CITY HUB December 2024

TANYA PLIBERSEK

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SYDNEY

When the Albanese Labor Government was elected Australians were facing serious cost-of-living pressures, with nation defining challenges like energy transformation and housing and skills shortages, which had been allowed to drift for the best part of a decade

Our number one economic priority for the past two and a half years has been getting on top of inflation and since then:

Inflation has more than halved.

Real wages are growing again.

The economy is still expanding

A million new jobs have been created, the majority full time

Workforce participation is near record highs

The gender pay gap at a record low

We’ve turned two huge deficits into two substantial surpluses –the first in nearly two decades

We’ve found almost $80 billion in savings and paid off $150 billion of Liberal debt as a result

The inflation challenge has been global, but the Australian economy has performed better than most countries Prices have risen less here than in countries like the US, UK and New Zealand

Interest rates also climbed higher than ours in almost every comparable country, causing worse unemployment, slower job creation, lower growth, or a combination of all three

We have come at this cost of living challenge from every conceivable and responsible angle.

Supporting higher wages

Energy bill relief for around 10 million households and 1 million small businesses

Increasing childcare subsidy rates and expanding Paid Parental Leave

Increasing the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 45 per cent

Tripling Medicare bulk billing incentives and lowering the cost of PBS medicines

Boosting support payments like the pension

Delivering 500,000 fee free TAFE places

Helping small business by extending the instant asset write off and improving payment times

Pushing the supermarkets to provide better prices through stronger protections and greater competition

Looking to cut close to $20 billion in student debt for more than 3 million Australians

And tax cuts for all 13 6 million Australian taxpayers

We know Australians are still under pressure but we’re confident, not complacent, that the worst of the inflation challenge is now behind us

There’s still more to do and plenty to lose if we don’t do more. We will stay focused on helping Australians however we can with the cost of living challenges that we face

Volunteer Grants

The 2024-2025 volunteer grants, for amounts between $1000 and $5000 to help community organisations support their volunteers, are now open This year, not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to cover insurance and communication purchases including internet and software

Expressions of Interest (EOI) must be returned to my office by 5pm Friday, 15 January 2025

Please contact my office for any inquiries and to obtain an EOI form

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a happy, safe summer and festive season and please remember to contact my electorate office should you need any assistance during this period

Mardi Gras reports

$1.2 million loss

(See p.5)

HUBARTS: ABIGAIL ADRIANO ON HADESTOWN

Eurydice is going to be a dream for me

(See p.19)

HECS indexation changes to cut $3 billion in student debts

CHRISTINE LAI

The Federal Government’s changes to the HECS indexation rules have finally become law, passing through Parliament on Tuesday night.

Under the new legislation, the annual indexation of student loans will be capped at the lower of either inflation or wage growth.

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This change, which takes effect retroactively from June 2023, will reverse the 7.1% increase in student debts caused by last year’s indexation.

As a result, some individuals will receive a credit on their loans, while others could see a refund directly in their bank accounts.

The reforms are expected to reduce student debt by $3 billion, benefitting an estimated three million Australians.

HECS-HELP is a government loan designed to assist students pay their student contribution amount. To access it, students must be enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP), where the government covers part of the fees.

The remaining portion is called the student contribution amount, which can be paid using the HECS-HELP loan, with the government paying it directly to the education provider. Repayment starts once the student’s income reaches a set threshold.

The minimum repayment threshold for HECS-HELP loans in 2024–25 is set at $54,435. Therefore, individuals earning above this amount will be required to make compulsory repayments.

For the past thirty years, HECS/HELP loan repayments have been indexed according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 introduces changes to the way indexation is calculated on student debt, with the new rules backdated to 1 June 2023.

Last year, indexation saw its largest increase since 1990, with a 7.1% rise, placing significant financial pressure on students as their loans grew faster than their ability to repay.

The new legislation caps indexation on HELP, VET Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, and other student debts at the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI).



