City Hub 13 April 2017

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Still censored after all these years

BY WENDY BACON This week in Sydney a small slice of our city’s history has gone up on the walls of independent cultural hub 107 Projects in Redfern.

The exhibition Tharunka to Thor - Journalism, Politics and Art 1970 -1973 and a number of events will continue until April 23.

The exhibition features original copies of University of New South Wales student publication Tharunka from 1970 and 1971 and underground publications Thorunka and Thor published between 1970 and 1973.

I was one of the original members of the Tharunka editorial team and my partner Chris Nash and myself are curating the exhibition.

Chris was a University of Sydney student at the time of the events featured in the exhibition and is now the Professor of Journalism at Monash University.

From 1970 to 1973, NSW police issued more than forty summonses and made several arrests over the contents of these newspapers. The charges alleged obscenity and indecency. Between us, John Cox and myself served three weeks in prison during two trials. My own experiences in Mulawa prison changed my life and my approaches to journalism.

The publications drew participation and support from students, radical activists, writers, lawyers and others as we waged a relentless campaign against the authorities’ attempt to stamp out our publications. Our deliberate stance was to challenge the power of censors and resisted self-censorship. While the exhibition demonstrates the strong impact on us of international radical movements at the time, the influence of the Sydney Libertarian Push gave the publications a distinctive anarchistic flavour that could only have happened in Sydney.

At the time, when these events took place community radio let alone the internet did not exist. Australia was subject to all sorts of censorship. As young adults, we would sit in movie theatres feeling irritated by ‘jump cuts’ obliterating sequences that censors decided Australian audiences should not be allowed to watch.

Campaigners against film censorship began picketing theatres and holding festivals of banned works. The NSW VIce Squad while covertly accepting bribes from prostitutes and sex shops would raid bookshops and seize copies of works prohibited from import by Federal customs. By the late 1960s, the Federal Liberal government was supposed to be loosening the reins but many were frustrated and contemptuous of the censorship regime. In 1971, hundreds of people signed a statement saying they actively participated in a the publication of a Sex Manual published by Tharunka including articles about birth control, masturbation and abortion that angered conservative politicians and the Catholic Church. The exhibition

An original image published before the sentencing of Wendy Bacon and John Cox following the trial of Tharunka in 1972. Credit: Supplied

includes documents from the conflict over the manual. By 1973 the censorship regime in Australia was broken. Nearly all the charges were dropped.

The exhibition includes a series of open forums and talks, which will bring together members of the editorial team including 1970 Tharunka editors Val Hodgson and Alan Rees. Journalist Jack Rozycki and sociologist Rick Mohr will be part of a panel that will discuss the design and production processes including the arrangements for secret printing at an old offset printing press owned by a Greek anarchist Nestor Grivas on the corner of Broadway and Glebe Point Rd in Inner Sydney. Well known Australian author and lifelong opponent of censorship Frank Moorhouse, who edited a supplement works by Australian writers who had difficulties getting their works published for Tharunka will be interviewed by Chris Nash on April 22 before a final panel of participants later that day.

The seed that led to the exhibition goes back to a visit we paid to New York’s Whitney museum in 2008. There we stumbled across the work of conceptual artist Hans Haacke, whose images of land title searches exposing slum landlords led to his work being branded as ‘not art but journalism’, and his 1971 solo exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum cancelled. Haacke understood the opportunity that this cancellation embodied, and his subsequent work challenged a succession of institutions, in similar fashion to our 1970 protest when four of the Tharunka team wore nuns habits into a courthouse vestibule with slogans from the poem ‘Cunt is a christian word’ that was being prosecuted. Our aim was to continue the act of publication inside the court itself challenging not only the obscenity laws but also legal system to control our communications. Chris Nash and artist Ian Milliss will present a session on on April 20, linking a discussion of Hans Haacke with the Sydney scene at that time.

The issues that emerge strongly from the publications include women’s liberation, abortion rights, land rights, oppression of indigenous people, war, the brutality of the criminal justice system, student rebellion, the right to protest and the role of religious institutions in censorship and repression. 50 years later conflict over all these issues continues but whereas then we felt we were optimistic about radical change, the times are much grimmer now.

The exhibition includes a reading room in which copies of whole publications and others from the same period will be available for people to read. The curators and others will also be available to chat at any time. A program of events can be found here http:// www.wendybacon.com/2017/program-tharunka-to-thor-journalismpolitics-and-art-1970-1973/

Master Plan mayhem in Callan Park Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

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By Georgia Clark The Inner West Council is urging the NSW State Government to salvage the contentious Callan Park Master Plan over growing concerns the government will privatise the colonial hospital.

Former Mayor of Leichhardt and Inner West Council Advisory Committee member, Darcy Byrne, said the Master Plan should immediately be approved before existing facilities deteriorate further.

“Gabrielle Upton has made no commitment at all to reversing the demolition by neglect that has occurred across the park for the last six years.

“Every year that the State Government lets slide the costs of rehabilitating the park, the community asset increases exponentially,” he said.

Hall Greenland, President of Friends of Callan Park says plans for repairs are welcome but that they don’t rule out privatisation.

“The recent announcement from the Minister for Environment, Gabrielle Upton, that Callan Park is safe is very welcome.

“But it is worrying that the Government was secretly considering privatisation of parts of the parklands,” he said.

Mr Greenland says implementation of the plan gets more and more urgent every day as we see heritage buildings demolished by neglect.

“This is a State Government obsessed by flogging off public assets and so the public must stay alert as far as Callan Park is concerned.

“And ministers are on record as saying that the park must pay for itself so that opens the door to commercialisation and privatisation,” he said.

Mr Greenland says profit is taking priority over the upkeep of heritage sites and it’s the state that bears the responsibility of salvaging it.

“The Liberal State Government has a habit of undervaluing public assets, heritage and otherwise, and selling them too cheap,” he said.

Inner West Council Administrator, Richard Pearson, says the implementation of the Master Plan would also come as a breakthrough for mental health services, saying that community consultation saw virtually unanimous support for the planned wellness sanctuaries.

“Mental health was key to the plan as well as community recreational space but the plan’s vision for addressing that cannot be achieved until State Government adopts the Master Plan.

Mr Byrne says swift measures are required to salvage the plan.

“Establishing a Trust to govern and protect Callan Park is the only

One of the heritage buildings at Callan Park. Credit: Facebook

way to guarantee its future and clearly the Government is unwilling to deliver this,” he said.

Mr Greenland says a key accountability measure is ensuring the integrity of the Board managing the Trust.

“The Trust Board must have strong local representation on it.

“It is the local community which saved Callan Park and as a continuing safeguard their presence on the Trust is imperative,” he said.

Callan Park, which is subject to its own Act of Parliament, is yet to receive the rubber stamp despite years of planning.

Inner West Council undertook an extensive public consultation process in the lead up to the plan’s consideration by State Government, using an interactive webpage to invite public comment.

Mr Pearson said while Ms Upton’s comment is welcome, development on the site has yet to be completely ruled out.

