City Hub 15 December 2016

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E 16

Sewage in St Peters streets

BY WENDY BACON Leaking sewage in the street inside the boundary of the WestConnex St Peters interchange project has been left exposed as Sydney Water and WestConnex contractors each claim the other is responsible for cleaning up the brown sludge running along the gutter.

The leak was first observed by residents last week near the massive heritage Rudders Warehouse which WestConnex began demolishing this week.

On Tuesday 13 December, a resident who saw the leak registered a complaint with WestConnex and was told it had been reported to Sydney Water, and that it had nothing to do with WestConnex.

St Peters resident Tricia Di Croce told City Hub that she also saw the sewage on Tuesday and reported it to Sydney Water, who told her it had been investigated and found to be the responsibility of Westconnex.

“Sewage on a public road with high traffic movement opposite a park is a huge concern,” said Ms Di Croce.

Later on Tuesday, Ms Di Croce attended a information session, at which WestConnex communications and environmental staff insisted that WestConnex was aware of the leak and had no responsibility whatsoever for it. One staff member admitted however that there was conflict between Sydney Water and WestConnex over the issue of responsibility. This reporter was present during these conversations.

After the session, Ms Di Croce told City Hub that she again spoke to Sydney Water and told them about the WestConnex statements, and was again told it was definitely not Sydney Water’s responsibility and the agency doesn’t have the resources to perform clean-up ‘of someone else’s problem’.

Ms Di Croce also reported the issue to the NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) which said it would investigate. City Hub has put questions to WestConnex, Sydney Water and EPA and has received responses from Sydney

Sewerage in gutter on Campbell Road in St Peters. Photo: Tricia Di Croce

Water. As other responses are received, the story will be updated.

Ms Di Croce said she was shocked that WestConnex contractors now in control of the highly contaminated St Peters Interchange site are “deliberately and continuing avoiding direct questions about the whole project. When questions are asked about important health and safety issues, representatives are not equipped to answer questions.”

Residents had also noticed that an air monitoring station had been removed from St Peters, but have been unable to find out why it was removed.

This incident highlights the complex compliance issues around all WestConnex projects which have been approved on the basis of hundreds of conditions. This is almost impossible for the public to monitor, as the Sydney Motorway and contractors consider that as private companies they have no obligation to reveal information, or that other WestConnex contractors are responsible for problems.

For example, Westconnex was forced to stop tree destruction in St Peters in September only because residents and City of Sydney could directly observe the contractors were working

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outside the boundary, and without an arborist tree report . They reported it to NSW Planning and the contractors ceased work.

Also last week President of Save Ashfield Park group co-convenor Paul Jeffery received written confirmation from a NSW Planning compliance officer, that as a result of his complaints that WestConnex trucks had damaged public parkland at Reg Coady reserve in Haberfield, the M4 East project team had been issued with an “official caution” under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (Criminal) for breaching a planning condition.

Another complaint about WestConnex breaching a protection zone near the Green and Golden Bell Frog breeding pond at Arncliffe has still not been resolved by the Department of Planning, months after it was lodged.

However, all these actions have been taken only when residents and campaigners have made direct observations. It would seem very likely that given the tight security around sites, many other breaches are never reported, some of which could involve endangering community health.

The lead partner is both the Stage one M4 East and Stage 2 New M5 projects is CIMIC, who has been granted billions of dollars of

contracts by the Baird government despite being under investigation both domestically and internationally for corruption.

Meanwhile, St Peters resident Mr Van Ngo has been held in prison since last Friday when he was forcibly evicted from his home by RMS, and was later arrested by police after he returned to his previous home.

While the police told media that Mr Ngo was carrying a knife, video of his removal from the house shows that he was not violent but was very distressed, and calling out that he would be homeless. Mr Ngo who was forcibly placed in the police van by a number of police could be heard calling out that he wanted to climb in himself. Mr Ngo will appear in court again on Friday and his lawyer will again apply for bail that has so far been refused.

By Wednesday this week, a demolition sign was placed on Mr Ngo’s old house, which is close to St Peters public school. City Hub has been contacted

by St Peters public school and holiday care parents, who have lodged complaints with NSW Planning that they were told by WestConnex that demolition definitely would not start until January.

Mr Ngo is one of more than a thousand people who have been forced from their home by RMS. City Hub is aware of other owners and tenants who were made homeless or forced into temporary accommodation. Very few have been able to find equivalent homes.

The NSW government has recognised the unjust treatment of homeowners and is offering up to $50,000 to some acquired owners. But tenants and businesses, some of which could not be reestablished elsewhere, have mostly received nothing.

In response to questions from City Hub , a Sydney Water (SW) spokesperson said that the sewage came from a private service that is not the responsibility of SW. SW experts are however assisting with identifying the cause of the leak and are in communication with the occupants of the property.

Waverley Council approves redevelopment of Pavilion

By Benedict Brunker The controversial redevelopment of the iconic Bondi Pavilion looks set to proceed, after last-ditch efforts to stop the renovations in their tracks were defeated at a meeting of Waverley Council on Monday 5 December.

Councillors Paula Masselos, John Wakefield and Dominic Wy Kanak made a last attempt to stop the redevelopment.

They put forward a number of motions and amendments that would have, amongst other things, preserved the ‘Bucket List’ restaurant, scheduled for demolition under the current plans, and kept the pavilion’s pottery studios in place.

Crs Wakefield and Masselos also moved that the council prepare a report “detailing how the current proposal… fulfills community expectations.”

The amendments and motions split the council down the middle, with the six Liberal Party Councillors Angela Burrill, Andrew Cusack, Leon Goltsman, Tony Kay, Bill Mouroukas and Mayor Sally Betts voting to proceed with the redevelopment.

Five opposition Councillors Miriam Guttman-Jones, Paula Masselos, Ingrid Strewe, John Wakefield and Dominic Wy Kanak were joined by Liberal Party Councillor Joy Clayton in voting in favour of the motions and against beginning work on the redevelopment.

Councillor Clayton has often opted to vote against her fellow Liberals on the council with regard to the Bondi Pavilion issue.

The amendments and motions were

In Need of an Upgrade. Photo_Benedict Brunker

defeated on the strength of Chairwoman and Mayor of Waverley Sally Betts’ casting vote.

The council’s plans to renovate the pavilion have provoked ire and consternation amongst locals in the community, many of whom made their opposition to the plans known at the meeting on Monday night.

A number of concerned locals made speeches to the council expressing their displeasure about the proposals, including Andy Ruwald, whose restaurant The Bucket List has been scheduled for demolition under the current plans.

Local businessman, Murray Begg, also spoke out against the plans, as did Emma Brooks-Maher of the anti-privatisation campaign Crown Land our Land and Gary

Holzmann, an organiser of the Shir Madness Music Festival.

Several organisers of the growing campaign to Save Bondi Pavilion also made speeches, expressing their continued opposition.

The six Councillors voting against the motions, on the other hand, made no public address in defence of the plans or against the amendments.

Critics of the plans have long expressed concern that the expensive redevelopment proposals – currently estimated to cost around $38 million - will represent a commercialisation of a beloved public space, and that parts of the Pavilion may be privatised.

Waverley Mayor Cr Sally Betts has consistently repudiated these allegations. city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

3

Aboriginal activists march across Sydney’s CBD Photo: Angira Bharadwaj

By ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Aboriginal activists completed a march across Sydney’s Central Business District on Saturday 10 December, marking International Human Rights Day. The protest was initiated by the Sydney branch of Grandmothers Against Removals, and focused predominantly on the forced removal of Aboriginal children and Aboriginal deaths in custody.

The chairperson of the Indigenous Social Justice Association, Ken Canning, spoke at the march. Mr Canning said human rights groups needed to come together in fighting the government’s policies.

“This can be the start of something that we can turn into a large movement that will carry on for the next couple of years.

“We’ve been fighting this for 229 years and I say to other groups, join with us in the fight. Join us and we as a large group of people break this system,” he said.

The protest followed the 2016 Social Justice and Native

Cartoonist: Peter Berner @peter_berner

Title report released last week by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The report indicated the growing numbers of Aboriginal deaths in custody.

Mr Canning also addressed this trend during his speech outside Customs House in Circular Quay, the starting point of the march where 1500 people gathered.

“Dylan Voller has now been placed in an institution where his torturers, who have been captured on camera, are still in his presence.

“There were four main aggressors that were caught on camera, why are they still working?” he said.

Mr Canning’s comments came just days before Mr Voller revealed disturbing details of his treatment inside Darwin’s Don Dale Youth Detention Centre to the Royal Commission on Monday 12 December 2016.

Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong, said investigations such as the Royal Commission are not sufficient when dealing with Indigenous human rights issues.

“The struggle for Indigenous justice in this country has gone on for far too bloody long.

“All they [the government] do is propose another bloody inquiry. Well we can tell them today you don’t need another inquiry into what happened in Don Dale.

You don’t need an inquiry into the fact that 50 per cent of young children and young people in New South Wales prisons are Aboriginal.

“You don’t need an inquiry into that, you need a change in the system,” she said.

Ms Leong said the Greens are committed to supporting Indigenous human rights groups in seeking justice.

“We must remain in our struggle until that justice is realised,” she said.

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5

Clover cuts Powerhouse from the City’s Cultural Ribbon

BY LANI OATAWAY Just days after locals rallied against the Powerhouse Museum’s move to Parramatta, the City of Sydney voted to drop it from its Cultural Ribbon.

At the council meeting on Monday 13 December, the council adopted a new Cultural Ribbon Strategy which states, “The Powerhouse Museum site in the Darling Harbour Precinct has been omitted from the Darling Harbour/Cockle Bay area as part of the Cultural Ribbon.”

Convener of the protest Patricia Johnson from Save the Powerhouse was shocked at this decision in the face of the Lord Mayor’s representative Councillor Jesse Miller attending the protest on Saturday advocating for the Museum’s place within the Cultural Ribbon.

Labor Councillor Linda Scott was surprised by the vote, arguing the importance of the Ribbon as a crucial part of the city’s cultural policy.

“For the Lord Mayor and her independent Councillors to take the Powerhouse Museum out of the City’s Cultural Ribbon, at a time when the Liberal State Government is planning to sell the powerhouse museum, sends a dangerous message.

“Yet again, Lord Mayor Clover Moore is all talk, no action,” she told City Hub. But the City of Sydney claims the Cultural Ribbon is merely a small subset of their greater creative policy for the city, and says the Lord Mayor would not act against her existing support of the Powerhouse staying in Ultimo.

Cr Miller told City Hub the vote unanimously agreed on a broader plan that links cultural institutions together.

“The whole idea of the Cultural Ribbon is just playing politics.

There is a strategy, and within the strategy there are a bunch of walks,” she said.

“All we voted for was to endorse a cultural strategy which highlights a whole lot of cultural institutions. It is misleading to say we excluded the Powerhouse in any shape or form.”

Protestors rallying against the Powerhouse move.

Credit: Save the Powerhouse

Meanwhile, on Saturday 10 December, politicians and protesters gathered in front of the Powerhouse Museum on Saturday 10 December to rally against its removal.

A group of over one hundred people attended the protest including leading museum experts, business representatives and community groups, organised by action group Save the Powerhouse.

The Federal Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek, opened the rally.

“This is the very definition of short-sightedness. It’s short sighted because it doesn’t add up financially and it’s short sighted because it doesn’t add up culturally.

“Moving this fantastic museum to Parramatta’s going to cost

a hell of a lot more than [Mike Baird] ever thought, or that he is prepared to admit. We’re talking about a billion-dollar cost to close a museum. How can that be sensible?”

The parliamentary inquiry into museums and galleries heard the Powerhouse Museum’s director, Dolla Merrillees, admit the cost of the move is unknown.

The Premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird, has promised the cost of the mammoth project will be finalised by the end of the year.

But Greens Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker, was critical of the overall profit from the Powerhouse move.

“It will cost upward of one billion dollars to move the 500,000 or so items that are here. And the profit – the amount of money they would make from this site - is only in the order of a few hundred million dollars.

“So this government is essentially saying we will commit over half a billion dollars to destroy a museum here and build an inferior museum in Parramatta – that’s not acceptable.

“What they see is real estate. They see this as another opportunity for more revenue for government,” he told the crowd.

The protest called for a new state of the art cultural centre to be erected in Parramatta, as opposed to a copy and paste of inner Sydney’s culture.

This plea was echoed by President of the North Parramatta Residents Action Group, Suzette Meade, who desires a complex that reflects the area’s historic and cultural landscape.

Ms Meade said to the gathering, “We don’t want second best for the west. We want great. We don’t want the Powerhouse, you can keep it! We support communities keeping their own cultural facilities.”

Ms Meade called the Powerhouse move a missed opportunity for Parramatta, pointing out a museum focused on migration or indigenous excellence as a more appropriate option.

“We have so many narratives to tell, we don’t need anyone else’s stories…. The Fleet Street heritage precinct is what Parramatta needs, Powerhouse is what Ultimo needs,” she said.

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7

‘Come at me’ says WestConnex representative

By Michael Forno A WestConnex representative has told disgruntled residents to ‘come after me’ if the promises he makes as project director for the M4M5 link are broken.

The Sydney Motorway Corporation is responsible for the construction of WestConnex, and finally met with community members after dodging earlier community consultations.

It was standing room only at the Balmain Town Hall on Thursday night as hundreds of residents gathered to hear from and ask questions of the SMC. Two weeks ago the SMC failed to attend a public meeting in Newtown, leaving local residents and politicians furious. SMC justified their absence to Greens MP Jenny Leong, citing concerns over exposing their executives to potential protest at a public meeting.

A condition of the meeting on Thursday night was that protest be kept to a minimum. This condition was vigilantly enforced by the meeting’s adjudicator from the beginning of the meeting.

“Tonight is not the place nor the time for that behaviour. The question tonight is, will there be any representatives tonight from the Sydney Motorway Corporation?

“I’m pleased to say that there are. Please keep in mind that the SMC is simply the project deliverer.

They are merely the client of RMS,” she said.

Peter Jones, the Project Director of the M4-M5 link, addressed the audience and took their questions. Following a number of hostile questions about accountability and the role of

Peter Jones of SMC speaks to the community at Balmain Town Hall. Photo: Michael Forno

local governments, Mr Jones offered his own assurances.

“I cannot and will not speak on matters of local public officials or politicians.

“But if I make a commitment to you and then I walk away from that commitment, you have every right to come after me. That is the best assurance I can give you.

“What I’m saying in that sentence is that I’m here recognising that trust is damaged, potentially beyond repair. I am here to try and reach out to the community,” he said.

Many of Mr Jones’ responses were met with cries of opposition.

A resident of Haberfield, John Lozano, is in dismay over the lack of community consultation

and the relationship that SMC has with the Roads and Maritime Services.

“If you have a body such as RMS, whose sole purpose is to construct roads and maintain roads, and you ask them for a solution to congestion you can guarantee that they will say “we need to widen the roads or construct new ones.”

“That is a conflict of interest, it is like asking the gambling association to help you reduce gambling addiction,” he said.

Mr Lozano was critical of the WestConnex project when addressing Mr Jones at the meeting.

“Here is some feedback, this is due for failure just like every other toll road. The world has moved away from this solution. The world has moved away from roads because you cannot pour

traffic into a city and not expect congestion,” he said.

In his response Mr Jones downplayed any suggestion that WestConnex was a single solution for Sydney’s increasing transport needs.

“Yes, Sydney is growing. Road projects are only a part of a wider investment in the transportation portfolio. Traffic is inter modal. It is my view is that there is a need for increased road capacity in Sydney.

“However, I would have a problem with it if it were a single silver bullet solution. WestConnex has never been articulated as a silver bullet for all transport in Sydney.”

Community Engagement Officer for SMC, Kylie Cochrane, was met with the same hostility as Mr Jones.

“We absolutely do listen to what the community has to say. One of the lessons we’ve learnt from the last two projects for WestConnex was that we needed to get out and engage with the community early,” she said.

The audience broke into cries of anger at Ms Cochrane’s comments about community consultation. One resident’s frustrated question cut through the noise in the room, “You might be listening to us, but who’s listening to you?”

It’s an unanswered question, and will remain so into the new year. According to SMC, community action groups and resident feedback has told them not to hold any more community consultations until after Christmas. The SMC plans to meet with the community again in February and March of next year.

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Cruise ship shocker

BY MICHAEL FORNO Community concern is growing over the impact of polluting cruise ships in Sydney Harbour.

Earlier this month the federal parliament passed amendments for the Navigation Act that will allow ships to pollute high sulphur fuel into Sydney Harbour.

The amendments place limits on the fuel sulphur ships emit while at berth, yet place no limits on emissions while ships are in transit.

Cruise ships are forced to burn less sulphur rich fuel while at berth at terminals such as White Bay, but are free to burn highly toxic, sulphur rich fuel while travelling through the harbour.

The emission of sulphur dioxide from cruise ships can have devastating effects on air and water quality. The health impact on humans include respiratory irritation, including wheezing and shortness of breath.

Greens MP Jamie Parker is shocked at the lack of government oversight on emissions.

“This has enshrined into law the degrading of the NSW Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations to protect people across Sydney from toxic pollution from cruise ships.

“The Federal change to the Maritime Act appears only to enforce half the measures put in place by the EPA last year,” he said.

Former Independent Leichhardt Councillor, John Stamolis, has had a long running opposition to the cruise terminal at White Bay. He believes this legislative amendment is another reason locals are fed up with the White Bay cruise terminal.

In a recent submission to an impact forum on the White Bay terminal, Mr Stamolis listed noise as one of the major impacts the terminal has on the community.

“Cruise ship and terminal activity before 6.00am is very disturbing for residents. The area has a large working population and significant numbers of children. Surely arrivals could be better planned?” he said.

Vibrations from ships are another concern for residents, particularly when ships are berthed overnight.

Ships like the Queen Mary II are free to burn toxic sulphur in Sydney’ world famous harbour. Photo: Jason Tong

“Some residents are particularly affected by vibrations. I expected that on-shore power would assist with minimising this impact on the community.”

Mr Parker believes that the health and wellbeing of the community is at risk due to the impact of ships at White Bay. “The toxic fumes emitted by cruise ships can cause a range of illnesses, including eye disorders, lung and cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

“Why are ships allowed to burn fuel in Sydney Harbour which has up to 35 times higher levels of sulphur than the fuel they are required to use in Europe?” he said.

The White Bay cruise terminal opened in 2013 as a replacement for the old terminal at Darling Habour, which has since made way for the multimillion dollar development at Barangaroo.

Homelessness Assistance at Risk

By Nina Kempster Last week over 200 community group leaders signed an open letter calling on Malcolm Turnbull to save vital services for the homeless.

Advocates are concerned that funding cuts in 2017 could result in a ‘human and economic disaster’.

The basis of homelessness funding is the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH). The agreement provides $115 million per year to assist the homeless, and is funded by state and federal governments.

The Executive Officer of National Shelter and co-author of the letter, Adrian Pisarski, told City Hub that funding for the homeless is crucial to their wellbeing.

“Many of the services funded by the NPAH are ones which represent new ways of delivering services to people experiencing homelessness.

People now have options when being released

from hospitals where previously they may have been released straight back to homelessness.

“We have also begun addressing some causal factors like juvenile detention, prisons and child protection services often being pre-cursors to homelessness. Common Ground services have added new buildings and take formerly chronically homeless people off the streets, and often out of costly hospitalisation or criminal cycles,” he says.

The NPAH funds a number of programs including mental health care, support for Indigenous Australians, and support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Homelessness Australia is a peak body that claims unreliable funding generates great uncertainty for the homeless and those representing them. This uncertainty negatively impacts assistance services and an estimated 80,000 people per year.

Mr Pisarski told City Hub that so far there are no plans to extend long-term funding.

“Two years ago the refunding didn’t happen until the budget, which meant many services had begun closing, staff had left or been given notice of redundancy. It was a very disruptive time.

“The government talks about the need for reform, but to date has not engaged the housing or homelessness sectors in what reform might look like,” he says.

Mr Pisarski remains skeptical about future reforms to the sector.

“There are potential reforms in service delivery, both for housing and homelessness, but they are embedded in the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) which is an ongoing agreement requiring all states and territories and the commonwealth to determine any reform.”

Chairperson of Homelessness Australia, Jenny Smith, told City Hub that at Friday’s Council

The homeless are even more at risk under possible budget cuts. Photo: Pedro Simoes

of Australian Governments meeting it was announced for the first time Federal Government funding towards the NPAH will be indexed for inflation.

“While this is great news, we’re still very disappointed that it’s only going to be funded for another year, when we’ve been asking for a 5 year extension as a basis to go forward,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith told City Hub that the Federal Government’s reluctance to progress with long term is putting pressure on an already overwhelmed sector.

“There are talks about it being an opportunity to converse with the states and territories themselves, in order to provide support to the relevant communities. But our sector is exhausted with the increasing rate of demand. It seems unnecessary to have to fight to keep our funding when clearly homelessness is increasing and our support services are more needed than ever.

“We’re already unable to meet the needs of 320 people a day because we’re under such stress, fighting to keep what resources the national partnership provides,” she says.

Ms Smith told City Hub the current agreement to renew funding for another year will only give temporary relief. In order to plan strategies, long term funding must be provided.

“Having had this reassurance means that [staff] can keep their heads down, get on with the mounting demand and get on with their jobs for another 6 months, before we worry again and ask for some better service strategies.

It is vitally important that we stop having to argue for the services that are currently in place and start talking about long term strategies. We need to keep those resources that have been proven to work, and the Federal Government should shoulder their part of the burden of those resources,” she says.

Among the 200-plus signatories on the open letter are the Australian Red Cross, Mission Australia, National Youth Coalition for Housing, The Salvation Army and the National Association of Community Legal Centres. city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

9

FEATURE

The Most Unmissable Dining of Summer

BY RITA BRATOVICH If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! Sydney has many unique, fabulous restaurants for every purse and palate.

Keep it quick and simple, or chill lazily in a salty cool breeze with a refreshing cocktail. City Hub has done the hard yards and rounded up the options to tick off your summer dining checklist…

Sam – Nick’s Seafood Restaurant’s Oyster Shucker Image: Supplied

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Authentic Turkish street food, freshly made and delicious. Gozleme King has eateries all over Sydney including Westfield, City, Harbourside and Darling Harbour. Choose from a tasty range of basic or gourmet gozleme. Meat fillings include beef, chicken, lamb, salmon or sucuk (spicy sausage). Combine with (or opt for) feta cheese, english spinach, egg, mushroom, capsicum, olives, potato or avocado.

Make sure to leave room for a decadent gozleme dessert – caramalised banana or Nutella! www.gozlemeking.com.au

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Platinum Group

The Platinum Group of restaurants offers some of Sydney’s best dining in the best locations. Nested amongst the treetops overlooking Cockle Bay is Blackbird Cafe, offering a mixed range of cuisine and array of delicious cocktails. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live DJ’s Friday and Saturday night.The menu at Casa Ristorante Italiano on King St Wharf is authentically Italian and includes tasty and traditional classics.Try

When you want your food fast but you don’t want “fast food”, Express Grill at Harbourside is the right place. Classic menu items help you choose quickly and confidently, plus with the assurance of integrity in the kitchen you will be happy with your choice. Cooked breakfasts; salads, burgers, pizza for lunch and meat or fish meals for dinner mean most of the family should be catered for.Take advantage of website-only specials. www.espressgrill.com.au

Gozleme King

With locations in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Balmain in addition to a north-eastern street food restaurant, House, in Surry Hills, this cleverly titled eatery (say it quickly) boasts the best Thai food outside Thailand.

Their manifesto – “fabulous, innovative and authentic” – is fulfilled through the selection of the best and freshest ingredients and the artistry of their chefs. Once a hidden treasure for locals in the know, it now boasts long queues thanks to lip-licking approval by critics and patrons. www.spiceiam.com Darling Harbour is a wonderful place to dine, and Nick’s Restaurant & Bar Group offers six consummate venues with front row views, perfect for your New Years Eve celebration! Located on the waterfront, each of these restaurants offers some of Sydney’s freshest seafood, as well as succulent Angus steaks and ribs. Enjoy a whole baby lobster with Mornay, Garlic Butter or Thermidor for only $48 or simply sip on a refreshing beverage while listening to live entertainment.Take your pick from six distinctive venues, each with their own signature dishes.Along The Promenade at Cockle Bay Wharf you’ll find Nick’s Seafood Restaurant, I’m Angus Steakhouse and Adria Bar Restaurant. Up at Darling Quarter, Stacks Bar Restaurant is great for Mediterranean food and cocktail lovers. Or feel the ocean breeze at Nick’s Bar & Grill at King St Wharf, or Cyren at Harbourside!

1300 989 989 | www.nicks-seafood.com.au

Express Grill

Fogo

something new everyday with their lunchtime specials. Meatlovers should go to Meat District Co on Kings St Wharf for an honest, rustic meal – choicest cuts, salads, dessert and great atmosphere. Or meet your friends at HBK (Harbourside Bar & Kitchen) for happy hour and some smokey, char-grilled fare. www.platinumrestaurantgroup.com

Sorenzo

Sorenzo satisfies the Japanese desire for serenity with its tranquil water views, and the quest to comfortably marry tradition with innovation on a menu that improvises without compromising.With the familiar items, from sashimi to wagyu steak still on offer, the chefs exercise versatility by infusing western ingredients with Japanese flavours to create new taste experiences.This is the place for sensory dining. www.sorenzo.com.au

Fogo’s menu is based on the traditional Brazillian churrasco grill, with tasty meats cooked to perfection. They have foodcourt outlets scattered around Sydney and two dine-in restaurants, one in Central Park and one at Bondi Beach. The dine-in restaurants are licensed and offer beer, wine and palate cleansing cocktails. Sides include fries, onion rings, beans and some basic green salads, but this is really a place for people who prefer meat with their meat. www.fogobrazilia.com.au

Holy Duck!

