City Hub 23 August 2018 by Alt Media

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Printing the news and raising hell weekly; not weakly By Lawrence Gibbons Twenty-three years ago this week the first edition of the City Hub appeared on Sydney’s streets pledging “to print the news and raise hell” Today the City Hub remains the last independent inner city weekly newspaper. To mark the paper’s anniversary, the founder reflects on the importance a free press has played since Sydney’s earliest days and contemplates the impact its decline is having on Australian democracy. The Australian civil rights struggle started in earnest on October 14, 1824. No blood was spilled and not a single shot was fired, so most history books do not mark the date. Earlier that year William Charles Wentworth had returned home to Australia after studying law at Cambridge with a secret weapon: a printing press and a business partner. Wentworth’s travel companion was Robert Wardell, a fellow solicitor and an experienced newspaper editor. Together the two men audaciously launched Sydney’s first independent newspaper, the Australian, without permission from the crown. On October 14 the first edition of the Australian was published, proclaiming, “A free press is the most legitimate, and, at the same time, the most powerful weapon that can be employed to annihilate influence, frustrate the designs of tyranny, and restrain the arm of oppression’. Transported to our craggy shores aboard creaking wooden ships during the Age of Enlightenment, newspapers have served as a cornerstone of liberal democracy here in Australia. For less than 200 years Australia’s Fourth Estate has ensured that we live in a stable democracy. Newspapers are the watchdog of the rich and powerful. They inform the citizenry of the actions of their elected representatives, so they may be held accountable at the ballot box. Newspapers preserve our precious rights.

The 19th century values of free speech, accountability, and honesty in office are embedded in the very fibres of newsprint. Less than two hundred years after Australia’s first independent newspaper was published, newspapers are threatened with extinction. Last month’s announcement that the Sydney Morning Herald will become a vulnerable subsidiary of Australia’s largest television network, Nine, is just the latest nail in the coffin of Sydney’s remaining independent, local free press. Today many Australians are blissfully unaware of the role newspapers have played over the last two centuries in establishing the right to free speech and in ensuring that our government is accountable to us. During the 1820s Governor Ralph Darling, bristled at the criticism he received in the pages of Australia’s new press and set about silencing his critics. Darling charged both Wentworth and Wardell with seditious libel. The two trained solicitors successfully defended themselves. Within two years both men Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide. stood aside from their responsibilities at Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, the Australian. convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. The editor of Sydney’s second Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. independent newspaper the Monitor, was convicted and imprisoned for Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made criticising Darling in 1828. For more to ensure accuracy of content, takes no responsibility for than two years Edward Smith Hall inadvertent errors or omissions. continued to edit and publish the Monitor from Parramatta Gaol. ABN 52 600 903 348 In 1829, Wentworth and Wardell’s Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons successor at the Australian, Atwell Edwin Hayes, was also convicted Group Editors: Lanie Tindale, John Moyle of seditious libel and was jailed for Contributors: Lawrence Gibbons, John Moyle, six months. During the first six Alex Greenwich, Lanie Tindale, Peter Hehir months of 1830, two of Sydney’s first Kylie Winkworth independent newspapers were both Arts Editor: Jamie Apps edited from the same prison: and Cover Photo: Sam Wade most Australians have never heard of Australia’s two freedom fighters: Hall Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva and Hayes. For much of the last two centuries, Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au one newspaper has reported upon Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 the news in Sydney. Established in Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au 1831, the Sydney Herald delivered Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 a conservative counterpoint to the radical titles of the day. Originally a Website: altmedia.net.au Tory paper, the Herald was launched If you have a story, or any comments you’d like in opposition to Darling’s more liberal to share with us: successor, Governor Richard Bourke. news@altmedia.net.au The 1830s were a boom time in Sydney Town as well as across Australia. At the same time press altmediagroup altmediasydney restrictions were lifted, property

ownership was liberalised and bank lending restrictions were eased: Sydney’s initial land grants were subdivided and sold off the plan; “Crown” lands (i.e. stolen Aboriginal lands) were sold to British immigrants. During the 1830s, the population of what is today New South Wales doubled. At the same time Melbourne and Adelaide were established and convicts made up less and less of the inbound traffic to Australia. Right before Sydney’s first property bubble burst in 1841, John Fairfax and his short-lived business partner borrowed ten thousand pounds from British sources to purchase the Sydney Herald. It will come as no surprise to most Sydneysiders that Fairfax initially bought the Herald with offshore capital at the peak of the city’s first real estate boom. A year later the paper went daily, and its name was changed to the Sydney Morning Herald. For 177 years Fairfax has published the Sydney Morning Herald. While the ownership of the company has changed, the paper’s commitment to providing independent news coverage has not waivered. The business that began by acquiring a small, conservative daily paper in a distant colonial outpost grew to become Australia’s oldest and most significant quality newspaper. The merger of Fairfax and Nine follows changes to cross media ownership laws introduced last year by the Turnbull government. Later this year when government regulators ultimately rubber-stamp the deal and Nine takes

control of Fairfax’s newspaper assets, local news coverage will be scaled back once again. Over the last 16 years the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance estimates 2,500 news room jobs have been cut across Australia; Fairfax accounted for more than half of those losses. Further cutbacks in Fairfax’s costly local news departments will no doubt help deliver $50 million in promised savings. Once they are officially combined, Australia’s two media companies will be worth $4.2 billion. While this may sound massive consider that this year the US tech giants Google and Facebook will generate more than $4 billion in ad revenues in Australia alone. Combined globally, Google and Facebook are worth more than $2 trillion Aussie dollars. In comparison Australia’s entire GDP is $1.7 trillion. With more and more Australian ad revenue flowing offshore to America’s digital duopoly, less and less money is available to generate local news content here at home. Equally as concerning is the way in which these digital platforms distribute content to consumers and citizens alike. A complex series of algorithms ensure that the news and information we receive online is consistent with our existing opinions, prejudices and beliefs. We see the world in a distorted hall of mirrors. We grow cynical and as we do we become less involved. Civil society faces an unprecedented crisis as the Fourth Estate is replaced by a new medium of fake news, emojis and digital distraction. On August 21 1995, the first issue of the City Hub was published here in Sydney. In what now looks like the good old days, Australia was then already the most consolidated media market in the world. Three media moguls (Murdoch, Packer and Fairfax) owned every daily and suburban newspaper in the country. At the end of this year once Fairfax has been swallowed, only two corporations, News and Nine will generate and control most of the nation’s remaining news content. When the City Hub first appeared in 1995, the Courier newspapers had not yet been purchased by Rupert Murdoch and the Eastern Suburbs supported two other independent weekly newspapers the Messenger and the Spectator. The Village Voice was an independent community paper in the Inner West. Sydney supported no fewer than three local weekly street papers (Drum, On the Street and 3D) as well as two weekly gay newspapers (the Sydney Star Observer and Capital Q). All these publications generated local news content, most of which has not been replaced as the papers folded. Today, the City Hub is Inner Sydney’s last remaining independent weekly newspaper. When the paper was launched at the end of the last century, the City Hub took its mission statement from a 19th century newspaper publisher, Wilbur Storey. In 1861 the renegade owner of the Chicago Times said, “It is a newspaper’s duty to print the news and raise hell”. The City Hub maintains the seemingly radical idea that a local newspaper should fearlessly report on the news of day. Since its inception, the City Hub has made local news stories freely available. In a free society concerned citizens should not need to brave Murdoch’s paywall to find out what their local council is doing. Not only does the radical act of picking up a newspaper subvert Silicon Valley’s digital duopoly, it ensures there will be local news coverage, supports local small businesses and encourages emerging journalists. The City Hub proudly upholds the values articulated by Robert Wardell in Australia’s first independent newspaper: a free press remains the most powerful weapon that can be employed to annihilate influence, frustrate the designs of tyranny, and restrain the arm of oppression. city hub 23 AUGUST 2018

MP’s homeless emergency

Alex Greenwich was on SBS’s Filthy Rich and Homeless Mark Rogers, SBS

BY Alex Greenwich Large scale disasters that threaten life are often declared state emergencies, initiating urgent action across all government agencies to make people safe and help them get back on their feet. Homelessness is putting tens of thousands of lives at risk and needs a similar response. Just like a bushfire, homelessness can burn through a person’s entire life, and like a flood it can wash away all hope. Homelessness has reached epidemic levels: 38,000 people in NSW don’t have a home; we have the highest proportion of people who are

homeless and 37 per cent rise in NSW since 2011 is double the national homelessness rate. We only see the tip of the homelessness iceberg: only seven per cent of people who are homeless are sleeping rough. Another 16 per cent are in crisis services, 18 per cent in boarding houses, 14 per cent couch surfing, nine per cent in temporary lodgings and 45 per cent in severely overcrowded homes. All these situations risk life, safety, health and wellbeing. People are at risk of violence, robbery and intimidation, and more likely to be in trouble with the law. Without secure housing, you can’t treat health conditions and new ones develop.

Getting and keeping a job is near impossible. During the SBS Filthy, Rich and Famous program, I experienced firsthand for a short time what it was to be homeless. I slept on park benches, run down boarding houses and crisis hostels. I heard from many people about losing hope and a sense of purpose, like the couch surfers who had to trade sex for a place to stay. I also learned about resilience and how people pick themselves up as well as how they struggle to get back on their feet. People experiencing homelessness are the same as us only they’ve had bad luck, often a lot of it. People don’t choose to be homeless; the causes are out of their control and include domestic and family violence, health and mental health issues, trauma, job loss and poverty. Nearly one third of people using homelessness services are women and children escaping domestic violence. The social housing waiting list has 60,000 tenancies waiting for a home – some waiting for decades – and less than one per cent of private rentals are affordable for people on low incomes, so people simply have no safe housing options. Unless we take coordinated urgent action, homelessness will only escalate further. Los Angeles declared a “shelter crisis” and put in place emergency measures to house its 28,000 city residents who are homeless. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern committed to getting rough sleepers off the street with a $100 million emergency housing package. We can solve homelessness if we give it priority: the national ‘Everybody’s Home’ campaign identifies immediate and long term solutions. Right now we could provide emergency housing in empty and unused government properties like Sirius in The Rocks, largely empty for over a year. Housing First – providing a home with living skills, drug, alcohol and mental health support – works and we could extend

this. We could send homelessness services into prisons early to prevent homelessness on release. We could waive charges for government services like getting ID and increase help for social housing forms to better identify people with high level complex needs. The real solution is to expand social and affordable housing. We need to build 5,000 new social housing properties each year until 2026 to meet need and we must mandate for at least 15 per cent of housing in major redevelopment projects to be social and affordable rental housing. Redevelopment of government land should have more low cost housing. The massive redevelopment proposals for Waterloo will deliver less than 150 new homes! FACS Housing and non-government organisations using assertive housing outreach to people sleeping rough is good and the new Homelessness Strategy includes a focus on whole of government coordination, but we are still only tinkering at the edges. The Premier responded to my question in Parliament that the government wants to end homelessness by 2030. This will only happen if build many more new low cost homes. Selling off inner city public housing to build homes on the city fringes won’t help. It caused distress and loss of community for Millers Point tenants and UNSW City Futures Research Centre data shows little impact on waiting lists because most new homes are only replacement stock. Homelessness will continue to surge if we don’t get homes for the people who need them, and we will have bigger social and economic problems. We have the money and committed homelessness services. The government must treat homelessness as a state of emergency and take immediate action to get everyone safely housed. Sign my petition at http://www.alexgreenwich.com/ stateofemergency

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Powerhouse to property play By Kylie Winkworth There is a vacancy for a chief executive of the Museum of Applied Arts Sciences (MAAS) after director Dolla Merrillees resigned in the wake of the failed Fashion Ball fundraiser, which was subsidised by NSW taxpayers to the tune of $215,000. The advertisement for the chief executive should carry a career health warning. The successful applicant will be museum’s fourth director in just six years, a turnover that is unheard of in the museum sector. That alone should give intending applicants pause for thought, even before they start reading the 4,500 pages of the Final Business Case on moving the Powerhouse Museum (PHM) to Parramatta. More than half the business case papers are focussed on how to cram the maximum possible development onto the museum sites at both Parramatta and Ultimo. The government scoffed when museum experts said it would cost $2b to move the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta. The first pass at confecting a business case came up with a benefit cost ratio of just 0.435, and a cost of $1.92b, just to move the Powerhouse 23ks west for no net cultural gain. Arts Minister Don Harwin told the Legislative Council’s Museum Inquiry last year that a new extended business case would investigate ‘all possible options’ for a museum in Parramatta. They even held community consultations. But behind the scenes a team of consultants had long been at work on only one option, Mike Baird’s captain’s pick to move the Powerhouse to Parramatta. The focus of the extended business case was on stripping the costs out of the project, and maximising development on both the Parramatta and Ultimo sites. The museum’s Harwood building, which houses

Powerhouse Museum site soon to be highrise. Photo: John Moyle

240,000 objects in world’s best practice collection storage, will be demolished to make way for a 68 storey super tower. The replacement storage facilities at Castle Hill will be at least 3,000sqm smaller than Ultimo. The cost of storing the museum’s 32 very large objects once they’ve been evicted from the Powerhouse Museum has simply been left out of the project budget. Few of them will fit in the Parramatta museum, which is half the size of the current Powerhouse site. The government’s consultants have done little to advance the concept of the New Museum in Western Sydney (NMWS), beyond vacuous clichés about an iconic world-leading museum. Visitors had best not look up. Parramatta’s promised world class museum will

sit at the bottom of a highrise looming over the riverbank. The museum still has no name or compelling rationale, let alone a relationship with the history and cultures of Parramatta. The demolition and downsizing of the Powerhouse was always the nakedly political decision of a government which sees every project through the lens of property development. Even so, it is shocking to read on page two of the business case that there is no actual unmet need to justify the government’s world first museum demolition plan. It would be cheaper to keep the Powerhouse and build a new museum in Parramatta, but this option was never considered or tested. Arts Minister Don Harwin’s sop to cultural sensibilities outraged by the demolition of major

state museum is a remnant ‘Ultimo Presence’, a lyric theatre shoehorned into the shell of the historic power house, and a fashion and design showcase, under the shadow of a 68 storey super tower. This bizarre scheme takes the power out of the Powerhouse, evicting the museum’s priceless power, transport and engineering collections - which are uniquely appropriate to the history and great spaces of the Powerhouse - while leaving a small display of designer frocks. It is no surprise to read to that the new chief executive of MAAS, in charge of implementing the government’s museum demolition plan, will not need to have any actual museum experience. Nor is it surprising, after so many outrages, that the chief executive will report directly to the Minister, bypassing the trustees and public service, and breeching all norms of museum governance, in which museums operate at arm’s length from the government of the day. This is how the NSW government will execute the asset stripping land and property, held in trust by the trustees of MAAS, for current future generations. In the last four years the NSW government has waged a cultural vendetta against the Powerhouse Museum, cutting its budget, depriving it of maintenance funding, and undermining public confidence in the museum and the custodianship of the collection. Thirteen volumes of a confected business case, an army of consultants and high-level public servants have tried to justify the inexcusable destruction of major state museum. It is difficult to comprehend the government’s determination to ruin a great public museum and put its priceless collection at risk, while it is sitting on a $3.8b surplus, with annual $1.6b surpluses projected for the next four years. But then this is NSW. It’s all about property development.