“We need to see the full Master Plan vision implemented to preserve this wonderful site as parklands and sporting grounds.

“It is now over five years since the Callan Park Master Plan was handed over to the State Government,” he said.

Friends of Callan Park are planning the launch of an outdoor exhibition later this month which explores the historical significance of the site. city hub 13 APRIL 2017

3

School wears equality on their sleeves

By Alex Yujin A Sydney private school is introducing ‘gender neutral’ uniforms in a bid towards greater inclusion and diversity.

The International Grammar School (IG S), which offers bilingual education for children from preschool to year 12, has released a statement saying it won’t push its students to conform to gender norms.

The uniforms consist of a range of options including pants, skirts and ties all of which the school says may be worn by males, females or other gender identifying students.

IG S Principal, Shauna Colnan, said the uniforms reflect the school’s culture of inclusion as they “accord with the school’s respect for gender diversity.”

Ms Colnan however said the move is not an official policy as the main priority of the school was on learning, not appearances.

It was a sentiment echoed by Norrie May-Welby, who became a champion of the LG BTIQ community in 2014.

Norrie battled the N SW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the High Court to have their gender recorded as “unspecified”.

Norrie is known as “they”, not “she” or “he”, which is an important distinction for many transgender people.

“Children are at school to learn and be all they can be... [not] to erase their individuality and make them conformist work drones.

“Children should never be abused by having to conform to adult gender fetishes.

“They should be able to choose clothing that they are comfortable in,” Norrie said.

The public announcement came from IG S after some teachers allegedly disciplined students for wearing “incorrect combinations” of clothing, when a shortage of girls pants at the uniform shop caused a widespread purchase of boys pants.

Ms Colnan said she had clarified with staff clothing combinations were not an issue.

“As long as uniforms are neat and tidy, we don’t need to get hung up on what is being worn.

“At IGS we are more interested in what is in our students’ heads than what combination of uniform they are wearing,” she said.

Norrie, an important figure for the LGBTIQ community applauds gender neutral uniforms. Credit: Wikimedia commons

Fittingly, the school’s motto is “Unity through Diversity.”

Eloise Brook from the Sydney Gender Centre applauded the school’s actions, saying that gender matters, especially when a person is struggling to understand their own.

She pointed out that local school, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, had made a similar move by allowing transgender children to wear uniforms of their identified gender. “[It is] a practical solution, one that helps trans students do better at school and in life.

“This is also the overwhelming experience of professionals working at the Gender Centre,” she said.

The Gender Centre, which is run by volunteers in Annandale, provides services which aim to “enhance the ability of people with gender issues to make informed choices” whilst being “committed to educating the public about the needs of people with gender issues,” according to a statement on their website.

Acceptance of transgender people has come a long way in the last half century.

In 1983 when the Gender Centre was founded the experiences of transgender people were different.

There was widespread discrimination towards transsexual people (as they were then known).

The Gender Centre started as a refuge for transsexual people and evolved into the fully fledged service it is today.

Ms Brooks said such sensitivity to gender had also been backed by recent studies from the University of Washington, and the U S Ehrensaft model of care for transgender children.

But Ms Brooks remains a realist about how to tackle day to day issues such as the uniforms at local schools.

“Despite frequent scare campaigns and moral panics around the gender expression of children, at the end of the day school principals and parents are the right people to make decisions about what is in the best interests of their children and students,” she said.

Norrie said there should be a range of clothing allowed to suit different athletic inclinations and weather sensitivities.

“In clothing, ‘one size fits all’ is not the norm,” Norrie said.

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Dollars to fight domestic violence

By Paul Clark The Inner West Council has announced it will spend more than $300,000 over four years to address domestic and family violence in the Inner West.

“Domestic and family violence is actually a significant community safety issue in the inner west,” said Administrator of Inner West Council Richard Pearson in a media release.

Mr Pearson referred to information provided by local Police Local Area Commands which he said showed domestic violence was the cause of a very high proportion of assaults.

“These are dreadful statistics that show no one is immune.

“We have a wonderful community full of broad-minded, accepting people and yet domestic and family violence is a real problem. It’s not something that Council will ignore,” he said in the media release.

As part of the Inner West Council strategy, a number of domestic and family violence related programs in the local government area will continue to be supported.

These include the Speak Out Awareness Raising Campaign, Love Bites, the Inner West Respectful Relationship Project and White Ribbon Day. Manager of Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre, Roxanne McMurray, admires the Council’s continued work with the Speak Out Awareness Raising Campaign.

“The campaign, an initiative of the former Leichhardt Council, is brave.

“It says we’ll speak about an uncomfortable truth in our community, and even more so, as a community we’re all standing up and doing something about it,” she said.

Importantly, it is a campaign that is producing tangible results.

“Our centre has experienced a 39 percent increase in people seeking help for domestic violence since the Speak Out campaign started just over a year ago,” Ms McMurray said.

CEO Of White Ribbon Australia, Libby Davies, is also pleased to see Council support for White Ribbon continue.

“The Inner West Council’s support of White Ribbon through action on White Ribbon Day is a positive initiative.

“Over 83 percent of the Inner West Council’s community are males over the age of 15.

“White Ribbon’s focus is on the positive role men play to influence and prevent the actions of those few men who use violence in order to break the cycle of men’s violence against women in our society,” she said.

Domestic and family violence is a problem the community must fight together.

Credit: Google

The Inner West Council believe the different programs will complement each other and work towards a common goal.

While the White Ribbon campaign focuses on the role men can play as positive role models, the Inner West Respectful Relationships Project engages with children and young people aged 3-17 years.

A Spokesperson for the Inner West Council said, “The project aims to provide every child and young person in the Inner West Council local government area the opportunity to participate in respectful relationships education.”

The Inner West Respectful Relationships Project operates in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).

The Council also funds NAPCAN to deliver another program called Love Bites.

Love Bites delivers training to 400 young people aged 14 – 16 years through an interactive school-based domestic, family and relationship violence and sexual assault prevention education program.

The Inner West Council’s community engagement is wide ranging and goes beyond these programs to include community groups, sporting clubs, local business and police Local Area Commands.

It is an engagement strategy that CEO of Domestic Violence NSW,

Moo Baulch, sees as a positive sign of growing local government involvement in addressing these issues.

Ms Baulch said that councils in NSW vary in the scale of resources they have committed to stopping domestic violence.

She also said that for some time councils generally were unsure of their role and left such programs to the Federal and State levels of government.

That is now changing.

“Some councils have well advanced programs in place for the prevention of domestic violence while others are just testing the waters, or have not yet become involved,” she said.

Ms Baulch said the involvement of councils is important in that it helps provide a local focus for all resources, including those that may be established in the community without government funding.

“Overall, this commitment from the Inner West Council is encouraging to see,” she said.

Ms McMurray was similarly positive.

“Council’s announcement of $300,000 over four years to combat domestic violence in the inner west is a strong indication of Council’s commitment to reduce domestic violence and not shy away from local government’s role in providing the foundations for safe and healthy neighbourhoods,” she said.

While the Council initiative has been well received, the experts involved with the programs believe that there is a lot more work to do.