All HELP debts that were indexed in 2023 & 2024 will receive an indexation credit

This follows a review of the higher education system aimed at limiting debt increases during high inflation.

As a result, the 7.1% spike in 2023 will be reduced to 3.2%, based on the WPI.

Credits will be issued via the ATO, ensuring future indexation aligns with wage growth, easing the debt burden for students.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

For a student with an average HELP debt of around $27,000, these changes could see around $1,200 wiped from their outstanding loan balance.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) will automatically apply these changes to all borrowers with student loans, and the

adjustments will be made as soon as possible.

If you’ve already paid off your student debt after the 2023 or 2024 indexation was applied, you may be eligible for a refund.

The credit will be issued directly to your bank account, provided there are no outstanding government debts.

*Actual credit amount will vary depending on individual circumstances including repayments made during the year. All HELP debts that were indexed in 2023 and 2024 will receive an indexation credit.

“The Universities Accord recommended indexing HELP loans to whatever is lower out of CPI and WPI. Now that legislation has passed, the ATO will automatically apply these credits as soon as possible,” Minister for Education Jason Clare said.

Clare also noted that, if Labor wins the next election, they plan to further reduce all student debt by 20 percent and implement fairer repayment terms.

According to a government release, the relevant legislation has passed Parliament, and the revised indexation rates will be automatically applied to individuals’ loans by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Photo: David Peterson / Pexels

Food composting rolling out across NSW

BY WILL THORPE

Residents of Sydney’s Inner West have grown accustomed to the weekly collection of food scraps, after the Inner West Council last year followed in the footsteps of other councils in the East and West. Now, the entirety of New South Wales is set to have food composting by July 2030.

As the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment (FOGO Recycling) Bill 2024 was read before the Legislative Council on 21 November, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe emphasised the urgency of reducing the rate at which Sydney produces rubbish.

“There is no beating about the bush –Greater Sydney is running out of landfill. Our recycling rates have stagnated at 2016 levels,” Sharpe said.

Sydney is on track to use up all its landfill space by 2030, which may force Sydneysiders to bear the cost of having their rubbish transported to the regions.

Sharpe stated that the collection of food waste could divert 950,000 tonnes from landfill annually.

Although food composting has garnered in-principle support from the Coalition and the Greens, the plan has not been without opposition. Local Government NSW, the peak body representing local councils in the state, made a submission to the Environment Protection Authority opposing a mandate on how frequently bins should be collected.

Starting from July 2030, councils will be expected to organise weekly collection of FOGO bins, and make sure there is no contamination during transportation. If a council fails to do so, they could receive fines of up to $500,000, and additional fines of $50,000 per day if they continue not to comply with the regulations.

INNER WEST’S TEETHING ISSUES AND SMELLY BINS

To know how the scheme may affect residents across the state, and what pitfalls should be avoided, it is instructive to look to the Inner West Council, which introduced combined FOGO (Food Organics, Garden Organics) recycling in October 2023.

Residents were provided with a small inside food bin and an initial supply of compostable liners for it, as well as stickers indicating what can be composted. Residents are encouraged to place all food scraps in the kitchen bin or the outside bin, excluding liquids.

Once full, the contents of the kitchen bin are transferred to the curbside green bin.

The council continues to supply residents with 120 litre and 240 litre bins, kitchen bench top bins, and compostable liners. Additionally, it offers tips on how to counter the scent that rotting food waste may produce, such as storing the bench top bin away from direct sunlight.

Issues of foul smells, flies and maggots infesting bins became prominent concerns and an initial lack of council response prompted a strong backlash.

Marrickville resident Lynn McIntosh gave ABC News a vivid description of the problem. “You open up the bin, the food smells, it’s unsightly, with maggots crawling out the top of the bin,” she remarked.

“We are aware of the smell issues,” said Sharpe. “This mandated collection

frequency aims to address that. I know that many councils across the state have this well and truly underway.”

