City Hub 2 November 2017

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city hub 2 NOVEMBER 2017

The Sirius Question

BY ISABELLE BASTIAN The NSW Minister for Heritage, Gabrielle Upton, has again decided not to place the threatened Sirius Building in The Rocks on the State Heritage Register.

Finished in 1980, the building is known as a prime example of Brutalist architecture. Its distinctive position in The Rocks makes it visible from the Harbour Bridge as people enter the city.

Historically, the 79-apartment building has been used for social housing. However, starting in 2015, residents began to be moved out of the building in preparation for possible demolition and redevelopment.

The campaign to protect the Sirius Building has been active for a long time. After the Heritage Council recommended to the former minister, Mark Speakman MP, that he direct the listing of Sirius on the State Heritage Register in early 2016, he resolved to decline.

However, in July 2017, Save Our Sirius, the organisation founded to protect the building, celebrated when the Land and Environment Court ruled that Mr. Speakman’s decision not to list the building was invalid.

Save our Sirius members, along with many local residents, were hopeful that on appeal, new Heritage Minister Gabrielle Upton would list it.

Unfortunately, on 25 October this year, almost three months after the judges’ ruling, her office released an official statement outlining her decision not to list the building.

“I, Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Heritage, have decided pursuant to section 34(1) of the Heritage Act 1977 not to direct the listing of the

Sirius Building on the State Heritage Register.”

Unlike former Minister Speakman’s decision, which focused on the costbenefit of keeping The Sirius, Minister Upton touched on other aspects of the requirements.

“The Heritage Council only recommended listing on the grounds of aesthetics and rarity, although many submissions also advocated for other grounds.

“Given the divergent views expressed on these other grounds by submissions for and against listing particularly on the significance of the Sirius building as an outcome of the green bans (and whether its relevance was state-wide or only local), and the relevance of the building to the work of participants in the green ban, I agree with the Heritage Council’s decision not to recommend on these other grounds.”

Minister Upton went on to describe numerous discrepancies of opinion surrounding the Heritage Council’s two criteria - aesthetics and rarity - to lead to her decision not list the building.

“Some submissions highlight the Sirius Building as being a fine example of the late Brutalist style of architecture.

However, there are also submissions which note that the building may not have been consciously designed in the Brutalist style and that, in any event, the building was not an influential example of that style.

“On balance, I do not believe that the Sirius Building is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in NSW, and this criterion is not met.”

The Sirius Building in The Rocks is under threat from developers again.

Photo: Alec Smart

Save Our Sirius disagrees.

“Upton’s only argument and the only thing she cites in her decision is the opinion of a group of private companies the government hired, to tell them what they wanted to hear.

In doing so, The Minister has placed the view of private hired heritage opinion over the unanimous advice of the NSW Stage Heritage Council.”

Save Our Sirius listed the widespread, and growing, support for heritage listing amongst organizations such as the NSW Heritage Council, City of Sydney,

NSW Chapter of Australians Institute of Architects, World Monuments Fund, and Historic Houses Association, all of which shared their belief in the building’s heritage importance.

Shaun Carter, Chairperson of Save our Sirius, responded to the decision.

“Lets be clear about this, it is a decision based on a massive development ploy – 250 apartments on this site where only 79 now sit, and it’s part of the current government’s cultural war to get rid of a building they see as a symbol of the left.

“Imagine what 250 Apartments on this delicate state-significant site within the world heritage curtilage of the Sydney Opera House would look like if a massive tower was built on it. If you don’t like Sirius, imagine how much less you’ll like this.

“Save Our Sirius will continue the fight. If there is a legal avenue to pursue, we will pursue it with all our might. We will not stop this fight until Sirius is saved. If that means we need to stand in front of the wrecking ball, we will do that too.

We will not give in.”

The Last of the Brutals 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: Alec Smart City News Editor: Alex Eugene Inner West Independent Editor: Jessica De Vera Bondi View Editor: Anita Senaratna Contributors: Alex Eugene, Jessica De Vera, Isabelle Bastian, Anita Senaratna, Alec Smart Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Managers: Robert Tuitama, Karl Krticka Cover Photo: Steven Granger. Frances Madden 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 If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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BY AVA REDMAN After a long-standing fight with residents of Glebe, Bidura’s local heritage listing survival hinges on its last chance at a conciliation conference on the 27th November. The Bidura site, which was sold in 2014 for $33 million, was originally given a local heritage listing.

The site consists of two architecturally significant properties, one designed by Edmund Blacket (also his residence while he was designing the University of Sydney Hall), the other a controversial building added years later.

The Children’s court, built in the neo-brutalist style, has garnered a love/ hate relationship - it’s the architectural style that gives credit to the harsh use of concrete and geometric shapes.

Ongoing efforts from the Save Bidura Facebook group have helped get the building included in Sydney’s new Brutalist map as one of the last buildings of its kind. Bidura has also made numerous appearances on social media sites such as Instagram and Twitter, as well as other prominent blogs and websites.

It is also listed on the City

Bidura in Glebe, one of Sydney’s last Brutalist pieces of archictecture, is also under threat from developers. Photo: Ava Redman

of Sydney Birani website as a historic location for aboriginal peoples. Locals are arguing its importance as a piece of history and architecture key to Sydney, not a pawn for the real estate market. This comes as plans emerge from the property investors to build an apartment tower and several townhouses on the site, close to the buildings in question.

“That site is only supposed to be five storeys high,” said Jenna Reed Burns of the Save Bidura Facebook group who stated that the new build will not be in keeping with the ‘Glebe village’ aspect or in respect with its typography.

“Before they sold it they changed the rules to get a better price,” she added. Burns stated the local legislation change was key in the NSW asset-stripping exercise to increase the value of the rundown site.

A local petition with over 1,500 signatures led by the group has helped solidify their position with local council members and strengthen awareness for the fight. It has also been one of the largest petitions from Glebe residents.

Bidura is in dire need of repair and the struggle to return it to public hands is ongoing. Local MP Jamie Parker declared in

an email, “It was pure folly to sell such a sensitive site…Our community needs childcare centres and community facilities, not more residential apartment towers.”

The property investors submitted a second application for DA approval following the rejection of the first. Jamie Parker said, “This latest application has been opposed by even more local residents than the previous one.. it is equally unsuitable.”

Across Sydney, the Children’s Court isn’t the only building of this style facing demolition.

The Sirius building in The Rocks was, until recently, used for public housing and is considered a landmark adjacent to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

It’s known as the only high-rise in The Rocks and its style is unique, setting the benchmark for geometric brutalism.

The Children’s court of Bidura is a rare find architecturally, regardless of its size, with its prominent cantilever balconies.

Awaiting the conciliation conference in November, the future of Bidura is unclear as to whether the site will be refurbished to its original architectural grace.

city hub 2 NOVEMBER 2017

3

Blackwattle Bay marina shanghaied

BY JOSH KINDL Pyrmont residents have been angered by UrbanGrowth NSW’s proposed plan to relocate the Blackwattle Bay marina closer to the existing population in order to make room for 2,750 new apartments as part of the redevelopment of the existing Sydney Fish Market site.

