City Hub 1 August 2019

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city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

Lendlease lose stadium

By VERONICA ANASSIS Lendlease has been dropped from the rebuild of Sydney Football Stadium, in a sudden vendor shake-up by NSW Government. NSW Infrastructure have abandoned the development giant, for failure to meet the $729 million project’s objectives, and an alleged cost blowout.

Now a giant rink of rubble, only the stadium’s light still stands, up in the air, along with the project’s future. Demolished by Lendlease in early 2019, the site is in standstill, as the Government scramble for a new firm to meet their fast approaching deadline of 2022.

The second stage of the re-build is being taken to tender, still pending, with no comment on when the new builder will be released. A spokesperson for Mr Sidoti, Minister of Sport, says the budget and finish date will not be compromised, despite the time it’s taking to shop for a new bid winner.

But the disarray of the pull-out is no surprise to Labor, who says this is a major setback and sign of a colossal failure. “Allianz Stadium is now headed for a massive blowout,” said NSW Labor Leader, Jodi McKay. “The stadium debacle is just the latest breakdown between the State Government and contractors on major infrastructure projects.

“Now we just have a great big hole in the ground - with no end in sight.”

A big hole in the ground “Lendlease were a courageous choice given their recent history,” Greens MP, David Shoebridge, told City Hub. “The whole project is incompetent, short-sighted and wasteful. This is exactly what we said would happen. The stadium did not need to be demolished. Instead

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Gone to dirt. Sydney Football Stadium, Moore Park, in limbo after contract fall-out. Photo: Alec Smart

of spending public funds on schools and hospitals the NSW Liberals have now knocked down a perfectly functioning stadium and without having a plan to rebuild it.”

The deadline is still high-stakes, with the Sydney Roosters having signed a 25 year deal to play all home games and finals at Allianz, once it has been successfully rebuilt. The Sydney Cricket Grounds Trust made no comment on if a time delay would affect the deal with NRL, who have made promises until 2045, and big bucks on the line.

An employee contracted to the construction multinational told City Hub that do not seem deterred by the fall-out, after having secured multi-billion dollar contracts with a thriving portfolio.

“Lendlease [just] signed $21 billion with Google. Guess the 700 million is nothing.”

Labor has called out the Liberal government for potentially misleading the public. The Government initially said they had set-in-stone a one contract deal with Lendlease for the stadium, leading up to the election. But the contract, from the Infrastructure NSW website, reveals

Lendlease were only contracted to perform the demolition, Stage One, and merely present an offer for construction, Stage Two, by a set date.

The design had not even been proposed, let alone agreed upon.

Project bound in lies “The Premier and her government went to the election based on a lie,” said Ms Mckay. “They told the people of NSW that they would build a new stadium, they announced that they had signed a contract, and now they are saying that there wasn’t a single contract – so they lied to the public.”

A spokesperson for NSW Infrastructure told City Hub that “there is no cost …with terminating the Stage Two contract,” which was subject to agreement in mid-2019. The Australian revealed that Lendlease may have disputed over their push for a $50-100 million add-on to the existing controversial budget that Liberals put to election.

Lendlease in turn, are making efforts to

downplay having fall short of key quotas, stating they amicably completed Stage One. “We’re pleased to have partnered again with Infrastructure NSW on Stage One of the Sydney Football Stadium Redevelopment project,” said their spokesperson.

Now we have a great big hole in the ground with no end in sight Despite the debacle, both Lendlease and Mr Sidoti confirmed this hurdle has not hurt their relationship with the Government.

“Lendlease had good relationships with Government in the past, and will continue to work with them in the future” the spokesperson for Mr Sidoti revealed to City Hub. For now, the project is left hanging, with no builder in sight or indication of how long it’ll be stalled. Lendlease’s concrete bollards still pave the entrance to neglected site; remnants of what might have been.

Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Production Manager: Michael Hitch News Editor: Alec Smart Contributors: Michael Hitch, Alec Smart, Allison Hore, John Moyle, Vanessa Lim, Veronica Anassis Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Danny Aarons. Deep Sea Astronauts (from left) Leah Soule, Cat Chan and Katherine Nheu Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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Stop the Omnibus!

By MIKE HITCH Hostility from the 2017 same-sex marriage debate may be re-ignited as another religious freedom bill, heading for parliament in the coming months, could aim to put the traditional ‘man/ woman’ definition of marriage back into federal legislation.

LGBTIQ+ leaders fear that “hostile amendments� recommended from Philip Ruddock’s 2018 Religious Freedom Review will also resurge through the proposed “Omnibus Bill�, which supports many of the 2017 No Campaign’s arguments and amendments.

The Omnibus Bill is listed by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for the winter/spring parliamentary session and is separate to the Religious Discrimination Bill that Attorney-General, Christian Porter, is preparing for Parliament.

Anna Brown, CEO of Equality Australia, is critical of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), which provided a comprehensive submission to the panel of the Ruddock Review. “We are deeply concerned that the Australian Christian Lobby is using elements of the Omnibus Bill as payback for marriage equality,� she said. “The Omnibus Bill includes a number of measures that were voted down during the marriage equality debate in 2017. There is absolutely no need to re-litigate these matters.�

Omnibus Bill a Trojan Horse Ms Brown also denounced the Government’s zipped-lip about details

of the Omnibus Bill and stressed the importance of transparency for the public, in what appears to be a legislative ‘TrojanHorse’ for allowing free discrimination. “The Australian Government needs to release the details of the Omnibus Bill, so the public can understand what is being proposed and its exact effect,� she said. “Conservative religious lobby groups are calling for laws which would override existing anti-discrimination laws, and it’s important that the Government does not introduce any laws that would take us backwards after marriage equality. “None of the falsehoods the No Campaign raised during the marriage equality campaign have proven true.

Legal amendments privileging religious charities were already rejected during 2017 and we see absolutely no need to introduce them now.�

ď ˝Conservative religious groups are calling for laws which would override existing anti-discrimination lawsď ž The Omnibus Bill will likely seek amendments that allow religious organisations to openly advocate against marriage equality, as well as provide guidelines for removing students from classes on religious grounds and provide ‘guidance’ for Judges working with cases relating to anti-discrimination laws.

Under the proposed amendments religious schools can refuse to provide

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goods, facilities and services for gay couples, such as a school hall for a marriage ceremony.

Furthermore, religious charities can publicly advocate for a ‘traditional’ view of marriage without affecting their charity status. Both proposals were originally voted down during parliamentary debates on marriage equality in 2017.

Further commitments include introducing national guidelines allowing parents to request removal of students from classes based on ‘religious and moral matters’, which would significantly limit the ability for teachers to teach or answer questions about marriage equality or same-sex relationships.

Opponents believe it will instil division and promote ignorance in younger generations.

Martyn Iles, ACL Managing Director, disagrees with these claims and firmly believes in the Omnibus Bill’s capacity to make society more ‘pluralistic’. “Some of the changes are good,� he said, “including the protection of charities with a traditional marriage belief and the passing of a religious discrimination act.� “Organisations should be free to advocate for a wide range of opinions.

