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NAIDOC Week celebrations sweep the city
BY JAMIE APPS
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hile 2020 has been an unprecedented year filled with changes and upheaval some traditions will endure in the face off all adversity. One such event is NAIDOC Week, which acknowledges the history, culture, achievements and importance of our country’s Indigenous community. This year the theme for NAIDOC Week is Always Was, Always Will Be in order to recognise that First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists. Their adaptation and intimate knowledge of Country enabled them to endure climate change, catastrophic droughts and rising sea levels.
NAIDOC Week 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations. NAIDOC Week asks all Australians to celebrate that we have the oldest continuing cultures on the planet and to recognise that Indigenous sovereignty was never ceded. Throughout Sydney we have a range of options afforded to us as we look to partake in NAIDOC Week. Whether that be through art, music, shopping or even film there is something for everyone. Perhaps the best way for Sydneysiders to support our Indigenous communities is financially. That doesn’t simply have to be in the form of donations though, you can get out do some shopping as you prepare for Christmas or pickup some great little pieces for yourself. The Blak Markets are a great opportunity to purchase authentic and unique gifts where you can be confident in the knowledge that 100% of the profits will go back into Aboriginal communities.
This year’s NAIDOC Week edition of The Blak Markets will be held on the Tallawoladah Lawn (outside the MCA) in The Rocks on November 14-15. The markets will play host to over 20 fantastic Indigenous visual arts and craft stalls right there in the shores of Sydney Harbour. Perhaps the greatest thing about The Blak Markets is the opportunity they provide for attendees to connect with and speak directly to the stallholders and artists themselves. Head down to The Blak Markets to pick up some authentic, original and affordable Aboriginal artworks, beauty products, jewellery and one-of-a-kind homewares. Another great shopping option is the Indigenous Collective Pop-up Store at Broadway shopping centre. This special event store will also play host to 20 different Indigenous designers offering Indigenous art, ceramics, clothing, and jewellery from all around the country. Continued on page 2
ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE (Continued from the cover) To complement the pop-up store Broadway have also installed a range of Indigenous artworks throughout the centre in order to immerse shoppers in Indigenous culture throughout NAIDOC Week as they go about their regular shopping. You could spend an afternoon or more just wandering around the Broadway Centre taking in the magnificence and beauty of these artworks. If that isn’t enough City Hub strongly suggests heading out Leichhardt to visit the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative. Here visitors can further immerse themselves in Indigenous artworks though the current Perspective exhibit by Luke Close. Perhaps visual art isn’t your style and you are more of an audiophile. If this is the case the uniquely 2020 Isol-Aid streaming music events have a fantastic NAIDOC bill lined up for this Saturday. Beginning at 5pm the event will feature live streamed performances from Indigenous musicians Boox Kid, Buby, Deeya Mithaadda, Dobby, Lyrical Instinct, Mardi Colville, Monica Kato, The Melindas, and The Struggling Kings. Isol-Aid is a free event but it is strongly suggested that you make a small donation to the First Nations Support Line at Support Act, even just the price of a beer goes a long way.
The Flood. Photo: Supplied
NAIDOC Week is also a great opportunity to educate ourselves about Australia’s Indigenous past and thankfully the City Of Sydney have a series of online events planned to do just that. This Saturday the council will be live streaming a smoking ceremony, an important spiritual event which is truely stunning to witness. Then later
in the day there will also be an online dance workshop for those that would like to get up and get moving at home. And finally there will be a lively panel discuss focusing on this year’s theme Always Was, Always Will Be. Finally if you’re a movie buff then Australia has some incredible Indigenous stories which can be told through the medium of film.
The Virtual Indigenous Film Festival hosted by FanForce TV for the second year running will showcase five films followed by Q&A discussions afterwards. The festival will be presenting screenings of In My Own Words, The Song Keepers, The Flood, Wik Vs Queensland, and Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy. All followed by panel discussions with guests such as filmmakers’ Erica Glynn (In My Own Words), Naina Sen (The Song Keepers), Dean Gibson (Wik Vs Queensland), Victoria Wharfe Mcintyre (The Flood), Ben Strunin (Westwind) and Keri Tamwoy (Mayor of Aurukun). “We’re excited to be partnering with FanForce TV for the NAIDOC Virtual Indigenous Film Festival, featuring an awesome line up of Indigenous content.” says John Janke, Co-Chair, National NAIDOC Committee. “I think it’s a great initiative to keep the celebrations of NAIDOC alive, and look forward to seeing how the lens of film can celebrate and highlight the diverse voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.” No matter how you choose to commemorate NAIDOC Week it is important that we do and acknowledge the importance of our Indigenous community.