Glad stakes out Redfern By John Moyle In its latest grab for public land, Glad the Impaler’s government is staking its claim on the rail corridor between Redfern Station and North Eveleigh Street. The 12 hectare site is set to be sold to fund a $207 million Redfern Station upgrade, despite past promises that the cost of the upgrade would be sourced from the sale of the Australian Technology Park (ATP) land. “The wholesale sell-off of public land around Redfern Station started with the Australian Technology Park, it is happening just down the road in Waterloo, and it’s clear that the Liberals’ privatisation agenda continues,” said Jenny Leong the Member for Newtown. Redfern Station has long been the centre of community concerns over its fire risks and the lack of lifts to the connecting platforms. Even though Redfern is NSW’s sixth busiest station, necessary upgrades have been neglected by successive state governments. “It is an accident waiting to happen, you just need to go there at peak hour to see how crowded it is,” said Desley Haas, co-coordinator of the Redfern Station Community Group. “A few weeks ago I was almost pushed off my feet going down the stairs.” It appears the government is claiming that in order to upgrade a public station it needs to sell off public land. “No decisions on these investigations have been finalised at this stage, so potential upgrades, costs and funding options are yet to be determined,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said. The lack of lifts to the platforms below the upper concourse has been a sore spot for accessibility advocates for years, yet a dedicated plan has yet to be implemented. In 2015 one lift was installed but it serves only two of the 12 platforms. “Transport for NSW has started investigations 6

city hub 23 AUGUST 2018

into improving access at the southern end of Redfern Station so that it can cope with the current and expected growth in the precinct,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson said. “This will include improving access to platforms for customers with disabilities.” There are fears CommBank will not get what was promised in terms of infrastructure to accommodate the 10,000 workers it will bring in to the bank’s new site at Australian Technology Park. It also seems that concerns expressed by representatives of the University of Sydney have not been addressed. This is highlighted by the fact the university missed out on a Metro station which was allocated instead to Waterloo, in part to service the retail premises and private apartments being built above the development. Jenny Leong said “As a community we can see that there is such potential for the Eveleigh site and the corridor, but at the moment that potential is being negated by the fact that it is being done behind the scenes and in leaked document announcements with big companies rather than with community resident groups, and so the people that are having those discussions and negotiations are not living in the area.” “There was no sell-off of public land to fund the Chatswood Station upgrade so why do we have that here?” asked Desley Haas. The spokesperson for Transport for NSW said they “will negotiate with the community and stakeholders as plans develop.” Geoff Turnbull’s local organisation REDwatch is even more concerned about the lack of any mention of affordable and social housing to be included in the areas where public land is being sold off in the area. Geoff Turnbull said “This is a competition between Treasury getting income from land sales and or to pay for state infrastructure versus leveraging government land to generate public housing outcomes.

Glad the Impaler stakes clailm on Redfern to North Eveleigh public land. Photo: Alec Smart

“Overseas it is common for government to use its land holdings to leverage affordable and social housing.” His is a view shared by Jenny Leong and the Greens. “One the important things is making sure that we can afford to live in our city and we should not be looking at any new developments in the area that doesn’t have a high percentage of affordable housing,” Ms Leong said. “The Greens are absolutely looking at 30 per cent of new developments and even higher on public lands when it comes to targets, and we also need to look at the demands for childcare, schools, medical services and recreational needs.”

The three options for the Waterloo Estate development allocate affordable housing at just five per cent, but REDwatch and other community groups are calling for a mix of five per cent dedicated to Aboriginal affordable housing and five per cent for other affordable housing. It appears that Glad the Impaler’s government is treating the inner city public lands and assets as a cash cow to top up an already $3.9 billion surplus. “The priorities of this Liberal government are more interested in having corporate mates as buddies and also the broad scale sell-off of public land than community services and affordable housing that our inner city desperately needs,” Jenny Leong said.

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Opinion

WestConnex Won’t Work By Peter Hehir You see these signs all over the Inner West. In every suburb. Red and white corflutes beaming out the message that Abbott, Glad the Impaler and the pro toll road lobby are just plain wrong. But make no mistake - it isn’t just the conservative side of politics that embraces toll roads. Labor’s Federal Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese stood right beside Julia Gillard and overbid the Liberal pledge of $1.5 billion by upping it to $1.8 billion in 2013 - with a great big cheesy grin! And in spite of the deliberately muddied waters surrounding this project, it hasn’t been withdrawn. Shorten’s position is clear. The ALP supports WestConnex. No ifs. No buts. But inner city freeways are being pulled down all over the world because it’s been clearly demonstrated that they don’t solve traffic congestion. They create it! Anyone who has ever used a freeway knows that. Getting on and getting off is where the problem lies. Where does that leave the Inner West who rightly believe that WestConnex is really toxic? In spite of the millions spent on Government spin to convince us otherwise. Every bit as toxic as the hundreds of tonnes of cancer causing diesel particles that will be spewed out from the unfiltered stacks and spread over the Inner West. It leaves us all somewhere between a rock and a hard place. You can understand Berejiklian and Abbott’s obsession with dismantling the public service. Like the rest of the Neo Cons they want to privatise all Government activity. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and assume just for a moment that this blind faith in private enterprise is actually genuine.

WestConnex rally at Leichhardt. Photo: Philip Bohle

But does that make them right? No way. Not by a long shot. Not now. Not tomorrow. Not ever. This quote from the budgie smuggler’s book Battlelines:

‘In Australia’s biggest cities, public transport is generally slow, expensive, not especially reliable and a hideous drain on the public purse. Part of the problem is inefficient, overmanned, union-dominated government run train and bus systems.’ If it is so: ‘Why is it so?’ The undisputed facts are that public transport has been critically underfunded here in Sydney for decades. Even if he is right, is that justification for throwing public transport under a bus and idealising the motorcar? Surely if something is broken, then you fix it. If public transport was more accessible, affordable, comfortable, competitive and reliable - as it is in the rest of the civilised world - then many more people would utilize it and the cost of running the services would reduce accordingly. The rail management approach, when urgent track maintenance was required on sections of track, was not to spend the money - but to slow the trains down. It is any wonder that the rail service was criticised for being slow! Subsequent investigations into the Granville tragedy revealed that the derailing wouldn’t have happened had there been an adequate budget for track and rolling stock maintenance. The public aren’t stupid Tony. The Unions aren’t the problem. They’re an important part of the solution, representing ordinary people and are a bulwark against being totally screwed by those whose only interest is in a dividend and the bottom line. The Lib’s position has always been that ‘the great unwashed’ can just take a bath. In 2015 and 2016 the spin doctors from the Sydney Motorway Corporation on the back of a huge advertising campaign had

managed to convince some of the west that WestConnex was a good thing. But the gloss is rapidly wearing off. The tolls cut deep in a demographic where disposable incomes are few and far between. Toll roads are the ‘hideous drain on the public purse’, not public transport. AECOM provided the business case and the usage figures for WestConnex. They also provided the figures for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and for the Cross City Tunnel. The S HT has cost N SW taxpayers more than $1 billon in ‘lost’ revenue, because the usage figures were grossly overstated. The CCT has been in receivership twice. Surely this should tell the Government something? Just how wrong can you be? How many bites of the cherry does AECOM get? Campaigns to urge super funds here to pull out of toll road projects are gaining ground but too little headway is being made. It needs to be embraced by the community at large. Hopefully this campaign will gain impetus in the run up to the elections early in the New Year. The very real tragedy in all of this is that there isn’t a political alternative. Sure the Greens have the correct perspective but until they can command 35% of the primary vote or Labor backflips, there isn’t a political solution. The best we can hope for in N SW is a hung Parliament with Independents and the Greens holding the balance of power. Perhaps the final word should belong to Abbott: “No one, however smart, however well educated, however experienced, is the suppository of all wisdom.” — Liberal Party Campaign launch, 12 August 2013.

Council saves May Murray By Lanie Tindale The Marrickville community is celebrating after the Inner West Council passed a motion on Tuesday confirming the May Murray Early Learning Centre will remain on Premier Street. A petition created by parents Shae Phuong and Annabel Prince garnered over 1100 signatures in support of protecting the 50-place child care centre. Ms Prince, mother of May Murray student Oliver, said parents are grateful for the “incredible local community” who supported the Save May Murray campaign. “The support from the local community for our small little centre was amazing and we are so grateful. We’re thrilled with the result.” Ms Phoung said while she wanted to the centre to remain where it was “selfishly for my child”, the “reverberations made by one little place across the whole community” showed its significance. Cr Anna York – who presented the motion to Council - said relocating the centre and the children would disrupt what makes the centre special. Councillor Sam Iskandar - who seconded Councillor Anna York’s motion - sent his 24/7 Emergency Services own children to May Murray. CALL US NOW Same Day Service “It was very important for us because Quality Guaranteed we’re coming from a non-English speaking Ontime Plumbers background and that was the case for most 10% Seniors Discount of the families here,” said Cr Iskandar. “[May Murray prepares the children] very, very well to go to the next school and be accepted there, so it was a very important learning process for the kids.” May Murray came under threat when Inner West Council staff proposed to move it to the new Steel Park childcare centre in order to be able to funnel in children from WWW.PUREPLUMBINGPROS.COM.AU 8

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the soon to close Globe Wilkins preschool. Located in the grounds of Wilkins Primary School, the Inner West Council has been advised by the NSW Department of Education that the licence to the premises of Globe Wilkin’s Preschool will end in 2019. A spokesperson from the Department of Education told City Hub: “The Globe Preschool was established in the early 1980’s within the Wilkins Public School buildings. At that time student enrolments at the school were significantly lower. The preschool currently uses four classrooms. “In 2015, the preschool was advised that when the lease with Inner West Council expires in December 2019 the school students will have priority for the use of school buildings to ensure that it can provide teaching spaces and classrooms for students.” Cr York and Cr Iskandar also proposed motions expressing support for Globe Wilkins Preschool. Cr York said the Council desperately doesn’t want to see Globe Wilkins close. “Globe Wilkins is another beautiful, unique, high quality Council-run service on Wilkins Public School grounds and we desperately want to see it stay open in its current location,” she said. “The school itself is under pressure, they need more classrooms, but the solution can’t be to close down and throw out an amazing preschool on the grounds, there needs to be a solution for the entire school.” The Department of Education spokesperson told City Hub it was “continuing to liaise with the council over this matter.” The department – who emailed City Hub on Tuesday 21st of August, one week after

Clockwise from left: Franklin, Susanna Conti McDonald, Eric, Clr Anna York, Crl Sam Iskandar, Shae Phuong, Annabel Prince, Oliver, Senna. Photo: Sebastian Reategui

Council passed a motion to protect May Murray - said: “Council has stated the 20 children currently enrolled at Globe Preschool could be relocated to an alternative council preschool at the May Murray Centre. “The department continues to look at ways a preschool can operate on the school site while at the same time addressing the needs of the school. Any new arrangements for a preschool will require an Expression on Interest and tender process.” Ms Prince also expressed support for Globe Wilkins Preschool. “I really hope that Wilkins Public School and the Department of Education are able to find a way for them to all stay in that one space and that everyone can be supported there and get the resources that they need,” she said.

Both Crl York and Crl Iskandar said there is a need for high quality early childhood education in the Inner West. “I’m a mum of a three year old and another one on the way, so I have firsthand experience of the important part that good quality early education and care plays [for] families in our area,” said Crl York. “[T]here’s a really critical role for childcare services, but particularly for Council-run childcare services, [for] the fact that they are high quality and they’re integrated in the community.” Cr Iskandar said childcare is a very important step in learning and preparing the kids for big school. “If you start early preparing the children to be successful in their school, that’s the way, otherwise you will have a problem you’ll have to solve in primary schools, then in the early high school years,” he said.

L BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

N A PA R

New PatieNt SPecial No Gap for 1st Visit - New Patients Only Pyrmont, Sydney & Martin Place Dental Health are offering all new patients on their first visit a gap-free (i.e. health fund rebate only) check-up and clean. What this includes is:     

comprehensive Oral examination and consultation 2 Small X-Rays & 1 x large Panoramic OPG Scale, clean & Polish Fluoride treatment

Your 1st appointment normally takes anywhere between 45 minutes to 1 hour. For patients without private health insurance this special offer will cost only $195.

call us today or reserve an appointment online

PYRmONt DeNtal HealtH Ground Floor, Suite 3, 19 Harris Street, Pyrmont Ph: 02 9518 6262 smile@pyrmontdentalhealth.com.au www.pyrmontdentalhealth.com.au 2

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

winner

2018

Index

A note from the Editor

ydney is truly a cosmopolitan city. Our cuisine, our lifestyle and even the buildings around us have been influenced by generations of immigrants and by our irrepressible desire to explore diverse cultures and integrate them with our own. This is the 23nd Edition of Best Of Editor: Contributors: Artwork:

Sydney, and it is indicative of how the city has grown and changed. Some of the businesses listed are repeat winners, but there are many newcomers and they represent an eclectic range catering to a wide scope of tastes. The EAT section shows that Sydney-siders can have a sophisticated palate while still enjoying basic, down-to-earth tucker. It includes everything from fine seafood to a peanut butter based cafe. Cocktails among the clouds, mix and matcha, and extreme freakshakes are some of the flavours you’ll find among DRINKS winners. The spectrum of options in PLAY reveals a city that loves the outdoors: picnicking, kayaking, watching whales; but at the same time appreciates theatre, art galleries, and live music. In the SHOP section you’ll discover a predilection for the rare, unusual, pre-eminent and pre-loved, and the breadth of SERVICES covers the essential, the practical, the artistic and, of course, cats. Enjoy!

