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Royal Coach Maker’s Manly Apartment Sells $400k Above Guide

A top-floor apartment belonging to royal coach builder Jim Frecklington has sold in Manly for well above what anyone expected, just as it was about to go under the hammer.

The three-bedroom unit, perched on the top floor of Elizabeth Towers with views over Manly Harbour, had originally been guided at $2.6 million. Interest from buyers was strong enough that the price guide was bumped up to $2.7 million before an offer came in that made an auction unnecessary altogether.

Selling agent Susie O’Brien of McGrath Manly would not be drawn on the exact sale price, but other sources have indicated the apartment ultimately changed hands for around $3 million — a full $400,000 above the original guide. In a property market that has had its share of challenges lately, that kind of result stands out.

The new owners aren’t local. They’re understood to be from outside the area and plan to use the apartment as a holiday letting property and occasional short-term base, drawn no doubt by its position overlooking the harbour.

It’s easy to see the appeal. The apartment at 20/81 West Esplanade comes with a generous wraparound balcony, an open-plan kitchen, two bedrooms with built-in storage and a third room that could serve as a bedroom or study. There are no shared walls with neighbouring units, a full bathroom plus a separate powder room, lift access, and — notably — it’s the only apartment on its floor.

For Frecklington, the sale closes a chapter on a Manly home with sweeping views, but his name remains tied to some of the most recognisable carriages in royal history.

He built the ornate Australian State Coach back in 1988 as a Bicentennial gift from Australia to the Crown. That coach later carried Prince William and Catherine during their 2011 wedding procession.

He went on to create the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, a six-horse carriage built in his Sydney workshop and assembled with more than 100 historical artefacts spanning almost a thousand years of British history. It marked the first state coach of its kind ever assembled outside the United Kingdom. That coach carried King Charles and Queen Camilla to their coronation in 2023.

Frecklington is now putting the finishing touches on yet another carriage, known as the King’s Coach, which is being built with the help of a small team at a workshop on Sydney’s northern beaches. The coach was blessed in a ceremony held in December 2025, marking a significant milestone in the build.

In recognition of his decades of craftsmanship and service, the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded Frecklington the Royal Victorian Order — an honour he has described as deeply personal.

Published 17-June-2026

Quick-Thinking Council Worker Saves Injured Rottweiler Dumped in Manly Public Bin

A routine rubbish collection in Manly turned into a lifesaving rescue mission when a local council worker discovered a severely wounded Rottweiler discarded inside a public wheelie bin like common trash.

The alarming find occurred just after 4 a.m. on June 11 at Keirle Park, when Northern Beaches Council Litter Bin Officer Glenn Ballard was emptying the public bins. Ballard noted that one particular bin felt unusually heavy and strange, prompting him to pull it out of the dark and into the light. Upon flipping the lid, he saw the young male dog staring back at him in complete silence, showing absolutely no signs of panic despite his terrifying ordeal.

Recognising the high risk of handling a potentially traumatised and abused animal, the council worker acted cautiously to secure the dog. Ballard used food to gently coax the timid Rottweiler out of the dirty container and safely into a towel.

The sanitary worker explained that his deep fondness for dogs, particularly Rottweilers, compelled him to step up in a dangerous situation, expressing his belief that anyone else in the neighbourhood would have done exactly the same thing.

The dog was urgently transported to the SASH 24/7 veterinary clinic in Balgowlah for immediate medical assessment. Clinic staff confirmed the animal was in a very poor physical state, suffering from malnourishment and severely overgrown nails.

Veterinarian Tim Hopkins noted that the situation was horrific and highly unusual for the area, pointing out that the docile pup was covered in both fresh wounds and older, unhealed injuries, which included a deep gash on the right side of its body.

Animal welfare inspectors from RSPCA NSW have since taken official custody of the Rottweiler, confirming the animal is now in a stable condition while receiving ongoing veterinary treatment. The organisation has launched a formal animal cruelty investigation to figure out exactly how the dog ended up abandoned in the park. Investigators are urging members of the public to come forward with any relevant information, particularly anyone who might have neighbourhood security footage that could lead to answers.

Published Date 16-June-2026

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Manly Included in Growing Concerns Over Eggs Thrown at Cars Across Northern Beaches

A community report alleging a group of boys on bikes were carrying eggs near Coles on Wentworth Street has added Manly to growing concerns about dangerous behaviour targeting motorists across the Northern Beaches. The report surfaced days before Northern Beaches Police publicly warned that throwing eggs, rocks and water balloons at moving vehicles could lead to serious consequences.