“I suspect that the findings of the Respectful Relationships Project report may indicate additional funds will be needed.

“In the meantime we can take this announcement as a welcome and critical commitment from council which gives some confidence in planning for the next few years,” Ms McMurray said.

Ms Davies also identified a requirement to keep the issue at the forefront of public discourse.

“In Australia, on average at least one woman per week is killed by a current or former partner.

“The more attention we place on this issue, the louder our voices will become and heard,” she said.

Mr Pearson says The Inner West Council policy demonstrates a long term commitment to tackling domestic violence in the area.

“Inner West Council has locked in funding for four years to consolidate this great work.

“I’m pleased and proud that we can work with local groups on innovative initiatives to help combat this problem,” Mr Pearson said.

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city hub 13 APRIL 2017

city hub 13 APRIL 2017

7

Protestors condemn Trump bombings

Protesters walked the streets of Sydney at the Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees. Credit: Dylan Crismale

perpetrating them is bad but bombing people is just as bad, they teach that in pre-school, two wrongs don’t make a right,” she said.

Last week both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten voiced their support for the actions of the United States.

Mr Turnbull talking at a press conference after the event took place said, “This was a calibrated, proportionate and targeted response.”

Mr Shorten also said the actions were “appropriate and proportionate” and the Labor Party renewed their call on the United Nations to, “continue to examine strong and appropriate action to hold the Assad Regime to account for the crimes it has committed against its people.”

Peter Murphy, Organiser and Secretary of the Sydney Peace and Justice Coalition, said the

Australian Government needed to take steps to help end fighting in Syria.

“Military escalation is the wrong direction and the international community has to do everything it can to stabilise the situation politically and in Syria and help rebuild the country,” he said.

Ms Brooke believes that all people seeking refuge from the fighting in Syria need to be accommodated by western countries.

“I think the government response should be to not bomb Syria and to let in all the refugees that have already been created by our intervention and other western power’s intervention in the middle east.

“The least we can do is let in refugees and stop bombing them,” she said.

The rally also brought attention to the conditions for refugees and asylum seekers being

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held in detention on Manus and Nauru island.

Mr Murphy said it was the aim of the rally to give voice to all of the community that is outraged by the treatment of refugees by the Australian government.

“Especially the detention of people at Nauru and Manus Island and the absolute heartlessness and punitive attitude of our government against those people because they arrived by boat,” he said.

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By Dylan Crismale There was a sense of renewed urgency at the Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees on Sunday April 9 as protesters feared the bombing of Syria by the United States would create more refugees.

Dr Sue Wareham OAM, Vice President of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War, spoke at the rally about the inherent links between the current global refugee crisis and various wars around the world.

“The Syrian war is if anything escalating especially since President Trump decided to bomb a Syrian Government air force base a couple of days ago.

“So we have to expect that the war in Syria is not going to get any better, which means there will be more refugees, the global problem is going to get worse and not only in the middle East.

“The election of President Trump has brought in a new era where the aggressiveness of US foreign policy seems to be escalating and we know that in the past 24 hours he has sent an increased naval presence to the Korean peninsula, to bolster the signs of US power in the region.

“We can’t expect that sort of thing doesn’t have any risk of provoking retaliation from the other side,” she told protesters.

A sarin gas attack on the town of Khan Shaykhun in Syria by the Assad regime on April 4 killed at least 72 people and injured hundreds more.

Following global outrage the United States fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at the Shayrat Airbase in Syria on April 7, aiming to prevent and deter the use of chemical weapons in further attacks.

Holly Brooke, a protester at the rally said, “Right now is a pretty pivotal time because we’re on the verge of mass escalation creating thousands, hundreds of thousands possibly millions of Syrian refugees.

“I think adding extra bombardments to a war zone is not going to help.

“Obviously gas attacks no matter who is

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Bondi Pavillion plan short on details

By Tallulah Thompson Waverley Council has unveiled a plan for the development of Bondi Pavilion amidst criticism for not addressing community concerns over the project.

The development application claims to restore the building’s heritage, retain community centre space, as well as achieve a five star green environmental rating.

Murray Cox, Member of the Save Bondi Pavilion group said, “[The DA] doesn’t answer the fundamental questions of what will happen with the upstairs and it doesn’t answer what has always been our principal concern which is what goes on inside the Pavilion?”

A Waverley Council media release states that decisions relating to the first floor have been deferred until the next Council is elected.

Waverley Mayor, Sally Betts said there was some misunderstanding over the claims.

“There is some thought that the council was going to privatise the upstairs.

“That’s not correct because we’ve never made that decision.

“So I just think there is a lot of misunderstanding although we have had a lot of community consultation over and over again,” she said.

John Wakefield, Waverley Labor Ward Councillor for Bondi, has also criticised the development application for not detailing the second stage of renovation.

“I have moved along and argued along with other councillors that the proposal to redevelop the Pavilion needs to be put up front.

“We need to tell the community from the beginning what the intention is to do with it - not to stage it and hide what the future might be, but to stage it so that the project is achievable and is within a good budget.

“The original budget put to councillors three years ago was $10 million dollars, it then became 20 million and it is now at 40 million dollars,” he said.

The first stage of the Bondi Pavilion Upgrade and

Street artist, Finton Magee’s artwork on Abercrombie Street, Chippendale. Credit: Supplied

Conservation Project was submitted by Waverley Council on March 31 and was costed at $15.21 million.

The designs for the first stage of redevelopment include a new gallery space, larger amenities block, landscaped courtyards, the pedestrianisation of the current Council car park and space for events and festivals.

Ms Betts justified the cost of the first stage of development saying the $15.21 million budget was largely made up of the cost of restoring the roof, replacing the substandard plumbing, and that it also included a $3 million contingency.

“The Pavilion is in drastic need of repair, although we’ve been spending a lot of money on the maintenance it obviously needs a whole lot more repair and renovation.

“Renovations of an old building do cost a lot of money,” she said.

According to both Mr Cox and Mr Wakefield, there were originally three plans shown to Ms Betts by the architects, including a minor refurbishment, a detailed refurbishment, and a grand $38 million redevelopment.

The $38 million redevelopment was the only plan put forward to Council and the community by the Mayor in December 2015.

Mr Cox said Bondi Pavilion could have become a hub for the cultural economy of Bondi.

“I don’t think Mayor Betts and her cohort have that kind of vision, I’m afraid to say,” he said.

Kilty O’Brien, Convenor of the Save Bondi Pavilion group, stated in a position paper that “as a result of the community campaign to Save Bondi Pavilion as a community and cultural centre, the Stage 1 plan makes some small steps in the right direction.”

Music studio facilities will also remain at Bondi

Pavilion alongside the pottery studio which will be expanded.

Mr Wakefield said this was an important win but one that took over a year of lobbying and hours of debate on the floor of Council to achieve.

“It’s really disheartening after all of the consultations, all of the money, the rate payers’ money that’s been paid out for consultants and architects and engineers, and all the unpaid work that the community has put in, that two years later we’re still a year away from getting anything started,” he said.