Rita Bratovich Vladica Stojanovic, Lilian Sekkai, Erika Echternach, Fernanda Tiburcio Sam Wade

EAT

ITALIAN FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SAGANAKI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRAINING RESTAURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AMERICAN BURGERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GERMAN PRETZEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INSTAGRAMMABLE FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . MEXICAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LEBANESE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GALETTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACAI BOWL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VEGAN CAFÉ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHINESE FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RED VELVET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JAPANESE COMBOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BEST FANCY BEACH CAFÉ . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GOURMET PIZZA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDIBLE MATCHA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . POKE BOWL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PEANUT BUTTER PARADISE . . . . . . . . . . . AFRICAN CUISINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAPAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRADITIONAL DELICACIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . THAI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASIAN FUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BREAKFAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DRINK

DRINK WITH A VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AUSTRALIAN CRAFT BEER . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOOZY MILKSHAKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOOKS AND BOTTLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

8 8 8 8

LOCAL DRINKING HOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARTINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CREATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL COCKTAILS . . . MATCHA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ITALIAN HOT CHOCOLATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . COFFEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TEA BLENDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JUICE BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPIKED FLOATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CRAZY FREAKSHAKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROOFTOP BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WINE BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PLAY

INDEPENDENT GALLERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PADDLE EXPERIENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EASY BIKE RIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS FESTIVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LATE NIGHT MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ART WORKSHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTERNATIONAL DANCE EXPERIENCE . . . . ICE ESCAPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRIVIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THEATRE FOR PERFORMERS . . . . . . . . . . . THEATRE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . URBAN OASIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPLASH ZONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SURF SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIVE MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOCAL CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMPLETE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE . . . . . PICNIC SPOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COASTAL WALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JET BOAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIDDEN TREASURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WHALE SPOTTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12

SHOP

BUTTONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRAVEL SHOE SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECOND-HAND BOOKSTORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BIKE SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTERIOR STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDOOR MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HYDROPONICS EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . VEGAN SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE . . . . . . . . . . CREATIVE HUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FRESH SEAFOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CUSTOMISED ARTWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMERCIAL ART GALLERY . . . . . . . . . . . OUTDOOR SHOPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SERVICES

TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS STATIONERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHILD CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIV SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LANGUAGE EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GYM ALTERNATIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPIRITUAL AWAKENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOCAL BANK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TATTOO STUDIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DENTAL CARE AND AQUARIUM . . . . . . . . . BURLESQUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HAIR ARTISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOUTIQUE HOTEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAT PROTECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BLACKSMITH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTANTS . . . . . . . PRINTER IN SYDNEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16

17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 19

The Ord Family have been welcoming local and overseas guests for 21 years at their 47 Room Vulcan Boutique Hotel

500 Wattle Street ULTIMO NSW 2007 Ph: 9211 32 83 www.vulcanhotel.com.au

Winner of “Best Boutique Hotel” BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST ITALIAN FOOD Alberto’s Pizza Warm, welcoming and above all really delicious! Located in Newtown, Alberto’s Pizzeria, still run by 82 year old owner Alberto himself, practices the Italian tradition of quality and generosity in the service of food. Alberto came to Australia more than 60 years ago, bringing with him authentic family recipes for delicious pasta, veal and chicken dishes as well as true Italian pizza.You can choose standard toppings or go for exotic options like marinated eggplant, bocconcini, cashew nuts, Calabrese salami, chili salsa and lots more. Make it a proper meal with a selection of salads and breads and leave room for dessert - Alberto’s heavenly Nutella Pizza is a must have. There are choices for the bambini and vegetarians as well. Enjoy the delightful eat-in ambience or take away. If Alberto is there (he usually is) ask him about his early career playing piano accordion. Just make sure you have a glass of wine in your hand - it might be a long story. 589 King St, Newtown. 9519 4262. albertospizza.com.au

EAT BEST SAGANAKI Apollo If you’re a fan of saganaki, Apollo is your heaven on earth! Perfectly fried and flambéed cheese is seasoned with honey and oregano and served in the traditional saganaki pan.You’ll taste a version of saganaki you’ve never had before! The restaurant itself adds to the experience. The corner art deco building in Potts Point, has a cavernous, sparse interior with patchy concrete walls and large arched windows letting in plenty of light. It feels like a modern Greek taverna - elegant and rustic at the same time, with food to match. 44 MacLeay St, Potts Point. 8354 0888. theapollo.com.au

BEST TRAINING RESTAURANT The Apprentice

BEST AMERICAN BURGERS Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co For a taste of Americana this airy, vintage style diner provides the setting and the food. There’s a mouthwatering selection of gourmet burgers served with crispy fries and your choice of a thickshake, soft drink or beer/wine/cider.You can go for the Betty’s Classic with Angus beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and special sauce or swap out the beef for crispy Southern fried chicken. If you like your burgers tangy, order the Pork Belly and get spicy pickled vegetables and sriracho mayo. There’s also a meatless Shroom burger with melted gouda and gruyere cheese, or a bun-less burger (is that still a burger?) with lettuce wrapped around an Angus patty, tomato,onion, cheese and special sauce. Oh, and if you’re wondering, “concrete” is frozen custard with chunky goodies mixed in. And that’s a whole other menu! Shop E - 04, ICC, 14 Darling Drive, Darling Harbour. bettysburgers.com.au

BEST TARTS Bourke Street Bakery How does this sound? A freshly baked tart with crisp, flaky crust and luscious fruit filling, topped with crunchy crumble, along with a hot aromatic coffee - is there any better way to start your day? Chocolate ganache, ginger brule, lemon curd, apple cream crumble, chocolate and sour cherry. Everything at Bourke Street Bakery is made by hand with the finest ingredients. They’ve earned a reputation for quality baked goods with a selection of sweet and savoury pastries, hearty pies, and a variety of artisan breads...daily. 633 Bourke St, Surry Hills. 9699 1011. bourkestreetbakery.com.au

BEST GERMAN PRETZEL At The Apprentice, hospitality students from Sydney TAFE can get real world experience without real world getting fired. This training restaurant allows students to test recipes, get the feel of a genuine commercial kitchen in action and learn how to deal with time and quality pressures while maintaining composure. Customers can book for lunch or dinner on any day of the week, but the time slots and menus are fixed, as is the very reasonable price. Every role in the restaurant is performed by a student: waiters, chefs, maitre D. Teachers supervise to ensure quality control and also because this forms part of the students’ assessments - customers are asked to provide feedback on the food and service. As for the food, there’s no need to worry about imploded souffles or charcoaled steak; the standard is very high and the menu reflects knowledge, creativity and expertise. After graduation, many of the students go on to work for the finest restaurants in the country and overseas. 731/695 Harris St, Ultimo. 9217 5527. sydneytafe.edu.au/theapprentice 4

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

Brezel Bar Brezel is the German word for pretzel, or, some Germans would argue - the correct term. Regardless, these simple breadlike treats are a great snack and perfect accompaniment for beer. Brezel Bar in Manly makes authentic, freshly baked brezels that are delicious on their own or can be served with a filling. This family run, multi award winning German bakery uses only highest quality flours from Germany to achieve the best possible taste. They make Laugenstangen (pretzel sticks), pretzel croissants, great German bread, yummy baked goods as well as an incredible breakfast and lunch menu. 5a Raglan St, Manly. 8957 6429. brezelbar.com.au

BEST INSTAGRAMMABLE FOOD Concrete Jungle An aerial shot of their menu items is the only way to really do them justice.These are exquisite works of art where ingredients are used decoratively but not as mere garnish.There’s nothing on the plate you can’t eat – including the beautiful little flowers – although digging a metal utensil into the masterpiece that is a Blue Majik Smoothie Bowl will feel scandalous – until you get the first taste, then the guilt slowly gives way

to unabashed pleasure.There’s plenty on the menu for a healthy breakfast or lunch and all the ingredients are ethically sourced and nutrient rich. 58 Kensington St, Chippendale. 0434 366 322. concretejunglecafe.com

BEST MEXICAN El Camino Cantina If it’s anywhere near your birth month, you’ll want to head over to El Camino Cantina to really cash in on your big day. The Tex-Mex restaurant offers a $25 birthday voucher to those celebrating the special occasion, and it can be used on any of their delicious menu items ranging from sizzling char grilled fajitas to their famous Mexican churros. But the fun doesn’t end there. The guest of honour will also receive a free-of-charge Margarita roughly the size of your own head. And as an added bonus, El Camino Cantina gives out free sombreros -- just what every good fiesta needs! 18 Argyle St, The Rocks. 9259 5668. elcaminocantina.com.au

BEST LEBANESE Fattoosh Lebanese Restaurant Experience Middle Eastern cuisine with modern Australian influence at Fattoosh Lebanese Restaurant. This large and loud restaurant on the lower North Shore brings you all the boisterous joy of a typical Middle Eastern family gathering. The dishes look as good as they taste, with gorgeous shapes and colours cluttering your table waiting to be shared. Their signature dish and the restaurant’s namesake is a traditional salad made from fresh vegetables and herbs, including lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and radish and it is tangy, sweet, crunchy, colourful and just simply delicious! 330 Penshurst St North Willoughby, North Willoughby. 9882 2206. fattoosh.com.au

BEST GALETTES Four Frogs Crêperie If you’re craving a savoury fix, the underappreciated savoury crêpe, known as a

galette, is a definite option, and no one does them better than the Four Frogs Crêperie in Randwick. With delicious simple fillings including mushroom, cheese, spinach, feta and ham, FFC’s galettes leave you feeling satisfied, yet still craving for more. The place is cosy and bright, with a huge blackboard depicting French and Australian bon ami sentiments and reminding you that dessert and cider are also available. 30 St Pauls St, Randwick. 9398 3818. fourfrogs.com.au

BEST ACAI BOWL Fruitologist Everyone is constantly looking for the next great health trend, but if you are craving an old favourite, you can’t go wrong with an acai bowl from Fruitologist at Bondi. They are generously served, topped with fresh berries and granola for $10, and they have a range of extras on their menu you can add, including peanut butter. Yum! Fruitologist is the place to go to get a freshly made acai bowl to kick-start your day or to treat yourself after a nice walk on the beach. Grab a bowl and sit on the beach or the picnic crates set up nearby. 151 Bondi Rd, Bondi. 9387 2575. fruitologist.com.au

BEST VEGAN CAFE AND RESTAURANT Heart And Soul Looking for a great organic chai latte or healthy, delicious brekky or lunch? Heart And Soul can give you what your heart desires and your body and soul need. This is a non-profit, community focused café whose ethos centres on improving mind and spirit through better eating and positive attitude. Every week, the staff prepare free meals for elderly and disadvantaged residents of the Shire. The delicious menu is their main tool for good. Chunky vege burgers, packed acai bowls, pastel coloured smoothies, kofta wraps. For extra spiritual nourishment, the café is a rune stone’s throw from majestic Cronulla Beach. 6/17 Gerrale St, Cronulla. 9523 6146. heartandsoulcafe.com.au

BEST CHINESE FOOD Golden Century Seafood Restaurant This award-winning restaurant is next level Chinese cuisine – this is where other chefs go when they feel like Chinese food. They are renowned for the freshness of their seafood and the flavours they are able to extract and enhance. Crustacians and shellfish reach a sublime level of cullinary genius in the masterful hands of the Golden Century chefs. The outstanding braised lobster with butter and garlic is a delicious example of the wonder that can be achieved with only minimal ingredients. It’s an extensive menu that includes familiar items, only a much better version – and is best experienced in a banquet setting where you’ll get to try a bit of everything. This is at the high end of the price scale, but keep it in mind for special occasions or functions. 393-399 Sussex St, Sydney. 9212 3901. goldencentury.com.au

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST RED VELVET Local MBassy What’s the best way to wash down some delicious red velvet pancakes? With a red velvet latte of course! Local MBassy has the best of both. The cafe’s signature dish is its vibrant stack of red velvet pancakes, so popular that they now offer it in waffle form too. The talented barista can whip up a variety of specialty drinks including hot taro lattes and frozen mint chocolate cream frappes. It’s a great food menu too. Grab a Mediterranean Brekky in the morning, Bacon Wrapped Chicken in the afternoon and squeeze red velvet pancakes somewhere in between. 310 Wattle St, Ultimo. 9660 3716. localmbassy.com.au

BEST JAPANESE COMBOS Miso The interior of this restaurant is stark and modern with green and white colour scheme and regimented tables and chairs, but its simple chic is part of the appeal and a perfect match for the menu. Miso is about good quality food that is easy and convenient but still incredibly delicious. The dishes are served as ‘sets’, where your choice of pork, chicken or seafood main is accompanied with miso soup, rice, something sweet and a side.You can also choose from a range of curries, udons and bento boxes. The portions are very generous, so it’s popular with students. World Square, 20/123 Liverpool St. 9283 9686. www.masuyainternational.com.au/en/miso

BEST FANCY BEACH CAFÉ Next Door With outdoor seating set directly opposite the crashing waves of Cronulla Beach, Next Door is not your average café next door. Their meals are

Best Indian Masala Kitchen

When Masala Kitchen promises to “bring you a truly unique sensory experience” they mean that in every way possible. The first thing you’ll encounter when you walk through the door is the tantalising aroma of spices and rich sauces emanating from the kitchen and the bold, lollyshop colour scheme and patterns in the decor. To limber up your taste buds you must order a signature cocktail because you’ve probably never had a cocktail that includes any of the following: tamarind sauce, cumin, star aniseed, cinnamon, rose petals, green chilli. They’re extraordinary! Go with a group of friends so you can choose a large selection of dishes and try a bit of everything. The Lamb Minced Stuffed Mushrooms, Bhel Puri or Tandoori Fish Tikka are good openers. Abide by their suggestion and have the “must try” main, Oh My Goat! It is delectable. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free choices on the menu and this along with the uplifting ambience makes it a great option for a group night out. The Entertainment Quarter, 120 Lang Road, Moore Park. 9380 2613. masalakitchen.com.au 6

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

delicious and nutritious and served with a friendly smile. Go for a mid morning walk along the beach and then pop in for brunch. The chai lattes are heavenly and go well with the stunningly presented and scrumptious buttermilk waffles. They’re open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Their wine list supports small Aussie wineries. 2/4-6 Kingsway, Cronulla. 9544 2267. nextdoorcronulla.com.au

BEST POKE BOWL Nudefish If you’re starting to get swept up in the current poke bowl craze, you have to try Nudefish. The secret to their bowls is their commitment to using only sustainable Australian seafood and making all of their sauces and pickles in-house. Located so close to the beach, it’s no wonder Nudefish serves up only the freshest seafood. But if seafood isn’t your thing, there are plenty of alternatives available such as chicken bowls or tofu and eggplant for vegetarians.You can also choose from a variety of bases ranging from the traditional rice to zucchini noodles. Shop 4, Beach House Lane, 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. nudefish.com.au

BEST EDIBLE MATCHA One Tea Lounge Matcha green tea is both delicious and nutritious, and nobody does it better than One Tea Lounge.They use only premium Japanese green tea and coffee, so you know you’re getting the highest quality.To say One Tea Lounge is matcha obsessed is to re-phrase their hashtag: #matchaobsession, which is also the name of their banquet menu that is all matcha themed.You can have matcha ramen, sliders, chicken and fries, hotpot with oysters or wagyu beef – almost anything you can think of they will match with matcha.Yes, even the desserts, which are worth ordering just for the visual. 73 York St, Sydney. 9279 3311. onetealounge.com.au

BEST PEANUT BUTTER PARADISE Peanut Butter Bar Nut butter lovers will find themselves in heaven at the Peanut Butter Bar, the world’s first and only peanut butter bar. The Peanut Butter Bar’s mission is to deliver indulgent wellness - decadent desserts that complement a restrictive diet. They even have peanut butter on tap. Although packed with delectable options, the must try menu item is the salted peanut butter & chocolate chip cookie served warm in a skillet topped with a scoop of their signature protein gelato. Other delights include the peanut butter tiramisu, peanut butter chocolate lava cake, protein pancakes and peanut butter loaded shakes. 161 Norton St, Leichhardt. 8054 0566. peanutbutterbar.com.au

BEST AFRICAN CUISINE Radio Cairo Radio Cairo is a fixed landmark in Cremorne.The cuisine is as unique and undefinable as the dark, mysterious continent of Africa itself. It’s an eclectic mix of Moroccan, Caribbean, Egyptian, a bit of South America, a touch of the Far East and even a hint of New Orleans.They encourage sharing dishes, which is good because you’ll want to try everything.A must is the ‘afro’ fries: crispy jacket potatoes with allioli. The Jamaican Jerk Ribs are a winner as are the Lamb Shanks or Ugandan Nile Perch.And if the food is eclectic, you should see the beer list! 83 Spofforth St, Mosman. 9908 2649. radiocairo.com.au

