City Hub 17 September 2015

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city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

Sydney rallies to welcome refugees

BY RYAN QUINN Over a thousand people rallied Sydney CBD streets over the weekend to support the current global refugee crisis.

At least four different protest groups joined together at Sydney Town Hall, with the same overarching message: racism is bad, welcoming refugees is good.

Refugee Action Coalition Sydney and its supporters surrounded the town hall on Saturday, while Syrian anti-war protestors gathered at the building on Sunday.

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon told Saturday’s crowd that Australia’s current strategy was failing.

“What right do we have to go in and bomb those countries, cause such disruption, and that disruption drives the suffering of these people. That is not the way to address these problems and that message has to come through loud and clear,” she told the crowded squre.

The rally followed last week’s news that Australia will accept 12,000 Syrian refugees who are fleeing to Europe due to civil unrest in their country.

Pro-refugee supporters peacefully closed traffic on George Street on Saturday, chanting “open the borders, close the camp, free the refugees”.

Others held up banners that said “say no to racism. Support the refugees!”

Refugee Action Coalition Sydney Coordinator Ian Rintoul said that while he was happy with the federal government’s intake of Syrian refugees, he would like to see a consistent increase in refugees assisted.

“The only thing we’re happy about is that the numbers are on top of the existing intake, but they are on top of an extremely miserly annual intake,” Mr Rintroul said.

“The government has already cut the annual intake from 20,000 to 13,750. Even if [the government] was talking about taking in the 14,000 in the next year, and they’re not, this wouldn’t even make up for the numbers that have already been cut,” he said.

“We are not talking a one-off of 50,000, we would like to see a year-on-year intake of 50,000.”

In her address, Ms Rhiannon said there are now 60 million refugees across the world.

“If you go from Afghanistan across to Northern Africa, there is about nine wars. Now I’m not saying that the West is causing them all, but we are exacerbating a situation that is causing this suffering,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Now we see Australia, and our bombs to the suffering of the people of Syria. War is what causes the bulk of the refugees to move out of fear and suffering,” she said.

Last week’s announcement that Australia will join US-led forces for Syrian air strikes was the catalyst for a smaller protest on Sunday held by the Australian Syrian group, National Union of Syria Sydney.

Union representative Hanadi Assoud disagreed with the planned refugee intake, and said he would like the war to be solved altogether.

“I would prefer not to have any refugees in Australia. I would prefer these people go back and live in dignity in their country instead of what’s happening in Europe,” Ms Assoud told City Hub. “I just want them to stop the war in Syria, do the right thing and go through the right channels,” she said.

Ms Assoud said that the move into Syria had not been properly discussed.

“It’s not a legitimate act to do. It is bombing Syria without even consulting this government. It is not legal. It has not been discussed in the UN. It has only been consulted with the Americans,” she said.

But Mr Rintroul said that last week’s intake announcement was in response to Light the Dark vigils, which saw 5,000 gather at Sydney’s Hyde Park on Monday September 7, as well as in other Over a thousand capital cities.

The vigils commemorated Aylan Kurdi, the Syrian toddler washed up on a Turkish beach.

“One thing we learnt from the massive vigils is that the federal government can be pushed and they were clearly pushed from do nothing to do something,” he said.

Mr Rintoul also said that their rally gave people the opportunity to express their anger in the aftermath of the government’s announcement.

“A genuine humanitarian response has to include Manus Island, it has to include Naru, it has to include people who are in detention in Australia,” he said.

Former Manus Island worker Charlotte Chung also spoke at Saturday’s rally, despite it being prohibited under the Border Force Act.

people attended the protests. Source Emiko Read

“This is the first time since I’ve left Manus Island that I’ve come out and spoken in public,” she said.

The Socialist Alternative Sydney also held a forum nearby immediately following Saturday’s rally to further discuss refugee intake, and called the government to “tear down the fences” of detention centres.

“The Liberal and Labor parties of Australia continue to outdo the world in racist inhumanity, imprisoning Syrian refugees in its detention hell-holes,” the forum event Facebook page said.

Saturday’s demonstration will be followed up by another on October 11.

Additional reporting by Kenji Sato and Emiko Reed

Ultimo community slams Education Department’s plan for local school Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS The Ultimo community have slammed Department of Education plans to demolish and rebuild Ultimo Public School, with a petition receiving 514 signatures in just 12 days.

Collecting more than 500 signatures means that the Education Minister must respond to the concerns raised by the petition in parliament.

The Ultimo Pyrmont Education Campaign Committee launched the campaign when they found that the Education Department was continuing with plans to find an alternate site for the school while the existing one was redeveloped.

They rushed to get the 500 signatures required to table the matter before NSW parliament, because they suspected that the department could begin planning to relocate the students “within weeks”.

The planned new school on the existing site would cater for only 700 students instead of the 1000 capacity previously planned.

This was despite the fact the community had continually told the department and the Education Minister they needed a larger school to cater for the area’s rapidly growing population.

During the NSW state election earlier this year, the government promised a new larger school would be built.

The City of Sydney Council had agreed to sell the site to the government at a reduced price because of the cost of remediation.

However, the government reneged on its promise because the estimated cost of $50 million for remediation of the site was double the initial estimate, rendering it as an unviable cost.

In June, Fairfax Media revealed that the government had ignored its own advice and opted for the most expensive remediation option.

Now the local community is slamming the proposal to demolish and rebuild on the current site.

Mary Mortimor, convenor of the Committee who raised the petition, told City Hub that demolishing a building that had had $10 million spent on it in the past 15 years did not make economic sense.

“The department and minister have slammed the door on anything other than knocking down the existing school and building a new one.

We say forget demolishing the existing school, it is a shocking waste of money,” she said.

Ms Mortimor said that it was not just an education issue, but also a broader one of planning for the area’s future.

“We have to get this through not only to the Minister for Education, but also the Planning Minister as well as the Premier because there is a responsibility for the NSW government to provide public education.

For the Minister for Planning, it is an issue because of the nearby Bays Precinct development,” Ms Mortimer said.

“They are also building more dwellings in Darling Harbour, several buildings in Ultimo and Pyrmont such as the Kennedy Building and others are for sale or going up for sale and will ultimately become residential -- the department’s calculations have not taken these new dwelling into account [with regards to population increase.”

She told City Hub that the potential demolition could have negative psychological effects for the children who are and have previously attended the school.

“There are many children who are attached to that school, who would be devastated to see it demolished, that is quite an emotionally disturbing experience. Anyone who has anything to do with children are saying that would be a distressing experience.”

The Department did not respond to City Hub’s enquiries in time for print. city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

3

City of Sydney embracing low carbon energy, but is it worth it?

BY RYAN QUINN City of Sydney Council voted on Monday night to use low carbon energy at two council pools.

It is planned that Ian Thorpe and Cooks and Phillips aquatic centres will have trigeneration plants installed to help cut their electricity costs and carbon emissions.

Trigeneration plants are installed into a building and use gas to produce low-carbon electricity, which creates heat used for cooling and heating.

According to the City of Sydney, trigeneration is more than twice as efficient as coal-fired power stations that produce around 80 per cent of Sydney’s electricity.

Greens Councillor Irene Doutney said the method was “just an in-between measure until we reach the point where we can go one hundred per cent renewable energy”.

“We’ve always supported it as better than just using off-thegrid,” Clr Doutney said.

The project is part of the City’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision to reduce its year 2000 carbon emissions by 70 per cent in 2030.

However, it was met with strong opposition by Liberal councillors Chrstine Forster and Edward Mandla, voicing their concerns at Monday’s council meeting.

“Yet again the Lord Mayor is asking for council to commit to a non-core, coal-seam gas based project at an exorbitant cost to rate payers,” Clr Forster said.

Zero Emissions Australia Executive Director Matthew Wright said that he would prefer to see the council adopt renewable energy instead of using gas.

“Renewable energy is coming down in price all the time, and they’re trying to buy 25 years’ worth of physical plant which locks them into burning gas,” Mr Wright said.

“It was a great idea a decade ago.”

He said that solar power installation costs have decreased.

A motion to put solar panels on the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre was struck down by council on Monday.

Mr Wright suggested ground-based heat sources and air source heat pumps as renewable alternatives, which he said is better suited for the low grade heat needed for aquatic centres.

“Air source heat pumps use about one third of the electricity off an electric heating system,” he said.

According to him, gas/fossil fuels are more appropriate for high grade heat, which are used in power plants and in industrial sites.

Clr Doutney said it was difficult to say trigeneration energy should not be used because it had coal seam gas in it because “when you turn on your stove you’re using coal seam gas”.

The move follows a failed trigeneration master plan to instate a city-wide trigeneration plan, which was scrapped in 2013 due to changing carbon prices and regulatory problems.

There were also plans to create a precinct-based trigeneration, which would see buildings sharing energy.

Clr Doutney said that the problem arose from the government’s block on export of energy, which would have made it financially viable.

“We needed to be able to export it to a bigger precinct rather than just one building,” Clr Doutney said.

However, the council still plans to power Sydney Town Hall using trigeneration, according to Clr Doutney.

“That’s the ultimate aim to spread far and wide rather than just do one building here and there,” she said.

Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla said Lord Mayor Clover Moore had tried to make trigeneration her “signature policy”.

Over 11 million dollars have been wasted in the process: all taxpayers’ money that was not spent on services, the homeless or clearing the backlog of urgent repairs,” he said.

Greens push for protest exclusion zones outside NSW abortion clinics

BY KENJI SATO clinic dismembers babies”.

The NSW Greens have “I’d be prepared to go put forward a bill for ‘protest to jail rather than stop exclusion zones’ around doing this, I’d still continue abortion clinics in NSW because I’m not doing parliament. anything wrong, I’m trying If the bill passes, it would to save a human life,” she become illegal for anti-abortion said. activists to protest outside of the But Paul Nattrass, the clinics.

Private Clinic’s practice Greens MP and manager, said that antispokesperson for the Status of abortion protesters like Women, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, Mrs Lachlan had caused said that this change was long his patients distress. overdue.

“She claims to be Caroline Lachlan “Medical privacy is a protesting outside a clinic. protesting, but I think what Source: Kenji Sato fundamental right. Women she’s really trying to do who are undergoing abortion is intimidate patients and services deserve that privacy,” she said. prevent them from coming to the clinic,” But Mary Joseph from the Life, Dr Nattrass told City Hub. “They’ve been protesting for long Marriage and Family Centre of the enough to know what to say to patients to Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said that upset them. If they see someone crying, this bill would stifle freedom of speech. they’ve achieved their goal. That’s their “We think it’s very important that agenda.” everybody has the right to peaceful Dr Nattrass said he hoped the Greens’ protests on any issue. It’s a basic civil bill would be successful, although he right,” she said. doubted it would.

“We don’t support violence or “It’d be great if the bill could actually get intimidation or anything like that. But through. I think it’s a good conversation to we do support the right of people to pray have in parliament,” he said. or to offer help to those approaching an “This is one law that could be abortion clinic.” implemented that would make a huge Anti-abortion activist Caroline Lachlan difference to the wellbeing of patients has been seen protesting outside The coming to a medical clinic. We fully Private Clinic, a Surry Hills abortion clinic. support it, and we really hope it causes She frequents the clinic wearing a some further discussions into the future,” sandwich board depicting images of Dr Nattrass said. aborted foetuses under the caption “this

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5

Bondi locals call bull dust on local development

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS It was almost beach weather in Bondi last Saturday, but a group of local residents opted for demonstration rather than taking a dip.

The group held a peaceful protest outside a construction site they claim is producing unnecessary levels of dust and disturbance for locals in the numerous apartment buildings nearby.

The small group of residents said that they had experienced adverse health effects such as chest congestion and headaches after construction began on the site in Ocean St. One person said that the group was not antidevelopment, but would like to see some effort to mitigate the dust, which they say has affected their health, and measures to reduce noise.

Protest organiser Jennifer Chrone said that the developer, Mirvac, was not abiding by Waverly Council’s development consent, because it specified that “noise and dust must not be permitted to injure the amenity of our neighbourhood”.