Teething issues came as red bin collection was reduced from a weekly to a fortnightly frequency. The council subsequently allowed residents to request that their general rubbish bins be collected weekly.

There is no beating about the bush – Greater Sydney is running out of landfill

“There are some households with small children and lots of nappies or larger households with lots of people in them and a greater amount of waste who are struggling with the fortnightly red bin collection,” Mayor Darcy Byrne told ABC Radio Sydney

COMPOSTING A SUCCESS, DESPITE SETBACKS

Despite the issues, the council has trumpeted the success of the scheme. It stated in July that, on average, 17% more FOGO material was being collected per month than expected. Food waste from the Inner West has largely been distributed for use by farmers in the state’s west. In July, however, the Inner West Council took delivery of its first truckload of compost created by the programme, which was put to use in Haberfield’s Richard Murden Reserve.

“The huge amounts of food waste that we’ve diverted from landfill shows how much the people of the Inner West have embraced our food recycling service,” Mayor Byrne said. The environment minister argued that weekly collection across the state would prevent households from being “discouraged” to recycle food scraps due to the decomposition of food in the time prior to collection.

Councils will not be required to collect garden and food material in the same bin as the Inner West Council does, so long as food waste is collected weekly.

As of November, 57 councils in NSW have implemented FOGO programs, including the City of Sydney, the City of Randwick, Woollahra Municipal Council and Waverley Council. Penrith Council introduced FOGO recycling in 2009 — the first of any metropolitan council in Australia to do so.

Photo: Inner West Council / Facebook

Photo:Supplied

Mardi Gras reports $1.2 million loss

BY LYDIA JUPP

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has revealed it suffered a net operating loss of $1.2m in 2024, and is cutting one of its biggest parties as a result. The deficit is their first since 2020, and the largest on record.

The loss comes the year after an incredible World Pride in 2023, which saw the organisation hit a profit of $1.6 million.

Mardi Gras reported that $1 million was lost to their Bondi Beach Party, which was priced at $239 per head in 2024. While the party successfully sold out in 2023, less than half this number attended this year. Of the 15,000 person capacity, NSW Police estimated that only 5825 attended.

The NSW Government and City of Sydney contributed $1.1m to the organisation in August to bail them out of a projected budget shortfall, finding that the event might not be able to survive without it.

“At one point, there was a very real possibility that the 2025 festival might

have been reduced to just the Parade and Fair Day,” said a spokesperson.

The City of Sydney has also provided Mardi Gras with a $250k handout in the form of free rent of new office spaces over a two-year lease.

 In the face of these extraordinary circumstances, we worked tirelessly to mitigate further losses

Mardi Gras has cited a weak Australian dollar, rising production costs, and shifts in discretionary spending with the cost of living crisis as some of the reasons why attendance was down.

A DIFFICULT YEAR FROM THE START FOR MARDI GRAS

World Pride was a tough act to follow, and the 2024 season got off on the wrong foot when Fair Day was

abruptly cancelled only days before the event was scheduled to be held when authorities found asbestos in the mulch in Victoria Park.

The event was unable to be rescheduled.

“The forced cancellation of Fair Day was a critical blow to both our finances and

the festival’s momentum. With much of the infrastructure already set up, we incurred significant sunk costs and lost key revenue streams from bar sales, donations, and stall holder fees,” a spokesperson explained.

“In the face of these extraordinary circumstances, we worked tirelessly to mitigate further losses. Savings were made across other events, operational efficiencies were implemented, and longterm strategies were developed to ensure Mardi Gras could survive – all while simultaneously delivering the full festival.”

Mardi Gras has conducted a comprehensive review of the 2024 festival in order to identify areas for improvement and safeguard the festival’s future.

Reflecting on another big year in the Newtown electorate

This year, like so many before it, has been massive for our community. I often say that I represent one of the most progressive communities in NSW, if not the country - and this year has once again been a testament to this.