That’s a natural part of living in a multicultural, pluralistic society where both freedom and diversity are valued. “In a pluralistic and diverse society, people will regularly hold beliefs that deeply contradict each other. We must therefore figure out how we can live free in those beliefs, together. Constructive religious freedom reforms will progress the answer to that question.�

Yes to Marriage Equality rally at Sydney Town Hall, Sept 2017. Photo: WikimediaCommons

Forster for freedom to marry Christine Forster, Liberal City of Sydney Councillor, is a strong advocate for same-sex marriage and believes that legislating to protect ‘religious freedoms’ is simply redundant, noting the need for consultation with the LGBTIQ+ community as these bills are introduced. “I am not in favour of any new legislation that might redefine marriage as being between a man and a woman, since the Marriage Act now defines that as being between two people,� Cr Forster said. “I don’t believe the right to express or practice religion is under attack. That right is protected in the Constitution and I have seen little evidence that there is a great need for express legislation to further protect those rights.

“Religious institutions have always had the right to preach their own beliefs about marriage, and the December 2017 reform of the Marriage Act did not impact or diminish that right in any way. “The LGBTIQ community should be included in the public consultation process ahead of any bill being introduced.�

Ms Brown also agrees and is one of the many calling for Christian Porter to consult wider communities as the bills progress. “Equality Australia, Fair Agenda, and Democracy in Colour are calling on the Attorney-General to consult with every community who will be affected by the Bill - including affirming faith organisations, LGBTQI+ people, women’s organisations, and people who fall into all three of those categories.�

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city hub 1 AUGUST 2019 4:22 pm5 23/7/19

Star falls in Pyrmont

Proposed Ritz-Carlton Sky lobby. Concept image only, subject to all approvals. Photo:The Star

By VANESSA LIM The NSW Department of Planning has advised the Independent Planning Commission to reject the Ritz Carlton development proposal as it was inconsistent with the character of Pyrmont.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore of the City of Sydney explained that Pyrmont was now one of Sydney’s most liveable suburbs. “This proposal has threatened Pyrmont’s hard-fought liveability since submitted outside of current planning controls, using the infamous Part 3A of the Planning Act, a discredited piece of legislation designed to override community concerns.”

“The City commends the Department of Planning’s recommendation not to approve the Star Casino’s Ritz Carlton luxury apartments and hotel, and we urge the Independent Planning Commission to uphold the Department’s expert advice.”

While the City of Sydney maintained that they would be against the Ritz Carlton, The Star Entertainment Group said the public backlash to the Ritz Carlton was minimal.

“Around 5000 people came through our display centre during the public exhibition period late last year. That was on top of two previous community consultation programs.

“In total the Department received 83 objections from the public. Well below other major projects”.

Star’s hotel versus Crown’s casino?

Height restrictions on the local Pyrmont area were also of issue. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “This massive tower would be eight times the height allowed under existing rules, cause significant overshadowing of public spaces and obstruct views of residents in existing buildings.”

In the NSW Department of Planning report, the over 60-storey hotel would also obstruct the skyline of Pyrmont with some calling it an eyesore.

A spokesperson from The Star countered that it wouldn’t be an eyesore and was designed by Peter Poulet, the NSW government architect at the time and an internationally-acclaimed architect.

Analysts have also suggested that the Ritz Carlton hotel was a crucial part of The Star’s plans to draw tourists away from the Crown’s luxury casino and hotel.

Despite the recommended rejection by the NSW Department of Planning, The Star Entertainment Group will continue to seek approval for their 220 room Ritz Carlton Hotel development, worth $530 million. The Star Entertainment Group lodged the proposal to the NSW Department of Planning last year, a decade after two Carlton-Ritz hotels closed.

A spokesperson for The Star said, “We’re extremely disappointed with the recommendation.” The Star argued that hotels such as the Carlton Ritz could bring in tourism.

“Sydney needs hotels. Sydney needs new and 6

city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

refreshed tourism infrastructure or risk losing international visitors to other states, other countries.

“We want to spend half a billion dollars on helping NSW increase its appeal to the inbound visitor market. The Star will always continue to support tourism. For now, we will take time to review the report and the Department’s position, and consider the avenues and other opportunities available to us.”

The Star’s spokesperson said the Carlton Ritz hotel would feature no additional gaming facilities and could be a positive experience for both locals and tourists. “It does include a multi-level community centre for the people of Pyrmont, a six-star hotel brand that resonates globally and extensive F&B offerings that will deliver Sydney a unique dining precinct for locals and tourists.”

The proposed development was above height restrictions in the Pyrmont area Lord Mayor Clover Moore acknowledged that there were benefits to increase hotels in the city which could attract tourists, and maintain Sydney as a global city, but that they should be developed according to the rules. “I commend the Department for reflecting the concerns of the community. The City has approved over 5,700 hotel rooms in the city in the last 5 years and remains open to working with hotel developers in our city to ensure we get the best outcomes for every Sydneysider from future developments.”

Not putting on The Ritz The fate of the Ritz Carlton hotel now is with the Independent Planning Commission.

Seeing as most times the Independent Planning Commission agrees with the NSW Department of Planning’s recommendations, the future of The Star’s Ritz Carlton hotel could be at a standstill for good.

The Carlton Ritz hotel has sparked a debate between sectors of the NSW government.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes was in agreement with his department’s recommendation and argued that the proposed development was above height restrictions in the area and that not every part of the development had been considered.

On the other hand, Treasurer Dominic Perrotet was concerned that there should have been better communication between the developer and NSW Department of Planning. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also came out in support of the Carlton Ritz hotel and wanted to reach a compromise. She said that hotels like this would enhance Sydney, but agreed that proper guidelines needed to be followed.

The Department of Education

Information Session Darlington Public School project

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The NSW Department of Education is investing in the future redevelopment of Darlington Public School.

An upgrade project is underway to provide new classrooms, as well as upgrading core facilities including hall, library, canteen and

8pm Saturday 17th August Pitt Street Uniting Church, Sydney ‘Eric Bogle is the writer of two of the world’s most famous anti-war songs of all time.

‘And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ and ’No Man’s Land’, also known as ’The Green Fields of France’. Each song has been performed and recorded so many times people often think they are traditional from World War One (BBC News) In Australia, ‘Matilda’ stands in APRA’s ’Top 30 Australian Songs of All Time’.

Whether he is tearing at the heartstrings or reaching into the funny-bones this twohour concert at the Sydney Folk Festival is not to be missed.

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city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

7

Powerhouse move on new timeline

By ALLISON HORE Originally slated to be shut down in January, the controversial closure of the Powerhouse Museum’s Ultimo site has been pushed back again. The staged shutdown of the museum is set to begin in June next year.

In May, newly appointed museum CEO Lisa Havilah told the Sydney Morning Herald that she would prefer the museum remain open awhile to allow exhibition programming to continue at the Ultimo site.

