Leading Australian integrated health, education and disability services charity, Royal Far West (RFW), has officially commenced construction of its new beachfront development at Manly, following a sod-turning ceremony at its landmark South Steyne site last week.

Attended by special guests including Joan Treweeke, Chairman, Royal Far West, Jacqueline Emery, CEO, Royal Far West, Zali Steggall, Independent MP for Warringah, and project architects Glenn Murcutt AO and Angelo Candalepas, the event signalled a new era in the organisation’s mission of improving the health and wellbeing of country children nationwide.

The ‘RFW Neighbourhood’ development comprises waterfront apartments and revitalised accommodation for country families, as well as a blend of retail, commercial and lifestyle-related spaces, with the build to be delivered by Multiplex, who were appointed on the project in February 2024.

Once complete, the project will allow RFW to increase its ability to gift vital paediatric health services to meet the growing needs of country children and their families, who are unable to access vital services in the bush.

Polymer Director Andrew Coward was honoured to be one of the special guests at the long-awaited ground breaking event, and we were excited to share this highly anticipated news with members of the media on behalf of RFW.