From resident action groups like REDWatch, Friends of Erskineville, and the Alexandria Residents’ Action group to the wonderful P&Cs at our public schools, Newtown is full of people who act on our shared values of community, compassion, and progressive politics. Whether they’re campaigning for overdue accessibility upgrades to our local train stations or stepping up to fill the gaps left by under-resourced infrastructure and learning needs in schools, these community groups are such a big part of what makes our local community great.

The Newtown electorate is also home to critical services that provide direct support and advocacy for those who are doing it tough. Every year these local organisations do so much with increasingly precarious, limited funding and resourcing, and this year has been no different. It is an ongoing pleasure to work with the fantastic teams at the Newtown

Neighbourhood Centre, Redfern Legal Centre, Marrickville Legal Centre, the Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre, Lou's Place, Addi Road and the Older Women's Network, all of whom work tirelessly to support those who need it most.

While we are well-connected locally, we also think and act globally. It is impossible to reflect on the year that has passed without noting the tireless organising and shows of solidarity that have occurred all year calling for an end to the atrocities in Gaza.

With over a year of mass rallies in Hyde Park, organised by the Palestine Action Group, the 24/7 Little Palestine picket that lasted for months outside the PM's electorate office in the inner west, and the various workplace and community actions organised by Unionists for Palestine, Families for Palestine, Nurses and Midwives for Palestine, Teachers and School Staff for Palestine, Hospitality for Palestine and many more, our community has made it clear that we will not top until Palestine is free.

As we move into the holiday season, I want to thank all those who have worked for a local

service, joined a community group, volunteered, taken to the streets in peaceful protest, signed a petition, or taken another action to help build a fairer, more connected future for us all. I wish you a restful and restorative break, and look forward to continuing to work and connect with you in 2025.

To keep up to date with the many local events and activities happening in the Newtown electorate, subscribe to our Newtown Community and Activist Calendar here: jennyleong.org/newtown_community_activist _calendar

Jenny Leong MP Greens Member for Newtown

Photo: Jordan Munns / Supplied

Photo: Jordan Munns / Supplied

Photo:Jordan Munns / Supplied

Rising Tide arrests & calls to repeal anti-protest laws

BY WENDY BACON

In the wake of 170 arrests at the recent climate protests by Rising Tide, the City of Sydney has called on the NSW Government to repeal new laws that have criminalised or increased penalties for protest.

Recent NSW laws fast-tracked through Parliament introduced $22,000 fines for “obstructing light rail, railways and trams”. These laws are designed to make it harder for protests to be held near Sydney Town Hall Station and other transport hubs.

Last week’s motion from the Greens built on earlier Council motions that have defended the right to peaceful civil disobedience and called for the repeal of the full suite of NSW antiprotest laws, which are the toughest in Australia. Most of these laws were rushed through parliament in less than 24 hours by the LNP government with the support of Labor in 2022.

Greens Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore said that she was acting on the request of a group of 34 legal and human rights organisations. Recently, the Minns Labor government reviewed the laws, and despite the vast majority of public submissions calling for their repeal, the government has retained the laws. Indeed, it has strengthened them.

I want to be on the right side of history; we should be following scientists

Ellsmore’s motion was debated immediately following Rising Tide protests at the world’s biggest coal port in Newcastle. The protesters called on the Federal Labor government and all state governments to stop extending existing or approving new coal and gas projects, and to tax fossil fuel companies to fund a ‘just transition’ for affected communities.

170 people were arrested, many of whom were charged under Section 214A of the Crimes Act, which is one of the laws designed to deter protests. Another 24 Rising Tide protesters

were arrested at Parliament House in Canberra.

Ellsmore’s motion was amended by Clover Moore Independent Jess Miller to include a donation to Rising Tide.

CITY OF SYDNEY COUNCILLORS VOTE TO REPEAL ANTI-PROTEST LAWS

All but one of the City of Sydney Councillors voted for the motion. This included both Labor Councillors Deputy Mayor Zann Maxwell and Mitch Wilson.