“The project is very much on track but we are looking to keeping the museum open for another year or two to keep delivering projects and programs that will engage the community, but ultimately it is a decision for government,” she said.

And with the announcement of the new closure schedule it looks like at least part of the museum will remain open for another two years. The heritage Ultimo Power Station building, which the museum moved to 30 years ago, will be the first to go. It will close its doors to the public July 2020, while the 1980s addition, the Wran Building, which holds the main entrance and touring hall, will remain open for an additional 12 months.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet believes Sydney plays an important role in the tourism economy of the state. He thinks NSW would benefit from a “Minister for Sydney” who could sell the city to international stakeholders and raise its profile as a world city with global recognition equivalent to London or Paris.

“When Sydney goes well, regional NSW goes well and Australia goes well,” he said at a Committee for Sydney boardroom lunch last week.

“Everyone in NSW and Australia are shareholders in Sydney’s success. We shouldn’t be afraid to talk up Sydney - we have an obligation to invest in it as Australia’s only truly global city and our nation’s gateway to the world.”

The upgrades also include a second cafe, a gift shop and an expanded members’ lounge.

Around $50 million for the Australian Museum upgrade will come from NSW Government funding, the remaining $7 million will have to be raised by the museum. The Australian Museum is expected to reopen in its existing site in August next year. From early 2021, the newly upgraded exhibition space is set to host the Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition, dubbed the “most significant collection of artefacts to leave Egypt.”

The annual Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition, which is usually held at the end of August at the Australian Museum, will instead be hosted at the Powerhouse Museum this year. The museum’s education outreach programs will also be run in the Powerhouse for the duration of its closure.

Patrons enjoy one of the many interactive displays at the Powerhouse. Photo: Allison Hore

Closing venues deters tourists Perrottet said Sydney was a “revitalised city” with major development projects underway, including cultural venues like museums. But with a major CBD cultural attraction closing its doors, what will that mean for attracting tourists to the area?

The controversial closure of the Powerhouse in Ultimo has been postponed again While tourism numbers overall have been dropping, several exclusive exhibitions, including last year’s interactive Star Wars’ show, saw visitor numbers to the venue increase.

In 2017 almost 660,000 people visited the Powerhouse Museum, a marked increase from the 560,000 visitors in 2016. Even with closure of the Ultimo site delayed, there are still 2 years between its closure and the projected 2023 reopening in Parramatta.

And the Powerhouse Museum isn’t the only major museum space in Sydney closing its doors.

In less than a month the Australian Museum is also set to shut down - not permanently - for a 12 month revamp estimated to cost around $57.5 million.

The museum will close from the 19th of August for the upgrade, which is part of ‘Project Discover’, a series of renovations across the venue.

The revamp will see the addition of new spaces for touring exhibitions and more spaces for the museum’s education programs to be delivered.

Parramatta site designs underway Meanwhile the plans for the development of the Parramatta site continue. The design competition for the building, which the NSW Government opened to local and international architects, attracted 74 expressions of interest from design firms from 20 countries.

Arts Minister Don Harwin said that the level of interest received from designers, “has more than justified our excitement in moving forward with this Western Sydney project.”

The six finalists chosen from the competition received an honorarium of $150,000 from the NSW Government to develop their design concepts, which will be shown to the public in a physical exhibition and online gallery. The winner is set to be announced later this year.

Museum management is also still searching for an appropriate temporary home for some of the larger items in the museum’s collection, including a historic steam engine and locomotive.

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The City Hub is seeking friendly and reliable people (with a vehicle) to deliver our newspapers.

Please email lawrence@altmedia.net.au

Vet reveals dog lepto diagnoses

By JOAN HENSON In the last 12 months one Sydney vet diagnosed five of the six determined cases of inner city dog leptospirosis - a disease that kills canines - by performing advanced testing, despite rare reports of local cases.

Leptospirosis can be transmitted to animals and humans, and rodents are common carriers – but the source of Sydney’s outbreak is unknown, leaving the media speculating and experts perplexed.

The vet, Dr John Smith (not his real name), has presented his findings to researchers at the University of Sydney (USYD), who have commenced research into the outbreak.

Their study will identify any strains of leptospira bacteria involved, its source, and whether exposed dogs and cats are healthy shedders of the disease, or clinically infectious. The second stage, which will involve testing city rats and establishing their local density, is being planned.

Dr Smith says the first dog he diagnosed had vague symptoms: it was not eating, was quiet, and vomited occasionally. A blood test revealed the dog’s liver and kidneys were affected. “As I was driving to work, the potential for leptospirosis came to me. I had a couple of hundred dollars, maximum, to play with. I put the money towards that test because of the symptoms, and because the liver and kidneys were both affected. It was positive.”

He has diagnosed two cases in the last few weeks, and three last year. The 2018 cases were in Surry Hills, and the recent two were in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. The sixth case was diagnosed in Glebe by USYD. All dogs died or were euthanised.

Mystery cause The City of Sydney has doubled public rat baits to 860 stations, while the RSCPA is offering free vaccines for one strain of leptospirosis until the

Scientists have limited information about leptospirosis because the bacteria is hard to isolate in samples, making it hard to study. There are over a thousand strains but only about six that are recorded as causing domestic animal and human disease.

Professor Ward says there is likely a lot more exposure in dogs than disease, because antibodies can exist in healthy dogs that will “shake off infection.”

Dr Smith says he consistently took precautions to work with relevant authorities as he diagnosed the leptospirosis cases, despite the fact that the disease is not legally notifiable for animals in NSW. He was also not aware in May that USYD had diagnosed a case of the disease.

He says “there is a chance this has been underdiagnosed,” as hepato-renal failure is often attributed to toxicity and other viral diseases.

Leptospirosis is transmittable to animals and humans; rats are common carriers. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

end of August. Vaccines against multiple strains are offered overseas.

The media has speculated that flooding around light rail construction and more rats, may have fuelled the outbreak. Experts say it’s unlikely.

Professor Michael Ward from Sydney School of Veterinary Science, says “the classic big scale climate event that would precipitate a leptospirosis outbreak,” exposing people and animals to contaminated flood waters, has not occurred in Sydney. Further, leptospirosis is endemic to tropical and subtropical wildlife, but not known to be endemic to Sydney wildlife.

Peter Banks is a Professor of Conservation Biology at USYD. He says “there’s not really any evidence that we are seeing more rats,” as major drivers of rat numbers have not changed. He says that it is more likely that recently observed rats have been displaced.

The mark recapture study he expects to

complete, as part of the USYD study into the outbreak, could indicate whether rat numbers have increased. He says this could be the first inner city study of rat numbers.

RSCPA is offering free vaccines for a strain of leptospirosis until the end of August Professor Ward says that “if the leptospira bacteria is coming from rodents, something has prompted more exposure, either directly between rodents and dogs, or in a common environment.”

He says another possibility is that a Sydney wildlife species is reservoir to a strain of leptospirosis and has increased in population, thereby exposing dogs.

