City Hub 1 March 2018 by Alt Media

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Mardi Gras rolls lockout BY JADE MORELLINI To mark the 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras on the evening of Saturday March 3rd, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has agreed to relax lockout laws along Oxford Street. Councillor Christine Forster was instrumental in seeing the lockout laws relaxed and believes that reducing lockouts will have an enormous positive impact on the community. “I wrote to the Premier several weeks ago suggesting that relaxing the lockouts for this important occasion would be a special gesture of goodwill for the LGBTQI community, many members of which still hold raw memories of the terrible events which surrounded the first Mardi Gras in 1978,” Councillor Forster said. “Confirmation that the government has agreed to the exemption is particularly moving, given the community is celebrating the historic passing of Australia’s same-sex marriage legislation on 7 December 2017,” Cr Forster added. The annual Mardi Gras event shines a light on the issues affecting LGBTQI people around the world and allows the community to celebrate at one of Sydney’s most popular events. . The parade generates over $40 million for the local economy and over 300,000 people attend each year. This year’s event will showcase over 200 exciting groups featuring fabulous floats and outrageous costumes. Taylor Cruz is one of the hundreds of thousands of people who will be participating in this year’s Mardi Gras celebrations, He is very happy that lockouts will be relaxed. “Now people can enter freely into clubs and bars all night, which I think is great,” he said. “We have a lot of international tourists in Australia for Mardi Gras and we have to show our best light for Australia’s global city. If they hadn’t relaxed lockout they would be restricting the nightlife and that means restricting the social life of a gay person.” Tyson Koh, the campaign manager of

Tyson Koh, campaign manager of Keep Sydney Open is pushing for lockout laws to be relaxed more permanently. Photo: supplied by Tyson Koh

Keep Sydney Open, a group that is fighting against lockout laws, agreed with this idea. “The Mardi Gras is an event that helps define Sydney and it attracts visitors from all over the world,” he said. “Having lockouts on one of the city’s most joyous occasions has left those visitors with a bad impression on Sydney and it affects our international reputation.” “Allowing folks more freedom to enter venues is not only good for business, but it’s safer as people are kept off the streets. It means one can choose when to call it a night instead of having to go home at the same time and

fighting over cabs. The State Government has acknowledged this with regards to New Year’s Eve celebrations,” Koh added. City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, welcomed the Government’s decision to relax lockout laws on 3rd March with open arms. A spokesperson for Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “The Lord Mayor has been calling for the lockout laws to be relaxed for Mardi Gras since they were first imposed. The Lord Mayor and Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, have written multiple letters asking the Premier to relax the laws over the years without success.”

Since the lockout laws were introduced, Sydney’s nightlife has gone down and this means there has been a substantial impact on all businesses in the area. “The NSW Government’s lockout laws were a sledgehammer blow to Sydney’s nightlife and have had an enormous effect on Sydney’s night-time economy,” a spokesperson for Cr Moore said, “and as a result, the City of Sydney is taking practical steps to help businesses and venues get back on their feet. “For the businesses that trade into the night, there is no question that lockouts should be extended,” Koh said. “Keep Sydney Open had a float in last year’s parade and an after party on Oxford Street. I was shocked at how quiet the area was after midnight. Relaxing the lockout will encourage people to stay in the area and businesses will benefit from that.” Many hope that the relaxation of the lockout laws on Mardi Gras will prove beneficial to the nightlife of Sydney and that there may be a possibility of winding back lockout laws on a larger scale. “Relaxing the lockouts could hopefully lead to a broader lifting of the laws which will encourage a more vibrant queer culture in the inner-city once more,” Koh said. “It was obvious four years ago that some sort of circuit breaker was required to end the cycle of alcohol-fuelled street violence,” Councillor Forster said, “particularly in Kings Cross. These laws have now served their purpose, however, and it may be possible that they can safely be wound back. “I think the exemptions announced today could serve as a useful trial, providing evidence as to whether consideration can be given to the relaxation of the 1:30am lockout more broadly.” This Mardi Gras Sydney’s gay community will be able to party into the wee hours. Many hope that relaxing the lockout laws on Oxford Street for Mardi Gras will create a safer and more vibrant city and will demonstrate that lock out laws should be relaxed along the City’s gay strip the other 364 days of the year.

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By John Moyle Observing council meetings from the public gallery can often be likened to a blood sport such as bear baiting. Monday, a week ago a group of well oiled Potts Pointers in the gallery got more than they expected as the City of Sydney Council meeting almost ate itself alive as it debated the topical issue of a master plan for Kings Cross. Lined up on opposite sides of the chambers were the Clover team of five councillors pitted against councillors Christine Forster, Kerryn Phelps, Craig Chung, Angela Vithouklas and Labor’s Linda Scott. “The motion I put up that got the most discussion was about the master plan for Kings Cross”, Councillor Christine Forster said. “At last week’s Council meeting we experienced a number of extraordinary departures form accepted meeting procedure by the Lord Mayor,” Councillor Prof. Kerryn Phelps said. In one example ignoring four procedural motions by Councillor Forster to put a matter to a vote.” Several of the Lord Mayor’s party members had failed to return from a break at the allotted time, meaning that Clover Moore didn’t have a majority at that time.” In another instance Councillors were ambushed with a notice without notice from the Deputy Lord Mayor, with the Mayor calling for a vote before the motion had even a chance to be read.”

Councillor Christine Forster is in favour of a Kings Cross master plan. Photo: City of Sydney

Observing from the front row was Potts Point’s astute chronicler and regular Council observer Andrew Woodhouse. “The meeting was farcical and lurched to and from various moronic maudlins,” Andrew Woodhouse said. The Kings Cross master plan motion was moved forward without prior notice.” The Lord Mayor claimed that a master plan was not needed and chose to focus solely on the Darlinghurst Road development that includes the Bourbon. A spokesperson for the Lord Mayor said “The Lord Mayor referred this proposal to a meeting of the City of Sydney’s

expert Design Advisory Panel due to its significant location and the high level of understandable community concern.” Cr Forster replied, saying that “The Clover Moore Party’s alternative motion was completely unrelated to my proposal for a master plan for the Kings Cross area.” Council is notoriously slow to act but the more important point here is that there needs to be a long term strategic approach to the area.” “I was proud to second the motion that Cr Forster moved in favour of a Kings Cross master plan,” Cr Phelps said. The disappointing but expected response from the Lord mayor and her political party councillors shows a lack of vision or willingness to work for a shared outcome with the community.” A week after the Council meeting the Lord Mayor issued a press release stating her position as being against the Darlinghurst Road development and defending her decision to refer the matter to the City’s expert Design Advisory Panel to review and provide advice. The press release also called the decision by the State Government to strip councils in Sydney and Wollongong of the power to assess development applications as “undemocratic”. Cr Phelps said “I am looking forward to the introduction of live-streaming for meetings so that this type of conduct can be held to account.” When that happens “Married at First Sight “ might just see its first ratings dive. city hub 1 MARCH 2018