The success of the development application will be determined by the Sydney Planning Panel and as part of the decision process the submission will be on statutory exhibition for 28 days from mid-April.

A public meeting will take place at Bondi Pavilion on April 26 where community groups will meet to examine the details of the development application.

Skate Park to roll over residents

By Andrew Woodhouse HIGH FARCE is the only way to describe Woollahra Council’s recent environment committee meeting to discuss their highly contentious and controversial 24-hour skateboard park proposal for the quiet, historic 1883 Rushcutters Bay Park.

Locals were given just one business day’s notice in the week before Easter to attend a committee meeting.

Only four of 13 councillors are on the committee.

The Motions on the table to abandon the current proposal and seek another site were not passed and a basketball court was added to the proposed ping-pong table mix, all now recommended for approval instead, and all on the harbour front blocking views from the park.

The meeting was dominated by dozens of young and not-so-young board-short and t-shirt clad skateboarders and long-haired, three-dayold facial stubble, basketballers, some even up to 32 years old. A multitude of hair-braided “gothic” hippies joined in the chorus for youth rights against tweed-coated “oldies” with their equally old-fashioned crinkly heritage attitudes to this noble park, claimed by one to be the most beautiful harbour-side park in the southern hemisphere.

Councillor Anthony Marano chaired the meeting but was clearly out of his depth. Cross conversations, name calling, a failure to follow declared meeting procedure, motions put and withdrawn, then put and lost, objections from the public, speakers cut off mid-flight, the odd stray councillor wandering in to have a bite of the argument, implications made but not fully stated about others’ inaccurate statements and huffery and puffery, all that gave the rate-paying public, from both sides of the argument, impressions we were at a comedy festival.

Council is still the best free show in town.

Ultimately, Motions put to withdraw this mad-

The site of proposed Youth Recreation Development in Vaucluse. Credit: Woollahra Municipal Council

cap scheme were lost and a new Motion, plucked from the ether without any public forewarning by the Chair, Councillor Marana, to push on with original scheme, whatever this really is, was passed 3-1. Councillors Marano, Wynn and Cavanagh voted in favour and Councillor Andrew Petrie OAM described by the Mayor as the “elder statesman” of council with a quarter of a century’s experience, voting against.

Apparently, a big, new 24-hour, flood-lit basketball court is now also part of the design and council will not be exhibiting a development application “because it’s not a house” we were lectured by those high priests of planning, council staff. Is this legal?

We’ll know all about the design only after it’s built. So we can only guess at we might really get after design alterations and when council realises this park is built on a swamp: excavation beyond half a metre will create flooding. No structural engineer’s report exists.

This excruciating matter now goes before the full council on Monday May 1 for a hopefully, more reasoned discussion for the final decision.

This park should now be heritage-listed just as the Sydney Council side already is. Sydney Council should not be in collusion in encouraging it. Our rates shouldn’t be subsidising welloff, prestige-property-owning Paddingtonians’ playgrounds. If Woollahra can’t afford this

Opinion

million-dollar scheme it should be abandoned or put up its rates, charge for entry or merge with other councils to accumulate the necessary funds.

Local resident for 35 years, Robbie Hall, who cherishes the park says, “the proposal is disgraceful. Locals are in shock learning of council committee’s motion for a noisy skateboard park on the harbour edge, close to the Vibe Hotel, the stream, open grassy space where many enjoy a picnic and those who live in apartments nearby.

This park is peoples’ “backyards” and takes in not only Darling Point, but Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, East Sydney and Edgecliff. For a handful of skateboarders to ‘call the tune’ on this activity in this peaceful, natural ampitheatre and bay loved by young families, grannies, cyclists and locals close to the Yacht Club has shocked many and is unfair. This park should remain ‘for all’.”

People are genuinely puzzled by council’s real motivations. After all, its own consultant’s report doesn’t give it the full tick of approval noting the idea had a “mixed reception” and 52% of those in favour stating they would not, or didn’t know, if they would use it. The report admits “the [survey] results are not a true representation of the …demographic” involved. They recommend “ … the skateboard park be reduced in scale” and “the design sign use alternative materials other than concrete”. Malcolm Turnbull, PM and local dog-walking park user, chimes in with the same comments.

Suddenly, this is of national importance.

This issue has attracted more responses, over 1200, than any other in Woollahra Council – ever. Staff were overwhelmed with work. Good I say. Only 22 percent of the written submissions were in favour of the proposal.

Woollahra Council should now realise one thing: this council does not belong to them: we belong to it, and we’re not letting go of it.

Andrew Woodhouse is President, Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage & Residents’ Society city hub 13 APRIL 2017

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FEATURE

Past Perfect Future Tense Rita Bratovich With the incredible degree of building and development occurring in almost every part of the country, it can feel like our entire past is being slashed and burned.That’s why organisations such as The National Trust and events like the upcoming Australian Heritage Festival are so important.They not only raise awareness, but they help citizens engage in real and practical ways to salvage and restore historically important sites, buildings and relics.

The Australian Heritage Festival began as the National Trust Festival in 1980 in NSW only. Gradually the other states took interest and joined the project until it eventually became a national event.

This year’s festival will include over 1000 program items distributed throughout every city, suburb and region of the country. These events have been created by communities, societies, museums, institutions - any group that has an interest in preserving the heritage of Australia.

“By involving the community in its heritage you are ensuring its protection,” explains National Trust CEO, Brian Scarsbrick. He’s very enthusiastic about this year’s festival because there are more events than ever and the National Trust has just been assured government funding for three years.

Each year there has been a theme and this year it is “Having A Voice”. Scarsbrick says the theme is broad to allow different interpretations, but it essentially speaks to the right of the public to have a say in what is happening to their environment: “There’s no doubt about it, the community is very concerned about the threat to heritage that’s all around us… people are responding, are forming groups, are advocating for holding our heritage…It’s very imperative that we do keep that voice and have it heard.”

Of course, it’s about finding a balance. Nobody is against progress or updating design, but they are against inappropriate development and wanton

Bondi Pavilion

demolition - there’s room for creative compromise.

“Repurposing a building, adaptive reuse of a heritage building is something we support,” says Scarsbrick.

In terms of context, Scarsbrick acknowledges that our heritage goes way beyond colonial settlement and European exploration, back to the original owners of the land.

“The First People are a very important part of this and maintaining our cultural heritage is one of things that is high on the priority of the National Trust… the First People - their culture needs to be protected and nurtured.”

Indigenous sites and culture will feature significantly.

One example is an exhibition of artworks produced by indigenous school children that will be displayed in National Trust listed homes.

Scarsbrick is grateful to the Australian Government for financial support and validation of the National Trust’s purpose and is really keen to get young people interested in protecting our heritage. To that

end, much of the program is dedicated to family and children’s events.

Convict Escapades held at Hyde Park Barracks is one such event. It is an immersive theatre experience aimed at children aged six to 12. Actors are stationed at various posts throughout the barracks where they enact a five minute scene depicting some aspect of life there during the 1830s. The scenes are roughly scripted but allow for improvisation and engagement with the audience.

