City Hub November 27 2014

FROM BONDI TO BALMAIN...

CITY NEWS SINCE 1995 N OV E M B E R 2 7, 2 0 1 4 CITYHUB.NET.AU

FREE

HIGH SEASON Sydney goes into party mode

One of many revellers at this year’s Return to Rio Dance Party

Page 11

International summit overshadowed by Treasurer’s ‘mistake’

BY ELLIOTT BRENNAN The Bays Precinct international summit was held last Wednesday and Thursday (November 20-21) and saw hundreds of international experts converge on The Australian Technology Park to help decide the future of the precinct.

But the event has been overshadowed by a remark made by the Treasurer of NSW, Andrew Constance.

“The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal is expected to create approximately 16,000 dwellings for the state,” Mr Constance said at a finance and investment summit the day before the international summit.

The Premier, Mike Baird, and Minister for Planning, Pru Goward, were quick to distance the Government from the statement, labelling it “a mistake”.

In the four months leading up to the international summit it had been promised that the experts would be asked to give their opinions on “a complete and utter blank canvas”.

Pru oward addressed the figure directly in her opening address for the summit.

“We are a city where almost everyone aspires to live close to our sparkling harbour, although I must say we’ve never set 16,000 people as a target,” Ms Goward said.

But the Government backing down from the comments hasn’t been enough to ease long standing concerns that the Bays Precinct was just a development fund raiser.

The Labor candidate for Balmain, Verity Firth, called the summit a “White Bay whitewash” and an example of the Government putting community needs second.

“This ridiculous housing target shows utter contempt for the local community and a gross breach of promise from this Government about starting with a ‘clean slate’ at the Bays Precinct,” she said.

In another development that Urban Growth is overseeing, Lachlan Line in Macquarie Park, 860 units have been confirmed for the . hectare bloc .

If one third of the Bays Precinct were reserved for development and the same ratio applied that was in acquarie Par , a figure of , dwelling is reached.

Leichhardt Labor councillor and exMayor, Darcy Byrne, said it was clear that the comments weren’t a mistake.

“Mr Constance’s comments reveal that rather than learning from visionary examples of urban regeneration around the world, the Government has already decided to use this unique harbour foreshore for residential development of a monstrous scale,” he said.

“This is not a redevelopment, it’s a new municipality.”

Leichhardt’s borders cover around 80% of the Bays Precinct and if they were to have their share of new dwellings according to Andrew onstance s figures it would significantly change the face of the municipality.

Unit stocks in Leichhardt would triple and the council would have the highest density of dwellings per square kilometer in NSW. Leichhardt currently sits at fourth, behind North Sydney, Waverly, and the City of Sydney.

The population in Leichhardt would increase by 2,000 people per sqaure kilometre which is a figure higher than the total population density of out of councils in NSW. Verity Firth said the number would put Leichhardt out of step with its neighbours. “ o put this figure in perspective, neighbouring Glebe has 7,200 dwellings.

Leichhardt and Annandale combined have 11,200 dwellings,” she said.

The Executive Director of the Sydney

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 the Alternative Media Group of Australia. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, City Hub takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.

ABN 48 135 222 169 Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Group Manager: Chris Peken Group Editor: Elliott Brennan Contributors: Joe Bourke, Sophie Trigger, Tang Li, Jessica Yun, Christopher Harris, Erika Vass Arts Editor: Emma Salkild Live Music Editors: Chelsea Deeley & Alexandra English Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan Advertising Managers: Toni Martelli, Robert Tuitama & Mike Contos Cover: Claire Newton Email: question@alternativemediagroup.com Advertising: sales@alternativemediagroup.com Contact: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Web: altmedia.net.au

If you have a story you’d like to tell us: cityhub@alternativemediagroup.com

altmediagroup

AltMediaSydney

A picture showing the Bays Precinct. Source: sydneycyclist.com

Business Chamber, Patricia Forsythe, said that no matter what the figure, transport would be key to the success of the Bays Precinct.

“The reality is that if the precinct is developed to its potential, ferries and additional buses will not be sufficient to meet demand,” she said.

“It would be a disaster if the mistakes of Sydney’s past were repeated because public transport was treated as an after-thought.”

“Superb urban design will require superb transport connections and this should be part of planning from the start.”

Transport was also a key concern for community groups and the Mayor of Leichhardt Rochelle Porteous, who were

not given a place on any of the panels at the summit.

They were forced to use questions from the oor to get their points across leading r Porteous to label the summit a “sham”.

David Springett, an Annandale precinct committee member and architect called upon the Government to release the Metro Strategy Plan and information about WestConnex and its connection to the City West link, Anzac Bridge and the Bays Precinct.

The consensus among the planning experts was that the Bays Precinct project needs to ta e time and be e ible to change along the way.

While the State Government has

promised more community consultation before any decisions are made, there are concerns that scheduling a timeframe before going in to the summit was putting the cart before the horse.

Jane Marceau of the White Bay Steering committee commented on this in her summary of the summit.

“Urban Growth will have its draft Strategic Plan ready for the new or returned government in April, a mere four months away, then will hold a Sydneysiders Summit in ay and have the final plan ready for government in July-August,” she said.

“This seems to me to be rushing things in ways that were definitely not recommended in the summit.”

Revealed documents lead to further calls for transparency at Barangaroo

BY JOE BOURKE Previously secret documents revealing provisions associated with the approval of James Packer’s license to operate the $1.2 billion casino resort at Barangaroo from 2019 have been made public, leading to fears of organised crime, corruption and money laundering in Sydney. he provisions deal specifically with r Pac er s business partner Lawrence Ho’s father, Stanley Ho, who has been accused of having close ties with Triad crime gangs.

The requirements say that Crown will “ensure that it prevents any new business activities of a material nature between Stanley Huang Sun Ho or a Stanley Ho associate and Crown, any of Crown’s officers, directors or employees or any rown subsidiary.”

Mr Ho, nicknamed the “King of Gambling”, held a monopoly on the Macau gambling industry for 40 years, but authorities in many countries believe him to be an organised crime figure with links to corruption and the Chinese Triads.

Greens MP John Kaye is responsible for the publication of the documents, and said that the O’Farrell and Baird government’s attempts to keep the documents secret were potentially bad for the state.

“It’s more than a bit secretive. It’s hiding a really profound issue. An issue that goes right through the heart of the integrity and safety of NSW. We were never told that there were concerns that the casino could be a gateway for organised crime, money laundering, prostitution, drugs, and racketeering from Asia to be washed into the legal economy.” Mr Kaye said.

Earlier in the year, the NSW gambling regulator called the Casino’s approval “one of the fastest

Barangaroo source: barangaroo.com

assessments of a casino applicant in history”.

Mr Kaye said that this process was “dodgied up” and not subject to proper public debate.

“Casinos have been associated with organised crime. Jurisdictions around the world are working overtime to stop the further penetration of organised crime, yet the Baird and O’Farrell government were very enthusiastic about another casino. In fact they dodgied up the whole process, even creating a separate, unsolicited proposal process simply to get this casino through without having an honest discussion about the potential impacts it would have on community safety,” Mr Kaye said.

The Independent Senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon has also called for a better explanation on the topic.

In a media release from the 13th of November, he said “I’m calling on NSW Liquor and Gaming Authority to explain – on the record – why Stanley Ho or any of his associates are banned from being part of the Sydney casino deal.

“James Packer’s Crown group of Casinos is spreading around Australia like a rash. The Australian people deserve to know what kind of figures ames Pac er is associating with in his casino businesses,” he said.

Mr Kaye said that the handling of this issue has left a cloud of concern over the Barangaroo project and emphasised the need for more transparent action in the future.

“The Government clearly has tried to hide at least two documents from us so far. How many more have they successfully hidden? What other deals have been cut with James Packer and Crown Casino that may or may not prejudice the future of New South Wales but were deemed necessary by the Baird and O’Farrell government to get this casino up and running?”

“It is time for a new generation of openness and honesty from both the casino regulator and the Coalition Government of New South Wales,” Mr Kaye said.”

3

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS A Family and Community Services (FACS) spokesperson, speaking for Minister Gabrielle Upton, has refused to rule out the sell-off of inner city social housing properties, specifically lebe and Woolloomooloo.

The statement from the department comes after the Government released a Social Housing discussion paper last week, with the aim of improving the sector.

“Successful portfolio management requires a number of strategies - acquisitions, construction, redevelopment and sales. All proceeds from sales of public housing will be reinvested into the social housing system.

This will allow more people to be assisted in the future,” a spo esperson said.

The sale of Miller’s Point has proved to be a lucrative coup, with property prices reaching high above initial e pectations.

Questions are also being asked as to the ability of department of ousing NSW to address its waiting list of 55,000 people after spending for new dwellings every year has been halved to $120 million in the 2014 budget.

A spo esperson for ousing NSW said “the Discussion Paper proposes that the overall objective of the new system is to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable people, within the constraint of government funding.”

“It is important that people, tenants, community members and organisations are given an opportunity to contribute innovative ideas on how the system can be improved so that it provides people with more opportunity and pathways to independence and the system can be made

more fair and sustainable.”

Greens MP Jamie Parker has spoken out against the plan, questioning whether the system could be saved with that amount of funding.

“The Government’s obnoxious and erroneous view that more public housing tenants should be fending for themselves shows how out of touch they really are,” he said.

His personal experience in his own electorate has brought the issue of social housing to the forefront of his agenda.

“I endeavoured to assist a couple who lost both their business and home after the husband was diagnosed with a serious illness and the wife had to leave her job to become her husband s full time carer. hey came to me for help after finding the epartment unhelpful when requesting a transfer to a ground oor unit which he could access with a wheelchair. hey have paid their ta es, worked hard, and employed people in their business and now need the Government to support them after an unforeseen crisis,” he said.

Independent member for Sydney, Alex Greenwhich suggested that the focus had to be shifted onto prevention.

“More people moving out of subsidised housing may help others get in, but will further reduce rental income needed to cover costs. elping younger people get training or jobs is more likely to be useful, but many tenants are ageing, have significant disabilities or complex health problems and this won’t work for all so must not be imposed,” he said.

Media last week have also highlighted the

government’s intention to sell off the Sirius building in The Rocks, despite the fact it was purpose built in the 1970s for social housing tenants.

A department spokesperson said the sale of social housing is vital to the efficiency of the department.

“Like any owner of a large property portfolio, the Government continually reviews its public housing portfolio to improve the overall number, condition and standard of properties provided,” the spo esperson said.

“The Department of Family and Community Housing regularly reviews its public housing portfolio to address priorities for housing for those most in need,” the spo esperson said.

Alex Greenwhich, said that the aims of the report were fair, but reiterated that social housing is not the only area to be addressed.

“Social housing is only part of the overall housing system, and the government needs to grapple with hard questions about federal government housing priorities, subsidies to investors, planning incentives for low cost and affordable housing and home owners and better targeting rent subsidies,” he said.

“There is a severe lack of affordable housing and more people are being priced out of the market to buy or rent, especially in the inner city. et the government has undermined planning measures that would help councils get low cost housing in all development. We need a whole of government plan. We should have had a plan before now, and it should have been ta en to the arch election.”

Photo: Ben Rushton

Social housing in the firing line

Gabrielle Upton

4

5

Council News

Victory for businesses as Pyrmont Bay wharf upgrade delayed

MAYOR‘S MESSAGE

Photo: Michael Coghlan

Congratulations to Clare Wright who has won this year’s Nib: Waverley Library Award for Literature. I was spellbound when I read Clare’s book, The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka because she has taken a piece of history that we all know about and slowly, with beautiful writing, woven personal stories into it. People who love history should read her book because it is a history lesson as well as a good read.

Summer is here and I would like to remind our residents about safety on our beaches. Be mindful of your belongings, make sure you swim between the flags and help us keep our beaches beautiful by placing your rubbish in the bin.

