 5th May 2026.
Just after sunrise a surfer reported a ~2 m shark jumping in front of him, promoting a look from above. A dense bait ball of mullet could be seen between the beach and surfers, with seven sharks moving through the school and feeding for around 30 minutes.
Like surf content with a difference?
👉 @skymonkey5
#oceanlife #sharkactivity #baitball #northernbeaches #aerialocean
The Gopher @gophermanly opens at 5pm tonight Friday, May 15, stepping into the shoes of an institution that hosted 38 years of live entertainment before it was forced to shut its doors in September last year.
Located below street level at 40 Manly Corso, The Gopher follows the same steep stairway into a low-lit space that takes one back in time, but rather than being the 60s to 90s they’ve gone all the way back to the early 1900s with an Irish-Manhattan underbelly theme.
Either check out the space yourself (walk ins only), or have a read of the article we just dropped on our website answering most of your questions about food, drinks, live music, pricing and everything in between 🍹
THE FOREST HIGH OFFICIALLY OPENED
Premier Chris Minns officially opened The Forest High School at Allambie Heights this morning Friday 15 May.
Unveiling the plaque and cutting the ribbon alongside Wakehurst MP Michael Regan, Principal Nathan Lawler and students, the Premier was given a whirlwind tour of facilities which will eventually host 1500 students.
The school took nearly a decade to build, first envisioned in 2018, formally approved in 2023, and opening to students in February this year. Today was purely ceremonial.
Facilities on the new campus include 73 classrooms, three special support units, a library, canteen, a multi-purpose sports and performance hall, outdoor courts and playing fields.
Curious about catchments ? Pop tour website and search “school catchments” or Google Manly Observer school catchments 🏫
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS
The ‘War Vets’ $136m major development has gone on exhibition, a five-storey development approved for The Strand Dee Why and controversial Warriewood subdivision refused (again) in this week’s DA Round Up.
Now on our website and quick links in our weekly newsletter each Thursday. 🔨
AND THE WINNER IS……
Congratulations to @missgeok - Jessie, you’re our Wine Dinner Series winner. We’ll be in touch for you to claim your special dinner experience tomorrow night!
For everyone else, Jonah’s @jonahswhalebeach still has limited tables tomorrow at 6pm and 6:30pm. Four courses and canapes from Chef Rey Ambas, paired with Hunter Valley’s Margan and Thomas Wines, plus Sommelier Georgina Larsson walking you through the regions and producers. At $195pp, it’s solid value for what you’re getting with this first class experience.
If Friday doesn’t work, the series continues through the year - New France in June, Truffle in July, Champagne Bollinger in August, South Australian producers in September.
Head to @jonahswhalebeach to book or link in bio or comments.
The wait is over… ️
The 2026 Night at The Barracks lineup is here!
Presale kicks off tomorrow from 9AM, Friday 15 May.
Sign up now at nightatthebarracks.com.au
#nightatthebarracks #livemusicsydney
COUNCIL POURS COLD WATER ON LONG REEF SAUNA BIZ AS PERMIT PROBS PERSIST
A popular portable sauna business @cedar.and.salt.saunas has been ordered to cease operating as of tomorrow, leaving owner Robert Dempsey-Smith without his primary income while council develops a policy for mobile businesses on public land, a process expected to take about 18 months.
His only hope to keep his business going through winter is a motion put before councillors by @nickbeau1 this Tuesday seeking a temporary extension.
.au/hot-water-long-reefs-portable-sauna-faces-shutdown-from-tomorrow-can-it-be-saved/