Police Respond to Reports Across the Northern Beaches

Local police are cracking down on a dangerous trend of youths throwing eggs, rocks, and water balloons at moving vehicles, warning that the behavior is a serious crime, not a harmless prank.

The warning follows months of growing community concern regarding large groups of teenagers gathering around skate parks, shopping precincts, and popular local hangouts during evening hours.

Northern Beaches Police Area Command Superintendent John Duncan stated that officers are currently investigating multiple reports, with a heavy focus on community awareness and prevention.

The Real Danger: Crashes and Confrontations

Police emphasise that the risk extends far beyond minor property damage. The primary danger is the unpredictable reaction of a startled driver. A sudden swerve, harsh braking, or temporary loss of concentration can easily trigger a serious crash involving other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.

Furthermore, authorities reported several volatile incidents where drivers stopped their cars after being hit, leading to direct confrontations between motorists and groups of young people.

A Call to Parents and Witnesses

With investigations ongoing, Northern Beaches Police are urging parents to step in and have serious conversations with their children about the severe legal penalties and physical consequences of these actions.

Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Police Command/Facebook

Can you help? Police are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of these incidents to contact local authorities immediately.

Published 15-June-2026

A Manly Icon Moves On: The Pantry Set to Relocate as Beachfront Site Gets New Lease of Life

One of Manly Beach’s most recognisable dining landmarks is preparing to close its doors on the beachfront, with The Pantry Manly set to relocate elsewhere in the suburb as its long-held site lease passes to new operators.

Read: Shelly Beach Residents Take on The Boathouse Over Licence Shake-Up

Owners Sean and Zeynep Blasdall confirmed the move, saying they are in the process of securing a new Manly location and are excited to share more details soon. In a reassuring sign for loyal regulars, the couple say their full team will be making the move with them.

The beachfront site itself, a heritage building dating to 1919 that has served the Manly community as a tea house, change rooms, information kiosk and, since 1997, a restaurant, will not be sitting idle for long. Northern Beaches hospitality duo Shahid Rahman and Anna Walker have been announced as the successful tenderers for a new long-term lease on the property.

The pair, who met while working at the Sebel Manly and have since built a reputation on the Northern Beaches, will rebrand the venue as The Beach House Manly, reviving its former identity as Manly Ocean Beach House. Their new lease, running on a 10-plus-five-year term, kicks off on 1 October 2026, at which point renovation works are slated to begin with the goal of opening in time for the summer season.

For Rahman, the project carries a personal significance that goes well beyond business. He was part of the original launch team when The Pantry opened in November 2010, working alongside founder Hasan Erman for over a decade across what was, for a time, one of the largest hospitality operations in Manly. Rahman has described the opportunity as a chance to bring the venue full circle, crediting Erman’s mentorship as foundational to his career in hospitality.

Walker, speaking about the vision for the new venue, said the pair see the site as one of the finest dining locations in the country, and are focused on making it feel genuinely welcoming and accessible to the local community. Their concept is designed to span the full day — from early morning trade through to late-evening happy hours, and is described as an elevated version of their current operation, offering full table service and a smart dining experience.

From Curl Curl to Manly: A Beachfront Portfolio Takes Shape

Photo credit: Google Maps/Lucy Quartermain

That current operation is The Beach Eatery at South Curl Curl, which the pair launched after selling their Balgowlah restaurant Fish Face in 2024. The Beach Eatery has found strong footing with the local community, and Walker has cited its warm reception as a key factor in giving the pair the confidence to take on a second beachfront venue.

To support both locations, Rahman and Walker have secured a prep kitchen and storage space on Howard Avenue in Dee Why, in the former Olive and Peel site, with a small bakehouse also being considered as a longer-term possibility at that address.

The new venue will also look to expand its footprint, with the operators flagging plans to open a kiosk on the opposite side of the lifeguard facilities attached to the building. The building itself sits above public amenities that are managed separately and not part of the incoming lease.

Read: Lost in a Storm, Found on Manly Beach: The Extraordinary Tale of the Vincennes

The Pantry has been a fixture on the Manly beachfront since its opening in 2010. The business changed ownership at the end of 2016, with the Blasdalls among those who have continued its reputation as a go-to for locals and visitors. While no firm details have been announced yet about where The Pantry will reopen, the Blasdalls have confirmed they are committed to staying in Manly and retaining their staff.