Tickets for New Year’s Eve at Dudley Page Reserve are also on sale. The Reserve truly has one of Sydney’s most spectacular views of the fireworks. You can purchase your tickets by visiting moshtix.com.au.

Sally Betts, Mayor of Waverley

Wednesday 10 December 2014 5.30–8.30pm, Bondi Park Bring a rug and lie back under the stars as we celebrate the spirit of Christmas with family and friends at this popular community event.

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT from 5.30pm

CHRISTMAS TUNES & CAROL SINGING

For more information call Waverley Council on 9369 8000.

from 7pm

All funds raised will be donated to local charities.

Pyrmont bay wharf

, NEW YEAR S EVE AT DUDLEY PAGE RESERVE 31 December 2014, 6pm–12.30am • Licensed bar • Food stalls • Live DJ • Jumping castle • Face painting • Playground Tickets: Adult $35 ($40 at gate) Concession $15 ($20 at gate) Limited tickets after 9pm at gate For bookings call 1300 438 849 or email moshtix.com.au (booking fees apply).

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 PO Box 9, Bondi Junction NSW 1355 PhONE 9369 8000 WEB waverley.nsw.gov.au 6

Connect with us:

BY TANG LI The NSW Government has delayed work of the Pyrmont ay Wharf upgrade indefinitely in the face of criticism from residents and community groups. he groups have were especially worried about the lac of community consultation surrounding the upgrade and the effect of the interim closure on businesses. erry wharves in the arbour are being upgraded to improve ferry services as part of the State overnment s million ransport Access Program.

The new Pyrmont Bay Wharf will eventually be connected to the e isting timber boardwal and include a new covered steel oating pontoon, small concrete fi ed bridge, and an aluminium wal way connecting the bridge to the pontoon.

This is all part of the Government’s initiative to deliver what they call“modern, safe and accessible transport”. eborah ills, the onvenor of almain ast esidents ransport ub Action A , was quic to leap to the defence of the wharf in her neighbouring suburb.

“We are all concerned about the scale and intensity of the new wharf design as it is going to be a transit spot for three ferry lines Parramatta, Woolwich and arling arbour,” she said. “ his wharf is already congested so it will become even busier and we don t thin a residential heritage area is a suitable place to put it.”

A submitted a petition with over names to Parliament. he names of business owners along Pyrmont Bay Wharf made up the majority of the petition. af owners were concerned about

the impact the period of closure will have on their businesses during the busy summer. his was directly addressed by the department in their decision to delay wor . “ he summer period is the pea season on Sydney arbour, and it is particularly busy for private charter vessels, with demand for berthing facilities at its highest during this time,” a ransport for NSW spo esman said.

“Starting construction of this significant pro ect at a later date will ensure there is no disruption to customers and businesses during the busiest time of the year.” he revelation that wor was to be delayed made no mention to other concerns about the pro ect. he State overnment is still yet to disclose to the community how much the upgrade will cost in itself. erity irth, the Labor candidate for almain, called on the price to be revealed.

“While I welcome the overnment s decision to upgrade the wharf, it should be done in partnership with the community, particularly given it involves the e penditure of millions of dollars of public money on infrastructure they rely upon,” she said.

NSW Shadow ransport inister Penny Sharpe reiterated that ransport inister ladys ere i lian must listen and respond to the understandable concerns being e pressed by residents.

She says a final design that provides a seamless connection between ferry and bus services has lac ed the necessary accommodation for buses to reverse in a tight bus turning area at the end of arling Street.

A new date has not been set for the upgrade.

7

Rally at Town Hall

Lubbers, .

“I ve grown up with it, my family have grown up with it, my ids have grown up with it I thin it s one of the very few civil society organi ations left in Australia.”

Sue is also troubled that the loss of language specific programs represents a loss of cultural diversity and awareness in Australia.

“I am very concerned about this attac on multiculturalism, overt and covert racism which is what attac s on language programs represent,” she said.

Australian actress i Smith, who was a candidate for alcolm urnbull s seat of Wentworth in last year s federal election, also e pressed her deep concern for the A . “ he national broadcaster is the voice of our nation,” she said.

“ veryone loves the A . We need to eep it.

What ind of a country would we become if we can t spea ” ormer Playschool presenter enita ollings, from Sydney, is hopeful that the national protest will prompt some reversal of these decisions.

“I would love to thin that many, many voices around the country would be strong enough to send a good message, and that s why we re here today,” said s ollings.

Saturday s protest launched the ur Stories, our future, our A campaign, a movement established by the ommunity and Public Sector nion, and the edia, ntertainment Arts Alliance.

As a part of this National Wee of Action which ran from November , rallies will be held in all capital cities and many regional areas across the country.

www.assetandpropertyprotection.com.au

www.trustdeedregister.com Welcome to “The Australian & NZ South Pacific TrustAustralian Deeds Register” Welcome to “The & NZ

Alex Tees Solicitor South Pacific Will Trust Deeds Register” & Trust Services Available

The Australian Trust Deeds Deposit

The Australian Trust Deeds Deposit Register is there Register is there to...help solve to help solve one single problem when you, yourone singleand problem ... Family when you, your Accountants, Lawyers make Trust Deeds, Discretionary Trust Deeds,and Self Managed Supermake Fund Accountants, Lawyers Deeds and otherTrust Deeds you often lose them! You can Family Deeds, Discretionary confidentially lodge and register an original duplicate Trust Deeds, Self Managed Super with us and we will store it and register it to the best of Fund Deeds our ability for Deeds all time as and well asother electronically copyyou it often loose them!

You can for you for a very reasonable Annual Fee. lodge and register an *(All confidentially Credit Cards and EFTPOS accepted)

8

original duplicate with us and we will store it and register it to the best If you wish to do this please contact: City Representative Office Alex Tees, Level 1,299 Elizabeth St, Sydney 2000 Tel 9281 3230 Mob 0409 813 622 Email atees@legalexchange.com.au of our ability for all time as well as Fax 02 8088 7172 admin@legalexchange.com.au www.assetandpropertyprotection.com.au Postal Address 74/78 William St, Sydney 2011 ALSO Now at 3/45 Murray St,Pyrmont-Darling Harbour,Sydney NSW 2009, 1/299 Elizabeth St Sydney 200 Australia Skype alextees atees@bigpond.com electronically copy it for you for a very reasonable Annual Fee.

www.trustdeedregister.com *(All Credit Cards and EFTPOS accepted)

Cartoon: Peter Berner

BY SOPHIE TRIGGER Proposed cuts to the ABC and SBS could see many language specific programs cut from local radio in culturally diverse areas. ederal member for rayndler, Anthony Albanese, states that the coalition s cuts of million will reduce many of the programs en oyed by residents of inner western suburbs.

“Sydney is a diverse, multicultural city, which is why S S is so important,” said a spo esperson for Anthony Albanese.

“In the Inner West, language specific programs lin people to their community. hese programs help people, particularly the elderly and those with nglish as a second language, connect to the world around them.”

According to A s edia Watch, the cuts will program being result in riday s state based a ed, as well as cut bac s to Lateline, A radio, the coverage of womens sport, and the loss of over obs representing of the wor force. anager ar Scott confirmed on onday that the ederal overnment will be cutting million from the A budget over five years, resulting in the loss of many local and regional programs.

A protest of several hundred was held at own all on Saturday November to ob ect the proposed cuts to the ABC and SBS. Spea er and host of . NSW, uentin empster touched on the issue of multiculturalism with regards to ABC cuts.

“In an age of fear and terror, Australia needs S S as a counter measure, delivering a sense of inclusion through other lingual services to our rapidly increasing migrant population,” r Dempster said to the crowd. et p activist Sue Lubbers, from illara, told City Hub about the in uence that the A has had on her life. “ he A is stitched up into my soul,” said s

Photo: Sophie Trigger

Hundreds rally to save the unique voice of public broadcasters

St Catherine’s School in Waverly lodges $63 million Development Application

BY ELLIOTT BRENNAN St Catherine’s Anglican School in Waverly has come under re for a 3 million Development Application they are seeking to dramatically renovate and expand the school.

Waverly council has urged the Department of Planning to not consider the project unless an additional 200 car spaces are made available through the development.

The current DA only allocates an extra 19 spaces, while it will allow for the enrollment of 230 more students and a suf cient number of new teachers.

The biggest changes that are proposed are for a state of the art 500 seat theatre and an aquatic center that will be open outside curricular hours and on weekends.

Resident’s group Save Charring Cross have slammed the DA and called on locals to contact the Department of planning directly to let them know their concern.

They made public their submission to the Department.

“Since the St Catherine’s school began their oversized developments over the

past few years, the traf c congestion has become horri c. There are long delays from all areas around the school causing ma or traf c congestion,” the submission reads.

“The community is going to be greatly impacted and it will have a devastating effect on what is left of the averly and Charring Cross village-type area.”

The Principal of St Catherine’s, Judie Townsend told The Daily Telegraph that a parking facility was out of their means.

“Like all schools we have problems with parking … but putting in underground parking is really prohibitively expensive,” she said.

A recent survey by the school showed that some 0 of students are dropped off by car every day for school.

Ms Townsend said the problem is not isolated to the school.

“That goes to the heart of the discussion. It’s about re-educating the community about using public transport.

That’s a community problem not a school problem,” she said.

25% OFF

Petition to save sign language courses falls on deaf ears

BY JESSICA YUN The Deaf Society NSW (DEN) have created an online petition calling for NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli to include their sign language courses in their Smart and Skilled Program reform.

DEN’s Australian sign language (Auslan) courses will lose their subsidies under the new reforms as of January 1, 2015.

The Senior Policy Advisor of DEN, Susannah Macready said that this would have negative consequences on the students.

“What this means is that we won’t be able to accept any government funding for providing those courses, which will mean students will very likely be priced out of accessing our courses,” she said.

Students will have to pay commercial prices for previously government-funded courses if they study at the Deaf Society NSW. Instead of paying $870 , they will have to pay , for the ertificate II without the subsidy.

While TAFE does offer mostly the same courses as DEN, there are a few crucial differences.

“TAFE offers these courses generally over one year; we offer them over six months. And that’s a really key difference, because with the NDIS coming up, the problem is there’ll be a lot of demand and a lot of people will need to get qualified very quic ly,” s Macready said.

“Going through TAFE will slow that whole process down.”

Following the NDIS roll-out in the Hunter, there has been a 119% spike in demand for interpreters. For deaf people, access to interpreters is crucial in order to have access to services such as medical appointments, legal services, workplace training, job interviews, and other situations.

Deaf Society NSW CEO Sharon Everson predicts cuts in this area could affect other government initiatives “If that kind of growth in demand happens across

All Philips Irons and Steam Stations

A DAT Classroom source: The Deaf Society

the state as the NDIS rolls out, it could undermine the success of NDIS for deaf people.”

Deaf students stand to pay more for less. The most crucial thing lacking from TAFE courses is the sense of community and pathways to employment that DEN provides.

Georgina Giuffre is one of the many DEN students who helped put together the ‘change.org’ petition.

“At the Deaf Society you are exposed to deaf culture and the richness of Auslan that is not provided by other institutions,” she said.

“Through the Deaf Society courses I have met many people in the community; I have volunteered at festivals, gone to Auslan only weekends and barbeques. I’ve had the privilege to participate in and observe this wonderfully cultural and diverse community.”

A Department of Education and Communities spokesperson said the tendering process was highly

15-70% off RRP in our factory seconds outlet

HURRY IN WHILE STOCK LASTS

244.25

$

Was $299 RRP$429.95 GC8635

PERFECT CARE AQUA STATION

95

$

Was $109 RRP$199.95 BPR200

FAST SLOW COOKER

competitive. Out of the 747 registered training organisations who applied for funding under the Smart and Skilled Program, only 338 were awarded contracts. “…Some providers that met the required quality criteria were unable to be funded due to the relative priority of qualifications. ompetition for funding meant the Deaf Society was not able to be supported at this time.”

