Christmas in the north as lockdown goes south

Sydney’s northern beaches residents held long-delayed family Christmases, hit the beach and made the most of their first taste of freedom.

Christmas festivities at last: the extended Turton family celebrates the end of the northern beaches lockdown and an opportunity to catch up again. Picture: Jane Dempster

Sydney’s northern beaches residents held long-delayed family Christmases, hit the beach and made the most of their first taste of freedom after three weeks of corona­virus lockdown ended at midnight on Saturday.

The peninsula was plunged into lockdown on December 18 as health authorities battled to contain a coronavirus outbreak linked to several popular venues in ­Avalon.

Though stay-at-home-orders came to an end for residents south of the Narrabeen Bridge on January 2, the northern tip of the peninsula remained under lockdown until the outbreak was brought under control — dividing families over Christmas and putting businesses under stress.

On a day when even the sun came out to celebrate, the mercury rising to 26C, grandparents Bev and Phil Turton and their extended family gathered at Palm Beach, on the northernmost tip of the peninsula, for their long-­delayed Christmas party.

Ms Turton said the family’s festivities were cut in half after their daughters were unable to join them when they found themselves on the wrong side of the Narrabeen bridge.

“It was just empty,” she said, as the family caught up over Christmas crackers and champagne. “It was very sad but at least we can have Christmas together now.”

Daughter Leanna Andrews said the tight-knit family, who normally catch up three times a week, were overjoyed when they heard restrictions would be lifted.

“We were so excited when we heard lockdown was going to end,” she said. “We all called each other as soon as we got the news.”

Meanwhile, Palm Beach identity Adam Parsell celebrated the occasion as he always did — with an impromptu concert while seated on the bonnet of his bright pink Holden commodore, which was souped up with images of cartoon characters.

The musician, photographer and self-described mayor of Palm Beach, who called his car home for the duration of the lockdown, strummed his guitar before a small crowd of onlookers on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s been nice, it’s been really empty and I’ve had the freedom to do painting outside and all the locals have been surfing — it’s been a really nice vibe,” he said.

He said despite the uncertainty, lockdown had provided the beaches with some much-needed quiet — except for a daily concert when he whips out the old guitar.

“They just listen when they’re walking by or they can listen from their houses,” he said.

Mr Parsell’s brother, surf shop operator David Watson, said the stretch of grass along the pristine beach was normally packed on a sunny Sunday but the crowds continued to stay away. “Normally there wouldn’t be a car spot along here,” he said. “People are using the opportunity to escape.”

He said despite a “substantial” drop over the lockdown period, the business community was delighted to be given the green light again.

“Everyone has been really happy to open up more but I think everybody has been relatively comfortable — we’re pretty lucky here in the natural assets around us.”

On Avalon beach — just a few hundred metres from the Avalon RSL and Avalon Bowlo where the early cases of the virus were detected — the Surf Life Saving Club had its first day on duty since pat­rols were put on hold because of the outbreak in mid-December.

Surf life saver Peter Brennan, along with wife Jenny, agreed lockdown hadn’t been all bad, though they were happy to be back on patrol. “Everyone just asks what you’re watching on Netflix and how long it took you to get your ­result back from your swab,” he said.