BEST TAPAS The Spanish Fly Tapas is a reflection of the Spanish spririt of enjoying, food, wine and good company.A slow procession of tasting plates ensures an evening with friends lingers, and when the décor, location and menu items are as amazing as they are at The Spanish Fly, lingering

BEST GOURMET PIZZA Crust A paradise for all pizza lovers! Crust offers an incredible selection of toppings and pride themselves on sourcing fresh ingredients locally. The pizzas are made by hand with careful attention to detail, so that the right amount of each topping is used in the best combination to ensure optimum flavour experience.They have all the classic styles plus taste adventures like Vietnamese Chilli Chicken, Peking Duck,Truffle Beef Rossini, Peri Peri Chicken and Szechuan Chilli Prawn. If you’d like to try your hand at designing a taste sensation, you can choose your own toppings. Make sure you finish off with a delicious Belgian waffle.You can sit in for a casual, relaxed meal, get take-away or stay in your pyjamas and have them deliver to your door. Crust pizzas are an easy crowd-pleaser and a perfect catering solution. Great pizza from the base up. crust.com.au is what you want to do. Paella balls, stuffed zucchini flowers, Galician style octopus, garlic mushrooms and Portuguese style chicken, are some of the options. Start with a cocktail and end with a decadent dessert.The set menus make it perfect for a function or social event. 35 St Pauls Street, Randwick. 9326 4417. thespanishfly.com.au

BEST ASIAN FUSION Gweilo

BEST TRADITIONAL DELICACIES The Sweet Spot Patisserie The Sweet Spot provides a range of traditional Greek desserts, including the ever delicious galoktoburiko (layered pastry with custard), yiannina baklava rolls, kourambiethes (Christmas shortbread with almonds), amigthalota (almond swirls), and much more. Enjoy these treats with a cup of coffee or tea in this brightly lit and welcoming café, or you can take them home in a box to share.You can also select from a range of other sweets, including cakes, tarts, macarons and ice-creams.You will not be leaving The Sweet Spot Patisserie without satisfying your sweet tooth. 18 Perouse Road, Randwick. 9399 3344. thesweetspotpatisserie.com.au

BEST THAI Tum Zaap Craving some delicious Thai food? Tum Zaap offers a menu of authentic Thai favourites, including Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, Sam Tum, and much more. Located in Randwick, the restaurant is cosy and rustic, with quirky art on the walls giving it an esoteric vibe. The portions are generous and the flavours bold and the friendly staff are quick and efficient. While it leans on the spicy side, you can request they tone down the heat. But if you’re feeling brave, get the signature tongue-on-fire papaya salad. 23 Belmore Rd, Randwick. 9398 6381

Bringing a hybrid of Hong Kong street food and western cuisine to a newly renovated space inside the Surry Hills landmark hotel,The Evening Star, Gweilo is like a bolt from outer space.The menu references classic Chinese ingredients but with an eclectic infusion of Anglo and European influences that is a plot twist just to read. For instance, there’s the Eggplant Parmi Bao appetiser: eggplant & parmesan katsu, Napoli sauce; and the Wagyu beef shin, carrot & Toohey’s New rendang main. Beef, pork and seafood make up the regular menu, and there’s an equally sized vegetarian selection that includes the rather intriguing Strange-flavour eggplant, labne & Sichuan.You’ll happily get Dragon’s Breath here - it’s one of their amazing fusion cocktails: Coriander Tequila, Mezcal,Amaretto, Palm Sugar and Applewood Smoke.The decor is sharp and modern, yet welcoming.“Gweilo” is Cantonese slang for “devil man” but you need fear no evil here - it’s all good. 360 elizabeth st sydney. 0408 221 351 gweilosurryhills.com.au

BEST BREAKFAST Cuckoo Callay Beware! The menu contains a lot of corn and cheese. Not as ingredients, but as bad puns. However, once you adjust to the quirky humour, you’ll settle into the lighthearted vibe and, more importantly, you’ll notice the amazing food on offer. Spilling out from a beautifully refurbished building into the square outside Newtown Railway Station, Cuckoo Callay has a relaxed, village feel. Fur babies are so welcome they even have their own menu items. But back to the food.The owners are big on sustainable sourcing and making things in-house.They are also very big on bacon. During the Bacon Festival (it’s a thing!) they create a magnificent bacon themed menu.Their regular menu, though, has lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Here’s a menu item that epitomises the humour, creative ingredient styling and versatile dietary options that typify this very cool cafe: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (v): Sautéed broccolini, baby kale, fresh peas and snow peas, with wild grains, spicy chermoula, herbed labnah, activated almonds and 63° poached egg (Add cured salmon +6) 324A King St, Newtown. 9557 7006. cuckoo-callay.com.au

GOLDEN CENTURY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

THE CENTURY

393-399 Sussex Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 T (02) 9212 3901 F (02) 9211 6292 E info@goldencentury.com.au www.goldencentury.com.au Open Daily: 12noon – 4am

The Star, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009 T (02) 9566 2328 F (02) 9552 3773 E thecentury@goldencentury.com.au www.thecentury.com.au Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm (Daily) Dinner: 5:30pm – 11pm (Sun-Thu),12am (Fri-Sat)

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST AUSTRALIANCRAFTED BEER

DRINK BEST DRINK WITH A VIEW 360 Degree Bar Stunning panoramic views from one of the highest accessible points in Sydney, a comfortable chair, a delicious cocktail, and a revolving deck that takes you on a leisurely circular cruise to take in the full compass of the magnificent sprawling city below. That’s the 360 Degree Bar.You can snack on a tasty selection of nibbles while you peruse the drink menu. Every spirit and liquour you can think of, and some intriguing cocktails. Try the Porktail: bacon infused bourbon shaken with massenez chocolate liquour, home made apricot & mandarin jam, fresh lemon juice and agave. Westfield Centre, Castlereagh St & Pitt St. 8223 3883 www.360dining.com.au

Batch Brewery This unassuming converted industrial shed in Marrickville is a beer lover’s hotspot. Australiancrafted beers with unique flavours and styles are created the old-fashioned way: by hand and in batches. It allows them to experiment and test new ranges while always maintaining a high quality standard. You can also go on a tour of the brewery and take part in tastings accompanied with scrumptious food. Here’s just a few of the beers: Choc-Cherry Stout, Pash the Magic Dragon (Fruited Sour Ale), Tank 6 Imperial Stout (Russian Imperial Stout), Elsie the Milk Stout (Nitrogenated stout with lactose). Cheers! 44 Sydenham Road, Marrickville. 9550 5432. batchbrewingco.com.au

BEST MARTINI Terminus What do the Terminus Hotel in Pyrmont and martinis have in common? They’ve both recently made a magnificent comeback and they both make you feel warm and happy inside – especially on Mondays when you can buy this most famous of cocktails for just $12. Gin or Vodka; classic Dry or trendy Espresso or the house specialties Blue Cheese or Green Tea Lychee.While you sip your martini, drink in the nostalgia of this historic building.The 1840s pub had lain dormant, covered in ivy for 30 years before its beautiful restoration.The walls in the bar are tiled to mid-height in the iconic green tones so indicative of early Australian pubs, and the interior is stylishly detailed with timber, marble and metal finishings. It’s an harmonious blend of clean and modern with heritage chic. Bring your martini to a table and order some good, tasty food. Like the pub itself, the menu is classic pub with modern improvements. Martini’s on Monday, and specials on every other day of the week. Come with friends and enjoy the atmosphere, and check out the restoration photos on the website – it’s incredible what they achieved. 61 Harris St, Pyrmont. 9692 0301. terminuspyrmont.com

BEST BOOZY MILKSHAKES Cheekyburger What could possibly be done to improve an already creamy, dreamy ice cream-based beverage? Add booze of course! Cheekyburger takes milkshakes to the next level by infusing the classic dessert with whatever alcohol you’d like. Their Oreo milkshake in particular is especially delightful when spiked with a shot of a little something extra. Cheekyburger also serves a range of American cuisine from burgers and fries to hot wings, but ordering a boozy milkshake is a must because if you’re going to have a cheeky burger you might as well have it with a cheeky shake! 312 Oxford St, Paddington. 9331 7436. cheekyburgerbar.com

BEST BOOKS AND BOTTLES Edition Bookbar Most libraries and book shops strictly forbid food and drink – not this one. In fact, they serve

BEST LOCAL DRINKING HOLE the LORD ROBERTS HOTEL This beautifully preserved Victorian era pub has served a lot of drinks in its 150 years on a discrete Darlinghurst corner. The exposed brick interior, varnished wood trim, old world decor and ornate ceilings give it a nostalgic charm, classy but not snobby, making it a popular hang out for locals and out ‘o towners alike. Indoor/outdoor dining and a basic, thorough menu give it multi-seasonal appeal for a range of palettes, or you can sit on the wide second storey balcony, sipping slowly on a cocktail while the city winds down around you. Every night of the week there’s a menu special; Monday to Friday you can enjoy cheap beer,wine and spirits during Happy Hour(s) 4 to 6pm; from Thursday to Sunday The Green Door cocktail bar has evening specials on their signature and classic cocktails. There’s a weekly trivia challenge; pool comp; live musos playing chill jazz; and live DJs pumping out the beats. Available for functions too. The locals want to keep this place a secret... good luck with that. 64 Stanley St, Darlinghurst. 9360 9555. lordrobertshotel.com.au

it themselves. This unique concept combines café,bar and bookstore for an indulgent and relaxing experience you normally could only have at home. Escape into a world of word and wine, join a table with Jack (Daniels) and Jane (Austin) while enjoying some delicious light snacks or an espresso and dessert. The bar menu is extensive with some fun writer themed cocktails: Bloody Mary Shelley, Taming Of The Shrewdriver, Sex On The Chisel Beach. Or just have an Irish Coffee with James (Joyce) 181 Harris St, Pyrmont. 7900 3831. editionbookbar.com

BEST CREATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL COCKTAIL SELECTION Kuletos Cocktail Bar There aren’t a lot of places in Newtown that can offer a view as spectacular as the one you get from Kuleto’s rooftop. Watch the sun set behind distant mountains as you sip on a Fireside (Grey Goose vodka, maple syrup, rosemary, pink grapefruit juice and a pinch of salt.) It’s a vibrant, happening place with great food too. Follow your meal with The Toasted Almond – it’s practically a dessert: (Galliano Amaretto and Kahlua shaken with milk served in a chocolate rimmed martini glass.) If you feel experimental the bar tender is happy to help you create your own masterpiece. 157 King St, Newtown. 9519 6369. kuletos.com.au

BEST MATCHA Matcha-Ya Matcha (a specific kind of Japanese green tea) has become a buzz word, with dozens of interpretations. But if you’re after the original taste with a modern twist, Matcha-Ya specialises in just that. Their menu is dedicated to matcha, matcha, matcha, but their lattes are a unique variation on the original green tea fix. Served in a small, black pot, Matcha-Ya’s matcha lattes are warm, smooth and fragrant, and they come 8

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

in a variety of flavours, including caramel and chocolate—but if you want a true taste of Japan, why not try a yuzu or sakura (cherry blossom) matcha latte? 10 Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket. matchaya.com.au

BEST ITALIAN HOT CHOCOLATE Max Brenner Chocolate Bar Ever wish you could drink a chocolate bar? Now you can! Max Brenner’s Italian thick hot chocolate takes the classic cosy drink to a whole new level. One sip and your entire mouth is engulfed in warm, chocolatey goodness. The Italian thick hot chocolate is available in dark, milk, or white, so it’s certain to please chocolate lovers of all types. If you want more pizzazz, try flavours like mocha, Mexican spicy, coconut, mint, salted caramel, and toffee. And when the weather turns warm, stop by again for one of their renowned choctails or an icy shake. 168-174 Pitt St. 9238 0022. maxbrenner.com.au

BEST COFFEE Mecca Sydney has a very competitive coffee scene, so if you can stand out you are really making a statement. Mecca really makes a statement. The smell of their freshly roasted beans alone, will give you a hit, but once you try the coffee you’ll want to buy bags of it to take home. They source their coffee beans ethically from El Salvador and Ethiopia, roasting them in their Alexandria warehouse. And you can taste the freshness. The CBD café is popular with office workers, with the tasty treats being a good reason to sit longer and have a second cup. 67 King St, Sydney. 9299 8828 meccacoffee.com.au

BEST TEA BLENDS Revolver Want a change from the usual teas? Then your best stop is Revolver Café in Annandale. This charming little 1890s building was once a corner store and has retained many original features; Victorian furniture fused with modern aesthetics.

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 The range of teas includes familiar classics as well as exotic bespoke blends, and all the teas are organic. Feeling tropical? Try the Carnivale blend. Need an energy kick? Then the Boost blend is your best friend. Want something different than just plain chamomile tea? Try Revolver’s blend with jasmine, rose, lavender, orange and blue mallow flower. 291 Annandale Street, Annandale. 9555 4727 revolver.com.au

BEST JUICE BAR The Bondi Juice Company Everyone seems to be juicing for health these days, but to get the full benefit and right nutritional value takes skill and knowledge. The people at Bondi Juice have that in spades and that’s why their drinks are not only delicious but also optismised for nutritional goodness. Magnesium, potassium, iron, folate acid, fibre, vitamin A may not sound appetising, but put them in a green smoothie with the likes of kale, spinach, mint, apple, pear and a whole lot of other fresh fruit and vege combinations and it’ll be so delicious, you’ll hardly believe it’s healthy! 3/237-239 Oxford St, Bondi Junction. 9386 0976. www.thebondijuiceco.com

BEST SPIKED FLOATS The Soda Factory The Soda Factory’s cocktail menu is a retro lover’s dream, filled with innovative mixtures with fun names like The Cuban Affair (dark rum, apricot liqueur, sloe gin, lemon, pineapple, coconut syrup, and flowers.) But the Soda Factory’s real standout drinks are their alcohol-infused classic soda floats. Choose from a set list of tried-and-true floats, or be bold and combine your own selections of flavours, gin and soda to create a grown-up drink that your inner child would

approve of.Along with their floats, the Soda Factory’s vibes are totally old-school and Jukebox Thursdays are a ‘can’t miss!’ 16 Wenworth Ave, Surry Hills. 8096 9120. sodafactory.com.au

BEST WINE BAR

BEST CRAZY FREAKSHAKES XS Espresso Imagine if you let a group of kids loose in the dessert section of a buffet. What they would come back with would probably resemble a freakshake. These things are not pretty, nor are they for the faint of heart (or anyone with a heart condition). But if you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is your fantasy shake. Read this and weep - for joy: Nutella, Coconut, Oreo, Ice Cream, topped with warm Chocolate Soufflé; Nutella stuffed Cronut Shake topped with maltesers, caramello koala and wafers, and a Kinder Surprise. Words can’t describe. Only Instagram can do them justice. 9A, 2 Windsor Road, North Parramatta. 9890 9229. xsespresso.com.au

fBEST ROOFTOP BAR Zephyr Drink in the scenery. From Level 12 of the Hyatt Regency you get a panoramic view of Darling Harbour – and much of the rest of Sydney. If heights make you nervous, relax with a mixed drink or cocktail selected from a 16-page drink menu and designed by international mixologist Grant Collins. Zephyr specialises in fruity concoctions containing freshly hand-squeezed juices and luxurious garnishes such as passion fruit foam. To complement your libation, the bar offers gourmet delectables. So go ahead and accept Zephyr’s invitation to “ascend, escape and be carried away.” 12/161 Sussex St, Sydney. 8099 1234 zephyrbarsydney.com

Mister Percy (Ovolo) Mediterranean wine varietals, both homegrown and from Europe, and a mediterranean inspired menu are the draw cards for this recently opened yet already popular new wine bar inside the boutique Ovolo 1888 Hotel. Renowned chef, Justin North has teamed up with Ovolo’s own Luca Guiotto to design a selection of dishes that reflect a coastal European village sensibility; think plump green olives, prosciutto, oysters, calamari, ripe tomatoes, fresh green leaf salads, just to give you an idea. The food is perfectly complemented with an extensive wine list, boasting body, depth and flavour. The wine bar itself is an indefinable mix of styles, at once chaotic yet refined; it is welcoming, comfortably lit, and cosy. Ovolo 1888 is in a converted heritage wool store building in Darling Harbour. An old wool worker named Percy Ewart scratched his name into the wall, little knowing that one day a fine wine bar would be named in honour of his graffiti. 139 Murray St, Pyrmont. 8586 1888. ovolohotels.com.au/ovolo1888darlingharbour/mister-percy

Who is Mister Percy? Mister Percy is your new neighbourhood wine bar + kitchen offering Coastal Mediterranean wine varietals, shared style food + pinchos designed by renowned Sydney chef Justin North.