Matthew Cooper is a legally deaf university student at the University of New South Wales. He has had learning experiences with both TAFE and the Deaf Society NSW, and is clear about the differences between each.

“TAFE doesn’t have any deaf community or environment. Essentially, you go to class, you go home,” he said.

“I can see the government’s point of view, they’re saying ‘we do provide a service, why don’t you use it?’ it’s just that there’s a better, more effective service out there, which the government isn’t allowing.”

44.25

$

Was $59 RRP$89.95 GC3560

EASYCARE STEAM IRON

FACTORY OUTLET

169

$

Was $199 RRP$429.95 RQ1250

SENSOTOUCH SHAVER

32

$

Was $45 RRP$89.95 BBL300

57

Was $75 RRP$129.95 BBM100

39

Was $49 RRP$89.95 BSM300

$

BAKER’S OVEN

$

POWER BLENDER

SQUEEZY FREEZY

Trading Hours Monday to Saturday: 9am - 5pm

46 Wattle Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007 Ph: (02) 02 9660 8217

Offer Ends 24 December 2014 TH

9

Editorial: It’s time to start taking asbestos seriously

BY ELLIOTT BRENNAN Residents of Randwick and Maroubra could have been exposed to asbestos and a slew of deadly chemicals for decades. What’s more, they could be walking past giant piles of the stuff every day, but no one will tell them anything about it.

I grew up in Maroubra, but my back gate was on the border of Randwick and led directly and unimpeded on to a 13.1 hectare Department of Defence-owned wetland, now known as Randwick Environmental Park (REP).

The kids of the neighbourhood knew of two treehouses in the wetlands and shared the use of a raft to traverse the water. We used to dress up in cargo shorts, equip ourselves with toy radios, and dig trenches - an inadvertent tribute to the site’s 100 year military history.

That same military history was responsible for the construction of a gas testing facility and dozens of asbestosclad Navy supply store sheds during the Second World War. The gradual destruction of these sheds since the 70’s littered asbestos through the very soil we dug our trenches into palm si ed off white fragments that we used to ing at each other along with rocks and the seeds of one unusual plant.

Local resident and active Moverly committee member, Jocelyn McGirr told me about the early destruction of the sheds.

“They just smashed them. They had people without any form of protection, no masks or anything and they used to have them caving in the roofs. It was hair raising,” she said.

These early demolitions started taking place in the 1970’s when it was only just becoming apparent how dangerous asbestos could be to workers.

But Jocelyn said the destruction of the last naval store in the 2000’s still showed a disregard for the risks to residents.

“It got to the point where there was only one shed left and it had an asbestos ceiling. We [the committee] were to help decide how this could be safely dealt with. But then we arrived one evening to see that they’d taken the roof

Aerial photo of former Defence land source: commons.wikipedia.org

off and the ceiling was apping in the bree e,” she said.

In 1996 it was deemed that the land was “surplus to defence needs” and the wheels were set in motion to have the former site of these sheds sold off to developers.

Only now the soil became an issue.

The Department of defence needed to have the land rezoned from Crown Special Use to medium density housing, but Randwick council blocked the attempt. The council had the NSW State Government endorse an amendment to its Local Environmental Plan to state that a master plan be prepared for the site. he masterplan that council and efence finally settled on in November 2001 listed the decontamination and remediation of the site as one of Defence’s roles.

WRITERS AND OPINION MAKERS WANTED The Alternative Media Group of Australia 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: cityhub@alternativemediagroup.com

10

This work was not carried out until 2007. When it was, Defence used an “experimental method” of removing the contaminants and it appears some of them have since remained in massive piles and have been allowed to grow over in the south western corner of the development land.

This was certainly the case in the northern area of the REP where Defence documents read: “Several stockpiles of contaminated soil lie within the proposed site and these will require removal from the immediate site.”

Neither Defence nor Randwick council commented on the makeup of the piles that currently sit no less than 10m from a regularly used road, though separated by

a barbed wire fence. This corner was the location of the gas testing facility and no building report has been provided regarding the makeup of the buildings that stood there.

The logic for the piles in the North was that once the hills are grown over, the contaminants are held in place and pose no risk. But grass doesn’t grow overnight.

A windy day has created countless dust storms in the wetland and surrounding areas. It only takes one asbestos fibre on the lungs to develop into mesothelioma later in life.

Council claims that because the remediation was undertaken by Defence that they could not comment on the piles. Surely they have a responsibility to know - a responsibility to their residents.

All parties involved insist that the site is ready and safe for development. he efence will soon finish a maintenance depot in the west and private developers are currently constructing a set of townhouses in the east. The developer site never had high levels of contamination, but when residents walk their dogs past a several four metre tall mounds of unidentified material every day and given the whole site’s past, it is easy to understand why there is still queasiness about this area.

This is a site currently surrounded by children and families. When the developments are complete, it will be occupied by them.

I find it hard to believe that a century of contamination hasn’t affected the water table that feeds the wetlands. ut I find it shoc ing that andwic council s final plan of management for the site lists the quality as ‘unknown’. The wetland is ephemeral; the waters rise and fall through the soil. How are they not re-contaminating the top soil every time they do this?

This site is the size of a small suburb and will soon have the population to boot. After almost a decade of dead-ends for residents, it’s time that council and Defence stopped playing volleyball with the welfare of Randwick and Maroubra.

Highs and lows of summer festivals

BY CARMEN CITA It’s that time of year again. For some, it’s simply the festive season. But for many young Sydneysiders, it’s festival season, an entirely different beast.

As temperatures soar, so too does anticipation among the thousands of pleasure-seeking festival-goers whose summer will be filled with music, adventure, communion and, quite possibly, ecstasy.

Since the dawn of time, experimentation with mind-altering substances has been a subcultural rite of passage. The drugs may change but one thing remains the same; demonising drug culture does not stop people from taking drugs. Neither, it seems, does threatening our youth with police and dogs.

Sydney’s festival culture (with its attendant drug habit) has grown dramatically in the last 30 years, from a makeshift underground phenomenon to a booming industry. What started as a raw and spontaneous rave scene gave rise to the notorious RAT parties of the 80s and 90s, and a swathe of bigger and bolder successors – such as Big Day Out, Vibes on a Summer’s Day, Field Day, and newcomers Subsonic and Falls Fest.

But as festival season 2014 kicks into overdrive, the tragic death of Georgina Bartter at Harbourlife earlier this month has given pause to punters and promoters.

Bartter’s death has triggered renewed debate over the prevalence and the policing of drug culture at music festivals. The tragedy is a poignant reminder of 15-year-old Anna Wood, who died from acute water

intoxication after taking ecstasy at an Ultimo rave in 1995.

Predictably, politicians and law enforcement officials have gone on record lamenting the needless loss of another innocent in the so-called War on Drugs.

Inspector Stewart Leggat of City Central Local Area Command issued a statement, warning: “Quite simply, you don’t know what you are getting – seeking a synthetic high could result in a serious injury or death.”

While Prime Minister Tony Abbott responded to the sad news, insisting, “There is no safe way to use illegal drugs.”

The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey indicates that the proportion of Australians over 14 years who have tried ecstasy has more than trebled since 1993, from 3.1 percent to 10.9 percent in 2013. After cannabis, ecstasy is the second most commonly used illicit drug in Australia.

21-year-old reveler Lucy (surname withheld for anonymity) frequents many popular music festivals, including Field Day, Harbourlife and Splendour in the Grass. “Before I had ever had drugs, I didn’t realise that it was so common,” says Lucy. “As soon as I had my first pinger, I remember walking around and realising literally everyone here is on drugs. The effort people make to conceal their drugs is huge. Some girls are using tampons to anchor drugs in their bodies – imagine if the body absorbed a burst parcel of drugs.”

Despite the presence of police and sniffer dogs at

Revelers at Return to Rio on the Hawkesbury River

festivals, many partygoers are finding new ways to subvert authority and avoid detection.

“At Splendour in the Grass, I’ve seen people use some very creative methods to get their drugs inside the festival – not just two or three pingers, but enough for ten friends to take over a three-day festival,” Lucy says.

“The effort people make to conceal their drugs is huge.

Some girls are using tampons to anchor drugs in their bodies – imagine if the body absorbed a burst parcel of drugs.”

As with Prohibition-era bootleg alcohol, black market drugs are not regulated by quality control standards, leaving consumers vulnerable. The prohibition of recreational drugs also promotes heavy and rapid drug consumption in secretive and unregulated ways. Many punters try to outsmart authorities by dosing up on drugs before entering the festivals.

Festival faves for summer

BY JAMIE APPS You don’t have to fly to Brazil to go to Rio. Head to the Hawkesbury for the highly anticipated next installment of the Return to Rio music festival. Revel in three days of music, a pumping pool party and Australia’s most colourful fancy-dress celebration. The

ultimate summer closing party includes water aerobics, meditation, pilates and yoga with a guarantee of queue-free bars, flushing toilets and hot showers. Pitch a tent among kangaroos or treat yo’self to riverside airconditioned cabin accommodation.

Golden tickets are available now and any

remaining tickets will be on general release from Jan 15, 2015.

Mar 20-22, 2015, The Del Rio Riverside Resort, The Hawkesbury River Headlining: Get Physical’s M.A.N.D.Y, LTJ Bukem, Brandon Block, Guti

“It’s daunting to know [that police and sniffer dogs] are there,” Lucy says. “It puts pressure on me to try and have extra drugs before I get in the gates, to be as high as possible before the festival – that is a bit unsafe.”

Earlier this year, The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre gauged the effectiveness of sniffer dog deployment at festivals in a survey of five hundred NSW festival-goers. The study found that sniffer dogs did not deter 62 per cent of respondents from taking drugs.

The study revealed an increasing trend of festivalgoers ingesting drugs outside the venue, with 2 in 5 respondents opting for less odorous drugs, such as ecstasy and methamphetamine, over cannabis, to escape detection.

In the 20 years since Wood’s death, prohibition and vigilant policing have failed to eradicate illicit drugs and, as new generations of Australians continue to experiment with drugs, the difficult question of harm minimisation remains.

Clearly, Australia is in need of a new solution.

Could the Dutch have the answer? When it comes to drug policy, the Dutch have paved the way as world leaders in harm minimisation by treating drug use as a public health issue, rather than a criminal one.

Would young festival-goers be safer if Australian lawmakers did the same?

For harm reduction strategies for drug and alcohol users, consult the High-Way Code, developed by The Global Drug Survey 2014.

Other Summer festival highlights include: Stereosonic, Nov 29-30, Sydney Showgrounds Field Day, Jan 1, The Domain Icebergs NYD Party, Jan 1, Bondi Beach Future Music Festival, Feb 28, Royal Randwick Racecourse Soundwave, Feb 28-Mar 1, Olympic Park St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Feb 1, Sydney College of the Arts

11

EAT & DRINK

The Lemon Tree A little ray of sunshine has burst through the concrete brutalism of Australia Square. Its warmth can be felt in the greeting of Kate McMahon, who brings her expertise (and a martini) from Catalina.Tim Holmes à Court and Daimon Downey, the other two owners, get their own nod on the cocktail list, in the form of $ - mains less than $15

$$ - mains between $15-$22

ROCKS & CBD Mr Tipply’s Though the name might lead you to believe you’re entering a small bar, the cavernous surrounds decked out with wall-sized murals of exoticlooking women clue you in it’s a modern pub. General Manager Matt Comensoli, who started The Fox Hole, one of Sydney’s first small bars, has focused his attention on the food. It shows in Chilled Silken Tofu ($11), one of the best tofu dishes I’ve had in a while.Vegetarians take note: the Organic Quinoa Salad ($18) is also a beauty. Carnivores are not ignored, with high quality Mongolian Lamb Cutlets ($21) and sticky ‘Char Siu’ Beer Ribs ($35) dished up with Asian ‘slaw; both great with an Asian-

By Jackie McMillan a well-balanced Pelicano Martini ($18).Though, if you ask me, nothing washes away the workday quite like a Negroni ($16). Chef Peter Streckfuss, also imported from Catalina, dishes up a short menu of simple Italian food using premium ingredients. Pasta portion sizes, like Lasagna Di Carne ($24), seem geared towards ensuring the predominantly female audience get to eat dessert.