“Waverley Council has received a large number of complaints about dust and noise from the Mirvac site.

We want the council to stand up to its responsibility to save our health,” Ms Crone said.

One resident said they had a “constant cough” that couldn’t be fixed.

“I keep all doors and windows closed and have a constant headache from the noise,” she said.

But a Waverley Council spokesperson said that the council had received only ‘a small number of complaints’ concerning noise and dust around the development.

“Mirvac has gone beyond what the DA consent required by engaging their own consultants to log and respond to community complaints and issues,” the spokesperson said in a statement to City Hub. “Council has been liaising with Mirvac during the project and we are not aware of any violation of the

development consent in relation to the amenity of the neighbourhood. Council has received reports in relation to dust and vibration as a result of monitors located in various places within the site. They indicate compliance with the required standard.”

Head of Mirvac Residential John Carfi said disruption was inevitable, but that he company had gone to great lengths to minimise the impact.

He said to assist dust suppression, the project team has six high pressure water gurneys operating on site during construction hours, has daily street sweepers to ensure surrounding roads are kept clean and has dedicated respite periods for bulk excavation works.

“Our development team has been in regular contact with the Owners’ Corporations of neighbouring buildings and we have kept Waverley Council fully updated of all our activities,” Mr Carfi told City Hub. “All works have been carried out under the conditions approved in the Development Application with all the necessary notifications and approvals obtained.”

Waverly Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak addressed those at the protest, and said it was important that they made their concerns known to the council so concerns could be addressed.

The four buildings under construction on the site range in height from two to eight storeys, and construction will continue until December 2016.

One protestor pointed out that it was important to address health concerns early because it was near a school and a pre school.

Ms Crone said it was Waverley Council’s responsibility to enforce rules around the development consent.

“Council is comprised of our elected representatives, and it is their, role, and it is their job, to respond when health and safety concerns are raised and they have regulatory powers under the law which they are legally required to enforce.”

Community crowd funding promises greener pastures

BY JAZ SINGH-BRAH A new community garden project in Bondi is set to change the way the Bondi community sees food security and environmental sustainability.

The initiative, created by environmental organisation Transition Bondi, aims to set up a community garden to promote food security.

Head of Transition Bondi, Lance Lieber, told City Hub he thought the project would fundamentally change how people use their gardens.

“Our backyards shouldn’t just have grass, they should have food bearing there, which is all part of food security. So we are setting up this garden to educate people how to have their own footpath gardens,” Mr Lieber said.

“We will be running workshops within the garden teaching people how to compost and grow their own vegetables, so hopefully they can take it to their own communities and do the same,” he said.

With crowdfunding as the project’s main source of funding, new banking business Act is helping the group reach their $20,000 target.

With less than 20 days to go and being $7,000 away from their target, Alex Scriven from Act said he was hopeful the goal would be reached.

“These are all or nothing type campaigns, so if the target isn’t reached in the time frame the funding doesn’t get completed and passed through to the project owner,” he said.

“Here at Act, we certainly hope they reach the goal. It’s a great initiative and they are clear about what they want to achieve.”

“It’s a fantastic space to create this garden and it has huge benefits to both the community and anyone who wants to get involved,” said Mr Scriven.

Member of Transition Bondi and social networker for the project, Aisha Phillips, said that despite the success so far, being able to communicate the benefits of the garden to individuals had been a

challenge along the way.

“At the end of the day, running a campaign is always going to have its difficulties,” Ms Phillips said.

“We live in a world where there is so much going on.

It’s hard to get people to stop and realise that this is something for them, by the people for the people.”

According to studies from Deakin University in Melbourne, the effects of community gardens are widespread, increasing happiness, reducing suicide rates and heart disease, as well as bringing diverse communities together.

Aisha Phillips supported this, and said the garden was a “healthy way to get people together, to appreciate where our food comes from and to work toward a shared goal”.

“At Transition Bondi, we are definitely pouring our heart and soul into this project because of how many benefits come out of it and the potential it has.”

“Because ultimately that’s how we can start changing things in society, by making communities sustainable and working together.”

Working hard in the garden. Source: Supplied.

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7

People take to streets to protest lockouts

BY JASON MARSHALL and celebration of community and fun,” Mr Davies said.

Two thousand people danced from Hyde Park to Taylor Square to “Hopefully people notice there was no violence and the mood was protest Sydney’s lockout laws last weekend. of excitement and revelry.”

The protest festival, or ‘protestival’ was organised by Reclaim The Matt Mario, one of the organisers of the Deeper Than House Streets and featured over 50 DJs across 10 sound systems. stage, said the protest was really fun and engaging.

Protest organiser Chris Lego said the lockout laws were However, President of the Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage introduced during a period of “moral panic”.

Conservation Society said that there were less than the 1000s “These ill-conceived laws punish the majority of responsible adults reported as part of the protest. while doing little to address the underlying social and cultural “This little group of unwashed hippies confirmed there is actually problems causing violence,” Mr Lego said. a groundswell of community support for life-saving lockout laws,” Mr He said one of the benefits of living in a large city is having the Woodhouse said. choice to stay out late.

“This selfish rally was offensive to those who have been killed “This government is making decisions for us about the most basic on the streets of Kings Cross by alcohol-related violence and shows aspects of our lives,” Mr Lego said. complete contempt for the government’s initiative which has resulted “We want the right to set our own bedtime.” in a staggering 60% decrease in alcohol-related crime.”

Reclaim The Streets aims to break the car monoculture and “Claims all the violence has shifted elsewhere are a nonsense on develop a sense of community ownership and use of public space. stilts and are not substantiated by any crime data,” Woodhouse said.

The international movement started in London in the 90s, but was on hiatus in Australia until September last year.

In the past year, Reclaim The Streets has energised the antiWestConnex tollway campaign, with two successful protests drawing thousands into the streets of Newtown and St Peters.

Mr Lego said attention had shifted to the lockout laws because they are emblematic of the tight control of every day public spaces and “warped priorities” of the state government.

The protest’s event page featured a list of 99 other things to dance for, of which better public transportation, cycleways and pedestrian movement, as well the free use of parks, featured heavily.

Reclaim The Streets spokesperson Amanda Sordes said the festival both criticised the restrictions on liscenced venues and introduced people to the idea of a party in other freer places.

“We showed that thousands of people can have a great time in public without incident,” Ms Sordes said.

“The massive turnout clearly shows that Sydneysiders have not been lulled to sleep by the lockout laws quite yet!”

Protestors Henry Davies, from Wolli Creek, said he was inspired by the on Sunday.

Source: Andrew large numbers getting into the spirit of the festival.

“It’s amazing seeing so many people come together in protest Woodhouse.

(Supplied)

“Disguised ag-gag bill” passes through NSW parliament

BY KENJI SATO Legislation cracking down on animal rights activists who trespass onto farms has passed through NSW Parliament.

The 2015 Biosecurity Bill passed last week in its entirety, after amendments put forward by the ALP, the Greens, and the Animal Justice Party were rejected.

Niall Blair, the Minister for Primary Industries, said that the bill would “provide strict new penalties for anyone who intentionally or recklessly breaches their biosecurity obligation”.

“Our farmers are suffering as a result of unlawful farm trespass – financially, emotionally and physically,” Mr Blair said.

“Aside from the intolerable biosecurity risk farm trespass creates, it is also an unjust invasion of the privacy of farmers,” he said.

But Lynda Stoner, the CEO of Animal Liberation NSW, said that animal rights activism was necessary to ensure biosecurity.

“Over the years it’s been animal rights activists who have called attention to biosecurity problems,” she said.

“A lot of animal rights violations would not have come out had it not been for us going in there and discovering them.”

Under the new bill, individual activists could be fined up to one million dollars and could spend up to three years in prison.

Activists groups suspected of wrongdoing could have their offices searched and equipment taken without a warrant.

“It smacks of fascism,” Ms Stoner said.

“The government want to nullify us and it’s the only reason for this bill. But they won’t. We will continue to fight for the rights of all animals.”

Dougal Gordon, the CEO of the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, a group that represents intensive cattle farmers, said that farmers often felt that their privacy was being invaded by animal rights activists.

“Would you like people to come into your home under the guise of looking after the interests of your children on 8

city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

the off chance you might be doing something illegal? That’s exactly how we feel,” Mr Gordon said.

“We look after those animals just like our children. And yet we’re being put under pressure and made to defend what we do when we’re doing everything perfectly legally and we’re open and upfront about what we do,” he said.

“We’re talking about businesses that run on low margins. So if a farmer has a biosecurity issue, it has large financial ramifications.

We would like to ensure the risks aren’t increased via people coming onto your premises under the guise of animal welfare.”

Mr Gordan said that the feedlot industry was heavily regulated and monitored by the government and by independent groups such as the RSPCA. “You don’t need people to sneak around and trespass because there are legal avenues that allow you to address these issues,” he said.

But the legal avenues for addressing animal cruelty are “completely broken”, according to Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi.

“The enforcement of animal welfare laws in NSW has been really lax. All the issues that have been exposed have been exposed by investigators and animal welfare activists,” Dr Faruqi said.

“We saw that in the greyhound industry, we saw that in the live export industry. There have been many cases in NSW where cruelty on factory farming has been exposed by animal welfare activists,” she said.

“No one denies that biosecurity is absolutely an important issue.

It’s important for our farmers, the agricultural sector, and it’s important for the environment and biodiversity,” Dr Faruqi said.

“We do need strong biosecurity laws. But not agricultural gagging laws in disguise.”

“Unfortunately, there’s a clear conflict of interest between the Department of Primary Industries Green groups on the one hand trying to make fear that the laws will gag the most economic profit out activists. of the use of animals, and on Source: the other hand trying to protect Wikicommons animals.”

Spending on smaller scale feared as light rail disruption draws near

BY LEXY AKILLAS CBD businesses fear that the state government has not put enough planning into alleviating anticipated pressures and congestion of the light rail construction.

City of Sydney Councillor and owner of VIVO Café Angela Vithoulkas said she was concerned about the level of disruption that would impact both on locals and community, and the effect that it would have on businesses.

“My main concern, and the concerns I have heard from those who are on the ground, living and working in the city, are how disruptive the construction will be for getting into and around Sydney,” she said.

Speaking to City Hub, Clr Vithoulkas said that she was disappointed that the government had not considered the Christmas shopping period.

“Businesses would have preferred construction to have started in February as to avoid work during Christmas, however this is not how it has turned out,” she said.

As of October 4, a new bus timetable for commuters will be implemented to ensure that commuters are still able to move throughout the CBD. Clr Vithoulkas said that the bus changes would ultimately mean difficulties for workers.

“People are going to need to allow more time to get to work as the new bus stops are not where everyone is used to,” Clr Vithoulkas said.

“It is not unusual to hear ‘I missed the bus’, but now employers will also be hearing ‘I didn’t realise how far the walk was,’” she said.

“Only time will tell if they’ve got it right and whether or not it is working for the people.”

Construction begins in early October, but the first pedestrian zone on George Street will not be open until September 2016, meaning that construction will be taking place over this upcoming Christmas.

A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said that construction was staggered to minimize impact on business “Work is being staged over 31 zones to minimise the disruption to any one area. Construction, particularly in the lead up to Christmas, will be staged allowing for more pedestrian space in George Street,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson has also assured that Transport for NSW will continue to engage with impacted businesses of all sizes to assist them with programs and initiatives that will encourage people to shop in the CBD, particularly as the peak Christmas shopping period draws closer.

Why sex worker laws don’t need to be changed OPINION: Barbarella Karpinski On September 11 I attended the Select Committee hearing on the regulation of brothels.

There have been proposals to introduce a licensing model in NSW, similar to Victoria’s. This would threaten the independence of sex workers.

The decriminalisation which we have currently have in NSW is the best model. This means that sex work is just like any other job. If a legalisation model is introduced, it may require private sex workers to register on a database and it could cause stigma. It may risk the excellent health and safety record that decriminalisation brings, as workers are in a better position to negotiate safe sex.