Published 12-June-2026

High-Density Living Waves into Manly Beach with 37-Apartment Renewal Project

Developer Lindsay Bennelong plans to demolish a cluster of older properties near the southern end of Manly Beach to build a massive $71.6 million apartment complex that utilises state planning incentives to exceed standard local height limits by including dedicated homes for frontline workers.

Transforming the Neighbourhood Footprint

apartment — *Photo Credit:* *DA2026/0523*

The proposed development, located at 17 to 25 Ashburner Street, sits snugly between the southern end of Manly Beach and East Manly Cove. The project involves knocking down four existing houses and 10 older apartments to make way for a much larger, high-density residential space.

This complete redesign will significantly increase the housing capacity of the specific site, jumping from just 25 existing bedrooms up to 94 bedrooms. These will be spread across 37 new apartments, offering a mixture of one, two, and three-bedroom layouts to suit different types of households.

Utilising Incentives for Affordable Housing

Because the location is exactly within a 400-metre walking distance of the Manly town centre, it falls under specific state planning rules for low to mid-rise housing zones. The standard height limit for this area is usually restricted to 22 metres. However, the developer has qualified for a 30% height increase. They secured this bonus by reserving nine of the new apartments strictly as affordable housing.

This extra allowance pushes the maximum allowable building height to 28.6 metres, a limit the eight-storey design uses completely to maximise the number of homes on the block.

Dedicated Homes for Frontline Workers

The nine affordable units are specifically aimed at supporting frontline workers, making it easier for essential staff to live close to their workplaces. The developer is currently collaborating with a local community housing provider to ensure the rental prices for these specific apartments are heavily reduced. Usually, affordable housing requires rents to be capped at 20% below the regular market rate, but the team behind this project aims to push the cost well below that standard benchmark.

Coastal Design and Modern Additions

Platform Architects designed the new complex to blend nicely with the local environment, featuring a wave-like indentation along the building’s facade to mirror the nearby ocean. People living in the building will share a dedicated wellness facility equipped with a sauna and a gym, alongside generous private outdoor spaces.

The property will also feature a full-time building manager’s office and two levels of underground basement parking with room for 76 cars, which includes nine parking spaces set aside specifically for visitors. The formal development application is currently waiting for its public exhibition period to be determined, with the entire project estimated to finish in early 2031.

Published Date 12-June-2026

A Ferris Wheel Is Coming to Manly Beach for the First Time

@manlyaustralia/Instagram

A 25-metre Ferris wheel is coming to Manly Beach as the headline attraction of this year’s Rise Manly winter festival, marking the first time a Ferris wheel has appeared on the suburb’s ocean beachfront.

The wheel will operate from 19 to 28 June opposite the Corso, giving riders panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean. Tickets cost $10 per person or $35 for a family of four, with no booking required.

The Ferris wheel, owned and operated by DM Entertainment, opens daily and runs until 28 June. Sunday to Thursday sessions run from 10am to 9.30pm, while Friday and Saturday sessions extend to 10pm.

Manly has had a Ferris wheel before — just not here

The ocean beachfront distinction matters. Manly’s last Ferris wheel stood on the other side of the peninsula entirely.

*Photo Credit: @manlyaustralia/Instagram*

The Manly Fun Pier, built at Manly Wharf on the harbour side, operated from around 1931 and became a landmark that defined the cove’s skyline for more than half a century.

Its Ferris wheel, skating rink, carnival rides and amusement attractions drew generations of visitors arriving by ferry, and the pier’s outline became as familiar to Manly residents as the beach itself. The Fun Pier closed and was demolished in 1989 following years of decline.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council Library*

The beachfront wheel arriving this June is not a replacement in any formal sense. But for a suburb where amusement attractions once defined how visitors experienced arrival, having a Ferris wheel visible from the sand and the Corso connects the present to a chapter of Manly history that has been absent for nearly four decades.

The rest of Rise Manly

The beachfront Ferris wheel headlines this year’s Rise Manly, running for 10 days alongside the festival’s wider winter program. Live street performances, light installations, a silent disco tour and ski-themed parties are scheduled throughout the run.

A projection installation will light up the facade of the historic Manly Town Hall, while the surface of the Corso transforms into a light canvas after dark, with a nod to Vivid’s influence on Sydney’s winter events calendar.

Food and drink experiences include a fondue and wine event at Henry G’s and winter-themed menus across participating restaurants and cafes. The Ice Cold Classic, a one-kilometre ocean swim from Manly to Shelly Beach marking the winter solstice, also runs during the festival as a fundraiser for people in need.