And Ilaria’s Ricotta Cake ($14) is certainly a nice way to finish, though perhaps with less of the intensely sweet, floral honey topping.While the wine list has bottles available for around forty bucks, splash out on the 2011 Giant Steps Arthurs Creek Chardonnay ($80/bottle). It’s a real star, particularly when taken al fresco, sitting under a lemon tree, on a gloriously balmy night. It’ll suit Sydney Rock Oysters ($4.50/each) or stand up to their shared boards of Antipasti ($16/person), won by perfectly ripe Testun di Barolo cheese.Veal Milanese ($34) will help address any larger appetites.

Australia Square Piazza, Corner Pitt and Bond Streets, Sydney (02) 9241 1685 facebook.com/thelemontreesydney Italian $$$-$$$$ $$$ - mains between $22-$30

inspired China Doll ($16) cocktail.

347 King Street, Sydney (02) 9299 4877 mrtipplys.com Pub Bistro $$$-$$$$ Pei Modern It takes a strong restaurant to knock down previous tenants,The Woods, but Mark Best has cleared the trees – and a few walls – to bring his famous Melbourne bistro to town. It’s relaxed fine dining, where you can share Tiger Prawns and Slow Cooked Pineapple ($24) - summer tropics on a plate – or go cray cray’ with mains like flamegrilled Rangers Valley Wagyu Rump ($46) with harissa and charcoaled onion. Cheese fiends should indulge in the Ricotta Dumplings ($30) with kale and hazelnuts - fine-dining comfort food.The Chocolate Tart

$$$$ - mains over $30

($17) with thin shards of chocolate layered upon chocolate ganache and an unusual eucalyptus sauce feels like a bushranger-chic nod to the nearby Rocks.

Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George Street, Sydney (02) 9250 3160 peimodern.com.au Modern Australian $$$$ Zigi’s Art Wine Cheese Bar “Welcome to the house of looove.”

With his fedora cocked jauntily, dapper white shirt, black suspenders and bon mots, Zigi is quick to make you welcome at his eponymous bar.

Testament to his background, the menu is ‘Ausraeli’, and the signature dish is crisp Felafel Prawns ($21).

They’re perfectly matched by an earthy and colourful Beetroot Mille-

Din Tai Fung Central Park

By Ryan Kennedy The signature item at Din Tai Fung is Xiao Long Bao ($10.80), the semi-legendary pork soup dumplings that have carried this restaurant across continents. Let me confirm that this reputation is not unwarranted.

These are seriously good dumplings; but be warned: the Feuille ($18). Handmade Labne Cheese ($15) is a rich, simple classic.

Wine of the Moment ($12) comes by the glass, with two reds and two whites always on hand. Match your favourite to Occeli al Malto d’orzo e Whisky ($20/1, $46/3), a cheese which has the smoke and spice of whisky.

86 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale (02) 9699 4222 artwinecheesebar. com.au Bar,Wine $$ DARLO, KINGS X & SURRY HILLS Gazebo The revitalised Gazebo dining room runs in a gentle curve from grand piano to kitchen, the ceiling studded with low-hanging lights. Outside

unctuous soup is delicious, but perilously hot. Similarly delightful is the Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($16.80) with its dark and well-flavoured broth and falling-apart tender beef.The roasted chilli warmth of Shrimp and Pork Wontons with Tangy Sauce ($10.80) had me scraping around for leftover morsels. In fact, all the classic dishes seem to hit the mark. By contrast, the seven different flavoured Dumpling Gems ( 1 .80) are fun to try, but include cheese, Bolognese, and golden corn—all of which I could definitely have gone without.The perfect foil to the salt, umami and spice of the dumplings is the sweet and fresh Lychee Mint Freeze ($8.80), or the mild but firm-set Mango Pudding ( .80). However the Choice of Mini Buns ($6) featuring taro, black sesame, and red bean, are the best way to experience a trio of traditional Chinese dessert flavours. My take stick to the classics and you won’t be disappointed, but be sure to let those legendary pork soup dumplings cool a little bit first.

Central Park, Level 2, R201 28 Broadway, Chippendale (02) 8072 9427 www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au/central-park Chinese $-$$

seating is prize territory at sunset.

Everyone seems to be enjoying crunchy Carrot Crisps ($6) with Chantilly goats curd and balsamic.

Creamy Polenta Wedges ($9) are outrageously crisp and worth coming for alone. Cucumber Cured Kingfish ($19) is artfully strewn on a striking black plate with shards of green apple and a smoked oyster sauce, but it’s the Duck Breast ($28) with earthy beetroot, honeycomb and a smoked almond sauce, that really steals the show.The pick of the desserts is Chocolate ($15) - cookie dough parfait spiked with raspberries and yogurt caramel.

2 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay (02) 8070 2424 thegazebo.com.au Modern Australian $$$ Surry Hills Eating House Sujet Saenkham, owner of the

popular Spice I Am restaurants, has done it again.Taking over the upstairs of Triple Ace Bar, Sujet explores Southern Thai. Pub prices for booze remain; and the Plan B 2012 Chenin Blanc ($36/bottle) makes an affable companion to Asian cuisine, starting with gloriously sticky and stretchy Pak Mor Youan ($9) pork-stuffed rice rolls. Follow them with crunchy and compelling banana flower fritters Hua Plee Tod ($12) or Mieng Ka Na ($16), sweet and sour pile of pork floss, lime and chilli you wrap in supple Chinese broccoli leaves.Your must-have dish is the Gaeng Het Pho ($28), a well balanced bar cod curry with explosive Thai black mushrooms.

Level 2, 198-200 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (02) 9212 4092 spiceiam. com Thai $$-$$$

EAT & DRINK

By Jackie McMillan

LuMi Bar & Dining Against a magnificent painted sky, this gleaming glass box on Pyrmont Bay is awash with orange and pink. It’s the sort of night that begs to be made into a celebration, and this restaurant delivers with an imaginative (and obligatory) eight-course Degustation ( 8 head).

Owner Chef Federico anellato balances Italian passion with an intriguing Japanese aesthetic. The result

INNER WEST

Annandale Hotel The new-look Annandale Hotel allows canines in the courtyard styled like an Aussie back deck. Even kiddies are welcome, except in the front bar, which retains some of the Annandale’s sticky carpet charm - at least around the edges. A far cry from the crowded, sweaty, live band days, there’s now elbowroom to spare as you uaff a Kosciusko ( . 0) and tuck into a toastie from their interesting list. I tried Fontal ( 1 ) with duck sausage, bacon jam and pickled leek.Traditional pub goers will appreciate the steaks, schnitzels and two fully customisable roasts. Free Range Chicken ( 0) with duck fat gratin, gravy and seasonal greens will silence a monster appetite.

1 Parramatta Road, Annandale (0 ) 0 10 8 annandalehotel.com Pub Bistro,Wine $$ EASTERN SUBURBS & BEACHES

Popolo This is a confident restaurant that knows what it is.The wine list, mostly populated by Southern Italian wines, need not be bewildering.Wine-savvy staff are well versed in matching wines to drinkers, producing at my re uest for an easy-drinking red, a lovely 01 Pietradolce Etna Rosso ( bottle).

With tea and cherry notes, it suits the Pecorino Timballo ( 1 ), a firm, baked cheese dish presented with pear custard. Napolitana-style pizzas baked in their wood-fired oven are also menu

Montagne A notch down from neighbouring La Tratt, but no less committed to excellence, is Montagne.

Created in the style of a convivial Parisian bistro, its black and white ceilings, complete with fabric shaded lamp chandeliers, are visually pleasing. In striking contrast to the monochrome, the bar - visible through lush NEWTOWN & ENVIRONS Three Williams This unassuming space on the fringes of Redfern is sparse, with wooden furniture, brick walls and a post-apocalyptic tree branch above the counter.

However if you look closer, you’ll find a certain charm.

Green smoothies and salads peppered with the season’s freshest ingredients abound, like the Super Smoothie ( 8) with kale, apricot, apple, almond, banana, ginger and cinnamon, and the Organic Tofu Salad ( 1 ) with charred broccolini, almonds, Japanese seaweed and peas. Don’t want

delivers date night on a stylish series of earthenware plates.Take Communion together with chef’s explosive caviar-topped spelt ravioli if you don’t believe me.

The opener Parmesan chawanmushi should stifle any doubts that these two culinary influences will be anything other than the best of friends. It’s followed by five excellent savoury courses, which demonstrate anellato’s grasp of light and shade.A delicate mound of crab, Jerusalem artichoke and oyster powder sits in dramatic contrast to a deceptive twirl of stinging nettle chitarra spaghetti well-coated with intense mussel cream and crumbled pork packing an umami punch reminiscent of bottarga.The dish shrieks red wine, and the 01 Garagiste Merricks Pinot Noir ( ) answers nicely.While technically excellent, the dessert of milk ice cream loses touch slightly with anellato’s culinary narrative. No matter his Evergreen pre-dessert is outstanding a garden of brightly green textures, temperatures and tastes. Catch this rising star while he’s still underpriced Pirrama Road, Pyrmont (0 ) 11 lumidining. com Italian, Japanese,Wine $$$-$$$$ highlights, particularly if the Burrata Panzerotto ( ) is on. It’s a plump belly-shaped pizza pocket stuffed with creamy-centred mozzarella, tomato and basil. Or there’s a textbook Octopus Ragu Risotto ( ).

0 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay (0 ) 1 1 popolo.com.au Italian $$$ The Golden Sheaf This leafy courtyard, alive with chattering birds and chatting crowds at sunset, is where the Eastern Suburbs set congregate after the Randwick races or the AFL.And despite the affluence of Double Bay, you won’t find yourself having to double pay at the popular Sheaf Bistro. Both pub classics like the ever-popular Beef Fillet ( . 0) and the lighter Asian-inspired offerings like a Salmon and Tuna

red velvet curtains - is lined with bottles of vividly green Chartreuse. And in true French bistro style, the plat du jour (daily specials) are scrawled across a large, centrally located mirror.While the cocktail list offers up the opportunity to try a few classics, including the French Sidecar ( 1 ) and the French ( 1 ), the drinking highlight is definitely the wine. For a collection of less than thirty bottles, the wine list over-delivers, with all (bar two premium Champagnes) available by glass, and with bottle prices under fifty bucks. Extended descriptions make selecting a breeze, or you can take it from me the 011 Cave de Clairmont Crozes Hermitage Blanc ( 1 glass) is a lovely drop.

Made on Marsanne grapes, it will set off a textbook twice-baked Cheese Souffl ( 1 ) or extend to a (fractionally sweet) tureen of French Onion Soup ( 1 ) crowned with the re uisite Gruyere croutons. Lightly browned Caf de Paris butter helps explain why the Steak & Frites ( ) are so popular.

Fairfield RSL, 1 Anzac Avenue, Fairfield (0 ) 000 fairfieldrsl.com.au French $$$-$$$$

to work on your physi ue?

The Chicken Schnitzel Burger ( 1 ) has your back - crispy and delicious with wasabi and avocado mayo; and the Brioche French Toast ( 1 ) is a textural masterpiece with caramel bananas, hazelnuts and Belgian chocolate.