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Vaccination urged USYD Lecturer Dr Christine Griebsch, from the School of Veterinary Science, is heading research into the outbreak.

She has invited pet owners to participate in the first stage of the study, which includes a “pilot regional blood sample… of leptospira exposure in healthy and in-contact dogs and cats.”

The invitation says that a preventative plan depends on identifying the causative strain and its distribution.

If the available vaccine does not match the strain, an overseas vaccine might be used, or in the case of a new strain, a new vaccine may need to be developed.

In the meantime, dog owners are being urged to vaccinate their dogs with the available vaccine.

Dr Smith says that he has been alarmed by the spread of inaccurate online information claiming that the vaccine is ineffective, and has tried to keep his clients and the public abreast of the facts.

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9

Racism not Goodes enough

BY ALEC SMART The allegation that racism was at the heart of the relentless crowd booing that irked Australian Rules’ football player Adam Goodes has reignited, following recent screenings of a documentary film on his career, The Final Quarter. It was further augmented by ABC sports commentator Charlie King, himself indigenous, who singled out several media personalities for whipping up racist hectoring of the Sydney Swans’ star player.

Goodes, the 2014 Australian of the Year, twice Brownlow Medal winner for sports excellence, and Order of Australia recipient, was vilified in the media and continually booed by hostile crowds. It provoked him to abandon his successful football career in September 2015, after a phenomenal 372 matches.

Four events took place during the latter part of Goodes’ football career that propelled him into the radar, and gunsights, of powerful and reactionary commentators, who systematically shot him down and encouraged the public to flog him mercilessly.

1. Marn Grook influenced Aussie Rules Goodes wrote an essay titled The Indigenous Game: A Matter of Choice, printed March 2008 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Aussie Rules, in which he suggested the game might have been derived from the Aboriginal game Marn Grook.

Prior to the invention of Australian Rules by Tom Wills in 1858, Aborigines across south-eastern Australia played a game with a stuffed round animal skin known as Marn Grook.

The ball was kicked back and forth between team members and ‘marked’ for a free kick by whomever caught it, but there were no goals and the ‘winner’ was the best team.

Adam Goodes speculated that Marn Grook influenced Wills because as a boy, Wills socialised with the Djab Wurrung Aborigines living near his home in The Grampians and spoke their language.

The AFL now agree Marn Grook influenced

When interviewed about the ‘ape’ gibe, Goodes said, “I am pretty gutted… To come to the boundary line and hear a 13-year-old girl call me an ‘ape’. It was shattering...

“But it’s not her fault… I don’t put any blame on her... It’s the environment she’s grown up in.

Ape’ has long been an insult specifically targeted at darkerskinned people The girl later phoned Goodes to apologise and sent a humble letter, which Goodes’ vociferous critics consistently fail to mention. “It was good to talk on the phone,” she wrote. “I’m sorry for being racist. I didn’t mean any harm and now I’ll think twice before I speak.”

Yet Goodes media critics painted the abusive girl as a victim and Goodes her oppressor.

Adam Goodes, racially vilified by those who wanted him to shut up and play. Photo: WikimediaCommons

Aussie Rules and in June 2019 they issued a statement supporting the theory. Goodes, insulted as a ‘racist’, was vindicated but the stage was set for a showdown between him and Australia’s conservative media...

2.‘Ape’ insult demeans black people On 24 May 2013, during a match between Sydney Swans and Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Goodes was racially abused from the sideline. His tormentor, a young 13-year-old female Collingwood fan, called him an ‘ape’.

The match took place during the AFL’s annual Indigenous Round to recognise and celebrate indigenous players and culture. Goodes pointed the abusive girl out to security who escorted her to police.

The term ‘ape’ has long been an insult targeted at darker-skinned people.

3. Invasion Day controversy On 25 January 2014, Goodes was announced Australian of the Year. However, his acceptance speech rankled detractors because he mentioned ‘Invasion Day’, an invective indigenous rights campaigners use to criticise the date Australia Day is celebrated.

Miranda Devine, a News Corp columnist, reacted: “Adam Goodes is a terrible choice as Australian of the Year... he is being rewarded for victimising a powerless 13-year-old girl from a disadvantaged background. … does anyone think he would have won this time if he hadn’t made such a fuss about a little girl who yelled “You’re an ape” …?”

4. Spear chucking offends, Haka doesn’t On Friday 29 May 2015, during a Swans’ match against Carlton at the MCG - again during the AFL’s annual Indigenous Round - Goodes celebrated scoring a goal by performing a 7-second Aboriginal

war dance that mimed throwing a spear towards Carlton fans.

Conservative commentator Andrew Bolt was incensed. “I thought Goodes was very silly to stage a kind of war dance and threaten fans with an imaginary spear… see how off that is? Inflammatory?

Imagine a white guy pretending to shoot fans from another race..”

I did see a white player pretend to shoot rival fans with a bow and arrow after scoring a goal at a match on Sunday 21 July 2019. Nobody called him threatening or booed. Unsurprisingly, the incident went completely under the radar of Bolt, Devine and Jones.

Goodes explained his dance was an expression of Aboriginal pride during Indigenous Round.

“You ask any New Zealand person about the Haka.

Do you think the Wallabies find that offensive? …

Hopefully one day you might see us do the war cry at an AFL game...”

Alan Jones told Sunrise TV program: “They’re booing Adam Goodes because they don’t like him, and they don’t like his behaviour, they don’t like the spear-throwing and the running in and doing a war dance .. provoking people… Adam Goodes can fix all this by changing his behaviour.”

“Changing their behaviour” is not something conservative critics demand of New Zealand rugby players when they perform a haka Maori war dance, a tradition that extends back over a century.

The booing of Goodes increased, leading to Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion condemning those booing as ‘ignorant’, and the dejected champion retired permanently from AFL in September 2015.

In April 2019, on the eve of the premiere of a documentary film, The Final Quarter, about the controversies and vilification surrounding Goodes, the AFL and all of its 18 clubs issued an unreserved apology for the sustained racism and events that caused Goodes to abandon his career.

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city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

Bad behaviour gets plenty of air

By JOHN MOYLE A week in politics is a long time and for Woollahra Council last week must have seemed like eternity as Councillor Anthony Marano’s comments about objectors to the Rushcutters Bay skateboard park being “old people with nothing else to do with their time... who will be dead in ten years’ time,” continues to resound throughout the sedate eastern suburbs.

At the Woollahra Council meeting on 22nd July, Cr Marano issued an apology of sorts when he said “The concern for some of the elderly residents is that I spoke disrespectfully about elderly people.

“When I did the interview with Sue Walker (sic) from the SMH I was very clear in what I said and she didn’t write it how I said it.”

The SMH reporter was in fact Sue Williams, a highly respected journalist who is not known for getting it wrong.

