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Jim O’Rourke is a journalist with more than 35 years’ experience writing for major metropolitan newspapers as well as community and regional mastheads. He has covered politics, local government, industrial relations, transport, courts and crime.

@JimORourke6

Jim O'Rourke

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Manly

A man, 40, has been charged with affray, reckless wounding and two counts of common assault after another man, 42, suffered critical head injuries during an incident outside the Hotel Steyne in Manly early on June 16.

Backpacker charged after man critically injured in tourist hotspot

A man suffered life threatening injuries in a suspected late night brawl involving a backpacker at a Sydney tourist hotspot.

UpdatedPolice & Courts

Guy Haymes died in March this year. Picture: John Haymes/Facebook

Surfer’s alleged killer awaiting ADHD, bipolar meds, court hears

The 41-year-old man charged with the murder of surfer Guy Haymes on Sydney’s northern beaches did not appear in court on Sunday. Here’s why.

Manly

Baby Axel Hamilton, 9 weeks, and mum Bridget with tins of Bellamy's organic infant formula. She's one of the mums affected by the shortage of this baby formula. Picture: Troy Snook

Sydney couple stole multiple cans of baby formula

A couple from Sydney’s northwest have been sprung stealing multiple cans of baby formula from a Woolies supermarket on the northern beaches.

Manly

India Schiller (left) of Careel Bay, and Aina Ibrahim, of Cromer, joined the community blockade at Avalon Beach to prevent Northern Beaches Council contractors from cutting down two 70-years gum trees in Ruskin Rowe on June 14, 2024.

Community blockade to save 70-year-old gum trees from the chop

Residents have rallied on the northern beaches to create a community blockade to halt the council from chopping down old gum trees that it says have become a serious danger to the public.

Manly

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Sydney man charged with sharing child sexual abuse material

Sex Crimes Squad detectives raided a northern beaches’ home, after a tip-off from interstate, and charged a man with a string of offences related to child sexual abuse material.

Manly

Woman wanted for 18 years was ‘sailing around the world’

A woman, 65, has been hit with a serious historic assault charge – she denies knowing about – after returning to Sydney from sailing around the world for 18 years.

Manly

The Mona Social club sandwich at The Mona Social eatery, opened by The Boathouse Group in late May 2024, at Mona Vale Golf Club

Financial ruin to growing empire: New Boathouse venue opens

A northern beaches-based hospitality business is continuing its emergence from historic financial difficulties, as its opens a new restaurant and bar at a local golf club.

Manly