Sydney’s last gasp nightlife BY JOSH KINDL The City of Sydney has awarded a number of Sydney businesses grants worth a total of $360,000. Eighteen businesses will benefit from the grants, which have been awarded by The City in an effort to boost Sydney’s nightlife activity, as the controversial Lockout Laws continue to stymie inner-city trading. Artist and manager of TAP Gallery in Surry Hills, Lesley Dimmick OAM, says the funding is welcome, but that measures will ultimately be ineffective, due to the corrosive nature of the NSW government’s Lockout Laws on city-based, small business trading. “More money is all well and good, but it doesn’t change the fact that you can’t go and get a bloody drink in the city anymore,” she said. “The government has a lot more to do with the destruction of music in Sydney than people realise today… they have killed the nightlife in this city.” Of the eighteen businesses awarded a City of Sydney grant, six are bars or clubs; another six are live music or theatre venues; and two are retail spaces. The remaining four were undisclosed. However, one of the venues receiving funding, East Sydney Community and Arts Centre, is owned by the City of Sydney, raising concerns that the City of Sydney has, in effect, given itself a grant. A spokesperson for the City of Sydney rebuked these concerns, stating that the grant selection process is a meritocracy. “All grant applications are assessed on their merit against a set of clearly defined evaluation criteria and the City’s strategic priorities,” a spokesperson said. “Applications are assessed by a panel of suitably qualified City staff – and in the case of the live music and performance grants, by a panel of experts from the industry with significant knowledge of issues relating to live music and performance venues,” they added. Inner city small business owner, Tula Tzoras, took issue with the City’s decision. “[The City of Sydney] does not need money,” she said. These grants come as a boost to nightlife activity in Sydney, which has taken a substantial hit as a result of the knock-on effect of the city’s controversial Lockout Laws. Since their implementation in early 2014, the Lockout Laws have

it’s only part of the solution. Venues and businesses that trade late are treated like criminals instead of assets to our city. “This needs to change if we are to get our night-time mojo back,” Mr Koh said. In the Callinan Review of Amendments to the Liquor Act 2007, released in 2016, Judge Ian Callinan observed that “musicians and other entertainers have been adversely affected by the laws”, citing a link between declining alcohol sales and cover charges and the closure of many notable city businesses. These included prominent Kings Cross nightclub The Soho, which had previously operated for 20 years, as well as Hugo’s Loungte, The Exchange Hotel in Oxford Street abd, GoodGod Small Club in the CBD. Mr Koh says that the lockout laws are as much a symbolic one as they are practical and play a major role in keeping people out of the city and taking money out of small business owners pockets. “The lockout laws send a message to the public — that they are Lesley Dimmick OAM, manager of TAP Gallery, has had enough of not wanted in the city at night,” he said. government interference in Sydney’s nightlife. Photo: Josh Kindl Relief, however, may be on the cards, with the state put a strain on the ability of inner-city businesses to make a profit, government announcing a plan to relax the Lockout Laws, on a particularly those that rely on after-midnight trading, such as clubs case-by-case basis, and extend both the lockout and last drinks and dedicated live-music venues. cut-off times by 30 minutes. A spokesperson for Lord Mayor Clover Moore confirmed the So far, 27 businesses in the lockout zone have been granted negative effect of the state government’s Lockout Laws on Sydney’s the temporary exemption, with more to come as the government small businesses, and said these grants would be welcomed by small continues to assess cases. businesses as a positive step towards reclaiming the pre-lockout Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, also recently announced lustre of Sydney’s nightlife. that the Lockout Laws were to be relaxed in celebration of “The State Government’s lockout laws have had an enormous Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, with cut-off times set effect on Sydney’s night-time economy and as a result we are taking to also be extended by half an hour for the duration of the practical steps to help businesses and venues get back on their feet,” festivities. the Lord Mayor’s spokesperson said. However, Ms Dimmick says that measures such as these are “We need to do everything we can to encourage more diverse tokenistic at best, and that real change won’t be possible until the night-time activities and these grants are part of a comprehensive government rolls back the laws entirely. plan spanning from practical steps like creating drop off zones “Only [for half an hour], that’s not extending the lockout laws. outside venues right through to the detailed work of policy review.” “When I was much younger I used to drink until seven in the Tyson Koh, campaign director for anti-Lockout Laws activist group morning and then sleep all day. I should be free to be able to do Keep Sydney Open, agreed, saying that the state government is not doing that,” she said. its part to support small businesses that rely on late trading. A spokesperson for the NSW State Government declined to “Funding after-dark businesses encourages more vibrancy, but comment.

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Concrete quarrel Creative conflict Rozelle Bay. Photo: Alec Smart

BY MICK DALEY The future of Sydney’s working harbour has been a controversial issue of late, with massive residential construction threatening to overwhelm its viability. Steered by the government-owned Urban Growth Corporation (UGC), these developments have reduced the working harbour to 39.7 hectares. But it appears that lack of government oversight, compounded by the differing agendas of successive administrations, is creating inevitable confrontations in user amenity. Greens MP for Balmain, Jamie Parker, said that inadequate planning is to blame for the cascading problems. “The Bays area has been mismanaged by state government after state government,” he told City Hub. “And that’s one of the reasons why the current government gave this whole Bays Precinct to Urban Growth; so one body could be charged with managing that whole area. “It hasn’t been particularly effective, considering that WestConnex has now taken the whole Rozelle good yard area and Sydney Ports has been really adamant about ensuring that Glebe Island remains industrial use.” Nowhere has this issue created more controversy than in the suburban conglomeration at Pyrmont, adjacent to Glebe Island, zoned as an industrial facility for over a century. Sydney’s Port Authority are proposing the construction of a major ship loading depot and the movement of Hanson Concrete to the island, with industrial activity on a 24/7 basis. A report in the Domain’s Commercial real estate publication has documented white-hot anger from residents who claim they were assured by developers they were buying into a purely residential sector. Originally an industrial hub itself, Pyrmont boasted only 530 dwellings in 1991. That figure has swelled by a factor of 12 in recent decades. The residential redevelopment of the current Fishmarket site will presumably amplify new buyers’ dissent against the functions of the working harbor. But the facts seem to be against them. Glebe Island, along with White Bay and Rozelle Bay, are still zoned waterfront industrial. Sources claim that apart from the loading facility, Glebe Island is proposed as the major transport hub for all the tunnel digging and aggregate from the Metro and WestConnex excavations. A Port Authority spokesperson told the City Hub, “There is a crucial need for Sydney to import critical construction materials due to the depletion of local sand supplies. Glebe Island is in close proximity to CBD construction, urban renewal and a construction boom driven by $70 billion of major infrastructure projects.” She pointed out that a single vessel will replace up to 1500 truck movements. “The proposed short-term facility would … feature internal truck receival and delivery facilities to reduce noise emissions. It would operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week as required.” The Authority, she said, is currently seeking community feedback on the proposed facility. UGC sent City Hub the following statement: “The Bays west area is envisaged as a mixed-use precinct with a focus on high value ‘jobs of the future’ and the working harbour. UrbanGrowth NSW is working with industry,