The proposed plan would see the current marina facilities in Blackwattle Bay relocated to Pyrmont’s Bank Street, a busy residential area, over a proposed foreshore.

Mary Mortimer, Convenor for Save Blackwattle Foreshore, says that the development of a new marina has not been in keeping standard procedure regarding community consultation and has outraged residents.

“If we get to the point where the Department of Planning recommends that the proposal go ahead, all hell will break loose here,” she said.

The proposed development would feature space for 22 large commercial vessels, over 20 shipping containers to be used for storage as well as office and waste management facilities to support businesses operating on the site.

These businesses include All Occasions Cruises, a private harbour cruise company owned by CEO Joe Elias.

The controversial relocation has been made the tender, Mr Elias has not followed through on even more so by the involvement of Mr Elias, any of his proposed development plans. who is a noted associate of the Obeid family and Later, the Independent Commission Against currently holds both a lease on the marina and a Corruption (ICAC) made multiple findings of tender to redevelop the Blackwattle Bay site. corruption against both Mr Tripodi and Mr Dunn The tender was contentiously awarded to Mr in regards to their dealings, in matters unrelated to Elias in 2009 by then NSW Minister for Ports and Mr Elias.

Waterways, Joe Tripodi, after the NSW Maritime A spokesperson from the UrbanGrowth NSW CEO Steve Dunn dismissed an ongoing tender Development Corporation said the development process in favour of Elias’ bid. plan was modified “to enable the continued The bid was the highest amongst those operation of harbour cruise businesses within competing for the tender, and featured plans to Blackwattle Bay into the future, as space for AHN newspaper PRESS.pdf 1 businesses 17/10/2017 10:23 in AMSydney develop a function centre ad onW128mm the site.X H158mm Oct 2017 harbour cruise is limited In the eight years following his being awarded Harbour. The change is to allow commercial

The site for the proposed marina beneath Anzac Bridge on Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont.

Photo: Alec Smart

activity to operate with storage and an office.

“There will be no set down or pick up of passengers from the wharf,” the spokesperson added.

Critics of the new plans are angry that the Government would prioritise continued commercial development over a proposed Bank Street Foreshore, which would have included a water-sports centre and public park.

Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover More, agrees with residents that the area would be better used to service the local community.

“We strongly objected to the relocation of the marina to the Bank Street site because it is

incompatible with the promised use of the site for public recreation and open space.

“With so many residents living in apartment blocks in our city, it’s more important than ever that we provide beautiful public parks for our residents which can act as their backyards,” she said.

Pyrmont MP, Alex Greenwich, agreed with the Lord Mayor that the area would be better served as a recreational space for the general public.

“What a dire situation we are in when government plans for prime Sydney harbour land involve shipping containers, industrial size rubbish bins and a demountable building,” he said.

Passive boating organisations that operate in the area, such as Dragon Boats NSW, are also likely to be affected by the development, with many concerned that the influx of large ships operating outside business hours will jeopardise the safety of recreational boaters.

Ms Mortimer said that there are real safety concerns associated with UrbanGrowth’s proposal.

“There are a thousand Dragon Boaters a week who use that site… they are all extremely fearful that there will be a fatal accident,” she said.

Pyrmont residents have been vocal in their displeasure with the new proposal, with over 200 submissions prepared by individuals and community organisations already handed in opposing the development plans.

Elizabeth Elenius, convener for Pyrmont Action Group (PAG), says that the state government failed local residents by not paying adequate attention to the wishes of the community.

“The Government is the proponent of the DA, which was prepared in total secrecy from the community.

“So much for UrbanGrowth’s commitment to early and genuine community engagement.”

A spokesperson for Mr Elias declined to comment.

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Drug sniffers on the nose with Greens

BY JADE MORELLINI The success of drug-detection dogs has been put into question, with the Greens releasing new figures on the amount of money spent on hiring the dogs – an estimated $6000 per hour for only three dogs - which they claim deliver falsepositives 50-75% of the time.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said, “NSW police drug-dogs are one of the most flawed and failing elements of the NSW government operation… Not only do the dogs get it wrong most of the time, but even when they do find somebody with drugs it’s often only one joint or one pill.”

“We asked the commissioner for the cost of drug-dog operations per hour and, clearly because the numbers were so embarrassing, he refused. So, we did the numbers ourselves and a 6-hour drug operation at a music festival, using three dogs, costs approximately $36,000 - in short it is an expensive failure,” Shoebridge said.

These dogs are not only having a negative financial impact, but The Greens claim they are fracturing the relationship between the police and marginal communities.

“Drug-dogs tend to target young people, Aboriginal people and people of colour,” Minister Shoebridge said, “and those are the very parts of the community that the police often have the greatest difficulty in gaining cooperation.”

Drug dogs may also cause emotional trauma for individuals who are searched, making them feel disempowered and stressed, even if they aren’t carrying drugs.

Peta Malins, lecturer in Justice and Legal Studies at RMIT University, said, “Through my research, I’ve found that being stopped by the dogs [at music festivals] causes a lot of stress, particularly when police searched them and questioned them afterwards.

“The sense of disempowerment that they experienced stayed with them throughout the rest

The Greens claim drug sniffer dogs cost the taxpayer too much and are inaccurate. Photo: Georgia Pauwels

of the festival and affected their experience… it changed their relationship with the police and their perceptions and willingness to go to police if they needed help, so it is having a negative impact on that police relationship.”

A central aim of the drug-dog operations is to deter people from taking drugs. However, Malins claims the dogs are adversely encouraging irresponsible behaviour from drug-users, which increases the danger of overdoses and other drugrelated issues.

“My research definitely suggests that they are not actually deterring drug use at all,” Malins said, “it’s just encouraging people to change their drug-use behaviour. None of the people I spoke

to said they were going to stop or reduce use because of the detection dogs.”

“There have been a series of reported cases where particularly young, inexperienced drug users on sighting a drug-dog have taken multiple tablets at once and that panicked ingestion can lead to really serious health consequences including death,” Shoebridge added.

Other dangerous behaviours she listed include doubling the drugs they would take prior to arriving at an event to avoid detection, or “stashing drugs internally in cavities such as the vagina or the anus to get in. They wouldn’t have done that before, but in response to the drug-dogs they do things like that.”

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Reports indicate that drug users, particularly at music festivals, are substituting drugs believed more likely to be scented by the drug-dogs, such as cannabis and MDMA, with new experimental and less detectable drugs, which have potentially far more significant health consequences.

“Yet again that obvious negative impact of the drug-dogs program doesn’t seem to get through to the police minister or the police commissioner,” Minister Shoebridge said. “We repeatedly raised this with NSW police but they simply don’t care. They are after the PR hit rather than being genuinely concerned about harm minimisation.”

Drug-dog searches have been significantly reduced, with NSW Police being more targeted in where they implement the searches.

The Greens claim this has a lot to do with their public awareness campaign Sniff Off, launched in May 2015.

On their Sniff Off Facebook page they claim, “Drug sniffer dogs do not work. In fact they are wrong 74% of the time.

“The Police focus their drug dog operations on music festivals, bars, public transport and Redfern.

