Manly Observer

Manly Observer and Manly Community Forum (Kim Smee and Cathy Griffin- Cath and Kim!? 😅) coming to you live as guests on Radio 702 this morning to chat local issues and celebrate Rise Manly 🎡

ALLLLL RIIISE

Absolutely loving night 1 of Manly Rise - come check it out or visit our website to see our stories on what’s happening over the new few weeks to add a bit of extra fun and colour mid winter at Manly ❄️

HAVE YOU SEEN MATTHEW?

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Northern Beaches.

Matthew Bowen, aged 54, was last seen on West Promenade in Manly, about 8pm on Friday 29 May 2026.

When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were notified at 12.30pm on Friday 12 June 2026 and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and his family have concerns for his welfare as he lives with a medical condition.

Matthew is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of medium build, with red hair, a grey beard and brown eyes. Matthew also has a distinctive tattoo on his right shoulder.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Manly Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A MESSAGE OF THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY

Donna was given a terminal diagnosis and has just weeks to live. She is spending her time fighting for her family’s security. The community has responded with incredible love and $64,000 in donations to help secure the kids’ future and repair the home as required.

Following our recent stories on Donna and her family, Donna’s daughter Skye has asked us to share this letter of thanks.

✍️
On behalf of my mum and our family, we cannot begin to express how deeply thankful we are for this communities support and immense generosity. 

It’s been the most challenging time, but truly, this has been a beacon of hope for us, and enabled the kids and I to take a deep breath, for that gift, I’m eternally grateful. 

We never expected a response just as large as this, but it exemplifies the power of this community, a community my mum has never been prouder to have contributed to over her lifetime. 

We’ve been reading through all the names of people who have donated, sent messages of support, offered a helping hand and lots of tears have been shed. 

Both practically and emotionally means the world to us, as we prepare to say goodbye to our whole world, mum. 

To Kim and Jack at Manly Observer, we are so thankful for platforming mums’ story, we know this wouldn’t have been possible without you. 

Thank you so, so, much. 
With eternal gratitude, 
Skye.

DUMPED DOGGY UPDATE

We are so pleased to share these first photos of MO (not his real name but in the absence of one currently he can have ours 😅), who is recovering brilliantly in the care of . It’s a while off til he can be adopted and we are not yet in a position to report on the investigation other than to say it’s all very active and Mo is in good hands and proving himself the goodest of boys.

We are so thrilled to see him regain strength and love all the community support he has received.

We will keep you updated 🐾

See our website for the back story on this docile pup. He was found at Kierle Park last Thursday morning, 11 June, by a garbage worker and brought to Balgowlah 24/7 veterinary clinic SASH. It was reported to be in poor bodily condition with overgrown nails. It also had a deep wound on the right side of its body.

Justice will be served 📮

A Ferris wheel has arrived on Manly Beach, opposite the Corso, the headline addition to this year’s Rise Manly winter festival. Here’s everything you’ll want to know about it 🎡

The Ferris wheel has arrived in Manly; here's everything you need to know - Manly Observer A Ferris wheel has arrived on Manly Beach, opposite the Corso, the headline addition to this year's Rise Manly winter festival.