Kids are fully immersed: they get an arrowed shirt and convict name upon arrival and they’re invited to do activities such as convict laundry, making leg irons, playing games and getting a tattoo! Sydney Living Museums Program Coordinator, Michael Van Tiel describes the experience as part entertainment, part education and very relevant: “There’s this expectation of what convicts were about and we’re trying to dispel some of those myths…It was convicts who built Sydney…they

weren’t necessarily just a labour force, they brought a lot of skills to Sydney…and I think we’re all becoming proud of our convict heritage as well.”

Another Sydney Living Museum adventure is their Night Light Tours which are candle or gaslight tours of Elizabeth Farm (which also includes actors performing scenes) and Elizabeth House.

“Heritage is for everyone,” says Van Tiel. “People will look in their own backyard at their own heritage and these festivals are a trigger point.”

For those who prefer fresh air and exercise, Waverley Council will be conducting a Bondi History Walk, led by Services Coordinator Laurie Williams.

Beginning at Bondi Pavilion, the walk goes along the promenade and up to Ben Buckler Point at North Bondi.

“I will be sharing several fascinating stories during the walk,” says Williams. “The Bondi Pavilion alone is full of history – I’ll show visitors the old ballroom and a tunnel which leads from the Pavilion out onto the beach. The Big Rock on the point at North Bondi is interesting and I’ll let you know about some very special Aboriginal carvings at North Bondi.”

Apart from library reference material, Williams has gleaned knowledge from “‘old locals telling me their personal accounts of growing up in the area.”

The Bondi History Walk underscores the value of community focused events, as Williams explains: “I believe it will ensure our stories will never die.

The community can find out where we have come from and what has been achieved in making this one of the most visited places in Australia. It also provides us with a sense of tradition and belonging.”

Apr 18 - May 21,

for info and bookings to all events: www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT w

Hamish Michael, John Gaden, Zindzi Okenyo and Tom Budge. Photo: Prudence Upton

The new Broadway musical by Brian Hargrove and Barbara Anselmi makes its Australian debut in this production by Chatswood Musical Society. It Shoulda Been You is like a New York Jewish version of a Shakespearean comedy, with augmented personalities, absurd situations and quick, sharp dialogue. While it does have a lot of the predictable elements Petrograd, 1916: three men walk intently around a small table upon which is a fine china plate upon which is a single cup cake topped with bright pink icing.They examine the cup cake scrupulously and regard it with awe - for this same cup cake may determine their own fortunes and the future of Russia itself!

From the opening scene,The Rasputin Affair by Kate Mulvany, is absurd, camp and brilliant.The play reenacts the final hours of the infamous Gregori

Talk

John Waters.

Photo: James Green

Jonathan Biggins’ latest play for the Sydney Theatre Company looks at how the ubiquity of digital media has caused a blurring of lines between entertainment and editorial, news and gossip. Talk references some well-known (read notorious) identities and stories to create a fictitious but easily recognisable drama/farce that provides plenty of laughs while delivering sobering content.

At the centre of the narrative is a shock jock, played by John Waters, who is about to discover the real consequences of his words. Peter Kowitz plays a seasoned newsman closing out his career - but not before he tries for one last major

Rasputin based on known or accepted facts, with Mulvany putting the devil in the details.The cast of five are like a Vaudevillian troupe, capable of precision banter as well as physical humour.

Sean O’Shea is an imposing, mesmerising Rasputin, charismatic in his sermonising, comical in his stubborn unwillingness to die.

Playing a Rik Mayall version of Prince Felix is Tom Budge, ramping up the camp, and contorting his face and body in a virtuoso display of elasticity.

Zindzi Okenyo plays the servant, Minya, sassy, confident and full of surprises.

Hamish Michael is a matinee idol styled Dimitri, prim, handsome and ambitious, but hopelessly vulnerable to love.

And finally, the always wonderful John Gaden, selfaware as the guileless, ungainly Vlad, throwing himself at the slapstick antics with complete abandon.

Director John Sheedy has done a great job of integrating each character to create a synergistic whole, with no one looking uncomfortable and everyone appearing to have a lot of fun.

Working with the fairly limiting stage area of The Ensemble, Set Designer Alicia Clements has created a functional and picturesque (wink) backdrop that is almost a sixth character.

Ra…Ra…Rasputin! See it now. (RB) Until Apr 30,Various performance times.

Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli. $37-$67.Tickets & Info: www.ensemble.com.au

scoop. At the third point of the media triangle is a tabloid editor (Hannah Waterman) hungry for a headline.

Much of the plot occurs offstage; you hear about it but you don’t see it.

“In a way it’s kind of like a radio play” is how Lucia Mastrantone describes it.

She plays the dual roles of police liaison officer and lawyer.Though the lawyer character effectively has only one big scene, it’s a very significant, revelatory scene and is proving quite a challenge for Mastrantone, mostly because she can’t relate to the motivation, the moral justification of the character.

“What she does is not bad, she actually does something to try and do good…but by doing that she causes terrible carnage,” Mastrantone explains.

The role represents a difficult conflict sometimes faced by actors where they can’t quite identify with the actions of their character: “Trying to find the sort of person that would do what she did…I still haven’t cracked it.”

It’s a complex plot, peppered with humour yet thought provoking.As Mastrantone puts it: “This does make you look at yourself as part of the machine and it does make you look at what the world is doing around you.” (RB) Until May 20. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $79-$101+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

a&e

11 STAGE 12 SCENE 13 Sounds 14 SCREEN

The Dog/The Cat When Sheridan Harbridge saw The Dog/The Cat in its downstairs season at Belvoir Street she was captured by its simple, exquisite beauty. Popular demand brings it back to the upstairs theatre and Harbridge could not be happier to be in the ensemble cast.

“You rarely see theatre comedy without a harder twist to it people are shy of entertainment being too easy in theatre but this is a really clever, witty rom com.

It’s a joyous, life affirming experience, where you walk out happy to keep pursuing love as the most important thing in our world”.

Essentially two one-act plays, written consciously to be performed side by side - The Dog, is by Brendan Cowell and The Cat, by Lally Katz. In Cowell’s play, two best mates share a dog and take it to the park – one in the morning and one at night - where they meet a woman with her dog. Their friendship starts to fall as they both start falling for her. In Katz’s play, a couple post break-up, meet in the park every week to exchange custody of their cat. But the cat – who incidentally is obsessed with rapper Nicki Minaj - suddenly begins to express an opinion about the divorce.

Xavier Samue, Sheridan Harbridge Photo: Brett Boardman

Whilst the plays entwine, ‘riffing’ off each other, with recurring jokes and characters, it’s the writing of Katz that Harbridge especially treasures. “It’s always been the type of theatre I want to be a part of and to me it’s a real treat to get to be one of her women. I always find them to be incredibly lovable, flawed and inspirational. It’s great to be a Lally Katz woman.” (GW) April 13 – May 7, Various performance times. Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $49-72.Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au or 02 9699 3444

REVIEW: The Play That Goes Wrong The Play That Goes Wrong does precisely what it says on the label.This surprise West End hit from Mischief Theatre has crash-tackled its way onto the Sydney stage on a warmly received Australian tour.