THE BLAK MARKETS @ THE ROCKS AS PART OF THIS YEAR’S, NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS, “THE BLAK MARKETS” WILL BE HELD LIVE ON
SATURDAY 14TH & SUNDAY 15TH NOVEMBER on the Tallawoladah Lawn (outside the MCA) at The Rocks. First Hand Solutions and The Blak Markets Team are bringing together over 20 beautiful Indigenous visual arts and crafts stalls Live singing performances, Cultural dance and Weaving workshop on the shores of Sydney Harbour. “The Blak Markets” are great opportunity to purchase authentic and unique gifts, knowing that 100% of the profits go back into Aboriginal communities.
Get the chance to meet the stall holders who are creating authentic, original and affordable Aborginal artworks, beauty products, jewellery and one-of-a-kind homewares.
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HubNEWS
Infrastructure privatisation continues (See p.6)
Data for COVID-safe commuting
HubARTS: Hedwig And The Angry Inch Hugh Sheridan set to headline Enmore Theatre’s reopening. (See p. 10)
The NSW Government will use data to track COVID-19 safety on trains. Photo: Allison Hore
Published weekly and freely available throughout the Inner City. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, we take no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Publisher Assistant: Mal Moody Advertising Managers: Mal Moody 0404 042 615 Dan Kinsela 0400 319 934 Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au News Editor: Allison Hore Contributors: Allison Hore, Scott Carroll Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Contributors: Irina Dunn, Madison Behringer, Mark Morellini, Renee Lou Dallow, Rida Babar, Linc Jenkin Cover Photo: From Westwind. Screening as part of the Virtual Indigenous Film Fest Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Website: cityhubsydney.com.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au @CityHubSydney
BY ALLISON HORE o make physical distancing on public transport easier during the busy summer period, the NSW government is trialling new app features to track how full train carriages are and warn regular commuters if their train is crowded. The feature, which Transport Minister Andrew Constance says is “world first”, measures how full train carriages are by utilising real time tap-on and tap-off data and measuring the weight of each carriage. If the train looks to be crowded, regular commuters on that service will receive a push notification with details about how crowded the train is and whether physical distancing would be possible. “This is using technology in a way that’s never been seen before in the world, we’re very proud that our team has developed this function as a part of the Opal application and it’s designed to keep people safe,” said Mr. Constance on a press conference on Tuesday morning. “You can make an informed decision about whether to catch the next service or find another way to get to your work place or place of recreation.” To be able to use the new feature commuters will need to have an Opal card and the Opal application, which has already had 3.4 million downloads, and opt to get notifications on load data. Commuters will also need to have travelled regularly over a 21-day period. To figure out which transport services commuters are likely to use and when, the app uses
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Opal data to predict people’s travel patterns on a personal level. Mr. Constance said while the feature is tailored to be useful in the context of the pandemic, the functionality and predictive analytics behind the system was going to be rolled out anyway. He said Transport for NSW was working to deploy “every available technology to keep people safe” on public transport over the summer period, which is predicted to be busy. “This now joins an array of measure design to make sure that we do not see community transmission at rates which could result in a mass spread of the virus,” he said. The feature will first be rolled out for trains, then the metro, then light rail and buses. Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said while the weight data and real-time Opal data couldn’t give 100 percent accurate details on the actual number of commuters, he was confident the data was effective enough to be useful. “We might be one or two people out, but it’s pretty accurate, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s a world first,” he said.
NO MASK MANDATE, NO DISCOUNTS
Despite the spotlight on transport safety going into the summer months, and with some businesses aiming to return to business as usual in 2012, Mr. Constance has resisted calls to mandate commuters to wear masks. Instead, he
says he “has a lot of faith in” Sydneysiders to do the right thing. “Please put a mask on, because we don’t want to have to mandate it and put in place measures, be it fines or denying services, as a part of a mandatory measure when it comes to masks,” he said. Mr. Constance says while there’s currently no evidence of community transmission on public transport yet, “that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened” and he urges commuters to take caution.
As far as I’m concerned,
that’s a world first “At the beginning of the pandemic I was terrified that transport would be a major cause of mass outbreaks, and we haven’t seen that because everyone has worked together,” he said. Discounted travel on public transport has also been ruled out. Mr. Constance says 80 percent of the service is already subsidised by the taxpayer and Transport for NSW is already down “hundred of millions of dollars” in revenue because of the pandemic. At the moment around 1.1 million people are using public transport compared to the usual number of 2.3 million. Despite the low number of commuters, the number of services will be increased over the summer over the summer to give people more options. CITY HUB 12 NOVEMBER 2020
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HubNEWS
Art for reconciliation BY ALLISON HORE new program for schools in Sydney’s CBD and Inner West is helping connect students with local Indigenous culture and identity. The new “Pathways to Reconciliation” program was developed by Reconciliation NSW and funded by the City of Sydney’s cultural and creative grants and sponsorship program. Fort Street, Bourke Street and Newtown Public Schools benefited from the program in Sydney’s city. In the Inner West, the program was sponsored by the council’s Community Wellbeing grants program and delivered at Kegworth Public School in Leichhardt and Tempe Public School. Reconciliation NSW says the aim of the program is to support schools and communities to “foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions”. The students spent time learning from Uncle Jimmy Smith, a Wiradjuri Elder from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Lands Council, and Aboriginal dance and culture
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educators Kerry and Maci Johnson. Reconciliation NSW told City Hub that Pathways to Reconciliation is different from similar programs because it is delivered over a series of three workshops, rather than one “FIFO” session. The workshops introduced students to “Caring for Country” concepts in their local areas and students took part in yarning circles where they explored identity, reconciliation, hopes and dreams.