Now Open! VINTAGE, ECLECTIC, CONTEMPORARY misterpercy.com.au FOLLOW US

@Mister.Percy #MisterPercy

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 Soak in the sun’s rays and some fresh air as you glide through the scenic park area. Not only is there a lane dedicated solely for bikers’ use, but the speed limit for cars is significantly reduced, making Centennial Park a safe area for bikers of all ages to enjoy. BYOB or rent a bike from the conveniently located bike hire service available near the park. Watch out for the wildlife though! The cute but rather oblivious ducks that call the park home always have right of way. Grand Drive, Centennial Parklands. 9339 6699. centennialparklands.com.au

BEST ICE ESCAPE Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink

BEST LATE-NIGHT MARKETS

PLAY BEST INDEPENDENT GALLERY Artsite Artsite is an independently-run gallery that aims to advance the works of established and emerging local artists. Inside a unique 1940 classic Art Deco-style warehouse are two large, well-lit exhibition spaces and a stockroom browsing gallery. Artsite invites contemporary artists across various disciplines to show and sell their works, with pieces ranging from bold coloured paintings to quirky ceramics to sensual photography. Artists represented and associated with the gallery are frequently shortlisted or are recipients of prestigious art prizes within Australia. Artsite holds regular exhibitions and the staff are happy to assist collectors in making purchase choices. 165 Salisbury Road, Camperdown. 8095 9678. artsite.com.au

BEST PADDLE EXPERIENCES Bundeena Kayaks Sydney’s waterways are often set in stunning surrounds and one of the best ways to enjoy them is to paddle through. Why not go south and hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board at Bundeena Kayaks? They’re right on the sand at beautiful Bonnie Vale beach, so you can grab a paddle and slide straight down into the tranquil water. Coast along and explore natural wonders. Pack a picnic and have lunch on a private little beach. Make sure you bring swimmers, snorkel and mask so you can enjoy being in the water as well as on it. Bonnie Vale Picnic Grounds Sea Breeze Lane, Bundeena. 0419 254 981. bundeenakayaks.com.au

BEST EASY BIKE RIDE Centennial Park Looking for a nice, slow, leisurely bike ride on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Centennial Park’s got you covered.

Chinese Markets Although it’s typically bustling throughout the day, Chinatown really comes alive on Friday nights. Each Friday night various stands pop up within Chinatown and the sweet aroma of Asian cuisine wafts through the air. From trinkets to dumplings, there’s a stand to feed every need at great prices, indeed! But even if you’re not in the market for anything in particular, it’s worth making a trip to the Chinese Markets simply to enjoy the lively night time ambiance. You’ll think you’ve been transported to the bump and bustle of Hong Kong just by crossing Hay Street. Dixon St, Haymarket. 0478 177 219. chinatownmarkets.com.au

BEST ART WORKSHOP Cork And Canvas If you want to change up the usual dinner and club scene, why not try something artistic? Cork and Canvas specialises in painting workshops for art enthusiasts of all skills and styles, providing a great night out and art lesson all in one. Did I mention the wine? C&C are BYO licensed, so you can bring the bubbly and something to snack on while you create your masterpiece in a step-by-step tutorial. It’s a fun new thing to do with friends, or an interesting first date. Come sip and dab! 106 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. 0499 007 234. corkandcanvas.com.au

BEST INTERNATIONAL DANCE EXPERIENCE Dance Central Dance is regarded as a specialised feat of coordination, available only to the physiologically gifted. However, at Dance Central they believe everyone can dance. They have an open door policy to an amazing range of workshops, including familiar favourites like hip-hop, contemporary and ballet. If you’d rather try something with an international flavour then sign up for Brazilian Samba or French Cancan or try the very sexy Kizomba (dance and music from Angola). The dance teachers are keen to teach and showcase the variety of dance styles and won’t make you feel inept. It’s lots of fun and a great workout. Level 1, 268 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills. 9319 2268. dancecentral.com.au

BEST ARTS FESTIVAL Sydney Fringe Every September for the past nine years, Sydney Fringe Festival has presented an incredible program of diverse, boundary-pushing, eclectic art, bringing visual, music, performance and uncategorisable events to the masses. CEO, Kerri Glasscock runs a miraculously smooth, jam packed 30 day schedule of local and international acts across Sydney.The Fringe Festival is about making art accessible to everyone and allowing experimental and non-commercial creative ideas to flourish. Highlights for the upcoming 2018 festival includes street dance battles, a burlesque exhibition, a hit comedy duo from the UK, confronting drama, circus theatre, street art and so much. Join the long table dinner where you’ll enjoy extraordinary food with an amazing assortment of guests.Visit the festival hub where you can chill to live DJ mixes and drink craft beer while snacking on food truck fare. Pick up a program now - there’s a lot to get through. sydneyfringe.com 10

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Experience wintery fun all year round without leaving Sydney. This not-for-profit organisation, with their main focus on promoting the disciplines of ice skating, aims to be the premier training rink in Australia for Figure Skating, Ice Hockey and Speed Skating. But even if you don’t have Gold Medal aspirations, you can come and have fun. Public sessions are open to people at all levels of skill. If you want to improve your form on the ice you can take private lessons. or join in a casual group class. Once you’re confident on your blades you can really break out at a Friday Disco session. The Rink caters for social events, adult or kid’s parties and competitions. An Olympic sized ice surface, free public car park and heated canteen with wide variety of foods, make this a great one-day escape. 17A Phillips Ave, Canterbury. 9789 4044. canterburyolympicicerink.org.au

BEST TRIVIA Turbo Trivia Trivia can be a real drag - and that can make it a whole lot more fun! Turbo Trivia is a troupe of trivia divas led by the legendary Portia Turbo herself. Respectively - if not respectfully - they host regular trivia nights in venues across Sydney, and are also available for special events and fundraisers. Portia retired from the Drag circuit and its culture of svelte-ness to allow her larger…personality to emerge. That’s when she discovered trivia: “Sydney is this weird hypo universe of trivia - no other city in the world has as much trivia as we do.” She caught the bug, started hosting, got some other girls together and Turbo Trivia was born. This is trivia in the fast lane, with challenging questions, outrageous hostesses, and a super charged atmosphere. Come in, leave your cares outside and feel a special connection with everyone including the hostess. But put your phone away or suffer a very severe Drag Queen frown. All the host venues serve food and alcohol, so it’s a great way to celebrate a special occasion, get a work crowd together or share a few raucous hours with friends. For fuelinjected, twin-cam, dual muffler powered fun, find a Turbo Trivia venue near you. 0420 969 989. turbotrivia.com.au

BEST THEATRE FOR PERFORMERS The Old 505 Theatre This an innovative, grass roots, accessible space for creators, allowing imagination to thrive unimpeded by outside constraints. The theatre produced here is authentic and gutsy, quirky and adventurous. Founders Kerri Glasscock and Cameron Undy are very pro-active in ensuring the theatre scene in Sydney remains vibrant and independent. The Old 505 is dark, rustic space at the top of creaky stairs in a Newtown laneway just off the main drag.You can have a drink and a chat in the chill out area, then bring your drink into the cosy, relaxed theatre. At The Old 505 you’re not just watching theatre, you’re experiencing it! 5 Eliza St, Newtown. old505theatre.com

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 Best Theatre Company Sport for Jove This small yet vibrant theatre company can breath new life into staple classics and make new works feel like classics. While they are a resident company of the Seymour Centre, their yearly program includes working with schools in NSW, creating new performance spaces and a very popular touring outdoor Shakespeare Summer festival. Seasoned actors and fresh new faces give their productions a nice balance of solidity and edginess. From the Greek tragedy, Antigone, to enduring Australian classic, Away to upcoming world premiere, Ear To The Edge Of Time, Sport For Jove consistently gives good theatre. 8 Marlborough St, Surry Hills. 8970 1921. sportforjove.com.au

BEST URBAN OASIS

BEST SURF SCHOOL

The Grounds of Alexandria Looking for an escape from the city? Head a little way south to this former industrial precinct from the 1920s. Within the original brick walls, The Grounds offers restaurant and bars, a bakery and patisserie, coffee roasters, an animal farm, a florist, markets and more in a cosy garden atmosphere. You can shop for quality artisan products and healthy groceries, then relax and enjoy a delicious cocktail at Potter’s Shed while watching Fluffy the parrot perform his dance moves, all within this cloistered urban retreat. 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria. 9699 2225.

Let’s Go Surfing Bondi is one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world, popular with pros but with enough gentle white wash for wobbly beginners.That’s why Let’s Go Surfing at Bondi Beach, is one of the most successful surf schools in this city.Their trainers are professional and patient; they’ll teach you the basics, keep you relaxed and confident, and get you standing on a foam longboard and riding a green swell from break to shore within two fun-packed hours. You can choose single lessons or packages, or buy a gift certificate and give someone the ultimate Aussie experience. 128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi. 9365 1800. letsgosurfing.com.au

thegrounds.com.au

BEST SPLASH ZONE

BEST LIVE MUSIC

Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre For the ultimate aquatic experience, a trip to this $40 million facility is a must. On the aquatic side of things, the centre comprises three indoor heated pools and a spa. On the fitness side, there’s a health club, a sauna and steam room, an extensive cardio and weights area, a group fitness studio, and a spin room. If you need to recharge you can take time out and have a healthy snack at the cafe. Under the wave-form roof of this unique building, a workout here will have you feeling as legit as the centre’s five-time gold medal winning namesake. 456 Harris St, Ultimo. 9518 7220. itac.org.au

Oxford Art Factory Inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory, owner Mark Gerber created OAF as a hub of music, art, performance and partying.As a live music venue, it has spawned the careers of many home-grown musicians and constantly bills edgy, alternative, local emerging acts. Its prime location in the club strip of Oxford Street, has made it home to a dedicated group of patrons, but it is equally welcoming to newcomers. OAF hosts everything from art exhibitions to fringe performance, Eurovision parties, speech nights, discos and anything else that involves imagination and fun. There’s always something in production at the factory. 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. 9332 3711. oxfordartfactory.com

BEST LOCAL CLUB Petersham RSL The great thing about RSL clubs is the consistency and value they deliver, and that is certainly true about Petersham RSL.You can come in and have a generous meal with a glass of beer or wine at Platform 7 Brasserie followed by coffee and cake at the cafe; buy some raffle tickets; put a few coins in a pokie; have a cocktail and relax on boldly coloured funky chairs in the lounge area, and go home feeling satisfied without having spent much and quite possibly with a meat tray under your arm to boot.They have a What’s On calendar filled with high quality entertainment; bingo, housie and poker nights; large LCD TVs screening popular sports and a bright and friendly kids play area. Every member of the family can find something to do here. 7 Regent St, Petersham. 9560 8355. petershamrsl.com.au

lEArn ThE mETAl ArTs at EvElEigh Works

gEt your hands dirty With our shorT coursEs in blacksmithing, knifE and tool-making courses for newbies and old hands, instructed by practicing craftspeople within the heritage surrounds of an 1880s locomotive workshop

T 0499 986 899 E matt@eveleigh.works AusTrAliAn TEchnology PArk, Bays 1 & 2, 2 locomotive street, redfern nsW 2015

www.eveleigh.works BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST COMPLETE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE The Star Standing as a landmark on the shore of Pyrmont Bay, the impressive Star complex is a microcosmic metropolis where you can eat, drink, dance, play and shop in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Pop in for a quick, casual meal at the one of the cafes, eateries or the buzzing food court. Make it more of an occasion and book at one of the award winning fine dining establishments: Momofuku Seiobo, Black Bar & Grill, Sokyo, or The Century.Then line up for a colourful treat at Adriano Zumbo’s Patissier.There are high end fashion stores and plenty of pampering services. A special evening at The Star might begin with a world class show at Sydney Lyric, followed by a cocktail at Cherry before dancing off the rest of the night at Marquee. Or you might prefer a beer in the Sports Bar before watching the big game on a giant LCD screen.Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find it here. 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont. star.com.au With photo-perfect views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, this green sanctuary among the city skyscrapers, accessorised with spectacular flora, beautiful water features, and an impossibly picturesque harbour backdrop is the ultimate spot for a picnic. With plenty of open lawn, large tree canopy for shade,

BEST PICNIC SPOT Royal Botanical Gardens Spread over 30 hectares next to Circular quay, there is no better place to spend a sunny day than in the Royal Botanical Gardens.

THE APPRENTICE RE-OPENS LUNCH TUESDAY 7 AUGUST 2018 BOOK NOW!

COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGE Enjoy a free glass of wine, beer or soft drink on our Monday and Tuesday services.