community and government partners to determine appropriate uses for the area. Port Authority is responsible for the development of its own facilities at Glebe Island.” Alex Greenwich, Independent MP for Sydney, says that the Pyrmont community has received mixed messages from the government as to what the usage of the site would be. “I myself, along with residents have met with representatives of the Premier’s office urging them to have a more coordinated approach … to make sure we get the balance right. “People understand that we have a working harbour and that does come with noise, congestion and other impacts. But when we see something that’s going to be so intense and has come for many people out of the blue, that obviously raises red flags.” Elizabeth Elenius is a long-term resident of the area and member of local community groups Glebe Island White Bay Community Liaison Group and Pyrmont Action. She says that Pyrmont residents have been misled by government and developers. “You don’t surely think people make real estate decisions on what a government facing election might or might not promise? That would be foolish. What you do is you buy property on the basis of what’s in the documents relating to the land,” she told City Hub. “I live in the building closest to the proposed facilities and when I bought it ten years ago Glebe Island was an active port. It always has been a port and will be a port for the foreseeable future. “This will have an impact on me personally, but if people want peace and quiet they go and buy somewhere in Wahroonga or Turrumurra. Not beside a busy port. “This is Sydney’s last deep water area. The island is also a facility for receiving gypsum and sugar and other essential goods. I don’t believe that anyone has the right to object to the facility per se and the best we can do will be to ensure that the conditions are very high standard and are monitored.” Jamie Parker says part of the problem is that residents tend to get considered last. “When these developments happen they’re of a very poor quality, like we’ve seen with the White Bay cruise ship terminal. It’s had an incredible impact on resident’s health and amenity. It should be possible in 2018 to make an industrial facility on an island to have minimal impact and that’s what needs to happen.” The Port Authority seems intent on such an outcome, with its Review of Environmental Factors surrounding the Glebe Island facility. Submissions can be emailed or posted to Port Authority of NSW, PO Box 25 Millers Point NSW 2000. Elizabeth Elenius says a member of her group will be suggesting a unique solution. “It is that a condition be made that they line the rooftops of their (proposed) building with solar panels and have an electricity generating facility available to the ships and other industries around. It would give the community back something from an amenity they might feel they have lost. It would be environmentally an absolute landmark for the government and certainly my organization will be putting in a submission to that effect.”

BY ALEC SMART A scaled-down Sydenham Creative Hub, a proposed arts and live music zone close to Sydenham Station in the inner-west, has been voted on and accepted by the Inner West Council after it threatened to divide the fractious chamber. The Inner West Council (IWC) has clashed on several divisive issues since three constituencies, Ashfield, Leichardt and Marrickville, were forcibly amalgamated by the NSW Government and rubber stamped by public elections in September 2017. Not least of these was the decision by Mayor Darcy Byrne, one of Labour’s five elected councillors, to side with the Liberal Party’s sole candidate, Julie Passas, granting her the Deputy Mayor’s role, and thus bypass The Greens, who also hold five seats on the new council. That division between the two dominant entities on the IWC continues to cause friction when voting on development proposals or resolving community issues. Latterly, the Sydenham Creative Zone, which in its original proposal envisioned “expanding creative industries, and adding food, drink and live music venues to the mix,” (IWC press release October 2016), raised concerns for the sustainability of existing industry and jobs in the 20 hectare site. Advocating for the zone, the interim Administrator of the newly-amalgamated IWC, Richard Pearson, announced in October 2016, “Because this will never be a traditional housing area, it means making a bit of noise at night is not an issue. You won’t get the usual tensions between nightlife venues and neighbours who just want a nice, quiet neighbourhood.” However, several factories within the designated area expressed concerns that their businesses would flounder.

but you’ve got people invested here,” Michael Trigona, chief operations officer of M&J Chickens, told the Daily Telegraph in December last year. Mayor Byrne, announced that the 20-hectare development proposal was significantly scaled down in the February 13 vote, posted on his Facebook page, “We lost a battle against the fun police, but musicians and music lovers will win the war.” In a public letter reprinted in Mixmag music magazine, Byrne decried, ““The factory has exactly nothing at all to fear from allowing arts and music activity nearby, but as a wealthy property owner has lobbied to have the plan rejected. “I can’t believe the Greens are actually now on the side of the mass chicken factory farming industry over live music. The Greens on the former Marrickville Council unanimously supported the plan and worked with us to create this project. I just can’t understand why these new Councillors have abandoned the musicians and artists of the Inner West.” Cr Lockie countered, telling City Hub, “The original proposal has been scaled back to introduce additional uses across the entire 20ha site, to the 2ha area that runs between Sydenham station and Marrickville town centre. “Additional uses have also been restricted to cafes, restaurants and small bars (which Labor was also proposing as part of their modified amendments). When the IWC initially voted in December 2017 to scale back the project, cemented on February 13 this year, 36 highprofile musicians, promoters and creative professionals published an open letter supporting the original plans, stating, “It is very disappointing to hear that the new Inner West Council voted in December to severely restrict the land proposed for the Sydenham Creative hub in the works. Photo: By Alec Smart

Independent councillor Pauline Lockie revealed that the “Inner West Council recently received a damning report into the economic impact of the current proposal from SGS Economics and Planning, and the first recommendation was that we shouldn’t introduce any additional uses into most of the proposed Sydenham Creative Hub area, as this would place the existing industrial uses under threat.” At the centre of the dispute is a chicken processing plant, M&J Chickens, which employs around 130 people and processes over 14,000 chickens every day. The chicken processors feared that rents would increase and the mixed use of the zone – trucks making deliveries and forklifts operating in an area where youth would congregate for entertainment – would create conflicts of interest. They resisted the proposals and said their operation would ultimately be driven from the area “I think their heart’s in the right place,

Creative Hub. This would result in one of Sydney’s most promising opportunities to establish new creative spaces essentially abandoned by the newly elected Council.” Cr Pauline Lockie explained, “This revised proposal is in line with the findings of the independent economic analysis, the recommendations made by Council staff, and the concerns local businesses in the area have been raising for years. I think it’s the right way to balance encouraging new creative businesses to this part of Marrickville, without endangering the hundreds of industrial and creative businesses that are already thriving there. “So while Labor is complaining that every other Councillor is unwilling to compromise and revise the Sydenham Creative Hub proposal to make it work, the reality is this is exactly what we’re doing. It’s not the Sydenham Creative Hub proposal Labor wants, but it’s the one supported by the evidence.” city hub 1 MARCH 2018

Bondi Pavilion’s second wind Bondi Pavilion to be revamped. Photo: Alec Smart

BY PAUL PAECH It was clear to everyone - except Waverley’s colourful Mayor Sally Betts - that the $38 million proposal to transform Bondi Pavilion into a sleek commercial operation was a dud. So when the NSW Government finally stopped its deeply unpopular compulsory amalgamation of councils, local electors had their chance to create the Pavilion they wanted. Six months on from the election, it’s useful to examine what’s going to happen next. The first thing to appreciate is that big changes will not likely happen quickly, for the simple reason that the Pav is one of Australia’s most highly valued - and thus tightly protected - heritage buildings. Ironically, this same protection helped stop Betts’ contentious up-grade. When the Heritage Council looked at those plans, it discovered that Council’s project manager had ignored its obligation to base the proposal on a heritage conservation analysis of the Bondi Park & Beach area. Without a comprehensive study, the Heritage Council immediately halted assessment while Council scampered around to prepare one.

