Tell us how you started the Northern Beaches Secret Rocks initiative and what gave you the idea?

I started Northern Beaches Secret Rocks after a trip home to Canada in 2017 when I first learned of the idea of random acts of kindness through painting and hiding rocks from a group called Kindness Rocks. 

I thought it was such a great way of combining craft and the idea of sharing a random surprise, whilst also being able to go out for a walk and bring community and people together at the same time. Seemed like a perfect combination! 

Why do you think it was so embraced by the Northern Beaches community?

'Rocking' as it can be called became the perfect activity for Northern Beaches families throughout the pandemic. Families could paint the rocks together, and then head out on a walk to any of our amazing locations here on the Beaches to drop or hide their creations. 

Sometimes people would go for a walk just to look for rocks. Other times walks involved hiding rocks. The Facebook group became a conduit for people to report where they were heading to hide, or if someone had found a rock, they would often post their find.   

When did you know it had become so popular and loved by the community? 

The group had always been slowly growing - we were at about 1,500 members pre-pandemic but then we hit a perfect storm of numbers. So many people were painting rocks and hiding them, then more people were finding them and joining in too. 

It is an activity for everyone, whether young or old. Lots of people had different reasons for painting rocks - to relax after a hard day at work,  to do an activity with their grandkids, or just for the joy of creating something that you knew would make someone else happy. 

We now have over 6,300 members in the group and posts these days can have over 1,500 people viewing, so that is quite a high rate of engagement which is awesome. 

Have you heard any great stories or feedback from people who loved the Secret Rocks?

Just recently a rock was found by a local person who had experienced a tragedy, and the rock resonated so much for them and their family. 

Kids are enamoured by a find. It has an element of mystery to it, as well as care, that someone would have made the rock and hid it there for someone else's joy. Without likely ever knowing what had happened to it.  

How did it feel when you heard you had won the Northern Beaches Community Event of the Year?

I was so thrilled when I heard I was even nominated! This was something I did not do for recognition, but to bring happiness to others, and to give the community a mechanism to help each other via random painted rocks. 

As this 'event' goes on 365 days a year, and will continue into the future indefinitely, it was a great choice for Community Event! It is always happening all around us. 

What would you say to someone thinking about nominating their local hero or an amazing community event for the award?

I will always be grateful to my nominator, Maria Elena Villarraga Salcedo, who I didn't know at all!  We met for the first time at the awards night and had a common bond already through the rocks. 

If there is someone who has impacted your life or your community by giving of their time and creating an impact that does good for others by all means nominate them.  It is an absolute honour to even be considered.   

Nominations for our 2023 Australia Day Awards are now open. Nominate an outstanding local or community event that makes the Northern Beaches a better place.