The third model of sex work regulation is the Nordic Model, and this is based upon the assumption that all workers are female, all clients are male, and that women are victims. It is the loony tunes model because it ignores gender diversity and makes transgendered people invisible. It treats clients as evil beasts that belong in either jail or marriage.

Contrary to popular representations, there are many LGBTI representatives of the worker and client population in NSW. There are rent boys, disabled clients and happy female workers.

In the late eighties I worked for a few weeks as an erotic dancer in Sydney. Although my career in erotic entertainment was short, under the Victorian model of legalisation, where workers are required to register on a sex industry data base, I may have not been permitted to travel to such countries as the USA where sex work is illegal. Having to register myself back then would have meant no Hollywood screen career!

Under the proposed Victorian legalisation model, rather than just being fired from my job as an erotic entertainer due to my choice of Nina Hagen for stripper music, I would never have been able to get off the data base.

This happened to Fleur de Lys, a representative of Touching Base, a sex industry referral body for disabled persons of all genders. She said in her sworn evidence at the inquiry that “working as a sex worker legally in Victoria created problems for me”.

Experience tells us that sex workers are reluctant to put their name on a database which will label

them and exclude them from the wider community.

The Victorian model proceeds under the guise of trying to protect sex workers from sex trafficking, even though the police have said that trafficking is concentrated in a specific ethnic sector.

Because overseas workers can’t be honest and writer “sex worker” on their 457 visa application, it is time consuming to find the genuine cases of forced labour.

Human trafficking is abhorrent and must be stopped. But the focus on the sex industry is disproportionate, as this inquiry and previous ones have heard.

Evidence presented at the Community Relations Committee 2012 inquiry into trafficking in NSW showed that whilst the spotlight was on the sex industry, the issue was more prevalent in other industries. According to Anti-Slavery Australia, a research project based at UTS, trafficking and forced labour happens across the board, not just in the sex industry - in agriculture, retail, hospitality.

UN special rapporteur, Joy Ngozi, said that the sexualisation of Australia’s response to trafficking in recent years had meant that other industries of higher risk had been overlooked.

Sex work has allowed many clients to experience diverse sexual opportunities safely, because a discreet

sex industry benefits workers, clients and the community alike.

Registering private workers on a database would cost a lot in terms of private investigations. Many sex workers are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, and study and work in many other industries. Putting their sex work out in public would be extremely damaging, especially to the already marginalised LGBTI community, the trailblazers in safe sex education.

Sex work is real work. As such, politicians could work harder to create anti-discrimination protections, improve the current model, and not throw an operational system under the bus to score political points. Additionally, it seems a waste of public resources to change to a licensing model, when police have said that trafficking is limited to a specific sector. One of the best outcomes of decriminalisation is lower rates of STIs due to peer education. This was acknowledged in a submission to the inquiry from Cameron Cox, CEO of the Sex Workers Outreach Project.

“The decriminalised framework has provided the conditions to allow for effective peer education amongst sex workers, health promotion by sex worker organisations and resulted in sex workers achieving and maintaining low rates of sexually

transmissible infections,” Mr Cameron said.

The second generation of queer and trans community has come to think of sex work as real work, and have managed to live for the last 20 years without criminality. They have even come to think of the police as ‘protectors’ and this model should continue.

During the time of the Wood Royal Commission this would have been almost unthinkable.

The proposed legislation threatens this historically recent independence.

Reading through all the submissions, I was moved by Submission 21, name suppressed, who was a carer for a disabled person who visits sex workers.

“People who visit sex workers are ordinary people, with ordinary lives, just like sex workers are. People who visit sex workers are not inherently immoral or seeking to exploit sex workers. Rather, people who visit sex workers are seeking a positive experience to enrich their lives,” the carer said.

Like any other job, sex work is real work. Politicians and the law should treat it as such.

Barbarella Karpinski is currently completing a doctorate in Sex Work and the LGBTI community

There is a long tradition of alliance between sex workers and the LGBTI community in NSW. Source: Wikicommons.

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ARTS FEATURE

A YEAR OF ART AND PLAY IN UNUSUAL SPACES

TELSTRA IS PLANNING TO REMOVE A PAYPHONE

TELSTRA IS PLANNING TO REMOVE A PAYPHONE

It is proposed that one coin and card payphone be removed from: Outside 424 George Street near King Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Payphone (ID: 02923112X2)

It is proposed that one coin and card payphone be removed from: Outside 400 George Street near King Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (Payphone ID: 02923306X2)

The next nearest coin and card payphone is located at: Outside 46 Market Street near York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (approximately 160 metres away from the proposed location) (Payphone ID: 02927927X2)

The next nearest coin and card payphone is located at: Outside 100 King Street near Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (approximately 160 metres away from the proposed location) (Payphone ID: 02923208X2)

This proposal was prompted by the Sydney Light Rail Project.

Telstra intends making a final decision on this proposal by: 3rd November 2015 To assist us in making a final decision, we invite your comments on this proposal.

Please send us your comments in writing to: Telstra Payphone Siting Manager Locked Bag 4850 Melbourne Vic 3001 or by calling us on 1800 011 433 selection Option 2 or by email to Payphone.Solutions@team.telstra.com For more information on payphone services (including, any applicable payphone consultation document) see: www.telstra.com.au/payphoneservices/index.htm

This proposal was prompted by the Sydney Light Rail Project.

Telstra intends making a final decision on this proposal by: 3rd November 2015 To assist us in making a final decision, we invite your comments on this proposal.

Please send us your comments in writing to: Telstra Payphone Siting Manager Locked Bag 4850 Melbourne Vic 3001 or by calling us on 1800 011 433 selection Option 2 or by email to Payphone.Solutions@team.telstra.com For more information on payphone services (including, any applicable payphone consultation document) see: www.telstra.com.au/payphoneservices/index.htm

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extended platform has opened up A&A to working with an even broader range of artists across various disciplines, as well as the flexibility to work with different people at different times of the year without being restricted.

First and foremost however, the programming change was a response to the findings of Sydney Council’s recent Creative City cultural policy and action plan. Through an extensive consultation process carried out over about two years, the council found that “…people wanted more cultural expression, they wanted to see more art, they wanted to see more performance and they wanted to see it more regularly” explained Gilby.

On reviewing expressions of interest in participating in A&A submitted by a vast range of creatives, the program organisers deducted that the proposed projects had the strength to “really stand outside of a festival context… and give people an opportunity to experience really unique and amazing things all throughout the year”.

Reflecting on the newly expanded program, the usual one night launch in Martin Place has been traded in for nine evenings of The Terrace, a pop up garden bar on top of the Town Hall building, offering up the best of live music from this Friday night.

“I think placing a venue like this, a New York style rooftop bar in the iconic Sydney Town Hall is just going to be fantastic. What an experience, I can’t wait to see what it’s going to be like,” said an eager Emma Pask, one of nine diverse musical performers entertaining as part of The Terrace’s musical program. With a career in jazz music spanning 20 years, Pask was discovered at a high school band workshop at the tender age of 16, by none other than esteemed Australian jazz musician James Morrison. She will be launching her latest album of Latin inspired

THE TERRACE

Sept 18–27. 5pm-10pm each night, Sundays 3pm-8pm. Sydney Town Hall, Druitt Street side. music on Saturday night.

[EMMA PASK performs Sept 26. specifically sourced from a “I can’t wait, its such an incredible event,” New album Cosita Divina available on hillside farm in QLD. “It’s a place we often work, that part said Emma. “The fact that City of Sydney are iTunes or from emmapask.com] of Australia grows very large putting this on for us as musicians and also for bamboo that you can’t get the public who want to come out and hear NEAR KIN KIN down in NSW,” said Jed some live music for free, its such an incredible Sept 18–Oct 11. Customs House incentive to get out there and check out Sydney Square forecourt. Info: caveurban.com Long, Architectural Designer in the warmer months…”

Information on these and all other with Cave Urban. “It’s taking The Terrace is an exciting and relaxing space upcoming events: artandabout.com.au a place that’s quite important to us and translating that into to grab a drink as the sun sets over the city, the city…” whether you’ve been in the office or spending the day With the support of Event Engineering and Marco Steel, discovering art works.

Cave Urban were able to expand upon the design of a 12 “It really give a taster of the broad diversity of the music metre tall tower built for Sculptures by the Sea. “Each scene in Sydney,” said Gilby. “…It’s a really good artwork that we create allows us to test structurally all the opportunity to broaden out what you think you know.”

According to Stephen, one of the aims of A&A is to “… different joints and connection methods,” said Long.

The Customs House forecourt was a deliberate location, bring something to the public, something that people can without skyscrapers crowded around the sheer size of the stumble across and be surprised, entertained and maybe tower can be appreciated (which was reaching 23 metres in perplexed by.” height, according to Long’s latest update from the Embracing the theme of ‘art in unusual spaces’, many of warehouse). Its ties to nature also reflect upon the many the projects involved in the A&A program aim to surprise layers of Sydney Cove’s history.

Sydney’s residents and visitors in unexpected places and to Stephen Gilby remarked that it has “been a long time encourage new perspectives on familiar themes. since Art & About has done a really big major installation Photography exhibitions including Exchange, Little like [Near Kin Kin].” Gilby is also excited for out of the Sydney Lives and Australian Life capture outside ordinary events including the surprise ambient sound perspectives perfectly; with Exchange rendering everyday performances of Games + Actions (for a Quiet City), moments beautiful by capturing the instances we see but contemporary dance project Tut, and the immersive don’t ‘really see’. cinema projects coming up with Golden Age Cinema.

Situated in the high thoroughfare location of the A&A’s expanded program means a whole year of forecourt of Customs House Square, Near Kin Kin is a enriching art experiences awaits the people of Sydney. soaring bamboo tower standing over 20 metres tall, and “We’re not trying to compete with other existing festivals encourages bustling city commuters to step inside and be that are happening,” explained Gilby. “What we’re looking reminded of the tranquillity of nature. at is those quiet periods within the year, those times when This structural achievement has been a huge feat for something may have just finished and people go: ‘Wow design collaborate Cave Urban, the original concept by that was fantastic, but what’s next?’” sculptor Juan-Pablo Pinto has been collaborated on by Info: caveurban.com various professionals and has spent two weeks in the Information on these and all other upcoming events: warehouse and one week on site before being unveiled. artandabout.com.au The bamboo and name for Near Kin Kin were

Licence No. 173676c

BY ALANNAH MAHER Sydney is gearing up for a full calendar of creativity as a new and rejuvenated Art & About (A&A) returns to bring art to unusual places, but with a major difference. After 13 years of a festival-style program tediously packed into one month of thought-provoking exhibitions and intriguing events, A&A has expanded into a yearlong calendar of cultural expression publicly accessible art.

Creative Director Stephen Gilby said that this newly

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city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

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EAT DRINK

EAT &&DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

Yayoi Japanese Teishoku Restaurant

By Ryan Kennedy There is a wonderful elegance to the brand new Yayoi Teishoku Japanese Restaurant, and it’s all about balance. Light wood panels divide up the space, surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, with iPads on every table. In a few design choices there’s a balance of privacy, snazzy modernity, and

ROCKS & CBD William Blue Dining If meals at most fine dining restaurants seem pricy, I’ve found the fancy, whitetablecloth restaurant for you. Located in the old Rockpool site, your inexpensive three-course meal is prepared and served by students (overseen by industry professionals). Sure there might be some at-the-table-training if you choose the cork-stoppered but well-priced 2008 Wiltinger Braune Kupp Kabinett Riesling Mosel ($68/bottle), but it’s a small price to pay. Expect standout Aussie produce from Pepe Saya butter to Alto oil to pleasantly pink Milly Hill Lamb ($18) with saffron fondant potatoes, asparagus, pickled turnips and flavoursome jus. Kingfish Ceviche ($11) is nicely presented, and my

While the predictable consequences of Lockout Laws are reaping havoc upon the character of Newtown, a level-by-level revamp is occurring in the original 1832 site of the ‘new town store’ from which the suburb drew its name. Snatching back the area’s historical flavour, the first floor summons the 1920s with a bar turning out a surprising range of bespoke whisky cocktails.The standout is Assistant Manager Andrew Tsai’s Jam and Smoke ($19.50), taming Bruichladdich Port Charlotte with Grand Marnier, lemon, egg white and marmalade, without losing the whisky’s aroma or peaty intent.Their

NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Ribs & Burgers Zetland With a smile that could light up a thousand service stations, we were greeted at the register by an enthusiastic attendee who wholeheartedly put the ‘zeal’ into Zetland.Taking a seat after ordering, I noticed the long queue of locals lining up for large brown paper bags to take away.The Old School Cheese Burger ($10.50) could have used a higher ‘patty to bun’ ratio, as the meat was its only decent feature. Pork Spare Ribs ($28.50) were a little on the dry side, but the smoky BBQ sauce was a savior, albeit thinly spread. Surprisingly, 12

convenience of technology—it’s all really quite Japanese.And what do you know, that balance also extends to the food, delivered in a series of brooding, earthenware vessels.

