City Hub 16 February 2017 by Alt Media

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Ripe For Harvest Pyrmont Growers Market makes a return Page 7

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“The government’s missed an opportunity”: community BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Community members want the State Government to reconsider the site of a new school in the inner west after a parliamentary inquiry into the issue handed down its final report. The report titled Inner city public primary school enrolment capacity and redevelopment of Ultimo Public School outlined seven recommendations for the Department of Education. A spokesperson for the NSW Education Minister said the government will be reviewing the report and providing a formal response. “The department is progressing with the redevelopment of Ultimo Public School on its existing site, with the new school scheduled to open for the start of the 2020 school year. “The NSW Government is working to meet the need for additional school accommodation in the Inner City. The Department has prepared the Inner Sydney Primary and Secondary Schools Asset Planning Strategy to meet demand for increased student places across inner Sydney to the year 2026,” the spokesperson said. Mary Mortimer, Convenor of the Council of Ultimo/Pyrmont Associations disagrees with the government’s decision to redevelop the existing site instead of the Fig and Wattle Street site as it had originally intended. “It’s the community’s view that that opportunity is not yet lost. That it would still be possible for the government and the City of Sydney to negotiate purchase and development of that [Fig and Wattle Street] site,” Ms Mortimer said. She added that the community would be content with mixed development on the new site including a school, childcare facilities,

The community has opposed the government’s decision to use the existing Ultimo Public School site. Photo: Supplied

recreational facilities and some residential and commercial development. “Given that Minister Stokes has previously been the Minister for Planning and is very knowledgeable in the area, it is still possible for him to instruct the Department of Education to hear the ideas that are available and talk to the City Council about how to develop that site optimally.” Ms Mortimer said the report clearly indicated that department was represented in the inquiry by Anthony Perrau, its Executive Director of Asset Management.

“The assets section is concerned with bricks and mortar, dollars and cents. They do not deal with the educational value of schools. “That’s not the appropriate person to be making the decisions about the educational importance of giving children enough room to play and plenty of space in their classrooms,” she said. Greens MP David Shoebridge agreed that the Fig and Wattle Street site is ideal for a school. “The inquiry went some way to identify the systemic problems causing overcrowding

in inner city schools and each of the recommendations made were reached by consensus. “But the majority missed a key opportunity to listen to the community and deliver an expanded inner city school on the public Fig and Wattle land,” he said in a press release. Mr Shoebridge said local residents want their children to continue at Ultimo Public School while the Fig and Wattle Street site is redeveloped to meet future demands. “The Fig and Wattle Street site is still owned by the City of Sydney and the proposed redevelopment of Ultimo School has not yet gone to contract. The new Education Minister must listen to the best evidence, sit down with the City of Sydney and make the Fig and Wattle site work. “The committee heard loud and clear from the Ultimo school community that they don’t want their children to spend three years in a demountable school while their school is bulldozed and redeveloped into a multi-storey development,” he said. Bill d’Anthes, life member of the Ultimo Public School P&C said the decision to rebuild the school on the existing site is a mistake. “Because of the replacement and missing members of the Committee at the report stage, we do not have a clear recommendation to return to the superior larger site before commencing the more expensive destruction of the existing school and rebuilding a smaller than required school on a cramped site while moving the students to a temporary site. “We ask our new Minister (with his experience in planning) to meet the school community and go back to the unanimously chosen site for our new school. It’s not too late to build the school we need,” he said.

“Unprecedented” Gag Order Shuts Down Debate on Council Mergers Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Editor: Angira Bharadwaj, Michael Forno Contributors: Benedict Brunker, Angira Bharadwaj, Michael Forno and Charlotte Grieve. Arts Editors: Jamie Apps, Alannah Maher Advertising Managers: Mark Barnes, David Sullivan Cover Photo: Find My Rice - Donna Burton, Jack Burton Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au

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BY BENEDICT BRUNKER A motion rejecting the amalgamation of Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick councils was put to an extraordinary meeting of Waverley Council last Tuesday, only for the debate to be quashed by what Labor Councillor John Wakefield described as “procedural gag motion”. The resignation of NSW Premier Mike Baird and his succession by Gladys Berejiklian cast doubt over the inevitability of forced amalgamations in the state, however the NSW government announced on Tuesday that the amalgamations in urban areas of NSW would go ahead as planned. The motion put to the council last Tuesday by Waverley’s three Labor councillors, John Wakefield, Paula Masselos and Ingrid Stewe, sought to capitalise on that doubt by proclaiming the council’s opposition to the merger, and recalling three preceding motions of the council which had also opposed it. A procedural motion aimed at preventing a debate and final vote was supported by six Liberal Party councillors and passed on the strength of Mayor of Waverley and Chairwoman Councillor Sally Betts’ casting vote. “We spent two hours arguing the procedural motion to quash the debate. [The motion] wasn’t even debated, they weren’t even prepared to discuss it,” Cr Wakefield told City Hub. Cr Wakefield described the use of the procedural motion as “unprecedented on Waverley Council” in the decades that he has been there. “We used every technique we could muster to try and bring them back to simply debate the item on the agenda. But it was never debated. They attempted to defer it indefinitely but they ended up only deferring it until a decision was taken by the State Liberal Party.” That decision was taken on Tuesday, as the NSW government announced that all pending amalgamations in urban areas of NSW would proceed quickly once any ongoing legal battles had been won, while amalgamations in rural areas would be scrapped.