In other words, police drug dogs are targeted at young people, Aboriginal communities and the poor. Most people who are found with drugs are carrying small amounts of cannabis - they are not dealers. Just over 2% of those searched are convicted of a supply charge.”

“The Sniff Off campaign has been enormously successful,” said Minister Shoebridge. “There’s a long way to go to having zero drug-dog searches but we’re on that path and I think largely because of this campaign.

“Every dog that’s not on the street is $2000 dollars saved per hour. That’s approximately $6-9million per annum to keep them trained and fed and serviced and this comes from NSW taxpayer’s money.”

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Freebies for same-sex couples, pending equality

BY ALEX EUGENE The City of Sydney has made it clear they are optimistic about the outcome of the same-sex marriage postal vote, after locking in a major freebie for gay couples in lieu of their legal ability to wed.

Last week the council’s only Labor councillor, Linda Scott successfully moved a motion that would allow City community venues and parks to be used free of charge for same-sex marriages.

Usage fees will be waived for 100 days after marriage equality laws are potentially passed in Federal Parliament, upon the successful ‘yes’ outcome of the national postal survey.

Cr. Scott, who has been a long-time advocate of marriage equality, also called on the government to bring the news laws into effect before the end of the 2017 parliamentary sitting, rather than dragging it out to the following year.

“We didn’t want this $122 million dollar survey, and it has been a bruising process for many. As a Labor councillor, I’m proud that the City of Sydney has actively supported the Yes campaign,” Cr. Scott said.

But not the whole council was united in favour of the motion.

Liberal councillor Christine Forster, who has lived with her same-sex partner for some years and has fiercely opposed her brother Tony Abbott’s ‘No’ stance, was not supportive of the free venue motion. Cr. Forster told City Hub that it “sends a signal completely opposite” to the aims of the equality debate.

City parks and venues are free for 100 days for same-sex marriages if the Yes vote is successful in the national plebiscite. Photo: Alec Smart

“I did not support the proposal to offer free venue hire to same-sex couples only, and sought to amend the motion to include ALL couples

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who wish to marry during the period. When that amendment was defeated, I voted against the motion on the basis that it flies against what

we have been fighting for, which is equal rights for all, not special rights for any particular group. The equality campaign has been all about making marriage more inclusive, not exclusive,” she said.

Alex Greenwich, independent member for Sydney and a YES Campaigner took to Twitter yesterday, saying that the government owed Australians equality after ripping them off with the taxpayer-funded plebiscite.

“After giving us the $120 million bill for the survey, Aussies won’t cop any further games being played with the lives of LGBTI people,” he said.

Shirleen Robinson, a spokesperson for the group, urged voters who had not yet returned their forms to get them in this week, to ensure a positive outcome.

“We can only guarantee equality by sending a strong YES result to politicians. And that means everyone needs to get their YES vote back to the ABS in whichever way guarantees its arrival before the final deadline of 6pm, 7 November,” she said.

Forms must be received by the ABS by 6pm on November 7, and will still reach offices on time if posted this week. Forms can also be dropped off in person at any office in the country until 4.30pm on the day.

The latest figures released this week by the ABS confirmed that 77% of eligible voters had returned their votes, which represented around 12.3 million Australians – 40,000 more than last week’s tally.

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Inner West Council demerger urged

BY ALEC SMART The newly elected Inner West Council is considering overturning the forced amalgamation that brought three councils together in May 2016, and return them to their constituent parts.

At the Inner West Council meeting on 24 October, councillors debated whether to hold a plebiscite on de-amalgamating Inner West Council. The issue was ultimately rejected by a majority vote of 8-7 involving fifteen councilors from five wards, the deciding vote cast by Mayor Darcy Byrne.

However, the issue remains controversial, with supporters of de-amalgamation rallying to consider alternative ways to implement the change.

The Mayor’s office issued a statement: “Council decided by majority that the motion would not be supported.. Council will not support a non-binding plebiscite that could cost ratepayers in excess of $1 million.

“Council heard.. that it cost $13 million to de-amalgamate the former Noosa Shire Council from Sunshine Coast Regional Council in late 2013/early 2014 (Queensland Boundaries Commission figures).”

The latter figure is based on reported costs to ratepayers after four Queensland communities, Noosa, Douglas, Mareeba and Livingstone, dissolved an unpopular forced-amalgamation.

76,183 constituents voted overwhelmingly in March 2013 to de-merge Sunshine Coast Regional Council and return to four previous shire boundaries.

In 2008 the Queensland Labor government began amalgamating 156 councils into 73, much like the 2016 NSW Liberal Government’s forced merger of Sydney metropolitan councils from 152 to 112.

Both sets of unwanted amalgamations provoked legal challenges and significant defections of voters in subsequent elections – Queensland Labor were ultimately voted out of office.

Mayor of Inner West Council, Darcy Byrne, said, “Council is not willing to spend more than a million dollars of rate payers’ money on a plebiscite when the NSW Liberal Government is refusing to make it binding.

“If the Government is thrown out at the next election, and the legislation changes, we absolutely support local people having a democratic say on the future of the amalgamation.”

Despite the setback, Inner West Independent Councillor John Stamolis is leading the conversation on reconversion, which would likely invoke Court hearings.

three Councils that were “fit for the future” to having one mega-council that’s facing serious financial issues unless tough decisions are made.

That is the horrific yet entirely predictable result of the NSW government’s failed merger policy.”

In the NSW Government’s original plan for compulsory amalgamations of local council areas, the Inner West electorate was envisaged to merge six councils: Canada Bay, Strathfield, Burwood, Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville.

Ultimately, the latter three merged, albeit inheriting suburbs from neighbouring counties in the geographic carve-up.

If the three original councils de-merged successfully, would they be able to continue to work together on shared interests?

Cr. Stamolis believes a shared history inspires a shared future.

“Our three councils have strong links with each other and also with several other councils. Joint agreements across councils have been in place for years and have provided cost efficiencies and enhanced service delivery.

“The benefits to our communities from these agreements completely overshadows anything that a merger will deliver. The majority of the benefit from the merger so far has been from Dulwich Hill Village Fair, where inner west communities celebrate diversity and creativity. Photo: Alec Smart tossing the most experienced people out. You State and Federal grants and cost-shifting by State can’t sustain that sort of business model for “We all remember what happened last year and Federal Governments to local government. when Labor used ‘costs’ as a key argument too long. You will need to return to seeking “These costs have been exacerbated by the not to pursue a challenge to the merger,” he productivity growth and doing the real hard ad hoc imposition by the NSW Government of told City Hub. “It was the biggest political yards of business improvement, which is what miscalculation in the history of our Councils. the WestConnex and Sydenham to Bankstown we had been doing over many years before the We ended up forcibly merged, with our strong redevelopment, both of which have required mergers.” and progressive Councils looking weak and significant local spending to analyse, correct Many critics argue the imposition of high-rise submissive. Labor, however, are still reluctant to State Government errors, and provision of development and unpopular road construction commit funds to this process.” infrastructure to support the State Government’s schemes were among the key reasons the NSW Greens councillor Colin Hesse concurs. un-consulted plans.”