After all,Teishoku is about providing, amongst other things, rice, miso soup, and pickles, with your choice of protein, and all in the name of a nutritious and varied meal.The Wagyu Sukiyaki ($25) meal-set combines slippery udon noodles, shredded beef, cabbage and mushrooms in a sweet and umami rich broth. Miso Pork Loin Katsu ($18.80) is the sort of crispy deep fried and sweet-sauced action that is dangerously more-ish. It’s also a lot of fun to eat, picking across the various nibbles and deciding how best to utilise the 62 degree egg both dishes come with—as dipping sauce, or broth enhancer? Finish with some Matcha Anmitsu ($6) a.k.a. green tea ice cream and strange jelly bits, and you’ve uncovered one of the better ways to spend a CBD lunch hour.

Level 1,The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney (02) 9283 4835 yayoi.com.au Japanese $$

crosshatched slab of Swordfish ($18) was cooked precisely as requested.

107-109 George Street,The Rocks (02) 9492 3290 williambluedining.com Modern Australian $$ Bar at the End of the Wharf My date’s late, so I’m nursing an Old Fashioned ($20), gritty with undissolved sugar. Sitting in a theatre bar surrounded by urbane theatre types, it strikes me as incongruous to be tucking into Dip Boards ($22/2 people) and Meatballs ($14) in tomato marjoram in front of a world-class view. More balls arrive – this time Spicy Chorizo and Pea Arancini ($12) – punctuated by drinks: a nicely tart Tommy’s Margarita ($18) and a summery Sippin’ By The Sea ($18). It’s an easydrinking companion to lightly battered Calamari ($16) with smoked paprika aioli.

The Cross Eyed Dog

Yet maybe there’s something to be said for pre-theatre food being egalitarian and accessible, down to Cauliflower ($9) with paprika and tahini.

Pier 4, Hickson Road,Walsh Bay (02) 9250 1761 Bar, Bar Food $$

EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES The Dandylion Bondi The demise of movie rentals has seen Chitti Lardi open a fully-fledged vegetarian diner (with vegan options) in an old Bondi DVD store. Popular dishes include Caramelised Tempeh, Shitake Mushrooms & Kale Dumplings ($18) with chilli and sweet miso sauce, and brie-stuffed Portobello Mushrooms ($19).

Hunter Valley wine focus means you can accompany your Hanger Steak ($22) with lesser-known varietals like juicy red 2014 Chambourcin ($11/glass).The crackin’, tender, char-grilled steak, decked out with house-made chipotle butter, is teamed with brilliant chips, crisp onion rings and smoked jus.

I’d return just to eat it again.

Welcoming bartender Joel Cockerill cleverly introduces me to Eagle Rare Bourbon in the form of a Peacharound ($19), the perfect cocktail accessory to a heaving handful of Americana: Southern Fried Chicken, Bacon & Waffle Burger ($17.50).And while it’s hard to top the stellar steak, the Mushroom Raviolo ($17.50) put up a good fight. Its toothsome pasta and Vegemiteenhanced mushroom filling that saw my carnivorous dining companion exclaim:“Finally vegetarian that tastes like beef!”

Level 1, Zanzibar, 323 King Street, Newtown (02) 9519 1511 zanzibarnewtown.com.au Pub Bistro $$

my standout were Chicken Wings ($9.50) with sticky soy.We also had a kick-ass Vanilla Malt Thick Shake ($7).

Tenancy 1 APEX Building, 6 Defries Avenue, Zetland (02) 9697 0888 ribsandburgers.com/au/ American $$-$$$ Lucio Pizzeria Venture into Tomorrowland – otherwise known as Zetland.

Swallow down a portent dose of the future, where you can purchase an Audi as easily as you can order a name brand Lucio pizza. Grappling with the location over Birra Ichnusa ($8), I volunteer: it’s Shanghai without

city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

By Jackie McMillan jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

the chaos. “Hence Singapore,” our neighbours at the cheek-tojowl tables, helpfully supply. By contrast, the artisan pizzas are imperfectly perfect – complete with bubbling, chewy crusts and minimal toppings, like Speck ($21) with mozzarella and Fontina, or paper-thin prosciutto, rocket and cherry tomatoes, topped with freshly shaved Parmesan on Filetto ($21). Cold cuts also feature on Il Grand Tagliere ($36.50) a heaving antipasto board won by super-fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Shop 34, East Village, 2-4 Defries Avenue, Zetland (02) 9697 3028 luciopizzeria.com.au Pizza, Italian $$

The Village Inn

By Alex Harmon After a tough week of personal attacks due to his ‘no high vis.’ dress code, Leeroy Petersen was keen to show me what his new venue should be known for – good food.

He has completely gutted a ‘durty’ old Irish bar, giving it

Pumpkin Ravioli with Goats Cheese ($24) are out of this world - testament to there being an Italian chef in the house.

The Dead Man’s Chest ($16) – containing Sailor Jerry, Cointreau, orange and passionfruit = entices you to batten down the hatches and make a night of it at the bar.The dandiest dessert ever goes to the Peanut Butter and Orange Tiramisu ($13), served with a flower and a smile.

277 Bondi Road, Bondi (02) 9365 1567 dandylion.com.au Vegetarian,Vegan $$ Cheekyburger Beards come in handy when tucking iBeards come in handy when tucking into the artery-clogging staples at Paddington’s Cheekyburger.The graffitiplastered courtyard creates a salubrious environment to get plastered on

new life, natural light, wooden floors and smatterings of taxidermy on the walls. “We’re going down the gastro pub route,” says Petersen. “Forty per cent of takings are food, which is rare for a pub,” he admits. The Underwood ($18) has many fans with its braised, pickled beef, honey carrots and mustard served on toasted soy linseed bread – I don’t think it’s a House of Cards reference but this sanga certainly holds a lot of power. The Pet Two Four ($17) wins the game for best tasting pun: a ham hock terrine with duck rillette (because ducks have two legs and pigs have four – get it?). While on the lighter side, the Nordic ($17), cured salmon with smoked baby potatoes and delicious crunchy capers, pairs nicely with a glass of Pfeiffer Pinot Gris ($12). But don’t listen to me; you can still get your Guinness on tap. And call it a snazzy ‘tradies’ doughnut’ if you will – but the Chocolate Churros ($8) goes down a treat.

9-11 Glenmore Road, Paddington (02) 9331 0911 thevillageinn.com.au Pub Food $$

Brooklyn Lagers whilst boasting about how you knew about this place before it was cool.The ironically nonchalant American diner menu persuades you to expect service from a girl on roller skates; but that doesn’t happen.The Double Cheeseburger ($14.99) with (necessary) Bacon ($1.99) lives up to the hype, and will have you thinking of it days later, like that one-night stand you’re thinking of texting again. I could take or leave the Deep Fried Pickles ($6.99), but they’re not the drawcard.Wear tight jeans, but prepare to unbutton.

312 Oxford Street, Paddington (02) 9331 7436 cheekyburgerbar.com Burgers $ Bondi Trattoria You know a place is good when it’s packed on a frosty Monday night, filled

to the brim with locals who know where to find a decent feed.The ‘Trat has been around for twenty-five years and is almost as famous as the beach you can see from your table. It guarantees good, humble Italian food, like Garlic Prawns ($23.90) with crusty bread, and the salty/sweet marriage of Prosciutto, Gorgonzola, Pear and Hazelnut Salad ($20.90). Our waiter highly recommends the signature dish, invented here - Angel Hair Pasta ($23.90/small) with raw tuna, Parmesan and chilli - it’s delicious. Finish with Chocolate Crème Brulee ($15.90), which has a cracking case that tastes of fire-toasted marshmallows.

34 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach (02) 9365 4303 bonditrattoria.com.au Italian $$

FOOD NEWS

By DJ Hookie

SYDNEY Craft Beer Week Ushering in Sydney’s growing obsession with craft beers, Sydney’s annual Craft Beer Week, hosted by Joel Connolly, could as easily be named ‘Craft Beard Week’, if not for the all-too-obvious statement it would appear to make. Ekim, Batch, Modus Operandi, and the obligatory Young Henrys brands joined forces to showcase some of Sydney’s best craft beer brewers, and generally get a little bit pissed with those whom appreciate their wares. “Have you ever tried a NitroLacto IPA?” I was asked, while being handed what looked to be just a beer (it was). “No”, I replied. “Not once. Ever.” Turns out this ‘mouthful of a mouthful’ was a collaborative product between Modus Operandi and Batch. It was fantastic, but I still don’t know what it is. Among the sea of ‘approachable IPAs’ and ‘Hoppy Pale Ales with tropical notes’, my eyes were drawn to the Modus Operandi ‘Canimal’. A one litre can of beer.Yes, one litre.When quizzed about whether owning a beard is necessary to sell beer, Andrew Fineran from Batch responded fittingly; “Beards do give you cred. but it shouldn’t be about that. I would like to live in a world where I can sell beer without a beard.” So would we Andrew, so would we. Sydney

bar fly

Craft Beer Week puts on 130 events in the 9 days between 17 and 25 October. Unlimited beards. www.sydneycraftbeerweek.com

By Jackie McMillan

Goros

84-86 Mary Street, Surry Hills (02) 9212 0214 goros.com.au A woman walks into a bar, and two minutes later, she’s got her favourite Japanese beer in a can – Yona Yona Pale Ale ($11) - in hand, watching B-grade film clips, while casually eyeing off a diverse crowd venturing behind back-lit rice paper screens. She makes quick work of a classy, ceramic flask of Houraisen ‘Bi’ Junmai Daiginjo Sake ($36/180ml) whilst wondering idly if ‘private room karaoke’ is a euphemism. Knocking back highballs of Yamazaki Distillers Reserve ($12) lengthened with Amaro, orange blossom and soda, she barely bats an eyelid when the infamous Christa Hughes starts belting out Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life whilst mounting random pieces of Japanese-inspired décor.While it might have been the perfect storm of landing at Goros on one of Jay Katz’s eclectically curated Toho Nights (Thursdays), she is left with the impression that this bar is a place where amazing shit happens, and that’s not just because it’s outside the Lockout Zone.

EAT & DRINK

ACME Last week I took some time out of my busy weekend to check out the much-lauded ACME.And yes, while the Macaroni, Pig’s Head, Egg Yolk ($18) is undeniably delicious, you might be left wondering: where’s the rest of it? Engaging (and universality attractive) staff do give adequate warning you’ll need three pastas between two, supplemented by three entrees, salad $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

INNER WEST Damda The first thing you’ll notice at Damda, beyond the strong design aesthetic, is the monstrous, smoke-belching oven and tattooed, Korean coal-master.This modern reinterpretation of Korean barbecue - the name means ‘resemble’ – is doing things differently. Instead of cooking at your table, sit back and enjoy cocktail carafes like delicate Green Seoul ($25) with mint, grape and lemon. Sticky-sweet chilli rice cake skewers, Ddeok Ggochi ($8/10 pieces), are great against Korean Cass ($6) beer.

