City Hub 25 May 2017

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Between a rock and hard place: Pyrmont relic set for destruction

BY GEORGIA CLARK In Pyrmont, locals are rallying against the demolition of a relic of the suburb’s colonial history. The destruction of a 19th century home and carpark is imminent, as property developers undertake an archaeological survey on the 2,300 metre land on Harris and Mount St and its yellow stone sandstone remnants in preparation for its excavation.

The development received the green light from the City of Sydney Council for demolition late last year, and is set to be converted into 14 new residential dwellings at a cost of $39,050,000.

Local Pyrmont worker, Paul Gye, has been outspoken about his opposition to the development. He says that the yellow stone massif on the site is “one of the last intact portions [in] Pyrmont” and is calling on City of Sydney Councillors to carefully inspect the area to reconsider its destruction.

“The site includes remains relevant to some well-known names in Sydney history, such as the Saunders family, who quarried Pyrmont stone and shipped it over for some of Sydney’s most beautiful buildings,” he said.

But the developer TWT Property Group Pty Ltd says the design, executed by Tzannes Architects, reinstates the historic terrace streetscape and includes a palate with sandstone excavated from the site to reflect the area’s heritage.

The General Manager of TWT, Stephen Fitzpatrick, said they are “proud to be part of this process of learning about the heritage of the site,” saying that Tzannes Architects are well known for respecting heritage and that the artefacts will be mostly repurposed.

“Where possible, recyclable sandstone will be reused on front and back façades of the Harris Street terraces and the ground level of Mount Street terraces. The archaeologist has proposed to TWT that artefacts discovered during excavation be donated to a teaching University with a focus on archaeology... alternatively, TWT may use the artefacts as display items within the development. There were no existing building or structures that could have been preserved,” he said.

But another community member, Elizabeth Elenius from Pyrmont Action Group, said that while she didn’t oppose the initial DA, the discovery of remnants of the 19th century building was a game changer.

“With this discovery I now believe that the remnants must be preserved. I can’t speak for the whole community but Pyrmont Action would like preservation of the early Pyrmont village remnants, some of which date back to the 1850s,” she said.

Conditions of the DA not only require excavation to immediately stop if any archaeological items are found, but also requires a Geotechnical

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The street view of the former 19th century property set for destruction Credit: Supplied

Report, which requires sandstone of suitable quality to be recycled. A City of Sydney spokesperson said the DA made sufficient provisions to protect the heritage of the site.

“The applicant’s Heritage Impact Statement considers the modifications made to the proposed development to be minor in relation to the heritage fabric. The applicant is seeking to retain existing heritage items. The heritage listed terrace on the site at 63 Harris Street is being retained, the sandstone wall adjoining the Pyrmont Community Centre is being repaired and restored, and all archaeological work is being carried out in accordance with NSW Heritage Council requirements,” they said.

But Mr Gye expressed concern that the archaeological report, which will include full details of the site’s significance, won’t be available until after demolition of the site.

“As this site will shortly be entirely erased, and deeply scoured out - to the extent it will accommodate three basement levels - it seems unconscionable that the City of Sydney’s elected representatives remain unaware of the beauty, complexity and rich story that resides there and which relates so directly to the story of Sydney,” he said.

A City of Sydney spokesperson said that section 96 applications to modify the approved development proposal are open until the 25th May. But Mr Gye says allowance should have been made for

reconsideration of the development following the archaeological survey.

“It’s the last intact, accessible remnant of the globally-renowned Pyrmont sandstone massif, which preserves both its original natural form – including rock pools and watercourses - as well as the quarrymens’ markings of its exploitation.

“Secondly, it bears the extensive residue of early residential, Victorian Pyrmont – the sandstone village across the water that provided the genesis of the ‘City of Villages’ and its iconic, sandstone heritage,” he said.

But Mr Gye says the site should not have been conceptualized as “derelict” based on the conclusions of the Heritage Impact Statement and the Archaeological Assessment, which he says were based largely on previous archeological surveys conducted by other consultants and not provided to the public.

“The development application was premised on the baseless assumption that the site had effectively become barren waste ground unlikely to yield anything of significance,” he said.

While the usual DA process was undertaken, Mr Gye says that the site’s history warranted more consideration.

“While the DA process was undertaken correctly, it was resolved too flippantly and without all the information available about the site… the site flew under the heritage radar in private hands and never attracted any kind of consideration for heritage listing.

“The heritage impact statement provided by the developer in the DA was woefully inadequate,” he said.

But according to Mr Fitzpatrick, an extensive public consultation process was undertaken.

“Community information and feedback sessions were conducted in two sessions in June 2016, the sessions were promoted to 70 neighbouring residences and business as well as local community groups,” he said.

Mr Gye argues that the site’s history may be better preserved if used for public purposes, such as a “community facility with educational functions … which preserves the remains in situ.”

“The City of Sydney rightfully bemoans the loss of public institutions such as the Powerhouse Museum - yet it is overlooking a golden opportunity to create one here that is relevant to both the local community and the entire city,” he said.

Mr Fitzpatrick argues however that the most appropriate use of the land is as residential dwellings, which he says were “repeatedly praised by the City of Sydney for [their] architectural and urban design sensitivity.”

Frosty reception for Inner West bus privatisation

BY PAUL CLARK Sydney bus drivers walked off the job last week in the Inner West to protest the privatisation of services in Bus Region 6. Region 6 includes routes that service suburbs from the city west to Strathfield and Olympic Park.

The NSW Government says privatisation is necessary to ensure better services for commuters. “There have been improvements in recent years, but State Transit still lags a long way behind its industry competitors in measures like on-time running and reliability,” said Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance. Mr Constance said that of the Sydney metropolitan regions, the Inner West services attracted the highest number of passenger complaints.

This statement was greeted with scepticism by the Administrator of Inner West Council, Richard Pearson. Mr Pearson questioned whether the number of complaints is sufficient justification for selling off Region 6.

“Why not just improve the service?” he said. Mr Pearson also pointed out that the number of complaints in Region 6 appeared normal for Sydney. “I note that the eastern suburbs service attracted roughly the same number of complaints. So far, though, there’s no indication the State Government is going to put those bus services out to tender.”

Mr Pearson went further, stating that the Government should provide reassurance to bus commuters. “What we need is an absolute commitment that services will be maintained or improved and that fares will not escalate,” he said. Transport for NSW says that the Government will continue to own the buses and depots, and will set Opal fares and issue the timetables.

Chris Preston of the Rail Tram and Bus Union Australia said that bus drivers were deeply apologetic for last week’s strike.

“But there is one person to blame for the strike and that is Andrew Constance,” he said. “He has no mandate to privatise Sydney’s public transport. This was never once discussed with the people and privatising Sydney’s public transport was never discussed at the last State election.”

Sydney’s entire Inner West bus fleet is about to be privatised.