When their claim to have “the best duck’n burgers ever” is legitimate, you can forgive the multitude of “duck” puns you’ll encounter.

Newcomers to “it” alley, Kensington St in Central Park, this modern twist on Chinese cuisine is sure to establish itself as a stayer. On the menu is a selection of basic meals, burgers and quick snacks, with the predominant ingredient being roast or crispy duck. Alternatively try the porker burger: caramelised sweet and sticky bbq pork jowl, apple chutney, lettuce and coriander relish. Utterly messy and absolutely delicious! Go now before this place becomes ridiculously popular. www.holyduck.com.au

NYE PARTY

AusTRAliA dAY

E-vouchERs

4 course menu, fireworks, drinks water views, dancing & more!

Join us for a fun filled day at Darling Harbour with a BBQ & Aussie Seafood!

Or gift cards..The perfect Xmas gift idea! Available online & in venue

1300 989 989 | Darling Harbour www.nicks-seafood.com.au 10

city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

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26th International Short Film Festival

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city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Aaron Robuck (behind) Alex Jeans (front) play Peter Simmonds and Jason McConnell.

Photo: Hannah Barn

Review: Bare the musical

theatre. Effective direction and choreography from the passionate Hannah Barn, paired with vivid lighting work, maintain an exciting pace throughout the show.

Aaron Robuck is well cast as Peter, creating great empathy for our confused and love-struck lead.

Opposite Robuck in the role of Jason,Alex Jeans effectively delivers his character from an aloof jock to a complicated and defeated young man.

The drama unfolding against their school Making its debut in 2000, Bare is a rock musical by production of Romeo & Juliet is genius, and the Jon Hartmere Jr. and Damon Intrabartolo centred rhythmic workings of classic lines is sure to please on the secret relationship between two gay high even the most casual of Shakespeare fans. school students and the daily struggles they and The scenes where we delve into Peter’s dreams their classmates face at their private Catholic and fantasies are delightful.Annette Vitetta steals the boarding school. show as Sister Chantelle/“The Virgin Mary” in ‘911 Much like Spring Awakening in the age of Skins, Emergency!’ as she descends to help Peter grapple Bare delves into a uniquely cathartic take on with the challenge of coming out to his mother. personal struggles with sexuality, religion and This staging of Bare is timely, considering that identity. Supply Evolution’s Sydney season at same sex marriage is still a hotly debated issue in Marrickville’s hidden gem,The Depot Theatre, this country.This is an energetic and rousing establishes why Bare has gathered such a cult production, not be missed by any self-respecting following – and why it deserves to be held in the musical theatre fans in Sydney. (AM) same esteem of modern rock musicals such as Rent.

Until Dec 17 (Wed-Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm).

With a few simple, moveable set pieces, this The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Road, production is a great example of how a grand, costly Marrickville. $42-$49.Tickets & info: set isn’t always necessary to create visually exciting www.thedepottheatre.com/bare

Rapunzel

–

Jacqui Greenfield

The Pantomime

Whilst the tale of fair maiden Rapunzel may be as old as time itself, it is a production that is often not performed in Australia. But that is about to change these school holidays with Maria de Marco’s adaptation set to make Rapunzel hip again.

Thanks to EMU Productions, the producers who brought us the Australian premiere of Jungle Book – The Musical and the sell-out success of Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, this is bound to be a Christmas pantomime that grabs you by the heart strings, especially for the younger members of the audience.

Rapunzel tackles the obvious tropes of love and finding a soulmate, but thanks to Maria’s exquisite writing manages to avoid all of the age-old puns and instead brings something new to the story for the Christmas season.

King Street Theatre, along with much of the Sydney arts scene, has pushed through a difficult year – so why not help spread the love festive cheer and support them during the most wonderful time of year? (JA) Dec 17–23, 10.30am + 1pm. King Street Theatre, Level 1, 644 King St, Newtown. $15-$25, or $70 family pass.

Tickets & info: www.kingstreettheatre.com.au

a&e

12

city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

12 STAGE 13 SCREEN 14 SCENE 15 Sounds

The acclaimed St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre is coming to Sydney this December for the first time performing a beloved classic, Swan Lake.

Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is a love story between Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess, Odette, who by day is a swan but by night transforms back into a beautiful maiden. The lovers are divided by the evil Rothbart, a powerful sorcerer, who tries his hardest to keep the prince and the princess away from each other. This classic tale tells a beautiful and unforgettable story of how true love conquers all.

The St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre, founded in 1994, is a globally renowned company. The unbelievably popular company is in such demand that it gives more than 200 performances each year. With productions like Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and The Nutcracker under their belt, their performance of Swan Lake is sure to impress and leave you with an experience you’ll never forget.

Producer Andrew Guild said: “We slotted in a short season at the Lyric, thinking that preChristmas may be a bit of a tough ask. But we’ve been bowled over by demand for seats.

We’ve already added an extra show and now another has been slotted in.”

The company will be visiting and performing in Sydney up until Christmas Eve, following up Swan Lake with Christmas classic The Nutcracker (Dec 23-24). (KH) Dec 19–22, varied performance times.

Sydney Lyric Theatre, at the Star Casino, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont.Tickets & info: www.st-petersburg-ballet.com/sydney

Swan Lake

Giggle & Hoot’s Magical Christmas

When Jimmy Rees auditioned for the newly launched children’s channel,ABC3, several years ago, he never imagined how it would catapult his career.

Pretty soon the inexperienced actor was doing on the job training as co-host of the soon-to-be uber popular Giggle And Hoot.As the only “live actor” on the show, one of his initial challenges was talking to puppets.

“It definitely takes getting used to,” he laughs.

Now, however, he easily sees his hand-sewn co-cast of characters the way his young audience sees them – as friends.

Since becoming phenomenally successful, the show has regularly been toured in themed live presentations.This year, Giggle & Hoot’s Magical Christmas will travel along the east coast. It will feature songs, a fun storyline and all the usual characters: Jimmy Giggle, Hoot, Hootabelle, Gigglefangs, Pirate Hootbeard, plus… Hootoclaws and his dancing Elves.

Rees loves the energy and spontaneity of live shows, with all its vulnerabilities:“Things go wrong and we’ll entertain our way out of it.”

He especially likes the interaction and immediacy of response, saying “the best part of it is seeing those reactions”.

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

Those reactions don’t only come from the kids.

Rees is a little coy about admitting how popular he is with mums, but did share the story of one woman who wrote her name and number on a piece of paper and unwittingly asked Rees’ wife, who was handing out fan cards, to pass it on to him.At least he’s not lying when he says “everyone will have a great time if they come along!” (RB) Dec 17, 11am + 1pm.The Seymour Centre, cnr City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale. $25-$34.90.Tickets & info: www.abc.net.au/ abcevents or www.seymourcentre.com Also playing Dec 15 at Riversie Theatres, Parramatta + Dec 16 at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith.

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn, Caitlin Burns, Zeiya Speede, Rita Bratovich, Chantal Walsh, Raffaele Piccolo, Barbara Karpinski, Taylah Felice, Georgia Fullerton, Bobby Stephenson, Olga Azar, Kaiti Haviland, Daniel Jaramillo, Nina Beeston.

Coming to the close of the year, most places start to celebrate the upcoming holidays. The Australian Ballet is also joining in on the merriments, with a special festive performance of Coppélia.

For those unfamiliar with the production, Dr Coppelius is a toy maker who dreams of bringing his mechanical daughter to life; meanwhile in the village, Swanhilda and Franz are in love, but Franz becomes enchanted with Dr Coppelius’ ‘daughter’.

Swanhilda must rescue Franz from the magician’s lair before it’s too late.

Australian Ballet dancer Benedicte Bemet is Swanhilda, and

family move from Manhattan to Brooklyn and live in an inherited apartment. A close friendship builds between Jake and Tony, a boy whose mother runs a dress shop downstairs, which has also been inherited

by Jake’s father. Financially inept, he raises the lease on the store, which ignites a feud between the parents.

The boys quickly learn the importance of money in an adult’s world and how ruthless they can be in handling financial matters with others. These young boys are growing up quickly, they are “little men” who seem to have more sensitivity and tack than the adults.

This movie is simplistic, easy viewing and audiences should connect to the many universal This affecting low budget family drama had themes which emerge. its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Indirectly an ‘educational tool’, this film Film Festival, and is mandatory family viewing. should be watched by families and discussed The film is set in Brooklyn and realistically afterwards. The pivotal message conveyed is showcases how adult problems can shatter that money can come between people and the friendship between children. inflict life changes – good and bad. (MMo) When 13-year-old Jake’s grandfather dies, the WWW1/2

Little Men

Soloist Dimity Azoury.

Photo: Justin Ridler

Coppélia

describes her as a sweet, curious and mischievous girl who loves to pick silly fights with her boyfriend.

“Throughout the story, however, she comes to realise that not everything is a game, and she has to be more careful with people’s emotions,” she explained.

Bemet says this role is not only about dancing, but storytelling: “Whilst you must dance the choreography well, there are also many mime scenes that the success of the ballet relies on.

Swanhilda starts out a more stubborn and selfish character, however by the end of the ballet she has learnt how to be a more humble and caring person, and as the dancer you need to be able to convey these lessons to the audience.” (AMal) Until Dec 21, varied performance times. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $43-$234.

Tickets & info: www.australianballet.com.au

Office Christmas Party

There’s an element of expectation that precedes watching a brand new holiday season film; with Christmas classics like Love Actually as much a festive tradition as the yearly family lunch.

Unfortunately, this year’s cinematic offering falls short of joining the glory list.

The film’s plot centres on recently divorced Josh (Jason Bateman), who has the task of assisting his friend and boss Clay (T.J. Miller) throw a huge office party to impress a future client.

Unless they manage to secure the client, Clay’s CEO and cold-hearted sister (Jennifer Anniston) threatens the closure of their branch of the company.

There’s moments of comedy gold, with T.J. Miller’s character delivering a bevy of so-funnyright-now pop culture references, and a mention has to be made of Jillian Bell, whose small but hilariously notable role as a Chicago pimp got the audience laughing.

However, the plot line falls short of believable, and montages of Christmas partying drag on for too long. If you’re after some light (and un-pc) laughs and a few clichéd romances, head along and check it out. If you’re too busy Christmas shopping? You won’t miss too much. (CW) WWW

The Menkoff Method

David Cork (Lachlan Woods) is a cubicle slave in a big corporate bank, trying to get away with doing as little company work as possible

so he can work on his manga comic artwork.

He’s obsessed with Foxy Chaos, a manga character created by his hero, and on a work night out spots a woman dressed as Foxy from across the room. Determined to track her down, he finds out her name is Ruby and she works for none other than Endobank – his employer.

We follow two plot lines that explore David’s attempt to get to know Ruby as well as try to save his workplace from Max Menkoff, a Russian HR consultant with extremely unorthodox methods.

Murder and office mayhem ensue, and it’s down to David and Ruby to save the day. This is a quirky film with an oddball plot but unfortunately lacks characters to care about. (LS) WW

Underworld: Blood Wars The fifth instalment in the Underworld film series has Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire death dealer, attempt to bring to an end the eternal war between vampires and the Lycan (werewolves). However, she faces great difficulty, simultaneously fending off attacks from both the Lycan and her former vampire coven. The former seek knowledge of the whereabouts of her daughter (believing that her DNA will make them invincible), the latter do not trust her.

The film moves fast as Selene quickly comes to realise who she can, and cannot, trust.

However, the film does not rise to any great level of complexity. In essence, the film is a series of action or shoot-out scenes.

Consequently, it is easy to comprehend, even for those not familiar with the series. This is a film for the fans of the series; or those seeking a quick action-packed film. (RP) WW

city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

13

THE NAKED CITY

THE REAL ROAD WARRIORS

Demolished Sydney

With Coffin Ed It’s a job that carries a lot of romance and generates its own mythology, not to mention a close association with the famous. But according to recent media reports it’s also a profession fraught with numerous mental health issues and an alarming suicide rate.

When we go to a pub gig or large arena concert, we take the PA system for granted, but it’s the ‘roadies’ who do all the hard slog in making it happen.

Demolishing Hoffnung’s building, Pitt Street

A call by ARCA (the Australian Road Crew Association) to introduce a ticket levy of five cents per head at concerts and gigs in support of roadies has highlighted a suicide rate double the national average in the entertainment industry.ARCA reports that one in five roadies die by taking their own life, with both moderate and severe depression rampant throughout the industry.

It’s little wonder that the crewing industry suffers this malaise, given the nomadic and high pressure lifestyle that its members lead, punctuated by lack of sleep, psychical exertion and often bad diet. During the golden days of Australian pub rock in the 1980’s, road crews crossed crossed the country with monotonous regularity, often overnighting from one capital city to the next to meet an exhausting schedule.Whilst the large arena and concert shows enjoyed the services of a fleet of freight company trucks, it was the smaller three-to-four-man crews, working for a touring band, that endured the hardest grind.

It was not uncommon for a crew to finish a gig in Sydney around 1.00am, pack up the PA and set out for Melbourne around 2.30am in the morning. In those days the often two-lane Hume Highway was definitely not for the faint hearted, especially at night when it was clogged with semis and notorious for accidents. It wasn’t labelled ‘the deadly Hume’ for nothing. If the crew made it to Melbourne by late morning they could expect no more than three or four hours sleep before they were setting up at the next gig.

Thankfully a lot of the madness associated with the 80’s has dissipated, although the average roadie still faces a potentially debilitating burn out factor, despite the obvious camaraderie within the industry and the loyalty of many bands who do their best to look after their crews. Sadly, whilst many Australian musicians have put pen to paper in recent years to recall the ‘wild old days’, little exists in tales from those on the less glamorous side of the mixing desk.

Chat up any long time or old school roadie and they will regale you for hours with tall tales and true. One of my favourite anecdotes, dating back to the 1980’s concerns a crew doubling from a gig in the outer west to Selinas at Coogee on the same night (or something along those lines). Packing up at the outer west venue, they found one totally inebriated punter who they promptly loaded into the truck in a spare road case along with the rest of the gear. Unloaded at Selinas, and still none the wiser, the punter was positioned on a comfortable seat only to awake hours later wondering just how the hell he had got there! Road crews – you have to love them! Totally deserving of five cents a head per gig!

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city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

Demolished Sydney is a retrospective exhibition currently on at the Museum of Sydney, featuring photos and artefacts from 13 iconic buildings that no longer exist.

The exhibition spans the period from 1882 through to the early 2000’s, and includes details not only about architecture, but about the eco-systems around and within the buildings, the society of the time, and the circumstances that led to their demise.

As curator Dr Nicola Teffer describes it:“It’s about the life of the buildings, the life that happened inside the buildings as well as the fabric of the buildings themselves.”

Among stories presented are that of the Garden Palace, a palatial exhibition building situated in the Royal Botanical Gardens, built in 1879 and destroyed by a spectacular fire only three years later. Also, the prestigious Australia Hotel in the centre of the CBD, host to many international celebrities. It was flanked by Rowe Street, a bohemian hub of alternative culture, upmarket shops and trendy cafes. Both hotel and street gave way to the MLC Centre and tower in 1971.

Relics range from the evocative, like an archway sign from the Regent Theatre, to the somewhat

disconcerting, such as a sign from the Kent Brewery asking workers not to spit into the maltings.

There is no overt commentary, but Dr Teffer says the exhibit should prompt people to think: “What do we lose and what do we keep in order for our cities to be dynamic, adaptable places that deliver us what we want? I don’t think anyone wants a city that never changes.” (RB) Until Apr 17, open daily 10am–5pm.

Museum Of Sydney, cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney. $8-$12. Info: www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/ museum-of-sydney

Australia Rocks!

The Book Launch & Gig From Johnny O’Keefe to Silverchair, Australian rock ‘n’ roll music has seen some massive changes over the years. Capturing four decades of our great southern land’s musical output is a vivid new coffee table book: Australia Rocks! Remembering the Music of the 1950s to 1990s.

By informally exploring the enduring and ever-evolving culture of Australian rock and pop, Australia Rocks! also explores the relationship music culture has shared with Australia’s modern history – demonstrating how generational music trends have shaped and been shaped by social developments, broadcasting technology and much more.

Strewn with iconic and rare photographs, original album artworks, posters, and newspaper clippings (the most amusing of which come from conservative 1950s newspapers reacting to the new rock ‘n’ roll crazes) this hefty hardback book packs

a vibrant visual history.

From first glance it is clear that author Lucy Desoto has invested a lot of time researching this book, but what makes her perspective so unique to

this subject is that she has lived some of Australia’s rock history herself. Desoto is an internationally recognised rock musician with a Doctorate in Creative Arts, and she was also the partner of 22 years to Peter Wells, the founding member of Rose Tattoo.

Desoto will be launching the book this Sunday with a performance with her band The Handsome Devils at her old stomping ground, The Bridge Hotel. Open to all, this is a fitting tribute to Australian rock. (AM) Dec 18, from 3pm (book launch & signing 3-5pm, Lucy Desoto and The Handsome Devils performing 6-8pm). The Bridge Hotel, 119 Victoria Road, Rozelle.

Free entry.

To purchase a copy of Australia Rocks! (RRP $49.99) go to www.exislepublishing.com.au, Bray’s Books in Balmain, or wherever good books are sold.

Steve Poltz: A truly unique individual who doesn’t fit into the usual boxes. He has worked with some of the world’s best musicians and is a highly respected songwriter amongst his peers.When Steve was here earlier this year in March he left audiences with standing ovations, and obviously hopes to repeat that feat tonight.

Thu, Dec 15, Camelot Lounge Parcels: Returning home for their first run of live shows since relocating to Berlin – signing with mega-hip Paris label Kitsuné and creating waves of buzz across Europe with their harmony rich, funk-pop sound – the boys from Byron Bay are excited to celebrate the release of their new single with fans.

Thu, Dec 15, Selina’s B Wise: 2016 has been a crazy year for B Wise; signing to Elefant Traks, releasing his debut EP Semi Pro featuring the breakout single ‘No Questions’, playing his first international show, and touring around the country performing to his biggest crowds yet with ScHoolBoy Q. Thu, Dec 15, Newtown Social Club A Very Kransky Christmas: The Kransky Sisters are a kooky musical act, whose comedy has been delighting audiences for years.This week they bring their kookiness to a very special holiday themed treat, which sees the sisters invite the audience into their world of eggnog, panty-hose and painted chokoes in their signature dry-wit style.

Fri, Dec 16, Seymour Centre Self Talk: The self-described “musical family” have cut their teeth supporting the likes of Ceres, Luca Brasi, The

Hard Aches, The Sinking Teeth and Verge Collection, cultivating a live presence that is infectious and undeniable. Join the Melbourne punk-rock outfit tomorrow night to celebrate the release of their new single ‘Untitled’.

Fri, Dec 16, Black Wire Records Cope Street Parade: The Sydney-based jazz band return to the Sound Lounge to launch their latest album, Townie Ramble On. This is original Australian swing music. The Parade blends the hot sounds of gypsy swing with elements of New Orleans traditional jazz to create a style of music that sounds both new and old yet always uniquely Australian.