Such had been the pressure from Council to get this proposal approved that the project’s highly respected heritage architects, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG), hadn’t spotted the mistake. Whoops! Once Betts was out of the driving seat, the incoming Council wasted no time in delivering on its promise to look after this iconic building. Just days after the election, Bondi ward councillor John Wakefield moved to set up a community stakeholder committee to help steer Council’s priorities for the Pavilion, and a motion at the very first meeting of the new ALP/Greens Council established the committee’s terms of reference. Over the next few months, the committee, which included both the current and former local Liberal councillors, met and thrashed out the community’s priorities for the building, eventually agreeing (almost always unanimously) on the way forward. At last week’s Council meeting the Committee’s comprehensive report was presented and received, without amendment. (Find it at www.bit. ly/2EVm1JA.) Council’s 2014-2024 Plan of Management for Bondi Beach, & Park and Pavilion requires Council to create a “vibrant mix of community, cultural and

commercial activities” in the Pav, and this more balanced triple-play will now play out more evenly. Thus, instead of expanded bars and up-market restaurant facilities, the revised plan allows valuable (though not profit-generating) community groups like Bondi’s local Alcohol Anonymous to continue to use the Pav. The Committee’s report suggests additional new community/cultural space opposite the High Tide room. The adjacent music studios, the potters’ studio and the artist-in-residence facility will continue as before, although the last two may move location within the Pav. The configuration and location of the upstairs theatre, which would have been replaced by a highend function centre/restaurant/bar, will benefit from a major upgrade, and better use will be made of backstage/green room areas. The northern and southern courtyards will be upgraded for festivals and other cultural/community uses, while the outdoor amphitheatre will probably stay. Revitalising the crucial atrium/foyer is a key focus of the report, including the possibility of opening up access to the two courtyards through existing

corridors leading off the atrium, which is currently blocked off. The beach-front ground-floor businesses are likely to continue, but the offices and other areas to the west will make way for more visitor-friendly uses, including space for telling the Bondi Story, something which is required under the heritage framework. Council will examine the future of the Bucket List addition. Although an unsympathetic addition, there is an argument that the vibrant social scene there is of cultural value, and that the extension could be retained, at least short-term. Certainly, the revenue generated there is valued by Council. The committee addressed the contentious issue of toilets. One major outcome is that there are likely to be a number of extra new toilet, shower and change facilities both along the promenade and at other places in the park. The area between the Pav and the Surf Club is a further possible location. What are the next steps? The committee’s report will underpin the brief to TZG, who will be given a second bite at the job, hopefully with more understanding of the building’s uses. With consultation, refinements, and tendering, we’re unlikely to see major works begin until winter 2019. While major plans are developed, Council will carry out essential maintenance work to roofs etc. Some improvements, the first in many years, will begin sooner, among them the removal of the foyer planter-box to create a more welcoming zone, for which Council is already seeking Heritage Council dispensation. If 2019 seems like a long way away, remember that the key dictum for heritage buildings is to do as much as necessary to care for the place and to make it useable, but otherwise change it as little as possible so that its cultural significance is retained. A pity that the former Council ignored that. SIGN OF THE TIMES After 20 years, a cultural centre of a somewhat different kind, Bondi’s Civic Video in Curlewis Street, has announced its imminent closure, with owner John Price citing piracy as the main culprit, though commercial streaming (NetFlix, Stan, iTunes, etc.) has also impacted. The excitement there on Friday and Saturday nights was palpable, as locals and visitors hustled to get their hands on latest releases or limited copies of foreign and other specialist DVDs. Get along over the next few weeks to say goodbye to an era, and be sure to grab one or two or more of the more than 25,000 discs to add to your own library.

Rally cry for the Cross by John Moyle Last Saturday saw Kings Cross and Potts Point residents come together and do what they do best, have a damn good time. This was in spite of the serious issue of the DA D/2017/1705 that brought around 300 people to the Rex Centre to hear local MP Alex Greenwich, Councillor Prof Kerryn Phelps and Councillor Angela Vithouklas speak on the development plan that threatens the existential existence of the area. Also in attendance were City of Sydney councillors Christine Forster, Craig Chung and Linda Scott. “The event was a triumph and brought people together as part of a real community,” rally organiser Andrew Woodhouse said. The development plan by Iris Capital to demolish all the buildings from Blake’s Chemist through to the Empire Hotel will not only destroy the community and heritage fabric of the Cross, but will also have a terminal impact on around 30 local small business operators and put local residents through four years of noise, dust and stress. Iris Capital chief executive officer Sam Arnaout has spent $66 million buying up the strip and may have to fork another $20 million or for the Lido Hotel in Roslyn Street, which is holding out for a bigger pay day. Not only will Sam have to dig into his pockets for more folding stuff, but he will have the first real fight in his twenty something year career 6

city hub 1 MARCH 2018

as a developer as the proposal has united the community, a State MP, five City of Sydney councillors and even the Lord Mayor in opposition. “It is clear that the scale of the proposed development and its potential impact on local heritage, streetscape and amenity would irrevocably change the character of the area,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said in a press release issued this week specifically addressing the development. State member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich spoke off the cuff about his concerns about the planning process and the way the State Government has imposed unelected Local Planning Panels on Sydney Councils and why they are undemocratic. Undaunted by a sun shower, City of Sydney councillor Angela Vithoulkas voiced her concerns for the many local business that would face closure in the face of the largest development ever planned for the Cross. Councillor Prof Kerryn Phelps said “The Cross is just not a bunch of buildings, this is a thriving, vibrant, eclectic community.” Local residents are the guardians of the spirit of the community.” She also said that between 2004 and 2017 Potts Point has had 1,462 DAs determined that has included 376 new apartments/units and over 100 car spaces. Councillor Phelps added “All of this without

L-R Councillors Phelps, Scott, Forster, Vithluklas and Chung stand with protesters against the Darlinghurst Road development. Photo: Roslyn Sharp

a master plan but rather a reliance on toothless development guidelines.” Earlier in the day the residents of the nine storey Kingsley Hall overlooking Fitzroy Gardens unfurled a banner down three levels calling for action from the Lord Mayor.

The event opened with a sax solo of “My City of Sydney” by Janet Levy and later Vashti Hughes was joined by Robert Susz and Brendan Gallagher for a rousing version of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” No Sam, Kings Cross and Potts Point won’t be backing down.