Cr Marano told the City Hub “I was misquoted in the Herald and the majority of people who want Rushcutters Bay Park, where the sound of rolling skateboard wheels divides users. Photo: Alec Smart the park are families with kids who will be around a long time. and all of a sudden he just became so aggressive Council in 2013 when his entitlement to stand “I have no issue with older people, especially and rude.” was challenged in NCAT as he did not live in when they agree with what I want.

It seems that skateboard parks cause temporary the area given that his residential address was in “I am most definitely the whipping boy for the lapses of the facts, such as in February this year Elizabeth Bay. anti-skatepark people because I am the one trying in an email to skatepark objector Robyn Hall, Cr to push it along and if people have chosen to single Marano said “I was talking to Clover Moore just Rushcutters Bay Park is under me out, so be it.” four nights ago and she is fully supportive of the skatepark and our staff are working with City of an Interim Heritage Order that Whipping boy courts controversy?

Sydney staff with a view for the City contributing “I think he has been able to get away with it to our facility.” expires January 2020 despite the Code of Conduct for councils,” Dixie Ms Hall replied “Lord Mayor Clover Moore Coulton, barrister said. confirmed to me that they had “no intentions This is not the first time that Cr Marano has of funding such a large park.” In March Ms He was found eligible to be nominated and been at the centre of controversy.

Hall sent a letter to Mark Driver, Parks and was voted in on the non-residential business In 2018 he described skatepark objectors The Recreation Planner at City of Sydney, who roll, which soon led to an alleged conflict of Darling Point Society as “ladies strolling around reconfirmed that the Council would not be interest when it was found that the nominator the park in long crinolines and parasols.” contributing to a skatepark. was a brother of a developer who had planning Darling Point Society president Charlotte Controversy has surrounded Cr Marano applications before council.

Feldman said “I always thought he was a nice guy since he was first nominated for Woollahra The DA was eventually granted.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION LOCATED IN SYDNEY Telstra are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of this network upgrade, Telstra proposes the installation of NR3500 and 2100 technologies in Sydney.

84-110 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000 RFNSA: 2000075 •

•

• •

Proposed works will involve the following: Replacement of five (5) existing panel antennas with five (5) new panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) Installation of five (5) Air panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) Installation of five (5) Radio Units and Installation of associated ancillary equipment.

Telstra regards the proposed installation as Exempt Development, under the provisions of the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy, based on the above description.

Further information can be obtained from Vanessa Davies, 0740196416 or at Vanessa.davies@aurecongroup.com and at www.rfnsa.com.au, quoting the above RFNSA number.

Written submissions should be received by Thursday 16th August 2019 and addressed to: Vanessa Davies, Aurecon, PO Box 538 Neutral Bay, NSW 2089

September elections looming That Woollahra Council remains silent on Cr Marano’s indiscretions might have something to do with the upcoming September elections for mayor and deputy mayor.

While Mayor Cavanagh did not respond to City Hub’s questions it has been speculated that he wants another term and is prepared to do deals to get it.

One scenario is that ex-mayor, Toni Zeltzer, another Liberal, will also run so Cavanagh is looking for allies and Cr Marano may just be one.

“I have been on council for six years and I feel that I am experienced enough to perhaps nominate (deputy mayor) but we have to see what happens,” Cr Marano said.

When City Hub questioned the council about objections to Cr Marano’s statements, a Woollahra Council spokesperson said “We haven’t received any complaints regarding Cr Marano’s comments.”

“I know Gary James (GM) has received my emails and letters,” Charlotte Feldman said.

Meanwhile the skatepark has unlikely support from Greens’ councillors Matt Robertson and Megan McEwan, who both failed to respond to questions.

It has been suggested that against perceived Greens’ values they are pandering to a youth vote that may or may not deliver for them Rushcutters Bay Park is currently under an Interim Heritage Order that expires in January 2020.

Even if Heritage finds in favour for the park Cr Marano does not see this as an impediment to the skatepark when he said “If they say that it is worthy of a listing it still won’t stop us from proceeding with the skatepark, it just means that we have to go through further red tape and further studies.”

In the meantime, objectors could do worse than to find a suitable alternative.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE THE EXISTING MOBILE PHONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES IN SYDNEY AND ULTIMO Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) plans to upgrade the telecommunications services in Sydney and Ultimo with the introduction of new equipment to improve coverage in these areas.

The proposals involve the upgrade of existing telecommunications facilities at: Howard Silvers Building - 620 Harris Street ULTIMO NSW 2007 (RFNSA No. 2007001) • The replacement of three existing panel antennas (no more than 2.8m in length) with three new panel antennas on new and existing mounts at heights of 25.93m and 25.43m (antenna centreline); And 140 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 (RFNSA No. 2000375) Both proposals involving: • Replacement of existing Remote Radio Units (RRUs)with new RRUs to be attached to the existing mounting poles on the existing rooftop; • Associated and necessary ancillary works to ensure the proper functioning of the telecommunications facility including cabling, earthing, signage, safe access, electrical works and replacement or strengthening of the existing mounts if required.

The proposed works are defined as “Low-impact Facilities” in accordance with the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 and “maintenance activity” as defined in Schedule 3 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. The proposed infrastructure complies with the ACMA EMR regulatory arrangements.

Further information can be obtained from Emma Lachlan on (02) 9363 3815 or email to info@commplan.com.au or from www.rfnsa.com.au using the RFNSA Reference No. as listed above. Written submissions on the proposals should be addressed to VHA C/- CommPlan Pty Ltd, PO Box 267, Edgecliff NSW 2027 and received by 19 August 2019. city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

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FEATURE

Igniting The Flames Of Creativity

Rachael from Tortuga Studios.

Photo: Danny Aarons

Photo: Supplied by Inner West Council

By Jamie Apps Fire often has a mythical aura of either destruction or rebirth surrounding it. Something which makes it the perfect artistic medium to represent the creative community of Sydney’s Inner West at the upcoming EDGE Sydenham event.

Over the course of the next two weekends, the Inner West Council has partnered with the local creative community to create an event which celebrates “the creative engine of global Sydney.”

Throughout the two weekends, EDGE will showcase the cutting edge creatives and fuel support for those artists to not just survive but to thrive long into the future.

EDGE Sydenham follows on from the success of similar prior events by the Inner West Council, under the EDGE Inner West banner. In March this year EDGE Greenway was a mighty success for that particular section of the council area.

Something which the council hopes to replicate with EDGE Sydenham.

“The festival celebrates urban artists and cultural life, bringing together the industrial and creative arts industries of Sydenham showcasing where art is made, who is making it and why it matters,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

Sydenham, in particular, is a special creative precinct, which is also incredibly fragile according to Amanda Buckland, Living Arts Manager at Inner West Council.

“Sydenham is home to hundreds of studios, galleries, performance venues and arts

businesses. Thousands of creatives live work and play in the inner west, with one in 10 residents working in creative industries and many more are artists, musicians, performers, makers and designers. However, as more industrial land is rezoned as residential it is becoming less affordable and its users are restricted, which is threatening the creative ecosystem of our cities by forcing creatives into the city fringes.”