Sat, Dec 17, Sound Lounge – Seymour Centre Hudson Ballroom 1st Birthday: Following a year of tremendous transformation, Sydney’s favourite venue and late night hot spot will host a free event which will take over the entire venue from 9pm and feature an eclectic mix of Sydney’s party all-stars and their famed regular club nights to showcase the array of entertainment that has been paramount to the venue’s successful first year under its new monicker.

Sat, Dec 17, Hudson Ballroom Montaigne & Hein Cooper: Close out your weekend in the sunshine with the accompaniment of the bold and beautiful tones of both Montaigne and Hein Cooper at Sunday Sundown, a free, relaxed new seasonal event across two venues.

Sun, Dec 18,The Newport

By Jamie Apps It’s indisputeable that music is a wonderful art form which can bring together people who otherwise never would have been friends.

This is exactly the scenario that happened for the four members of the band Jody.

“We all went to the same high school but were separated by two years. Luckily for us it seemed like there wasn’t that many people there who wanted to play music, so the four of us found each other out of necessity,” explained Dom O’Connor (vocals and guitar).

Since those days the band has gone from strength to strength, particularly this year when the first two singles from their new EP,What Is Wrong With You Today, hit it off with music fans around the country.

To capitalise on this momentum, Dom says the band decided to finally “stop slacking off on the music video front” because they felt “more people will get to hear the music that way”. The result

Jody

is the video for single ‘One of Me’.

However since this was their very first music video, they had to learn from their mistakes as they went.

“The video is essentially set at a party, so our idea was that we were just going to throw a real party, which worked in terms of it being a fun shoot with a great vibe, but it didn’t really work at the same time because it took a long time to film. By the end of it you can see that it looks like we’ve been partying for a long time, we look really tired and a little bit drunk,” reflected Dom.

Often when we pop on a hip-hop record, we’re expecting to be bombarded with verses exalting an over-the-top lavish lifestyle. On the contrary, Australian rapper Pez has chosen to take a more introspective route, and convey the raw emotions he has endured as he has matured and dealt with the mundane elements of life.

Due to this creative decision, this is a record which could turn some listeners off as it can initially drag you down emotionally. But for those that give it their undivided attention and time, the rewards are justified. On the surface these songs seem depressive, but they are actually rather inspirational and strike right to the core, particularly with lines such as:“We’ve all got our eyes glued to our social media. Seeking admiration and other people’s validation.”

If you take anything from this record, it’s that we all need to focus internally at times and realise we have positive value to society, despite what others may say or the struggle of the daily grind. (JA) WWW

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Focused energy shoots out of this album.

Shape Shift With Me is an invitation to be that energy. Play the album and take on the energy, embody it, channel the energy into unpleasant tasks like cleaning the oven.

This album evokes a strong response in its listeners because it is raw and it is powerful and it rips out the same anger that otherwise lays dormant.

This album asks motives of its memories, it calls angrily into the past as if it expects a reply. It calls into the listeners past while they are wrapped in a swirling soup of rock and defiance.

Shape Shift With Me asks a response of its listeners but it does not take anything away, leaving no answers to their call backwards, instead riling the sleeping beast with a brief flash of fire. (SP) WWW

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“I don’t even remember filming the second half, it was so draining. So it’s nice to watch back and I think it turned out really well.”

Another aspect which Jody have had to learn on the fly is how to blend the distinctly unique styles and influences of the two main songwriters, Dom and Matt.

“We’re both into pretty different things so that comes through, for example on my side it’s more of an indie-rock, college rock sound; whereas on Matt’s side it’s a little bit more punk influenced,” said Dom.“It’s always a little bit of a hassle at first because the styles sound so different, but we’ve found that the middle ground is where the most Jody sounding songs sit.”

For the Sydney show this weekend Dom says fans can expect “partial nudity, fluffily played songs and to hopefully have a good time”.

Nov 17, 8pm. Brighton Up Bar, 77 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $10.

Tickets & info: www.brightonupbar.com.au

Against Me – Shape Shift With Me

Pez – Don’t Look Down

Spiritual Power.

I can help you in the matters of love, improve your business and your job careers.

I can destroy all type of black magic, bad luck, evil spirits and also improve your popularity and fame and much more.

English and Spanish speaking.

Nema 0449 559 857

Licence No. 173676c

By Jamie Apps

All Types of Gutters Installed Factory Direct • Comprehensive Warranties  Leafguard  Metal Roofs  Watertanks  Roof Restoration  Gutter Vacuuming

Reliable Services & Competitive Prices

9748 3022 www.abcseamless.com.au

7 Days QUICK SERVICE SYDNEY’S CHEAPEST RUBBISH REMOVAL

All Areas Free Quotes

• Tree Lopping • Yard Clean Up

Ph: 9747 8471

061ICT1203

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

• Small Demolition

We Load • Deceased Estates

Mob: 0418 426 422

Professional Cleaning Service Services Clean Club provides: • Commercial and residential Window cleaning; • Office cleaning; • Strata cleaning; • Commercial Kitchen cleaning; • Pressure cleaning; • Steam Carpet cleaning

20%

diSCOunt fOr the firSt ServiCe

Call: 0435 786 201 or 0450 262 882 Email: cleanclubsydney@gmail.com city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016

15

HAYMARKET

FLEMINGTON

FRI 16TH DECEMBER

FRI 16TH DECEMBER

SAT 17TH DECEMBER

SUN 18TH DECEMBER

10am-6pm: Old To New Mural Painting

10am-6pm: Old To New Mural Painting

SUN 18TH DECEMBER

10am-6pm: Old To New Mural Painting

WED 21ST DECEMBER

12pm-2pm: Santa Singers

11am-4:30pm: DJ Elf Spinning Christmas Tunes 1pm-1:30pm: Christmas Elves Hip Hop Style Show

12pm-2pm: Soulfood Acapella Group

1:15pm-3:15pm: Picture With Santa

FRI 23RD DECEMBER

1:15pm-3:15pm: Elf Face Painter

12pm-2pm: Soulfood Acapella Group 2pm-4pm: Picture With Santa 2pm-4pm: Elf Face Painter

FRI 23RD DECEMBER

12pm-2pm: Santa Singers

free xmas events

WWW.PADDYSMARKETS.COM.AU city hub 15 DECEMBER 2016 16 PAD0366 - 2016_XMAS_TRADING_TIMES_CITYHUB_EVENTS_WK2_261x320_FA.indd 1

13/12/2016 2:40 pm