FEATURE

International Women’s Day By Rita Bratovich There are women in this world who make a difference without making a fuss; unassuming heroes whose superpowers are resilience, determination, passion and hope. They are women who inspire, bring change and improve lives simply by doing what they are driven to do. March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD) - it’s one day when the world gives gratitude to women who give 365 days a year. One such woman is Dannielle Miller, co-founder and CEO of Enlighten Education, an organisation which provides on-site workshops for school girls, addressing issues such as body image, friendship, dating, career choices, empowerment and all the other challenges of teenhood. A best-selling author, speaker and thought leader, Miller is one of four finalists for the NSW Premier’s Award for Woman Of The Year, “This International Women’s Day will be really special because… I will be at a big breakfast waiting for the winner to be announced!” says Miller, admitting that she’s thrilled about being nominated. She values awards for the recognition and validation they give. Miller began her career as an English teacher working with disadvantaged,‘at risk’ students in Sydney’s west. “It taught me to be very good in the classroom because if you can’t capture [these kids’] hearts then their minds aren’t going to be with you either.” Her interest in student welfare spurred

Bronwyn Kidd (Flickerfest director) Photo: Vincenzo Amato

her to design youth mentoring programs and curriculum initiatives, and her enterprising nature led her to undertake an MBA during which time she conceived the concept which would ultimately become Enlighten Education. Passion is what gives her that endless drive. “I really love what I do a lot - I know that sounds like a cliche, but it really is who I am.” For the past 20 years, Bronwyn Kidd has been the Director of Flickerfest, helping create what is globally recognised as Australia’s leading competitive short film festival. “I certainly didn’t think I’d be doing it for 20 years when I started, but here I am,” says Kidd, a filmmaker herself and avid

supporter of the industry.“We’re a small team, a small arts festival, but we’ve got a big foot print.” Kidd sources short films from around the world to ensure a consistently high standard and eclectic range. She wants Flickerfest to be a platform for emerging talent and a space that allows diverse voices to be heard. In the last festival, forty percent of the directors were female - well above the industry average. “Being a female director myself, I’m aware of female stories and I’m looking out for female directors - I know it’s hard to get a foot up in the industry,” says Kidd. However, she believes there has been an uptick in girls entering the field:

“In all technical aspects and postproduction - I think certainly for women the growth in that area has been quite remarkable over the last 10 years.” And what does the future hold for Kidd? “I hope to continue to do Flickerfest for many years to come…it’s something I’m really committed to and you couldn’t really run a festival like this unless you were committed.” Sister Jan Barnett is the Justice Coordinator of the Sisters Of St Joseph. She manages a network of Josephite women around Australia and in New Zealand, Ireland, Peru and East Timor, who are fighting for humanitarian rights on behalf of the citizens. After an early career as an English teacher and high school principal, Barnett completed a Doctorate in Leadership In A Time Of Critical Change. “Out of that I think I developed a greater passion for justice and doing something about the injustice in our world,” she says. She feels blessed to have been offered the role of Justice Coordinator, which has afforded “huge opportunities” to speak and act on justice issues.At the same time, however, it can be very demoralising. “I think of all the stuff we’ve done around the Uluru Statement… around asylum seekers and refugees and the situation on Naru and Manus …and around the environment - and nothing’s changed,” Barnett laments, then adds somewhat optimistically “But…you have to keep hope alive.” Barnett is also part of the Love Makes A Way movement, a Christian based

collective lobbying for the release of children in detention. In 2014, she was among several people arrested for holding a prayer vigil in Joe Hockey’s office. Where she finds herself most in conflict with the official Church narrative is in her strong feminist stance.An active member of Women And The Australian Church (WATAC), Barnett believes in “challenging our church to really focus on areas of injustice and the need for equality for all people in our church including women.” WATAC advocates for the ordination of women and recognition of married priests. “I can live comfortably disagreeing with what the official church stands for but still believing in the Gospel and still pushing that as strongly as I can, because I think the Gospel is about justice, Gospel is about reaching out to those who are most vulnerable,” says Barnett. And her message for International Women’s Day: “I would encourage all young women to recognise that they have an opportunity to change our world and make it a better place for all of us… I think the power of women is far more than we recognise or acknowledge and that in the hands of women is held the future of our world.” www.danniellemiller.com www.flickerfest.com.au www.sosj.org.au Facebook - Josephite Justice Network

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To register your interest, please contact the Probus South Pacific office on: Phone: 1300 630 488 Email: joshs@probussouthpacific.org city hub 1 MARCH 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo: Brett Boardman

Kill Climate Deniers

Blake Condon as Jerome

The Depot Theatre is welcoming Merrily We Roll Along in March for a three week season. Based on the book by George Furth and with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along follows the friendship between three people – Franklin, Mary and Charley – in reverse from 1976 to 1957. “It’s one of those musicals that is full of a lot of laughs and really fun, engaging characters but then also it is very heartbreaking and full of

emotion,” says Victoria Zerbst, who plays Mary in the musical. Directed by Alexander Andrews with Conrad Hamill as musical director, Merrily We Roll Along is Little Triangle’s sophomore production. Accompanied by just a piano and cello, the production is minimalist yet accessible, hallmarks of Little Triangle’s work according to Zerbst. “Little Triangle manage to put on really amazing musical theatre on a budget where it’s all about the performers and the story that they’re telling,” says Zerbst.

“It’s important for musical theatre to cater to all different interests and it’s great to be able to have something new and youthful and different in the musical theatre scene in Sydney.” Established in Sydney in early 2017, Little Triangle’s core aim is to present underperformed theatrical productions at a low price point to diversify the music theatre audience base. (ES) Mar 7-24.The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. $22-$32+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.thedepottheatre.com

Metamorphoses

Kill Climate Deniers is premiering at Griffin Theatre to take the audience hostage and draw them into the fun, yet adrenaline-filled performance. Playwright, David Finnigan said, “It’s a highenergy, explosive action-adventure story in which a group of eco-terrorists take over Parliament House during a Fleetwood Mac concert and hold the entire government hostage, demanding an instant end to climate change. The Federal Environment Minister breaks free and goes on a campaign of reprisals throughout the House, taking on terrorists and fighting for her country.” Tackling environmental issues while exploring political change and terrorism in Australia, this performance is sure to keep audiences hooked with non-stop action from start to end. “The play is a classic action film genre piece which, I don’t know about you, but those sorts of films have a huge physiological effect on me. That’s what I want out of a night at the theatre - explosions, gunfights, knife fights, dance sequences, backflips, incredible song and dance numbers, comedy, heat and energy. If the audience leaves the theatre ready to dance, then I think we’ve done our job.” Finnigan had the intention to create something that hasn’t yet been seen or experienced in Australian theatre so he decided to immerse audiences into a hostage situation. “Okay this is ridiculous but true - we have never, never, in the history of this country, had a film where terrorists take over Parliament House ending in a dawn battle on top of the Parliament House flagpole. Can you believe that? So obviously it’s about time, I mean, that’s what I want to see during a night out at the theatre.” (JM) Until Apr 7. Griffin Theatre Company, 13 Craigend St, Darlinghurst. $38-$60+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.griffintheatre.com.au