TUE - FRI

LUNCH

DINNER

12:00 - 2:00pm

6:00 - 9:00pm

$25 - two courses $30 - three courses

$30 - three courses

FULLY LICENSED. GST included. Prices may vary during special events

The Apprentice Restaurant Sydney Building E, Level 7 695 Harris Street Ultimo NSW 2007

 To book online: sydneytafe.edu.au/theapprentice  Email:

SI.TheApprentice@tafensw.edu.au

 Phone: 02 9217 5527

facebook.com/ApprenticeRestaurantSydney #theapprenticerestaurant RTO 90003 | CRICOS 00591E

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

The information is correct at the time of printing: July 2018

nearby facilities and easy transport, this is where friends and families come to unfurl a blanket, open up the Tupperware, pour refreshing drinks, and enjoy one of Sydney’s treasures. Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney. 9231 8111. rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

BEST COASTAL WALK Spit Bridge to Manly There is nothing like the impressive diversity of Sydney’s coastal beauty. And one of the best ways to experience it is by walking the track from Spit Bridge to Manly harbour beach. The scenery is stunning, with the track rising to high lookout points and then dropping to gorgeous little inlets and beaches - ideal for a quick dip and pit stop. At roughly 10km, the easy to medium rating takes into account some rocky bush paths and a few steep climbs. Allow anywhere from 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on your pace and fitness and your penchant for selfies. sydneycoastwalks.com.au

BEST JET BOAT Thunder Jet This is no relaxing river cruise - Sydney Harbour Jet Boating is all about the adrenaline rush! The jet boats, operated by Thunder Jet can seat 23 people and perform full 360 degree spins. Not only will these exciting spins quicken your pulse, they’ll give you a full view of the Opera House, Harbour Islands, Watson’s Bay, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park depending on which jet boat ride you choose. And you can enjoy the thrilling jet boat ride without a care in the world, knowing that Thunder Jet boats have the most modern, safe and advanced designs. Circular Quay Eastern Pontoon, Macquarie St. 9566 1066. thunderjetboat.com.au

BEST HIDDEN TREASURE Wendy’s Secret Garden Cross over the Bridge and turn left, walk the short distance to Clark Park and then through to the hidden world of Wendy’s Secret Garden. The scenery surrounding the garden is spectacular with views down to Lavender Bay. The garden itself is filled with a unique collection of artefacts and sculptures as well as an eclectic variety of tree species. It was created by Wendy and her husband Brett Whiteley, who painted some of his famous harbour and Lavender Bay landscapes from the studio with a dream view . Entry is free and it’s open 7 days. Lavender St, Lavendar Bay. 9936 8100. wendyssecretgarden.org.au

BEST WHALE SPOTTING Whale Watching Sydney Thrills don’t get any bigger than a breaching whale. A breach can’t be guaranteed, but getting up close to these majestic mammals, undulating through the deep green and occasionally spraying a fountain of mist into the air is a breath-taking experience in itself. Cruising out to sea with Whale Watching Sydney is the best way to witness the extraordinary beauty of whales, dolphins, other marine life and the incredible coastline in comfort and safety. You can take a leisurely 3 hour trip or a speedy 2 hour ride in a zippy boat, or turn up the awe factor and go on a sunset. cruise Harbour St, Sydney. 9583 1199. whalewatchingsydney.com.au

Canterbury Olympic ice Rink

Figure skating Ice hockey Speed skating Public Skating

Let your kids learn something new!

• Open all year rOund • 20 min. from CBd • Free parking • CaFe On Site • lOCkerS 17a Phillips ave, Canterbury visit our website for more information on session times and prices

www.canterburyolympicicerink.org.au BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST TRAVEL SHOE SHOP Birkenstock Soul The perfect mix of ugly but truly awesome, matching and clashing with everything at the same time yet incredibly comfortable, Birkenstock has become the must have shoes for world travel. Birkenstock Soul is Sydney’s oldest dedicated Birkenstock retailer.This outlet store in Petersham stocks a huge range of the Birkenstock lines and has regular hot deals and clearances as well as an in-house specialist Birkenstock repair service. The small family run business has grown considerably since it began, due to the popularity of Birkenstocks, and as a result, they employ lots of locals. 434 Parramatta Rd, Petersham. 9518 1311. birkenstocksoul. com.au

SHOP BEST BUTTONS All Buttons Great & Small All Buttons Great & Small is a haven for craftspeople, sewers, fashion designers, textile students and anyone who is an enthusiast about novelty and eclectic button designs.The variety of buttons in this store is enormous; all shapes, sizes, designs and materials including coconut shell, bone, leather, wood, sea shell and glass. Retro, vintage or modern,All Buttons Great & Small stocks over 14,000 different kinds of buttons. So if you need that very specific button for your designs, or just want to jazz up your old buttons, here’s where you should come.They’ll offer advice and even custom make buttons for you. 419A King St, Newtown. 9550 1782. allbuttons.com.au

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST second-hand bookstore Elizabeth’s Bookshop Since 1973, Elizabeth’s Bookshop has been a haven for booklovers, providing quality second hand books covering a multitude of categories, including Australian history, art design, business and commerce, education, fiction, photography, music, and much more.The books are in good condition and very reasonably priced. If you’re someone that has trouble choosing, why not go for Elizabeth’s Blind Date with a Book. You purchase a book without being able to judge it by its cover, because it’s wrapped in brown paper with only cursory information written on the outside. But if even that is too challenging, you go online. 257 King Street, Newtown. elizabethsbookshop.com.au

BEST BIKE SHOP Inner City Cycles Inner City Cycles in Glebe offers an extensive catalogue of new bikes crafted by top-tier brands as well as a large range of bicycle accessories. More than a mere sales hub,

BEST INTERIOR STYLE Annandale Interiors When you walk through the doors of Annandale Interiors, you know immediately that the furniture is high quality and unique. Their range reflects old world dedication to workmanship with an appreciation for elegance and detail, yet with modern sensibility. Leather, textiles and wood are the predominant materials used in fabrication, giving the furniture naturalness and integrity as well as charm and durability.Their colllection includes antique inspired desks, large bookcases and display cabinets, wine racks, butcher blocks and many other classic pieces made from premium timbers such as rosewood, mahogany, oak. They have luxurious deep wine leather chairs and lounges; ornate lamps, stylish dining settings and bedroom suites, as well as smart, contemporary outdoor furniture, decorative items and much more.Their friendly staff are ready to offer advice and help you choose; they’ll even come to your home or business to help decorate and provide a quote.The furniture is custom designed and made.Thirty years in business and a loyal customer base proves Annandale Interiors is a trusted and premium quality furniture store. 38 - 42 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore. 9565 1275. annandaleinteriors.com.au

BEST INDOOR MARKETS Paddy’s Market Paddy’s might be Australia’s oldest continuous market, with its roots tracing back to 1834. It’s definitely one of Sydney’s favourite markets. Inside a warehouse like building in Haymarket, is a bargain bazaar that sells everything from fresh flowers and vegetables to electronics, toys and gizmos to shoes and clothing to everything else you need and plenty of stuff you don’t.Walking up and down the grid of pathways between the stalls is a shopping adventure that can yield amazing finds. Eventually you work out how to dress and undress discretely in the cramped space behind a flimsy curtain that is a makeshift dressing room. It’s worth the effort for the price - and once you know your size you can buy one in each colour. There are food trucks and snack stalls so you can replenish your energy levels and perservere through the rows.They’re open from Wednesday to Sunday and the Light Rail stops right outside. paddysmarkets.com.au

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 they also house a Bicycle Repair Workshop to fix broken spokes and more serious problems. Serving cyclists for 40 years, they recently reopened after a month of refurbishments so now is the perfect time to pay them a visit. 151 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe. 9660 6605. innercitycylces.com.au

BEST CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE Reddie Furniture

BEST HYDROPONICS EQUIPMENT Lux Cuttings This is an extraordinarily successful business in a niche market. Lux Cuttings deals with all things hydroponics and is a true Aladdin’s Cave for enthusiasts and serious growers alike.The staff have vast knowledge of equipment, chemicals, plants and growing methods and willingly share that knowledge with customers.Their equipment is state of the art and difficult to find anywhere else in the country because the travel overseas frequently to keep up to date with new technologies and ideas.They have provisions for growing tomatoes, chilies or whatever else flourishes using this method.Vaping accessories and oils are also available. 252 Oxford St, Bondi Junction. 9663 0473. luxcuttings.com.au

BEST VEGAN SHOP The Cruelty Free Shop The Cruelty Free Shop in Glebe was one of the forerunners in providing alternatives to many mainstream products for the vegan community, and still leads the way with regard to range, quality and accessibility.They are like a trading post for vegan goods, selling clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, faux meat, dairy substitutes, deli foods, chocolates and sweets, pet foods, toys and so much more, all made from animal friendly ingredients and materials. The people at Cruelty Free are also active campaigners, participants in animal rights events, and crusaders for the cause. 83 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe. 9660 9426. crueltyfreeshop.com.au

The clean Scandinavian style of Reddie Furniture makes it an ideal choice for the minimalist modern home. Though it is clearly contemporary, it has a retro charm reminiscent of 1960s experimental design. Founders Caroline and Andrew Olah had a mission: to create well-crafted furniture that is functional, appealing, durable and fully customisable. They have assembled a team of master craftsman in Indonesia who build each order by hand from scratch, using ethically sourced, sustainable materials. You can select the item you want online or in their Surry Hills showroom, then customise by size, material and colour. It’s the perfect way to have the furniture you want and know it will fit into the space you intend it for. 322 Crown St, Surry Hills. 0414 524 250. reddie.com.au

BEST CREATIVE HUB Hypmotive This is a truly unique retail and creative hub where local creatives of all disciplines can access retail space for their products and art, share their skills in workshops, knowledge, and enthusiasm.When Jake and Renee Russo conceived of Hypmotive, they wanted it to be a dynamic platform for local creatives and the community.And it is.The reformed commercial space in Marrickville is a venue for practical, hands on workshops, talks, exhibitions and as a marketplace for emerging local artisans and creatives.They even provide marketing support and an online platform for sales.As well as original artworks, their unique range includes handcrafted homewares, jewellery and accessories, fashion items and anything else that might take someone’s fancy. It’s the kind of place you can walk into, have a browse and then linger for a chat with whomever else happens to be there.There is a very strong sense of community with a focus on supporting local talent and encouraging participation from the vibrant Marrickville neighbourhood. It’s very hypmotivating! 155 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. 0422 765 650. hypmotive.com

BEST FRESH SEAFOOD Sydney Fish Market This popular lunch destination for locals and tourists is the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere. It is globally unique in the diversity of fish it sells - roughly 500 different species. This has been attributed to the melting pot of cultures and therefore, diet and cuisine styles we have in Sydney. It’s a bonus for customers because it means greater choice and greater opportunity to try new seafood recipe ideas. The markets sells freshly caught fish daily to restaurants, suppliers and direct to the public. The quality is impeccable and the prices are very low. Many people go to the SFM as a day out to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on the promenade, have a drink at the waters edge or shop for organic produce in the mini mall. Or all of the above. Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Pyrmont. 9004 1100. sydneyfishmarket.com.au

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST OUTDOOR SHOPPING

BEST CUSTOMISED ARTWORK ART FUSION STUDIO & GALLERY Local Australian artist, Glenn Farquhar creates bespoke large scale artworks that are impressive and surprisingly affordable. His art studio and gallery in Annandale has been creating unique interior design artwork for Sydney homes and commercial spaces for 15 years. Glenn has an holistic, collaborative approach, encouraging clients to share their ideas, discuss preferences and bring photos of the area in which the artwork will hang. Together, they brainstorm concepts until both agree on the size, shape, colours and style that will perfectly complement not only the aesthetic of the space the artwork will occupy, but the personality of the client. For an even more personalised input, clients can opt to paint the work side by side with Glenn, who will guide them through each step, allowing them to make the actual strokes so that they can legitimately claim the painting as their own work. Private instruction is available to individuals or couples for works up to 200cm x 100cm. What a wonderful way to put your personal imprint on your home. Art fusion also has a large range of ready made contemporary artworks in stock, and they specialise in creating extra-large artworks for corporate offices and interior designers. 29-31 Parramatta Road Annandale. 0408 864 373. artfusionart.com.au

BEST COMMERCIAL ART GALLERY Harvey Galleries Operating three galleries around Sydney, with a fourth opening soon, Harvey Galleries aims to share their enthusiasm for art of all genres. The artworks they show and sell include some of the best-known Australian and International artists, from the figurative narrative of Charles Blackman to the surreal sculpture of internationally renowned Chen Wenling, and will present an impressive collection of Brett Whiteley works on exhibition from Friday 24th August at their Mosman gallery. The soon to be launched Harvey House Gallery & Sculpture Park in the bushy acreages of Terrey Hills will be the Harvey’s most ambitious project to date. The gallery is set atop 5 acres of landscaped sculpture park and in September, together with the Blackman Foundation, will showcase Charles Blackman’s The Evening is the Morning retrospective, an exhibition 2 years in the making – and now a fitting late tribute to a true icon of Australian art. Also worth a visit is their gallery that presents The Art Of Dr. Seuss Collection™ in the Queen Victoria Building, which sells limited edition reproductions of his illustrations and secret art by the famous children’s author. Harvey Galleries also holds frequent artist talks, offers expert advisory to both corporate and private collectors, has an in-house framing studio, a gift registry, and offers delivery and hanging services. Head Office & Gallery: 515 Sydney Road Seaforth. harveygalleries.com.au

Rozelle Markets

Every Saturday and Sunday devotees and newcomers visit the historic school grounds of Rozelle Markets to browse among trestle tables and racks and muse at the curiosities on display. This fresh air cornucopia of all things old, unique and kitch has been operating for over 20 years, delighting treasure hunters with unexpected finds among the second hand goods, collectibles, fashion, jewellery, art and music, bric-a-brac and antiques. Meet up with friends and make a day of it. Grab some of the delicious street eats and sit on a sandstone ledge in the sun while you listen to local talent strumming in the background. Have a coffee at one of the nearby cafes and look through your bargain purchases, comparing fabulous shoes, charming tea-pots and...whatever that is... with your friends. 663 Darling St, Rozelle. 9315 7011. rozellecollectorsmarket.com.au

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and second hand market www.rozellecollectorsmarket.com.au 16

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

Ph: 02 9380 2613 Web: www.masalakitchen.com.au, Email: info@masalakicthen.com.au masalakitcheneq

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The Entertainment Quarter, 211 Bent St Moore Park

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 Best Language Education International Grammar School International Grammar School’s motto is “Unity through Diversity,” and it certainly shows in how the school operates. IGS offers a host of bilingual immersion programs for primary school children as well as a variety of high school-level language courses. Some of the classes that students can enrol in include Chinese, Spanish, German, Japanese, French and Italian. These language skills will benefit students in employment and in everyday life. Apart from languages, IGS has a strong focus on arts, music and STEM subjects and students often excel in sports and extracurricular activities. It’s a school that teaches ethical social values, inclusion, and participation and you’ll often find IGS students or the works they’ve created being part of a local community event. 4/8 Kelly St, Ultimo. 9219 6700. igssyd.nsw.edu.au

SERVICE BEST TRAVEL AGENCY Helloworld Travel Australians love to travel but hate all the boring bits and admin that goes with it.The consultants at Helloworld Travel get that and that’s why they take care of the logistics so all you have to think about is what to pack.Their offices are bright and welcoming, and the knowledgable travel agents are keen to make your trip a memorable one. Consultations can be made in person, or everything can be done online, it is that easy! Helloworld Travel’s priority is to give you an unforgettable experience while hunting down the best deals on flights, cruises and accommodation. Shop 2, Exchange House 10 Bridge Street, Sydney. 9221 7988. agents.helloworld.com.au

BEST BUSINESS STATIONERY Kwik Kopy (Darling Harbour) From a small stack of personal business cards to a full campaign of outdoor posters, flyers, banners and footpath stickers, Kwik Kopy Darling Harbour can provide design, brand advice, and printing all in one shop.They have experts who understand business and marketing and will help you make the right choices without blowing your budget. Kwik Kopy can also help design, build and manage a website for you.And while we’re on the subject of cool digital stuff, have a look at their bespoke online print management service, Zenith Hub. It gives you full control of all your own printing resources and functions. 97/1-5 Harwood St, Pyrmont. 9281 3255. kwikkopy.com.au