Waverly Council Chambers. Photo: Sardaka

It therefore remains possible that the motion will be debated by the council at a later date. The motion called on NSW MP for Vaucluse and recently appointed NSW Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton to oppose the merger, citing comments she made in opposition to the merger in a speech delivered to Vaucluse residents last October. In that speech Ms. Upton criticised the idea of a merger, saying “local is local…my position is that Woollahra Council should not be merged with other councils if it has the community’s support and the [financial] numbers stack up”. Not only does Ms. Upton’s new portfolio as Minister for Local Government include council amalgamations, but her seat of Vaucluse encompasses both Woollahra and Waverley councils, two of the three set to be merged along with Randwick under the State Government’s plans. However, any serious opposition to the amalgamation on the part of Ms. Upton now looks unlikely, following the State Government’s announcement that forced amalgamations would go ahead. The mayor of Waverly Council, Sally Betts was unavailable for comment. city hub 16 FEBRUARY 2017

Situation ‘desperate’ for George St Business BY MICHAEL FORNO Small businesses on George Street continue to suffer due to ongoing construction of the city’s light rail project. Cafes, restaurants and retailers have faced a downturn in business since the light rail construction began. Others face difficulties in carrying out day-to-day business operations. Councillor and small business owner Angela Vithoulkas knows exactly what these businesses are going through. She believes that until recently businesses have been reluctant to speak out for fear of unfair treatment by landlords, however now many feel they have nothing to lose. “Hundreds of small business owners have been writing to me. Many of them can’t get deliveries or can’t get their rubbish picked up. “We have customers getting up and leaving our business when the noise gets too much. “It’s a complete and utter disaster and it has been for 18 months. It’s now beginning to effect other areas in the CBD,” Cr Vithoulkas said. David Tracey, owner of Steel Bar & Grill in Sydney’s CBD, believes the government is out of touch and needs to better consult with small business owners. “We need the Government to understand what’s going on at ground level, “Our business is sandwiched between major Government and private construction sites. While they talk about an upturn once construction is finalized, we want to let them know that approach is not going to work, it just means that small business will be wiped out.

Businesses face damage due to light rail construction. Photo: Nick Dee

There is no talk of compensation when we are impacted through no fault of our own,” Mr Tracey said. Despite the concerns of local businesses the Transport Minister Andrew Constance believes that all is well. “Of course major construction like this can be disruptive and that’s exactly why we’ve got strategies in place to keep the foot traffic coming,” he told AAP “We’ve worked closely with all the businesses on George Street and across the Light Rail route and we thank them for bearing with us while we get on with building this game-changing public transport project.” Peter May, Executive Office of CBD Sydney Chamber said that businesses in the key

corridor of George Street are being impacted by the light rail construction. “Some businesses say their turnovers have been adversely affected, and some say they are experiencing disruption to services like garbage removals as a result of the light rail development,” he said. Mr May added that once the construction is over, retailers will have a sparkling retail and business precinct. “There are a number of avenues for small business experiencing problems during this time. They can go to the Altrac Light Rail community forums where they give updates on the light rail construction. “They can contact the Small Business Commissioner for support and advice. This body was specifically set up to help small business during the construction period. “Small businesses can also contact the City of Sydney for advice if they have any issues with services such as garbage removals, he said. Cr Vitholkas is not convinced that the foot traffic alone can keep businesses viable. “If anyone has been down George Street or any of the side streets where the light rail is happening, they would know that the barricades that have been put up means you can’t see anything at all,” she said. The light rail project is due to be fully operational in early 2019; a timeframe that seems far too long for some like Cr Vithoulkas. “We won’t be here in three years, there will be no small business left.” “This is a desperate, desperate situation.”

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Woeful week for WestConnex By MICHAEL FORNO The WestConnex project is facing fresh criticism after the Australian National Audit Office released a report earlier this week criticising the Federal Government for its funding of the WestConnex project. It found that WestConnex is the first road project in Australia to receive a concessional loan from the Federal Government. It also found from 2012 the Coalition opposition pledged $1.5bn to the project, and the Labor government pledged $25m before the N SW Government had released a business case for the project. The audit was called for by The Greens who have been vocal since the release of the findings. Jenny Leong, N SW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex, says the audit is damning for both the Coalition and the Labor Party. “It points the finger at both the Liberal Coalition and Labor, because they were pushing the WestConnex project well before even an initial business case was presented to the appropriate government departments, “The cost of WestConnex has now blown out considerably. This is what happens when politicians make up policy during an election cycle and flaunt proper process,” Ms Leong said. Community groups have also welcomed the audit as further evidence of WestConnex’s failings. Pauline Lockie, spokesperson for the WestConnex Action Group, believes this is one of many problems raised about the project. “This is far from the first red flag for WestConnex. We’ve already seen the N SW Auditor General report from a couple of years ago cast serious doubt over the preliminary business case. We’re seeing constant safety breaches. We’re seeing people whose homes are being compulsorily acquired being terribly treated and being ripped off, “And now we have a federal audit that is really damning about the way money was allocated to this project by the Abbott and Turnbull Governments, and even the previous Labor Government.” Ms Lockie said.