1 a Elizabeth St, Redfern (0 ) 8 1111 threewilliams.com Cafe $-$$ Daisy’s Milkbar The Beach Boys on the speakers, pin-up girls taking orders, a cordial station, jars of sweets and gingham curtains If this place was any cuter I’d be sick. This inner west caf is the perfect old-fashioned

milk bar. Think shakes, Jaffles and sundaes - but with a modern twist. Greg’s Jaffle ( ) is loaded with bolognaise, while ccella’s packs pulled pork inside its golden, white bread pocket. Breakfast like ucchini and Corn Fritters ( 1 ) - are served all day, alongside great milkshakes like Honeycomb, Malt and Golden Syrup ( ). Kick dessert old school with the Salted Caramel Banana Split ( 1 ), best shared with your sweetheart.

0 Stanmore Road, Petersham (0 ) 80 daisysmilkbar. com Breakfast, Café $-$$

La Tratt La Tratt, the flagship of Fairfield RSL, is a surprising restaurant; delivering everything you’d expect from a CBD hotspot without any pretentiousness.As you settle into the rich brown restaurant or start in their comfy lounge a circulating drinks trolley will pay you a visit, offering Champagne and other traditional aperitivi like

Sashimi Salad ( ) are generously proportioned. Handmade Pumpkin Tortellini ( 18) balance the sweet orange filling with a nutty beurre noisette. My only complaint even drinking at the top end of their wine list, the Simonnet Febvre Petit Chablis ( 0 bottle) indicated there’s room for improvement.

New South Head Road, Double Bay (0 ) 8 goldensheaf.com.au Pub Bistro $$-$$$ Charing Cross Hotel The light, coastally inspired interior is a delightful surprise, especially considering the unassuming pub exterior. Relax in a wicker chair in the stylish, baby blue dining room as you explore a drinks list that hits the trifecta - great cocktails, wine and ontap craft brew.A Locals Drop ( 1 )

Campari and Soda ( ).A complimentary platter of bread, oil and zesty house-marinated olives will accompany you through menu selection. La Tratt Restaurant Coordinator Maji Yau a star on the floor will list the specials and answer any uestions.Though with clear dish descriptions and wine matches printed on the menu, you’re unlikely to find it intimidating.The Swordfish Carpaccio ( ) special showed great restraint, allowing the fresh fish to take centre stage. House-made pastas are definite highlights.

Aragosta Gnocchi Di Patate ( 1 8) with plentiful slipper lobster (similar to Balmain bug), gentle tomato passata and a touch of chilli and cream, has been on the menu since they opened for good reason.A bolder Anatra Porcini Tortellini ( 18 ) duck and porcini mushroom tortellini is e ually enjoyable; arriving drizzled with duck sherry jus and caramelised pear relief.The Caramelised Pear Tart ( 1 ) will see you off into the night, likely with their take-home gnocchi, olives and cheeses tucked under your arm Fairfield RSL, 1 Anzac Avenue, Fairfield (0 ) 000 fairfieldrsl.com.au Italian $$$$

blending white rum, ruby grapefruit and Campari helps reduce the excesses of Chef Matt Kemp’s Crispy Pigs Head ( 1 ), pressed into fat, crumbed batons.

A relative cheapie - Sant Josep White Garnacha ( bottle) - is opulent enough to accompany Roast Pork Neck ( 0) with crackling, radicchio, honey and pears, without destroying a simple plate of Swordfish ( 8) with juicy cucumbers, pink grapefruit and perilla.

81 Carrington Road,Waverley (0 ) 8 0 charingcrosshotel.com.au British, Pub Bistro,Wine, Cocktails $$$

GREATER SYDNEY SoCal Led Emmett, General Manager of SoCal, provides an expert

FOOD NEWS

introduction to the li uid aspects of The Golden State. With my lips tingling from Chica Chipotle ( 1 ) that teamed chipotle-infused reposado te uila with Mezcal and a chipotle salt rim, Led introduced me to his list. It’s heavy, as you’d hope, in Californian wines. A man after my own heart, Led categorises pinot noir between feminine and “smells like my bedroom after sex”. Bliss Pinot Noir ( 0) is one of the former, but for a uaffable red, it is not without roundness and balance. It lends itself to liberal, chilled applications against crisp Sriracha Chicken uesadillas ( 0), as you watch moonrise in the open-roofed space.

1 Young Street, Neutral Bay (0 ) 0 1 socalsydney.com.au American, Bar, Bar Food $$-$$$

By Jackie McMillan In the week that former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam died, I spent time in his old electorate,Werriwa. I was there visiting Fairfield RSL, touted as the gastronomic destination of the West.The experience begins before you even walk in the door with palm trees, thatched cabanas, illuminated fountains and mist provided by smoke machines. In case you haven’t guessed, visionary chief executive, Anthony Sobb, takes his cues from Las egas and Macau. Inside there are four restaurants, each very committed to their chosen genre.The flagship, La Tratt, is an elegant Italian cucina; Montagne is a traditional French bistro; Summer House transports you beachside; and dark, moody Ph Fairfield is ietnamese.The pho recipe comes via Luke Nguyen, who came out to train staff personally, pointing to an authenticity that belies the egas theming.There’s even a rooftop herb garden and beehives, which you can visit on Secret Garden Tours run during autumn and spring.The whole place oozes an egalitarianism that Gough would’ve loved and demonstrates a commitment to the dignity of working class people, namely providing them the same opportunities that us city folk get, only minutes from the CBD. fairfieldrsl.com.au

BAR FLY

By Viv McGregor

VINE

This cathedral-like space, with its vaulted ceilings and simple, light d cor, is designed to be a wine bar, with an impressive list of wellchosen wines, like my intense Slovenian Dveri Pax Pinot Gris ( 11 glass). But on a spring afternoon, with the light flooding through floor-to-ceiling windows, I have to stick to cocktails. The list is elegant and seasonally perfect full of light fruits and floral touches. My date orders The Bay Bubble ( 1 ) spiced rum and Prosecco, which subtly changes flavours as the orange blossom ice sphere slowly melts I hate him for a moment. It’s delicious. Although considering I downed my amazing Raspberry Old Fashioned ( 1 ) raspberry-infused Tan ueray, lemon and an enviable raspberry ice sphere with absolutely no intention of sharing, I can’t hate him for long. Nestled in the alleys of Double Bay, this is the place for relaxed twilight cocktails and definitely-not-sharing your NYC Grilled Cheese ( 1 ).

Short Street, Double Bay (0 ) 0010 vinedoublebay.com

13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BANGARRA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS The Bangarra Dance Theatre celebrates Australian Indigenous history, culture and lives, drawing inspiration from First Australians both past and present.The company’s artistic director Stephen Page made headlines a few years back in London with the statement: “We’re more than ooga-booga dancers”.

It’s understandable for Page to call out the presumption that indigenous arts are anthropological at their essence. It should be remembered that aside from the important work Bangarra does to foster the care and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural life, the company is also an innovative body on the contemporary dance landscape. As anyone who has been to a Bangarra performance

can attest, the dancers create shapes and narratives that you’d be hard pressed to

SWEENEY TODD (THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET)

find anywhere else.

To celebrate 25 years of Bangarra Dance as part of Corroboree Sydney, Bangarra will host a performance free of charge at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Sunday September 30.The performance will represent the company’s journey on the landscape of Australian dance, beginning with a traditional performance from the Yolngu people from North East Arnhem Land.There will also be a mixed program of the company’s most iconic highlights, song stories by Christine Anu accompanied by Torres Strait Islander dancers, as well as a short performance by the NSW Public School Aboriginal Dance Company. (HC) Nov 30, Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Circular Quay, Free, bangarra.com.au

New Theatre’s latest offering is served up with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Audiences can expect a delightful and thrilling tale with a tragic twist and a realistic glimpse of historical 1800s London hardship within its welldefined, tiered society.

Convict Sweeney Todd (played by award-winning Justin Cotta) goes on revengeful rampage of killings which are ingeniously covered up.

When he returns and sets up a barber shop in his old stomping ground at 186 Fleet Street, London, it’s conveniently connected to Mrs. Lovett’s (Lucy Miller) pie shop - a familiar neighborhood filled with hatred, severed relationships, (and

If you are trying to think of something dramatic, outdoorsy and cultured to do over the holidays check out Sport For Jove’s 6th outdoor theatre season with performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Crucible lighting up the Bella Vista Farm in Baulkham Hills.

Artistic director of Sport For Jove theatre company, Damien Ryan, says the eerily beautiful and historic Bella Vista Farm will complement the classic works with their themes of magic, the spiritual, and nature, as well as providing locals the opportunity to see some great performances close to home.

“We’re starting to broaden the opportunities for people to see theatre, which has always been our mission,” he

14

says. “The farm is 200 years old and has a haunting look to it.There is an old shed where The Crucible will be performed, lit up with 0 candles. It’s uite a site-specific event. I want people to be in another time and place.”

Ryan thinks the location is a perfect match for these two plays, with their focus on nature and the mystical. Characters run naked into the woods for release, the young break the rules, and the overall experience of those seeing these classic works performed in nature will be much more interactive than sitting in a darkened theatre, watching. “It’s almost like a cinematic setting for a play,” he explains.

“You couldn’t build a set like this.” (MH)

a&e

After battling through three months of hysterical heats and sizzling semi-finals, the finalists for one of Sydney’s great comedy traditions will come together for one last showdown as they vie for the ultimate comic championship:The Theatresports Cranston Cup. Now in its 29th year at the Enmore Theatre, the Cranston Cup is as competitive as it is revered serving as an early platform for comedy stars such as Julia Zemiro, Andrew Denton, Andrew O’Keefe, and Adam Spencer.

Harry Milas, one half of team Mantaur who will be competing in the Grand Final, has been attending the Cup since the age of 12 and describes how climbing the ranks in the Theatresports community and getting to know longtime players has been a “real treat” and a “great tradition to be a part of”.

This year’s final features The South African’ts (Bridie Connell, Steve Lynch and Jon Williams); My Two Dads (Cale Bain and Scott Hall-Watson); Mantaur (Harry Milas and Rob Johnson, left); and True Defectives (David Callan, Steve Walsh & Daniel Cordeaux). Music whiz Benny Davis from The Axis of Awesome will also be there improvising some

sweet accompanying tunes.

Describing the other teams as “very talented and clever at what they do”, Milas says that the challenge of improvisation is what lovers of Theatresports thrive off when performing, with competitions like the Cranston Cup offering up, “The opportunity to be stupid without people questioning it!”

“Judging by the teams that have already been announced, it is going to be ridiculous and very, very funny,” says Milas. “[Although], it’s one of those nights where it doesn’t really matter who wins, it’s just about having as much fun as humanly possible.”

It is fun as well as endless laughs and surprises that can be expected at this year’s Grand Final according to Milas, who like the audience, doesn’t quite know what to expect until the moment he performs.

“We always say that we can’t guarantee that you will see anything specific in the show, all we know is that you will see something,” he says. (KR) Nov 29, Enmore Theatre, 118 Enmore Rd, Newtown, $28-65, 9550 3666, ticketek.com.au

The Crucible Photo: Seiya Taguchi

SYDNEY HILLS SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

jugulars).The musical gives a shocking insight into the remorseless head of a serial killer.

The faultless live musical backing is thanks to a trio of piano/organ, cello and violin; and the cohesive 17-piece cast includes a chorus ensemble of eight. Lighting (Liam O’Keefe) and set design (Jo Jewitt) is simple in keeping with the austerity of the times and versatile as platforms are wheeled into varying formations to creatively accommodate a team vocal delivery that can be commended.