Credit: Wikimedia commons

Greens NSW MP and Transport Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, supported the strike. Dr Faruqi also criticised the State Government plans to privatise Inner West Bus Services. “The bus complaints is a fig leaf for their ideological obsession with privatisation.

The STA bus contracts are amongst the biggest in the states so private corporations are no doubt smacking their lips at the profit they can make off the taxpayer and the travelling public,” she said.

Dr Faruqi also suggested that the State Government should respond to the complaints it has cited by fixing the bus service, rather than selling it off.

“I have some news for Mr Constance, he is the Minster for Transport and Sydney Buses sits under his leadership. It is he who has failed the people of the Inner West with sub-par services and he should take responsibility to fix it, instead of flogging it off. Public transport is for public benefit, not private profit.”

Transport for NSW says the tender process will begin in July 2017 and is expected to be completed by July 2018. city hub 25 MAY 2017

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Opinion

Leaf-blowers: the new urban evil

By An drew Woodhou s e A leaf-blower is a profanity. Yet I also know native London plane trees support fauna and absorb petrol fumes.

In summer, they create shade and cooling breezes to reduce strain on our overloaded electricity grid. They’re a living, breathing, life-saving, single micro-climate.

Architect and town planner, Kylie Legge, author of “Future Solutions” says in her talk about the future of cities at the Vivid Festival, that “community values aren’t going to shift. People want to walk along and sit under tree.”

Let’s do coffee, Kylie. My shout: I know the perfect plane tree.

These trees, with their gilt, autumnal, cascading leaves create a crunchy blanket underfoot and herald the eternal cycle of the seasons. They drop, drop like slow tears, swaying rhapsodically in tune with the zephyrs which lullaby and cradle their tumbling return to the same earth from whence they were born. In the sky above, their branch arches kiss to create a canopy which makes a gloriously glowing golden veil in the sky. Each leaf is a signal from above that nature is omniscient.

It’s a sylvan suburban scene. Or is it? No. Sydney Council, that self-appointed priesthood, arrives like a bad party guest who trashes the place and guzzles the best wine before scuppering. Council strides onto streets revving ear-splitting, mind-numbing, 100-decibel, leaf-blower engines disrupting our natural bio-rhythms.

Raspy, riotous, rackety leaf-blower engines create more noise than a hundred falling forests or jet engines on Mascot Airport’s Runway One. Noise is a major urban public health issue affecting our psychological and physical well-being.

Blasting out hot air (like council itself ) at hurricane-force speeds, these engines spread allergens, toxins, pollutants and pathogens into the air we breathe into our brains and body.

They are carbon dioxide pollution bombs.

They should be banned. Their users should be arrested for disturbing the peace. Council should fine itself under the 1997 Environment Protection Act. Leaf-blowers are evil. 30% of the fuel and oil mixture

Cartoon by Mark Lynch

doesn’t combust, creating toxins such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons. These make up more than 7% of global warming and add to acid rain. Carbon monoxide is toxic to humans and pets.

Environmental scientific studies prove emissions from a single leaf-blower in one year equals running eighty cars 20,000kms! Hydrocarbons are smog-creating, cancer-causing carcinogens. This poisonous toxic cocktail exacerbates allergies, asthma and acute pulmonary disorders in children and the elderly.

The American Lung Association recommends everyone avoid them. They’ve been banned in Los Angeles since 1998.

Pollarding (trimming), is the answer to leaf litter. The world’s most elegant street, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, reserved for pedestrians and cyclists once a month, is a place of glory and grandeur. Plane trees are not vilified or sneezed at. They’re carefully coiffured. Each tree is trimmed by topiarists into a living work of art into the tulip shape a champagne glass flute. What else?

Small stockings are cradled under branches. Dust and pollen are collected naturally and emptied at sunset. It’s all discrete, elegant and très Française.

Their street sweepers use a bit of man-muscle and real, straw-thatched, mediaeval-designed, oak brooms to corral every remaining petiole, foliole and stipule. It’s a retro solution but the exercise works off all those beautiful, buttery croissants.

What’s wrong with this? Nothing. Who doesn’t love a croissant?

Sydney Council workers questioned about leaf-blowers coyly admit they are anathema. Workers in my street say they only use brooms if residents complain. So if they know this why doesn’t council?

Consider my heckle a group groan and community complaint, council.

Why can’t council even enforce its own grandiose 2030 master plan?

Am I asking too many questions? Good.

Council reckons it “aims to provide low-carbon, water sensitive, climate resilient, zero waste, active, green and cool” environmental solutions.

I reckon it’s missed its aim. Its claim is a nonsense on stilts and the biggest piece of intellectual fairy floss ever foisted on the public.

So we’re now living in a disturbia, not suburbia, as council tries to kill us off.

But we’re not snuffed out quite yet: we live and can still breathe enough to take back our council; for us, by us, with us in mind.

Andrew Woodhouse is President, Potts Point & Kings Cross Residents’ Society.

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Helping hand for homeless, and their pooches too

BY PAUL CLARK It’s a weekday morning and Martin Place is bustling. Men donning business suits people walk briskly, tourists stroll. The routine hum of the city is punctuated every now and again by massive bangs from a construction site opposite the Reserve Bank.

Many of the tourists are looking towards this construction site, but not at the development work.

They’re looking at the camp of homeless people called ‘Sydney’s 24-7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space’, which is sheltered under the construction scaffolding.

Some people appear curious about the messages written on chalk boards, providing information for homeless people about essential services. At least a few passersby seem to think the street kitchen might be a regular café, because of the utensils set up with food stored nearby. However, the makeshift beds neatly lined up along the walls quickly indicate that this isn’t a cafe.

Where there are homeless people there are homeless pets, too. There aren’t any pets obvious inside the Safe Space but they are around the area in various places, usually in a patch of autumn sun.

One man sitting in Pitt St mall with his staffy cross says he sleeps in the Safe Space or Belmore Park. He is dressed in rags, but his 2-year-old dog Roxanne is neatly groomed and dressed in a nice cold weather coat. Like most other dogs, she just wants a pat. It’s unclear how often people stop to chat, but a few people stopped and took a photo while this writer was there chatting to the man and his dog.

There’s no official number for how many pets are living with homeless owners around Sydney. What is accepted is that dogs or other pets provide essential support and companionship to the homeless.

Many homeless people have pets, who need assistance too.. Credit: Paul Clark

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The RSPCA said companion animals can offer significant consolation for homeless people.

“We strongly believe in the mental, emotional and physical benefits of the relationships between people and pets. For some homeless people, their pet is often the only positive thing in their lives and the idea of having to give up their pet can cause major distress to someone who is already suffering hardship,” they said.

Some short term accommodation is pet friendly, such as the Jewish House crisis centre in Bondi. The kennels there were constructed by Southern Cross Veterinary Clinic as part of their Compassionate Fund to help financially disadvantaged pet owners, Project Hope. Unfortunately for pets and their owners, such accommodation is not always available.