Government forced local council amalgamations, “There are costs involved with returning to Independent Councillor Pauline Lockie is also in order to dilute and weaken opposition. With the former local government areas of Ashfeild, disquiet about the financial stability and longevity a devolved Inner West Council, will the three Leichhardt and Marrickville, but we Greens of the new Inner West Council. separate councils power be weakened when believe we should be up front with those costs “I have huge concerns about our ongoing it comes to resisting the NSW Government’s and that residents should vote on the size of running costs if Inner West Council remains unpopular development plans? government they prefer.” merged. For example, we found out last week that Cr. Lockie is confident that the opposite will The amalgamations of metropolitan and rural the cost of the forced merger is expected to run prevail. councils across NSW was proposed in December to around $46 million, of which only $10 million “With more councillors to represent people, 2015 as a measure to cut costs and increase has been incurred so far. and a stronger working knowledge of the day-toefficiency, but Cr. Hesse is anxious that the Inner “The NSW government has only provided a day issues residents face in their local area, I think West Council’s budget won’t meet financial grant of $10 million to cover our merger costs, there’s every chance the demerged Councils will demands. leaving us facing a huge financial black hole. be able to fight controversial developments more “Already, Councillors have been advised that On top of this, the NSW government has frozen effectively. The former Ashfield, Marrickville and the long term financial situation of the new rates and staffing levels for at least the next few Leichhardt Councils were certainly doing a good council is poor, indeed no better at all than when years, leaving us with relatively few options for job of fighting WestConnex, which is no doubt a there were three Councils, due to the key issues increasing our income and reducing our costs. big reason why the former Premier Mike Baird of funding: i.e. insufficient income from rates, “Inner west residents have gone from having forcibly merged them.”

MEET the locals

Australian Homestay Network

BY JADE MORELLINI Australian Homestay Network (AHN) was founded in 2007 to provide international students with a higher quality of living, offering them a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment to begin their time in Australia. Homestay is more than a place to sleep and eat.

It allows students to connect with a local family and exchange their interests, share their languages and learn from each other in a way that’s often lacking in on-campus or share house settings.

The relationships developed between host families and their guests has established a strong foundation for success, with research indicating that international students who live in homestay receive better academic results, have more opportunity to integrate into the community and are more settled than their peers. Hosts, too, can benefit from the unique cultural exchange homestay provides.

“Being part of the global sharing economy allows hosts and their families to experience another culture without leaving home,” said AHN CEO, Julie Manche.

“Many of our hosts form lifelong relationships with their guests and have the opportunity to learn about other cultures, languages, traditions and beliefs.”

AHN, which has placed over 40,000 students in homestay environments since 2008, needs more hosts to accommodate Sydney’s thriving international student population.

“The demand for affordable student accommodation close to Sydney’s major educational hubs is extremely high. AHN guests 10

city hub 2 NOVEMBER 2017

come from all over the world and for some of them it’s their first time away from home. We’re looking for ambassadors to welcome them to Australia,” Ms Manche said.

AHN is setting a global standard for homestay with their proprietary HMS (Homestay Management System) technology, tailored insurance coverage and localised support. The company’s preference-based matching process also ensures hosts and guests know what – and who – to expect before the homestay begins.

“Our goal is to match the right hosts with the right students. If there’s a good connection from the get-go we’ve established the foundation for a positive homestay.”

So who should apply?

“Our hosts are everyday Australians. There’s no cookie cutter “type” of host. Any person or group who is willing to share daily life with an international guest can become part of our network,” Ms Manche said.

Hosts will need to complete an in-home interview, home inspections, training and undergo background checks before they can receive guests. AHN pays host ambassadors what is considered a non-taxable host reimbursement for the household’s contribution to the student’s living requirements. Hosts can also specify what kind of homestay they are able to provide, such as whether the rooms they have available will be private or shared and what kind of meals they are willing to prepare for guests.

As an industry leader, AHN’s services continue to evolve. The

company has been commended by several Government committees and their contribution to the international education sector was acknowledged with a nomination at this year’s PIEoneer Awards.

In 2012 they introduced the Community Placement Project (CPN), working with the Australian Government to place 600 refugees in Australian homes, and has also been named as an accommodation partner for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

FEATURE

Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival 2017

By Jamie Apps Jazz can be a rather niche genre of music in and of itself but when it comes to female artists within the genre that niche becomes even smaller.Thankfully though the Sydney International Jazz Festival and the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) have once again combined their forces to curate a lineup of phenomenal female jazz musicians from around the country and globe.

2017 marks the sixth rendition of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival (SIWJF) as it continues to build it’s reputation and attract even more international talent from a diverse range of musical styles. As co-artistic director Zoe Hauptmann told City Hub, “We don’t necessarily target a specific theme for the festival rather we simply aim for the most exciting and best music that we can find.”

This year Zoe and Peter Rechniewski have certainly met that self imposed brief as the festival welcomes the likes of three time Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington, multiinstrumentalist/dancer Jen Shyu alongside local acts such as rising star Frances Madden.

“Jen Shyu is extremely current, modern and one of the most exciting artists in the jazz scene today so we’re pretty lucky to have her,” said Hauptmann, “Then of course someone like Terri Lyne Carrington is jazz royalty so it’s incredible to get her as well.”

Whilst Zoe, Peter and the entire team behind the festival are incredibly proud to welcome these world renowned international acts to Sydney it’s also very gratifying for them to be able to showcase some of Australia’s most promising talents.

One such talent that will be on display during

Jen Shyu.

Photo: Supplied

by SIWJF

the festival is Frances Madden, who has been tipped by many jazz aficionados as one of our countries best rising talents. Frances was recently awarded The Fine Music 102.5 Kruger Scholarship, a $15,000 scholarship which assists young, outstanding individuals further their career in their chosen field of music.

“It was an amazing privilege to win that award because it’s already a struggle for an independent artist to make it day to day, let alone when you’re constantly investing in yourself and music projects.” said Madden.

For Madden, and many other artists in her position, receiving support and encouragement from organisations such as Fine Music Radio, SIMA and the SIWJF is invaluable.

“Organisations like that really help to build your profile, meet new contacts within the industry and gain exposure to a new audience,” explained Madden,“It’s a privilege to be among these international names who are standards in the

TELSTRA IS PLANNING TO REMOVE A PAYPHONE It is proposed that one coin and card payphone be removed from: Outside 39 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000 (Payphone ID: 02923316X2)

on offer at the SIWJF more women and young girls will be inspired to take up instruments and perform in the genre. In order to help do this SIMA have ensured that prices for the shows have all been kept within a reasonable range.

“Obviously we’ve got to cover the costs of the musicians but we’re a not-for-profit, we just want it to be accessible for anyone to come and see the world class music we’re presenting,” said Hauptmann, “Nothing beats going out to see live music so we hope that people trust in our program enough that they understand that the stuff they might not have heard of will be really good and worth taking a chance on.”

Terri Lyne Carrington Photo: Supplied

by SIWJF

industry and people who are so great at their craft.”