(MS) Until Dec 20, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $17-32, newtheatre.org.au

THEATRESPORT’S CRANSTON CUP FINAL

Dec 5-30, Bella Vista Farm, Baulkham Hills, $28-$35, sportforjove.com

15 STAGE 16 SCENE 17 SCREEN 18 SOUNDS

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

Contributors: Alexis Talbot-Smith, Anita Senaratna, Carmen Cita, Ciaran Tobin, Craig Coventry, Erika Vass, Georgia Fullerton, Greg Webster, Hannah Chapman, Jamie Apps, Leann Richards, Leigh Livingstone, Marilyn Hetreles, Mark Morellini, Katie Rorison, Mel Somerville, Michael Muir, Michelle Porter, Nick Jewlachow, Peter Hackney, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Ruth Fogarty, Sarah Pritchard, Sharon Ye,

After a recent courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Candy Royalle is hopping right back onto the stage with her new, passionate show The Frida People.

A three-way collaboration with the band Sloppy Joe and performer Betty Grumble, the confronting and entertaining show is part poetry, music, movement, burlesque and performance.

“It’s got a very loose narrative,” Royalle says. “It definitely moves through a number of emotions and stories that are loosely linked. It’s about politics, love and sex because they are predominantly what make up the human condition.”

The 90-minute high energy and dynamic production subverts the concept of traditional theatre to present a unique take on performance art.

“It’s a nontraditional show but

completely accessible by anyone,” she explains. “It’s a show for anyone who wants intelligent entertainment and wants something a little bit different.”

The show premiered earlier this year at the International Folk Festival to rave reviews. Featuring grotesque burlesque, improvisational music and performance and creative poetry, the unique production both charms and challenges the audience.

“That magic of playing with things in the moment is the creation of true art,” she continues. “And the audience can see that.” (SOC) Nov 20-27, Seymour Centre Sydney, Cnr Cleveland Street and City Rd, Chippendale, $30-$35, seymourcentre.com

CYRANO DE BERGERAC

Edmond Rostand’s timeless play about expectation, identity and the power of words and beauty, seems especially relevant in today’s age of online personas, catfishing and Tinder.

“It’s funny how we curate our personas based on how we think people will perceive them,” observes Eryn Jean Norvill, the production’s Roxanne.

“What we project in the world isn’t necessarily true and may not find us the honest and real connections that we’ve been looking for. In the play Cyrano hides behind his ugliness, and behind someone else’s good looks.

Christian hides behind his wit and passion, and my character hides behind the idea of what she thinks it is to be a

woman, or in love.And in the end of the play, all that stuff, all those shadows and masks disappear and drip away because they’re not important.”

Also starring Richard Roxburgh, Julia Zemiro and coupled with an incredibly timely message, Norvill promises theatregoers an exciting night.“It has elements of fairytale and picture book, but also tragedy. It’s got sword-fighting and theatre, and war, and…the love triangle.There are so many elements of the story that are complex but in the end it tells a simple story of people searching for connection.” (SW) Nov 11-Dec 20, Sydney Theatre, Pier 4 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay, $50109, sydneytheatre.com.au

Photo: James Green

THE FRIDA PEOPLE

LEAVES

When it comes to entertainment, film, television and theatre, there is one demographic that remains vastly underrepresented - those aged 50 and over. Leaves, a new collaboration between Theatre Excentrique and Emu Productions, aims to tackle that issue, with a show that is fundamentally,“a darkly humorous reflection of what it is to have 0 years behind you,” says Excentrique’s Artistic Director,Anna Jahjah.

When asked what is behind the demographic gap, Jahjah is thoughtful.

“I think there’s a fear of time passing.You might be thinking of dying, and it’s hard to play.What works most in theatre is something light and entertaining. If it’s too dark, audiences might not like it. It’s a tricky topic,” she admits. But, she says there has been great interest the piece, which deals with a group of friends celebrating turning 50 with a camping weekend.

The play, written by Steve Mcgrath, was inspired by the ‘eye-opening’ experience of Associate Artist Gerry Sont, who, after having a heart attack in April, found himself reflecting on his life. “It’s a subject that rings a bell with a lot of people,” says Jahjah. “They’re intrigued.

Especially the 40 plus group, because it’s rare to see older actors and playwrights doing something that revolves around their age.” (SW) Nov 18-29, King Street Theatre, 644 King St, Newtown (Entrance on Bray St),Tickets $28 - $33, 0423 082 015, kingstreettheatre. com.au

RITA PROMO GREEN Photo: Thom Kerr

MISS BURLESQUE AUSTRALIA 2014 – GRAND FINAL Everything has its time and burlesque has been reborn according to Cassandra Jane from Melbourne who, after competing in burlesque for 13 years, decided over five years ago there should be a national Grand Final and a title.

Finalists qualify in state heats in three categories:‘Classic’ – stylistically from 1920s-60s (or last century), it has the bumps, grinds, shimmies and burlesque walks that everyone expects from the art form.Then there’s the ‘Neo’ which has to have a storyline or parody something.The third section is ‘Unique’ – and here the performer is allowed to let their imagination run wild.

There’s one finalist from each state and three wildcards’ THEATRE &

PERFORMANCE EMERALD CITY Sydney in the ‘80s was a party. It gave us lycra, MTV, and a raging economy that ended in the recession ‘we had to have’. It was the ‘greed is good’ decade, with rampant consumerism, materialism and where success was measured in real estate – preferably with a harbour view. Cut to today and things change – there is much less lycra – and David Williamson’s Emerald City is as relevant as ever.

“Even though it was written 30 years ago, we all believe it’s absolutely relevant to today because we are having the exact same conversations,” says Kelly Paterniti (Home and Away, Packed to the Rafters) who plays

Helen, the free-spirited girlfriend of a hack writer.

Our most performed playwright, Williamson’s central characters are decent people, wrestling with their worst selves. In his sharply satirical sights are the worst excesses of materialism and compromise that the harbour city can serve up. Dual Helpmann-winner, Mitchell Butel, Lucy Bell (All Saints, Crownies) and the redoubtable Marcus Graham make a stellar cast. In a splash back to the decade, set design is by iconic ‘80s pop artist Ken Done, whose work was so evocative of the time. (GW) Until Dec 6, SBW Stables, 10 Nimrod St, Kings Cross, $32-49, griffintheatre.com.au PAGE 8 David Page is bringing back his critically acclaimed one-man-show, with the help of Bangarra Dance

Theatre and its Creative Director (and David’s brother), Stephen Page.“[It’s] a love letter to our family, our history and our culture,” Page says. He recalls doing his best to do justice to his tale of struggle, success and family support.

“I think the rest of the family were shitting themselves,” he laughs.

“Especially six older sisters.They wore the boots and the stilettos.They were pretty wild, and very strong women.”

The story covers his early successes as a child star with hits on the radio, touted as Australia’s answer to Michael Jackson, to the moment his voice broke and changed everything, and his subsequent life as a performer in Australia and beyond. Page hopes his show will remind people once more of the important role family plays in our lives. (SW) Until Dec 14, Bangarra Studio

Theatre, Pier 4, 15 Hickson Rd,Walsh Bay, $35-$49, bangarra.com.au THE LES ROBINSON STORY and BELLE OF THE CROSS Sydney has had its fair share of quirky characters in history, and two of them will be celebrated in Sitco’s final production at Old Fitzroy Theatre.

Both explore the triumphs and failures of the lives of Les Robinson and Belle, two iconic storytellers.The Les Robinson Story, written by Kieran Carroll, explores the life of writer Les Robinson, an eccentric figure on Sydney’s bohemian scene between the 1920s and the 1960s.The production uses film, monologue, music and song to bring to life the quirky Robinson and his extraordinary story. Similarly, the production of Belle of the Cross, written by Angelika Fremd, follows the

– performers who impressed in some way and deserve another opportunity.

Rita Fontaine (Miss Burlesque Australia, 2010) says women are attracted to the glamour, confidencebuilding and liberation – which doesn’t apply as much to men, even though there is a ‘Mr. Boylesque’ for male competitors.

Possessed of a laconic and whimsical wit, Rita will be MC again this year and is using her performance experience to take her further. She has her heart set on musical theatre, auditioning for NIDA just after the finals. (MMu) Nov 29, Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville, $60, 9550 3666, factorytheatre.com.au

life of Belle, a woman who lived on the street of Kings Cross. Gertraud Ingeborg, who plays Belle, says the production is a poetic and uplifting exploration of homelessness. Based on Fremd’s personal experiences with the homeless of Kings Cross, the minimal piece aims to show the facts of what it is like to live as a homeless person through the true story of Belle.“You embrace her for what she is and what she does,” Ingeborg continues.“She doesn’t complain, she doesn’t say ‘poor me’, which makes it much more enjoyable to watch.” (SOC) Until Nov 29, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo, $21-39, sitco.net.au WICKED Steve Danielsen joins seasoned Wicked stars Jemma Rix (Elphaba) and Lucy Durack (Glinda) as the award-winning musical returns.

Asked what it’s like joining a team who have been performing Wicked for years, Danielsen says Rix and Durack have been very welcoming and working together is “amazing”.

“I love it and I don’t really just have to say that either, this show really means a lot to me,” he says.

Despite debuting over a decade ago, Wicked:The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is still one of the most popular musicals in the world.

With the whole cast working hard to deliver the best performances they can each and every night, Danielsen says that the “incredible sets and costumes” will make it “really hard not to like this show”. (LL) Until Dec 31, Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket, $69-114, wickedthemusical.com.au 15

CHUCK CLOSE: PRINTS, PROCESS AND COLLABORATION

THE NAKED CITY

GAFFES, BLOOPERS, CLANGERS AND JUST PLAIN WRONG!

Emma (2000)

When the speaker Bronwyn Bishop introduced the Chinese president Xi Jinping to Federal Parliament as “Xi Jinjing” I’m sure there was a collective cringe of disbelief among all those present at this historymaking occasion. Okay she ‘jinged’ when she should have ‘pinged’ but it certainly could have been worse. Maybe Angela Merkin or even Vladimir Rasputin? Oh the mind does play terrible tricks when you are under the spotlight!

We do have a proud history of public gaffes in this country and the normally faultless headmistress of the house was simply doing her best, or worst, to expand the list of unforgiveable howlers. Like the time a hapless reporter at Sydney airport asked Dave Brubeck, of the Dave Brubeck quartet, how many musicians he had in his band.Again at the airport it’s also on record that bluesman Muddy Waters was once asked whether he had packed any waternelons in his luggage!

Tassie’s Jacqui Lambie is obviously the current queen of homegrown gaffes, probably only a few short of publishing her own anthology.There are two many to list here but perhaps her declaration of war on “Shari’s Law” as part of the burqa controversy holds the current gold gong.

The silver, however, still belongs to Tony Abbott with his advice to the party room faithful that no one can be “the suppository of all wisdom”.

Gaffes are by no means restricted to mispronunciation or malapropisms and the international stage is littered with all manner of diplomatic clangers, like the time Silvio Berlusconi, notorious for his own spray-on tan, attempted to compliment Barrack Obama by describing him as “suntanned”. George W Bush still reigns as America’s greatest gaffe master with quotations like,“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.

16

They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”

Maybe George W developed the art of gaffology by studying his father’s much maligned Vice President Dan Quayle who gave us such memorable quotes as “Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child” and the incredibly reassuring “The future will be better tomorrow”.

Admittedly the media are omnipresent, lurking like hungry sharks to devour any dumb speak that slips from the mouth of any politician or celebrity. Say something stupid and it will be engraved and enshrined in electronic granite, a monument to your inanity for years to come. On the other hand if you are the kind of celebrity who craves the media spotlight, saying something totally ridiculous or downright offensive is going to draw far more attention than a balanced plea for world peace.

Movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn was somebody who always enjoyed the public eye and it has been suggested that his seemingly dopey quotes were in fact a cunningly contrived way of gaining newspaper inches. Maybe you should be the judge, with quotes like “It rolls off my back like a duck”,“A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on” and the highly prophetic (especially today) “This will start with a bang in Hollywood and degenerate throughout the whole world”.