As far as long term accommodation is concerned, the RSPCA says that not all public housing is pet friendly. Similarly, private rental situations are often not pet friendly, and this can make it difficult for owners and pets to be housed together.

“The best thing for any animal is to stay together with the owner,” says the RSPCA Community Outreach Programs Manager. “It’s traumatic being separated.”

The RSPCA operates a program called Living Ruff, which is intended to provide support for people and their pets who are homeless. Living Ruff can provide support such as pet boarding while homeless people are in accommodation that does not accept pets. The program also provides essential help such as veterinary services for pets living on the street.

Living Ruff is a NSW wide initiative, and has been operating for about six years now. As an indication of the need for services like this, Living

Ruff’s Community Outreach Programs Manager says that in Sydney, in the last financial year, Living Ruff spent about $70,000 on boarding pets and about $40,000 on vet bills. “We looked after about 150 animals in Sydney in about the last year and a half,” she said.

There’s not a lot of money around to care for pets.

The RSPCA does what it can from the resources it has. There are other organisations helping out with pet care, such as Project Hope and Pets in the Park.

Pets in the Park, among other services, operates regular clinics for pets belonging to homeless people who have a referral from a welfare agency.

Living Ruff says that the pet owners contribute financially what they are able to, and there are also corporate donations and product drives that contribute to things like pet care pack distribution.

“When an owner finds a home and pick up their pet from boarding we like to send them to their new home with some food and bedding, things like that,” says the Community Outreach Programs Manager.

“Another thing is to be able to distribute pet food packs at Christmas so pet owners are not going without a meal in order to feed their pet.”

Living Ruff accepts referrals from human welfare agencies, as well as direct contact from people in need. Apart from these methods, the RSPCA arranges periodic outreach sessions in cooperation with the City of Sydney. “There are ‘pet days’ organised in areas where we know there is a need, so that owners can arrange microchipping, desexing or vaccinations,” said Living Ruff.

All the agencies supporting pets work closely with the human welfare agencies, and accept donations through their websites.

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7

Opinion

NSW draconian abortion laws

BY ANITA SENARATNA On May 11, I was sitting in the public gallery of the State Parliament House watching a debate about Mehreen Faruqi’s Abortion Law Reform Bill in the upper house. There were people from both sides of the debate there, but what struck me was the fact that at least three quarters of us were women, looking down into the chamber as 31 men (and 8 women) decided that a woman ending a pregnancy should be a criminal offence in 2017.

For me, this is the abortion debate in a nutshellcontrolled by men and completely disconnected with what the public actually wants. A recent poll conducted by the Greens showed that 87% of NSW residents believed that women should be able to have abortions.

It also found that 76% didn’t even know it was a crime.

It’s understandable, because despite being technically illegal, abortions are still relatively accessible in NSW- provided you have the finances and live near a clinic, you won’t get arrested for having an abortion.

As it exists currently, abortions are illegal unless the doctor can prove that continuing the pregnancy would pose a risk to the woman’s physical and mental health. The way this looks in practice is that doctors have to have a ‘counselling session’ with the woman beforehand, where they ask you questions about why you want the abortion and what your personal circumstances are like. It’s not too terrible but at the same time it’s pretty unnecessary. After all, the government doesn’t think women need counselling before any other types of surgery- it’s completely between the woman and her doctor. And if her doctor objects to abortions on moral grounds, that doctor should refer her to another provider who doesn’t have that objection.

Women in NSW are appalled that abortion is still illegal.Credit: Wikimedia commons

But abortion’s confusing legal status means that they aren’t nearly as easy to get as they should be, especially for the amount of women that have them.

According to pro-choice organisation Children

by Choice, it’s estimated that anywhere between a quarter and a third of Australian women will have an abortion in their lifetime. But if you Google ‘abortion clinics nsw’, only fifteen clinics come up for the entire state. About ten are in Sydney, the five remaining ones are on the Central Coast, with a couple in Port Macquarie and Wollongong.

For comparison’s sake, when you Google ‘plastic surgery nsw’ you get ten pages of results.

Why is it easier to find a doctor who’ll give me a boob job than one who’ll give me an abortion?

Of course doctors are hesitant to enter a field where they could face prosecution for simply not asking the right questions. And although it’s rare, there have been cases where it’s happened.

In 2006, abortion doctor Suman Sood was found guilty of performing an illegal abortion because she failed to “adequately counsel” the woman beforehand. There are a lot of facts in that case that indicate she may have been medically negligent, but there are already laws that cover that without the need for specific ones relating to abortion.

Most of the arguments presented by the MPs who voted against the bill seemed to centre around an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach towards the law. It must be noted that very few of these MPs actually got up to speak during the debate, a point noted by Dr. Faruqi in her press conference after the vote.

Liberal MP Troy Khan was one of the few that did speak, and his argument was essentially that women can still get abortions despite it being illegal, so what’s the problem? As we’ve already established, there are a lot of problems.

It’s also worth noting that abortion has been decriminalised in every other state besides Queensland, and there have been no adverse effects. Having unrestricted access to abortion isn’t going to lead to more women to seek illegal abortions, or late-term abortions, just because they can.

There seems to be this myth amongst conservatives that women are just dying to seek out illegal abortion providers or wait until just before they’re about to give birth before deciding that they don’t fancy having the child after all. This is not even remotely based in reality. Approximately 1% of all abortions performed in Australia occur after 20 weeks, and even then it’s only in exceptional circumstances where there’s a foetal abnormality or some kind of threat to the woman’s life.

NSW’s abortion laws are completely out of touch with reality, and don’t reflect what the community wants at all. But one good thing that has come out of all this - it has drawn attention to the fact that abortion is still a crime. Hopefully that will encourage more people to make their feelings known to their local members and push for reform.

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city hub 25 MAY 2017

Sydney’s housing prices soar

BY SATHSARA RADALIYAGODA, TOMMY BOUTROS AND GEORGIA CLARK Housing affordability continues to plague Sydney with prices in upmarket areas including Bondi reaching new heights, as a state government solution comes under fire.

Sydney’s property prices continue to climb with Domain recently announcing that 78 Sydney suburbs have a median price of above $2 million, including Drummoyne, Randwick, Darlinghurst and Haberfield.

The Greens have been vocal on the state’s ability to change Sydney’s housing affordability. Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown and NSW Greens spokesperson for Housing says that greater state regulations could improve affordability.

“At a state government level, The Greens have been advocating for inclusionary zoning, which requires a set percentage of dwellings in a new development to be built and rented out as affordable housing.

With ambitious targets of around 30%, we could see large numbers of affordable units become available across Sydney. Setting those ambitious targets as a condition of approving new developments is key,” she said.

Lee Rhiannon, Senator for NSW argues that abolishing Negative Gearing and stamp duty could create a more equitable housing market.

