Paul Jaffe on life in Warringah

interview with Wendy Harmer June 27, 2008

Paul Jaffe is a big, burly bloke who confesses that, when it comes to politics, he likes to listen. "I'd say I'm best one-on-one," says Paul. "Big-talking rhetoric has never been my style. I like to hear what everyone's got to say before I make up my mind. Then, when I'm convinced, I go in hard and throw everything I can at it."

That's the attitude Paul brings to his campaign to be the first popularly-elected mayor of Warringah Council.

After the past few years of being involved in activism to protect his beloved Long Reef beach from inappropriate over-development, it became clear to Paul that it was time for him to make a stand.

It's not surprising that Paul, at 45 and a father of four, still plays rugby for the Collaroy Cougars "golden oldies". "Rugby is a true team game," he says. "It teaches you about the power of working together for a common goal."

A man of many talents

Paul Jaffe (rhymes with café) is a true Sydney son - born in Camperdown Hospital. His father Marc emigrated from Germany in the 1940's and married his mother Maxelle - a Forestville girl. In fact, Ashton Avenue in Forestville is named after his maternal grandfather.

Paul attended James Ruse Agricultural High School. He went on to Sydney University and gained a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science. Paul also completed a Diploma in Education at the Kuringai College of Advanced Education.

While Paul was at University, he financed his studies modelling part time. At the completion of his science degree Paul found himself living in New York and following his modelling career for a couple of years. No-one was more surprised than Paul to find his green eyes peering out of the pages of InStyle magazine.

"I've always been the sort of person who wanted to experience everything in life," he laughs. "Although, I didn't do a lot of catwalk stuff. I still walked like a Number 8 from James Ruse High."

Back in Australia, in the late 1980's Paul taught science at Beacon Hill and Cromer high schools. After several years teaching, Paul was looking for a new challenge and started with IBM selling software. He has been very successful in this field currently working for DSI (Data Systems International) from his office on the Northern Beaches.

On family life

In 2002 Paul married Meredith Orem - Northern Beaches through and through. Meredith went to Avalon Public and Queenwood and holds a degree in arts/literature. She is former business woman who left her own funds management and recruitment company to start a family with Paul. They now have four children - Imogen (17) and Larissa (13) from previous relationships, and Matilda (2 and a half) and Beau (4 months).

This year has been tumultuous for Paul with the death of his father and the birth of his son. "My dad's death taught me you have to look after the things that are precious to you. They're very fragile, and life is short." he says.

Meredith is a keen netballer who coached two teams at Collaroy Plateau and has been on the coaching committee for a number of years. Paul and Meredith share a love of the outdoors and sport. Paul swims with the Dee Why Ice Picks - a winter swimming club - he surfs at Long Reef, loves the "bombie" and likes to pedal his pushbike around the neighbourhood.

"If I'm elected mayor, it's a short pushie ride to the chambers in Dee Why. Not a bad way to wake yourself up."

Building a better community

If Paul Jaffe sounds too good to be true, it could be that we've all become cynical about politicians and the political process.

Paul says he's motivated to do something good for the community - to protect what he has and to make life better - for his kids.

"My dad made great personal sacrifices for his family. This is how I'd like to honour his memory," said Paul. "I know he'd be proud to think his son was Mayor, and I like to think young Beau will be surfing at Longie one day and remember what his Dad did to protect the place."

Paul Jaffe's passions . . .

• Provide our community with the best possible services at reasonable cost. For example more childcare places for hard-working families at a reasonable price. Support for groups who look after our older community members.
• Using my knowledge of technology systems, I want to create efficiencies at Council. To use technology to enable staff to be more productive and effective - to deliver better services at lower cost.
• I'd like to use those same communication technologies to bring community groups - and all their hard-working volunteers - back into the fold. To aid them in increasing their memberships and help them thrive. To make them active participants in Council decisions.
• We have to fight Governments which want to take away our rights to make decisions on a community level. I will take that stoush right to the front door of the State Planning Minister.
• Let's encourage companies to locate facilities e.g. call centres and other administrative functions here so less people have to commute long distances to get to work.
• Rising fuel costs and increasing traffic will change our life here on the Northern Beaches. I would like to investigate some radical ideas for transport: Park and ride facilities with every new development? Recycling of cooking oils for bio diesel production at Kimbriki tip for use in council vehicles?
• I believe the Council will have a crucial role to play as a broker in the new carbon-trading economy. I can see Council dealing on behalf of entire neighbourhoods in return for rate rebates. Energy-efficient householders should be rewarded for their efforts.
• As more and more people are crowded into the Northern Beaches our open space must be protected, preserved and enhanced. After all it is the natural beauty of Warringah which makes this place such an attractive and therefore valuable place to live. It's in our interest to protect our natural assets.
• Likewise, our sports clubs should benefit from forward planning. It's urgent that a comprehensive study is made of our assets and the demands on playing fields. Let's keep our kids and our community fit and healthy.
• I would dearly love to see the whole Long Reef precinct protected as a wildlife/heritage conservation zone - a place to educate our children about the value of our marine environment.
• I'd like to see our shopping centres with a great mix of local business and essential services, coffee shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. Let's decentralise to reduce congestion on our roads and the cost of getting to the shopping centre.
• Let's abandon old technologies like rock and concrete sea walls and groynes to protect our beaches from global warming and rising sea levels. Artificial reef systems along the Narrabeen stretch could protect the coast from erosion, while providing a great recreational asset, all at significantly less cost and with far greater effectiveness than solid sea walls.
• Most of all I'd like to see Warringah Council respected and admired throughout the State as a progressive and dynamic governing body. I want to see a Council working in the best interests of the community that elected them. There should be no place for those who want to be on Council for self interest.

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