THE HIT LIST:The Eastern suburbs of Sydney can sometimes be a live music wasteland with a distinct lack of regular live music venues. Not to despair entirely as there’s a great night happening at the Maroubra Sports Club on Thursday 4 December with some of Sydney’s finest blues soul and musicians including Continental Robert Susz, Matt “The Rumble” Morrison and popular Eastside Radio drive time presenter Eric Gyors.All in all, there are six great musicians in this all star combo, playing a heady mix of soul, down home blues and funky grooves.The Sports Club is situated at the cnr of Malabar Rd and Mon Ave, one block from the beach.

THE MOMENT OF DISAPPEARANCE - KATE MCMILLIAN Water, its mystery, fecundity and danger is a major thematic thread of Kate Mc Millian’s multimedia exhibit,The Moment of Disappearance.

The artist uses the element as a motif to explore the implications of colonialism and isolation. Her installation consists of several short videos which focus on streams flowing through narrow gulfs, reeds blowing like stringy arms in soft rock pools and a person struggling through the sea.The images are presented in an environment which is itself an island, with flowing curtains and odd, stone formations.

On the central screen a man swims, droplets rain on his head, bubbles swell and surround his arms as they flail, propelling him towards shore. He staggers to the edge, merges into the trees and vanishes.

This is a mesmerising collection accompanied by equally intriguing music which creaks and drips through the space.A profound comment on dispossession,The Moment of Disappearance is an hypnotic experience. (LR) Until Nov 29, Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh, FREE, carriageworks.com.au

Photo: Kate McMillan

BY COFFIN ED AND MISS DEATH AND JAY KATZ

It begins with ‘Bob’ from the National Gallery, said to be the friend of every schoolchild in Australia, and continues through a mesmerising display of technical proficiency.

This is one of the largest solo printmaking shows ever presented and it’s all courtesy of Chuck Close and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Chuck Close: Prints, Process and Collaboration is a fantastical journey through the oeuvre of a master craftsman.The voyage is augmented by an array of famous and not so famous faces, whose visages peer from the wall posing unanswerable questions.

The exhibition includes tapestries, woodcuts and mezzotints. Each is uniquely and meticulously created to enhance tiny details and subtle colour.These jigsaw images represent exhaustive work and intelligent thought about the nature of humanity.

From the bright smile of Emma, to the intense gaze of Roy, this show is a tribute to an innovative and influential artist without peer. (LR) Until Mar 15, 140 George St,The Rocks, $14-19, mca.com.au

CLICK! From 19th century sepia prints to modern-day black and whites, Click! is a panoramic display of photography which captures spirit and imagination.

This exhibition showcases images from some of the worlds greatest wielders of the camera and includes contributions from Australia, Europe and the United States.

Depictions of northern hemisphere streets hang next to scenes of 1930s Sydney, each having their own distinctive shadows, edges and aesthetic. Max Dupain’s Bondi, 1939, is a classic portrait of the bronze backs of a couple standing proudly upon the sands of the iconic beach.

While Brassai’s Rue de Rivoli, embodies the essence of Paris.

This is a diverse and intriguing collection of pictures which have captured a moment of madness, tranquility, relief or stagnation. For lovers of photography it is a rare opportunity to view famous exponents of the art in their finest moments. (LR) Nov 19-Dec 21, Badger and Fox Gallery 201 Albion St, Surry Hills, Free, badgerandfoxgallery.com

ACCESS ALL AREAS FILM FESTIVAL

This eight-year-old festival caters to people with some form of disability and their family and friends. It doesn’t matter whether audiences are in wheelchairs or have impaired sight or hearing,Access All Areas proves that culture should be accessible to everyone.

Highlight this year is Tracks, the 01 film telling the story of Camel Lady’, year-old Robyn Davidson’s epic , 00km trek from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean with just her dog and four camels.

Apart from this feature there are multiple familyfriendly, award-winning Australian short films.There are also over 0 screenings nationally, including Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Casula and Campbelltown.“Cinemas

are showing progress in making screenings more accessible, but there is still a lot to be done,” says Festival Director Karina Libbey. “ The festival aims to both increase access to uality Australian films for people with a disability and show how easily the remaining barriers to access can be brought down,” she explains.

A range of services are provided including additional wheelchair spaces, hearing loops, open captions,Auslan interpreters and audio description. (MMu) Dec 1-5, FREE but bookings are essential, aaaff.com.au

A THOUSAND TIMES GOODNIGHT

A wife and mother must choose between devotion to her family and devotion to her work (exposing the ugliness of world conflict via photojournalism).

After she is seriously injured in a suicide bombing in Kabul her husband and two young daughters demand consideration.

Morocco stands in for Afghanistan and Ireland (the family home) plays itself in this Norwegian Irish co-production.

It’s a straightforward but moving story given much extra depth by the central performance of Juliet

Binoche. Can’t she act Phew Director Erik Poppe was a news photographer himself in the eighties, covering wars on four continents, and this provides authenticity to the film’s atmosphere. But his direction also shows the typical photographer’s desire to capture the ‘arresting image’, and sometimes shots are lingered over for too long but these are minor criticisms.

Like British actress Virginia McKenna, Juliet Binoche seems to become more beautiful the older she gets. (MMu) WWW½

17

NIGHTCRAWLER Part neo-noir thriller, part dark satire, Nightcrawler is the story of Lou Bloom, a cunning and ruthlessly entrepreneurial lowlife who is seduced by the seedy, nocturnal world of crime journalism and begins prowling the streets of Los Angeles for saleable video footage of death and destruction.

Cinema’s most iconic sociopath since Travis Bickle is brought to life with wide-eyed intensity by Jake Gyllenhaal in a career-best EXISTS Another in a long line of twisted horror films from Cuban Director Eduardo Sanchez. It centres around five friends who predictably venture into a creepy Texan wood for a party weekend at an abandoned cabin.

After a minor collision with what they think is an animal, they are slowly stalked by the Sasquatch, a Bigfoot-like creature.

Out of this predictable beginning comes a surprisingly enthralling and motivated screenplay. However, for a plot that deviates from traditional horror conventions, it would have been nice to see stronger, more-driven female leads.

(ATS) WWW FINDING VIVIAN MAIER A beautifully crafted documentary centred on a mysterious woman who roamed the streets capturing the unalloyed

ANBERLIN – LOWBORN Anberlin’s Lowborn varies in intent and distortion.

The album begins with an atmospheric warm-up before getting to the deeper middle, borrowing into the emotionally driven lyrics.Then it begins to strip pieces of itself away as it moves into Hearing voices, placing the repetitive vocals at the fore, showcasing their powerfully felt lyrics. Placing them even higher in importance on Harbinger, the song is almost all voice and atmospheric echoes.

The album gradually builds and then strips back the instrumentation as it goes along, turning itself into a concertina of musical stretching. (SP)

space adventure. Set in the near future, Earth is slowly dying as its resources are depleting. Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) embarks on an expedition to the stars in search of other habitable planets. McConaughey delivers a remarkable performance as the father who decides to leave his children to save humanity and is supported by a high-calibre cast including Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine and Matt Damon.Adversely, storytelling technics falter in the second half of the film which leads to confusion, further compounded by long and intricate references to quantum physics, worm holes, the theory of relativity and space time travel.

Ultimately, it is a visual spectacular in which audiences will believe they have been transported to the far reaches of

EMC PLAY Sydney is set to play host to over 120 artists and 10,000 music fans next month when the Electronic Music Conference (EMC) and its artists showcase EMC Play which will take over Kings Cross for two days.

EMC is an annual event that brings together speakers, artists & delegates for the Asia-Pacific’s premier dance music industry event.This year marks the third year for the event.The organisers have taken inspiration from similar events worldwide to add an artist showcase night to the already existing daily conferences.

“The whole idea of EMC Play is to showcase as much talent as possible,” says EMC founder Neil Ackland.“Artists will play shorter sets and fans have the ability with one wristband to get into all venues and check out all of the different performances.This is similar to the models employed by ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event), Big Sound and South by South-West which we looked to for inspiration.”

The theme for this year’s event is Discovery.“The whole idea is to make EMC an important step in an artist’s development or discovery,” Ackland explains.“We bring together Australian artists with some of the top talent buyers from around the world to potentially discover the

LIVE WIRE

Kongos: Set to make their first trip down under after finding instant success around the world with their hit single Come With Me Now. Having recently made waves with their alternative rock sound, reminiscent of Mumford and Sons, Crowded House and Kings of Leon, Kongos spent five consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Alternative Chart in America while simultaneously beating out Lorde’s Royals as the fastest

Fat Pizza vs Housos is another offering from writer and director Paul Fenech. Bobo Gigliotti (John Boxer) is fresh out of jail and opens up a new Fat Pizza joint in the housing commission suburb of Sunnyvale.The resident bogans don’t take kindly to the “wog food”, and the resident dealers don’t take kindly to Habib (Tahir Bilgic) delivering drugs with his pizzas.A whole lot of scuffles and offensive jokes ensue.

performance.The film also boasts strong turns from relative newcomer Riz Ahmed as well as veterans Rene Russo and Bill Paxton.

Exhilarating, disturbing and rich with social commentary on fearmongering in today’s media, the directorial debut of screenwriter Dan Gilroy is an instant-classic that shares DNA with Martin Scorcese’s Taxi Driver and Sidney Lumet’s Network. (JH) WWWW

reality of the view behind her lens.At first glance she was merely a nanny, but at second and third she was not only an artist, but a tender observer of the human condition. Over 100,000 negatives were inadvertently discovered at an auction in Chicago – many of which were never seen by Miss Maier herself.The documentary is captivating from start to finish, treading a fine line between honouring an artist and mild exploitation; which in essence is Vivian’s posthumous fame. Such beauty should be shared, but by whom? (RBM) WWWW INTERSTELLAR Science Fiction enthusiasts will not be disappointed in Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic offering, an ambitious and highly-crafted film which effectively combines a family melodrama and an intergalactic

BERTIE BLACKMAN THE DASH Bertie Blackman has always seemed like a purveyor of that particular brand of homegrown, ‘credible’ indie that’s compulsory for local reviewers to praise lest they break the ‘emperor’s new clothes’ code of Australian music. So The Dash is a revelation. A sparkling, expansive record, it’s full of big hooks set within a richly textured electronic soundscape, flecked throughout with ’80s influences.While some will accuse her of selling out, this album is impeccably produced and the songs are undeniably strong, reaching their apogee on tracks such as Run For Your Life, Kingdom of Alone, Beams and War of One. (PH)

18

FAT PIZZA VS HOUSOS

the universe. (MMo) WWWW

(SY)WWW½

two best friends who grew up together have always been in love but never seem to get the timing right. One thing that sets this film apart from its contemporaries is its portrayal of the lovers’ obstacles; it is not overdramatised nor dwelt on.Although by the same token, the incredible friendship of Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Clafin) appears to be underdeveloped and not as unrelenting as the producers would have us believe.

The latter, who is reminiscent of a young Hugh Grant is cast perfectly opposite the bright-eyed Lily Collins. Even though the characters are wanting in complexity, the film is charming and has its moments of authenticity.The two leads share a very believable chemistry.

Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, Dear John) novel adaptation has hit the big screen. Like his previous works, the story aims to tug at the heartstrings with an exploration of young love, romance gone awry and the duplicity of destiny. However, rather than tug, it yanks a little too roughly with a heavyhanded direction, obvious plot twists and plenty of kissing in the rain with clichéd dialogue.

James Marsden turns in a solid performance as his first lead in a Sparks’ adaptation.The passionate chemistry between the young leads and their older selves is sturdy, even if their relationships never are.With an unobtrusive soundtrack and pretty southern locations,The Best of Me is a

LOVE, ROSIE The story is simple –

THE BEST OF ME The latest

next Flume or Will Sparks.”