Outstandingly tender and smoky Kalbi Beef Ribs ($35.50) arrive in a large metal tray, laden with gochujang noodle salad, cornballs, lotus root chips and house-made

By Jackie McMillan and probably dessert. Gnawing on a fistful of raw baby Turnips in Bottaga Butter ($12), it’s hard not to contemplate food costs - especially as a snack-sized plate boasting half a roasted Beetroot on Macadamia Butter ($14) lands, albeit accentuated by clever grated coffee bean.The winning aspect here is exploring Chef Mitch Orr’s imaginative combinations – Beef Tartare, Prawn and Burnt Onion ($24) – and Spaghetti ($24) with deftly handled calamari and Korean bolognaise. If Grilled Raddichio ($10) with taro and capers still sees you hankering for carbs, bunny and pistachio Maltagliati ($24) is their most filling pasta. Flavour-based sake descriptions belie the beauty of small batch Chiyo Shuzo ‘Moromi Nigori’ ($16/glass) – a fabulous aperitif. Follow it with Natacha Chave Aléofane Marsanne Roussanne 2014 ($82/bottle) and you’ll experience a well-rounded wine that’ll go the distance without buyer’s remorse. Foamy Coconut Rice Cream ($10) hiding a treasure trove of caramelized white chocolate, nails dessert, ensuring you leave on high.

60 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay (02) 8068 0932 weareacme. com.au Modern Australian $$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

kimchi.Add on more meat – like Bossam ($17) (pork belly) – and apply the three accompanying sauces.

166 Norton Street, Leichhardt (02) 9560 0527 facebook.com/damda2015 Korean $$ DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Dragoncello Chef Roy McVeigh marches to the sound of his own beat – and to be honest, it’s refreshing. In an unpretentious upstairs room, enlivened by vibrant Tapestry Girl pegboard murals, he defies expectations with a Sydney Rock Oyster, Burnt Leek, Potato Skins and Citrus Leaf Gel ($3/each)

$$$$ - mains over $30

presented without any visible bivalve.Toffee Beetroot, Boudin Noir, Crackling and Apple ($18) utilises sweetness to well-balanced effect; ditto my dish of the night: Pea Mousse ($28) set under a tangle of its own leaves and flowers, with candied bacon and poured-at-the-table Parmesan broth.

Geranium Panna Cotta ($17) deftly juggles intense floral sweetness with tomato soup cake and two forms of rhubarb. Nope, haven’t seen that before.

Level 1, 466 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills (02) 8399 0907 dragoncello.com.au Bar, Modern Australian $$$ Jazz City Diner Myron Mixon from BBQ Pittmasters has taught me is that tender, tasty brisket has a charry crust and good pull on the slices; and that’s just what you’ll find when

Master

By DJ Hookie If any place encapsulates the combination of fine dining without the snooty never-get-laid wait staff; and the trendy without the too-cool-for-you army of bearded artisans of ‘whatever’, Master might just be the perfect candidate.

Amidst the ubiquitous ‘simple food done well’ trend that you pick up a slice of the Beef Brisket ($8/100g) at Jazz City, and give it a tug.

Once you snaffle a table in the nicely kitted out space, the time delay to wrapping your lips around fork-split Beef Short Rib ($5/100g) is mercifully short. Balance your meaty tray of Pulled Pork ($8/100g), house-made Sausage ($5/each) and (slightly disappointing) Pork Ribs ($8/100g) against ‘Slaw ($2.50), super tasty Pinto Beans ($2.50) and standout Pickles ($2.50).A creamy Coconut Milkshake ($8) rounds your feast out nicely.

200 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills (02) 9264 2572 jazzcity.com.au American $$ Busshari Staff are particularly proud of their Soft Staff are particularly proud of their Soft Shell Crab Karaage ($18). For good reason, it’s dry and intensely savoury. It’s perfect

everybody seems to be following, it’s refreshing to see a new place that’s not afraid to take some risks. Moreover, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that achieves this, while also boasting such a reasonably priced menu.What looked like tuna sashimi turned out to be Watermelon in Preserved Mustard & Nori ($10), and tasted like nothing I’ve ever had before.The Roasted Squid with Snow Pea Sprouts ($20) convinces you the noodlelooking things are noodles, but they’re squid. Side note: the broth in this dish is like Asian comfort food liquid gold.

Burnt Cabbage with Fish Sauce Butter ($18) is the best cabbage I’ve ever had. Period. If you go here and don’t order it, we can’t be friends anymore.Trying to explain the flavour of the Congee with Pear and Coriander ($10) would be like trying to describe a colour you’ve never seen, so I won’t bother. Get in here before everybody else has their way with it.

368 Crown Street, Surry Hills (02) 8065 0838 masterdining.com.au Chinese $$

against Kubota Manju ($33/180ml); dubbed ‘10,000 Ostentatiousness’ it’s the star of their impressive sake list.While hot dishes like Saikyoyaki ($20) - blackened miso-marinated toothfish that flakes into buttery white curls when tapped with a chopstick - are great, Chef Nobuyuki Ito’s heart lies in sashimi. His Chef’s Selection Sashimi Plate ($38) is a stunner, not only for freshness, but also for edible garnishes and knife work. Dashi vinaigrette jelly topped Oysters ($3/each) and signature striped Kingfish Carpaccio ($21) may contribute to a somewhat hefty bill, but are definitely good eating.

119 Macleay Street, Potts Point (02) 9357 4555 busshari.com.au Japanese $$$$ Majestic Harvest Despite some hipster trappings - Edison bulbs, cold drip, and dishes presented

on boards and in frypans - the food is remarkably honest and free from (much) pretension.The aforementioned, slightly unwieldy frypan, dubbed The Majestic ($19), is loaded with well-handled kale, supple Serrano ham, a trio of poached eggs with rich golden yolks, baked beans and black pudding.Taleggio and basil have been softly folded through Scrambled Eggs ($12.50) offset by roasted Roma tomatoes. For those who cringe at butter, a board bearing Bircher Muesli ($11) with blueberries, walnuts and coconut, is made compelling by blackened apple compote.

Allpress Coffee scrubs up well as a Latte ($3.50) despite the machine running flat chat.

49 New Canterbury Road, Petersham (02) 8097 2222 majesticgourmetgrocers.com.au Breakfast, Café $

SYDNEY AIRPORT

Community Update Reducing Carbon Emissions Sydney Airport has been recognised for its efforts to map, manage and reduce its carbon emissions.

The airport was recently awarded Level Two Airport Carbon Accreditation by Airports Council International, the peak body representing the world’s airports.

Sydney Airport is committed to operating sustainably as well as efficiently, including working to minimise the airport’s impact on the environment and meeting voluntary global commitments for reducing carbon emissions.

Examples of Sydney Airport’s carbon reduction initiatives include: • Implementing the Energy and Carbon Strategy 2013+, which identifies new energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions and opportunities for greater energy efficiency; • Using low emission alternatively fuelled vehicles, including investigating the addition of electric buses to the airport’s ground transport operations; and • Installation of energy efficient LED lighting

Community Christmas Giving Appeal Sydney Airport has announced that Ronald McDonald House Charities will be the charity partner for the 2015 Sydney Airport Community Christmas Giving Appeal.

“For our fourth annual Sydney Airport Community Christmas Giving Appeal, we’re thrilled to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities for the first

Photo: the Parkes family from Canberra stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick for a total of 16 months while their daughter Lara received treatment for leukaemia. time,” Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said.

“We’ll be encouraging the 29,000 people who work at 800 businesses across the airport, as well as our passengers and visitors, to get involved in the appeal by participating, volunteering or donating in the lead up to Christmas.”

Last year’s Sydney Airport Community Christmas Giving Appeal raised a record $263,000 for charity.

Phase 3 of T1 transformation under way Sydney Airport has commenced phase three of the T1 improvement program to deliver a world-class airport experience for passengers, visitors and staff.

Key passenger benefits include wider pathways to improve passenger flows, shorter walking distances to gates, greater lines of sight, clear signage and more seating closer to boarding gates.

Further information Contact Mr Ted Plummer, Sydney Airport’s Head of Government and Community Relations on (02) 9667 6182 or ted.plummer@syd.com.au. city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SOFONDA BLACKMEN’S UNCULTURED CHAOS Wollongong’s star cabaret and variety show comes to Sydney as part of this year’s entertainment at Sydney Fringe Festival.

Uncultured Chaos is a entertaining blend of burlesque, comedy, magic, music and adult puppetry.

Linda Wiltshire returns to the stage bringing her alter-ego Sofonda Blackmen to life as the hilarious and irreverent hostess of the show. The performers are not only from Wollongong, but also from Sydney and overseas.

“The aim of my show is to showcase great talent,” said Wiltshire. “And Wollongong and Sydney are drowning in such talent!”

“I have a reputation for putting on huge shows, and this show is no different. Over 20 acts will perform at our Fringe Benefits show. I am so excited about it.”

Included in the line-up is performer Rebelle Velveteen, who now holds the crown as Miss Burlesque Idol 2015. Brothers of Many Nations, a collaborative crew of musicians, with provide high energy music throughout the night. (AMal) September 29, 7pm. Knox Street Bar, 21 Shepherd St, Chippendale.Tickets & info: sydneyfringe.com

CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE WITH SSO The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will once again be running away to the circus, joining forces with Cirque de la Symphonie this month for three breath-taking performances.

The Sydney Opera House will be filled with high-flying acrobats, jugglers, contortionists, dancers and strongmen. All of these acts will unfold to the beautiful tones of the SSO, guided

by Australian conductor Guy Nobel.

Nobel, who also conducted the previous Cirque

de la Symphonie concerts in 2013, says the concerts will be “awe-inspiring”.

“It really is like circus ballet,” he said.

“Witnessing the sound of a full symphony orchestra paired with the amazing physicality of a troupe of world-class acrobats and circus performers is simply breathtaking.” (AMal) 17–19 September (7pm & 2pm). Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. $44–$99.Tickets & info: sydneysymphony.com

YVE BLAKE’S ‘THEN’ Yve Blake’s Then is as difficult to put in a box as the woman herself. Fascinating and joyous, randomly amusing and profound, a one-woman show that traverses verbatim, musical comedy and dance–all pulled together by her prodigious talent, and all over in about 70 minutes.

Blake is a collaborator, and this is a collaboration like no other. She sourced her material by building a website called WhoWereWe.com and soon the stories came flooding in. “It’s really all about previous versions of yourself,” explained Blake.

“The core question is ‘who do you feel you used to be?’ I wanted people to write me glimpses of autobiography so that I could put it on stage.”

The result is a pastiche of the cringeworthy, the harrowing and the hillarious. It’s confession, it’s love letters, it’s the awkward crush, it’s the strange memories that lodge in our brains and make us who we are. Some are read out verbatim others are turned into songs like a collage of memories– and Blake has some voice too. Some songs are bizarrely funny, like ‘Not in a weird way’. Others like ‘Grow you down’ take you to a stiller, quieter, deeper place and continue to resonate long after the show is over.

Take along a new friend, and then afterwards enjoy asking them who they were, are and will be.

(GW)

September 9–19 (Weds–Sat 7pm, Sun 5pm, Weds and Fri 11:30am). Australian Theatre for Young People, Pier 4/5 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $30.Tickets & info: atyp.com.au OR 02 9270 2400

a&e

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city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

14 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 Sounds 18 SCREEN

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

Contributors: Brendan Modini, Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Alicia Sim, Nyssa Booth, Lauren Edwards, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Lauren Bell, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Matthew Bernard, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Olga Azar, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Sinead McLaughlin, Siri Williams, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Jemma Clarke.

INTRODUCING BLOOD MOON THEATRE After years collaborating with various independent theatre groups by providing a free rehearsal space, The World Bar has finally taken a huge leap into the scene by opening up a new bespoke and intimate stage for plays, cabaret, comedy and music.