It is this forced migration into the fringes which spawned the EDGE concept and name. The festival title EDGE refers to EDGE species a conservation term meaning Ecologically Distinct and Globally Endangered which can equally refer to artists living in urban environments. By providing these ‘EDGE’ artists with a platform to showcase their work to the local community it is hoped that the community will develop a bond which will see them supporting the creative community beyond just the festival environment.

Throughout the two-weekend event, Sydneysiders will be able to attend a wide array of events. The first weekend will consist of the popular Creative Trails, weaving around over 40 artist spaces plus guided tours, exhibitions, installations and street art/theatre, underground spaces, loads of live music and parties.

Whilst the first weekend is centred around the quiet self-discovery of local creativity the second weekend is much bolder and boisterous. Headlining the second weekend will be two major art installations which honour the proud working past

Photo: Supplied by Inner West Council

of Sydenham and St Peters as industrial artists are inspired by metal and fire.

Firstly the vibrant ElectroSK8 at Sydenham Skate Park will see over 24 artists in partnership with the University of Sydney Design Lab create a collision between humans, creativity and technology which transforms the concrete playground of the skate park into an electronic wonderland of movement, technology, art and light.

Then to close out EDGE Sydenham the hair-raising finale fuelled by Sydney’s most dynamic creatives, Tortuga Studios, will present the Fire Garden. This event at Sydenham Green Park will roar into life as the sun sinks over the horizon and over 40 artists fire-based installations, interactive works, sculptures, projections, live music, DJ’s, campfires and more ignite and light up the night sky.

In the past, Ran Stanton the Director of Tortuga Studios and his team have created larger individual sculptural works for Sculpture By The Sea and various music festivals. However, the Fire Garden will be the biggest fire-based sculpture they have showcased within the city.

When speaking with City Hub Stanton spoke of the importance of having council backing for such an ambitious project.

Aug 2-11. Various Venues/Locations. Info: www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au 12

city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

“To put on any display or festival in the city is very hard. There are a lot of hoops that you need to jump through, so it’s nice to be working with, and having the backing of, council because it makes it that little bit easier.”

During the conversation, Stanton also spoke of his excitement to be a part of the EDGE Sydenham event.

“Events like these are incredibly important because they are what brings the creative community together. So we love that there are new arts festivals and events coming along that council are putting a lot of time and energy into.”

For Stanton, he is excited to see how the two crowds from ElectroSK8 and the Fire Garden interact, “ElectroSK8 and us both have very specific types of crowds so I’m looking forward to those two crossing over and enjoying each other’s shows.”

Looking longterm both Stanton and the Inner West Council would like to see EDGE Inner West continue indefinitely whilst also expanding its reach. In order to do so though they need community support.

In closing, Stanton does have one suggestion for all attendees, “Come along and support the artists. But don’t wear a nylon tracksuit!”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Readers of this publication definitely won’t require any introduction to Mamma Mia!, the worldwide phenomenally successful musical which has also spawned an extraordinarily popular motion picture.

Actress Louise Symes who plays

the role of Donna (portrayed by Meryl Streep in the film) explained that with a cast of 75 performers on stage the show is huge.

This musical has been described as a grand style production chiefly because of the music. “Being ABBA the music is such a rich score and

there’s much going on. There’s a high level of underscoring, a full orchestra and lots of backup vocals so it’s quite a full score.

‘Fun’ is the best word which describes this show! It’s energetic, it has some really beautiful emotional moments, but on the whole, it’s very light-hearted.”

And what’s it like portraying Donna? “I love Donna! I really relate to her. There are some bits about her character that I just get and it’s really fun to play her. It’s actually an absolute honour. It has been a beautiful journey for me to find my Donna and find who I want to portray as my Donna.”

Mamma Mia! features a fresh cast of performers as well as seasoned actors including Scott Irwin (Beauty And The Beast), Chris White (Hi-5) and Mark Simpson (Hairspray) in pivotal roles.

“I do love ABBA and there is one song which gets my heart

The Torrents

probably because I’m a mum and that is Slipping Through My Fingers. It’s very hard to get through the song. It’s very beautiful and makes sense to all parents.”

Featuring hit after hit including S.O.S, Dancing Queen, The Winner Takes It All and Mamma Mia, Symes enthused that the musical should appeal to all audiences.

“The one thing I think about this production is the quality actors because it’s not just your fluffy old Mamma Mia. The leads and ensemble are outstanding. So if theatregoers want to be entertained by a quality production with great characterisation it’s a no-brainer it will be fun!” (MMo) Aug 2-17. Riverside Theatres.

Cnr Market & Church St, Parramatta $30-$62+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au

The Man. The Music. The Show.

Hugely talented, hugely popular Hugh Jackman is about to commence the Australian leg of his spectacular world tour of The Man. The Music. The Show. Featuring highlights from The Greatest Showman, Les Miserables, The Boy From Oz, and a selection of Broadway hits, the show is an amalgam of big Vegas-style extravaganza, intimate cabaret, musical theatre, and cheeky larrikin fun.

While he’ll be inviting guests to perform with him at various shows, Jackman is carrying a lot of the entertainment burden himself that’s singing, speaking, and a whole lot of hoofing.

“I’ve been doing a lot, a lot of preparation - a lot of dancing. This show’s got a lot of dancing in it and my choreographer likes to think I’m 25 years of age…” says Jackman.

Jackman will be backed by a massive live audience, a troupe of dancers and impressive stage effects. It’s an ambitious, audacious show that would make a lesser entertainer nervous, but not Jackman.

“I absolutely probably am at my happiest when I’m on stage...When you’re in the arena, that feeling and even the connection with the audience, I absolutely love.”

His aim is to try and bring something new each time he performs, allow some magic to happen while keeping it natural.

“My personal view about performing is the more personal and real you are, the more universal it is to everybody. So I’ll be telling stories - a bunch of stories that nobody’s

Photo: Kevin Mazur

heard before. Singing some different stuff from last time.”

The tour will keep him away from home for long stretches, but he plans to have his family with him as often as possible. After years of performing, Jackman is still amazed and humbled by the effect his music has on fans.

“I get videos literally every day from kids from birthday parties, choirs, you name it, pubs, karaoke bars, and to see how that music

a&e

13 STAGE 14 SCENE 15 Sounds 15 SCREEN

has captured the imagination of a lot of people and how it makes them feel…and when you’re there and there are 15,000 people all singing, it’s kind of an incredible privilege and I pinch myself every single day.” (RB) Aug 2-7. QUDOS Bank Arena, Cnr Olympic Boulevard & Edwin Flack Ave, Sydney Olympic Park. $57.10-$164.70+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.qudosbankarena.com.au

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps

Celia Pacquola. Photo: Rene Vaile

Photo: Grant Leslie

Mamma Mia!