“Federally, we need to end negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, swap stamp duty for a broad-based land tax, dramatically expand public housing, introduce a national minimum standard for tenancy legislation and increase direct federal funding for homelessness and social housing,” she said.

Since the 1980s, where baby boomers could easily afford housing in Sydney, the average house in Sydney has risen to $934, 800 or more. Senator

Sydney rental prices are still climbing relentlessly. Credit: Wikimedia commons

Rhiannon said that improving overall access to education and healthcare can also improve access to housing.

“To ensure that everyone has a home we also need to strengthen the social safety net and make sure that things like education and healthcare are truly universal, and guaranteed to all. We need big picture solutions – that is what the Greens are fighting for,” she said.

Professor Hal Pawson heads Housing Reserarch and Policy at UNSW, and is also the University’s Associate Director of City Futures Research Centre.

Professor Pawson said that those who bought homes prior to 2000 have a step above the rest.

“Housing in Sydney is not unaffordable to all. The majority of those in the baby boomer generation who bought their first home prior to 2000 are mostly in a very strong financial position, and their housing costs are either very low or nil,” he said.

Professor Pawson said the issue is both a state

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and federal one, but that the state is fundamental to alleviating it. “[The NSW State government] could lobby the Federal Government to phase out the wasteful and damaging tax concessions that incentivize landlord investor property acquisition,” he said.

With the prospect of buying and owning a house seeming impossible, renting has been the quick fix to a long-term issue, where many Sydney residents are now experiencing ‘housing-stress’.

According to the Federal Australian government, “A household is typically described as being in ‘housing stress’ if it is paying more than 30% of its income in housing costs.”

Ms Leong says that the housing insecurity created by the current housing market is unacceptable.

“All levels of government should be doing much more to provide subsidised public housing.

For more than 100 years, government funded public housing has been available to low income earners in NSW, but with successive Labor and

Liberal governments we’ve seen underinvestment and growing waiting lists,”she said.

City West Housing, one of Sydney’s largest housing companies, constantly witnesses individuals who are experiencing ‘housing stress’ due to unaffordability.

A spokesperson for City West Housing further agrees with Professor Pawson, noting that “housing affordability is a nationwide issue that federal, state and local governments are all working to address.”

While certain areas have a higher market price, including city dwellings, they feel it is important for everyone to have equal access.

“We provide affordable rental housing for key workers in the City of Sydney area – people on low to medium incomes and who need to live near their workplace,” they said.

Professor Pawson believes people have been forced into renting due to Sydney’s housing crisis.

“For growing numbers of people [renting] is a necessity - people locked out of owner-occupation by unaffordable prices,” he said.

According to Senator Rhiannon, the 2017 budget measures provide “no meaningful solution” to the housing crisis and will make it even more difficult for students and those on income support to enter the housing market.

“The Turnbull government’s failure to use the budget to phase out the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing shows the Liberals and Nationals are not serious about making housing affordable for all.

“The proposal for prospective first home buyers to divert their savings into their super accounts will likely prop up already skyrocketing prices. Funding for homelessness services and public and community housing has only been maintained in real terms,” she said.

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Woollahra residents optimistic

BY ALEX YUJIN The fight to save Woollahra Council from mass amalgamation continues, but this time with renewed confidence for residents after the High Court of Australia granted a special leave application in Canberra last week.

Protestors are hopeful for a positive outcome, buoyed by the success story of Ku-ring-gai Council, when earlier this year three Court of Appeal Judges ruled that they would not be amalgamated with Hornsby.

Residents and community groups have been rallying against the changes, fearing that the local focus will be lost with the new council covering such a vast geographical area.

“The typical voice of the community won’t be able to be heard,” said Charlotte Feldman, President of the Darling Point Society.

“We are a cohesive and effective community organisation and we work with other local organisations in the municipality, such as the Double Bay Residents Association, the Potts Point Heritage Society, the Rose Bay Residents Group, the Paddington Society to name only a few, on common issues.

“The cooperation within the community is strong. We have no need for an amorphous amalgamation where our voice will not be heard,” she said.

Woollahra Councillor Anthony Morano Port Denison, Botany Bay. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Paddington Society is proud of Woollahra’s natural wonders and fears they will suffer under council amalgamation. Credit: Wikimedia commons

believes the Baird Government wanted mass amalgamation simply to centralise power.

Councillor Katherine O’Regan says that regardless of the High Court outcome, she plans to stand up for the community and make sure they receive “the quality of services and amenities they deserve.”

The Paddington Society prides itself on preserving the natural beauty and heritage of the area. In a submission made against the forced amalgamation, President Will Mrongovius said “Paddington is one of the most significant intact 19th Century Victorian suburbs in the world.

It is protected as a Conservation Area and is subject to Heritage Controls by both the City of Sydney and Woollhara Councils.

“The proposed merger of councils will

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The Society believes that a larger council will not be familiar enough with the Woollhara area and is unlikely to enhance its heritage protection.

Woollhara Mayor, Toni Zeltzer said it was a shame the NSW Government had to be challenged in court to “uphold the principles of democracy.”

“There are no benefits for Woollhara under this forced merger and our community was not given the full story before the Government conducted its public enquiry into amalgamtion,” she said.

Mayor Zelter said the success of Ku-ring-gai Council made it obvious there were concerns about “the legitimacy of the whole process.”

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city hub 25 MAY 2017

FEATURE

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

“It’s very exciting to be paired with artists outside my own genre and it will be great to see them perform because that can open you up to new influences, techniques and styles which can then lead to new genres being created.”

Speaking to Amelia it became apparent that Sound Select is not simply looked at as a commercial venture by either herself or Red Bull but rather it is viewed as a real opportunity to help the Australian music industry progress and grow on an international stage.

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“Sound Select is so unique because of the backing by Red Bull who have so many resources behind them to help foster artist development” A prime example of this being the success of previous Sound Select performer Sampa The Great. Following Sampa’s performance at a Sound Select event she was provided with the resources to travel to Paris to record a track with Estelle and Rahki, a producer for Kendrick Lamar. For SK Simeon he is hoping that by being afforded this opportunity to perform in Sydney he may be able to achieve similar success,“that’s what every artist wants but in Australia it can be especially difficult because its such a big country with a crowded music place.”

This idea of resource availability has become increasingly more important, particularly in Sydney, as the live music industry struggles to maintain itself let alone develop new artists.

“It’s a little scary in Sydney at the moment” said Jenner, “There are still incredible people doing exciting things but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult.”

With these lineups being researched and hand selected not simply for their commercial value Amelia feels they have a special “human touch” feel to them that you cannot get anywhere else. Amelia spoke with us in intricate detail about her passion for each of these acts and the key factors influencing her decision to select them, for example she had this to say about Friendships; “I’ve seen them play live a few times and every time has been mind-blowing but every time I’ve seen them they’ve been in a very established live music venue. So I thought it would be really exciting to see them in a bit more of a DIY space, which is what Ricardo’s is.”