A death trap of a set that’s falling to pieces, an incompetent cast who can barely hold character let alone remember their lines, and a hopeless techie who misses every cue. Fictitious amateur company ‘The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s’ attempt at staging play-within-a-play The Murder at Haversham Manor (a 1920’s era whodunit with all the hallmarks of an Agatha Christie classic) is a glorious mess.

This production is an endless barrage of slapstick humour, half the fun comes from anticipating the next near miss or outrageous mishap.This is light-hearted comedy in the spirit of Fawlty Towers – old-fashioned, but not stale.Tongue firmly planted in cheek, this play doesn’t seek to uncover anything more than surface deep with its humour – and when it’s as good-natured as this, that’s hardly a concern.

There’s a palpable energy of joy amongst the audience at The Play That Goes Wrong, and there’s not a weak link amongst the cast – maintaining great

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

Photo: Jeff Busby

REVIEW: The Rasputin Affair

continuity as they embody characters that flail to embody other characters.

The set is a character in its own right, unfolding into stupendous disarray. It takes a lot of things going right to make it look like things are falling apart so well.This production is sure to leave audiences tickled pink, even if it ruffles the feathers of some theatre purists. (AM) Until April 23,Various performance times.

Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay. $89.90-$119.90.Tickets & info: www.theplaythatgoeswrong.com.au

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

city hub 13 APRIL 2017

11

Future Seekers

Future seekers is a brand new theatrical experience for Sydneysiders which director Mark Langham says reminds us that we are the sum of all those who came before us: their dreams, hopes and fears.

“No one group has the monopoly on either the present or the future and we are all just adding our own little story to the bigger picture.”

(JA) Apr 20-30, Various performance times.

Sydney Philharmonic Hall, Wharf 4/5 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. $40.

Tickets & Info: www.futureseekers.net.au

Future Seekers breaks the mould of conventional theatre by incorporating music, a soireé atmosphere and a mix of theatrical styles in telling an incredible story that moves from revolutionary Russia to present-day Sydney.

Local playwright Carol Dance has blended a collection of her award-winning short plays into one continuous story that is fun thoughtful, local yet universal and dramatic as well as charming.

Grand pianist, composer and ABC Young Performer of the Year finalist Philip Eames interweaves piano interludes into the scenes to highlight the moods and locations being created by the four actors.

THE NAKED CITY

Pygmies, Pinheads and Aspros!

With Coffin Ed Oversized foam cowboy hats, showbags full of sugar and plastic junk, vomit inducing carnival rides and all manner of deep fried, super fatty, dyspepsia inducing food on a stick – just some of the reasons why I haven’t bothered to visit the Royal Easter Show at Homebush during the past twenty years.Yes I know there are cute farmyard animals, an unlimited supply of tea and scones and woodchoppers prepared to put the toes on the line – but somehow the Show (for me) has never been the same since it left Moore Park.

Whilst many of the attractions have remained standard over the past fifty odd years, one thing that is definitely missing today is the incredible sideshow alley. It’s not hard to see why these so called tent shows have disappeared from the showground landscape. Public tastes and levels of sophistication have undergone massive changes and we are no longer thrilled or allowed to see enormously fat ladies or Walla Walla,“The World’s Smallest Trotter”.

Those readers old enough to remember the sideshows of the 50s and 60s might recall an area of the Showground that was often shunned by the general public, at least by good Christian families and those who considered it all a bit rough and tumble. In my own case I can remember my Dad reluctantly letting me visit the ‘alley’, but not until I was about nine or ten years old. It was here the crowds jostled to watch the parade of boxers from Jimmy Sharman’s Boxing Troupe (‘Where Australian Champions Are Discovered’) or an astonishing array of circus freaks that included

Chang the Chinese pinhead and Mexican Rose, the 344kg fat lady, who was lifted by crane from the ship that brought her to Australia.

To be honest I only have the vaguest recollections of the classic sideshow days but one attraction that I will never forget is the remarkable Pygmy Revue featuring the tiny Queen Ubangi. As a small child I was captivated by the site of Ubangi, amidst a group of other colourfully attired ‘pygmies’. These days the exploitation of people because of their physical size in such a public arena would

John Olsen - the you beaut country

The Art Gallery of NSW in association with the National Gallery of Victoria is currently showcasing a wonderful exhibition by renowned Australian artist John Olsen. The painter is globally recognised for his abstract paintings, ceramics and tapestries portraying our beautiful landscapes. The exhibition displays all of Olsen’s art covering seven decades worth of work including large-scale paintings of Sydney Harbour and Lake Eyre but his mastery will be remembered for his famous landscape series the 12

city hub 13 APRIL 2017

you beaut country which is one of the main highlights of the exhibition and gave it its name.

Olsen has a lively abstract style that pays homage to aboriginal art and his portraits of the Australian landscape are very poetic. His evolution is clearly on display for all to see as his unconventional and distinctive vision of Australia brings out the spirit of the country. He’s an artist who has been curious about Australia’s natural beauty and is still exploring our national identity in all of his creations.

One of Olsen’s monumental paintings the Sydney Sun (also known as the King Sun) was first displayed at the Canberra National Gallery of Australia in 1965 and shows his passion for creating colourful dreamlike paintings.At the age of 89 Olsen is an iconic living artist who has captured the heart and soul of Australia’s landscape and has made a huge contribution to the story of Australian art. If you would like to learn more about Australia’s rich history of art then this is an exhibition worthy of your time. (DJ) Until Jun 12, 10am-5pm. Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain. $8-$40.

Tickets & Info: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

not be tolerated however this was definitely a less enlightened, albeit innocent time..

With the White Australia policy in full swing, we seldom saw people from Africa, let alone one as exotic and diminutive as Queen Ubangi, who was less than three feet high. Ubangi, who was christened Maria Peters, hailed from Cape Province in South Africa and eventually spent some thirty four years touring Australian showgrounds, granted considerable leniency from Australian immigration officials at the time.

Promoted by former boxer Dave Meekin, whose slogan was “Show Time Is Pygmy Time”, she appeared at showgrounds all over the country from the 20s through to the late 50s.When the Holt Government dismantled the White Australian policy in the mid 60s, it paved the way for Ubangi to take out citizenship and she spent the remainder of her life living on the Gold Coast, dying in her early eighties.

These days the sideshows have long disappeared from Australian agricultural fairs, as have the once free sample bags. In 2017, it’s at least a couple of hundred dollars to take a family of four or five to the show as you eat your lasagne on a stick, dizzy yourself on the rides and accumulate a ridiculous number of plastic show bags packed with tooth rotting sugar and sinister militaristic items like sniper rifles and dastardly ninja swords..

Back in the 50s, exhausted and stressed parents could drop in at the Aspro stand and grab a free sample, guaranteed to knock out that headache and even cure your rheumatism, as the naughty kiddies ran amok screaming for their Jolly Jumbo Liquorice bags.

