Message from the Mayor - 2 September 2026

Published on 02 September 2026

Tree Champions 

I was so pleased to present a Tree Champion certificate to students at Bellevue Hill Public School on 24 August, to acknowledge the initiative the school has taken in planting trees. 

Three trees planted in collaboration with Woollahra Council’s Urban Forest Strategy team will form part of our canopy cover goal of 5,000 new trees to be planted on private land by 2050. 

To address the impacts of climate change and ensure our community continues to benefit from canopy cover, Council adopted the Urban Forest Strategy in November 2023, which aims to increase canopy cover from 27.4% to 30%. 

As there is not enough available space on public land for us to plant enough trees to achieve our 30% goal, we are calling on residents and businesses to plant trees too – at home, work, and school.

Based on a motion from Councillor Hugh Woodgate, Council is also considering the introduction of a one-for-one tree program for schools, whereby Council would supply and plant one tree on school grounds for each tree independently funded and planted by the school.

To learn more about our Urban Forest Strategy and how you can get involved, visit Urban Forest Strategy.

Presenting Bellevue Hill Public School students with their Tree Champion certificate

Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize winners announced 

Intriguing imagery, evocative creativity and insightful storytelling are showcased in the  winning entries from student photographers and filmmakers in Woollahra Council’s 2026 Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize.

More than 114 photo and short film entries were submitted by students from 12 different high schools for the annual competition. Now in its 33rd year, the Award celebrates the creativity of local high school students, providing an opportunity to reach a broader audience and win cash prizes from a total pool of $3,650.

Winners received their awards at a special presentation ceremony held at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 26 August. 

The Senior Photography Prize was awarded to Ascham School student Lily Winter for her work Threshold; Asher Flekser of Reddam House won the Junior Prize for Cascade and Emanuel School student Arya Cohen’s A Sister of a Beautiful Brother received the Short Film Prize. The ‘magic-themed’ Creative Hoarding Prize was awarded to Alexander Lau from Sydney Boys High School for his work Mushroom Kingdom.

Taking Five by Angela Yang from Sydney Girls High received the Mayor’s Choice Award Senior category prize, and Red Fin by Alexis Lee from Reddam House won the Mayor’s  Choice Award Junior category.

Congratulations to everyone who entered, and to all our winners. I encourage everyone to come along to the free exhibition to check out the talents of our local students. Remember to vote for your favourite photo or short film for the People’s Choice Award – votes can be made in person at the exhibition, held at the Gallery until 20 September or online at Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize.

Vale Hylda Rolfe 

I was sad to hear of the recent passing of Hylda Rolfe, a truly inspiring woman who served on Woollahra Council from 1980 to 1991, including as Mayor in 1986 and 1990.

Much of her life was spent in service to the community with the kind of selfless and determined approach that will continue to benefit future generations and for which we are grateful.

On behalf of Woollahra Council, I would like to express our condolences to Hylda’s family and heartfelt appreciation for her service.