Being performed for only the second time since its publication in 1955, Oriel Gray’s The Torrents will run for a stunning season with Sydney Theatre Company this July and August. Directed by Clare Watson, STC’s production of The Torrents also sees the stage debut for Australian award-winning comedian Celia Pacquola who plays Jenny, the lead. The play is set in the goldfields of 1890s Australia in the fictional town of Koolgalla where the local newspaper is run by the Torrents. Looking for a new editor, they accept the application of a J.G. Milford, completely bewildered by the woman who arrives in town to take the role, not knowing the ‘J’ stood for Jenny.

Australian actor Luke Carroll (ABC’s Play School) plays Kingsley Myers and spoke about his excitement at the opportunity to work with Clare Watson on The Torrents saying, “When the opportunity came up and I got the phone call, I jumped on it.”

The fact that the play is only running its second season also caught Luke’s attention.

“Well it’s funny because Oriel Gray who wrote it back in 1955…it’s only the second time it’s been performed.”

Although The Torrents is set back in the 1800s, Luke speaks of its comedic value saying, “it’s fun, there’s a lot of laughs in it,” adding, “on top of that though, it’s a show about femininity and in a way not much has changed.”

The Torrents is set to be the whole package, with its season running until August 24 at the Sydney Opera House.

Summing the show up, Luke said: “You’ll see a lot of similarities from this 1890s era to what we see today. It’s fun though, Celia Pacquola is playing Jenny and she’s a fantastic comedian, with this being her first acting gig.

It’s going to be one great show.” (MB) Until Aug 24, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $73-$104+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

Contributors: Irina Dunn, Mark Morellini, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Joseph Rana, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore, Renee Lou Dallow, Alannah Maher.

For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

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Biloxi Blues

Playing at The Pavilion for an almost month-long season is Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues, presented by Castle Hill Players. Set in 1943, the play follows the journey of six young men training in Mississippi before being shipped off to World War II. Directed by Castle Hill Player’s infamous Meredith Jacobs, Biloxi Blues is as much laugh-out-loud funny as it is heartwarming. With writer Neil Simon’s recent passing and the play being semi-autobiographical, Meredith is determined to do the play justice in telling his story.

Biloxi Blues focuses in on wide-eyed character Eugene Jerome, who holds three wartime goals: to become a writer, stay alive, and lose his virginity. Whether or not he achieves his goals only time will tell, however, actor Julian Floriano who plays the lead role says the play leans more toward the

experience of the six young characters completing their training.

“The play centres around the six boys together and the complications that happen with that and the growth that they have in the 10 weeks time”, said Julian.

The piece highlights the importance of storytelling throughout, with the focus being on the audience and their engagement with the plot and characters. Julian shared the joy that Biloxi Blues creates saying, “the experience that the audience is gonna have is that it’s gonna be a lot of fun, there’s a lot of comedy in it.”

Amongst the fun, however, Julian shared that “there’s definitely a lot of heartfelt moments and I think that’s the experience we want people to have. These are people onstage, and they’re people that are interacting with each other…it’s human nature.” (MB) Until Aug 17,The Pavilion Theatre, Doran Drive, Castle Hill. $20-$27+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.paviliontheatre.org.au

THE NAKED CITY

The Museum Of Discontinued Products With Coffin Ed News last week that a takeover of the Arnott’s biscuit brand by private equity behemoth KKR could see a number of their much-loved products disappear. Don’t worry Tim-Tams are safe for the time being, Chinese tourists love them too much, but it could be curtains for such long-time favourites as Milk Arrowroots and Orange Slices. If you thought it was bad when Polywaffles were taken off the shelves, only to make a somewhat belated return, stand by for a virtual genocide of our culinary heritage.

There are various reasons why certain products do disappear, mostly to do with changing tastes and lack of patronage. Then again there are those items which are deemed unsuitable for children, politically incorrect and in some cases even racist.

Arnott’s Golliwog biscuits were a popular choice during the 60s, when Enid Blyton’s golliwog books were still read to children and toy golliwogs were abundant in shops.

In the mid-1990s, the name was changed to Scalliwags, although the biscuits still looked the same.

By now ‘golliwogs’ were seen as racist and demeaning of coloured people and within a few years, the product was withdrawn forever.A similar fate befell chocolate cigarettes which in the 50s and 60s were all the rage with school kids out to emulate their constantly puffing parents. Needless to say, as

smoking became a genuine health issue, the chocky fags were soon targeted as something that might encourage youngsters to try the real thing.

When products do disappear or are threatened with commercial extinction, there is often an outburst of nostalgia regardless of whether they were originally bursting with sugar or in some cases could even destroy your health.The latter was certainly the case with the widely used BEX and Vincents APC powders of the 50s and 60s, an everyday ‘pickup’ that contained the rather nasty drug Phenacetin, later identified as a cause of renal failure and today

sometimes used to bulk up batches of cocaine.

Yet sugar content and toxicity aside there is indeed a long list of discontinued Australian grocery and confectionary products that are very much a part of our social, cultural and political history. Maybe Coles could cash in with their next range of minis, aiming at their older customers, with a set of miniature longgone products.

Included would surely be Chocolate Yowies (our version of the Kinder Surprise), the Paddle Pop Frozen Thickshake (an alternative to the ‘Pop’ on a stick), Space Food Sticks (did astronauts really

snack on them?), Sunny-boy Orange Drink (no doubt drowning in sugar but that pyramid style packaging looked awfully cool), Scorched Peanut Bars (as hard as a rock, and almost guaranteed to take a tooth out if you attacked it too vigorously), Tasty Toobs (God knows what was in these cheesy snacks but their unique shape meant you could almost wear them on your fingers like a ring) and Funny Feet Icey Poles (not only an ice cream but a treat for all foot fetishists!).

And then, of course, there is the frozen TV Dinner, a product we hope will never return to our supermarket freezers, but still deserves a prominent position in the Museum Of Discontinued Products.

Born of an age when TV was still very much a novelty in Australia, the TV Dinner, which looked a bit like a bad airline meal (and tasted the same), meant you would never miss a moment of your favourite evening broadcast. Put simply they were disgusting, anti-social, loaded with salt and fat and probably the promoter of excessive flatulence.

Today, of course, we simply tap an app for a pizza or Deliveroo, if preparing the evening meal could mean missing your favourite TV show. In another 10 or 20 years, even this display of convenience might be superseded. More and more of today’s once cherished products will be lost through the ruthless decisions of those global corporations who have now acquired most of our iconic brands. Politics aside, oh for a chocolate ciggie and a Golliwog biscuit!

Sydney Science Festival 2019 The size and popularity of the Sydney Science Festival has grown exponentially in the five years since it began.

“Last year was the biggest year for the festival so far - we had over 85,000 people come to the event.We had over 200 events,” says Catherine Polcz, who has been involved with the festival from the start and became program producer last year.With a broad spectrum of offerings covering technology, astronomy, space travel, conservation, and human nature the program has something for everyone.

“It’s not just scientists in the audience, but people who are interested in learning more about science,” says Polcz.

The 50 year anniversary of the moon landing has piqued enthusiasm, but it’s not the only significant milestone.