When it comes to women in jazz SIMA in particular have had a long standing dedication to increasing the number of women performing in and around Sydney.They have done this through their Young Women’s Jazz Orchestra as well as a number of Young Women’s Jazz Workshops.

As Frances explained, “I’ve always felt like women are a minority in the jazz genre, especially locally here in Sydney. I think that’s slowly changing though thanks to SIMA’s programs as I’ve noticed more women coming through learning instruments because they now have this safe space to practice and perform.”

Having a safe space to develop young female artists is particularly important according to Madden, who from past experience says, “it can be hard to compete with the male energy and the general competitiveness that comes with jazz and virtuosic playing.”

The hope is that by showcasing the amazing talent

Office tO Let

Frances Madden Top Picks  Terri Lyne Carrington  Nadje Noordhuis - “I think her recordings are beautiful so I definitely want to catch her show.”

Zoe Hauptmann Top Picks  Jen Shyu - “I’ve seen her once before live and I still think about that show. Her show really is a full experience, it’s almost a theatre experience because she incorporates a lot of movement and dance.”  Terri Lyne Carrington - “This is only the second time she’s been out to Australia and she’s just a world class musician so you shouldn’t miss that.”  Frances Madden - “Her show has actually proven incredibly popular, so much so we may need to add a second show for her.”

Nov 8-18.Various Venues. $5-$66.

Tickets & Info: www.siwjf.org

TELSTRA IS PLANNING TO REMOVE A PAYPHONE It is proposed that one coin and card payphone be removed from: Outside 48 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000 (Payphone ID: 02923247X2)

The next nearest coin and card payphone is located: Outside 39 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 (approximately 60 metres away from the proposed location) (Payphone ID: 02922336X2)

The next nearest coin and card payphone is located: Outside 39 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 (approximately 80 metres away from the proposed location) (Payphone ID: 02922336X2)

This proposal is prompted by the construction of the new Sydney Metro Project.

This proposal is prompted by the construction of the new Sydney Metro Project.

Reference Number 39229

Reference Number 39313

Telstra intends making a final decision on this proposal by:

Telstra intends making a final decision on this proposal by:

19th December 2017

19th December 2017

To assist us in making a final decision, we invite your comments on this proposal.

Please send us your comments in writing to:

To assist us in making a final decision, we invite your comments on this proposal.

Please send us your comments in writing to:

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

Share office Space in good building in ultimo.

Bright window office, approximately 4mx4m, some furniture available.

Internet and copy facilities negotiable.

Security building, share facilities.

admin@altmedia.net.au

Telstra Payphone Siting Manager Locked Bag 4850 Melbourne Vic 3001 or by calling us on 1800 011 433 selection Option 2 or by email to Payphone.Solutions@team.telstra.com For more information on payphone services (including, any applicable payphone consultation document) see: www.telstra.com.au/payphoneservices/index.htm city hub 2 NOVEMBER 2017

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Madeleine Jones & Maggie McKenna.

Photo: Nic Walker

Muriel’s Wedding The Musical

The wharf is alive with Muriel fever as STC puts the finishing touches on its finale for 2017, Muriel’s Wedding – and it’s a musical.

Taking a treasured part of our Australian film psyche and transferring it to the stage could be a daunting prospect but it’s happening, courtesy of a stellar cast, a raft of new songs by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, as well as having original writer and director of the film, PJ Hogan at the centre. Madeleine Jones, who plays Muriel’s best friend Rhonda, singles out Hogan as being crucial.“To have him transfer these characters onto the stage and have him in the room for us has been pretty amazing - I don’t think anyone else could have done it justice.”

Constructing a new show from something as well-known and treasured as Muriel’s Wedding, requires care, because as Jones points out, it’s a modern-day classic. “People who know and love the film will enjoy particular lines or moments but there is enough that’s new.”

It’s such a very Australian story. The small coastal town of Porpoise Spit, totally obsessed with itself. Muriel, bullied and put down her whole life, coming to terms with who she is. The feeling of not being good enough is totally relatable but at the heart of her transformation is Rhonda. “She is so fun to play,” says Jones, “There is this whole group of dysfunctional characters and Rhonda sits apart because she is one of the only people from the get-go who knows who she is – it’s pretty joyful to play someone like that.”

And the thought of taking on a character made famous by the incredible Rachel Griffiths? “I try not to think about it,” says Jones, “You kind of just have to do it.” (GW) Nov 6-Jan 27. Sydney Theatre Company, Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. $79-$145+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au or Ph: (02) 9250 1777

Ronny Chieng – Live Returning to Australia in November is comedian Ronny Chieng, star of Ronny Chieng: International Student, which aired on the ABC in 2016. The talented Malaysian born Chinese comedian had graduated in law before his comedy career took off, being named in the Top 10 rising comedians in Australia by multiple newspapers.

Based in New York these days for his role in The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the 2014 Sydney Comedy Festival, Best of the Fest winner will be touching down in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

“It’s always good to be back in Australia, that’s where I started comedy, my wife and friends are there, it feels like a homecoming every time I come back.” Ronny said.

Ronny has recently been busy filming a role for Warner Bro’s, Crazy Rich Asians.When asked about

REVIEW: She Rode Horses Like The Stock Exchange Henry and Amy set up a picnic blanket in a suburban park in New England, Connecticut. She’s an investment banker, he, a nurse. Their Sunday afternoon banter is highly amusing but at the same time reveals much about the current times, how the GFC has impacted on middle America.

Their soiree is disturbed when they are recognised by Max and Sara, who mosey over and join them. Max is a work mate of Amy’s, in fact he owns the bank where she works.The two couples try very hard to be nice to each other Following a successful season in Melbourne with sold out shows and raving reviews, Merciless Gods is coming to Sydney for its first ever performance.

Merciless Gods is the first stage adaptation of the multi award-winning Christos Tsiolkas’ short story collection, which he published in 2014.

This production showcases a series of eight vignettes with each representing one story. They are all connected thematically, dealing with migrants, sexuality and queerness. Director of Merciless Gods, Steven Nicolazzo explained, “My vision for the work was creating a space that was sacred and that had a deeply theatrical aesthetic.

The main thrust was how to tell eight very different stories and present a work with 25 different characters with only a cast of six, while interweaving that successfully on stage.”

Inspiring Nicolazzo’s work was filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and the way he “wonderfully juxtaposes theatrical language and cinema.

Because we are doing a work in eight small

a&e

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the experience working on a big film Ronny responded with,“based on this one experience it’s a lot of fun and the scale is bigger obviously.This particular film was very interesting.”

He continued, “It’s about Singapore and was filmed there and in Malaysia, it was right up my alley. It’s a story that means a lot to me. It’s culturally significant, it’s an all Asian cast. The film was very exciting to be a part of, the cast became like a family and I got to act with some very serious actors in terms of ability.”

As for any hints on what to expect from the show, “I haven’t done a show in Australia for about two years, so I think I’ve got better at it. Hopefully that’s what they can expect. I’ve matured creatively and personal experience wise.” (RH) Nov 5, 6pm & 8:30pm. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $49.90+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.enmoretheatre.com.au

12 STAGE 13 Sounds 14 SCENE 15 SCREEN

but insecurities and personal issues become apparent while scathing insults simmer just below the surface.