A space like this has been in high demand over recent times, with many other small venues recently closing. Steve Ward, director of The World Bar, said “We have always tried to act as a sounding board for Sydney’s bands, music producers and DJ’s, so we’re naturally delighted to be able to offer the same kind of forum to our theatrical friends.”

The first show to take to the new stage will A Property Of The Clan opening on September 29.

THEATRE & PERFORMANCE MATILDA THE MUSICAL Roald Dahl’s story of a remarkably clever little girl with magical abilities has finally received the musical treatment. Matilda’s magical powers are down-played in favour of her other abilities – her brilliant storytelling and astonishing academic finesse, her piercing wit and the devious pranks she plays on her neglectful parents.

With a mesmerizing combination of music and staging to play up these devices – the lack of magic tricks is hardly a bother.The characters in this adaption strike a perfect balance between comic and authentic.This

This show was adapted in into the film Blackrock in 1997, so it may be familiar to some. A Property Of The Clan follows a small group of teens who witness the sexual assault and murder of a 14-year-old girl at a party, and is sure to be a truly moving production and great first outing for Blood Moon Theatre.

Following A Property Of The Clan, Blood Moon Theatre will look to develop a diverse line-up of shows including comedy, cabaret and other stage curiosities to truly honour the unique artistic heritage of Kings Cross. (JA) A Property Of The Clan: Sep 29–Oct 17.

Blood Moon Theatre, 24 Bayswater Rd, Darlinghurst. $20-30+b.f.Tickets & info: eventbrite.com.au

is a show with something for all age groups. Fans of Dahl and Tim Minchin’s music alike should be satisfied. (AM) Until October 25. Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont. $50-$150.

Tickets & info: au.matildathemusical. com or ticketmaster.com.au THE ALIENS In the grubby backyard of a coffee shop in Vermont, two professional slackers sit to discuss matters as weighty as ex-girlfriends, the novel they’ll never finish writing, and their rock band that never really made it. Into their midst walks a 17-year-old kid working a summer job at the café whose world will be completely changed.The Aliens is the breakthrough play by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Annie

Baker (The Flick).Tender and funny, her play is finely and precisely detailed.

Director Craig Baldwin takes the natural rustic intimacy of the Old Fitz and pushes it even further with on-stage seating.

(GW) Until Sept 19. Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street,Woolloomooloo. $32.Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com or 0422198955 LA TRAVIATA Sisters Grimm present a splendidly brilliant, funny and emotional version of Verdi’s opera. If you are expecting orchestral accompaniment then you may be disappointed. However, this rendition is a powerful, and incredibly intense philosophical commentary

inspired by the state of the arts funding situation in Australia. La Traviata is beautifully coloured with performance art, drag, song and dance. Sydney should take note of this brave and talented group who have dared to challenge the powers that be and question the value of art, the value of idealism–and what, therefore, determines our value and worth as human beings in a capitalist world? (PU) Until Sept 20. Belvoir Street Theatre, 18 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills. $38-$48.Tickets & info: belvoir.com.au or 02 9699 3444 KINSKI & I Klaus Kinski lived his life to the extreme. He was also one of the most successful onscreen actors of all time.

Kinski’s thrilling autobiography, which was initially banned due to the brash content, is brought to life through a multimedia smorgasbord of wickedness in Kinski and I

by CJ Johnson–movie critic,ABC host of Movieland, playwright and filmmaker.

Johnson presents the banned writings of Kinski through a theatrical fantasia of humour and obscenity.The production explores Kinski’s extreme encounters and it not a show for the faint-hearted. (NB) Until Sept 27.Venue 505, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown. $22-$33.Tickets & info: kinskiandi.com or sydneyfringe.com MOTHERS AND SONS Twenty years after her son’s untimely death from AIDS, Katherine (Anne Tenney,The Castle) is

facing old age alone, bereft and desperate following the recent death of her husband.

She fronts up unexpectedly at the New York apartment of her son’s former lover, Cal, who lives there with his new partner and their six-year-old son. Katherine still harbours the same old fear, anger, disapproval and bitter prejudices – and her visit makes some attempt at coming to terms with her loss. Issues of gender and monogamy abound in this modern day family drama that brings private lives out into the open. (MS) Until Sept 27. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. $30-$69.

Tickets & info: ensemble.com.au or (02) 9929 0644

CANTERBURY SCREAMERS! OLYMPIC ICE RINK Skate with the best keep cool and learn to skate during July School holiday dates: September 21 – 25, September 28 – 30 October 1 – 2 10.00am – 11.00am Cost is $23.00 per skater which includes 1 hour group class and Public Skating until 12.30pm inclusive.

Make sure you have your skates on ready to go as classes start strictly at 10.00am.

No booking required.

Public Skating sessions: 11.00am – 12.30pm, 1.00pm – 3.00pm

PHILLIPS AVE, TASKER PARK, CANTERBURY www.canterburyicerink.com.au

If you’re heading down to Sydney Fringe, don’t forget to check out Screamers! This comic cabaret takes aim at the current state of Australian politics.

Described as Mad Max meets Wizard of Oz Jackie Vance and Joseph Chetty. Photo

by Lisa Madden

meets Question Time–the show features many camp cabaret moments mixed in amongst sharp and saucy satire as the cast moves along the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ to Parliament House to confront the not-so-wonderful Lizard of Oz in their quest for fairness, recognition and equality.

In light of recent tragedies related to the epidemic of Domestic Violence, this production makes a powerful statement about the issue accompanied by a rocking live rendition of The Divinyls ‘Boys In Town.’ Red Cross donations will also be collected at the shows, with all money raised going towards related causes.

The show stars Joseph Chetty as Dorothy and Jackie Vance as Auntie Em, with many special guest stars for a deluxe edition of the show. Joining them in particular are the legendary ‘feminist clown’ Betty Grumble, intersex activist Norrie May-Wleby and all the way from Sweden, the haughty Husqvarna.

In a celebration of fluidity and liberty, Screamers! will have you laughing and cheering as the cast drags it all up in the name of democracy. (ES) Sept 22–24. Giant Dwarf, 199 Cleveland St, Redfern. $25–$35 (opening night $20).

Sept 25–26. Imperial Hotel, 35 Erskinville Road, Erskinville.

Tickets & info: sydneyfringe.com

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THE NAKED CITY

THE NAKED CITY – LET’S HEAR IT FOR QUEEN VICTORIA!

By Coffin Ed, Jay Katz and Miss Death There are many well-publicised success stories of ABah humbug, Queen Elizabeth II and her recognition as Britain’s longest serving monarch. Sure she has just overtaken her great great grandmother Queen Victoria, but the latter deserves far greater accolades–particularly when it comes to we Sydneysiders.After all, this city is defined by old Queen Vic. Her statues abound and the Queen Victoria Building (affectionately the QVB) stands proud and defiant in a CBD beset by concrete blandness.

And what do we have to remind us of the current Queen? No doubt a scattering of fancy plaques that have been unveiled over the years, but nothing as monolithic as the imposing statue of Victoria, a great heaving blob of bronze that greets visitors to the Druitt Street entrance to the QVB.And just behind Victoria, complete with a recorded message from John Laws, is the poignant statue of her faithful mutt Islay.

“Hello, my name is Islay. I was once the companion of the great Queen Victoria. Because of the many good deeds I have done for deaf and blind children, I have been given the power of speech.”

For years, Sydneysiders have delighted at this improbable canine greeting, and whilst some are unnerved that the voice belongs to John Laws, at least be grateful that it’s not Rolf Harris. Of course it’s almost unthinkable that a similar honour would be bestowed on the current Queen’s mangy bunch of stumpy legged corgis, once they collectively kick the bucket. A pack of talking Royal corgis, preserved in bronze–not the sort of thing we’d want to see in town, a Lawsie voiceover or not!

What worries us more about the present day adulation for QEII, is the ongoing bad rap attached to Queen Victoria. For years she has been

portrayed as humourless, overly melancholic and defiantly aloof following the death of her beloved Prince Albert, with whom she bore a remarkable nine children.That she bravely survived an attempted assassination during her first pregnancy, as well as a series of later attacks, is often overlooked.

What we probably do remember is the old howler that she decided not to ban lesbianism, because she assumed that it did not even exist.The reality was that she was very much clued into the sexual mores of the day, and possessed an astonishingly high sexual libido herself, realised not only with Albert but with his good friend John Brown, whom she employed as a ‘personal assistant’ following Al’s untimely death.

As heart rending as the statue of woof woof Islay is outside the QVB, nothing matches the sheer emotional drama of the statues of Victoria and Albert, that sit on opposite sides of Macquarie Street near the Hyde Park Barracks. Divided by a never ending snake of city traffic, they are as separated today as they were when typhoid fever stole the good Prince away, aged only forty-two. Sydney needs to act and finally acknowledge that whilst in life they were virtually inseparable (apart from Albert’s occasional philandering), in death they should remain at least symbolically united.

If the statues can’t be relocated to sit immediately alongside each other, then we humbly suggest a linkage be strung across Macquarie Street to marry their hearts and souls. It could be as simple as a string of coloured LED lights or as daring as a chain of giant Prince Albert rings.These days you’re more likely to find a statue of Bart Cummings or Wally Lewis gracing the landscape than a member of the British Royal Family.We may never see a life-sized bronze of Elizabeth II in Sydney, so let’s make do and pay reverence to the fortune in regal scrap metal that already exists. God Save Queen Victoria!

BEAMS ART FESTIVAL

BEAMS Art Festival is returning to illuminate the streets of Chippendale for a one night only block party: BEAMS 2015 features a kaleidoscope of visual and performance art installations “incorporating sculpture, light, video, animation, live dance and theatre,” explained festival director Nicky Ginsberg.

Phenomena, this year’s theme, mirrors Chippendale’s progression from its industrial beginnings to a contemporary scene.

“All creatives were invited to work within the creative brief of Phenomena,” said Ginsberg.“No two responses to the brief have been the same, with ZERO CONCERTO One of the leading artists of our generation, Jim Lambie brings a curated selection of his diverse body of work to the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery under the united title Zero Concerto.An instillation artist also working in the expanded field of painting, Lambie is regarded as one of the most significant artists to have emerged from his home city of Glasgow.

The exhibition is a wild kaleidoscope cocktail featuring a psychedelic palette of vinyl tape, multi-coloured potato sacks, and bicycle wheels. (AM) 16

city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

mixture of scientific approaches, visual phenomena as well as physical phenomena.”

BEAMS is combining with Chippendale’s popular eateries in order to provide festival-goers with a taste of the finest local food.There is also opportunities for festival-goers to experience a bright night of communal ‘enlightenment’ through hands on art workshops and open air performances.

DanceKool (pictured) will be returning with another collaborative dance piece celebrating the energetic relationship between sound, light and movement.

This year the festival coincides with UNESCO’s International Year of Light, which is an initiative that aims to raise global awareness of the importance of light in our everyday lives.As the highlight of the Chippendale calendar, BEAMS is not to be missed.

(NB) Sep 19. Balfour St, Little Queen St, Kensington St, Chippendale Green, Chippendale. Free. Info: beamsfestival.com.au

Until Sept 26. Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 8 Soudan Lane, Paddington.

Free. Info: roslynoxley9.com.au INSPIRATION BY DESIGN: WORD AND IMAGE For the first time in Sydney, audiences are able to see one of Pablo Picasso’s art books, fashion sketches by Dior and Beatrix Potter’s original illustrations.This exhibition from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is now at the State Library.This international collection celebrates over 150 years worth of the world’s finest and most talented artists, illustrators

and designers. Over 100 designs, illustrations and images will be on display.The State Library has taken this opportunity to also showcase Australian Design. Illustrations of the original Blinky Bill by Dorothy Wall are featured, as well as a Jørn Utzon’s original sketch of the Sydney Opera House. (JC) Until Sept 27. State Library of NSW, Macquarie St, Sydney. Free.

Information: sl.nsw.gov.au CASUAL CONVERSATION, VERGING ON HARASSMENT This exhibition will show works from a

PROJECT FIVE – VOLUME 7

Highlighting the vibrant and unpredictable nature of street art as part of Art and About 2015, Project Five is returning for its seventh instalment – Volume 7, showcasing the work of internationally acclaimed graffiti and street artists as well as local up and comers.