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city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

“This year is also 150 years of the periodic table, so the chemists are all excited about that, and it’s also 30 years since the invention of the world wide web - so it’s a big year of anniversaries,” says Polcz.

The festival features a line up of local and international speakers, with many of them being women - something Polcz says was unintentional but gratifying.

“I think with the festival we can change the stereotypical image people see of a scientist in their head.”

Speakers include: Sylvia Earle, a champion of ocean conservation since the 1970s who worked with the Obama administration to create submarine parks;Andrea Boyd, a flight controller for the international space station; Elizabeth Blackburn, the first Australian to win a Nobel

Prize in Chemistry; Clare L Evans, a science writer and musician who has written a feminist history of the internet; Julia Shaw, a Canadian psychologist who is exploring the concepts of “evil”; Paul Davies, a physicist interested in the origins of life. That’s just to name a few.

Highlights include Days Of Our Hives with comic beekeeper,Alanta Colley; Night Of Illusions with scientists presenting optical illusions, mind games and other fun stuff; Science In The Swamp, a family day of activities throughout the Centennial Parklands.There is also an extensive schools component.

“I think it’s a really strong program this year, and really there’s something for so many different people,” says Polcz. (RB) Aug 6-18. Various Locations. Various Prices. www.sydneyscience.com.au

Hein Cooper

Photo: Mei Ling

By Jamie Apps With the release of his second album, Underneath It All, and upcoming extensive national tour Hein Cooper has proven that an early bad encounter with music can be overcome.

Underneath It All is Cooper’s follow up record to his incredibly successful 2016 debut album, The Art Of Escape. Given that it has taken Cooper quite some time to return there have been some rather dramatic changes to the recording process, the music itself and even his live performance.

“Being my second record I took a lot more ownership of the whole thing this time,” explained Cooper, “I was able to make a lot more of the production decisions myself, whether they were the right ones or not because I was more confident.”

When speaking with Cooper it became apparent that much of these decisions were influenced by live performance opportunities.

Where the first record was built around a full band set up the opportunities that were coming along didn’t reflect that.

“I was receiving a lot of

opportunities to play solo shows. So I had to figure out how to do a show by myself, which meant I had to learn how to use drum pads and program my show to be much more of a combination of electronic and acoustic sounds so that I could be more dynamic performing live.”

Given that change in performance style, a change in the creative process was the natural next step, with Cooper saying Underneath It

Ophelia

This is one of those “let’s get a famous story from a different angle” type scenarios; in this

case, it’s Hamlet’s doomed lover, Ophelia played by Daisy Ridley. She is the narrator and

All is “much more a combination of the two styles.”

This entire process was and continues to be, an incredibly difficult one explained Cooper.

However, he is no stranger to overcoming music hurdles having done so already at a very early age.

Despite having a love and passion for music instilled him by his parents the passion was quickly squashed with one bad experience.

central character, and yet she is peripheral to her own story. All the elements that make Shakespeare’s Ophelia an intriguing, tragic character have been boiled out of this insipid version and, by extension, all the other characters who are interpreted through her dull, uninsightful lens.

George MacKay is a tiresome, wimpy Hamlet. Clive Owen does his best not to twirl his moustache with a cliched villainous Claudius. Dominic Mafham is somewhat endearing as Ophelia’s father, Polonius.

The one saving grace with the character who really should have been central is Naomi Watts in a dual role as sisters Gertrude and Mechtild. She is utterly engaging on screen and her sister characters have a story that could have spawned a movie series.

The sets are beautiful and authentic with attention to detail that has gone to waste, unfortunately. (RB) WW

“I had a really bad primary school teacher who taught music in a way which really put me off it,” Cooper told City Hub. It wouldn’t be until Cooper’s family moved to Milton, on the New South Wales south coast, that he would rediscover the love and actually come to look back on his primary school experience in a somewhat positive light.

“Looking back it was probably helpful because my teacher in primary school made it so black and white that when I was able to start playing by myself later it was almost a rebellion to do it in a more freeform feeling based way.”

This free-flowing, emotive performance style is something which Copper maintains in his performances today.

“With this new setup I feel like an octopus up on stage at times but it’s so satisfying because I’m in full control… I love this album so I simply wanted to play as many shows as I could all around Australia.”

Aug 9.The Lansdowne Hotel, 2-6 City Rd, Chippendale. $17.83+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.heincooper.com

Northlane - Alien

Sydney rockers Northlane return with another driving hardcore rock record, but this time they have sprinkled in plenty of soul and heart.

Lyrically and thematically Alien is a departure from Northlane’s roots. On previous outings, the group had chosen to focus on broad societal issues whereas with Alien they have chosen to look inward for inspiration. This introspective approach has created a heartfelt and powerful record.

Throughout the record, the band inject futuristic, electronic rock elements into their sound. However, they still maintain their well known and beloved aggressive tone.

This record could prove to be divisive amongst the Northlane fanbase. But for those who give it time to seep into their veins, Alien could easily become one of their favourites. (JA) WWW1/2

The Public

Written, directed, co-produced, and starring Emilio Estevez, this is a situational drama that feels like it’s based on a true story - it isn’t, although it contains a lot of hard-hitting truths.

Estevez plays Stuart Goodson, head librarian at Cincinnati Public Library which has become a daytime sanctuary for the local homeless community.After forecasts of overnight freezing conditions and news that all the shelters are full, the group of homeless people refuse to leave the library after closing time.This leads

to a stand-off with authorities and inaccurate news reports of a “hostage situation.”

It’s heartfelt, earnest, and raises important issues, but alas, Estevez is too heavy-handed in the writing, and the story suffers for lack of nuance and character depth. Nonetheless, it’s a feel-good film that still provides enough substance to stimulate ethical conversations about social structures, power, public assets, and straight-up human kindness. (RB) WWW

Who You Think I Am A cautionary tale lies crystal clear beneath this seductively intriguing French tale of catfish, as a 50-year-old woman tries to lure a much younger man into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona.

Juliette Binoche brilliantly portrays Claire Millaud a divorced mother of two whose obsession with Alex Chelly

(Francois Civil), a man she romances on social media but never actually meets, becomes quasi psychotic.

The film opens with Claire attending a therapeutic session with her therapist, the story unfolding through flashbacks. She states, “This is for people like me” and “It’s been a long time since I felt this good with someone,”

later on revealing that “I wasn’t pretending to be 24 – I was 24.”

Audiences will impatiently ponder from the onset as to whether this film about unfathomable love and desire is headed towards tragedy.

Highly erotic, mysterious and suspenseful, this psychological thriller has many outlandish twists and turns in the second

half which will keep audiences perplexed trying to evaluate what is happening.

Is Claire a warped and delusional psychopath who cannot differentiate between reality and fantasy or just a woman in desperate need of love? The climactic 30 seconds of the film reveals the answer. (MMo) WWW1/2

Juliette Binoche & Francois Civil city hub 1 AUGUST 2019

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city hub 1 AUGUST 2019