I loved studying Ovid at school in Latin (a refreshing change from Caesar’s Gallic Wars Book V!), so this gender-bending production, mounted to coincide with this year’s Mardi Gras celebrations, had me clapping my hands with delight. Through the gloom of the low lighting in this intimate theatrical space, the effect is arresting from the very first moments of the production, when bodies of different sizes and shapes in different stages of undress are draped over the scaffolding that forms the backdrop to a pool of milky water lying at the feet of the audience. Acting as a Greek chorus, the cast of 10, under the direction of Dino Dimitriadis, take on or share the roles of various personages from Ovid’s magnum opus, which

city hub 1 MARCH 2018

filled 15 books and incorporated 250 myths from the creation of the world to the crowning of Julius Caesar. Writer Mary Zimmerman selects stories which reflect the universal human concerns of love, fidelity, death, transgression etc. These are played out by the principals in the foreground as the other characters slide sinuously across, around and through the scaffolding to suggest a constantly changing and mutable world. From its initial “role” as the swimming pool of King Midas, the pool becomes a fountain of tears, or the ocean which takes the life of the much-loved husband Ceyx from his wife Alcyone, or the River Styx in the Greek gods’ Underworld. It’s amazing how much set designer

Jonathan Hindmarsh achieves within the limited confines of this little theatre tucked away in a pub in a back street of Woolloomooloo. The cast worked well as an ensemble, although a couple need elocution lessons, and David Helman was truly a moving work of art as he danced his way up and down the pole of life.

Small independent theatre companies can often disappoint because of their lack of professional skills but Metamorphoses is definitely an exception. (ID) Until Mar 10. Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling St,Woolloomooloo. $33-$45+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.redlineproductions.com.au

Single Asian Female

Photo: Daniel Boud

Fierce, sassy and funny, Michelle Law’s Single Asian Female makes its Sydney debut at the Belvoir Theatre. Directed by Claire

a&e

Merrily We Roll Along

18 STAGE 19 Sounds 10 SCENE 10 SCREEN

Christian, Single Asian Female follows three women at different stages of their life, set against the backdrop of the Golden Phoenix restaurant on the Sunshine Coast. “Audiences can expect to see a family comedy about Chinese-Australian women. It’s a story of a mother and her two daughters and their grappling with cultural as well as generational gaps,” says Michelle Law. Pearl, the matriarch, balances family and business while keeping a groundbreaking secret. Zoe, the eldest daughter has joined the realm of online dating while Mei, Pearl’s younger daughter, is struggling with being the token Asian at school. In Australia’s first mainstream play with three Asian leads, Single Asian Female has

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 @CityHubSyd

been striking for its representation and willingness to explore sex, love and domesticity in a Chinese family. “When you see yourself represented on stage or screen, it normalises your reality,” says Law. “When you’re growing up as a person of colour in Australia, you don’t see other people of colour on television, which reinforces a sense of not belonging or feeling invisible in this country.” “Single Asian Female is a really lovely, warm-hearted show and it’ll be different to anything audiences have ever seen.” (ES) Until Mar 25. Belvoir Theatre, 18 & 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $37-$77+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

Contributors: Barbara Karpinski, Craig Coventry, Emily Shen, Greg Webster, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, Joseph Rana, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Jade Morellini, Alex Eugene, Manuel Gonzalez, Tommy Boutros, Riley Hooper, Mohsen Dezaki, Daniel Jaramillo, Georgia Fullerton, Gary Nunn.

Black Is The New White Returning to the stage as part of a national tour is the Sydney Theatre Company’s romantic comedy, Black Is The New White. Giving insight into the show is Shari Sebbens, who plays Charlotte Gibson, the daughter of a very affluent influential Aboriginal power couple. “She is at a cross road where she is questioning her privilege a lot and her family’s role in the community and how she can contribute with empowering her community and it raises questions for her about her father’s own involvement in the Aboriginal community and his journey as well”. The smash hit is by Nakkiah Lui, a young leader in the Aboriginal community with a stack of credentials behind her, receiving

the following shout out from Shari, “I’m a believer in, the greatest way to empathise with someone is to share a laugh with them and after that you open each other up to be vulnerable. This is something Nakkiah does so well, laughter is a great equaliser, so there are some great flat stick moments and some low brow moments and there are some great gags that she knows will get the audience feeling safe to enter our family home and spend a night at the Gibson’s.” The subject matter of the production is a classic and Shari was kind enough to give her thoughts on why it is so successful at drawing in an audience stating, “I think it’s the fact that it’s a bit of a Trojan horse. It’s in the genre of rom-com but this is feel good and

The Rubens. Photo: Giulia McGauran

Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE By Jamie Apps

+Live+: The reunited original line-up of +LIVE+ - Ed Kowalczyk (vocals, guitar), Chad Taylor (guitar, backing vocals), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) and Chad Gracey (drums, percussion) are back once again with a vengeance for tonight’s show. Thu, Mar 1, ICC Sydney Theatre The Eskies: Join Ireland’s The Eskies as they bring their high-energy brand of folk noir/gypsy jazz/sea shanty and swaggering stage spectacle to Sydney tonight. Thu, Mar 1, Leadbelly The Purple Doves: A live band tribute and dedication to the music of legendary Prince with The Purple Doves band presenting to you all the hits live. The Purple Doves bring all of the attitude that the music of Prince demands including a funky vocal and a flamboyant performance that will have you partying like its 1999. Fri, Mar 2, Camelot Lounge The Rubens: Aussie alt-rock favourites The Rubens have returned with a brand new, groove-fuelled single Million Man which will also see the group hitting the road once again to bring their soulful tunes to life. Sat, Mar 3, Sydney Opera House Neon Ivy: If you’re looking for a new Sunday session which embraces music then look no further than this event. Curating the music for the

inaugural event is Neon Ivy who’s seamless flow and ability to create a groove will leave you entranced by her sound. With rhythms that change between the fundamentals of house & techno, her sound is constantly evolving. Sun, Mar 4, Ching-a-Lings King Krule: Due to overwhelming demand, London’s King Krule, has decided to upgrade the venue for his upcoming Sydney performance by moving from The Metro to the Enmore Theatre. This change will allow more fans to see him perform live, so if you missed out on tickets initially now is your chance to rectify that. Mon, Mar 5, Enmore Theatre George Ezra: Bringing his unmistakable baritone pipes back to our golden shores, acclaimed 23-year-old English singer-songwriter George Ezra will be enchanting Sydney this week. Tue, Mar 6, Enmore Theatre Thando: In her first collaboration and with one of the fastest-rising Hip Hop acts in Australia, Zimbabwean born Thando has released her brand new single Numb featuring Remi and will be heading to Sydney for a mid-week romp to celebrate. Wed, Mar 7, Beach Road Bondi (Sosueme)

Anthony Taufa, Melodie Reynolds-Diarra and Shari Sebbens. Photo: Rene Vaile

think hard. Not just because of Aboriginal issues but what are each of us doing with our lives. Are we being brave? Are we making the right decisions for the right reasons? But we can also laugh with everybody at the same time.” So why should people go out and see this show? Shari replied, “If you want to have a laugh and a fun night out, it’s not a heavy issue based play, if you want some of the biggest belly laughs and if you’ve got a family and you can identify with a dysfunctional one, come along and have fun.” (RH) Until Mar 10. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $81-$108+b.f. Tickets & Info: www. sydneytheatre.com.au