Local shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and fitness and wellness businesses are participating with their own events and specials throughout the festival.

Getting there and tickets

The Ferris wheel is on the Manly Beachfront, opposite the Corso. Manly is accessible by ferry from Circular Quay, by bus, or on foot from Manly Wharf. Tickets are $10 per person or $35 for a family of four. No booking required — purchase onsite. Group and event packages are available on request.

Full Rise Manly program details can be viewed here.

Published 10-June-2026

Manly’s Parking Permits Have Gone Digital — and Not Everyone Is Happy About What Changed

Hello Manly

The Manly Parking Permit Scheme shifted online in March 2026, ditching physical window stickers for digital permits linked straight to vehicle regos. But while updating standard residential permits has been relatively straightforward, a major shake-up to multi-use permits has caught plenty of local households completely off guard.

The residential permit change itself is relatively straightforward for most households: two permits per property, linked to specific vehicles, managed online through a vPermit account. The permits are valid for 365 days from the date of application, and existing permit holders are being given advance notice as their current physical permits expire before transitioning to digital.

The friction point is the multi-use permit, which works very differently now from how it used to.

The permit that changed most

Previously, the multi-use permit came in a removable sleeve that could be transferred between any vehicle at any time for any duration, with no registration attached. That flexibility made it a practical solution for households with more than two cars, or for anyone who regularly had tradespeople, carers or visitors parking on the street.

Under the digital system, each session requires the resident to register the specific vehicle online, choose a start date and time, and activate a session that expires after 24 hours. Sessions can be booked up to seven days in advance.

The first 40 sessions annually are free, with additional sessions proposed at $5 per day from 1 July 2026, subject to the annual fees and charges process.

For households where cars come and go at short notice — a son or daughter arriving unexpectedly, a last-minute tradesperson booking, a carer changing vehicles — the requirement to log in and register a plate before every session is the sticking point.

Residents have described the booking system as unworkable in practice for busy households. A parked car without a valid active session risks a fine of around $120.

What the system was designed to do

NBC has been clear about the intent behind the digital shift. The multi-use permit was never designed as a de facto third permit for a third car. It was intended to provide parking options for visitors, tradespeople and carers, and the 40-session cap reflects that intended use rather than long-term residential parking.

The move to digital also addresses a practical problem at the beachside end of the Northern Beaches permit system: a secondary market for physical beach parking stickers, sometimes advertised online as a “pen” on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, in which residents with surplus stickers sold them on. Digital permits tied to specific registrations make that kind of resale impossible.

The broader digital rollout is hitting the area in stages. While the vPermit system was announced back in 2025, it only recently went live in parts of Manly.

Meanwhile, the general 2026 Beach Parking Permits are still arriving in letterboxes as physical stickers, meaning the secondary black market for them won’t be completely wiped out until those schemes transition later down the track.

Options for households with three vehicles

The standard Manly scheme limits each property to two site-specific residential permits. The first costs $55 annually and the second $121. Households with a genuine need for a third permit do have an avenue, though it is not straightforward.

It has been confirmed that extenuating circumstances will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. “This may include larger households where planning controls restrict the provision of off-street parking,” a spokesperson said.

A third residential parking permit in such circumstances costs $306 annually. Special issue permits remain available upon request for charities, schools, volunteers and not-for-profit organisations.

Residents with questions about the digital permit transition can call NBC’s customer service team on 1300 434 434, visit the Manly Customer Service Centre at Manly Town Hall, 1 Belgrave Street, or access the vPermit system here.

Published 7-June-2026

Jake Trbojevic Re-Signs with Manly After Weighing Up Retirement

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly Sea Eagles icon Jake Trbojevic has officially shut down any retirement talk, locking in a contract extension that keeps him at Brookvale Oval through the end of the 2027 NRL season.

The dramatic turnaround in form and mood follows a sensational mid-season revival under club legend Kieran Foran, who recently shed his interim tag to sign a permanent three-year head coaching deal.

The 32-year-old lock forward, who recently crossed the historic 250-game milestone for Manly after debuting back in 2013, admitted he seriously weighed up his future earlier in the year. Facing a heavy barrage of media criticism and recovering from a series of concussions that cut his 2025 campaign short, Trbojevic openly worried about overstaying his welcome.

“I just wanted to make a good decision for both me and the club. I didn’t want to be a burden,” Trbojevic said before putting pen to paper. “But the past few weeks have been really enjoyable, and our turnaround in form has been great for the whole club. I love playing under Foz and with this amazing group of players. I’m really happy to confirm that I’m locked in for next year.”