This year, the exhibition will include a three-day live painting spectacle. Headlining this event is self-taught graffiti artist Vans the Omega, whose letterform has earned him international acclaim. Joining him is newcomer Fintan Magee, who also has achieved global recognition for his fusion of traditional painting techniques and the explosive scale of his public works.

The artists’ works will be on display in amBUSH Gallery and Darling Quarter’s outdoor exhibition space.

The works of George Hambrov - aka Apeseven, a selfproclaimed Pop-surrealist - are also included in this year’s line-up.

For Apeseven, street art allows him to place his artworks in a public space, bypassing traditional paradigms of art galleries, censorship and bias.Through his large-scale murals and paintings,Apeseven explores complex notions of bio-feedback driven loops inspired

by Charles Darwin and The Theory of Evolution.

“I’m kind of just using nature references to just provide that. Obviously the bone structures [represent] the old...And they’re now becoming the homes or houses or the landscapes for new life,” he said.“There’s number of artists through to midSeptember.Artists showcasing their work include Anthea Behm, a visual and performance artist who also received the 2011-2012 Core Fellow at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Guy Benfield, an artist known for painting, photography, sculpture, performance and video; and Hamishi Farah who is showcasing his work, Marginal Aesthetics.These beautiful works are not hanging around for much longer, so it is important to get in there and check them out.There is something for

definitely that notion of destroy/rebuild, life/death kind of cycles involved in that.”

At the end of the exhibition, the artworks created at the live painting event are auctioned off, with the proceeds donated to a nominated charity.Through the years, Project Five has raised more than $80,000 for charities supporting youth outreach and creative education programs.

Throughout the duration of Project Five, Kids Urban Art Workshops (Project Five and a Half) will be returning just in time for the school holidays. Budding artists can learn the techniques used extensively in urban and contemporary art, and create their own works to take home and display for themselves. (NB) Sep 18-Oct 17, Darling Quarter, 1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney. Free. Info: www.project5.com.au

everybody and it is and all ages event.

(LB) Until Sept 19. Minerva Gallery, 4/111 Macleay St, Potts Point. Free.

Info: minervasydney.com or 02 9357 3697 PEOPLE LIKE US This varied and excellently curated collection of works exploring the interrelationships between art, technology and the human experience; implementing video, sound and sculptural installations. Interaction plays a key role in this exhibition, from George Poonkhin Khut’s Brighthearts

app that invites you to control beautiful moving images through your heartbeat; Su-Mei Tse’s aurally immersive purring cat portraits;Veloscape, an installation by Laura Fisher and Volker Kuchelmeister that takes you on a self-guided virtual bike tour through Sydney; and Inside – Topologies of Stroke, John McGhee’s virtual reality animation work that invites the viewer to explore the inner world inside our brains. (AM) Until Nov 7. UNSW Galleries, corner of Oxford Street and Greens Road.

Free. Info: artdesign.unsw.edu.au

Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps Ecca Vandal: Celebrating the release of her new single Father Hu$$la, Ecca Vandal arrives in Sydney tonight bringing charisma and a punk hip-hop attitude with her. With a really cool genre breaking sound blending elements of grunge, punk, electro and hip-hop; Ecca is a force to be reckoned with and possibly one of Australia’s next big break out acts.

Thu, Sep 17, Goodgod Small Club North Arm: Following an intimate single launch party earlier this month for The Boys, Sydney band North Arm return to the stage with a bigger show ahead of the imminent release of their self-titled debut album. It wont be long before North Arm are leading the dreamy indie music charge so get on board now.

Thu, Sep 17, Oxford Art - Gallery Bar The Jungle Giants: Having recently inked a deal that will see the Brisbane group exploring options overseas, it’s time to celebrate and showcase their growth from talented teenagers into formidable and creative musicians.

Fri, Sep 18, Enmore Theatre Bjorn Again: Widely considered one of the most successful tribute bands of all time, Bjorn Again are the closest you will get today to seeing ABBA live.

Bjorn Again’s fan base is huge, with tickets selling extremely quickly, so be sure to get in quick while they are still

available.

Sat, Sep 19, State Theatre Cafe Of The Gate Of Salvation: Sydney’s premier gospel choir welcomes special guest Tina Harrod this weekend for a special evening of stirring gospel and soul. Tina has been described in the past as Australia’s answer to Aretha Franklin, while the Cafe choir has performed continuously since it formed in 1986, featuring on shows both around the country and internationally.

Sat, Sep 19,The Basement Sleeping With Sirens: Following the release of their fourth studio album Madness, Sleeping With Sirens hit the roads for their first Australian headline shows in over two years.

Joining them are Storm The Sky, whose recent debut album Permanence received plenty of praise from both fans and critics alike.

Sun, Sep 20, UNSW Roundhouse Garrett Kato: Originally from Canada, Garrett Kato has called Byron Bay his home since 2011 and has been spreading his beautiful vocal melodies and haunting guitar tones throughout our fine country ever since. With his highly anticipate album That Low And Lonesome Sound releasing last week, Garrett is coming to Sydney this week.

Wed, Sep 23,The Vanguard

SMALL WORLD FESTIVAL By jamie apps Following a hugely successful debut in a small Marrickville alleyway, Small World Festival returns bigger and better this weekend as the ultimate celebration of everything great about Sydney’s Inner West Originally the idea of four friends sitting around a table who were amazed by the “incredible culture and output” of the Inner West that didn’t get the celebration it deserved, festival director Oscar McMahon said he and his friends decided to “create the pedestal for the amazing breweries, bands, artists and food of the Inner West to be showcased”.

For McMahon, the biggest surprise with last years festival was the sheer volume of people that turned out to check out the festival–which created some unanticipated issues, mainly the need for a bigger space and more soft areas for people to relax throughout the day.With these issues in mind, and the fact that people can now put faith into the event being a great day out, McMahon said:“We’re moving it to a beautiful area of Sydney Park [where] there’s going to be much more room, it’s going to be on grass, a lot better laid out and more comfortable.”

SELAPHONIC

Selahphonic arrive on the scene with an EP filled with sugary sweet indie-pop tunes. So addictive and catchy, you’ll certainly find your ears developing a sweet tooth and returning over and over again.

Musically, Selahphonic blend the use of electronic elements such as synthesisers with classic instrumentals from guitars and drums really well, which helps prevent the EP from becoming a sugary overload. Bones in particular makes great use of a guitar solo at the EP’s midpoint, highlighting that this group is more than your new-age electronic act, but are actually a full-grown band. (JA) WWW1/2

Not only has the festival grown and improved logistically, but this years lineup is even stronger with The Church on headline duties while being supported by the likes of DZ Deathrays, PVT, PALMS,All Our Exes Live In Texas and a local artists showcase curated by VISIONS. Simon Ridley from DZ Deathrays said:“We briefly heard about it last year and checked it out. It looks awesome so we’re stoked to be doing it, especially with the other bands on the lineup…we love going to festivals and soaking up the sun and beers.”

The emergence of smaller boutique festivals like Small World has seen a really positive shift occur within the crowds and the general atmosphere, which Ridley has seen first hand.“It’s a lot of fun going to these sort of small type festivals… it knocks out that whole bad element because everyone knows everyone and if you’re a d*ckhead people will recognise you later on, so all of the crowds are a lot more fun and friendly,” he said.

Small World Festival isn’t just about the music however, it has a little bit of something for everyone with live art exhibitions and local food and beverage producers all providing refreshments for the day.“Small World is a relaxed, grown-up, enjoyable festival. It’s not pretentious, it’s fun with good drinks, good people and good food.There’s also art, interesting, fun, [and] quirky stuff going on so there will be something that a whole bunch of people are really going to enjoy,” said McMahon.

September 19. Sydney Park (off Euston Road). $64.50+b.f.

Tickets & info: smallworldfestival.com

ANY OTHER NAME – HORRORSHOW, JIMBLAH, THELMA PLUM & URTHBOY

Any Other Name is filled to the brim. It is filled with artists, with passion, feeling, politics–and it is filled with style and direction.

This single is a powerful response to a very important issue.

Collaborating and building on each others’ contribution within the song, the artists create a strong force pushing in the direction of equality.

Imbuing the music with true words, it empowers the listener with knowledge and community. Not one voice but many, not one style but several–and each meshes with the other, so that the song is one message overflowing with the words we’ve been needing to hear.

Any Other Name is a must listen for all. (SP) WWWW

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SYDNEY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL The Sydney Underground Film Festival is an alternate and innovative film festival screening the most controversial, subversive and experimental films in the world.

In four days over 100 films of different genres will be screened including political/activist, horror and music documentaries–many of which may shock audiences.

An analysis of the programme with strangely titled films such as The Yes Men Are Revolting,We Are Twisted F*cking Sister! and LSD Factory would suggest this festival is intended for university students, but its appeal is more widespread.

“This is the 9th year this festival has screened in Sydney and our patrons are the young and young at heart,” explained festival director Stefan Popescu.

“We also have a strong contingent of the older generation – the baby boomers enjoy these films.”

The opening night party includes the screening of Love, a sexually explicit and very controversial French film in 3D, with free beer, wines and pizza.

“Reality is a well-crafted surreal film, nailed on every front. It’s like Being John Malkovich on acid.

Kung Fu Elliot is the dark horse of the festival–it’s

seemingly a mockumentary but actually a confirmed documentary, hilarious, about an amateur martial arts film maker’s ego and self-delusion.”

Keanu Reeves returns to the screen in Knock Knock, the closing night film described as ‘a sick, sexy, twisted & brilliantly trashy sexploitation thrill ride’ which should lure movie-goers.

“Festival enthusiasts feeling adventurous and who want to excite and violate their senses should come along to this festival,” concluded Popescu. (MMo) September 17–20. Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville. $16 (single sessions) – $145 (festival pass).Tickets & Info: suff.com.au

FILM KILL ME THREE TIMES In more ways than one, this movie offers nothing new.This said, from the moment Simon Pegg says that loved yet despised four letter word that thou-shall-not-say-to-your-parent, the movie offers a unique element which defines good cinema: entertainment!

Kill Me Three Times is a bloodsoaked, darkly comic-action thriller that tells the story of an assassin (Pegg) who is hired to kill a woman (Alice Braga) of a sun-drenched Western Australian town, but finds himself in the middle of mayhem, chaos and blackmail. It is told thrice from different perspectives and timeframes; not genuine, but amazingly fun to watch. (JR) WWWW GAYBY BABY This extraordinary Australian documentary delves into the lives of a few same-sex couples with children, and asks whether they can simultaneously provide both the mothering and fathering skills to raise a family.These families’ lives are put under the microscope as 18

city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

Greenpeace Founder Bob Hunter once said:“90% of history is being in the right place at the right time”.

The 70s was a period of great change, brought about from the clash of the conservative order with emerging progressive social and political values.

Anti-war protests, feminism and civil rights were issues that defined the era.

Amidst the chaos and upheaval Greenpeace was born, adding environmentalism to the agenda.

How To Change The World chronicles the rise of the organisation, drawing on unseen archival footage, voiceover excerpts from Hunter’s writing and interviews with fellow activists including his wife Bobbi Hunter.

There are some poignant scenes to be found in

Greenpeace’s first expedition to stop Russian whaling vessels off the Californian coast in 1975. Paul Watson (founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society) who joined Hunter’s crew, is filmed lying on a harpooned baby whale while blood gushes into the ocean. It also serves as a stark reminder of the importance that Greenpeace’s work accomplishes.

(ASim) WWW1/2

QUEER SCREEN FILM FESTIVAL

ODDBALL

Along the lines of Babe and Red Dog comes an inspiring true story of a farmer who with the help of his dog saves an entire colony of dying penguins and revives tourism in his small seaside town.