By Jamie Apps Whilst battling his own personal demons Australian rapper 360, aka Matt Colwell, thought he had “ruined” his career and relationships with fans. With his addiction and bipolar issues now conquered 360 has returned with a new record, Vintage Modern, which has been warmly received both critically and commercial. In 2014 it took 360 hitting rock bottom during his Utopia tour to finally seek medical help. During the tour 360 was at the height of his codeine addiction issues which untimely led to an overdose and the cancellation of the remaining dates of the tour. “That was a massive wake up call to me that I might have ruined everything, I felt like I had everything and lost it by being a junkie,” explained 360. Since then 360 has completed a stint in rehab and also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. During this entire process 360 was afraid he would never be able to recapture the success he had once had and that the key to having any chance of that would be to regain the trust of fans. “It was really important to prove to people that I was definitely clean this time around,” he said. “I did that by being very open and honest on social media about my past addiction, rehab and my mental health issues.” On his Facebook page 360 posted a video entitled, I’m Sorry, where he explained that during the height of his addiction he was pharmacy hopping in order to acquire the 90 Nurofen Plus tablets he was taking everyday - not to get high, just to stop feeling withdrawal symptoms. 360 told City Hub he has now been clean from

360

illicit substances, alcohol and cigarettes for three years. “It’s very, very tough though. After spending six or seven years of constantly being on something you need to learn how to live life again and how to interact with people again. Everything is so different but so much better now.” This new positivity has manifested itself in an incredibly successful new album which has 360 exploring new musical realms.

“At the time I felt like I needed the drugs to create music but I think after spending a few months writing while clean I realised I was writing the best shit that I had ever written. To have this album come out and do what it has done is amazing and has made me really, really happy.” Mar 2.The Metro Theatre, 624 George St, Sydney. $56.10+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.metrotheatre.com.au

Sanctum & Solace - Made Wrong North Queensland hardcore outfit Sanctum & Solace’s new EP Made Wrong is full of insight into the human condition amidst a chaotic soundscape. Over the course of the six song EP the group explore the major flaws facing many modern people. The main talking points are the fixation on the shallow satisfaction sought from material objects, gratification from strangers online and the self destructive impact this can have on individuals.

Sonically Made Wrong is chaotic due to the constant, erratic changes to the rhythm. Layered upon this are passionate vocals, which unfortunately occasionally stretch themselves a touch too far and become anguished or strained. Overall this is a nice record but is certainly not designed for the casual listener and is thus much better left to the hardcore fans of the genre. (JA) WW city hub 1 MARCH 2017

THE NAKED CITY

The Lady And The Unicorn

GUNS & POKIES! With Coffin Ed Donald Trump’s reaction to the Florida school shooting, suggesting teachers now be armed in the classroom, must have sent raptures through the upper echelons of the National Rifle Association.Talk about the knee jerk wisdom of a ‘stable genius’.What it did demonstrate was Trump’s almost unflagging alignment with America’s most powerful lobby group, one that sunk over $50 million dollars into getting him elected. Here in Australia the so called gun lobby is very much a minority voice but we do have an ‘interest’ group with all the power, political clout and financial resources of the NRA. It’s not a badged up organisation like the latter but many would argue its authority is almost absolute.We are talking poker machines, those filthy, money grabbing, family wrecking, soul destroying electronic addiction devices that are so fanatically safeguarded by the clubs and pubs lobby in cahoots with the various state governments. The power of this lobby is no better demonstrated than in the current Tasmanian election campaign where the Labor Party has made the brave promise to rid the Apple Isle of virtually all pokies by 2023, removing some 2,375

poker machines from 97 Tassie pubs and clubs.The unofficial NPL (National Pokie Association) has thrown everything into a massive scare offensive, claiming that hundreds of jobs will be lost, pubs and clubs forced to close and the State plunged into an epidemic of hardship. Nothing of course to match the current malaise that the machines inflict on essentially working class Tasmanians with most of the revenue going offshore to the Sydney based Farrell family owned Federal Group who enjoy a monopoly of pokie licences throughout the state. It’s no secret that Australia has the biggest number of poker machines per capita than any other country in the world and state governments here reap millions in gambling taxes from their ever increasing proliferation. Politicians such as Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon who campaign continuously for poker machine reform are few and far between but maybe hope lies with the younger generation. In the same way that smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants became socially unacceptable pokies need to be painted as pariahs, as out of place in modern society as the toxic fumes that smokers once blew through nearly every

A Fantastic Woman

an aneurysm, Marina’s life, love and identity are cruelly, indifferently scrutinised by authorities and Orlando’s indignant family. She is subjected to accusations of gold-digging, murder and even supposed wellmeaning intervention, for instance by a sex abuse investigator, simply lead to further humiliation. This film by Chilean director Sebastian Lileo has deservedly been touted as an Oscar winner. The portrayal of Marina is complex, sensitive and honest. Lileo presents the trans experience as nuanced; in one particular scene, Marina literally crosses gender boundaries. The time is right for It’s beautifully photographed this film and this film is with a couple of off-beat right for the time. Marina scenes enriching the (Daniela Vega) is a young emotional texture. Trans trans-woman: waitress, actor, Vega is outstanding, night club singer and much thoroughly gripping in younger lover to Orlando every scene. The wonderful (Francisco Reyes) a wealthy soundtrack also deserves businessman. When Orlando special mention. (RB) WWWW suddenly dies one night of

city hub 1 MARCH 2018

commercial space.We need to celebrate and reward those pubs and clubs (and admittedly there are very few at the moment) who have chosen not to include gambling dens despite forgoing an obvious revenue source. Take the Petersham Bowling Club, a thriving community club and live music venue in the inner west which purged the one armed bandits many years ago. And then there’s the East Sydney Hotel in Woolloomooloo where the long time publican Harald Muller set the standard by refusing to have pokies in what was then a working class area, a policy which has been steadfastly upheld by the current owners. Perhaps the relevant councils could reward these venues with some kind of financial grant as they are indeed doing a community service. Meanwhile movements and websites such as www.proudlypokiesfree.com are the groundswell in promoting venues without the wretched money sucking machines.

It’s common knowledge that many of the executives of the big American tobacco companies never touched cigarettes, worried no doubt that they might end up with cancer. Likewise many of those at the forefront of the National Pokie Lobby (i.e. politicians, club presidents, pub owners and the cashed up Farrell family from the Federal Group) would never consider punting their pay packet through a machine. Despite their supposed concerns for addicted gamblers they seem to have little problem with an industry that causes such enormous social havoc and financial distress. In the USA,Trump, the NRA and the slavish upholding of the Second Amendment may well see every school teacher armed in the classroom.The gun lobby there seems insurmountable.The result of the Tasmanian election will be an interesting one and regardless of the result, the impetus of the antipokie campaign may well spread nationally. Let’s blow the bandits away forever!