BEST CHILD CARE Little Zak’s Academy When you look at their website you’ll wish you were three again.They have big, bright play furniture and a creatively stimulating indoor environment. This progressive childcare group has several centres

around Sydney and, after 25 years, is still family run. Little Zak’s is not the kind of place that just babysits your kids while you’re at work.They strongly encourage input from family and community, seeking to understand individual children’s needs and constantly working on improving learning, social and creative skills in their diminutive clientele.Young children are treated with respect and consideration; attributes they will hopefully carry into adulthood. 513 Wattle St, Ultimo. 9211 4708. littlezaks.com.au

BEST LOCAL BANK Pyrmont Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank

BEST TATTOO STUDIO Lighthouse Tattoo

BEST GYM ALTERNATIVE Movement Republic Many fitness centres claim to be different, but Movement Republic really is. Founder,Ann Charleston has developed a program of activities based on real, everyday human movements. It’s practical, it reduces the risk of injury and most of all - it’s heaps of fun. Gone are the scales, calorie counters, competitive score boards. Instead you’ll be training with a small group - or one on one if you prefer - and engaging in a series of obstacle course/ dance/playground/survival style exercises that not only get you moving, but also thinking and feeling. No contracts. Friendly enthusiastic mentors. Great environment. Join the Republic! 55 Murray St, Pyrmont. 1300 228 328. movementrepublic.com.au

BEST SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Siddha Yoga Ashram When you think “ashram” you probably don’t get an image of a two-storey red brick building in the inner west suburb of Hurlstone Park, but the surrounding greenery, calming scents and peaceful ambience at Siddha Yoga Ashram will transport you.The ashram is designed to be a retreat, a place of learning and intense practice, and a means of shedding the materialism and egoism of modern life in exchange for inner tranquility.Tradition is strong here, with formal practice of meditation, hatha yoga, seva (selfless serving), dakshina (offering) and chanting.This is not for people wearing Lorna Jane carrying rolled up mats. 50 Garnet St, Hurlstone Park. 8577 5200. siddhayoga.org.au

BEST HIV SUPPORT Positive Life Established in 1988 as non-profit, support organisation for people living with HIV, Positive Life has helped hundreds of people deal with physical, mental and practical issues associated with having HIV. They recognise the importance of a universal approach that includes changing negative language, removing stigma, providing accurate information and being a conduit between people in need and the services that are available. Their active media department ensures HIV remains visible as a public health issue. Their fundraising efforts supplement the limited financial resources that exist. They advocate for the right of people affected by HIV be allowed to work and participate in the community without restriction. Importantly, Positive Life seeks to empower people living with HIV by building networks; encouraging expression through art, speaking, activism; and providing a springboard to independence. Suite 5.2, Lvl 5, 414 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills. 1800 245 677. positivelife.org.au

“Bank” is a four letter word at the moment with most major banks dealing with an angry, pitch-fork-wielding customer base. Not Bendigo Bank in Pyrmont.The small, village style bank has virtues as old world as the sandstone walls of the heritage building it occupies.They take the “community” in their name seriously and are proactive in nurturing local economy and supporting small business. Manager, Garry Noel, is approachable and genuine. He looks for opportunities to get involved in community events, support local causes, and forge real relationships with customers. Pyrmont Community Bank holds regular events to raise money for local charities and foster neighbourhood spirit.They sponsor school, sports and community activities and have even helped create a Pyrmont Edition of Monopoly… and no, it doesn’t have real money. 148 Harris St, Pyrmont. 9518 9866. facebook.com/PyrmontCommunityBankBranch

This is not the kind of place you just walk into off the street.The Lighthouse Tattoo studio is a stylishly renovated open-plan warehouse in Botany and boasts a team of highly skilled, well-respected artists, each with a unique style. “The aim is to have a shop full of specialists in their own right rather than having a bunch of people that are kind of a Jack of all trades,” says Alex Rusty, co-founder of Lighthouse Tattoo. His expertise in Japanese tattoo has placed him in some of the best tattoo shops in Australia and taken him to New York, London and Berlin. If you’d like him to do your next tattoo you’ll have plenty of time to think about a design - he is booked out for a year, and so are many of the other artists in the studio.The clientele attracted to Lighthouse Tattoo tend to be high end, with many choosing large, very intricate custom designs that can take months or even years to complete. Style options include Japanese, western traditional, neo-traditional and illustrative, black and grey, realistic, geometric and dot work, portraiture, or something totally bespoke. Checkout the gallery on their website and be inspired. 1 Pemberton St, Botany. 9316 4565. lighthousetattoo.com.au

BEST DENTAL CARE AND AQUARIUM Pyrmont Dental Health Pyrmont Dental Health is one of a trio of inner city clinics that form the My Dental Health group. It offers years of experience, a friendly environment, leading edge dental care and a calming fish tank filled with brightly coloured sea life. That last point is more significant than you think. The staff here realise that going to the dentist can be very unnerving for a lot of people, and they are keen to tone down the fear factor any way they can - if that means transporting you to a tropical underwater paradise, so be it. (Have a look at the photos on their website, the fish are stunning). Of course they do take dentistry seriously and offer the full range of standard treatments as well as a number of cosmetic and remedial treatments. All the equipment, technology and techniques are at the forefront of the industry.Visit Pyrmont Dental Health and you’ll come away with a brighter smile. 3/19 Harris Street, Pyrmont. 9518 6262. pyrmontdentalhealth.com.au BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST HAIR ARTISTS

Best Burlesque

BEST CAT PROTECTORS

Tai’s Hair Studio The elegant look of the studio itself will instil you with the confidence that you are in expert hands and that’s vital when those hands are holding scissors near your hair! Owner and local identity,Thais Pantigas, opened her salon in Annandale after moving here from Brazil 11 years ago. Her clients hold her in high regard, not only for her exceptional knowledge and ability in styling and beauty treatment, but also for her warm, engaging personality and genuine enthusiasm for her craft. It’s an attitude that has infused her salon and staff, and it’s why they have a long list of dedicated clients.They keep up to date with new trends and techniques, but also maintain a repertoire of classic styles, and they are especially good with curly hair. Coming to Tai’s Hair Studio is like having a day spa date with your favourite girlfriends. 101A Johnston St, Annandale. 9660 1373. taishairstudio.com.au

Sparkle Burleque

Here’s something a little different for your next hen’s night, special birthday or no-reason get together with the girls - a burlesque party! Peel away your inhibitions and learn the art of the tease. Sparkle Burlesque is about feeling comfortable with your body, exploring the unknown depths of your psyche and most of all - having ripping fun with friends. Founder, Ms Sparkles, had years of experience on the burlesque circuit before becoming a mum. She now spreads the joy of positive exhibitionism through parties, classes and special events and has joined forces with Knox St Bar, Chippendale for the perfect venue. There are a number of packages to choose from or you can have something tailored to your event needs. Shake. Shimmy. Shine! 0400 411 825. parkleburlesque.com

BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL The Vulcan This historic hotel was built in 1894 when the area was a bustling commercial precinct. Workers and travellers availed themselves of the comfortable accommodation and quality food and drink offered at the Vulcan.When it was restored just over 20 years ago, many of the original heritage features were retained and the interior and bedrooms were updated to a modern style. The Vulcan operates exclusively as a boutique hotel now. Each of the six rooms has an ensuite and is elegantly appointed. Business people and tourists make up most of the clientele. Its prime location on Harris Street means it’s within easy distance of local attractions, educational institutions and shopping precincts. The distinctive building is a landmark in Ultimo, with violet-grey exterior and cream trim and strong Victorian features. 500 Wattle St, Ultimo. 9211 3283. vulcanhotel.com.au

Making great things happen. As a customer of Pyrmont Community Bank® Branch, you’re a powerful member of your local community.

The Cat Protection Society of NSW

Whether or not you love cats you have to respect what these guys do; they’ve been finding homes for stray and abandoned cats since 1958. No cat that enters the shelter is ever killed and most will find a new, loving home with humans who suit their type and temperament. The cats are desexed and the new owners get full details on how to make their cat feel safe and welcome. There’s lots of useful information for cat lovers on their website, as well as a lovely project called Cat Tails where they encourage new owners to share their adoption stories. The Society relies on donations and some really inventive fundraising events, as well as some cute cat toys and merch in their online shop. With their Diamond (60th) Anniversary coming up, they have some supurr celebrations planned. 103 Enmore Rd, Newtown. 9519 720. catprotection.org.au

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Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, 11 068 Bank 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879. (398531_v1) (12/06/2018) BendigoABN and Adelaide Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian CreditS55967-6 Licence 237879. S55967-6 (398531_v1) (12/06/2018)

BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

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BEST OF SYDNEY 2018 BEST BLACKSMITH Eveleigh Works Have you ever wanted to roll up your sleeves and turn your hand to the king of trades? Eveleigh works offers people the opportunity to get their hands dirty and get creative with hot steel in the setting of the historic Eveleigh locomotive workshops. Based right next to Redfern station, one stop from the heart of Sydney, Eveleigh Works offers blacksmithing courses in decorative ironwork, sculpture, hammer and tool making, knife making and tailored classes for corporate groups. If you haven’t already visited the workshops its like being teleported back to the Victorian era with machinery dating back to the 1850s, a lot of which is still in working order and operated by the blacksmiths at Eveleigh Works. All the teachers are trained and working in their field so when they are not teaching the craft they are working on public and private commissions and passionate about further mastering the trade they love. So come and be a maker in the workshop where they made trains for over a century and see what it takes to shape metal at 1100 degrees using hammers, anvils and a huge collection of tools and machinery! Australian Technology Park, Bays1 & 2, 2 Locomotive Street, Redfern. 0499 986 899. eveleigh.works

LIGHTHOUSE TATTOO STUDIO

Best Small Business Accountants Tax Assist Accountants Ultimo The professionals at Tax Assist specialise in helping small business owners with all their finance, bookkeeping and tax affairs.Their clients include sole traders, contractors, property owners, start-ups, primary producers, retailers, service providers as well as individuals.“Our aim is to get the maximum refund for our clients and help businesses organise their finances and save money,” says Manager, Colin Lua.The people at Tax Assist are friendly and use everyday language instead of financial jargon.They’ll take time to explain things thoroughly and discuss ways to improve your processes, and they’ll even meet outside normal business hours.All the scary money issues that can overwhelm small entities are taken care of with patience and expertise at a fixed, affordable price.Take a browse through their website; they have really helpful resources like practical guides, tax rates and up to date information about finance and tax matters. Tax Assist Ultimo is highly community focused, actively championing a “buy local” mentality within the area.They encourage collaboration among local businesses with proactive campaigns and genuine support. 469 Harris Street, Ultimo. 1300 448 303. taxassistau.com.au

BEST PRINTER IN SYDNEY Spotpress As one of only four offset printers in Australia producing catalogues and magazines - and the largest private printing company - Spotpress lays legitimate claim to being the best in the business. Digital media may have replaced a lot of hardcopy newspapers and magazines, but John Georgantzakos from Spotpress says that downturn has been surpassed by a corresponding increase in catalogue production. Georgantzakos believes the experience of holding and leisurely browsing a catalogue can’t be reproduced online; what’s more, it’s been proven to yield better sales results. “Every retailer that stops printing catalogues sees an immediate decline in sales,” he says.The equipment at Spotpress has been set up to provide the lowest cost catalogue printing for small to medium sized retailers. Spotpress also has 95% of the ethnic newspaper market as well as many independent newspapers and magazines. Print is not dead yet.“The other month we printed a magazine for Facebook they’re now publishing their own print magazines!” Spotpress provides design, print and distribution. Georgantzakos has been in the industry since 1981 and is happy to advise customers on their printing needs. 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville. 9549 1111. spotpress.com.au

Sydney’s most experienced custom tattoo studio. Solid quality work that lasts 1 Pemberton Street, Botany PH: (02) 9316 4565, E: contact@lighthousetattoo.com.au w: lighthousetattoo.com.au IG: lighthouse_tattoo BEST OF SYDNEY 23 AUGUST 2018

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Reg Livermore returns to the stage with his one-man show The Widow Unplugged, of which he is also the writer. He plays out-of-work actor Arthur Kwick, whose career is a very poor shadow of Livermore’s illustrious theatrical CV, which includes musicals such as Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar and the memorable role of Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Arthur lives on the memory of an award he received many years previously for his role in the pantomime Aladdin and, failing to find work as an actor, he applies for a job as a janitor in a retirement village. He is saved when asked to step in to replace the entertainers who have withdrawn from their commitment to the retirement village, and he returns to Aladdin for inspiration, playing the Chinese widow Twankey from that panto. Regrettably, as the scriptwriter, Livermore’s Widow lacks the subtlety and wit of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror script, and many of the jokes, especially in the first half, fell flat as a pancake, not that this deterred his adoring audience, who were mostly of the same cohort as Reg. The overtly racist nature of parts of the script seem not only offensive but also somewhat outdated in these post-PC times. Director Mark Kilmurry’s efforts are obvious in Livermore’s performance on the small stage of the Ensemble which, thanks to the Ensemble’s set designer Charles Davis, is always radically different from play to play. If you are a Livermore fan, and think this might be Livermore’s last appearance on stage, you should go. If not, let’s hope that next time he will have a good script on which to exercise his considerable acting talents and stage presence. (ID) Until Sep 1. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli. $35-$73+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.ensemble.com.au

The Divine Miss Bette After a whirlwind tour which sold out five cities across the US earlier this year, awardwinning artist Catherine Alcorn returns to Sydney to enchant audiences with her The Divine Miss Bette cabaret at the iconic Sydney Opera House. “The show is reminiscent of Bette’s earlier work, her concerts in the 70s when she was doing 300 dates across America. That’s the show that we’re doing, we do a lot of her earlier work, including In The Mood, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Stay With Me Baby,The Rose and The Wind Beneath My Wings, but there’s a whole new take on how we perform them,” explained Alcorn. The show has grown considerably from its humble beginnings in Wagga Wagga in 2009, to a two hour show with a seven piece band and Kirby Burgess (Dirty Dancing) and Phoebe

A stage play has finally been produced which honestly depicts the plight of Australian soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and their torturous ongoing battle with war-induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, long after returning home. Ron is a young former army medic who has been sent to a soldier recovery unit back home. He claims his ‘mind is like a washing machine’ and is seeing an army therapist. His mother

city hub 23 AUGUST 2018

desperately wants him to leave the army, writing letters of complaint - but at what cost? This play explores many issues which inadvertently go unnoticed in society. The mental trauma these soldiers suffer, the harsh treatment they receive from their superiors who claim they must ‘man up in a man’s world’, the effect on family and the insecurity they face once leaving the army. Philippe Klaus (Wolf Creek 2) leads an ensemble cast of five in the pivotal role of Ron and delivers what is irrefutably the most extraordinarily compelling and heartwrenching performance ever seen in independent theatre. He realistically portrays a shattered man whose inability to resist aggressive urges triggered by memories of the horrors of war lead to an incredibly loud explosion of emotions throughout.