This ‘magical’ (the narrator reminds us repeatedly) tale involves an eccentric chicken farmer (brilliantly acted by Shane Jackson) and his clever grand-daughter (Coco Jack Gillies), alongside a mischievous dog (Oddball), cute fairy penguins and sly foxes.When these unusual characters collide, there is enough heart and humor to please both young and adults alike.

Director Stuart McDonald brings depth to the characters by exposing them to a series of emotions of love, sacrifice and courage.

Picturesquely set in Victorian countryside, the story of Allan ‘Swampy’ Marsh and his dog is one that

HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD

should not be missed.

Also starring Sarah Snook,Alan Tudyk, Deborah Mailman and Richard Davies, Oddball is Australian cinema come of age. (JR) WWW1/2

cameras follow them, their parenting skills showcased and open for public scrutiny. Revealing interviews, notably with the the children (who have been told their parents have “sinned against God”) are thought-provoking, effectively illustrating their concerns for their families. (MMo) WWW1/2 LIFE Based on the true story of photographer Dennis Stock’s (Robert Pattinson) encounters and experiences working with the iconic and mysterious movie star James Dean (Dane Dehaan); Life unfolds just as Dean’s film East of Eden is about to be released.What follows is the tale of a friendship that developed between one of the most famous names in Hollywood and an awkward but pushy photographer who is commissioned by LIFE magazine in 1955 to take pictures of Dean. Featuring some amazing shots, Life does justice to Stock’s interpretation of Dean.This is a different perspective on Dean’s life, which is touching to watch. (JR & JRoth) WWW1/ 2

A WALK IN THE WOODS Not since 1993’s Grumpy Old Men has there been such a delightfully cast comedy/drama starring two endearing and veteran actors. Based on the book by travel writer Bill Bryson, the story surrounds Bryson’s (Robert Redford) actual experiences as he, along with peculiar and estranged friend (Nick Nolte), decide to hike the rugged 2100 miles of the Appalachian Trail.They have many misadventures, but it’s a therapeutic experience as they ultimately reconnect and learn many life lessons. Redford and Nolte’s comic flair astounds and a funny script surrounding the quirky characters they encounter on their journey arouses continuous laughter. (MMo) WWW INFINITELY POLAR BEAR This is an inspirational true story which delves into the sensitive subject of bipolar disorder. Cam (Mark Ruffalo), who is diagnosed with the disorder, resides in a halfway house.

Living on the poverty line, his wife (Zoe Saldana) decides to move to New York to attend business school for eighteen months, and Cam

Beginning Tuesday, the silver screens of Event Cinemas George Street turn rainbow for the third annual Queer Screen Film Festival, to celebrate and showcase all of the latest GLBTIQ movies to Sydney’s movie going public.

Over the six days there will be 12 separate sessions, each with a different film and many of which are Australian premiere screenings. Sessions range from massive star-studded Hollywood dramas, to documentaries and the return of the hugely popular Mixed Shorts package, featuring a selection of international short films.There is sure to be a little something for everyone.

Opening night film Boulevard features Robin Williams in his final dramatic role, and in a eerie coincidence he reluctantly agrees to look after their two teenage daughters. Ruffalo’s portrayal of a man suffering from this condition is commendable, and most of the fun and humorous one-liners are provided by the boisterous daughters.This is an enriching and feelgood dramedy which deserves more accolade on home entertainment than it received upon its theatrical release.

(MMo) WWWW HOLDING THE MAN An endearing love story based on the memoirs of Tim Conigrave, which centres on two teenagers who met in a catholic boy’s high school in Melbourne in the 1970’s, and their romance which kindled a fifteen year relationship.This heart-breaking story deals with the prejudice and disapproval Tim Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and John Caleo (Craig Scott) experienced and the promiscuity which led to their ultimate battle with aids. Corr delivers an intense and highly emotional performance, supported by veteran actors Anthony La Paglia, Guy Pierce and Geoffrey Rush. (MMo) WWWW1/2

plays a man depressed by his monotonous life, who then undergoes an unexpected sexual awakening, rarely seen on screen.

Closing the festival is major new film Freeheld, Sydneysiders will have a chance to be some of the first in the world to see the film. Based on a true story that made headlines in 2007, this film stars Jullianne Moore as detective Laurel Hester, who was prevented from assigning her pension to partner Stacie Andree (Ellen Page) after becoming terminally ill.Also staring Steve Carell as gay political activist Steven Goldstein, this has the potential to be one of the most heart-wrenching films of the festival. (JA) Sep 22–27. Event Cinemas, 505-525 George Street, Sydney. Flexi-5 Pass $85 or single sessions $19.

Tickets & info: queerscreen.org.au

RICKI AND THE FLASH Meryl Streep plays Ricki Rendazzo, leader of the band The Flash. Ricki’s dreams of stardom didn’t work out the way she planned after her marriage disintegrated and she left her children in the care of their affluent father (played by Kevin Kline) and his caring new wife. There are few surprises in the script or storyline, but the actors make it work.

Pleasantly surprising is Rick Springfield’s performance as Ricki’s tortured love interest and lead guitarist of The Flash. The scenestealer, however, is Mamie Gummer, Streep’s real-life daughter–her character’s struggle with mental health lends some needed weight to this comedic drama. (LL) WWW THE GIFT Joel Edgerton stars as the arch-villain in this unnerving mystery thriller, which he also wrote, produced and directed. A young married couple Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall), move to Los Angeles and have a chance encounter with Gordo (Edgerton), a sinister school friend

from Simon’s past. Gifts start appearing on their doorstep followed by unannounced visits, and this rekindled “friendship” has dire consequences on their marriage.

Edgerton is compelling as the socially inept Gordo and his directorial debut is remarkable, keeping audiences at the edge of their seats. (MMo) WWW1/2 THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E Swiftly following on the shiny black heels of last year’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, comes Guy Ritchie’s loosely adapted version of camp sixties television series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Set during the Cold War, it brings Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) together for in a CIA/KGB operation to stop a group of ex-Nazis and Fascists distributing nuclear weapons. Whilst Ritchie stays true to the playful nature of the TV series, this particular 113 minute affair is often laboured. (And what - no cameos!?)

(CC) WW1/2

Kings Court Massage Kings Court is the only place to have twenty two massage rooms and eleven hot tubs, spas, and bubble baths.

Wall to wall beautiful ladies, pool tables and luxurious leather lounges.

You can have a coffee and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Approachable managers help you choose a lady for your massage. There is a fair queueing system and no hidden charges or credit card fees. We are just along from Centrail Railway at 261 Parramatta Rd Glebe, Sydney NSW 2037 Phone 02 9660 0666 Its a $9.00 Taxi Ride from the CBD Visit our web site at

www.kingscourt.com.au We are open 9 am to 1 am and 24 hours on Weekends. There is a 20% discount from 9 am to 12 noon & FREE ENTRY before 9 pm each day. After 9pm there is a non refundable $20 entry fee.

Parking is available in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entrance at 18 Grose St Glebe. Check out the website for information, funny stuff and pictures of pretty women. There are no photos of the regular girls as they are too shy and we don’t provide full service.

Also check out Kings Big John’s Facebook to see a mixture of really funny pics, photos, stories and links to the best pages of our website. This is updated regularly:

www.facebook.com/KingsBigJohn Kings Court Massage: Where the first time customer can meet the first time massage girl!

Hi, this is Big John the owner of Kings Court Massage.

The recent Sunday papers made big noise about the number of illegal places just across the harbour. Well, that is only part of it, most areas have lots of illegal places. When they say illegal they are refering to places that do not have Council approval to opperate. Quite often places do not have very good facilities and on the other hand they can quite well set up. The councils seem to be unable to economically control the existance of non approved places and since the State Govenrment gave them that responsibility there have been an increase in the number of places anyway. There was a time when all the places were illegal and we don’t make a practice of critising others, but it would be good if there were less places and we could increase our prices.

Kings Court Massage is not near a school and not in an industrial area.

We are Council Approved and as well as that we do not practice importation of workers from other countries.

This week we had an eighteen year old young man in for his first visit and he was asking our young lady about how to behave in Schoolies Week. He asked when he should kiss the girl he is dancing with. It became apparent very quickly that the things he was learning from the internet were all wrong. He said, “I watch a lot of Porn.” Lucky for him she explained how to be polite with girls and he enjoyed his first happy ending. She thinks he will now have a better idea of the reality of being nice and how to touch women.

VACANCIES We are currently looking for new ladies who would like to do a massage with a happy ending. It is a safe place to work. You do not do full service. Everyone knows someone who could handle a discrete financial boost, especially now with Christmas coming. It is ideal as a part time or casual job and you are paid cash daily. When you start we get one of the regular girls to show you how to do your first massage. We have off street parking for ladies with cars and for your interview you can park in the Broadway Shopping Centre near our discreet rear entry at 18 Grose Street Glebe 2037 with three hours free parking. The Grose St address is the best way to find us using GPS plotting. Some ladies who visit from out of town stay over when they work. We have the best and sweetest customers of any place. The website is: www.kingscourt.com.au When you get to the home page click on “is this your first time” as this will take you to a page of ten tips that helps our customers to know how to behave towards our massage girls and a clear idea of exactly what we do.

It’s Famous, It’s Here and It’s Great !

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Spring Clean Sale Now On at Sydney City Toyota Demonstrator and Used Cars - Choose From Over 100!

HURRY ENDS 20 SEPT GLEBE

WATERLOO

2007 Lexus IS250 Prestige Sedan Stock No: U019098 158,188KM Location: Glebe

17,990* Driveaway

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid HL Sedan Stock No: U019015 48,147KM Location: Glebe

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2006 Toyota Yaris YRS Hatchback Stock No: U019062 88,110KM Location: Waterloo

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2012 Toyota Camry Altise Sedan Stock No: U018901 94,753KM Location: Waterloo

16,990* Driveaway

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2008 Subaru Forester XT AWD Wagon Stock No: U019172 119,461KM Location: Glebe

2012 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 4x2 Wagon 45,728KM Stock No: U019008 Location: Glebe

2006 Ford Focus LX Hatchback Stock No: U019145 76,803KM Location: Waterloo

2009 Nissan X-Trail TI Wagon Stock No: L007586 93,834KM Location: Waterloo

26,990* Driveaway

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2013 Toyota Camry Altise Sedan Stock No: U019250 21,815KM Location: Glebe

2013 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD Wagon 26,180KM Stock No: U018856 Location: Glebe

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2012 Mini Hatch Cooper Steptronic Hatchback Stock No: U019097 32,479KM Location: Glebe

2013 Toyota Corolla Ascent 42,403KM Stock No: U018883 Location: Glebe

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2013 Toyota Camry Atara SX Sedan Stock No: U019129 48,695KM Location: Glebe

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2013 Toyota Tarago GLI Wagon Stock No: U018886 65,911KM Location: Glebe

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Sydney City Toyota Glebe 36-38 Parramatta Road Glebe, NSW 2037 T 02 9186 4015

Waterloo 824 Bourke Street Waterloo, NSW 2017 T 02 9186 3092

MD053160

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2010 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sedan Stock No: B000503 64,363KM Location: Waterloo

2013 Toyota RAV4 GX 2WD Wagon Stock No: U019054 25,302KM Location: Waterloo

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2009 Mazda 3 Maxx Activematic Sport Sedan Stock No: L007556 73,067KM Location: Waterloo

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Active Wagon Stock No: U019218 85,657KM Location: Waterloo

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2013 Toyota Corolla Ascent S-CVT Hatchback Stock No: U018894 41,148KM Location: Waterloo

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2012 Toyota Hilux SR5 Double Cab Utility Stock No: U019143 114,679KM Location: Waterloo

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sydneycitytoyota.com.au Disclaimer: Spring Clean Event ends 20 September 2015. †Driveaway prices include stamp duty, remaining registration and compulsory third party insurance (CTP). Free Sydney City Toyota Mechanical Protection Plan (MPP) warranty is only applicable on selected used vehicles. For the warranty to be valid, the vehicle must be serviced at Sydney City Toyota based on the manufacturers scheduled service recommendations.

For full terms and conditions please see our website.

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city hub 17 SEPTEMBER 2015