In order to avoid the Sound Select program becoming stale they have a rotating cast of curators which also features I OH YOU’s Johann Ponniah and Laneway Festival’s Travis Banko. This rotating curation process allows for the program to provide opportunities to as many burgeoning artists as possible.

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JAMIE APPS On the surface being a music artist looks like a fun lifestyle where you’re always surrounded by friends, however in reality it’s often a lonely life which see’s the artist spending a majority of their time alone in a studio writing music. With that being the case it can often be difficult for those artists who are pushing boundaries and progressing music as a whole to break into the wider consciousness of the general public. Thankfully though programs such as Sound Select, which has sponsorship backing from Red Bull, is looking to change that.

Sound Select is a live music artist development program designed to support and uncover local artists through a series of monthly live shows, curated by industry influencers. The key component of the program is the pairing of well established artists with artists who are rapidly rising through the ranks. This months show featuring SK Simeon, Friendships and Cassius Select has been curated by FBi Radio’s new Music Director Amelia Jenner.

According to Jenner the hardest part about being a curator has been finding artists who are simultaneously creating music which is “exciting and a bit out of the ordinary” but also “not so underground” that they’re unable to draw a crowd. As she explained though, “this is where the Sound Select format excels by having an exciting headliner and then pairing them with two smaller developing artist’s as a surprise little treat for the people who come out early.”

The headline artist for this months show is the Ugandan born but now residing in Melbourne dancehall artist SK Simeon. Simeon has been making and playing music since 2011 and is a wonderful example of how collaboration and mentoring can be crucial to an artist’s success.

“When I first started in the outer-suburbs of Melbourne I realised that there wasn’t that many people around me making music so I had to rely on Youtube and Facebook to learn and reach out to people.” explained Simeon. Since those early days he has gone on to collaborate with artists all around the globe, some of which he has never met in person.

Whilst Simeon may be looked upon as the senior artist of the program this weekend he feels the opportunities to learn are not simply a one way transaction.

Cassius Select. Image provided

Mentoring the future of Australian music

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Ham Funeral

The Ham Funeral is one of Australian theatre’s most brilliant and bizarre gems. Written in 1948

by Patrick White, the play looks at the darker side of the human condition; death, incest, mortality – nothing is off the table. And with the entirety of the play’s morbid events literally taking shape around a long kitchen table centre stage, it seems it was White’s purpose to provoke his audiences all along.

Directed by Kate Gaul, this time, it’s Siren Theatre Company and Griffin Independent bringing the play’s deathly ideas to life. Set in a

boarding house, the caretaker’s wife, Mrs Lusty, is forced to plan her husband’s funeral after he suddenly dies over the kitchen table (I told you).

With the help of the young poet renting out one of her upstairs rooms, Mrs Lusty invites her late husband’s family over for his funeral – a special funeral with ham.

Undoubtedly a heavy style of play, The Ham Funeral’s beauty lies in its intriguingly gruesome characters. Immediately drawn into the first act by the vivacity of the grotesque Mrs. Lusty, played flawlessly by Eliza Logan, it can be easy to fall behind while battling between the real and profound within the dense dialogue between her and the young poet.

Toward the end of the first act, new life is injected with the addition of new cast members: the hauntingly incongruous family of late Mr. Lusty. Twisted and smirking, the family of four are reminiscent of characters from a childhood nightmare, or perhaps Lemony Snicket book.

The four bring the play to life, and elicit genuine laughs from the audience. And it’s the careful balancing act between the dark and this comedic light where the play finds its affect.

(CW) Until June 10, Mon-Sat 7pm. Griffin Theatre Company, 13 Craigend Street, Kings Cross. $30-$38.Tickets & Info: www.griffintheatre.com.au

Hidden Sydney/ Kings Bloody Cross

Every major world city seems to have its places of urban bohemia, neon glitter and decadent notoriety but in Kings Cross, Sydney had it all rolled into one. It’s a place just itching to tell its stories and at least some of them come to light in the show, Hidden Sydney and its companion piece Kings Bloody Cross.

“Everyone knows the stories of Kings Cross - it’s like literary fodder”, says curator Olivia Ansell. “In many ways, the flamboyancy of Kings Cross has given Sydney its personality.”

Looking for a cheap rehearsal space for actors, she stumbled upon The World Bar and immediately thought of putting on a show about the history of the Cross. “The interiors

look exactly like it did when it was a working brothel”, explains Ansell.

It’s an immersive interactive cabaret experience that begins with a bouncer in a back lane and ends with Judy Garland heckling from the bar at the Chevron Silver Spade. In between the audience travels through the Manzil room, the Carousel Club, a scene from the bedroom of Eugene Gossens and Rosaleen Norton, the Les Girls dressing room and a brothel called the Nevada – which is what The World Bar once was.

Hidden Sydney was a massive hit in 2016 selling out by word of mouth alone, prompting Ansell to add to it this year with an intriguing series of ‘in conversation events’. Over three weekends, Kings Bloody Cross, gathers together some of the luminaries that were used to create Hidden Sydney, to speak candidly about what they know. It’s all about the people who made the cross, the bohemians, the Sydney Push, the corruption, the anarchists, the music.

“There is nothing like it”, says Ansell, “come and see it while you still can.” (GW) May 27-June 11,Various performance times.

The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross. $50.Tickets & Info: www.hiddensydney.com.au

a&e

12

city hub 25 MAY 2017

12 STAGE 13 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Edward Albee’s excoriating script in this landmark 1962 play heralded a dramatic shift not only in the subject matter of American stage plays but also in the very language itself.

Middle-aged married couple George and Martha return from a college party in the early hours of the morning and spend much of the action pacing around the set tearing strips off one another with all the ferocity of caged animals.

George is an academic in the history faculty and Martha is the daughter of the college president, and their exchanges are as painful as they are witty.

The “fun” escalates rapidly when they are joined by young professor Nick and his wife Honey, who are cajoled, threatened and bullied into joining George and Martha’s dangerous inebriated games, which eventually lead to the collapse of all semblance of civility among the four.

Genevieve Lemon is an arresting Martha, spitting chips while simultaneously revealing her vulnerabilities even as she is attacking others in her sights.

Darren Gilshenan’s George stood up to Martha in the only way he knew, with sarcasm, biting wit and a world weariness that suggested he was ready to give up the whole charade.

As Nick and Honey respectively, Brandon McClelland and Claire Lovering show how easily the

veneer of courtesy and breeding can be torn away.

Director Iain Sinclair elicits impressive performances from all four actors, while Michael Hankin has created the perfect set for this piece, including the lounge suite (which I recognized as being a duplicate of my own). Lighting designer SianJames Holland throws a subtle spotlight on the action.

Well worth a visit to see a restaging of this powerful play. (ID) Until Jun 18,Various performance times.

Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street Kirribilli. $34-$71.Tickets & Info: www.ensemble.com.au

Mr Burns Anne Washburn’s Musical hit Mr Burns, a post-electric play is coming to Australia, bringing a humerous and uniquely driven world with The Simpsons at its centre.

This three-act performance begins in a post-apocalyptic, post-electric America when a disaster strikes, causing nuclear power stations all around the country to explode. The surviving characters travel around the country to perform live reenactments of episodes of the Simpsons.

Director Imara Savage said “the idea [Anne] is exploring is how stories survive beyond an apocalypse… over a period of 100 years where electricity and Google no longer exist, how you’re able to document the story and recognise how it changes in each retelling.”

Imara wanted to illuminate these ideas and clearly define the worlds of each act, “I think it’s a really challenging play to direct, it’s not really a play, it doesn’t have a plot or character development in the way a normal play would. By the third act, the actors no longer exist… there are entirely new people performing this fake religious ritual.”

This play takes a unique form, unlike other traditional performances at the theatre and this is what caught Imara Savage’s attention.

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

“What interested me really was how formally interesting it was. It’s full of pop references such as Rhianna and Eminem, while at the same time it’s got Shakespeare, Greek theatre, Pageant theatre and Pantomime”, Savage concluded. (JM) Until Jun 25, Various performance times.

Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $40-$72. Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au

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

Diary Of A Wombat

If you’re dying to see a production filled with warmth, discovery and a big furry creature, I suggest you go and see Diary Of A Wombat.This feel good play is based off the picture book written by author, Jackie French. Jackie and her husband made friends with a wombat years ago, when one day this naughty creature decided their backyard was his too.

City Hub spoke to the director Eva Di Cesare, who fell in love with the story when she first read it years ago.“I saw a cello on stage” Eva explained her vision she had three years ago.That’s right,

there is no talking involved in this production.The exquisite melody of the cello is played on stage to illustrate the sound of the wombat, Mothball.

This play is put on by Monkey Baa Theatre Company for children aged three and up. But don’t let that fool you.“This wombat is very charming.

Adults can be just as into it as their four year old” Eva said.This passionate director hopes people will take away “a healthy respect for our nature and wildlife”.

When was the last time you saw a giant wombat puppet on stage?

Diary Of A Wombat gives viewers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this curious animal and according to Eva,“they deserve a great amount of respect”.

We’re sure you will fall in love with Mothball when you see this furry creature and he will remind you that animals and humans are very much alike.We all just want to be loved. (OL) May 27, 12:30pm & 2:30pm. Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre,Terrace 3, 1 - 25 Harbour St. Sydney. $29.

Tickets & Info: www.monkeybaa.com.au

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

By Jamie Apps

Julia Jacklin: After a whirlwind period following the release of her critically acclaimed debut Don’t Let The Kids Win, Jacklin returns to home soil to play the biggest headline venue of her career tonight.

Thu, May 25, Metro Theatre The Smith Street Band: By creating their very own record label and releasing their fourth studio album, More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me, The Smith Street Band are now able to play a Sydney venue they have always dreamed of.

Fri, May 26, Enmore Theatre Slumberjack: Ahead of the release of their forthcoming EP Fracture the Perth duo are coming to Sydney to give their east coast fans a sneak peak at the masterpiece. Local young-gun Kuren will be joining Slumberjack as he follows up his 2016 hit Home ft. Ben Alessi.

Slumberjack

Fri, May 26, Metro Theatre Broads: The Melbourne noircountry crooners, consisting of Kelly Day and Jane Hendry, arrive in Sydney this weekend to celebrate the release of their mesmerising and panoramic record Vacancy with a special, intimate performance.

Sat, May 27,The Bearded Tit The Protesters: Sydney’s most loved reggae band will launch their brand new album Postcolonial World

this weekend. The night will not only celebrate the album launch, but will also mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum giving Aboriginal Australians the right to be citizens. This will be a celebration of reggae music & protest song.

Sat, May 27, Camelot Lounge Sydney Eisteddfod: This weekend approximately 6,500 musicians and singers will descend on Chatswood.

Sydney Eisteddfod involves events for singers, dancers, actors, musicians, choirs, bands and orchestras, along with creative categories for composers, writers and poets.

Sun, May 28,The Concourse Fleet Foxes: Five years since their last, life-affirming shows, American band Fleet Foxes return to Sydney this week as part of the Vivid LIVE events at Sydney Opera House. This will be their final Australian show for 2017 and will include material from their forthcoming third album Crack Up. Mon, May 29, Sydney Opera House Sun Kil Moon: Utterly unique amongst the folk and rock genres.

Sparse yet intense, there is a mesmerising quality to these introspective musical musings. The atmospheric restraint of arrangements is adored by true music aficionados the world over.

Tue, May 30, Factory Theatre Donny McCaslin Group: With three Grammy nominations and twelve albums to his name, saxophonist Donny McCaslin is widely regarded as one of jazz’s most innovative artists and band leaders.

So much so that he was recently voted as the International Jazz Artist Of The Year at the annual Jazz FM awards presented in the UK. Wed, May 31,The Basement

This Is Not Mills and Boon

Sex positive attitudes and fast-paced comedy come to The Old 505 Theatre with This Is Not Mills and Boon, which returns after its debut during the 2015 Freshworks Season.

Inspired by real life erotica author, Nikki Sex, This Is Not Mills and Boon tracks a young girl named Abbey who falls in love with Sol, who happens to write porn with his mother. After a public break up, Sol’s mother gifts Abbey with an erotica novel to help her explore her distaste for sex.

“I really wanted to write a play that used the tropes of an erotica novel. The hyperbolic language was right for theatre and I liked the idea of people laughing at sex rather than it being treated as something dirty and disgusting,” says Erica Brennan, the writer of This Is Not Mills and Boon. “Sex is a part of our lives that is hidden in darkness and privacy.”

With a cast of four actors and elaborate costumes bringing the lusty characters of various erotica stories to life, This Is Not Mills and Boon delves into the ‘cliterature’ of erotic fantasies and how hidden traumas can affect your sex life.

“Personally, I had to confront a lot of really unhelpful ideas that I’d placed on myself including how sex was supposed to go,” says Brennan. “I found that through engaging with [erotica], there was an incredible amount of playfulness with sexuality. Nothing is off the table.” (ES) Until June 3,Tue-Sat 8pm. Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza St, Newtown. $30-$45.Tickets & Info: www.old505theatre.com

Cash Savage and The Last Drinks

By Jamie Apps Cash Savage’s name has become synonymous within the Australian music scene with hard work and determination, especially over the course of the last couple of years.

During these years Savage has battled through many harrowing personal moments, which incidentally led to the creation of the super personal and successful record One Of Us. Off the back of the success of this record Savage and her backing band, The Last Drinks, have since toured all around the globe.

Finding success in Europe especially. Now before heading back there once again the band is touring Australia to mark the release of their new single Run With The Dogs.

When speaking with the City Hub to break down the album Savage said that the word “cathartic” in particular came to mind when reflecting on the writing process. She went on to

New Venusians

explain how writing this album allowed her to let a lot go.

“I have the feeling that when you write or perform a song you’re giving it away. For me I’ve given those songs away and they’ve become everyone else’s just as much as they are mine.”

Even though Savage obviously has a very personal approach to songwriting she has also managed to maintain a solid separation between that and the business side of her music. That is despite not taking on a manager for the band, because as she explained, “I haven’t refused to take on a manager, I just haven’t found someone who would do it better than me.”

For younger musicians Savage had a couple of great tips if you’re looking to follow a similar path of self management. The first of which was to always maintain clear boundaries between creativity and business, “I don’t take my laptop anywhere I would

This album is wisps of cloud surrounding the listener. It is an airy space, with the listener floating inside it. Swirly like a repetitive cyclone, the album lulls the listener’s functioning brainwaves into stasis, covering the listener in a pleasant fog.

Like travellers through light years of space, the listener’s body and mind shut down any unnecessary processes, keeping them alive without ageing until they reach the end of the journey.Floating in a zero gravity dimension where all is weightless and transparent, the listener has no need for outside things, they have music passing through them, surrounding them with non-threatening vibes.The music transmitted to them through their ears takes up an ever growing space in the brain, atmospheric, defying description and still expanding.

Listeners will awake as if years later, but they may need a second to regain an understanding of their surroundings. (SP) WWW

be playing music.” Secondly she says to always remember “you’re never alone in the music business, everyone is here to help you so just ask.”

Tomorrow’s show is set to be the bands penultimate stop before heading back around the world to Europe, so obviously the excitement was clear in Savages voice when describing the show.

“We’ve got two excellent bands also performing on the night, Jep & Dep and Mere Women, both of whom are pretty incredible so I’m stoked they both came on board.

From us I guess people should just expect us to do what we do and play good shows.”

May 26, 8pm.The Factory Factory Floor, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville. $17+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.factorytheatre.com.au

Far Away Stables Between Rage and Serenity

I hadn’t heard of Sydney’s Far Away Stables until I listened to their debut record Between Rage and Serenity, so as a Sydney music writer that fills me with a great shame to say because they are phenomenal.

Their sound conjured memories of Coheed and Cambria from my angsty teen days but with a refreshed, modern slant to the lyricism.

The band have managed to find that sweet spot between, as the title suggests, rage and serenity.Throughout the roughly 45 minute journey there are moments of aggression which are then tempered with a sweetness.

Far Away Stables have landed a killer blow with their debut record and certainly cemented a place in my regular record rotation. (JA) WWWW city hub 25 MAY 2017

13

THE NAKED CITY

KINGS BLOODY CROSS - REVISITED With Coffin Ed Kings Cross evokes many responses these days. Some will tell you the area is dead, killed off by the lockout laws and ever encroaching gentrification. Others have a more positive outlook and look to the precinct’s remarkable history as a blueprint for its resurrection. Somebody very much in the latter camp is curator Olivia Ansell who has put together a series of twelve highly entertaining talks for this year’s Vivid Festival under the banner of ‘Kings Bloody Cross’.

It’s fair to say that KC runs in Olivia’s veins as she hails from a long line of musicians, dancers and magicians – many of whom were associated with the halcyon days of the Cross.

She remembers how her “Dad would come home from playing the late night shift at the Bourbon & Beefsteak. He’d have fists full of burnt $100 notes. Underworld figure Lenny MacPherson had been in and demanded the band play a few encores - with flaming $100 tips thrown one song at a time. I became fascinated with the stories of the Cross - so many legends, from Les Girls to Abe Saffron, Kenneth Slessor, Juanita Nielson and Carmen the Snake Dancer.”

Under three different categories, ‘People‘, Bohemia’ and ‘Place’, Olivia has assembled an impressive cast of writers, journalists, dancers, radicals, musicians and personalities - all with a wonderful story to tell. No discussion of the Cross, past or present would be complete without the involvement of longtime residents Louis Nowra and Mandy Sayer, the current torch bearers of the area’s literary legacy that includes writers such as Patrick White, Kenneth Slessor, Barry Humphries and Frank Moorhouse. As Nowra notes: “Every important Australian writer at one time stayed here or wrote about it”, citing Kings Cross as a source of inspiration for some of Australia’s most notorious scribblers.

Likewise, whilst many of the Cross’s notable characters are long since deceased, the indestructible Vittorio Bianchi continues to hold fort, in what is probably the last bastion of the bohemian era, his much loved Piccolo Bar in Roslyn Street. Along with his neighbour and actor Vashti Hughes,Vittorio with his almost photographic memory will recall five decades of the tiny coffee shop’s incredible history.

The criminal milieu has always been inseparable from the Cross and journalist Kate McClymont will host The Underbelly Experience, with former KC police constable Deborah Locke and Screentime’s Greg Haddrick. Whilst street walkers are now almost extinct along the glittering mile they were once a fixture in the 70s and 80s. ‘Sex & The City’ will feature Julie Bates, Principal of Urban Realists, and one of the first female sex workers to tread the boards at the Nevada – the infamous Kings Cross brothel on Bayswater Rd that boasted the the biggest bed in the Southern Hemisphere, I asked Olivia, despite the gangsters, the punch ups and the at times sordid episodes - why do you think Sydneysiders still have so much affection for Kings Cross, albeit if much of it is based on nostalgia? She explained: “Because, Kings Cross gave Sydney its personality. The flamboyancy, flirtatiousness, underworld and risqué activity made the joint exciting. After the conservatism of the Menzies era, Sydney was ready for change, which the Whitlam Government infamously paved. The golden years of the Cross, where live music, variety shows, exotic dining and all night entertainment kept the city alive. Everyone minded their own business and respected their neighbours, turning a blind eye was part and parcel of running a successful establishment.”

That certainly sounds like a blueprint for the future and who’s to say that this quintessential part of Sydney’s culture and history will not once again flourish like it did in the 60s, 70s and 80s. We can only hope.

May 27-June 11,Various performance times.The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross. $50.Tickets & Info: www.hiddensydney.com.au 14

city hub 25 MAY 2017

National Reconciliation Week, taking the next steps!

Thousands of Sydney-siders will soon attend events all over the city to celebrate the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

Yes, National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2017 is just around the corner.

NRW is bookended by two notable dates: May 27, when the historic 1967 Referendum was passed, and June 3, when the High Court delivered its landmark judgement in the Mabo case in 1992.

Those dates have even more significance this year with it being the 50th anniversary of the Referendum and the 25th of the Mabo decision.

CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Justin Mohamed, said that the 1967 Referendum and the Mabo decision were hard fought struggles achieved with passion and determination.