Today you need to take your own analgesics - even though most of the pain you feel will be coming from your wallet!

Standing Rock Photo journalist Angus Mordant has brought his first solo exhibition to Sydney, documenting the Standing Rock Sioux and their allies as they fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

In mid-August, the seven bands of the Sioux came together for the first time since the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 to protest against the underground pipeline. It is expected to transport oil to North Dakota, raising concern for their environment and culture.

“I thought it’d be interesting to go out and document this historic gathering… I had no idea it’d turn into what it did…” explained Mordant.

On October 27, the non-violent protesters stood before the pipeline and the police used force against them which was unprecedented for their size.

“The police began tasering people… shooting people indiscriminately… to see this happening out on the rolling hills was something I would have never expected.”

The purpose of his exhibition is to raise awareness through telling their story of protest.

Mordant’s exhibition acts as a visual representation of the human and environmental rights issues that individuals around the world face.

“Indigenous people in America, people in Australia, Canada and Latin America face these

same environmental issues… I don’t want people to think it’s only happening in one county in North Dakota, but [rather] it is happening everywhere.”

Although the Dakota Access Pipeline is going ahead, Mordant said that the movement is still in its infancy and he’s interested to see how the sense of purpose gained from this protest will continue in other movements.

“It was the end of one fight, but it lit the spark of a bigger movement, raising hope for future issues,” concluded Mordant. (JM) Until Apr 22. Dominik Mersch Gallery, 1/75 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay, Sydney. FREE. Info: www.dominikmerschgallery.com

By Jamie Apps

Slightly Stoopid: Nearly two decades into their artistry, Slightly Stoopid continues to progress into new musical territory, defining their signature party friendly fusion of folk, rock, reggae, funk, hip-hop and blues whilst also creating a contagious feel-good vibe that has its own lifestyle and subculture.

Thu, Apr 13, Manning Bar Handel’s Messiah: Detailing the life of Christ from birth to death to resurrection, Handel’s Messiah was first performed 275 years ago. The moving musical experience that Sydneysiders can experience on Good Friday has many similarities with that very first concert.

Fri, Apr 14, St Andrew’s Cathedral Flowertruck: Drawing influences from the likes of Talking Heads, The Smiths, The Cure and The Go-Betweens, Flowertruck combine earnest lyricism with shimmery guitars and lamenting piano instrumentals to create a unique pop sound that is simultaneously catchy and moving.

Fri, Apr 14, BAD Friday Festival Ash Grunwald: Taking cues from classic bluesmen including R.L Burnside and John Lee Hooker and old prison work songs, Grunwald drags the genre into the 21st century, adding a twist of classic rock, neo soul and a hat-tip to roots contemporaries including Butler, Rudd and Harper.

Sat, Apr 15, Newtown Social Club Butterfingers: Australia’s favourite two time ARIA Award

nominated musical misfits are back, breaking hearts and bones (mostly their own) after a ten-year long hiatus from the recording studio.

Sat, Apr 15, Hudson Ballroom Music Mirth & Mayhem: With the fabulously funny Lawrence Mooney as MC, this year’s line-up of local and international comedians includes: Jimeoin, Luke McGregor, Fringe Wives Club, Zach & Viggo (USA), along with music from Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), The Broads and Gawurra. That’s one helluva show….and there’s more names to be announced!

Mon, Apr 17, Max Watt’s Gretta Ray: One of the country’s most exciting new songwriting prospects is one not to miss this week. Her new single Towers is a gleaming slice of guitar-driven alt-pop, with Gretta’s effortless vocals delivering a deft turn of phrase.

Tue, Apr 18, Newtown Social Club Mélisande: Multiple award-winning Québec-based group Mélisande will bring their unique blend of electronica and folk to Sydney this week. Drawing from a rich heritage of traditional francophone songs, performing with a feminist perspective and a distinctly modern sound - an energetic blend of traditional music, pop and electro with a mix of acoustic and electric instruments, vocal harmonies and programming.

Wed, Apr 19, Petersham Bowls Club

By Jamie Apps Over the course of the last two years two lads from Canberra have seen their partnership knows as Peking Duk explode on both the Australian and North American scenes.This explosion in popularity comes off the back of their phenomenal writing, which saw them win an ARIA award for best dance release in 2014, but in large part the duo can thank their wild, energetic live shows.

Since 2015 Peking Duk have played some huge festival sets such as Splendour In The Grass, Coachella and Lollapalooza.

“Splendour In The Grass was the hands down highlight of all time, I remember before the set hearing the crowd chant Peking Duk then when the front of house lighting turned off I remember hearing the sound of 20,000 people scream. I think that was the happiest I’ve ever felt.” beamed Reuben Styles.

Whilst playing live shows to 20,000

Peking Duk people makes them happy Reuben also explained that winning their ARIA award in 2014 was also a huge milestone moment for them, especially in terms of acceptance by their families.

“That was the point in our lives when our families started taking us seriously” he said with a bit of a chuckle, “Especially the Grandparents, the oldies sort of

Mat Ward - Slow Car Crash

the stars who demand hit songs to keep them relevant in a competitive music market.

Jason wrote 16 of the 19 songs for Justin Bieber’s hit album Purpose, and won a Grammy. In my opinion one of the best crafted and produced albums, currently nothing has topped it in quality. He has written for Pink, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg and received two Grammys Awards for the songs he wrote for Usher.

“I came from nothing I wanted to inspire other kids that came from absolutely nothing to overcome all obstacles and have a career in something you love, it doesn’t mean it has to be music” said Jason, “I am going to be great, it doesn’t matter how many times I get knocked down, I am going to get up and do it again.”

Jason’s message to aspiring songwriters, “be honest with your work, accept that not every song you write is going to be a hit. Be prepared to keep going. Listen to the radio, that’s the standard and be prepared to play by the rules as you are working in a radio commercial space.”

POO BEAR, Jason Boyd has just finished working with JLo and is currently working with Sam Smith.

Poo Bear: Afraid of Forever, is a must see when it airs on Red Bull TV Apr 29 www.redbull.tv

understood but the grandparents were now really into it. That sort of stuff means a lot to us because it’s kind of cool finally being accepted for what you do.”

Along the way the duo have learnt that they can’t go wild celebrating after each and every show explained Reuben, “I think we’re slowly learning how to pick our parties. Two or three years

ago we’d end up in some pretty hilarious scenarios, such as cooking bananas in a fish bowl, on a hub cap just hanging out with god knows who, but it’s safe to say we’re getting better at not ruining ourselves for the next day and the next show especially.”

For fans this is especially reassuring to hear ahead of the show in Sydney next weekend.

Reuben told City Hub that this show in particular is going to be a “very special” one because they want to top the last show here.

“We’re bringing a few sneaky guests for that one. I don’t know why it’s just that one, to be honest we should probably be doing it for the whole tour but the Sydney show was the highlight of our Australian tour last year.”

Apr 22, 7:15pm. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Road, Enmore. $52.10+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au

Northlane - Mesmer

This album is a comprehensive guide to the monetary problems our western society is faced with.