This dialogue driven comedy explores the themes of masculinity, gender expectations, possession and loneliness, money and ego. She Rode Horses Like the Stock Exchange is a skilfully written play that sustains and builds on humour and has fully multilayered character development.

Amelia Roper, the gay Australian playwright, now lives in Los Angeles and was named America’s Most Promising Theatre Artist at the 2014 National Theatre Conference.

The cast are award winning and

Merciless Gods

Photo: Sarah Walker

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

multi-talented; Nikki Britton (Sara) also works as a stand-up comedian, and Tom Anson Mesker (Henry) and Matilda Ridgway (Amy) are both writers.

The play works so well and is so entertaining because it’s about nothing really, it’s just an encounter between two couples that encompasses big ideas, a type of crisis meeting of masculinity alongside feminism. (MS) Until Nov 11. Kings Cross Theatre, Level 2, Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross. $20-$37.

Tickets & Info: www.kingsxtheatre.com

segments, some of which are monologues and some which are ensemble, I have to think really hard about the visual language and I guess from me that all came from cinema.”

Taking over three years to develop, this “passion project” is one which was “completely driven by love from everyone involved and everyone has an equal stake in how much time, sweat, blood and tears have gone in to it.”

Nicolazzo hopes that audiences can connect with the performance on an emotional level.

Audiences will experience a series of voices that are not heard or shown on the Australian stage.

“It’s an incredibly moving work, but it’s also incredibly funny. It has a really dark sense of humour and you’re going to meet characters that are completely unique, completely absurd and twisted, but also loveable at the same time,” Nicolazzo concluded. (JM) Nov 4-25. SBW Stables Theatre.

10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross, NSW. $30-$38.

Tickets & Info: www.griffintheatre.com.au

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

REVIEW: As You Like It

A 12 women strong acting troupe, in a wonderful female acting space, the Muse Clinic is off Darlinghurst’s Oxford Street, and the décor has delightful quirky little feminine touches. This 40 odd seating space consists of two long rows of folding chairs affronting a very long narrow flat stage area.

Architecture aside, the SheShakespeare production of As You Like It features young, enthusiastic, talented women, beautiful and fresh faced, playing

20 roles between them, and jovial older actor Emma Louise (Adam/Audrey). The actors readily take on masculine roles with hilarious, tongue in cheek, charming machismo.

This feminine perspective interpretation of As You Like It has a strong musical element, opening with an all cast singing and dancing routine, acoustic guitar accompaniment and the beautiful, pure voice of Conservatorium trained Prudence Holloway (Charles/

Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE Sydney

By Jamie Apps

Selby & Friends: Presents a special program of three classical piano quartets in its final concert tour of the 2017 season. Pianist and Artistic Director Kathryn Selby AM is joined

by Trio Ex Patria, the brilliant string trio of SSO Principals Concertmaster Andrew Haveron, Co-Principal Violist Tobias Breider and Co-Principal Cellist Umberto Clerici.

Thu, Nov 2, City Recital Hall Fanny Lumsden: Five years on from the release of her debut EP, Fanny Lumsden is hitting new highs with her second album, Real Class Act debuting at number one on the ARIA Country charts.

Fri, Nov 3, Giant Dwarf Mama Kin Spender: The lightning bolt that is Mama Kin Spender tore apart Brisbane’s BIGSOUND, receiving rave reviews and wowing audiences with a 16-piece choir, providing a taste

Mama Kin Spender.

Photo: WILK

of this magical musical collaboration.

With blissful harmonies and joyful refrains, backed by the full force of a choir, Mama Kin Spender is a sonic power to behold.

Fri, Nov 3, Leadbelly Confidence Man: It’s proving to be a whirlwind year for Confidence Man following one of the most hyped sets at Splendour in the Grass, a mammoth performance at Glastonbury and being

one of the most talked about bands at The Great Escape.

Fri, Nov 3, Oxford Art Factory Food Court: Kicking off their tour for the long awaited debut LP, Good Luck Sydney’s garage punk outfit Food Court will take to the stage at home this weekend.This year has already been huge for the group with performances at SxSW, so now with a fresh slate of 11 melody driven garage punk tunes this show is one not to miss.

Sat, Nov 4, Brighton Up Bar The Black Seeds: While firmly based in the island grooves that inspired the birth of the band nearly two decades ago,The Black Seeds’ sound casts a wide net, layering funk, soul,Afrobeat, and other eclectic elements over their dub/reggae foundations.

Sat, Nov 4, Manning Bar Jason Owen: Golden Guitar and CMC Award nominee, Jason Owen sings John Denver, the 20th Anniversary album and tour. Hear all of Denver’s classics and Jason’s hit’s in a two hour show which has received rave reviews, even from Denver’s own family members.

Sun, Nov 5, Sydney Opera House Music Under Blacket: This short concert will feature selected sacred music played to mark national occasions - from Handel’s Zadok, the Priest through to music performed to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit on Easter Day in 2014.

Sun, Nov 5, St Andrew’s Cathedral Mike Masse: Is an internationally acclaimed acoustic classic rock cover artist, with a widely viewed YouTube channel (over 58 million channel views).

Wed, Nov 8, Factory Theatre

Amiens). Holloway, a regular in the Sydney music scene with her acoustic music duo, MU, leads audience singalong and hand clapping throughout the show, and cleverly instructs us to turn off our mobiles at the start and at interval to go get a drink, all in song, like a troubadour of the time.

The plot is easy to follow for fans of The Bard and those with the ability to decipher 16th Century Shakespearean English prose but there are contemporary touches, like an Aldi shopping bag and a scene where characters smoke a spliff in the forest.

Best of all would be the amount of eye contact between actors and audience during this intimate show, where the divide is broken down and a sisterly camaraderie inclusiveness fostered. This debut production is a must see. (MS) Until Nov 4. MUSE Clinic, 155 Little Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $20-$38.

Tickets & Info: www.sheshakespeare.com

By Jamie Apps Prior to the 2017 edition of the UNIFY Gathering the organisers received quiet a bit of backlash for the male domination of the lineup. For the 2018 edition though they have made a concerted effort to better balance the gender divide whilst still highlighting phenomenal acts, one such act is Melbourne’s The Beautiful Monument.

The Beautiful Monument are an all female trio who are certainly leading the charge for women in the metal and punk genres.

Although this is a unique point of difference which they could easily capitalise on front woman Lizi Blanco explained to City Hub this isn’t something they want to do.

“It’s cool that we get recognised for being females but we don’t flaunt it all. For example with the whole UNIFY ‘sausage fest’ shit that was going on, we weren’t

Belle Miners Powerful Owl

review: Madama Butterfly While the Sydney Opera House undergoes a costly and controversial makeover, Opera Australia has returned to Haymarket to perform its popular production of Madama Butterfly.