The Fozball Revolution

Trbojevic’s career extension caps off a remarkable structural shift on the Northern Beaches. Manly began their 2026 campaign in absolute chaos, sacking Anthony Seibold after an 0-3 start. The board turned to Foran in Round 4, thrusting the former Kiwi international into the top job just months after he retired from professional playing duties at the end of 2025.

The rookie coach sparked an immediate cultural reset, implementing a high-octane style of play that fans have affectionately dubbed “Fozball.” Under his guidance, the Sea Eagles completely transformed their season, orchestrating an elite run of form that briefly saw them outscore and out-defend every team in the competition over an eight-game window.

“Having Foz take over has been a breath of fresh air,” Trbojevic noted. “The month of footy we’ve put together makes life a lot easier.”

Foran was equally thrilled to secure his stand-in captain’s signature for 2027, praising Trbojevic’s leadership on and off the field.

“Jake is everything that is good about this club; he is Manly through and through,” Foran said. “He’s playing some really good footy, and the boys love playing with him, so this is great news for the club.”

Trench warrior and family legacy

Born and raised in Mona Vale, Trbojevic represents a rare breed of local loyalty in the modern game. His 250th match, celebrated in a packed home game against the Brisbane Broncos, highlighted a deep family legacy. All three Trbojevic brothers — Jake, club captain Tom, and younger brother Ben — spearhead the Sea Eagles line-up.

While Tom and the glamour backline usually capture the headlines, Jake remains the engine room. His relentless work ethic, increased run meters, and characteristically massive tackle counts have formed the bedrock of Manly’s resurgence.

Even when Tom faced an extended sideline stint due to injury, Jake filled the captaincy void seamlessly. His brother Tom fiercely defended him against early-season critics.

“I thought everyone copped a bit of criticism at the start of the year, but I don’t think he was playing as badly as everyone was saying,” Tom said. “We know what he’s capable of, and it’s great that he’s showing everyone that.”

Now sitting comfortably in the top eight and ready to launch a genuine premiership assault, Manly has transformed from an early-season basket case into a tightly wound title threat—with their spiritual leader officially secured for the long haul.

Published 3-June-2026

Iconic Tyre Man Could Return to Manly Streets After Years in Storage

Few landmarks on the Northern Beaches were as recognisable as the Tyre Man, a top-hatted, cigar-toting figure who stood sentinel over the western approaches to Manly for more than eight decades. Now, after years in storage, he could be heading back, thanks to a campaign by businessman Keith Tucker.

Read: $79M Plan To Replace Ageing Manly Flats With Nine-Storey Apartment Building

Mr Tucker, owner of Autotune Freshwater, has kicked off a community campaign to find the beloved figurine a permanent home in Manly, calling on businesses with a 2095 postcode to put their hand up and offer him a spot out front.

Mr Tucker rescued the Tyre Man from storage at the former Manly Council’s works depot on Roseberry Street, Balgowlah, back in 2013, after the figure had been deemed a safety risk and removed from his pole the previous year. Since then, the iconic landmark has been sitting in pieces in a shed on Mr Tucker’s property near Mt Panorama, outside Bathurst, with no permanent home yet secured.

A Northern Beaches Icon: The Story Behind the Tyre Man

The Man on the Tyres, with cigar and top hat, 1987 (Photo credit: Manly Library Local Studies)

The Tyre Man’s story begins in 1933, when young William Edward Sinden, a Goodyear tyre dealer, was looking for an advertisement that would capture the public’s interest. His idea was deceptively simple: stack roughly 100 tyres on a pole at a prominent spot along Sydney Road, right where the road sweeps down toward Manly, and crown it with a life-size dressed figure.

By Mr Sinden’s own account, it worked. Motorists would pull over to debate whether the man up there was real or a dummy. Photos appeared in newspapers and magazines across Australia and around the world, and the landmark even featured in a Goodyear promotional film, “Goodyear on the March.”

The figurine’s aluminium face was said to have been modelled on George Surgeoner, a local pilot who went on to fly bombers in England during World War II. The Tyre Man received a new suit every year, working through ordinary clothing, leather, and eventually more weatherproof materials, to deal with the punishing combination of Sydney sun, rain, and southerlies. His hat was crafted from copper, his shoes were military boots.