The WestConnex project faced with fresh criticism. Photo: Michael Forno

Safety and compliance issues have also been raised this week as mounting community pressure forced the Inner West Council to take action to secure more compliance officers to oversee the project. “We’re seeing constant safety breaches. We’re seeing people whose homes are being compulsorily acquired being terribly treated and being ripped off,” Ms Lockie said. Complaints about works include construction noise at night time, concerns about asbestos handling and unannounced road closures. Richard Pearson, the Inner West Council Administrator, has called on the State Government for assistance in employing extra compliance officers. “We are asking the State Government to not only give us more resources, but also allow our own Council officers to assist in monitoring and enforcing compliance. “While our existing compliance officer is doing a very good job under difficult circumstances, he will certainly need help as the WestConnex project ramps up,” Mr Pearson said. However community groups are still concerned that compliance officers haven’t enough authority or resources to follow up every breach of safety and compliance. Paul Jeffrey, the No WestConnex group’s compliance specialist, has a lifetime of experience heavy industry. He’s shocked by the state of compliance on the WestConnex project. “Compliance has been an ongoing issue with WestConnex ever since construction began and it isn’t really the Council’s job to supply compliance officers for a private construction operation. “We have a massive amount of construction across the inner west area with only one compliance officer. There simply aren’t enough people on the ground looking at these sites.” Mr Jeffrey said. There are also concerns with the speed at which compliance breaches are dealt with. “We would also like to see their powers increased so that we don’t see repeat offences. We report breaches that we see and are told by SafeWork NSW not to report that same issue twice within a short period of time.” Mr Jeffrey said. Despite expert and community concerns WestConnex works are expected to ramp up over the coming months.

Queer Screen’s 24th

FEBRUARY 15 – MARCH 2 2017 Political Animals

The Revival: Women and the Word FRI 24 FEB 7:30PM GEORGE ST

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A truly inspiring film that tells the story of four pioneering lesbian activists who became elected politicians in the California State Assembly, and led from the front in battles to pass a wide range of anti-discrimination laws. Dedicated to all future political animals.

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CREMORNE This meditative drama features a handsome Austrian couple and their seemingly perfect life. They have a beautiful home, great sex, and an adorable cat, but one almost unthinkable occurrence has serious repercussions.

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WED 1 MAR 7:00PM EVENT CINEMAS GEORGE ST Suited follows tailors Bindle & Keep and their transgender and gender nonconforming clients, who come in search of clothes that not only fit well, but are befitting of who they are and how they want to be in the world.

city hub 16 FEBRUARY 2017

Bondi Beach Cottage At Risk BY CHARLOTTE G RI EVE The future of a 33-year-old domestic violence speciality service – the only one of its kind in the eastern suburbs – is in jeopardy. Kay Schubach, patron for the Bondi Beach Cottage (B BC) and prominent domestic violence ambassador and advocate says that a decrease in funding may force the facility to downsize or merge with other women’s support services. “We could lose the 37 year brand and trust that we’ve built up. Our brand is our asset, people trust us. We’re trying to stay independent and have a strong presence in the area,” says Schubach. The B BC has provided specialised case management and counselling for women suffering abuse since 1984. It also offers court support, therapeutic group sessions and occasional childcare services, making it a “one stop shop” for victims of domestic violence. The cottage has received ongoing support from the local community and politicians such as Gabrielle Upton and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who described the facility as “invaluable” after a visit in 2015. It has been financed by a combination of philanthropic donations and government subsidisation. As demand for these specialised counselling services is on the rise, government cuts to women’s services has threatened the sustainability of the B BC. Last Wednesday, Schubach met with a team at the Wentworth Minister’s Office to speak about the future of the cottage. “The cottage is at the end of its life, we’ve asked the Minsters’ office if we can get some

Brighton Boulevard, Bondi. Photo: Bondi Beach Cottage

security about our bricks and mortar,” says Schubach. A survivor of domestic violence herself and author of the Penguin-published memoir “Perfect Stranger,” Schubach is uniquely aware of what kind of services are required on the frontlines of abuse in areas such as Bondi. “Counselling services that really understand the dynamics of higher

socioeconomic abuse in the eastern suburbs is paramount,” she says. “If we opened a refuge here, or anywhere in N SW I guarantee it will be full in 24 hours. But I think there is a real need for trained, specific counselling prior to that point.” “Financial abuse, surveillance and power and control dynamics are possibly as much

more at play in these neighbourhoods as than women experiencing physical abuse and needing to escape to a refuge,” she says. Providing education to women on the varying forms of abuse and the legal avenues available are “integral” to the safety of both Bondi and the wider community. Schubach would also like to see an educational campaign rolled out throughout the Waverley precinct both in the form of school seminars and letter-box drops to dismantle the misconceptions and stigmas surrounding domestic violence. “People think that Bondi has a certain kind of demographic, we think that domestic violence doesn’t occur in the eastern suburbs,” she says. In 2015, the pilot program “Safer Pathways” found that in Waverley alone, two women per day are at risk of being murdered by their partner. “That’s when we realised that the service at the Bondi Beach Cottage is really critical because we service that Waverley area.” “Domestic violence happens to anyone in any walk of life, it does not discriminate,” she says. With increasing amounts of women feeling able to seek help in situations of abuse, demand for services such as those provided by the B BC are set to rise in the years to come. Schubach is calling on donations and political and corporate support across Sydney to ensure the security of the facility for years to come. If you would like to donate to the Bondi Beach Cottage, click here. If you or anyone you know is experience abuse please call 1800 RE S PECT