Reading these deeply thoughtful and powerful messages, I am hopeful for the future After the workshops, the students created artworks and writing based on what they had learned. Freya, a year five student at Newtown Public School said the Pathways to Reconciliation program has been “a great opportunity to connect with and appreciate the land we stand on.” “Creating an artwork was a fun way to show our understanding of Country and
An exhibition on Kegworth Public School’s fence showcasing student works. Photo: Reconciliation NSW
reconciliation and not just talk about it,” she said.
ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE
As part of NAIDOC week, the students’ artworks will be part of a series of public exhibitions. The theme of NAIDOC week for 2020 is “Always Was, Always Will Be” in recognition of the First Nations peoples’ occupation and custodianship of the continent for over 65,000 years. For students in Sydney’s city and Inner West, the Pathways to Reconciliation program is a chance to, not only engage with indigenous stories, but also pass them on to others within the community. “We’ve used the knowledge from Uncle
Jimmy and Kerry to pass on to other people so they can share it and then those people can share it. So the knowledge goes on and on forever,” said Freya. Five students who participated in the Pathways program have gone on to be finalists in Reconciliation NSW’s “Caring for Country - Schools Reconciliation Challenge” with their art and poetry selected from among over 600 entries across the state. Woromi poet, Nicole Smede, who is one of the judges for the event said she was impressed with the quality of the students’ work. “Reading these deeply thoughtful and powerful messages, I am hopeful for the future,” she said.
Crown “unsuitable” for NSW licence By ALLISON HORE rown Casino is “unsuitable” to hold a license to run a casino in Sydney, the ongoing inquiry into the appropriateness of the NSW licence heard on Wednesday. The lawyer running the inquiry into whether Crown should be allowed to operate the planned casino in their 75-floor Barangaroo tower, Counsel Assisting Adam Bell, today told the inquiry he believed Crown was “not suitable” to hold the licence. In his closing statements, Mr. Bell said the evidence presented to the inquiry made a clear case against the licence being granted, which he said was “ultimately harmful to the public interest”.
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The question as to whether or not Crown should retain a casino licence in NSW is an open one “In summary, we submit that the evidence presented to this inquiry demonstrates that the licensee is not a suitable person to continue to give effect 4
CITY HUB 12 NOVEMBER 2020
The Crown Barangaroo tower under construction last year. Photo: Wikimedia/MDRX
to the licence and that Crown Resorts is not a suitable person to be a close associate of the licensee,” he told the inquiry. The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority launched an inquiry into the suitability of the NSW licence following reports exposing Crown’s junket partners, its failure to stop money laundering and how the casino group put its staff at risk of arrest in China where gambling is illegal. During the course of the hearings, the inquiry heard allegations Crown encouraged staff to continue to work in
China despite warnings from Beijing that it was cracking down on foreign casino agents. Mr. Bell said it was the influence of Crown’s main shareholder, James Packer, which led to the arrest of the staff. In its disregard to the safety of its staff in the interest of shareholder profit, Crown had demonstrated “disastrous failures” of management and governance, he said.
OPENING “INFLAMMATORY”
The fiery take down raises further questions about the $2.2 billion
Barangaroo casino’s planned December opening. But late last month Crown chairman Helen Coonan confirmed while the inquiry was a “matter exercising everyone’s mind” the company was on track to move ahead with the December 14 opening. Optimistically, Crown is also continuing the process of recruiting staff for the gaming floor which could be shut down. NSW Independent MP Justin Field told The Guardian it would be “highly inflammatory” for the casino to move ahead with its opening before a decision is made. “It is clear from justice Bergin’s statements to date that the question as to whether or not Crown should retain a casino licence in NSW is an open one,” he said. Following Mr. Bell’s statements today, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would seek “urgent and immediate” advice on the matter. “I think, at the end of the day, we need to do what’s in the best interests of the citizens of our state,” she said. Commissioner Patricia Bergin is expected to give her final decision on the licence early next year. The Crown may be stripped of its NSW casino licence or tough conditions may be imposed on it.