Finding Your Feet

Lady Sandra Abbott (Imelda Staunton) is a wealthy, pretentious wife who, on the night her husband celebrates his retirement, discovers he has been having an affair with her best friend. She flees their luxurious home to find solace with her diametrically opposed sister, Bif (Celia Imrie) who lives in a council flat in a seedy part of town, smokes weed and takes dancing classes with a mixed group of rambunctious seniors. Her emotional castle wall is dismantled brick by brick as she

learns to find youth, truth - and of course, her feet - again. It’s a charming movie with genuinely funny moments, though it suffers some unfortunate cliches and contrivance in the plot. Timothy Spall is endearing as the affable Charlie and Joanna Lumley is the aloof but dependable pal, Jackie. It’s refreshing to see a mostly older cast of characters being given more to do on screen than serve wisdom with a plate of lemon cream biscuits. (RB) WWW

For only the third time in their a much revered series of tapestries will leave France to amaze Australian art connoisseurs. Revered as a French national treasure The Lady And The Unicorn tapestry series, often referred to as the ‘Mona Lisa of the Middle Ages’, will be making its exclusive appearance in

atmosphere that is created, and by the joyful harmony of the flowers strewn on their red grounds.” said Elisabeth Taburet-Delahaye, director, Musée de Cluny. Designed in Paris about 1500, the tapestries are considered to be some of the greatest surviving masterpieces of medieval European art.

My Sole Desire

Sydney at the Art Gallery of NSW through a generous and exceptional loan from the collection of the Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge in Paris. “The Lady And The Unicorn is one of the most famous masterpieces of medieval Western art. It seduces us by the beauty and balance of its compositions; by the intimate and secret

An engaging program of events and activities, including film, digital and tactile experiences for all ages, will help unravel this centuries-old mystery and illuminate the beauty and intricacy of these enigmatic masterpieces. (JA) Until Jun 24. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney. $14$44+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

The Gateway

John V. Soto co-wrote and directed this small budget sci-fi thriller about a particle physicist who discovers why parallel worlds should remain parallel. Jane Chandler (Jacqueline McKenzie) and her research partner Regg (Ben Mortley) are on a quest to achieve teleportation. Spurred to risk blowing the grid when their investors threaten to pull funding, they successfully make an apple disappear inside a chamber, however it fails to reappear in the receiving chamber several feet away.They can only conclude that it’s been transported to a parallel universe. Meanwhile, Jane’s patient,

supportive husband Matt (Myles Pollard) is killed in an accident, leaving her to grieve with their teenage daughter and son. On the chance there may be another version of Matt in a parallel world, Jane transports herself, does indeed find “another Matt”, brings him back with her and…well it’s not the happy ending she’d anticipated. It’s a movie with unfulfilled potential.The script - in particular the dialogue - is clunky.The actors seem uncertain and their performances border on melodramatic and so it’s hard to be truly invested in any of the characters. (RB) WW1/2

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JACCOM Air-Conditioning and Electrical Contractors Air-Conditioning & Electrical, Wall Hung Split Systems, Ducted Split Systems, Package units,Heat exchangers Exhaust & Ventilation Systems, Residential, Commercial, Educational, Medical.Call us for FRIENDLY CLEANING is a trusted, a Free Quote on: 0418 526 843 or professional cleaning company servicing www.jaccom.com.au Sydney’s Metropolitan area. We specialize in strata cleaning, residential cleaning, office SYDNEY COMFORT ZONE AIR cleaning, end of lease cleaning and more. CONDITIONING & ELECTRICIANS Call 9211-4989 or Call Lee 0424 564 332 Installation, Maintenance, Sales, Servicing or Jackson 0431 109 074 Domestic, commercial Industrial, Police checked and fully insured ARC TICK Limon Cleaning Service certified air CONDITIONING ,Licensed Staff. Outrageously Reasonable office and home Upfront repair quotes, Affordable Rates SPRAY TAN & BEAUTY cleaning. Have your premises cleaned first Call: 0410 115 253 time every time by our expert team . All Beauty By Sharmika We specialise in Mobile PLUMBERS inclusive $49 per hour Please contact organic spray tanning, waxing, eyelash lifts, AIRLECT Air conditioning & electrical Shire Care Plumbing brow + eyelash tints, makeup & massage in services, Installs & maintenance, Free quote Linda on 0449584799 24HR's Emergency Plumbing- One of comfort of your home, Feel & Look Great & best prices, Fully licensed & insured. ABS (Australian Bright Services) Sydney’s most trusted Plumbing Companies. Call Mobile: 0450117412 Beat the heat in summer& the chill this winter, We offer All sorts of cleaning services and Our professional plumbers are fully using a new Ducted air conditioner will cut much more: Office cleaning, Domestic cleaning, accredited and insured, so you can assure TILERS your electricity bills. Call Josh 0406 039 115 Housekeeping, Specialist in child care, Age that in the odd event of any incidents, we We are a Reliable and Professional team of care,Windows cleaning, High water pressure, are fully covered.Call Today 02-9556-1573 ELECTRICIAN We offer FREE QUOTES tilers ready for any type of tiling job End of lease cleaning, Rubbish removal, www.shirecareplumbing.com.au and specialise in all aspects electrical. (bathroom, indoor &outdoor) marble, mosaic, Timber floor maintenance, Floor polishing and * Lighting * Power * Data * Air conditioning swimming pool , renovationand waterproofing, sealing hard floor Carpet cleaning and We Also REMOVALISTS etc. Call Joey: 0455 999 706 - Available 24/7 offer a service of gardening.Call Jose Mobile: Please call Reza : 0431228543 PERFECT REMOVALS 11 Tonne Large Trucks, 0402 457876 4.5 Tonne Medium Size trucks and 1 Tonne www.Australianbrightservices.com.au CARPENTER Vans for smaller deliveries. Household removals, Carpentex Carpentry and Construction Full Pre-Packing , Packaging supplied HOME LOANS For all your carpentry and construction needs Container removals & Corporate removals. from Walls, Roof, Decking,Internal work GMA Home Loans - Our mission is to Call Office: 9211 4989 or Roger 0404- 611- 279 including doors, architraves and skirting. Also, Serve, Respect and Protect. For a friendly, Renovations and extensions, Bathroom reliable and personal discussion over any Men Power Removalist specialise in from $18 p/w* renovations and Granny flats. For a free quote financerelated matter . professional, fast & efficient removals Call George on 0433 732 486 Call George on 0414 369 444. (local & interstate) for homes, units, Call 1300 991 283 or commercial buildings & offices. sam@bondiclassifieds.com.au Call Michael for a free quote 0477 631 635 *T&C’s apply

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Did we mention the apartment comes with a Sky Cinema? Featuring Australia’s tallest man-made waterfall, Waterfall by Crown Group is one of Sydney’s most sought-after developments in the heart of Waterloo. First phase sold within 5 hours! Don’t miss out on this newly released limited collection of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments. Experiencing FOMO (Google it)? Don’t be. Display Suite at 30 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo. Open 7 days, 10am till 4pm

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