“Like the Apology, they were pivotal moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey and, in keeping with the theme of NRW 2017, Let’s take the next steps, it’s up to all of us to maintain that enthusiasm for change,” Mr Mohamed said.

And the signs are positive. The 2016 Australian Reconciliation Barometer found that almost 90 per cent of the Australian general community feel their relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is important.

It also found that 93 per cent of Aboriginal and Torrs Strait Islander people and 77 per cent of Australians in the wider

Forces

When you think of the purpose of steel often what comes to mind are engineering feats like the Eiffel Tower or the Harbour Bridge. The art of contemporary jewellery is changing this notion by using steel in multiple ways to transform dirty metals into beautiful and pristine objects and designs. The ‘Forces’ (Fluidity and strength in contemporary jewellery and object practice using steel – the dirty metal) is a contemporary steel art exhibition at the Studio 20/17 Project Space in North Sydney that is currently showcasing the works of several jewellery and object makers who choose to reflect through their art everything from the strengths and weaknesses of the natural world to current political matters and the contemplation of

A newspaper advertisement promoting the Yes vote for the 1967 Referendum

community believe Aboriginal cultures are important to our national identity.

Nonetheless racism, discrimination and a denial of history continue to mask the many positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians.

Mr Mohamed said NRW is the ideal time to commit to the next major milestone on the reconciliation journey.

“That next step should be recognition of the First Australians in the Constitution.With genuine bipartisanship and by working together we can make history again.”

“When I think of how a reconciled Australia would look, I imagine it would be a place where we share genuine respect and empathy for each other.

“A place where the enduring cultures of the First Australians are fully appreciated.

Bill Onus at the Referendum march in Melbourne in March 1967

A place where racial taunts are no longer heard.

A place where skin colour is never a factor.

A place where prejudice is non-existent.

In short, a united Australia comfortable with its past and confident of its future.”

To learn more about National Reconciliation Week 2017, and to find related events happening in your local community, visit www.reconciliation.org.au/nrw.

and contemporary jewellery maker Bridget Kennedy spoke to City Hub about what makes steel attractive to these creative artisans: “ From the makers point of view it’s interesting how many qualities, patterns and rust you can get from it; it’s also a much cheaper material if you’re going to be working in a large scale, you can get interesting surface qualities with quenching oils that you can’t really get with more traditional precious metals like silver so you can get more lovely dark, rich black interesting surface qualities”. This exhibition our every day lives. Curated by Melbourne will expand your horizon to all the artist Sarah Heyward this intriguing possibilities of using an industrial material exhibition has seven artists who will we often don’t think of as something demonstrate how they can transform steel delicate and beautiful. (DJ) into pieces of art with free talks, workshops Until May 27. Studio 20/17 Project and process demonstrations for the public Space, 53 Ridge Street, to learn more about this fascinating craft.

North Sydney. Info: Co-founder of Studio 20/17 Project Space www.projectspace.studio2017.com.au

Robert Earp - Venus Virgin Tomarz

Robert Earp is an absolute genius.This Melbourne man has completely transformed a woman into a warrior and a glass of milk into a glistening moon.“I like adding the magicians trick” Earp said.And there is no doubt about that. Earp is a photomaker he explains,“I brand myself as creating worlds”.

Each photo is a collaboration of multiple photographs conjunct into one magnificent, sci-fi galaxy. You will fall in love with the woman in these photos,Venus Virgin Tomarz, for her dynamic image and fierce persona.

Venus’ intention is to share her story and passion on gender equality.With the use of Earp’s intricate mind, he brilliantly has made sense out of the surreal, something I never thought was possible.

Venus came with the idea and Earp turned her dream into a reality. These two

artists have completely crossed the line into a world where there are no boundaries.

“It grew into something much larger” Earp told me with a smile on his face.

When I found out that everything was shot in his studio, I couldn’t believe it.

With a robotic dog, a woman flying through space and mouth watering men fighting in war, my imagination was completely stretched passed its capacity.

I think we could all use a bit of Robert Earp in our lives. The profound world Earp has created for us is expansive, intriguing and gave me hope for the world we live in today. (OL) Until Jun 4. Black Eye Gallery, 3/138 Darlinghurst Road, Sydney. Info: www.blackeyegallery.com.au

Handsome Devil

His new roommate Conor (Nicholas Galitzine) is quietly spoken, handsome and a natural rugby player.

A bond develops between the two, a friendship which is tested by peer group pressure, rumours and intimidation from the pupils and teachers alike.

Dealt with tenderness, this film explores the friendship, disappointments and hardships of a gay teenager who desperately wants to come out, but who is unable to, owing to the high expectations set by the school and society in general.

Is Ned or Conor gay? Is coming out the right thing to do? Is it a lie to pretend to be straight? A This small Irish coming-of-age film realistically memorable quote from one of the teachers who deals with the psychological issues experienced asks “if you try to be someone else, who’s going to by a teenager over his sexual identity and be you?” is a very relevant and thought-provoking contains universal themes which all young gay question. people should relate to.

There’s a few surprises in this school yard drama Ned (Fionn O’shea) is a nerdy kid suffering from of the friendship of two boys who ultimately a persecution complex and is labelled a gay by the altered the thought patterns of not only the pupils, boarding school bullies owing to his appearance and but the teachers alike. (MMo) WWW1/2 his lack of interest in rugby.

Neruda

Renowned Chilean writer and politician Pablo Neruda was the people’s poet who inspired restless artists and radical dissents worldwide.

Neruda’s story has been documented quite extensively but never before has a fiction drama been made about his life. Chilean director Pablo Larrain (director of Jackie) has come up with an original plot in Spanish (with English subtitles) combining Neruda’s history and a little poetic license to convey an imaginative tale about a manhunt for the outspoken poet that takes place in 1948 when the Videla administration had banned communism in Chile.

Neruda (Luiz Gneco) accuses Videla of deceiving the communist party and as a consequence he becomes a fugitive and is fiercely hunted by Peluchonneau, the chief of police played by Gael Garcia Berna.

This film takes you on a dramatic journey through Chile and Argentina but it’s also packed with humour and solace revealing Neruda as a communist trailblazer who was quite fearless

King Arthur: Legend

seemed unnecessary.The script was well written and easy to follow with the inclusion of witty one liners, getting laughter from the audience more often than not.The actors performed to a high standard and there was a surprise appearance from soccer player David Beckham who starred as Trigger, a sarcastic soldier of the king. Fans of the Merlin TV series will be glad to see the familiar face of Katie McGrath, who briefly plays the part of Elsa, King Vortigern’s wife.

King Arthur was a fun and entertaining film which didn’t fail to captivate the audience’s attention. (JM) WWW

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Of The Sword

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The action sequences were realistic and brilliant, with high quality special effects.Typical, cheesy heroic music complemented the film, which at times

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and enjoyed playing games with his enemies.

Neruda is a captivating film about a man who for most Chileans is a revered national icon.

(DJ)

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