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CITY HUB 12 NOVEMBER 2020
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HubNEWS
Councillors clash over monitoring claims BY SCOTT CARROLL n a meeting on Tuesday October 27, councillors denied a motion that Inner West Council should report its monitoring practices. The motion follows multiple accusations that Inner West Council staff are monitoring councillor correspondences including intercepting mail, emails and phone calls. Councillor John Stamolis, who put forward the motion, said: “There were three [councillors] who voted against the motion who were, in fact, the ones who expressed very serious concerns about it.” “Because we are a labor run council, of course, they don’t want these sort of things coming out so automatically they would vote against it. It’s just pure politics.” The suspicion of monitoring led Labor mayor Darcy Byrne to contact councillors through his private email address after advice that the Inner West Council email service is “potentially being monitored by Council officers.” Despite the correspondence on his private email address, Mr. Byrne voted against the motion.
“We’re supposed to be working together, staff and council, for the good of the municipality. How can we fulfil our role if we don’t know what exactly is going on? We need to be briefed, we need to know,” said Ms. Passas. In a council meeting acting General Manager Elizabeth Richardson assured councillors that although the Inner West Council retains emails, no staff member is yet to access the archives since 2016. Stamolis remains sceptical of the acting General Manager’s comments due to her recent appointment.
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Councillor John Stamolis who put forward the motion about monitoring. Photo: Supplied
Mr. Stamolis’ proposed motion lost with six votes for to seven votes against. Of the allegations, councillors also accuse Inner West Council of withholding mail addressed to them from residents. Councillor Julie Passas also alleges that the Inner West Council withheld mail addressed to her, with residents approaching her in the street questioning why she hasn’t replied to their correspondence.
How can we fulfil our role if we don’t know what exactly is going on? “She [Ms. Richardson] was only in the acting role for about four days, so how can she make that comment,” said Mr. Stamolis.
A CASE OF “MISUNDERSTANDING” However, other councillors do not feel concerned about the allegations of
monitoring, as councillor Colin Hesse thinks that it is just a misunderstanding. “I think it is not true except in case of the mayor, where his staff monitor the emails sent from members of the community by agreement. So I think it was a misunderstanding by one or two councillors about that,” said Mr. Hesse “I don’t have any concerns, including any concerns about councillors’ emails being monitored by staff.” Councillor Marghanita Da Cruz also proposed an amendment in the motion, recommending that a report should be produced on Inner West Council’s information governance procedures. Councillor Marghanita Da Cruz also proposed an amendment in the motion, recommending a report on Inner West Council’s information governance procedures. However, even with the proposed amendment, the motion failed to attract the attention of other councillors. “The practice is not in keeping with inner west values, the inner west people and I doubt if any other council did it. You always need monitoring, but you hand it to the appropriate authorities,” said Mr. Stamolis.
Government WestConnex stake for sale
BY ALLISON HORE hile all eyes were on the USA late last week and over the weekend, the NSW Government announced their intention to sell off their remaining stakes in the WestConnex project. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced on Friday that the government would offer its 49 percent stake in the controversial motorway up for sale. This comes after the NSW Government completed the scoping study which it launched in March into whether or not the government should keep its shares in the road . In 2018, the government sold a 51 percent stake to the Sydney Transport Partners consortium, led by Transurban, for $9.26 billion. Transurban is expected to be interested in bidding on the remaining stake of the motorway. Mr. Perrottet said money raised from the sale would fund upcoming infrastructure projects. “Proceeds from any potential transaction will be invested into the NSW Generations Fund and allow us to continue to build world-class infrastructure such as the Metro West train line from Sydney to Parramatta,” Mr. Perrottet said. Selling off public assets has emerged as a key strategy in the government’s plan
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A worker inside one of the WestConnex tunnels. Photo: WestConnex
to raise money for infrastructure projects during the post COVID-19 recession. But it’s not a new phenomenon, the NSW government has sold off over $55 billion in public assets over the past eight years of liberal leadership. Sold assets include land, electricity networks, bus and rail lines, historic buildings and even prisons.
“GRUBBY BUSINESS”
But the plan has drawn criticism from members of the opposition, who slammed the move as a rushed “fire sale”. Questions have also been raised whether the government would get a favourable deal on their stake in the road, which has an estimated total construction cost of $16.8 billion, during a recession.
Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne, of the Labor party, also slammed the move, suggesting the government timed the announcement to line up with the media circus around the United States election to avoid backlash.
How can we fulfil our role if we don’t know what exactly is going on? “The NSW Govt has just used the cover of the US Election to announce they’ll sell off 100% of WestConnex,” he said on Twitter. “Hundreds of Inner West homes destroyed, six years of construction
impacts, ongoing traffic chaos and now they flog the infrastructure off in the middle of a crisis.” Anti-WestConnex community groups have also raised eyebrows about the government’s decision to sell off the asset. The WestConnex Action Group, who have been opposed to the toll road’s construction every step of the way, said privatising the remaining stake in the road would likely mean higher costs for motorists. “This will give the government even less power over relieving the extraordinary toll burden on motorists and truck drivers in the future,” they said on their Facebook page. “Tolls are a grubby business which most members of superfunds would rather avoid as a source of income.” Premier Gladys Berejiklian rebuffed the criticism and affirmed selling public assets was a “good” strategy during Friday’s press conference when she interjected a question to Mr. Perrottet. “Pre-COVID, the NSW government had a very strong record on being able to recycle assets in our balance sheet and then turn it into a productive business structure, and I think the community is used to that concept,” Ms. Berejiklian said.
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HubNEWS
A new model for mental health care BY ALLISON HORE new counselling social enterprise in Leichhardt is pioneering a new model for mental health care in Sydney’s Inner West. Rough Patch Affordable Counselling opened in Leichhardt in August and has been met with an enthusiastic reception from locals who’ve accessed its services. Amber Rules, a psychotherapist who specialises in addiction recovery, is the founder and director of Rough Patch. She told City Hub the service is “filling a gap” in the mental health care market between full priced private health practices which can charge up to $250 an hour and free charity services. “People who know what the mental health care landscape is like are quite relieved we exist,” she explained. “A lot of people may be able to pay for one or two sessions at a full fee paying psychologist, but they just can’t afford to do it on an ongoing basis. And counselling takes time.” Rough Patch’s model, based on a Canadian mental health provider, makes the service unique in Australia. As opposed to being a charity organisation, the service is a non-profit social enterprise. Meaning, while the business makes money, it goes directly back into improving the quality of services rather than into the pockets of shareholders. While very low cost or free counselling is available through some faith-based charities and local area health services like hospitals, there are often very long wait lists and the high demand means the service can be limited. Faith-based services are also not often the right fit for people. That’s where Rough Patch comes in, Ms. Rules said. “Often-times people are in a position where they can pay something, but they can’t afford what’s at the other
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Founder and director of Rough Patch, Amber Rules. Photo: Supplied
end of the spectrum- which is full fee private practice, either counselling or psychology,” she said. “There’s a big group of people in the middle, particularly people who understand a bit about mental health care and who do prioritise it, but they just can’t manage the full fee paying and they want to see someone weekly to get the support they know they need.”
The pandemic has caused isolation, job losses and financial stress for many families The social enterprise provides mid-term counselling support for people who cannot afford market rate providers for which Medicare only rebates up to 10 sessions a year. Clients can take up to
15 sessions a year at Rough Patch and don’t need to provide proof of income to access the service. “One of our questions is, ‘would you be able to afford this counselling if it were market rate, if we didn’t exist?’. And the majority of our clients said no they wouldn’t have been able to,” she said.
“HOW’S YOUR HEAD TODAY?”
Last week the Australian Government launched a COVID-19 mental health campaign, asking “How’s your head today?”, to encourage Australians to prioritise mental health and wellbeing. The campaign highlights coping mechanisms for everyday challenges Australians face including staying connected, building a daily routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The campaign is part of the Australian Government’s $48.1 million support of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan.
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CITY HUB 12 NOVEMBER 2020
At the campaign’s launch federal health minister, Greg Hunt, said Medicare statistics showed “a significant uptake of mental health telehealth services”. He noted the number of people seeking help for complex issues through mental health charities such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue had also increased. “The pandemic has caused isolation, job losses and financial stress for many families, with crisis organisations and suicide prevention services experiencing higher demand,” Mr Hunt said. But with the COVID-19 pandemic taking a serious hit on many family’s incomes, mental health care can sometimes be put on the backburner for financial reasons. “People can’t always prioritise mental health care because they have to do things like pay school fees or put food on the table,” Ms. Rules said. Ms. Rules said a diverse range of mental health services, at a range of price points, is especially important within the context of the ongoing pandemic. She said her experience of counselling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is “all the normal stuff, but kind of on steroids”, with health, economic and isolation related concerns exacerbating existing worries or mental health issues people may have. “If you’re a parent, for example, parenting issues have just intensified as people have been spending so much time with their kids, homeschooling and doing their jobs,” she explained. “So it’s all the usual concerns, but just a lot more intense.” Individual counselling sessions at Rough Patch vary in price $60 from $90 depending on the client’s circumstances. Ms. Rules hopes in the future Rough Patch will be able to roll out group sessions to make the service even more affordable.
COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY
LET’S SHOOT ‘TRUMP’ DOWN UNDER
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ever has there been more Australian interest in an American election than the current debacle, with saturation coverage across all media. Local elections come and go but none with the drama, madness and unbridled idiocy that’s currently unleashed in the US. What better time for us to cash in shamelessly on the situation and announce that we are going to ‘shoot Trump down under’.
No, no, no – it’s not an assassination attempt. The only shooting will come from a camera as we lay claim to the production of what must be the long awaited Trump biopic. As many will know the great Australian auteur Baz Luhrmann is currently filming a biographical account of the life of Elvis Presley on the Gold Coast. Surely if we can knock out a blockbuster based on one of the world’s best known cultural identities, we can do the same with today’s most famous political hustler. With Trump booted out of the White House, there’s bound to be a flood of docos and biopics in his home country. Let’s get the jump on the big US studios and TV networks, and produce own our unique version of the Donald J Trump story. There is of course a wealth of written material to draw from in the various exposés such as Michael Wolff’s Fire And Fury, not to mention the most intense media coverage of any US President. But let’s avoid the serious, albeit heartfelt treatment of George W Bush in Oliver Stone’s W and go for a G rated family style romp that Disney would be proud of.
Whilst some Australian actors might be reluctant to participate on ideological grounds, there would be plenty of non actors ready to front the camera. We are not without our share of shameless Trump sycophants, both in politics and the media, and there would be a role for each and everyone one of them in this homegrown Trump epic.
In the opening scene Melania, who has been criticised for not being more active as First Lady, is off to a local children’s hospital with a whole bunch of colouring books from the White House. Trump is at first delighted but then becomes enraged when he realises he hasn’t finished colouring them in. That humorous vignette sets the tone for the whole movie which begins with Trump complaining of corns and bunions to avoid the draft and ends with him pardoning himself for every crime known to mankind in the remaining months of his presidency. Casting the movie would certainly advantage Australia actors, given the current COVID restrictions. There would be a host of American actors putting their hands up to play the POTUS but few prepared to do a Tom Hanks and endure two weeks in quarantine in a Gold Coast Hotel. I’d like to see an all Aussie cast with perhaps just one exception. The Machiavellian Steve Bannon should be invited, for a much deserved cameo, obviously playing himself – but cunningly disguised as Pennywise the clown.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE OPTUS AND VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION WITH 5G AT: Rooftop Facility, 2 Roscrea Avenue, Randwick NSW 2031 Optus Ref: S0394, www.rfnsa.com.au/2031004 1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 5G equipment and associated works as follows: • Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (0.59m long) • Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (0.81m long) • Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (0.75m in long) • Replacement of three (3) existing 4G panel antennas (2.53m long) with three new 4G panel antennas (2.78m long) • Replacement of three (3) existing 4G panel antenna (2.53m long) with three new 4G panel antenna (2.69m long) • Provision for two (2) future panel antennas (up to 1.5m long) • Provision for three (3) future panel antennas (up to 0.6m long) • New ancillary equipment including remote radio units, cabling and antenna mounts • Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the rooftop equipment shelter • The antennas are at rooftop level and there is a slight increase in the overall height 2. Optus and Vodafone regard the proposed installation as a low-impact facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above
Rooftop Facility, 44 Collins Street, Annandale NSW 2038 Optus Ref: S1989, www.rfnsa.com.au/2038001 1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 5G equipment and associated works as follows: • Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (0.59m long) • Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (0.81m long) • Installation of three (3) new 5G panel antennas (0.75m long) • Replacement of three (3) existing 4G panel antennas (2.53m long) with three new 4G panel antennas (2.69m long) • Provision for three (3) future panel antennas (up to 0.6m long) • Provision for three (3) future panel antennas (up to 1.5m long) • New ancillary equipment including remote radio units, cabling and antenna mounts • Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the rooftop equipment shelter • The antennas are at rooftop level and there is a slight increase in the overall height 2. Optus and Vodafone regard the proposed installation as Exempt Development under State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 based on the description above 3. Notification is being undertaken in accordance with Section 7 of Industry Code C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment 4. Members of the public may obtain further information on the proposed work, and we invite you to provide written comments about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to Optus’ representative c/- James McIver, Catalyst ONE Pty Ltd; phone: 02 4022 9533; email: consultation@catalystone.com.au and post: PO Box 1119, Crows Nest NSW 1585 by 27 November 2020.
The crew from Sky News could easily fulfil the roles of most of the best known Trump acolytes. Peta Credlin, with a bit of accent coaching, would make a great Melania. Some creative prosthetic makeup could transform Rowan Dean into a feisty Rudy Giuliani, fresh from his dalliance with Maria Bakalova. And who’s to say Rupert himself would knock back the chance to play Trump’s perennial lap dog, Mike Pence. The more ludicrous the casting, the more chuckles from the audience and the more dollars at the box office. Let’s not forget Trump’s international buddies with Alan Jones as Kim Jong Un, Clive Palmer as Boris Johnson and some fine method acting from Mark Latham as Vladimir Putin. The big question of course – who gets to play Trump himself? Whilst there’s a surfeit of latex masks now for sale on ebay, we would need a really good lookalike/ soundalike to carry the role. The NSW town of Parkes has done particularly well out of its annual Elvis festival and the invasion of hundreds of Elvis impersonators. Surely there’s a town, deep in the heart of Queensland somewhere, with the nation’s highest percentage of One Nation voters, that would love to hold an initial Trump Festival.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION INCLUDING 5G AT 322 BOURKE STREET, SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 1. The proposed upgrade to the existing facilities involves: • Installation of three new 5G antennas on existing and new mounts; • Replacing the existing panel antennas with new panel antennas on existing and new mounts. Antennas will measure no more than 2.8m long; • Removal of two existing microwave dishes; • Reconfiguration of existing and installation of new ancillary equipment including RRUs, GPS antenna and other items; • Installation and reconfiguration of equipment within the existing equipment shelter. 2. Vodafone regard the proposed installation as an Exempt Development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 based on the description above. 3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact: Jessie Zhao from Nokia Solutions & Networks on 0406 001 832 or at communityrelations.vha@groups.nokia.com by Thursday 26 November 2020. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/2010006. CITY HUB 12 NOVEMBER 2020
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CROCODYLUS:
Lockdown has been simultaneously “devastating” and “really productive” (See p.7)
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ewtown’s Enmore Theatre is set to reopen in January with a show headlined by multi-award winning actor Hugh Sheridan. Hedwig And The Angry Inch is a rock musical ride like no other. It’s unlikely hero, a slip of a girly boy from East Berlin who was subjected to a botched sex change to flee to the USA leaving her with just an Angry Inch. Join Hedwig as she tours the world with her band The Angry Inch telling the story of The Origin Of Love. Hailed as the “best rock musical ever” by Rolling Stone magazine, Hedwig’s trailblazing story and cult-status has amassed a devoted global following. Emerging from the Lower East Side of New York City, the punk-rock drag show and critically renowned film (before transforming into a Broadway
Hugh Sheridan
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
blockbuster), will take over the newly refurbished Enmore Theatre from Jan 2. Sheridan has described the role by saying, “Hedwig is a role of a lifetime, a beast and a chance to extend myself in every possible direction. I can’t wait. LOOK OUT!!!!” The Enmore Theatre will be set up in cabaret mode with table seating on the ground floor and front of the dress circle, as well as regular theatre seating, for this very special event. Tickets go on sale Nov 12 at 9am. (JA) Jan 2-17. Enmore Theatre, 18-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $49-$129+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.hedwig.com.au
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT BANKSMEADOW WITH 5G S1987 Eastgardens: 77 Corish Circle, Banksmeadow NSW 2019 (RFNSA 2019004) 1. The proposed facility consists of the addition of new 4G and 5G equipment and associated works as follows: • Installation of three (3) new panel antennas, 0.59m long, on an existing headframe • Installation of new ancillary equipment, including twelve (12) Remote Radio Units, cabling and antenna mounts • Reconfiguration of existing equipment on the facility and within the equipment shelter, including removal of redundant equipment and replacement of twelve (12) Remote Radio Units
HubARTS IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT I phigenia In Splott is an acclaimed and highly anticipated play coming to Sydney’s Marrickville this November, presented by Flight Path Theatre. Directed by Lucy Clements and starring Meg Clarke as Effie, this one woman show is not to be missed. Written by Gary Owen, it presents the story of a misunderstood young woman who is given the chance to change her life, inspired by the timeless Greek myth. “Iphigenia In Splott drives home the high price people pay for society’s shortcomings,” the play boasts a history of glowing reviews by the likes of The Guardian and The New York Times, building traction for its Australian premiere. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions throughout the Inner West, the play will open to the general public on Saturday November 14 and continue until November 21. For convenience, viewers can also choose to book an online ticket, for
which they will be emailed a link to the show on their chosen date. (RBa) Nov 14-21. Flight Path Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. $20-$30+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.flightpaththeatre.org
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2. Optus regards the proposed installations as Low-impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), based on the description above 3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact Chan Chen at Axicom, 02 9495 9000, community@axicom.com.au or Level 1, 110 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 by Friday 27 November 2020. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/2019004. 10
CITY HUB 12 NOVEMBER 2020
www.catprotection.org.au
HubARTS
BROADWAY CELEBRATES NAIDOC WEEK n a year where many Indigenous businesses have been severely impacted by COVID, Broadway Sydney is shifting is using it’s space to connect Indigenous designers from across the country with Sydneysiders during NAIDOC Week. “Broadway Sydney is in an incredibly unique position to provide established and emerging Indigenous artists and designers the opportunity to bring their work into the community through a physical bricks and mortar store, allowing predominantly online boutiques the opportunity to showcase their designs and test
the waters in a new market,” said Broadway Centre Manager Justine Saltmarsh. “We wanted to ensure that our participation reflected true support. As a retail centre, we wanted to do more than just exhibit and showcase, we wanted to connect them to our community of consumers through two pop-up concepts and an interactive weaving workshop.” Until Nov 15 Broadway willplay host to 20 different Indigenous designers in the Indigenous Collective Pop-up Store on the third floor of the centre, right alongside Apple, Mecca and T2. Here shoppers will be able to pick up
CROCODYLUS BY JAMIE APPS OVID restrictions have impacted every artist in a multitude of different ways. For Sydney band Crocodylus these impacts have been simultaneously “devastating” and “really productive” according to drummer Mikel Salvador. At the beginning of the year Crocodylus were off to a red hot start as they were riding the wave of momentum generated by their European tour alongside The Chats at the end of 2019. Just prior to lockdown Crocodylus were in the midst of a string of sellout shows, including selling out a 550 capacity venue in their home of the Northern Beaches, so when the lockdown came into effect they took it quite hard. “We were gutted,” explained Salvador. “Once we got a taste of touring Europe with The Chats we wanted to get back out their and lineup our own touring. But obviously we couldn’t do that.” While this had them feeling down initially Crocodylus chose not to wallow in their sorrow and instead saw the break away from touring
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as an opportunity to experiment, expand their influences and record more music. “We went away to a secluded location on a farm to write music and had a really productive trip. We wrote around 16 songs, which now just need to be fleshed out and finalised for our upcoming debut album.” The fact that Crocodylus have built a fan base and toured Europe without releasing a debut record yet is another interesting part of their story. When asked why they chose to go this route Salvador revealed they were perhaps “scared” to release their debut album. “I guess we were just scared, but I don’t even know why. People see your debut as this big thing but the debut will be followed by another
album and then another after that hopefully. So we’re trying not to get too precious about it, but it’s hard not to. Sometimes we let it get to our heads a bit by thinking the debut has to be sick.” For this reason the time away from touring was perhaps more beneficial than they otherwise may realise. For Crocodylus, who Salford says have a unique way of working, this time period allowed them to really experiment and expand their influences ahead of their debut album’s release. “We have a really interesting way of working where we’ll go through periods of doing nothing and then suddenly we’ll rip off huge chunks of it,” said Salvador. “We’ve started to add synthesisers and samples, which is really cool and something we hadn’t done before, so we’re really excited about it.” Although they are experimenting with a new sound and new influences Salvador assures fans this debut album will remain true to form in that it will be “disgusting, sloppy and grungy.” Nov 21. Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $29.58+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.oxfordartfactory.com
ELLIE & ABBIE (AND ABBIE’S DEAD AUNT)
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hen teenage student Allie tells her mother (Marta Dusseldorp) that she’s gay, her deceased Auntie Tara returns from the dead and announces, “Congratulations on coming out – I’m your fairy godmother. Coming out is hard and I have been sent here to help you through it.” Allie has her sights on Abbie a fellow student and hesitantly follows her Aunt’s advice who guides her through every step of the way.
Indigenous art, ceramics, clothing, jewellery etc from artists from all around Australia. Sydneysiders will also be able to partake in a series of FREE weaving workshops hosted by Wiradjuri artist Peta-Joy Williams on November 15. This could prove to be the perfect way to create a special, heartfelt Christmas gift in the lead up to the festive season. Finally shoppers will be immersed in Indigenous culture throughout NAIDOC week with the installation of Indigenous artworks throughout the centre. (JA)
But will it be smooth sailing or will there be hurdles along the way which may jeopardise a happy and fulfilling relationship? There’s something quite special about this award-winning Aussie queer teen rom-com. The film explores the confusion evoked by Allie’s coming to terms with her sexuality and deals with the issues experienced by her mother who dreams of one day having grandchildren.
Bree Johnson and Maddison Gibbs. Photo: Supplied
Register for the Weaving Workshops at www.broadwaysydney.com.au
DEADLY HEARTS WALKING TOGETHER
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ith this week being NAIDOC week it is fitting that we celebrate Indigenous music and culture. Thankfully a number of incredible Australian artists also had a similar thought process and have collaborated on the Deadly Hearts project and the new album, Walking Together. Throughout the 10 track offering artists such as Ziggy Ramo, Miiesha, Isaiah and Stan Walker take well known songs and give them an Indigenous twist. The record includes an array of music genres including hip-hop, jazz, pop and metal all fused together with Indigenous lyrics or instrumentation. Some of the standout tracks on the record are Miiesha’s take on Neon Moon, originally by Brooks & Dunn, Mitch Tambo’s Indigenous language spin on the classic Absolutely Everybody originally by Vanessa Amorosi. The album closes out with two more incredible variations on Aussie classics in the form of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over reworked by Isaiah & Stan Walker, and Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning given an Indigenous metal slant by Southeast Desert Metal. This record is familiar but fresh, and perfect introduction to Indigenous music for those unfamiliar with Indigenous languages or styles. (JA) WWW1/2
Light-hearted entertainment devoid of sex or nudity, many may regard this delightful coming of age story (which is appropriate viewing for teenagers) as a chick flick. Funny and poignant at times, the film conveys the importance of equal rights regardless of sexual persuasion and leaves audiences with two very important messages; being different is special and parents are only human who want the best for their children. (MMo)
Zoe Terakes and Sophie Hawkshaw
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