The Secret Singer The ideology that singing can transform lives is resonated in this stage play based on a true story which stars award-winning Genevieve Lemon (The Piano,The Dressmaker) and Kate Mannix (The Biograph Girl – on the West End). The play centres on the relationship which builds when Jenny (Mannix) a 70-something woman receives singing lessons from Emjay (Lemon), a disillusioned singing teacher who had a moment of commercial success as a pop star in the 1980s. “The character it’s based on was badly affected by relationship abuse and she had a perfectly normal speaking voice, but when it came to singing she still suffered from the thoughts that the man in her life had taken away any joy and the physical ability to sing,” explained Lemon. ”The singing teacher unties the terrible constraints that have been placed on her singing student, letting letting her

a&e

Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom) lending their talents to the show as The Harlettes. When asked whether this show was a tribute to Bette Midler, Alcorn reflected momentarily. “I don’t think so – I don’t know whether there’s a word to describe it. It’s like a revisiting, a reeducation as to who Bette Midler was in her younger days. The show is different each night because the audience is different and I improvise and interact so much with them that ultimately I feel like the audience is in control of the direction of the show.” Alcorn explained that the aim of the show is to send audiences home on a high, feeling great about life. “Audiences will have a good oldfashioned night of entertainment with killer music, great jokes and lots of laughter. We cover so many genres – there’s rock, there’s blues,

there’s show tunes. This show should appeal to the baby boomers who were fans of Bette’s back in the day, but it’s really a show for everyone aside from children. It’s a nostalgic romp and she’s an inter-generational performer so we also get younger people coming along who enjoy live music.” (MMo) Until Aug 26.The Studio, Sydney Opera House. $59-$69+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

REVIEW: Mum, Me & The IED Martin Harper, Elaine Hudson & Philippe Klaus

Reg Livermore. Photo: Prudence Upton

REVIEW: The Widow Unplugged

10 STAGE 12 SCENE 14 Sounds 14 SCREEN

Kate Mannix & Genevieve Lemon

experience the joys of music once again - and in a way saving her life.” In the course of the play Emjay learns much about herself, life, humanity and she is also reminded of the power of music. Lemon believes that music is very powerful and that singing a few times a day can be very therapeutic.“It’s so endemic to people. It’s like breathing – it’s a life saver. I honestly believe that the idea of music therapy is something which we’ve only just scratched the surface of and it’s so necessary like food and the air we breathe. Singing is good for anxiety, it’s good for depression, it’s good for everything.” Audiences should be mesmerised by the world premiere season of this funny and life-affirming ‘play with song’. “It’s such an interesting show that it should appeal

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

Elaine Hudson plays the role of the mother who never wanted her son to join the army and together they are credibly cast as mother and son. The story is nonlinear, as the audience traverse backwards and forwards into the medic’s past and witness his harrowing experiences on the battlefields, sessions with the army therapist and his memories as a child. This is gripping, highly emotional and thoughtprovoking theatre at its best, which gives a confrontational insight into the operation of the military machine. The media call these courageous men ‘heroes’, but audiences will ponder long after leaving the theatre – are they more aptly ‘forgotten heroes’? (MMo) Until Sept 1.The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. $22-$32+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.thedepottheatre.com

to everybody, particularly those who don’t sing enough – and that’s a lot of people.” (MMo) Aug 28 – Sep 9.The Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. $25-$54+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com

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REVIEW: Nell Gwynn

A City Hub review of the brilliant period comedy Nell Gwynn doesn’t really do it justice. It should be screamed from the front page of the tabloids. “Nell Gwynn comes to Sydney.You must see it!!” This play deserves to be part of our tapestry. Most Brits and the Irish know the legendary, true, rags to riches tale of Nell Gwynn, from 1600s England who went from slattern to princess, the daughter of a brothel owner who became an actress and the mistress of Charles II. A ‘strumpet’ from Cheapside, London, Nell begins life hawking oranges, then begins acting classes after meeting Charles Hart,

(Rupert Reid) from the King’s Playhouse. Her impudent prologues and comedic talent bring her leading roles and widespread fame as she becomes the darling of the English stage. In the lead role as Nell, Bishanyia Vincent is a lovable fiery voluptuous redhead with an incredibly cheeky wink, and a powerful voice, who tells it like it is. With a cast of 16 actors, although it’s full of square dancing sequences and lots of witty ditties sung in rhyming couplets, it’s not sold as a musical, it’s more a ribald bawdy profane romp. It’s a hilarious start to the performance when actors who are placed in the

audience start heckling, I give this opening a surprise factor of 10. Multi-award winning British playwright Jessica Swale won an Oliver Award for best comedy at London’s Shakespeare Globe and West End for this play in 2015. This Australian premiere at New Theatre sees a combination of excellent casting and well-developed characterisation, sustaining this clever play for over two hours. It’s a classic with similarities to Shakespeare, but without the archaic language, and you don’t have to grapple with a convoluted plot which makes it a lot more relatable. New Theatre has lifted the game with their long tall panels that revolve, changing the set; the playhouse theatre dressing room, rehearsal space and King Charles’s palace. And with each scene change there is amazing musical accompaniment, a mix of baroque and chamber pieces with beautiful sounding lute, violins, cello, harpsichord and pan flute. (MS) Until Sep 8. New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown. $20-$35+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.newtheatre.org.au

Me And My Mother, Singing As child during the conflict that shattered former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Oleg Pupovac lived in a tiny village of about 650, where his grandmother, 92 still lives. The 31-year old moved to Australia on his own at 19, after having lived all over the world and picking up various languages. He stays in touch with family, sometimes listening to songs recorded on voice mail, which forms part of the perspective of his latest work - Me and My Mother, Singing - playing at Blood Moon Theatre. Though the 60-minute piece references the war, he says it is not a war story. It is semi-autobiographical and reflecting his international upbringing, using what he terms “slices of life.” “It’s about nothing and everything,” says Pupovac. “It’s not entirely about the war,” adding, “It’s not even a linear story. It’s a mixture of story-telling, poetry, painting, performance and a quite a bit of my mother, singing.” “I wanted slices of memory compiled to make the psychology” of a person 12

city hub 23 AUGUST 2018

THE NAKED CITY

BOARDING HOUSE BLUES

With Coffin Ed In the recent SBS series Filthy Rich And Homeless, one of the celebrity participants, Cameron Daddo, finds himself in one of this city’s notorious skid row boarding houses – a claustrophobic, roach infested, foul smelling room that most of us would consider unfit for human habitation. He is genuinely shocked that this kind of ‘accommodation’ still exists in Sydney in 2018 and soon realises that he would be better off sleeping rough. The phrase “cockroach capitalism” has been around for many years and is often employed to describe those exploiting the least fortunate members of society and doing so with a minimal financial outlay. It’s the modus operandi of many of these fleabag boarding houses that still exist in inner city Sydney and the suburbs. Many have been in the same family holding for decades, generating a lucrative cash flow, with only a minimal capital investment when it comes to maintenance and the furnishing of the premises. Whilst NSW Fair Trading lays down basic rules when it comes to boarding houses and requires a $100 registration fee, many are a law unto themselves. As for basic cleanliness and safety it’s up to local councils to carry out inspections and recent history tells us that they don’t do this very well. When it comes to council compliance, the bureaucrats seem more preoccupied as to the colour you paint a heritage terrace than the kind of squalor that freaked out Cameron Daddo. NSW Fair Trading states that, “While a resident is living in the

boarding house, they have: a right to live in a house that is reasonably clean and secure, and in a reasonable state of repair, a right to have quiet enjoyment of the place in which they live, a right to be given receipts for any money they pay the proprietor or manager of the boarding house and a right to be given four weeks written notice of any increase in the occupancy fee.” There are admittedly many well operated boarding houses throughout Sydney that observe these regulations. The current shortage in rental accommodation has seen a boom in better quality boarding houses that charge between $200 and $300 a week for a single room with shared amenities. Some of the old fleabag establishments have been snapped up by real estate developers, given an extensive makeover and marketed at the short term rental market including students and itinerant workers. There’s good money to be made when you can cram fifteen shoebox rooms into what was once a large suburban two storey home.

The gentrification of many old style boarding houses has led to a shortage at the cheaper end of the market but there are still numerous run down nightmares of which Cameron Daddo had all but a fleeting experience. Some should probably be forcibly closed down, if they can’t provide basic cleanliness, but that would probably push even more people onto the street. Whilst councils can oversee things like fire safety and overcrowding, it’s hard to legislate against offering a total shithole for somebody to live in – especially if the tenant is desperate to find any form of shelter. Whilst most of the disadvantaged men and women that find themselves in these skid row hell holes are unlikely to be tech savvy device users, maybe we need a dedicated website or Trip Advisor style reviews to at least name and shame the shonks who run them. The owners are often very wealthy people with the real estate alone worth millions. They obviously have little compassion for the plight of society’s unfortunate and are interested only in a substantial slice of their welfare payment.

Photo: Roman Wolczak

with experiences like his more fathomable. “I find it interesting how a situation like mine is often interpreted back to me by others,” because, “after all, [they] saw it on the BBC.” All proceeds of Me and My Mother, Singing are going to Big Brothers, Big Sisters Australia, a choice Pupovac made after careful research.

“I’m a great believer in small connections, paying it forward and having a wider impact. A lot of people my age [in former Yugoslavia] don’t have fathers.” (OA) Until Aug 30. Blood Moon Theatre, 24 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross. $20-$30+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.thetwopeas.com

Christabel, Charles and Bertie Blackman. Photo: Harvey House Productions

By Jamie Apps Sadly one of Australia’s most prestigious and enigmatic artists, Charles Blackman, has passed away this week. Blackman was known for his works Schoolgirl, Avonsleigh and Alice In Wonderland series of the 1950s.

Born in Sydney in 1928 Blackman was a largely self-taught painter who always poured his heart and dreams into his work. His style became iconic in arts circles, leading to him founding the Antipodeans Group and ultimately being awarded an Order Of The British Empire (OBE) in 1977.

Blackman’s son Auguste paid tribute to his father as the most generous of artists. “He painted our dreams. He painted the dreams of everyone,” he said. “I’ve never met such a man who could channel emotion the way Charles did in the paint.

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By Jamie Apps When we think of musical performances we typically think of the emotions and entertainment they conjure up, however we often overlook the physical prowess and conditioning required by the performers. Ahead of his show in Parramatta this weekend City Hub spoke with British clarinet prodigy Julian Bliss about that often overlooked aspect of music, as well has his journey through the industry. In order to remain in peak performance condition Bliss said he tries to go to the gym as often as possible because touring isn’t “particularly conducive to a healthy lifestyle at times.” Often Bliss’ training regime will consist of cardio exercises,“swimming in particular is good because it can help with breath control.” Alongside these more common training techniques Bliss will perform breathing exercises using the clarinet during his practice sessions. These training sessions have been particular important head of the performance in Parramatta this weekend because the show features a piece of music which goes for over 40 minutes by itself. “Quartet For The End Of Time which is a

Julian Bliss

Photo: Nick White

huge work is a very powerful and incredibly difficult piece of music,” said Bliss before explaining further,“It’s difficult physically because you’re playing for a quite a long period of time and there are some movements in there where you’re playing constantly. So as a wind player obviously that can be pretty challenging because you need to stop and take a breath, which doesn’t happen very often in this piece.” Despite this being an incredibly

difficult piece of music the 29 year old Bliss is certainly equipped to tackle it considering he has been playing and performing on the clarinet since the age of four. Whilst Bliss cannot pinpoint a precise reason behind initially picking up the instrument he does recall immediately falling in love with it. “I come from a non-musical family so it was a little out of the blue but it was something I always enjoyed doing, so it’s

cool to now be able to do something I enjoy as a career.” Since those early years Bliss has been performing constantly and has played some pretty incredible concerts along the way, one in which he will never forget. “The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 was an absolute honour and privilege,” he said, “I remember that show for a multitude of reasons, obviously playing for the Queen was amazing but it was also my 13th birthday and the biggest concert I’ve ever done. It didn’t feel real almost, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was really there.” With all of this experience under his belt Bliss is excited to now be performing a show which is accessible for both classical music aficionados as well as newcomers. “If you’re open minded and interested in hearing new music that uses extraordinary techniques than this is the show for you. This type of music is so much more powerful hearing it performed live than it is hearing it on a recording.” Aug 25. Riverside Theatres, Cnr Church & Market Streets, Parramatta. $34-$44+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

Rabbit Island Deep In The Big

The latest record from Perth’s Rabbit Island will wash over you like a warm, soothing shower and have you immediately enter a state of relaxed bliss. Throughout the record the production is kept clean, crisp and simple with incredibly understated, airy vocal flourishes. By blending electronic production elements with guitars, pianos, organs and her own voice Deep In The Big is imbued with an organic, raw and hypnotic sound, all with a spiritual underpinning. Whilst the methodology with this release is to be appreciated it lacks a compelling hook which will draw the listener in for multiple listening sessions. Deep In The Big works as soothing background music but as a means of dedicated entertainment perhaps look elsewhere. (JA) WW

Kodachrome

The Meg This is a film about film. More accurately, it’s a film that was inspired by a 2010 mass pilgrimage of photographers from all over the globe to a processing lab in Kansas which was about to close its doors as the last place anywhere that could develop Kodak’s Kodachrome film. Ben Ryder (Ed Harris) is a famous photographer and negligent father who discovers he has several rolls of undeveloped Kodachrome film at roughly the same time he discovers he has incurable cancer. This is the impetus for the road journey that ensues. Ben’s unflappable assistant, Zooey (Elizabeth Olsen) contacts Ben’s long estranged son, 14

city hub 23 AUGUST 2018

Matt (Jason Sudeikis), a record executive, imploring him to let go of the past and help drive his father to Kansas. That it’s not a unique plot wouldn’t matter if the characters and plot points weren’t also a little hackneyed. Ben is too bad to be true. Matt’s gamut of emotion revolves around reaction and he seems to have no agency. Zooey is mostly incidental to the plot, which is a shame because she could have added some breadth. Despite the negatives, the performances are strong and it’s pleasant enough if you don’t mind non-surprises. (RB) WW1/2

If you like sharks, movies or shark movies, then The Meg is worth going to the cinema to see.There was predictability, corniness, action, surprisingly good humour and the sharks look amazing. Not holding back on gory attacks and jump scares for the fans,The Meg delivers. The sci-fi horror action thriller,The Meg stars Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Ruby Rose, Rainn Wilson, Cliff Curtis and Winston Chao. The bigger than Jaws shark is directed by Jon Turteltaub, with Erich

Superfly

Trevor Jackson. Photo: Bob Mahoney

and Jon Hoeber, and Dean Georgaris basing the screenplay on the book, Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten. The film takes place in the middle of the deep blue when a team working on a mission to explore the true depth of the ocean are attacked by a pre-historic shark.Whilst performing a rescue mission, they accidentally create a way for the beast to rise from the depths to unleash havoc. (RH)

WWW

Superfly is a blend of exactly what you’d expect from a crime thriller; corruption, guns, strip clubs, nudity and drugs. Director X has failed to bring originality to the table, delivering a mediocre film that has been seen a hundred times before. Youngblood Priest (Trevor Jackson) decides it’s time to leave the game after unrealistically dodging a bullet from enemy Juju, who is his foe from the start for no apparent reason other than jealousy. Hoping for one last win, Priest and his best friend Eddie (Jason Mitchell) travel to Mexico to arrange a drug deal.They find themselves getting

caught up with corrupt police officers, the Snow Patrol gang and their alliance with the drug lords. This film tried really hard to showcase a modern twist on the 1972 American blaxploitation archetype but honestly, the original would have been enough. Some scenes were laughable, notably the over-sexed shower scene with Priest and his girlfriend’s Georgia (Lex Scott Davis) and Cynthia (Andrea Londo). The film may divide audiences, but for many, the best part will be Priest’s upswept hair.

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