Before the Sydney Opera House opened at Bennelong Point 44 years ago, operas were staged at a long since demolished theatre in Quay Street just a few blocks from the Capitol Theatre. Whether or not the state government is able to fix the acoustic issues at the Sydney Opera House by spending $200 million further corrupting Utzon’s original design is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, Sydneysiders have the opportunity to experience Opera Australia in a completely different setting. The seating capacity of the Capitol Theatre is actually one third larger than the company’s home at the Joan Sutherland Theatre in the Sydney Opera House. And yet somehow the production feels more intimate. In order to fit into Utzon’s shell, the Opera House theatre is narrower and steeper while the Capitol Theatre is wider, meaning that the stage is bigger and the seats feel closer to the set. Quite possibly the improved acoustics at the Capitol also bring the audience closer to the soaring sound.

Haymarket may be a new setting but the current production has been trotted out by Opera Australia 150 times over the last 20

Karah Son. Photo: Prudence Upton

years. This season will be its last. If you’ve never seen Moffat Oxenbould’s much loved production of the Puccini classic, you should make the effort. The traditional Japanese room with sliding wooden shoji doors surrounded by a pond; the gorgeous period costumes with kimonos and Shinto robes are stunning. South Korean soprano Karah Son is mesmerising as Butterfly. The Mexican born tenor Diego Torre owns the role of the dastardly B.F. Pinkerton.

Together they perform the Love Duet at the end of Act One superbly. Karah Son’s rendition of Butterfly’s tragic final aria Un Bel Di is devastatingly beautiful.

Set on a different stage this classic production of an old gem sparkles anew. (LG) Until Nov 4. Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket. $65-$189+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.opera.org.au

The Beautiful Monument

picked because we’re all girls, we were picked because people genuinely like our music.”

This claim can be backed up by the outstanding response the band received earlier this year following the release of their debut full length album, I’m The Sin.

Forming in 2015 after an impromptu camping trip the Belle Miners are a trio consisting of Canadian musicians Felicia Harding and Marina Avros alongside Australian-based Jaime Jackett. During that particular camping trip the trio were inspired by the sultry sounds of Bell Miner birds filling the air, and thus it’s no surprise their sound is just as captivating.

On their debut album, Powerful Owl the trio offer up ten tracks filled with bright shimmery folk-country pop, beautiful harmonies and touching lyrical storytelling. The harmonies here are the true standout feature sonically, it’s clear this trio have a deep understanding and love for each other both personally and professionally.

Standout tracks here include, 25 Years, Fall In Love With Me, Who I Was and finally Night Flight. (JA) WWW1/2

“I don’t think we would have gotten as far as we have without the album,” said Blanco,“The album has really engaged a lot of people which is awesome because I feel it shows just how far we’ve come since our EP and we’ve definitely landed some gigs from it.”

One such gig that The Beautiful Monument landed since the release of the record is their upcoming gig in Sydney supporting Tonight Alive.

This tour will be the bands return to the stage after almost a year away refocussing their goals and direction.

“We were playing a lot of shows and realised we needed to slow down a bit or risk overplaying our market,” explained Blanco,“We wanted to refocus on writing new music and also prepare ourselves for these types of bigger shows.”

Obviously having taken that time away The Beautiful Monument are incredibly excited to hit the stage in Sydney. “We’re extremely excited, there’s going to be a lot of energy, happiness and it’s going to be a really rad time.”

Nov 2. Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $49.95+.b.f.Tickets & Info: www.oxfordartfactory.com

MONO

In celebration of ten years since their debut visit to Australia Japanese instrumental rock outfit MONO are coming to Sydney thanks to Bird’s Robe. This visit follows their 2016 album Requiem for Hell and will feature the band playing music that spans their entire catalogue across a close to two hour show.

MONO was originally formed in 1999 - their unique approach of blending orchestral arrangements and shoegaze guitar noise in their music has been held in extremely high regard and made them one of the most internationally successful bands in Japan.

Having cemented their place amongst their post-rock and shoegaze contemporaries such as Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, My Bloody Valentine and Mogwai, MONO are nonetheless peerless in terms of their incendiary live performances. Returning once again to our city this show is set to be a special celebration of MONO’s affinity with the country and one of their greatest shows to date. (JA) Nov 9. Manning Bar, Manning Rd, Camperdown. $55+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.manningbar.com city hub 2 NOVEMBER 2017

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THE NAKED CITY

JAYWALKING IN THE JUNGLE!

Rae Begley - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out Rae Begley, The End, 2017

With Coffin Ed Hands up if you have ever been guilty of ‘jaywalking’ in the Sydney CBD, venting your frustration at slow changing pedestrian lights by sneaking across on the flashing red.

Most of us would probably plead guilty, even though we would hardly regard it as a crime. Nevertheless thousands have been fined in recent years, slugged with a $75 on the spot ticket during a series of concerted police crackdowns.

Last week I witnessed just such a sting at the corner of Quay and George Streets in the Haymarket. The pedestrian crossing is a particularly dangerous one as the traffic swoops from the other side of Railway Square. Despite the three or four officers there making no great attempt to hide their presence, many pedestrians were falling into the trap – especially when their focus was more directed to a smart phone than any surveillance lurking nearby.

Most of those falling foul of the law were young folk and the majority looked like students for whom a $75 fine would be a real kick in the guts. The police would argue they have public safety at heart but perhaps a warning would be more appropriate for the younger offenders.

Meanwhile in the rest of the city hundreds if not thousands of pedestrians were wilfully jumping the lights, stepping off on the flashing red or crossing within 20 metres of a set of pedestrian lights – all no-nos when it comes to NSW law.

Part of the problem, as most pedestrians will know, is not only the sometimes interminable wait for the lights to change but the often short period of time whilst they remain on green. In peak hour traffic this is often compounded by vehicles queuing across the intersection, often completely blocking the pedestrian crossing. Government buses are the worst offenders and often force pedestrians to walk around the crossing, simply to cross the road.

It seems there is little the police can or will do about this situation even though the law states: “You must share the road with pedestrians. Special markings on the road show where pedestrians have special rights.You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road into which you are turning.You must also give way to pedestrians – even if there is no marked pedestrian crossing – if there is any danger of colliding with them.”

The last ruling is perhaps the most contentious one with many motorists treating pedestrians who cross on the red or outside of a crossing with utter contempt - failing to show caution and slow and often blasting the horn as they maintain speed – “Get the hell out of the way!”

Yes, it’s a jungle out there if you are a humble pedestrian in Sydney, a city not renowned for its accessibility for those who prefer to travel on foot. If you walk regularly throughout the city you soon realise that as a footslogger you are very much a second class citizen, with the almighty motor vehicle reigning supreme.

Whilst I would never advocate jaywalking here’s a personal anecdote that I throw up for discussion. Some years ago I had just stepped onto a pedestrian crossing in Newtown, religiously observing the green light sign, when I was struck by a mini bus (ironically full of disabled people) that went through the red. I ended up in hospital with a broken shoulder and many months of recovery. Had I disregarded the ‘safety first’ crossing and chose to take my chances by jaywalking I may well have reached the other side of the road totally unscathed!

As glaciers in the sacred Himalayan Mountains of Nepal melt at a rapid pace due to climate change, photographer Ray Begley showcases in her latest exhibition the vast beauty that is under threat.