MEET the locals Parking perks for Sydney interiors on Sydney foodies par with the world Free parking for Tramsheds’ visitors. Photo: supplied

BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Sydney food enthusiasts, it’s time to rejoice. The Tramsheds is now offering fresh food and convenient services with a side of free parking. Locals planning on visiting the iconic food precinct on a weekday will now have access to 90 minutes of free parking, leaving you with plenty of time and a few extra dollars to spend on the providores and services on offer. Kelli Shoesmith, Tramsheds’ Retail Manager is thrilled to offer visitors this new service. “We are thrilled to introduce 90 minutes Free Parking. The aim with Tramsheds was to 6

city hub 16 FEBRUARY2017

create a real community hub, a food and dining precinct that connects people to providores, but we want to offer the Tramsheds’ experience in a way that’s flexible and convenient for our customers. “So if you just want to pop down for a quick bite to eat with a colleague during your lunch hour or do some food shopping at our resident supermarket – you can!” she said. Located just 5.5km from Sydney’s CBD and only a short drive from the Anzac Bridge and the city’s east-to-west corridors, visitors can enter the available parking conveniently through Ross Street. With this new addition, a day out in the shopping hub is easier than ever before.

Annandale Interiors is on par with international trends. Photo: Supplied

BY ANGIRA BHARADWAJ Interior offerings in Sydney’s inner west are now on par with world trends. Kim from Annandale Interiors, a thriving family-run business, says they are now offering a broader and more unique mix than ever before. She has just returned from a trip to New York where she held a show at the Park Avenue Armory for the Winter Antiques Show. When comparing their collection with international designers, Kim said: “We’re offering an equally excellent standard of product when compared to the world scale.” The company has significantly expanded its

range and is now sharing residence with Le Forge, Australia’s go-to destination for French and European inspired interiors. Specialising in Australian lifestyle, Annandale Interior believes this collaboration with Le Forge has given them one of the most unique mixes in the world. A household name since 1985, Le Forge provides handmade and hand forged, French inspired furniture and décor which compliments Australian interiors. Kim ultimately attributes her company’s success to its customer-centricity. “We work really hard to give our customers what they want,” Kim said.

FEATURE

The Return of Pyrmont Growers Markets

BY RITA BRATOVICH A Saturday morning growers market has been as much a feature of Pyrmont as the iconic Anzac Bridge. For almost twenty years, farmers, producers and makers have been selling fresh natural produce and authentically made foods by the waters of Pyrmont Bay. When the markets were terminated last April, it left a void on the shoreline and in the calendar. But the Pyrmont Growers Market is back. Through passion and persistence, a team of locals and business owners, led by the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce and generously supported by The Star, has brought together a premium selection of vendors for a market that should equal, if not surpass, its former self. Market Manager, Mick Roche is thrilled about the vendors they have so far and confident about the potential growth. The market will open with roughly 65 stalls but could ultimately get to 120. “We want to be as close to a grower, producer, catcher market as possible,” said Roche, citing a strict vetting process that will restrict the addition of non-produce stallholders. Bringing 21 years experience in the food industry to the project is food consultant Tawnya Bahr. She has been charged with the responsibility of sourcing and thoroughly assessing businesses for their authenticity and suitability for a growers market.The guidelines are very strict: products must be organic, of high quality, locally made and fresh. Bahr conducts provenance food tours through her business, Straight To The Source, taking people to farms and factories and providing them with useful facts and cooking tips. She will be giving guided tours for groups of around 12 people at the Pyrmont Growers Market. The tour will take participants to selected stalls where they will be given comprehensive information about the produce, and can experience tastings and demonstrations. “In between the stalls we talk about the seasons, we talk about the produce – there’s a lot of information shared in an hour,” said Bahr. Pepe Saya produces highly regarded organic, cultured butter and other products from cream sourced from rich dairyland regions around NSW. Owner, Pierre Issa (Pepe) says they began selling at Pyrmont Growers Market in around 2011. He was devastated when

For seasonal and local produce head to the Grima Farm Fresh Produce stall. Photo: Vanessa McIver

the markets ceased operation and is equally overjoyed that they have returned. Pepe Saya sells at seven different farmers markets in Sydney, but Pyrmont has always been special to Issa: “I remember when I was a lad…Pyrmont Market was the only farmers market available… So they actually paved the way for every other (growers) market we have today.” At Pyrmont, they’ll be teaming up with Sonoma Bread to provide mutual tastings for customers. Westerly Isbaih and her father have been making olive oil on the family farm in the Southern Tablelands for many years. As a result, Alto Olive Oil is regarded as one of the best in the world, winning prestigious awards in competitions against the best 900 producers globally. Isbaih likes to be able to talk about her products and answer questions for people: “There is such a disconnect between people and food – where they buy their food and where it comes from…this helps bridge the gap.”

“What we’re trying to do…is produce the best possible product to raise the profile of the Australian olive industry as a whole… and to make the rest of the world stand up and pay attention to what we’re doing,” said Isbaih. Two other businesses that have formed an alliance are The Little Marionette Coffee and Black Star Pastry. Owners Ed Cutcliffe (Little Marionette) and Eddie Stewart (Black Star) are friends and often have a cooperative business relationship. At the PGM customers will be able to order both coffee and a pastry at either of their stalls. There is great camaraderie in general amongst vendors: “All the butter in Black Star now is Pepe Saya. And Alto Olive Oil have been friends of ours for years so we may even have to put some on display at our stand, ” laughed Ed. The Little Marionette supplies coffee to businesses around the country, and operates a number of cafes, their main one being Garcon at Tramsheds. With high streets being occupied more and more by shopping complexes, Ed feels there is a loss of community feel, which is another reason he loves growers markets: “It gives us the opportunity to just talk coffee to the end consumer… it’s rare that you get the opportunity to do that at a cafe.” Black Star Pastry might be most well known for its signature cake: the Strawberry Watermelon cake, which they will be selling at Pyrmont Markets: “If we didn’t have that there’d be a riot!” said owner, Eddie Stewart. He too is excited about returning to Pyrmont: “Out of all the growers markets it’s probably one of my favourites – the feel and the vibe of it, and the stallholders.” It will be well worth reserving one Saturday morning per month to come to Pyrmont Growers Market. Launching Feb 25, then on 4th Saturday of each month, 7.30am-12pm, Pyrmont Bay Park, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont (Opposite The Star). Info: www.pyrmontgrowersmarket.com.au Info about stalls: Mick Roche mick@pyrmontgrowersmarket.com.au

city hub 16 FEBRUARY 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Stories Like These in association with bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company present Blink by Phil Porter. A beautiful, dysfunctional, bittersweet, not-quite-love story with the ability to be joyous and painful at the same time. It starts with voyeurism and consensual stalking. Jonah (James Raggatt) works as a

Photo: Anna Gardiner

Blink

night watchman, so has a habit of watching, and Sophie (Charlotte Hazzard) feels like she is vanishing since the death of her father. Their needs complement each other, he needs to watch and she needs to be seen. Their worlds are brought together in an unusual way, things get out of hand and take weird turns. Jonah and Sophie find themselves living in London, in separate floors of the same house. The stories they tell take us anywhere from a religious commune community in Lancashire to the Isle of Man, to the top of the London Eye, to random little cafes and hospitals. “Blink is quite a quirky little piece. It’s about our attitudes and perceptions of different versions of love. It’s quite darkly funny, there’s some moments where it takes you to unsettling scenarios,” explained Luke Rogers, director. “A big theme in Blink is connection. It challenges our expectations, assumptions and attitudes about relationships. Essentially it is about digital technology and the changes we have made in initial contact with each other via a screen rather than face to face. We have meaningful connections with people without being in the same room. Our notions of physical connection and emotional comfort are evolving,” added Rogers. (MS) Until Mar 4, Tues-Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm. Kings Cross Theatre, 244-248 William St, Kings Cross. $30-$36 ($25 cheap Tuesdays). Tickets & info: www.storieslikethese.com

The Little Dog Laughed

The Little Dog Laughed is a satirical comedy exploring sexual ambiguity and the lengths people will take to make it big in Hollywood. Alice Livingstone, the well-established director of New Theatre with over 20 years of experience says “it’s got a lot of heart underneath the comedy”. The production explores four characters whose lives are all interconnected. Mitchell (Brett Rogers), an actor pursuing his dream of fame and fortune, finds himself quickly in love with another man, Alex (Charles Upton). However as he has kept his homosexuality securely in the closet, his fierce manager Diane (Sarah Aubrey) makes him fear that it will be career suicide. Meanwhile Alex’s kinda-girlfriend Ellen (Madeline Beukers) is wondering what’s keeping him so busy. This story explores the pursuit of true happiness. “Despite the fact we are living in 2017, media and by extension, the community, is still titillated by someone being gay,” explained Livingstone. She encourages the Brett Rogers and Charles Upton. audience to go away wondering Photo: Cec Busby courtesy SX what the big deal is anyway. “Aren’t we a little over that?” she come along, as Livingstone says “it’s got a lot questions. of good general public appeal”. (JC) This play is the first in New Theatre’s 2017 Until Mar 4, Thu-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm. program and is in line with the Mardi Gras New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown. season, offering the audience some $25-$32 (Thrifty Thursdays $17). entertaining truths. Everyone is welcome to Tickets & info: www.newtheatre.org.au

Making Love

businesswoman who is meeting her synthetic partner for the first time during a dinner party with a past human lover. As you can imagine the play then explores all of the intricacies and conundrums that this crazy scenario throws up. Debuting this play earlier this week on Valentine’s Day seems like a master stroke; Making Love is bound to leave audiences walking out of the theatre rethinking their notions of love and its increasing commercialisation in our own world. (JA) Until Feb 25, Tue-Sat 7:30pm. King Street Theatre, 644 King St, Newtown. $30-$35. Tickets & info: www. kingstreettheatre.com.au

Science fiction meets romantic comedy this week at Newtown’s King Street Theatre thanks to Sydney writer and actor Jess Scott Driksna. Taking inspiration from Blade Runner’s futurist world and blending that with drama from Kate Bush’s ‘Deeper Understanding’ sees this stage play explore capitalism, science and the human dilemma of loneliness. In Making Love humans no longer need to find a life partner, rather they can just purchase a custom-built synthetic partner from PAXCORP. With this as the back drop, the audience will be introduced to Sara Vidal, a single, successful

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

Contributors: 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.

Member

Image: Luke Cadden

Ben Noble’s one man play, Member, is a confronting piece of theatre. It is based on the bashing or murder of over one hundred gay men in Sydney during the 1980’s and 90’s; crimes for which no one has ever been held responsible. It was blood sport committed by gangs of male youths. When Noble read about one gang member being 12-years-old it started him thinking: “What would his life be like now and what if his son comes out gay, how does he deal with that?” He wanted to explore the idea creatively. “I commissioned 10 writers to write a response to source material – they had pictures, some articles – and I said ‘I want you to write a monologue or scene that’s going to be played by one person’.” He then collected the ideas into a basic scenario with 16 characters contributing to the narrative from their own perspectives. The premise is a father who shares his shameful past at the hospital bedside of his gay son who has been viciously bashed.

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney By Jamie Apps

Clairy Browne. Photo: John Tsiavis

Mikado’s Final Live At The Sly: After nearly two years of running the successful live music showcase night Live At The Sly at the Slyfox, Enmore, Mikado is hosting its FINAL tonight. To commemorate their time championing indie music, tonight’s show will feature Midnight Tea Party, Inés, La Tarantella and Fat Yahooza during the free event. Thu, Feb 16, Slyfox The Screaming Jets: Due to popular demand the ever popular Screaming Jets are touring again off the back of their new LP Chrome. With 27 years of touring and making records, these boys know how to rock Oz audiences. Thu, Feb 16,The Bridge Hotel Clairy Browne: The Melbourne pop powerhouse is bursting into the new year with her first Australian tour in almost two years. During this time Clairy has been knuckling down to create a brand new fire-spitting live show that is sure to prick ears, turn heads and cement her as one of Australia’s leading women. Fri, Feb 17, Oxford Arts Factory Miroslav Bukovsky: This weekend the oft celebrated Divergence Jazz Orchestra will play their first live show of 2017 and to mark the occasion they are welcoming special guest trumpeter

Miroslav Bukovsky. Adding Miroslav to the mix brings the number of musicians on stage to 20, and in a venue which has a capacity of only 120 this show is bound to sound incredible. Sat, Feb 18, Seymour Centre – Sound Lounge Fractures: After wrapping up 2016 with a national support slot for singer-songwriter Emma Louise, the release of praised singles ‘Fall Harder’ and ‘Alchemy’, plus a memorable performance at BIGSOUND, Fractures gears up for a promising return this year. Sat, Feb 18, Newtown Social Club Wil Wagner: Prior to the release of new music and a busy year ahead for The Smith Street Band, much-loved front man Wil Wagner has embarked on an extensive solo tour and is stopping in Sydney this weekend. Sun, Feb 19, Oxford Art Factory Handel’s Messiah: Australia’s five time ARIA award-winning baroque orchestra opens this years season by playing the worlds most performed baroque work, for the very first time. This show will be a heavenly synthesis of the Brandenburg Choir, Orchestra and shining young vocal soloists. Wed, Feb 22, City Recital Hall

With very minimal production elements, Noble must convey transition of time and place as well as assume 16 different personalities while telling a cohesive story. He achieves this through subtle lighting shifts, and variations in his own physicality, voice and position on stage. Some dramatic licence has been taken, but most of the details are based on fact. “A lot of the lines in our show were actually spoken by the real people…” said Noble. The title is a play on meaning: a person belonging to a particular group or gang; colloquial term for “penis”; contraction of “remember”. And remember is what Noble hopes people will do. (RB) Feb 21–Mar 4, Tues-Sat 7.30pm + 2pm Saturdays. Blood Moon Theatre at The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross. $20-$29. Tickets & info: www.eventbrite.com.au

Tim Hulsman

By Jamie Apps After almost two years in the making Tim Hulsman’s newest record, Get Loved, will finally be available to the public. To celebrate the release the City Hub spoke with him about his life story. In order to even discover a love for music, Tim had a hard path to carve due to his family’s strict religious beliefs. “When it came to music I tried to discover music within the bounds of what I was allowed at home but that became increasingly difficult as I found my love for rock ‘n’ roll and funk. That was the type of music my parents screened really carefully, they would let me listen to some stuff but of course being a rebellious teenager the more they pushed against stuff the more I liked that stuff,” explained Tim. Sadly as Tim’s passionate love for music grew and he eventually joined a rock band, his relationship with his family disintegrated. On the flip side though Tim had music to fall back on, which helped him work through the subsequent range of emotions and depression.“It’s [music] been imperative in my life and I may not have survived if it hadn’t been for music,” he said. Tim doesn’t hold any grudges against his parents for their choices: “No one knows how to be a great parent. My parents tried really hard and were great parents in so many other ways, it’s not like they were complete arseholes.” Now as a parent himself, Tim has been able to fill a void and “satiate that need for a family unit and that closeness”. With Get Loved now so close to widespread release,Tim’s excitement was palpable for the release and planned tour.“There are a bunch of fans that have been waiting for it [Get Loved] for a really long time since the crowd funding started and supporters got to hear little bits and pieces,” said Tim.“I love this album and I just can’t wait for everyone to hear it.” Although a definitive date for a live Sydney performance of the record has yet to be set in stone, Tim assures his fans here that he will be

John Mayer – The Search For Everything: Wave One

Rather than adhering to conventional wisdom and realising a set of new songs as a single cohesive album, John Mayer has chosen to pave his own path with his latest batch of songs coming out in monthly waves. Towards the end of January we got the first wave, consisting of four songs, and we are most certainly very close to wave two. For the first wave Mayer has created a delicious sampler which features his enthralling vocals, which seem to have me falling in love all over again with every single listen. Opening track ‘Moving On and Getting Over’ is the strongest of the four tracks as Mayer returns to his blues roots. This is an exciting time for Mayer fans as they are guaranteed to receive new music for the foreseeable future, and if these four tracks are anything to go by the future is paved in both rainbows and love hearts. (JA) WWW1/2

appearing – “I have made Sydney a real priority this year to try and build a strong foundation of fans there.” The plan at the moment is for Tim to perform in Sydney around March 17 to 19 and potentially again in May. Once these shows are locked in people can expect to see a show which is “dynamic, powerful and has lots of energy but also has beautiful moments where it becomes quite intimate”.

Omar Rodriguez Lopez – Zen Thrills

Omar Rodriguez Lopez is the lead guitarist and composer for such seminal bands as At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta. His solo music is also quite prolific, releasing a new album under his name every month since June of last year. His latest album Zen Thrills has a neopsychedelic-electronica style with less of an emphasis on Lopez’s punk-progressive rock tendencies. Zen Thrills features vocals from Tery Gender Bender (singer of Le Butcherettes) on nearly every song on the album. Bender and Lopez have collaborated in several projects and both find common ground in their songwriting approaches complimenting each other’s creative outputs. This album is typically for music fans that reject commercial radio and embrace music that is artistic and experimental. (DJ) WWWW city hub 16 FEBRUARY 2017

THE NAKED CITY

THE SINK HOLE THAT SWALLOWED SYDNEY! With Coffin Ed There is something about the geological phenomenon of sinkholes that both shocks and fascinates us at the same time. Unlike a volcano where Mother Earth unleashes her fury with a torrent of molten lava and an enormous ash cloud, the sinkhole appears almost by stealth. It arrives without warning, almost spontaneously, devouring anything than can slide and slither into its gaping yawn. When a sinkhole opens up in a third world country, often reaping death and havoc, our hearts go out to all those affected. When the location is Sydney’s Point Piper, as was the case last week when an $11 million dollar mansion came within an inch of being sucked into the abyss, our reaction is often quite different. Hands up all those who would loved to have seen that uber expensive piece of real estate relocated in the bowels of the earth. And hands up all those who would love to have witnessed the Point Piper sinkhole take out the residence of a certain Mr Habourside Mansion. It’s amazing how the so called class wars can be defined by what is essentially an act of nature. One thing the Point Piper sinkhole did demonstrate is that climate change, accented by a most unseasonal tropical downpour in February, can take out the rich as well as the poor. Wealthy climate sceptics please take note! It’s a portent of just another disaster scenario that could befall this city if we take

the sky above us and the earth beneath us for granted. Perhaps this scenario could be best played out for the time being in a movie – a classic disaster pic in which an almighty slab of Sydney, one of the most expensive cities in

Art for Epilepsy More than 170 prominent and up-and-coming artists from across Australia have joined forces to raise vital funds for people living with epilepsy, donating original artworks for Art for Epilepsy, an online auction conducted by Epilepsy Action Australia. The only criteria given to participating artists is to somehow include the colour purple, leading to a collection of works as diverse as the artists themselves, covering mediums from fine art to abstract art. Annandale based artist Sam Holt has created an original work especially for the auction, ‘Thursday’s Reflection’, managing to scrape together the time to work on the

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‘Thursday’s Reflection’, Sam Holt, 2017

painting between organising two new exhibitions. Sam describes his abstract and volatile paintings as “landscapes of the head” or “snapshots of time and mood and place”. Having a brother who lives with epilepsy, public awareness is important to Sam. With his brother’s condition growing more prominent with time, there’s a definite likelihood of unexpected seizures occurring while in public places, which leave him “depleted” and “unaware of what’s happened”. “I think a lot of people wouldn’t know what to do in that situation or

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the world, is swallowed by a gargantuan sinkhole. It’s the perfect cinematic vehicle for any young filmmaker, equipped with a strong social conscience, to highlight the growing disparity between rich and poor in the Harbour City.

Like any good disaster movie that exploits the forces of nature, the sinkhole would take on a persona of its own, bordering on the anthropomorphic. Let’s call it ‘Sinkzilla’, a monstrous ever-expanding black hole that snakes its way across the suburbs devouring judiciously selected Sydney landmarks like the Packer Casino at Barangaroo, the Star, WestConnex, the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, the Toaster, gentrified Millers Point, the giant milk crate in Belmore Park and numerous Palm Beach mansions. In the final apocalyptic scene, Malcolm ‘Trumbull’ is entertaining Donald Trump (here on an official visit), in his harbourside mansion as they survey the approaching sinkhole, sweeping its way across Sydney harbour, sucking all and sundry into its massive, gurgling plughole. Trump of course has called for Marine One, his airforce helicopter to whisk him away, should Sinkzilla reach the hallowed shores of Point Piper. Suddenly it’s all too late as the awaiting chopper is ingested by the hungry earth, leaving Trump and Trumbull clinging frantically to the sides of the sinkhole. In total desperation Trumbull reaches out to Trump, grabbing him by his golden silken hair as he feels his own $200 million dollar lifestyle slipping away. Alas the entire mop of the President’s hair comes completely off (yes, it’s a bloody wig afterall) and Trumbull plunges into the seemingly bottomless chasm of death – closely followed by a distinctly bald headed Trump. And yes you get to see it all in 3D!

how to react or what was even happening,” said Sam. “It’s good if there’s people who are aware, who can support in that situation, because I think it will be strangers who will be most helpful in those situations.” “Our aim is to raise awareness of the impact of this often debilitating condition, and to support people living with epilepsy to lead optimal lives,” explained Carol Ireland, CEO of Epilepsy Action. Last year’s inaugural Art for Epilepsy auction featured over 60 artworks by 55 artists and raised over $20,000. With over 200 original artworks up for auction this year, the foundation hopes to smash their previous fundraising targets. (AM) Online auction open until Mar 26, 9pm. Browse and bid at www.artforepilepsy.com.au

Found by Laura If you have ever left behind a shopping list or a personal love letter in a public space chances are some overly curious and creative person might have taken those notes and used them to make art. Laura Sullivan does exactly that. Laura’s first encounter with an abandoned note was at a Woolworths shopping centre in Carlingford Court.The fact that someone had left behind an itemised list of groceries made her curious to find out just how many notes and lists were out there, not just where she grew up but from all around the world.As she started travelling to cities like New York, Toronto and Melbourne she noticed that the notes were getting more personal and they were laying around in subway stations and city parks. She described this as a “human

case study” similar to what an Anthropologist might do. Originally Laura had planned to keep all these notes in a book, but her friends encouraged her to put them on display. Asked if she would ever consider revealing some of her own personal notes, she responded: “I wouldn’t reveal anything I’ve written personally, but I did write about my own experience of finding these notes and how they made me feel”. After 12 years of collecting over 400 personal notes her experience of finding these private bits of paper on the ground has taught her that we all have shared lived experiences and also a common humanity regardless of what city you live in. Laura hopes to find some of the note writers by

displaying as many of them on social media, but for the rest of us who are curious to see the real pieces, the Found by Laura exhibition is where you can see and read all of the notes she has collected. (DJ) Feb 16–Mar 5. Sun Studios, 42 Maddox St, Alexandria. Info: www.facebook.com/foundbylaura or Instagram: @foundbylaura

Photo: Kerry Brown

50 Shades Darker Is there any other film in the world in which the phrase “kinky f***ery” could be uttered seriously? E.L. James’ smash series 50 Shades is back for its second installment, this time directed by James Foley following creative differences with previous director, Sam TaylorJohnson. Slick and showy, the film is pulpier than its predecessor as Christian’s (Jamie Dornan) exes all emerge from the woodwork to warn Ana (Dakota Johnson) about Christian’s inability to conform to a ‘vanilla’ relationship. Dakota Johnson does a remarkable job at playing the mousey Ana sincerely, whose hair manages to remain perfectly coiffed and glossy for much of the film, and Jamie Dornan, to his credit, somehow captures the internal confusion

of a sexual sadist with extreme mother issues now playing romantic boyfriend. With far less time in the red room, the film’s sex scenes are less than steamy at best (not at all aided by the soundtrack) and it is truly baffling that Christian seems utterly incapable of removing his trousers entirely during intercourse. Much like the first film, Fifty Shades Darker ends abruptly, leaving room for improvement in the final film, which is due for release Valentine’s Day 2018. This isn’t for you if you’re looking for a cinematic masterpiece, but Fifty Shades Darker is a delightful cocktail of unintentionally amusing melodrama and lacklustre attempts at romance. Go with a girlfriend and don’t forget the wine. (ES) WW

Dudley Williams

Silence

Martin Scorsese is best recognised for his films that centre around themes of violence and wealth (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, The Wolf of Wall Street). Less well known is Kundun, a biographical film he directed in 1997 about Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. In Silence, Scorsese has again sought inspiration in the East with his adaptation of Sh saku End’s novel of the same name. Set in the early 17th Century, Silence follows the journey of Sebastião Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Francisco Garupe (Adam

Driver), two young Jesuit priests who upon hearing that their mentor Father Cristóvão Ferreira (Liam Neeson) has been forced to renounce Catholicism, travel to Japan determined to rescue him. The complex ethics of introducing Christianity to a mainstream Buddhist country are explored well from both perspectives and set against a backdrop of stunning scenery, the film is a rich sensory experience. However drawn out over two-and-a-half hours, the journey often feels long and tedious. (ASim)

WW1/2

Winter at Westbeth This absorbing and uplifting documentary explores the lives of three elderly people, artists in their own rights, who reside at the Westbeth Artist retirement community in New Jersey, US. Established in 1970, the community contains 385 rentcontrolled apartments, which makes this the largest of its type in the world. A writer and two dancers aged in their seventies and nineties detail their achievements in life, their passion for the arts and their impending mortality. These elderly artists who seem to bloom with the flowers claim that ‘the older you get the more you think of life’. Not all of these residents consider themselves to be retired and they seem to have much more energy and

passion for their craft than much younger artists. Through candid interviews, vintage photographs and footage, these elderly people discuss the importance of their work, their health issues, the preciousness of life and the ideology that artists of their generation who have contributed so much to the world of arts are no longer respected. “I’m not ready to say goodbye – I’m ready to say hello,” exclaims one of these artists as she contemplates her next task. This is a fine tribute to the elderly community in general, who have so many stories to tell and who also believe that the ageing process doesn’t have to slow them down. (MMo) WWW1/2

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