Mat Ward’s words hit on the inequality that has arisen between those that have and make money and everybody else. He places consumerism in a chair surrounded by arguments against it, trying to convince it of its wrongs and to shine a light on it as a flawed concept.

With bare truth there is the possibility of its very sound to be offensive to the ear, but it is much easier to hear and thus more effective if it comes in an otherwise pleasant packaging.The listener may have to work hard to hear the message while their ears are massaged by rolling electronics and their brains are vibing softly on the ambiance.

Listeners will appreciate this on a few levels once they move into it a little. (SP) WW1/2

Poo Bear: Afraid Of Forever

By Lynda Wehipeihana, Music Executive A documentary called Poo Bear: Afraid Of Forever, and I am waiting to interview the star Poo Bear, Jason Boyd, a five time Grammy Award winning songwriter.

Hi Lynda, followed by a beautiful hug from Jason as we sat down to chat.

Jason shared his excitement about the movie, “I didn’t think that I would care about my life being documented.”

A life of homelessness, divorced parents, and triumph as an extremely successful hardworking songwriter. Writing five songs per day on four hours sleep, he was nervous about seeing it on the big screen.

It doesn’t get more real than working with

Photo: Maclay Heriot

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

The unannounced surprise release of their fourth album Mesmer has Northlane cement themselves as one of Australia’s premier hardcore acts.

This record marks the second release with new vocalist Marcus Bridge at the helm of Northlane and proves that he has settled into a groove with the other members. Bridge’s vocal work here is captivating alongside the musical compositions, which the band has obviously put a strong emphasis on this time around.

Whilst Mesmer is another clear step away from their roots, much like previous record Node, Northlane appears to be a heading in a positive direction.The latter half of Mesmer emphasises this point with the final six songs being the albums strongest as all of the elements and growth click right into place. (JA) WWW

Jessica Mauboy All The Hits Live

Photo: Vassi Dyulgerova

Review by Lynda Wehipeihana, Music Executive Jessica Mauboy, an exceptional Australian singer/ songwriter delivered a star performance at Sydney’s ICC Theatre last Friday night.

Mauboy opened with, Can I Get A Moment. Her obvious fearless talent as she continued to sing her set list, telling her story starting her career in country music, singing Tammy Wynette’s Stand By Your Man, at the age of 11. Through to her audition song on Australian Idol, I Have Nothing, by Whitney Houston and her role as Billy on Channel 7’s The Secret Daughter, singing Home To Me. The audience sung Crowded House’s Better Be Home Soon, as Jessica’s musical spirit washed over them.

Mauboy, was brilliant and dug deep singing countless songs whilst using visual background screens

between wardrobe changes which completed Jessica’s story showing her in Eurovision, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, movie roles and more.

A defining moment Jessica played the piano and sung, Because, showing more depth to her musical talent.

The show was clever in creation and allowed Jessica to engage with her audience as a soulful authentic artist.

Jessica said “I will never turn my back on music, it’s never let me down. …Ever!”

For more info on Jessica Mauboy head to www.jessicamauboy.com.au Jessica Mauboy is a Sony Music artist lead by the mastery of Denis Handlin AM - Chairman & CEO Australia & New Zealand and President, Asia Sony Music Entertainment. city hub 13 APRIL 2017

13

Frantz

Denial

There are few subjects as hot to the touch as the Holocaust, nor any more incendiary than Holocaust denial, so it’s hard to imagine why a film maker would even venture there.

Yet director Mick Jackson has in his latest film, Denial. It’s the true story of a legal battle between notorious academic and Holocaust denier, David Irving and Jewish historian, Deborah Lipstadt.

The wariness is palpable and understandably so, but that makes for a very emotionally and even philosophically constrained film. It doesn’t have the robust exploration of ideas

that many court room dramas do, nor does it delve deeply into the human psyche - it’s barely even sentimental. All this is completely understandable, given the potential to open a can of worms, but it does make the script feel shackled.

However, in spite of that, the performances are all outstanding, and there are some very moving scenes. It’s unfortunately, a film that is relevant in the current social climate, and it makes a significant statement in its title alone.

(RB) WWW1/2

Colossal

Enthusiasts of monster movies will be dumbfounded and even disorientated by the peculiarity of this film which is seemingly impossible to categorize in any particular genre.

This cinematic oddball centres on Gloria (Anne Hathaway) whose relationship with her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens) has deteriorated owing to her partying ways. She returns to her hometown and reacquaints herself with Oscar (Jason Sudeikis), a childhood friend.

Gloria soon realises that she can control the actions of a Godzilla-like monster which is ravaging Seoul in South Korea and Oscar controls the actions of a huge robot.

As hostilities build in this rekindled friendship they vent their frustrations through these monsters 14

city hub 13 APRIL 2017

leading to a showdown in the finale.This film explores the dark side of human nature and ultimately asks: who are the real monsters?

The originality of this far-fetched premise is the film’s most redeeming quality, but the excruciatingly slow momentum in the first half leads to interest waning and restlessness settling in.

Hathaway is a joy to watch and motor-mouthed Sudeikis is his usual annoying yet strangely likeable self on screen, but the performers can’t carry this film which fails to amuse or excite.

The mundane story of human deficiencies and relationship issues is cleverly but unsuccessfully hidden behind the monster facade and is ultimately a colossal disappointment. (MMo) WW1/2

Francois Ozon’s latest film, Frantz, is one that you may want to see twice. Once for the story, and then again to pay attention to the creative devices and background subtleties that comprise this complex cinematic artwork.

A slightly varied remake of the 1932 Ernst Lubitsch film, Broken Lullaby, Frantz tells the post World War I story of a French soldier, Adrien, who appears in an anti-French German town to pay respects at the grave of a German soldier (Frantz). He acquaints himself with Frantz’s parents and Anna,

Frantz’s would-be fiance, telling them of his friendship with Frantz. But there is a twist to the story after which the plot moves in a different direction until it again butts against another twist.

Filmed in black and white with some almost imperceptible transitions to colour, it is exquisite to watch. There are insightful observations about war, point of view, deception and assumption without becoming preachy. All performances are strong, but Paula Beer as Anna stands out. (RB) WWWW

Personal Shopper

Photo: Carole Bethuel

Kristen Stewart should have shared top billing with Google and Apple for yet another shameless display of unsubtle product placement by Olivier Assayas (The Clouds of Sils Maria). And the similarities don’t end there: this follow up effort is just as contrived, pointless and rudderless, with characters so flat they can’t be shown in profile.

The endless irrelevant tangents betray the fact that there is no actual plot; there are just flimsy excuses to show a logo and have someone smoke a cigarette (there is a

conspicuous degree of gratuitous cigarette smoking in Assayas’ films).

Main character, Maureen Cartwright (Stewart) is a medium who is trying to gain closure after the death of her twin brother by receiving a reassuring message from him.

At least, that’s what the promotional blurb says.

Stewart has an inordinate amount of screen time for a single-geared actor with the range of a pair of tweezers. Then again, some critics actually loved it. (RB) WW1/2

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