The exhibition titled And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out was inspired by a poem from jazz musician SunRa and pays homage to the album by indie rock band Yo Le Tango. The exhibition combines photographs, videos, sound and installation works of these incredible glaciers in the Khumbo region of Nepal.

The spiritual message behind the photographs reveal the impact humans are having on nature and the local’s deep connection with the land (they believe in mountain gods who will release fury onto those who disrespect the land and the mountains).

City Hub spoke to Ray

Begley about why it was important for her to work in more than one medium for this exhibition.

“The sound element in particular is quite a major part of the work, as soon as I came back from the trip and was in the process of editing I just saw sounds straight away to go alongside the work, I felt it was a really good way to communicate the mountain culture and bring the people back in some way to the landscape works.”

COMMUNE will be hosting the exhibition with a percentage of sales from the photographs going to The Ice Scupa Project to help them combat climate change and melting glaciers. Don’t miss out on this fascinating artistic undertaking! (DJ) Nov 2-5. COMMUNE, 901 Bourke St, Waterloo.

Info: www.thecommune.co

Tania Lacy - Tracy Lacy For Classy Captain Tania Lacy’s bio reads like most people’s bucket list. Dancer, choreographer, television host, comedienne, screenwriter and actor but in her latest book, Tracy Lacy For Classy Captain, she has found a sweet spot. It’s the second of her quirky graphic novels pitched somewhere between Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. Written with tween girls in mind, her books have gained a much wider following.

“I’ve had adults read them and enjoy them. I’ve had older kids read them and say they’ve done it in one sitting 14

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– they just kept turning the pages.”

Navigating her way through ‘tweendom’ and having reached high school, Tracy’s life is fantastic – then disaster strikes – but hilarity is around every corner. There is a suspicion that Tracy Lacy bears more than a passing resemblance to the real Tania Lacy.

“She is a lot the same,” says Lacy, “It’s my experience of being an outspoken person in high school and having labels thrown at me. Tracy is just a really modern likeable girl.”

Pressed on whether there is a deeper message for young teenage

girls, Lacy’s advice is simple – “Don’t be afraid to get into trouble. I think that so often women in general are afraid to step forward and say things because we will be told off or told ‘your opinion isn’t needed here’. It’s very easy to get into trouble as a woman - you don’t have to try very hard - so just step out and be that trouble. I mean that in a very positive way”.

Currently based in Berlin, Lacy returns to Australia in November.

Watch out for her to pop-up in the most unexpected of places. (GW)

Suburbicon

Szubanski and Michael Caton portray an assortment of likeable but stereotyped characters which always seem to appear in Aussie films of this genre.

Underneath the comedy, lie many significant and relatable themes including alcoholism, betrayal, status of the indigenous population and refugees, and notably the acceptance and respect for all cultures.

The ‘all just too good to be true’ finale may seem contrived, but audiences who are passionate about happy endings should feel that all the character’s storylines were satisfactorily resolved. (MMo)

10 years after the death of John Kramer (aka Jigsaw) bodies reaping the trademark signs of the serial killer with a penchant for gruesome, tortuous rehabilitation traps/games begin surfacing again.

The eighth instalment in the Saw franchise thus follows the tried and true ‘who done it’ formula with the trademark convoluted story and twists that have become synonymous with the series.

Saw (2004) was so brilliant because it had an intensity and grime which made the viewer empathise with the trap victims. Sadly though Jigsaw is overly formulaic to reach any great heights, in fact by the end you may feel like an unwitting participant in one of Jigsaws tortuous games. (JA)

WWWW

W

Suburbicon is an American comedic crime-drama from the Coen brothers and is directed

by George Clooney. The film screened at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals before its theatrical release.

The film is set in the 50s in a seemingly peaceful suburban neighbourhood. It starts with the Lodge family and the murder of Mrs Lodge (Julianne Moore). As the story unravels Mr Lodge (Matt Damon) attempts to pull his life back together with the help of Mrs Lodge’s twin sister Margaret (also Julianne Moore) while son Nicky, starts to notice things may not be all that they seem. Amongst all of this an African American family

We Want You! The CiTy hub iS looking for a number of dynamiC volunTeerS To regularly ConTribuTe To our webSiTe and Sydney newSpaper.

These roles will involve professionally covering various topics on both the news side and also the arts/entertainment side.

As part of our arts/entertainment team the City Hub will open the door for you to cover Sydney’s thriving theatre, music, art and film scenes. You will have the opportunity to conduct interviews and occasionally attend performances as a City Hub representative.

This role is a practical internship/contributors position (no coffeeruns for you!) and one in which a number of our current editors have undertaken before rising through the ranks.

This role iS for you: 4

If you relish the opportunity to work in a real news environment

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If you are passionate about Sydney having an independent local voice

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If you want on-the-job experience and training for your portfolio

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If you love talking to interesting people and telling their story succinctly

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If you are organised and can hit deadlines

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WRITERS AND OPINION MAKERS WANTED AltMedia is looking for writers.

Opportunities in print and online are available to opinion makers and up and coming journalists.

Send a CV, writing samples and a covering letter to: news@altmedia.net.au

This role iS noT for you: 6 6

If you don’t like conducting interviews

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If you only want to go to film premieres

If you don’t like constructive feedback to improve your writing

details: ▶

minimum commitment: one article a week (150-300 words)

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all work is from home, role does require some 10min, over-the-phone interviews.

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perks include: free tickets and material

All applications must include a short cover letter detailing current or previous schooling/experience and two examples of short-form pieces.

Sent to: arts@altmedia.net.au

has moved into the town much to the dislike of the white occupants.

While the town is distracted by running the unwanted family out of town they are unaware of the commotion taking place next door.

To describe Suburbicon in one word would be – boring. While the film had a successful cast and crew, they missed the mark on this one. The dialogue was bland, the score was annoying at times and there was no thrill to the story. You can tell exactly what is going to happen before it does. They nailed the visuals and there were trickles of comedy throughout but immensely failed to satisfy. (RH)

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Australian produced comedies have always had difficulty making audiences laugh, but what starts off as a somewhat cheesy comedy with few laughs slowly builds into an engaging and feel-good film.

Written and directed by Ben Elton, the story is set at a Western Australian summer music festival affectionately known as ‘The Westival’ over three consecutive summers.

An array of characters are introduced and audiences journey through the transitions in their friendships, attitudes and notably the romantic status of the young leads played by Robert Sheehan and Rebecca Breeds.

Well known Australian actors including John Waters, Deborah Mailman, Magda

Jigsaw

Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle

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HOYTS.COM.AU *$15 tickets all day Monday to Wednesday and before 2pm Thursday to Sunday, excluding Midnight screenings, Special Events, Public Holidays and HOYTS LUX. Online, 3D and Xtremescreen surcharges apply. ^$19 tickets after 2pm Thursday to Sunday, Midnight Screenings and Public Holidays excluding Special Events and HOYTS LUX. Online, 3D and Xtremescreen surcharges apply.

Pricing is correct at time of publishing and is subject to change. For correct pricing information, please visit hoyts.com.au.

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city hub 2 NOVEMBER 2017