Throughout the two nights there will be 14 showcases curated by some of Australia’s top record labels, crews and collectives over four venues.Ackland explained that the decision for Kings Cross to host the event was made because,“We really wanted to have all of the venues a stone’s throw away from each other so you bump into people moving about the venues and generate a real buzz.”

Yolanda Be Cool, having recently released their single Sugar Man, will be one of the featured acts performing as part of the Sweat It Out Showcase at World Bar.When asked how it felt to be featured with so many talented artists,Yolanda Be Cool’s Matt Handley says,“It’s really exciting, there are a lot of awesome acts performing so its great to be there alongside them.”

Handley also had some recommendations of other acts for fans.“Indian Summer are doing some awesome things right now and their next single will put them onto another level.

Cassian also has a new single that I think will be a bit of a summer anthem and Crooked Colours are playing live and they’re wicked so all of those are definitely worth catching.”

The event presents a great opportunity for aspiring producers to watch and mingle with industry heavyweights which both Ackland and Handley highly encourage people to seize. (JA)

SYDNEY LIVE MUSIC GUIDE

ascent to number one by a debut artist in US history.

Thu, Nov 27, Oxford Art Factory Castlecomer: Hot off the heels of the release of their third EP Lone Survivor Castlecomer will be hitting the road once again. No strangers to the touring life having performed over 500 shows in the past, the band has really honed their craft and are pleased to say this is their best work yet.

Thu, Nov 27, Oxford Art Factory The Black Seeds: Globally

renowned for their live shows New Zealand’s reggae-soul heavyweights are due to hit Sydney this week.

Forming in 1998 and having produced five studio albums, a live album and two remix albums The Black Seeds have maintained their momentum throughout the years as a testament to their talent.

Described by German Rolling Stone as “the best reggae band in the world right now”, their unique blend of funk, soul, rock and

This comedy is a lot of things. It’s an exploration of just how far you can push stereotypes, and just how many sensationalist tricks you can stuff into a cheesy movie.Think tits, incest, exaggerated accents from all ethnicities and greedy police officers. Sometimes it can get a bit much, with the plot lost in favour of another biff or car crash. But no matter how politically correct you might consider yourself, you’ll laugh. (HC)WWW nice film; unsubtle and unapologetic in its melodramatic portrayal of young love. (LL) WW TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT An extremely simple but nonetheless emotive French drama, beautifully crafted and subtly performed by all involved. Particular praise goes to Marion Cotillard who plays Sandra, a Belgian mother with a history of depression. Sandra is about to lose her job, and she is trying to keep herself together for her family and her sanity. If her co-workers choose their significant bonus over her keeping her position at work, she may fall back into bad habits.

Viewers can’t help but struggle with her and any mild victory is magnified with brilliant nuances by Cotillard. (RBM) WWW

Yolanda Be Cool

Nov 21, Bald Faced Stag, 345 Parramatta Rd, Leichhardt, $18.90, oztix.com.au

reggae is one not to miss.

Fri, Nov 28, Metro Theatre Bud Petal: Launching their third album after years in production, Bud Petal create a unique blend of art-folk sounds and stories. In order to fully embrace the multiple deep layers of the record it will be launched with a seven-piece band that will create a very distinct atmosphere.

Sat, Nov 29, 107 Projects Aleyce Simmonds: At just 26 years old Aleyce is already a ten-year veteran of the

music scene. Her debut single Mighty Mighty Love became the most played country song on commercial radio and her two albums have received critical acclaim.

The live show will feature two distinct elements displaying her versatility, firstly their will be a full band set where the lines between contemporary country, old school country and classic rock are blurred before moving into a solo mode where Aleyce will display her mesmerising voice.

Sun, Nov 30,The Vanguard Zombie Cats: Five piece indie-pop band drawing influence from a rather diverse range including Ray Charles, Otis Reading, Lauren Hill and Gotye. Set to perform tracks from their latest release fans can expect a night of electronic infused pop, soul, catchy riffs and vocals. Zombie Cats will be joined by bands Sons Of Alamo and Thirty Seven on support duties.

Wed, Dec 3,The Vanguard

FREEWILLASTROLOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The National Science Foundation estimates that we each think at least 12,000 thoughts per day. The vast majority of them, however, are reruns of impressions that have passed through our minds many times before. But I am pleased to report that in the coming weeks, you Aries folks are primed to be far less repetitive than normal. You have the potential to churn out a profusion of original ideas, fresh perceptions, novel fantasies, and pertinent questions.

Take full advantage of this opportunity. Brainstorm like a genius.

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I enjoy getting spam emails with outrageous declarations that are at odds with common sense. “Eating salads makes you sick” is one of my favorites, along with “Water is worse for you than vodka” and “Smoking is healthier than exercising.” Why do I love reading these laughable claims? Well, they remind me that every day I am barraged by nonsense and delusion from the news media, the Internet, politicians, celebrities, and a host of fanatics. “Smoking is healthier than exercising” is just a more extreme and obvious lie than many others that are better disguised. The moral of the story for you in the coming week: Be alert for exaggerations that clue you in to what’s going

on discreetly below the surface.

Watch carefully for glitches in the Matrix.

C

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Every one of us, including me, has blind spots about the arts of intimacy and collaboration. Every one of us suffers from unconscious habits that interfere with our ability to get and give the love we want.

What are your bind spots and unconscious habits, Gemini. Ha! Trick question! They wouldn’t be blind spots and unconscious habits if you already knew about them. That’s the bad news. The good news is that in the next six weeks you can catch glimpses of these blocks, and make a good start toward reducing their power to distort your relationships.

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Now and then, it is in fact possible to fix malfunctioning machines by giving them a few swift kicks or authoritative whacks. This strategy is called “percussive maintenance.” In the coming days, you might be inclined to use it a lot. That’s probably OK. I suspect it’ll work even better than it usually does.

There will be problems, though, if you adopt a similar approach as you try to correct glitches that are more psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual in nature. For those, I recommend sensitivity and finesse.

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): What feelings or subjects have you been wanting to talk about,

but have not yet been able to?

Are there messages you are aching to convey to certain people, but can’t summon the courage to be as candid as you need to be? Can you think of any secrets you’ve been keeping for reasons that used to be good but aren’t good any more?

The time has come to relieve at least some of that tension, Leo. I suggest you smash your excuses, break down barriers, and let the revelations flow.

If you do, you will unleash unforeseen blessings.

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In 1662, Dutch painter Rembrandt finished *The Oath of Claudius Civilis.* It was 18 feet by 18 feet, the largest painting he ever made. For a short time, it hung on a wall in Amsterdam’s Town Hall. But local burgomasters soon decided it was offensive, and returned it to the artist to be reworked.

Rembrandt ultimately chopped off three-fourths of the original.

What’s left is now hanging in a Stockholm museum, and the rest has been lost. Art critic Svetlana Alpers wishes the entire painting still existed, but nevertheless raves about the remaining portion, calling it “a magnificent fragment.” I urge you to think like Alpers.

It’s time to celebrate your own magnificent fragments.

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You now have a special talent for connecting things that have never been connected.

You also have a magic touch

WRITERS AND OPINION MAKERS WANTED

at uniting things that should be united but can’t manage to do so under their own power. In fact, I’m inclined to believe that in the next three weeks you will be unusually lucky and adept at forging links, brokering truces, building bridges, and getting opposites to attract. I won’t be surprised if you’re able to compare apples and oranges in ways that make good sense and calm everyone down.

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1989, Amy Tan birthed her first novel, *The Joy Luck Club.* Her next, *The Kitchen God’s Wife,* came out in 1991.

Both were bestsellers. Within a few years, the student study guide publisher CliffsNotes did with them what it has done with many masterpieces of world literature: produced condensed summaries for use by students too lazy to read all of the originals. “In spite of my initial shock,” Tan said, “I admit that I am perversely honored to be in CliffsNotes.” It was a sign of success to get the same treatment as superstar authors like Shakespeare and James Joyce. The CliffsNotes approach is currently an operative metaphor in your life, Scorpio. Try to find it in your heart to be honored, even if it’s perversely so. For the most part, trimming and shortening and compressing will be beneficial.

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): With both

symbolic and practical actions, Sagittarius-born Pope Francis has tried to reframe the message of the Catholic Church. He’s having public showers installed for the homeless in Vatican City. He has made moves to dismantle the Church’s bigotry toward gays.

He regularly criticizes growing economic inequality, and keeps reminding politicians that there can be no peace and justice unless they take care of poor and marginalized people. He even invited iconic punk poet Patti Smith to perform at the Vatican Christmas Concert. You now have extra power to exert this kind of initiative in your own sphere, Sagittarius. Be proactive as you push for constructive transformations that will benefit all.

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The limpet is an aquatic snail. When it’s scared, it escapes at a rate approaching two inches per hour. If you get flustered in the coming week, Capricorn, I suggest you flee at a speed no faster than the limpet’s. I’m making a little joke here. The truth is, if you do get into a situation that provokes anxiety, I don’t think you should leave the scene at all. Why? There are two possibilities. First, you may be under the influence of mistaken ideas or habitual responses that are causing you to be nervous about something there’s no need to be nervous about. Or second, if you are

indeed in an authentic bind, you really do need to deal with it, not run away.

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Science-fiction novelist Philip K. Dick has been one of my favorite authors since I discovered his work years ago.

I love how he reconfigured my mind with his metaphysical riffs about politics and his prophetic questions about what’s real and what’s not. Recently I discovered he once lived in a house that’s a few blocks from where I now live. While he was there, he wrote two of his best books. I went to the place and found it was unoccupied. That night I slept in a sleeping bag on the back porch, hoping to soak up inspiration. It worked!

Afterwards, I had amazing creative breakthroughs for days.

I recommend a comparable ritual for you, Aquarius. Go in quest of greatness that you want to rub off on you.

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Do you enjoy telling people what to do? Are you always scheming to increase your influence over everyone whose life you touch? If you are a typical Pisces, the answer to those questions is no. The kind of power you are interested in is power over yourself. You mostly want to be the boss of you.

Right now is a favorable time to intensify your efforts to succeed in this glorious cause. I suggest you make aggressive plans to increase your control over your own destiny.

Bonarchè Burgers Made By The Chef & The Butcher

Open Thursday – Sunday

Gourmet burgers British style fish & chips Craft beers and wine Classic “old school” milkshakes Award winning service Functions welcome

14 Norton St Leichhardt www.bonarche.com The Alternative Media Group of Australia 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: cityhub@alternativemediagroup.com

19

Wish upon a Star

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING NIGHT WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 6-8PM

ONE NIGHT ONLY • 20% off gift cards from 6pm^ • Complimentary snacks and bubbles • You could win bags from Givenchy and Gucci and more* • Free hand massages • Up to 40% discount at our designer stores • IM Lingerie fashion show

There’ll be something to satisfy everyone’s Christmas wishes at our magical shopping event.

Visit star.com.au/christmas

RETAIL ARCADE | 80 PYRMONT STREET, PYRMONT | 1800 700 700 ^Only available at the gift card desk in the Retail Arcade. Card sales limited to $350,000 on the night to a maximum value of $2,000 per adult per transaction. Purchase in following denominations only: $2,000, $1,000 and $500. Valid until 31 December 2014 and valid in the following stores only: Adriano Zumbo Pâtissier, Ribs & Burgers, City Essentials, Havana, Pulse Express, Din Tai Fung, Flying Fish & Chips, Dergah Grill, Kampung, Gelato Messina, G-Star, Calvin Klein Jeans, Chanel Fragrance & Beauty, IM Lingerie, Salvatore Ferragamo, LK Boutique, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Moda Emporio, Star Hair & Beauty, Justine Rose Florist and The Century. Please note, a 2% credit card surcharge will apply to all credit card transactions (including where you select the ‘credit’ option when using a debit card). *Terms and conditions apply, see star.com.au for details. The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol.