City Hub 18 May 2017

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Welfare crackdown could impact medical cannabis users

BY GEORGIA CLARK Welfare recipients are feeling the pressure of the Turnbull Government’s dole crackdown, which ushered a new era in the war on drugs. Last week the Coalition announced stringent new measures, which will see mandatory drug tests roll out across Australia. The measures will see those who test positive for marijuana, cannabis or methamphetamine forced to use the controversial cashless debit card and banned from buying drugs or alcohol.

33-year-old Alex Smith lives with chronic pain and autism and has been clean for 8 years after a spiralling meth addiction. He tells City Hub that marijuana is the only thing that helps him leave the house, and without it he bangs his head.

“I wouldn’t be here today... if it wasn’t for the cannabis I had this morning,” he said. Everyday Alex lives with the side effects of meth use and ADHD medications, and marijuana is the only thing that keeps them at bay. He fears that the government’s crackdown could drive him to desperation and says if deprived of marijuana, “death would be a better option”.

“It’s the wrong way to help people... using fear campaigns and punishing people for their use is no way to give them the reinforcement to get them off [drugs]… it’s going to cause more harm than good,” he said.

Smith fears that the tests, which will initially roll out across a two year period, could force him to exploit loopholes, such as buying merchandise and getting cash refunds to obtain cannabis. The trial will see 5000 new welfare recipients forced to undergo mandatory urine, saliva and hair follicle tests. While some politicians argue that medical use of drugs such as cannabis will shield recipients against quarantined payments, Smith has grave fears that because his doctor hasn’t been able to obtain a licence to prescribe him marijuana, his access could be further compromised under the policy.

Dr Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Member for the NSW Legislative Council, said the policy could create a grey area for medical marijuana users on welfare.

“I am deeply concerned about the potential for people using medical marijuana to get caught up in this as well. We have already seen this clash with drug driving laws here in NSW,” she said.

The move, which is based on a similar model in New Zealand, was met with widespread backlash. Ruth Phillips, Associate Professor in Social Work and Social Studies at the University of Sydney, says the policy is a red herring for the government’s real objective - convincing the public that welfare cuts are justified.

The Turnbull Government’s war on drugs has begun, as mandatory drug tests for welfare recipients were unveiled in the 2017 budget.

Credit: Georgia Clark

“I do not believe that the objective of the random drug testing proposal is to reduce drug use - rather it is to reduce public concern about the prolonged attack on welfare recipients by conservative governments, which do not believe in welfare or its intrinsic value of addressing issues of poverty and inequality. It is well-documented that the worst drug abuse in Australia is alcohol, this would be a more effective drug strategy focus,” she said.

It was a sweeping victory for the conservative taxpayer, but some argue it is merely a knee jerk reaction to the war on drugs and an assault on liberties. The Greens are in the process of obtaining legal advice to see whether or not mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients could contravene the Privacy Act. “The Government has not provided any solid justification for this policy. In fact, such policies have miserably failed when they have been trialled elsewhere. This is a complete waste of time, money and an invasion of people’s privacy,” said Dr Faruqi.

The move would see the government using a profiling tool to test recipients deemed “at risk” of drug use. Those deemed to have medical conditions caused solely by their substance abuse will no longer be eligible for the disability support pension (DSP), preventing about 450 people each year from claiming the pension.

Smith fears his plans to go back on the DSP could be thwarted by the crackdown.

In his budget speech the Treasurer Scott Morrison said “we will continue to target welfare abuse to protect our social safety net and ensure it is there for Australia’s most vulnerable, in particular those with disabilities,” he said.

The Prime Minister has said the policy is made “out of love”, but in demonising the most vulnerable members of the community, appears to see placing the blame on them as a solution.

Associate Professor Phillips says the crackdown is highly inequitable and its raison d’etre is contrary to the likely policy outcomes.

“Apart from being highly prejudicial, this move by the government is a kind of backhanded justification to continue to demonize and denigrate people who, for one reason or another, are dependent of welfare…it effectively fulfils the stereotyped idea of welfare cheats - they must be criminals too,” she said.

What was praised by the right as yet another stepping stone to a 2021 surplus is shrouded in mystery.

Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said the system is “fairer” and that taxpayers have a legitimate expectation not to have welfare exploited. But details of the plan are scant, and a spokesperson of the Department of Social Services said the Government will make further announcements about the trial at an “appropriate time.”

Ryan McGlaughlin, Executive Director at SMART Recovery, says punitive policies such as these keep the drug policy in Australia “broken,” and more investment is needed in relapse programs such as SMART. “[The policy is a] possible deterrent from obtaining treatment. People may choose to use new and emerging substances that do not show up in drug test, but are more dangerous or use prescription drugs illegally.

People may turn towards the black economy to survive (theft, dealing etc.). Children and other family members maybe impacted by the loss of payment or benefits,” he said.

While those who test positive twice will be referred to a doctor for treatment, it is unclear how the government plans to deal with the potential increased pressure on rehab services.

“I have not heard of a clear plan to provide rehab support - there was some suggestion of compulsory treatment but there is no evidence that this would result in assisting people with an addiction,” said Professor Phillips.

While the Liberal Government may be scourged by debt, a crackdown on the vulnerable without extensive support systems being rolled out seems counterintuitive. When asked whether politicians should be tested in an interview with Neil Mitchell, the Prime Minister responded “I’m not sure whether they should be.”

Abortion still illegal in NSW Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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BY ANITA SENARATNA Abortion will remain a criminal offence in NSW, after Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi’s Abortion Law Reform Bill was defeated 25 to 14 in the NSW Parliament’s upper house last Thursday. The bill aimed to remove offences relating to abortion from the Crimes Act, introduce 150-metre ‘protest exclusion zones’ around abortion clinics and would also require doctors with a ‘conscientious objection’ to abortion to refer women to other providers who do not have any objections.

On the day of the debate, there were protesters from GetUp outside Parliament House as well as counter-protests by antiabortion groups such as Abortion Rethink. The public gallery was packed with activists from both sides of the abortion debate, and the result of the vote was met with a combination of cheering and cries of “shame”.

Abortion is now legal in every Australian state except NSW and Queensland, where a similar bill introduced by independent MP Rob Ryne was withdrawn from parliament following a lack of sufficient support.

Currently, Division 12 of the Crimes Act classifies “attempts to procure abortion” as an offence. However, there are legal loopholes that allow medical providers to perform abortions in cases where they believe it would be a danger to the woman’s physical and mental health to continue. Over the years, this definition has been broadened to allow doctors to consider factors such as socio-economic circumstances.

Dr. Suzanne Belton, an anthropologist and midwife who was part of the recent successful campaign to decriminalise abortion in the Northern Territory, says

A Bill to legalise abortion was last week defeated in NSW Parliament. Credit: Anita Senaratna

that she finds it “odd” that women have to exaggerate their mental state to obtain an essential medical procedure.

“It’s a very curious law, it’s a law from basically the 1960s, isn’t it?” she said.

“Women had to make these very tenuous arguments saying they were all going to commit suicide if they didn’t get an an abortion...I think we’ve moved on from there and that isn’t the case in the other reformed states, and it does put doctors in the very strange position of having to spuriously build up the case that women are psychiatrically unwell and requiring an abortion. I personally find that an odd argument for 2017.

“If they were going to have brain surgery, plastic surgery, knee replacements, a woman is considered perfectly capable of going to a health provider, finding out the information and

if her and the doctor agree that the procedure is warranted in a medical way then it is done. It’s nobody else’s business,” she said.

During the bill’s debate, Labor MP John Graham observed that the current legal status of abortion would come as a surprise to many NSW residents for this reason.

“I believe that when we vote on this bill, it will represent a start to this debate in New South Wales, not the end of this debate,” he said.

“I believe this bill is likely to be short of a majority, however, it will represent a start to the debate because a reassertion by this House that abortion is a crime will come as a surprise to many citizens of New South Wales.”

Dr Faruqi told City Hub that this isn’t the end for abortion law reform in NSW, and that she will continue to push for abortion to be decriminalised through her #End12 campaign. city hub 18 MAY 2017

3

Inner West elections fast approaching

BY ALEX YUJIN Things are heating up as 2017 marches toward September, when the first Inner West Council elections will be held. The former Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville Councils were abolished by Mike Baird in 2016 to the anger of many residents and Councillors.

The current Inner West Council was hastily thrown together and has been headed by an administrator, Richard Pearson. All were appointed by the Baird government without any consultation with local politicians or residents. This election will be the first opportunity for the residents to have their own say on who will make up the council.

Victor Macri, an independent Councillor, says the former Marrickville Council had one of the highest satisfaction ratings in the state and did not need to be amalgamated.

“It is imperative that we maintain this closeness to the community, so that we are able to respond to their needs,” he said.

“At this point without elected officials, the needs of the community are basically put on hold. There has been a shift in morale of council staff due to the increased pressure to merge management, communication systems and the lack of certainty surrounding employment”.

Conversely, former Marrickville Liberal Councillor Rosana Tyler described the old council as “dysfunctional’.

“The investigation into each council’s finances in particular has highlighted that the various reports presented to the public were not entirely frank as to each council’s true financial position,” she said.

She admitted that one of the most important aspects of local government was to remain “grass roots” and that “listening to the residents is critical.”

All other Councillors who spoke to City Hub however were concerned that a grassroots relationship with residents was being killed off by the new amalgamated council.

“I expect there will be less diversity of political representation, especially fewer true independents. I am concerned that NSW amalgamated councils will be dominated by the two major political parties,” said Monica Wangmann, the independent former Mayor of Ashfield.

Ms Wangmann said that residents in the north ward of Ashfield had always struggled for representation because no Councillors lived there. This was mainly because it is a low socio-economic area,

The Inner West election is fast approaching despite hot opposition from residents and local politicians alike. Credit: Newtown grafitti, Flickr

filled with immigrants whose second language was english.

“Amalgamating three councils to cover more than 186,000 people is likely to exacerbate this imbalance of representation,” she said.

“Who will speak up for these disenfranchised and diverse groups? Will competing needs across such a big council area be fairly attended to? What public land, town halls, and parks will be sold by the “bean counters” to make the council look financially successful? Bigger is not necessarily better.”

Ms Wangmann said she had not seen any positive results yet.

Maire Sheehan, former independent Leichhardt Mayor, said the huge council area would make it very difficult for independent candidates to run campaigns.

She said the Labor party would profit from the new council arrangement and probably secure a big number of seats in the upcoming election, but that it would lock out independents.

“If you’re at the level of the Greens, you’ve got a big organisation behind you, with people, money, budgets and everything. When you’re an independent, you haven’t got that.”

Ms Sheehan believes the Baird government made the controversial move because managing less people is easier for them, and that it wouldn’t even increase finances to the council area.

“If they do save money, in the short term it will only be from sacking people,” she said.

Ms Sheehan also said that she believed Liberal and Labor candidates would be making deals to secure as many seats for themselves as possible, which of course was easier for them due to their whopping campaign budgets.

Morris Mansour, the independent former Mayor of Ashfield said local residents’ needs had been put last.

“The community would prefer easy access to their elected representatives who understand local issues, which disappeared over night once the government forced the council mergers,” he said.

Mr Mansour said originally the government had promised not to force the amalgamation, but later when it did left residents feeling betrayed and angry.

“They even ignored the former council’s own survey which showed that more residents preferred to stand alone as there is no case that “bigger is better”. Big councils are bureaucracies and residents are the losers,” he said.

Meanwhile Darcy Byrne, Labor member and former Mayor of Leichhardt, did a back flip on his previous insistence that he would oppose the amalgamation.

At the first Inner West Council meeting in 2016, which was met with such violent public anarchy that it had to be cancelled, Byrne declared to the crowd that “we will be able to come to the negotiating table when democracy is put on the table.”

However the Labor councillor merrily sent out his press release last week announcing the lineup of candidates who would run for election in September.

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Opinion

Vale Mark Colvin: the voice that resonated with a nation

By Andrew Woodhouse Mark Colvin (1952-2017) was an Australian journalist and broadcaster based in Sydney.

He was the presenter of PM, the flagship Australian radio current affairs programs on the ABC Radio network for twenty years, between 1997 to 2017.

His mellifluous voice rang through the nation, and was particularly heard in Canberra. When he came on air, my radio bristled with the latest news and an expectation that a great story was about to break forth.

His interview technique was both subtle and ferocious. His laser-like questions were probing and perceptive. He asked the hard questions and cut straight to the jugular. In another time he could have been a top criminal Barrister and QC. After all, he was an Oxford graduate, BA(hons) in English Literature “He really cared about quality journalism,” said his compatriot and ABC TV presenter, Leigh Sales, adding, “he loved Scrabble and fresh figs.”

He began employment in January 1975 at the ABC’s rock music station Double Jay (2JJ, now known as triple J) as one of the foundation staff, having initially worked as a cadet journalist. With strong foreign language skills in French, Italian and Spanish, he was then posted to the Canberra bureau and appointed a television news producer. A year later, he was one of the first reporters on Nationwide.

At 28 years old, in 1980, he was appointed as foreign correspondent in London, and travelled to cover major stories including the American hostage crisis in Tehran and the rise

Mark Colvin has died at the age of 65. Credit: Brendan Esposito

of Solidarity in Poland. Colvin returned to Australia in 1983 and initially was a reporter on both AM and PM, before agitating for the establishment of a midday news and current affairs radio program. He became the founding presenter of The World Today on ABC radio.

The following year, Colvin went to Brussels as Europe correspondent, and covered the events right across the continent as the Cold War began to thaw and the Gorbachev era began the process that would lead to the lifting of the Iron Curtain.

In 1994, he was sent by the 7.30 Report to Africa to cover the unfolding tragedy in Rwanda. Travelling via Zaire, he witnessed

an extensive human tragedy, in which about a million refugees were living in camps with poor sanitation and hygiene, with cholera and dysentery commonplace.

Consequently, he was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a rare auto-immune disease causing inflammation of the blood vessels, which nearly killed him.

After several months in hospital, during his convalescence he became aware of a side effect of the treatment: his hip joints collapsed and both hips had to be replaced. In December 2012, Colvin received a kidney transplant from a living donor. Colvin and the hospital and staff allowed the process to be recorded for

television. The kidney was named “Rupert”, after Rupert Murdoch.

During 2010, Colvin worked to raise the profile of organ donation through interviews with a number of media agencies including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Drum, The 7.30 Report, and Life Matters.

The story of his kidney donation was even the subject of a stage play titled ‘Mark Colvin’s Kidney’ by playwright Tommy Murphy.

In 2016 Colvin released his autobiography “Light and Shadow: Memoirs of a Spy’s Son”, an incredible story of a father waging a secret war against communism during the Cold War, while his son came of age as a journalist during the tumultuous Whitlam and Fraser years and later embarked on the risky career as a foreign correspondent.

His engrossing memoire takes you inside the coverage of major news events and gently navigates the complexity of his father’s double life. Beautifully written, it has the musicality and architectonic structure of a magnificent Bach fugue. After a twenty year struggle with are auto-immune disease, he died in Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney last Thursday morning.

Through his second most prolific form of broadcast, Twitter, Colvin bid his own public a final farewell. In the hours after his death a tweet was sent from his account to his 103,000 followers seemingly saying goodbye noting simply that “It’s all been bloody marvellous.”

RIP. Andrew Woodhouse is President, Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage and Residents’ Society

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7

Waverley Council Mayor rebuked for heavy-handedness

BY SATHSARA RADALIYAGODA AND TOMMY BOUTROS Residents of Sydney’s Eastern Beaches fear that the iconic Bondi Pavilion is under threat from development proposals put forward by council that threaten to privatise the landmark building.

Stage one of Waverley Council’s plans to repair and renew Bondi Pavilion with new art museums, music studios and the creation of a community tenancy area are set to commence early next year, if approved.

In the wake of “Stage One” of the development process, Mayor Sally Betts has sparked controversy as a report issued last week revealed she breached the council code of conduct in a debate about the developments.

The finding relates to Ms Betts prematurely ending a council meeting after failing to count Liberal Councillor Joy Clayton’s vote at the meeting, as outlined in an internal report compiled by O’Connor Marsden & Associates.

Liberal Councillor Joy Clayton refused to comment on the investigation surrounding Sally Betts and the privatisation of Bondi Pavilion, leaving all to be addressed in court. Her previous alignment with community protests alludes to internal unrest.

A spokesperson for Waverley Council said that no further information about the breach could be disclosed.

“The Waverley Council Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct Procedure requires Council to keep code of conduct matters and the management of complaints confidential.”

Greens MP David Shoebridge has been outspoken about the issues surrounding Waverley Council and said that they have not been sincere in

Tension has escalated over the proposed development of Bondi Pavillion, as a report finds Waverley Mayor Sally Betts breached the Council Code of Conduct.

Credit: Google - labelled for reuse

their efforts to renovate Bondi Pavilion.

“If any local council or any level of government wants to bring the community with them, they have to be open with the community and share any relevant information with them,” he said.

Mr Shoebridge also said that growing concerns about privatisation have prompted a widespread community response.

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it being privatised. Think about all the extraordinary places in Sydney looking over the harbour...every other one has been taken over by corporate interests.

This is quite literally for Bondi [drawing] a line in the sand. We are going to hold this for the community,” he said.

Despite strong opposition towards the reconstruction of Bondi Pavilion, including a heavy social media campaign which includes 4,365 people

who are members of the Save Bondi Pavilion Facebook Page, the council is still forging on with the proposal.

Kilty O’Brien, the Convenor of Save Bondi Pavilion, believes the centre does need an upgrade but not a “commercial takeover.” She argues that Bondi Pavilion’s historical significance as a community and cultural centre should be honoured.

Ms O’Brien shares sentiments with MP Shoebridge, saying, “The whole process to upgrade Bondi Pavilion has been driven by Sally Betts, who has consistently used her casting vote as Mayor to push through this inappropriate and deeply unpopular plans” “It has been shrouded in secrecy and misinformation. The community have been clear that they do not want our community centre commercialised,” she said.

According to the Waverley Council website construction of Stage 1 is expected to take about 12 months.

A Council spokesperson said “it is important to note Council is not privatising Bondi Pavilion,” stating the “iconic, historical building” is being further developed as a community facility.

The exhibition, which showcases the proposed renovations, will be publicly available until the 24th of May, the same day the Save Bondi Pavilion Campaign will be protesting, as they fight for the iconic Sydney facility.

Ms O’Brien believes the Mayor’s actions highlight she should not be in a position of power.

“This was a clear and serious breach of the requirements of a Mayor, and we call on Mayor Betts to admit her error of judgement and immediately resign,” she said.

Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park www.thesydneyfair.com.au

Opinion

Australia’s appalling white lie

BY ALEXANDER YUJIN Once upon a time a nice man named Captain Cook sailed to a big island with no one on it. He brought English people there, built towns, and called it Australia. They all lived happily ever after.

If you think this sounds like a silly story, it is. But believe it or not, this is the version of Australia’s history that our Government would have us believe as fact.

Since the controversial cancellation of the 457 skilled working visa, talk about “strengthening integrity” and “putting Australian values first” have been flying around as if a bunch of neoNazis had been discovered using mind-control on us all.

Well, in some sense this may not be far from the truth.

But I digress.

Have you ever looked at the Department of Immigration’s website? Unless you’re one of the hopefuls planning to apply for citizenship, you probably haven’t seen the section of the website telling immigrants and permanent residents what they need to know to make it to the next step.

The website kindly provides a document called Australian Citizenship : Our Common Bond which claims to tell you “everything you need to know to help you pass the test.”

Of its 84 pages, exactly half a page - five paragraphs to be exact - is dedicated to filling in the reader on Aboriginal people.

I can’t even say that it recounts any historical events involving Aboriginal people, because it doesn’t. They are mentioned as “the first inhabitants” in the first paragraph of the piece.

They drop out of the picture when white settlement occurs, according to the story. We are told “Captain Arthur Phillip overcame many problems in the first few years of European settlement.”

When the document finishes with history and moves on to statistics, we are told “In 1901, Australia’s population was counted at about four million people. This number did not include the Indigenous people.”

This is the grand total of words that describes the beginning of white Australia. Absolutely no mention of any interaction between white settlers and indigenous people.

This, my fellow Australians, is the summary of our history that the government is flogging publicly as truth.

Damn right it’s “everything you need to know”.

If you believe newcomers need to be initiated into the culture of while privilege that ignores any liability or even existence of half a century of atrocities against our first people.

Getting back to those neo Nazis using mind control.

In what universe is this an accurate recounting of what occurred during colonisation of this country?

I can tell you. A neo Nazis’ universe, in which dictators would have you believe that aboriginal people don’t matter and only exist when we feel like it.

I’m just going to say it.

This is tantamount to holocaust denial. It is white washing of the highest order.

We have published a document claiming to inform visitors about our history and heritage, and we have willfully denied the genocide of our first people.

As if this wasn’t brazen enough of us, we have the nerve to test people on this made up bullshit, then tell them whether they can stay here to pay taxes or not, based on a haughty set of multiple choice questions.

“The citizenship test is designed to assess whether you have an adequate knowledge of Australia and the responsibilities and privileges of Australia citizenship.”

The Immigration Department’s website is untruthful, denying the genocide of Aboriginal people at settlment. Credit: Anne Muhammad

This outrageous claim by our Government is laughable. Any reasonable person knows that we have a responsibility to acknowledge the awful events indigenous people endured at settlement.

We are privileged to live so easily in our modern society, only making inches of progress towards reconciliation every now and again, maybe when a politician is running a campaign and wants to earn some brownie points. Or when we start a meeting or event and take two minutes to think about the land we acquired through mass killings, euphemistically known as a “welcome to country”.

Our way of life depends on a level of white

privilege which is way out of line. That is what the privilege of Australian citizenship really means.

The Immigration Department have been asked to comment on this and have as yet remained silent.

I will be chasing them until they speak. And when they do, I will invite a slew of others to comment alongside their feeble explanation, not least one of Australia’s most eminent historians on Aboriginal history, who may be able to enlighten them on why there is a problem with their publication.

Stay tuned. I may even ask our mate Malcolm to clarify just how much integrity there really is in our citizenship test.

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9

Providing dignity for Sydney’s homeless The plight of the homeless is in the spotlight with the annual Sydney Homeless Connect coming up next month.

Credit: Paul Clark

BY PAUL CLARK There’s a sign on a chalk board at Sydney’s 24-7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space in Martin Place which says, “If you think somebody should do something about a problem, remember you are somebody.”

Across Sydney, people are doing things to help address the problems of homelessness and poverty in ways great and small.

The Leichhardt Congregational Church has been operating a community pantry since late February. The pantry is located in front of the church and invites people to donate food items if

they can and take items if they are in need.

Pastor Stephen Hitchins says the church first saw the idea posted by the Marrickville Pay it Forward Group on Facebook, in a video called ‘The Little Free Pantry.’ A woman in Arkansas USA was inspired by free library boxes to create a food pantry outside her local church to help mitigate food insecurity for some in the community.

“One of the major benefits of the pantry is that it is accessible 24/7 and it provides for some a means of getting help without being confronted by having to ask personally,” says Pastor Hitchins.

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The church believes the pantry is being well used and on some days it needs to be completely replenished. Currently, the church is supplying a large percentage of the food items, a situation which may change as more people become aware of the benefits the pantry provides.

“One of the pleasing aspects of the initiative is hearing parents explain to their children the concept of the pantry and the need to help others within the community.

“We hope the pantry inspires other groups to do the same,” said Pastor Hitchens.

Please email

lawrence@altmedia.net.au

Meanwhile in the CBD, the annual Sydney Homeless Connect is coming up next month. This event helps put homeless people in touch with practical assistance.

Co-founded by Andrew Everingham and Peter Durie, Sydney Homeless Connect has been run each year since 2010 and will be held again on Tuesday 27 June.

According to Homelessness Australia, more than 28,000 people are homeless in NSW and more than 105,000 people are homeless across the nation. Sydney Homeless Connect is another way that Sydneysiders are taking action and doing what they can to help those in need this winter.

The event will be run at Sydney Town Hall for its eighth consecutive year.

The not-for-profit event is 100% volunteer run and is designed to provide a ‘one stop shop’ to connect people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, with service and care providers. Free haircuts, shoes, dental and medical checks, and sessions with housing agencies are some of the goods and services offered.

In addition, Sydney Homeless Connect says that a Women’s Retreat area will be set up for women to receive a personal care pack and freely discuss the challenges they face day-to-day.

“There are many faces to homelessness and it can affect anyone,” says a spokesperson for Sydney Homeless Connect. “Through Sydney Homeless Connect, Sydneysiders have taken their first step towards solving this epidemic and they’re fighting the battle with compassion.”

The Sydney Homeless Connect event will be at Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday, 27 June 2017 from 10am to 3pm.

For more details see: www.sydneyhomelessconnect.com

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FEATURE

which we forwarded to all departments of education,” says Douglas.

Australia has very strict guidelines on depiction and reporting of suicides, amongst the most crucial are that it should not be portrayed and that details and method should not be discussed. Ironically, these form the foundations of the show’s plot.

The statistics on suicide in Australia are disturbing.Youth suicide has increased by 30% and is at its highest rate ever. Headspace School Support is a national program set up specifically: To assist schools to prepare for, respond to and recover from the impact of suicide.

Douglas would like schools to pay as much attention to mental health as they do physical health and even literacy and numeracy.

One organisation that has adopted a philosophy of positive affirmation is Beautiful Minds. Created by Marina Passalaris 12 years ago, it runs a series of programs to help youths aged 11 to 17 navigate social and personal minefields that are part of the modern day coming of age.

Passalaris began her career in the modelling industry and spent years as an educator for international models. What she saw first hand was a climate of abuse and neglect which included incidents of assault and rape by photographers or other adults. The result was rampant drug

If this article has raised any issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.

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Marina Passalaris (black and gold) and going clockwise from her is: Jazmin Scott, Holly McLean, Sheridan Hunt, Erin McGarry, Danielle Caruso.

and alcohol addiction, anxiety, eating disorders and self-harm - among male and female models whose average age was 14-16 years.

At the time, no one was having these conversations around self-image and Beautiful Minds was unique. Passalaris took her program to schools and now has content in 800 schools nationally as well as online.

“I think it’s important for young people to know they have a safe space to come and make friends and to belong,” says Passalaris.

It’s a very different world for teenagers today than the one their parents grew up in.

“Every six months we have to completely rewrite our content just to stay on top of the latest apps and what’s going on,” says Passalaris.

As with Headspace Passalaris and her team had to formulate a response strategy to 13 Reasons Why, as they too were inundated with distress calls.

Passalaris watched the series three times to try and completely understand each character.

“When I first watched it I was absolutely horrified, and had fairly heated debates with people.”

She felt it was very graphic and glorified suicide. She also took issue with Hannah blaming others for her action.

“We need to take responsibility for the role we play in every single situation in our life.”

Aliya Bayhan, 18, has participated in several Beautiful Minds programs.

Suffering from anxiety, she found solace and support among the other girls and educators on the courses.

Bayhan agrees that digital content can be a source of torment for many girls, with a bombardment of messages around body image and peer group behaviour. For her, having someone like Passalaris and Beautiful Minds helps bridge the gap between cyber myths and reality.

Passalaris’ behind the scenes revelations of the modelling world and photo doctoring, coupled with her own stories of anxiety and image issues were inspiring for Bayhan.

“Wow - she is just one of us, she’s had her problems too…look at how far she’s come now and what she’s doing.”

Like many teens, Bahyan binge-watched 13 Reasons Why. She agrees with Passalaris’ assessment but her big take-away was the awareness that your actions, however small, may have significant consequences for someone who is vulnerable.

Licence No. 173676c

Beautiful Minds

Photo: Beautiful Minds

Rita Bratovich The recent Netflix series13 Reasons Why, based on the book by Jay Asher, tells the fictional story of Hannah Baker, a high school student who, after a succession of horrible events including public shaming, rape, and bullying, commits suicide. Prior to doing so she systematically records her reasons why on thirteen cassette tapes itemising thirteen individuals whom she directly blames.

To say the series has caused a maelstrom is an understatement.

Kristen Douglas is the National Manager of School Support at Headspace, the national youth mental health foundation for people aged 12 to 25. When 13 Reasons Why first screened in March, Headspace made an across the board decision not to comment so as not to attract attention to it.

“It wasn’t until we saw a mountain of commentary coming in from schools, parents and kids that we felt it necessary to have a public health message approach to it and to make a very clear statement,” says Douglas, explaining that unqualified exposure of suicide related issues is extremely risky for people who are vulnerable.

Some of the strongest criticisms of the show are that it romanticises and plays into “suicide fantasy”.

“It simplifies suicide and it gives Hannah a voice from the grave…

Kids don’t fully understand the finality of death,” explains Douglas.

She says that if kids are experiencing bullying, they may see this as a way of dealing with it, typically thinking: “Then I’ll see who goes to my funeral and how many ‘likes’ I get on my RIP page.”

The show has certainly generated discussion, and most people agree, that’s a positive thing, but the consensus among experts in the field is that it has dealt poorly with the issue itself.

“Some of the scenes - particularly her suicide scene in the final episode - are quite irresponsible in terms of the depiction,” says Douglas. That scene has been the focus of fiercely conflicting opinions. Theres a common perception that witnessing something horrifically graphic can be a deterrent, but Douglas argues that the evidence not only disproves that, but indicates that in some cases it may even be a catalyst.

Another point of contention is the seeming lack of support, and failure to recognise that Hannah was in crisis. Douglas finds this disappointing: “They don’t capitalise on opportunities to talk about help-seeking… the school counsellor is quite useless, and everyone’s missing the signs.”

Netflix responded immediately by creating a special feature in which cast members, crew and a number of health professionals discuss the issues to try to provide context and support. This has only slightly mitigated the turbulence.

“We’ve had such an influx of calls for help, service and support, we’ve developed a ‘How to Respond to 13 Reasons’ fact sheet

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Dave Hughes - Deluded

Over the course of his career Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes has evolved into much more than simply a stand-up comic, as he now regularly appears on national radio and television. Despite this career progression his “first love” continues to call him back to the stage.

“I love doing stand up more than anything else so I’ll continue to get up on stage whenever and wherever I can.” said Hughes.

For Hughesy the key to staying relevant and excited by the medium is to remember that “life will always be funny whether people laugh at

you or not.” As a Dad of three young children you might think that it would be hard for Hughes to maintain this mindset but as he explained it’s actually just the opposite.

“Children are so ridiculous so they actually really help my act. Sometimes they say don’t laugh at me Dad, it’s really hard when your kids say that because you really want to laugh at them.”

This weekend Hughes will be performing in Sydney as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival, which Hughes looked forward to excitedly by saying “I can’t wait to get on stage because I love the two venues and know I’m going to have a bloody good time.”

Hughes is so confident ahead of these shows because he has already played a number of shows around the country this year and says he is “in good form and when that happens I want to show it off to people. If people have never seen me before I reckon I’ll blow their minds and if they have seen me before they’ll say ‘this is the best show ever.’” (JA) May 19, 7:15pm.The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. $45.Tickets & Info: www.sydneycomedyfestival.com.au May 20, 7:30pm. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown. $45.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneycomedyfestival.com.au

42nd Street

Oh how I wish my life were a musical…

The Regals Musical Society production of 42nd Street is filled with snazzy costumes, remarkable singers and is a great reminder for all of us to follow our dreams.

The band is the first bit of music the audience hears, and for good reason.The sound was clear, together and full of energy. Following that, the audience hears the fullness of the singers coming together as one.The vocals are what stood out for me in this musical.Although, there was a lot of dancing, I believe I was watching a play filled with strong, trained singers.

It is great to see the local talent and dedicated artists we have in our community.

I was fortunate enough to speak with Lorna McGee afterwards, who plays the main character, Peggy Sawyer. Her brilliance on stage kept me smiling from ear to ear.

I wasn’t watching a Broadway musical, but I do believe that some of the performers have the potential to get there one day. Much of the time, I forgot I was watching actors and I truly felt the genuine character that was being portrayed.

Do I have any constructive criticism? Absolutely. I am a dancer myself so I may be quite the tough critic here (no pun intended).

If there is going to be dancing on stage it should be neat and tidy.This is where there could be improvement.The choreographer had her work cut out for her and there were many performers on stage who were struggling.Again, I have a keen eye for technique because this is my background.

In total, this feel good musical is a great performance tucked away in a cozy theatre in Rockdale. It will certainly spark your dreams and be a reminder that dreams do come true. I want to thank Lorna McGee for reminding us of that through her wholehearted performance of Miss Peggy Sawyer, a new Broadway star. (OL) Until May 20, 2pm & 8pm. Rockdale Town Hall, 448 Princes Hwy, Rockdale, Sydney. $35$40.Tickets and Info: www.theregals.com.au

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Vir Das

When it comes to comedy that touches on controversial and taboo subjects such as religion, politics and sex, comedian Vir Das ticks all of those boxes. Born in the north of India Vir Das started off his illustrious career a decade ago as a Bollywood actor before diving into stand up comedy head first. He is now an international name having conquered all the major global markets including the US and the UK, making audiences critically examine their own lives and questioning their cultural biases. It takes bravery and audacity to joke about identity politics but Vir Das takes no shame in telling it like it is.

Vir Das debuted on the late night US TV talk show Conan performing a routine that involved making fun of Trump, religion and breakfast cereal. One of the more provocative lines of his stand up show is on racial identity, when he says: “It’s a good time to be Indian, not the best time to be brown but if your going to be brown, Indian is the best brown, Indians are on top of the food chain, we are the white people of brown people!”

For the first time Vir Das will be making his way to Australia to perform as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Having received many raving reviews and appearing on TV talk shows all over the world,Vir Das is now becoming one of the most well-known English-speaking

comedians from India and a great deal of his success is down to his raw talent and honest criticism on the topical issues that make people most uncomfortable. (DJ) May 18–21.The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville, $45.50 Tickets & Info: www.factorytheatre.com.au

You Will Not Play Wagner Photo: Megan Garcia

Art, history and culture combine in You Will Not Play Wagner, a unique Jewish story which is deeply moving, entertaining and enlightening. It pays homage to the legacy of the Holocaust, of keeping memories alive and sees the Jewish and artistic communities in celebration together.

In her third production with Shalom, Director Moira Blumenthal was drawn to the debate at the centre of the play, should the music of the infamously anti-Semitic Wagner be played today in Israel, home of the largest population of Holocaust survivors, even though it is anathema and taboo?

South African playwright, (Victor Gordon) found it well worth the journey from South Africa to attend the world premiere. His challenge was to find a vehicle to present the debate while steering away from the genre of documentary.Within an Israeli context he used the Wagner situation to illustrate what he had to say and while Wagner optimises the debate,Wagner is incidental. Gordon was inspired by a few pages of a book he read in a bookshop, Avraham Burg’s The Holocaust Is Over; We Must Rise From its Ashes.

Young Israeli conductor Ya’akov (Benedict Wall) plans to perform a Wagner composition in the

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

finals of a famous competition in modern day Tel Aviv on the Kristallnacht anniversary (Night of Broken Glass) on November 9 and 10. 76 year old Esther (Annie Byron) Holocaust survivor and wealthy competition patron will not allow it.What unfolds is an aesthetic debate about music, the message it carries and the cultural/political ramifications. Morris, (Tim McGarry) competition organiser, and Personal Assistant (Kate Skinner) make up the rest of the radiant cast. (MS) Until 28,Various performance times.. Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton St, Darlinghurst. $38-$50.

Tickets & Info: www.darlinghursttheatre.com

Contributors: Alannah Maher, Alicia Sim, Athina Mallis, Barbara Karpinski, Caitlin Burns, Chantal Walsh, Craig Coventry, Daniel Jaramillo, Emily Shen, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, James Harkness, Joseph Rana, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Peter Urquhart, Rita Bratovich, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Zeiya Speede, Jade Morellini,Vanessa Powell, Olivia Lyle, Alexander Yujin, Ellouise Bailey, Manuel Gonzalez.

Weekend Drama Course: Improvisation Intensive

Calling all those interested in improving your confidence in tapping into their unique communication and public subconsciousness and speaking.You’ll also have the discovering their confidence opportunity to brush up on within the realm of acting, those old memory skills. drama and the arts.

Additionally, the course offers Inner West performer, teacher aspiring actors the chance to and writer, Mary Haire hails participate in important from NIDA, having been performance enhancing involved with the pioneering of processes. Improvisation is a improvisation within Australia vital creative tool for every during the 1970s. She has over actor in order to take risks and forty years of teaching be given the space to experience and creates a safe experiment with your instincts. space of experimentation and This creative learning improvisation for people of all experience frees up the mind to ages.This class will be an make individual creative opportunity to unleash your decisions whilst boosting Mary Haire creative potential by confidence and building an participating in theatre games, performance imaginative repertoire. exercises and improvisation.

This two-day intensive course is designed for “We employ acting in everyday life,” Ms Haire anyone looking to improve confidence, and said. improvisation skills in an enjoyable and safe Whether it be in the workplace or through environment. (EB) diverse social situations we are all called to May 27-28, 10am-3pm.WEA. 72 Bathurst St, perform. This enjoyable and instructive course is Sydney. $169-$188.Tickets & Info: www. an opportunity to have fun and learn whilst also weasydney.com.au or PH: 9264 2781

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

By Jamie Apps

This Way North

Jess Locke: Jess’ captivating ability to match dreamy guitar pop with unabashedly candid lyricism has seen her already winning crowds over with her live show. Having toured in support of Paul Dempsey, Tigers Jaw (USA), Into It. Over It. (USA) and Julia Jacklin, Locke’s future can only get brighter.

Thu, May 18, Petersham Bowls Club This Way North: So far 2017 has seen This Way North play over 30 shows since January. This Way North’s live show leaves audiences with something different, something that is often hard to put into words. Their playful, yet deep connection on stage with each other and with the audience allows people to be reeled into the world they create.

Fri, May 19, Record Crate Ay Pachanga: Once again transforming The Basement into a buzzing party venue, filled with Latin-Jazz and salsa rhythms featuring a ten-piece band, latin dancers and DJ Tropicante Sound Sistema.

Fri, May 19, The Basement Ministry Of Sound Reunion Tour: Honing in on that iconic era in clubbing when the lines between house and electro officially blurred,

when we all put our Hands up for Detroit and bass lines were everything. Headlined by ARIA award winners Sneaky Sound System this is not to be missed.

Sat, May 20, Greenwood Hotel Voyager: This year is looking to be their biggest yet as they continue touring their huge soundscapes, pop and prog sensibilities with catchy and thought-inducing instrumentals around the country/globe.

Sun, May 21, Oxford Art Factory Devin Townsend Project: Obviously the brainchild of Devin Townsend, a legendary name in the heavy metal scene, fans of the band are excited to have them back in Australia after a sold out tour here in 2015.

Mon, May 22, Enmore Theatre Ella Belfanti: This Sydney-based singer and multi-instrumentalist recently won Best Guitarist at the Bluesfest Busking Competition in Byron Bay. Now returning to Sydney to release her debut EP Going In Circles.

Tue, May 23, Lazybones Lounge The Turner Brown Band: Combining the prestigious talents of Nikki Brown and Dom Turner (Backsliders) has The Turner Brown Band producing some great new music. Their new mini album Sliding Steel crosses Southern US Church music with soul, funk and blues and is the first in a series of four original cross-cultural collaborative projects under the title Microtonal Crossroads.

Wed, May 24, Leadbelly

Black Is The New White Black is the New White is the provocative new romantic comedy from indigenous playwright and star of ABC’s Black Comedy, Nakkiah Lui. Directed by STC’s former Richard Wherrett Fellow Paige Rattray, the play follows Roy Gibson, an Aboriginal man, and his high-achieving family whose Christmas takes a very different turn when one of his daughters brings home a white, unemployed, experimental classical music composer with a conservative politician for a father.

“The play offers an understanding of indigenous Australians’ lives because we’re so often fed one idea or image. Because of the media, we’re not often humanized.We’re demonized,” says Shari Sebbens, who plays Roy’s daughter, Charlotte.

“The play touches on identity politics, race relations – things that are often a bit confronting and even scary for someone in Australia.”

But Black is the New White, which features Kylie Bracknell,Tony Briggs, Luke Carroll and Geoff Morrell alongside Sebbens, aims to tackle these thought-provoking topics with heart and humour.

“The play is insightful in a really welcoming way. I hope the audience takes away all those great things you do from rom-coms, which is family and love and laughter,” says Sebbens.

“I think if you can laugh with someone, you

Shari Sebbens.

Photo: James Green

can talk to them about everything... To laugh with someone is to empathise with them and empathy is the greatest tool we have when it comes to this world.” (ES) Until 17 June,Various performance times.The Wharf, 4 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay. $75-$99.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

The Blackeyed Susans

By Jamie Apps Songs themselves can occasionally have such a personality and magnetism to them that they simply demand to be recorded, even if that requires a band to reform after a decade apart.

This was precisely the case with the seventh album release, Close Your Eyes And See, by The Blackeyed Susans.

In the early 2000s The Blackeyed Susans found themselves “at the crossroads of the future of the band.” Ultimately the various members of the band, who were all being pulled in seperate directions thanks to outside projects, chose to “return to a project based approach” explained Phil Kakulas.

During their time apart members of the group went on to work with The Drones and Courtney Barnett, as just two examples, which Kakulas believes has only helped The Blackeyed Susans now upon their reformation.

“That’s true and probably most evident with our producer Dan Luscombe, who played with the group all through the 90s and into the 2000s. He came back with a wealth of experience so it was great working with him again because he of course had an in depth understanding of the sound we were going for as someone who had helped create it in the first place.”

Voyager - Ghost Mile

With such a range of experiences under their collective belts The Blackeyed Susans were able to record Close Your Eyes And See with a much more focused approach than they had previously. This not only meant that the process was reinvigorated energy wise but also was much quicker because they were “able to hit bullseyes much more often” during the experimentation phase.

Now to celebrate the reformation and new album The Blackeyed Susans are on the road touring, stopping in Sydney this weekend.

For these shows at the Leadbelly the group are performing twice, once as a matinee and once as regular evening performance. This is a

You’ll find Ghost Mile by Perth’s Voyager in the metal section of your local record store but that isn’t necessarily the best descriptor for their sound.

Throughout the ten track offering the progressive metal elements form the skeleton upon which pop elements are hung to create a record which is incredibly accessible for new listeners of the genre.

The soaring clean vocals of Daniel Estrin add to the accessibility of the record with the occasionally interspersed gruff metal screams preventing it from becoming all out pop-rock.

If you’re looking to jump into metal more Ghost Mile is a perfect diving board to begin your journey. (JA) WWW

format which Kakulas said has worked for them in the past and is also something that they particularly enjoy.

“The matinee has such a different atmosphere to it, it can be a little more casual and relaxed which in turn allows you to mix up the set a little bit more than you would for the night show.”

As such the band are looking forward to bringing their “lush, moody, mysterious show” to life across the two times as they “celebrate this brutal, beautiful world we live in.”

May 20-21, 6-11pm & 12:30-5:30pm.

Leadbelly, 42 King St, Newtown. $34/70+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.theleadbelly.com.au

Overcoats - Young

This is alternative. It is alternative to bright, it is alternative to upbeat, it is the alternative to the kind of music that inspires happiness. Instead this album lives in darkness, splitting between two voices with a similar timbre creating an uneasy feeling and plunging with it into the depths of a tumultuous psyche.

There is an inherent struggle that starts small in the voice and builds with added instrumentation, striving forth having already planted the seed of interest and unrest. Listening to the two voices evokes a similar feeling to the that of long sharp fingernails scratching down the listeners back, leaving auditory scratches both raw and stimulating.

Listening to this album is both depressing and intriguing, giving a view of the other side of emotion, the part that struggles. (SP) WW1/2 city hub 18 MAY 2017

13

THE NAKED CITY

EXPORTING THE OZ

With Coffin Ed What is it about our constant desire to be loved and appreciated overseas, not so much with our military intrusions in countries like Iraq and Syria, but with our cultural and sporting exports? Only last weekend we saw yet another Australian intruder in the Eurovision Song Contest whilst footy players battled the heavily polluted air of Shanghai in a round of the AFL competition in China.

We love the idea of foreign countries lapping up these ambassadors of Australiana and no doubt get a bigger thrill than the countries that actually host them. For years the major sporting codes like Rugby League and AFL have been intent on pushing their product overseas with both exhibition matches and transported club rounds. Ironically it’s Aussie expats who have often made up most of the audience whenever League is played in the US or AFL in the UK. It’s often been said that it’s our geographic isolation that compels us to reach out to the rest of the world in this way and there’s probably some truth in that argument.The internet has made that public relations exercise a lot easier although there’s nothing like having troops on the ground.Witness the annual cringeworthy G’Day Australia Gala (or is that Galah?) which takes place in the US, complete with the usual list of Australian movie stars, celebrity cooks and pop singers as well as fellow travellers like John Travolta. It’s said to be all about promoting Australia as a tourist destination but it probably gets more media coverage here, than it actually does in the US. There are of course those occasional outbursts of Aussie jingoism abroad that cause even more embarrassment than the G’Day Australia junket. Remember the group of homegrown private school boys who ran foul of the authorities when they paraded at the Malaysian Grand Prix in their budgie smugglers. Even the normally pro ‘Aussie’ local tabloid press failed to see the joke and they were heavily chastised for their stupidity.

If we are to continue with our promotion of iconic Australiana abroad, let’s look beyond the sporting codes and a group of expat movie stars who have long since deserted us for the lure of Hollywood.And forget about spending millions of dollars in charming the international art world with our pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

We need to get back to basics and wow the global community with some uniquely Australian attractions.

Here’s just one example of promoting some antipodean excitement abroad. It might at first sound ridiculous but if Kangaroos can be taught to box, then they can certainly be trained to simulate a performance at the piano as was envisaged many years ago.And why stop at a keyboard? An orchestra of Australian marsupials, exclusively tutored to play a variety of instruments would be a sensation wherever it toured.There are also certain wrongs that need to be righted abroad, perpetrated by some notorious ‘professional’ Australians like the once popular Rolf Harris. Remember the appalling incitement to animal cruelty,Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport.An orchestra of ‘roos, albeit miming to a pre-recorded tape, would emphasise that it is Mr Harris who needs to be permanently restrained, not our beloved Skippy.

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Garage Barbershop For many men a good haircut from a top quality barber is akin to art. The Garage Barbershop exhibition takes this to an entirely new level.

When cherished trips to the barber with his youngest son became too expensive, Creative Producer Charles Lomu invested in a pair of clippers and set about teaching himself to become a serious barber through the ‘University’ of YouTube. With donated furniture, Charles began providing a ‘check up from the neck up’ for men from his Pacific Islander and church community. His humble garage set-up quickly became a destination for men who wanted more from their barbershop experience.

Since then Charles has built his modest garage into a place which is not simply about the haircuts but rather it has become a hub where men can congregate and converse without feeling judged or out of place. During the Garage Barbershop exhibition this hub is expanding and setting up shop in the Blacktown Arts Centre.

The Garage Barbershop exhibition presents a series of photographic portraits by international fashion photographer Harold David that depict

modern masculinity; and candid video interviews with men from Western Sydney. These images are all snapshots of the encounters between Lomu, his five apprentices, dubbed the ‘Original Five’, and their clientele during a ten week mentorship program.

“Over ten weeks, we had the pleasure of witnessing five young men mature as they thrived on learning the art of barbering,” said Mr Lomu. “This project recognises that manhood is not determined by age, but by

a mature way of life. Our communities, now and in the future, can only benefit from the development of young men today.”

As part of the exhibition Thursday’s have an appointment schedule whereby visitors can receive a cut, fade or shave by Charles Lomu and the ‘Original Five’. (JA) Until Jun 3, Tue-Sat 10am-5pm.

Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown. FREE. Info: www.ice.org.au

THE SYDNEY FAIR Next weekend Sydney-siders have a unique opportunity to take a stroll through history and appreciate some of the finest vintage art, antiques, jewellery and fashion.

Now in it’s fifth year, enthusiasts with a passion for buying, collecting and selling will gather to The Sydney Fair to interact and buy from over 60 of Australia’s leading antique, 20th century and art dealers.

With a vast price range to appease all, attendees can expect affordable discoveries across interiors, fashion, jewellery, art, lighting and collectables.

All pieces are authentic attracting investors, collectors and general public with an eye for the rarest finds on the market.

The Sydney Fair is a far cry from your typical ‘antiques roadshow’ with art galleries showcasing everything from contemporary art to photography.

Noteworthy exhibitors include Cooee Gallery and Becker Minty.

“You may walk away with a piece of history whose design and craftsmanship have withstood the test of time, improving its aesthetic character through its use. Antiques, art and vintage couture are forever gorgeous investments,” said event organiser Dianne Pickett. (JA) May 25-28. The Royal Hall of Industry, 1 Driver Avenue Moore Park Entertainment Quarter. $10-$30.

Tickets & Info: www.thesydneyfair.com.au

Suellen Symons - Displacement

Humans are susceptible to fantasies and dreams. We are drawn to the things that cannot be. We might judge them; we might dislike them or even love them. Something we cannot do is ignore the curiosity and the desire for the impossible, for the unusual and the strange.

We are never fully satisfied with reality, and we crave for novels, lies, movies, tales and art.

Displacement a solo exhibition by surrealist photographer Suellen Symons, celebrates the desire of escaping from reality throughout the world of cosplay and medievalism alter egos. This celebration portrays the yearning for freedom inside the imprisonment of reality. The images confront ideal characters with a discordant background of modern life. Knights taking buses, a medieval princess smiling in contemporary buildings, anime cosplays interacting with old trains.

Displacement implies movement, removal and departure. The exhibition shows the beauty of searching for a different world where we can display some fantasies. It also shows the sadness of never fully reaching such illusion because of the unavoidable reality.

Finally, the exhibition is about hope.

Some people out there choose not to conform with reality, refusing to give up their deepest illusions. They change their psychical appearance to protect their dreams, choosing their ideal worlds which can never fully exist, but neither could fully disappear.

(MG) Until May 28, 11am-5pm.

Artsite Gallery, 165 Salisbury Road, Camperdown.

Info: www.artsite.com.au or PH: 02 8095 9678

John Wick: Chapter 2

The sequel to the shock hit of 2014 has Keanu Reeves’ unstoppable Baba Yaga (Boogeyman) returning in an even more blood soaked and brain smattered affair.

Chapter 2, much like the original, has Wick being dragged back out of retirement. Although this time it is not by his own free will, this time around a long forgotten blood oath returns demanding payment. This is a crucial change to

the setup of the film as this ups the ante and places the underworld at the fore.

John Wick: Chapter 2 relishes the opportunity to expand on the underground assassin lore. Where this was a self contained element of the original, this time around the tentacles of The Continental clearly have a global grip.

Throughout this latest chapter Wick confronts a seemingly endless barrage of enemies, who alone may not have a hope but together begin to wear him down out of pure attrition.

The violence is also ramped up this time around.

Two kills with a pencil, a call back to the legend of John Wick, in particular stand out. The action sequences are a joy to watch courtesy of their precise choreography and cinematography.

John Wick: Chapter 2 is more of the same, but that’s precisely what fans ordered. (JA) WWW1/2

Viceroy’s House Set in 1947, this British Indian historical drama details the last months of British rule in India which resulted in the partitioning of India. Life inside the house is depicted as Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) assumes the role of the last Viceroy and proceeds in handing the country back to its people after three centuries of British rule.

The 500 Hindu, Muslim and Sikh servants become involved in a cultural conflict which spreads throughout the country. Hatred in religious sects builds and with violence escalating and civil war looming the film illustrates the fear of what the transfer of power will bring.

This elegantly filmed epic story which cleverly incorporates newsreel from the era, highlights how major political decisions are made and how they ultimately affect ordinary people. The subplot of the strained love between a Muslim

Don’t Tell

and a Hindu represents the hardships countless couples experienced as a result of this political and religious turmoil.

Profoundly moving, this story of the largest mass migration in human history (which ultimately affected 14 million people) is a fine tribute to all those innocent people who perished. (MMo) WWWW

Newcomer Sara West, in her second feature role for this year plays Lyndal. Originally from a theatre background she has transitioned into film, which shows in her performance.

The outing of child sexual abuse within the church has really become part of Australian history, which this film is a testament too.

The events of the film in part lead to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse, which has been sitting since 2013. (VP) WWWW1/2

Based on the true story of a 2001 landmark court case brought against Toowoomba Preparatory School by a woman known as Lyndal, a survivor of child sexual abuse.

The film features an outstanding line up of veteran Australia actors.

Martin Sacks gives a subdued performance as Lyndal’s dad, conveying all the emotion and guilt with minimal dialogue. Suzie Porter too is good as the mother who didn’t believe her daughter when the allegations were first raised.

Australia’s First

VegAn

IndIAn RestAuRAnt VegAns And plAnt-bAsed eAteRs RejoIce: the Green Mushroom Restaurant at Glebe is the FIRST Indian restaurant in Australia to move to a 100% vegan menu!

THE APPRENTICE RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL

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Green Mushroom restaurant vegan is committed to saving animals and saving the environment by delivering authentic, delicious animal free Indian food.

Meat eaters and committed vegans alike will love dining at the Green Mushroom.

BOOK NOW!

FULLY LICENSED GST included Prices may vary during special events

Email: SI.TheApprentice@tafensw.edu.au Phone: (02) 9217 5527 163 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, Ph: 02 9566 4999

www.greenmushroom.com.au

RTO 91430 Published: April 2017 city hub 18 MAY 2017

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SAT 13 MAY WED 17 MAY

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Win

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