Sinden’s, post-WWII (Photo credit: Manly Library Local Studies)

Mr Sinden himself once noted that wherever he travelled, whether in New Zealand, New Guinea, or elsewhere in Australia, the mere mention of his name would prompt someone to bring up the man on the pole. A new figure was installed on 18 April 1963, courtesy of Mackellar County Council.

After the original Sinden’s Tyre and Rubber Co. at 100 Sydney Road was demolished and replaced by apartments, the Tyre Man stayed on at the same site on a much lower pole, though he gradually disappeared behind overgrown trees. By 2012, his deteriorating condition had made him a liability, and he was taken down and put into council storage.

Mr Tucker’s son Jake, then 15, and a group of mates tackled the restoration of the Tyre Man’s head at St Paul’s Catholic College in Manly with the help of visual arts co-ordinator Christopher Boylan. The project took three months to complete.

Read: Lost in a Storm, Found on Manly Beach: The Extraordinary Tale of the Vincennes

Mr Tucker had previously considered putting the Tyre Man on display outside the former Ultratune service centre in Manly, but when he sold that business, the Tyre Man was shipped to his property near Mt Panorama. Now Mr Tucker is ready to act. He plans to restore the figure, fit him with a new uniform, and get him ready for his new home.

All he needs is a business willing to take him in. Anyone interested in giving the Tyre Man a new home can contact Mr Tucker at info@autotune.com.au.

Published 30-May-2026

Manly Emergency Drill Tests Response To Major Incident

Photo Credit: NSW Ambulance/Facebook

A major emergency exercise at North Head in Manly placed first responders inside a realistic mass casualty scenario, testing how crews would work together if a serious incident unfolded in a crowded public setting.

The large-scale training exercise, led by NSW Ambulance, was held at the former School of Artillery on Thursday, 21 May. Known as Exercise Paratus, the drill brought together ambulance crews, medical teams, control centre staff and emergency service partners for a full-day test of coordination, communication and clinical response under pressure.

The scenario centred on a simulated incident in which a vehicle had ploughed through a crowded outdoor market. Responders were confronted with multiple casualties, manikins representing deceased persons, a trapped passenger, smoke, crowd pressure and a simulated confrontation involving the driver.

Manly Training Scene Built Around Realistic Pressure

The North Head site was set up to reflect the confusion of a major emergency. Volunteer patients and paramedicine students acted as casualties, with realistic-looking injuries prepared through professional make-up. Some called for help, others appeared shocked or searched for loved ones, while responders worked to assess injuries and establish priorities.

Two vehicles were placed on the parade ground to make the scene more realistic. Smoke was used to simulate a fire, adding another challenge for crews already managing patient care, access issues and crowd control.

St John Ambulance NSW responders began triage as the first simulated patients were assessed. As more emergency vehicles arrived, access to the scene became a key concern, with fire crews needing to move closer to the damaged vehicles before working to reach a trapped patient.

The exercise tested treatment and triage for 25 simulated patients, including five represented as deceased. It also tested how different emergency teams managed limited space, changing priorities and the pressure of a fast-moving scene.

Manly emergency exercise — *Photo Credit: NSW Ambulance/Facebook*

Crews Repeat Exercise To Apply Immediate Lessons

The drill was run twice across the day, with morning and afternoon sessions allowing staff to rotate and apply lessons from the first round. After the initial exercise, participating teams held a debrief to review what worked well and where improvements could be made.

The scene was then reset before the exercise was repeated. The second session gave crews the chance to adjust their approach, including broader use of available personnel in first aid treatment and patient support.

A further element was added when a Toll NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter arrived overhead, bringing an aeromedical team into the scenario. Its arrival added complexity to an already crowded and active exercise area.

emergency training — *Photo Credit: NSW Ambulance/Facebook*

North Head Exercise Focuses On Readiness

NSW Ambulance led the exercise with support from police, fire, rural fire, SES and St John Ambulance teams. Medical observers and support organisations also assessed how a major incident could affect their own response roles.

The purpose of the exercise was to strengthen how responders work together when time, space and information are limited. Crews followed standard emergency procedures as they would during a real incident, while volunteer patients helped create a changing and realistic training environment.

NSW Ambulance regularly trains with emergency and health partners to prepare for complex incidents. Exercises such as the one at North Head allow responders to refine communication, practise clinical decision-making and build working relationships before those skills are needed in a real emergency.

The exercise highlighted how preparation for a serious public safety incident depends on coordinated action across multiple teams. The scenario was simulated, but the training focused on the real pressures responders may face when large numbers of people need urgent help.

Published 29-May-2026