The sole Liberal Councillor Lyndon Gannon said that he would have supported the rest of the motion but not the Rising Tide donation. He described Rising Tide protesters as “flouting Supreme Court rulings.” Neither of the two Supreme Court judges who considered NSW government applications to stop the protest found that it was unlawful for it to proceed.

He also described kayakers as “intermingling with ships”. This was misleading. City Hub was present at the protest and can report that no kayaker went in front or alongside any coal carriers moving along the shipping channel.

Recently, thousands of heat records in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres have been broken. Meanwhile, Sydney MP and Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek

approved three massive coal mine expansions in September, called by conservationists as “the opposite of climate action”.

Ron Hoenig, the NSW Minister for Local government and MP for Heffron, lost no time in joining the predictable News Corporation condemnation of the City of Sydney’s motion.

“How does subsidising a protest 170kms up the M1 improve service delivery in the City of Sydney?” he told Sky News. “Small businesses in the CBD have every right to be outraged. Maybe they should consider their own protest on Town Hall.”

Hundreds of Sydneysiders including some from Hoenig’s own electorate travelled to Newcastle. These comments suggest that Hoenig may be more concerned to alienate the community from protesters than with the actual increasingly desperate climate-related concerns of many Australians.

ALL KINDS OF SYDNEYSIDERS ARRESTED IN DIVERSE RISING TIDE PROTEST

Health professionals travelled across Australia to join the Rising Tide protests because they are concerned about the impact of climate change on health, particularly the health of the elderly, disabled and poorer communities. Several were arrested, including Newcastle Neuroscientist Dr Peter

Schofield and clinical nursing specialist Deanna Hayes.

Hayes lives in Inner Sydney. She became involved in the climate justice movement when her schoolaged son became involved in the SchoolStrike4Climate several years ago. She was arrested in 2023 and received a low fine with no conviction recorded.

Since her first arrest, Hayes had been organising to build the Sydney Rising Tide 2024 contingent by handing out flyers at markets and organising community meetings.

“I want to be on the right side of history; that we should be following scientists on this and stopping new coal and gas projects or any sort of extensions going ahead. We can write letters and we can email, but [the government] seems not to be taking any notice. Non-violent direct action is the next sort of escalation of action to try and get them to listen.“

The Rising Tide protest included a remarkable diversity of people. Those arrested were aged from 13 to 84. There were powerful speeches and ceremonies from First Nations and Pasifika communities who travelled from as far away as Northern Queensland. It included Queer and Palestinian solidarity marches of hundreds of people.

It was this welcoming nature that many participants told City Hub drew them to Rising Tide.

Photo: Rising Tide/Supplied

Protests after student punished for wearing keffiyeh

BY CHRISTINE LAI

More than 100 students and their families gathered for a snap protest at Condell Park High School on November 26, after a student was punished for wearing a keffiyeh.

The Year 12 student, who has chosen not be named, was banned from his Year 12 formal because he wore a keffiyeh — a scarf that is Palestinian cultural attire — to his graduation ceremony.

The protesters demanded accountability from the school, and for the ban to be reversed.

No student should be segregated because of their cultural attire

An online petition was also created, and Condell Park High School’s social media pages were flooded with furious commenters.

One person wrote, “Absolutely

disgusted that you didn’t allow a Palestinian student wear [sic] his cultural garment for graduation. Issue a formal apology to that student and all Arab students”. Another person wrote, “Shame on the perpetrators of hate and blatant racism at this school.”

At the protest, one speaker read a statement on behalf of the teenager. “I wanted an apology and to be allowed to attend the formal,” it read. “This request was sent to the school, the department and the minister. The response came over three weeks later, in a letter from the department’s

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lawyers, they said that the school had done nothing wrong.”

The teenager has now lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The student’s older sister called Condell Park High School’s treatment of her brother unjust, noting that other students wore cultural attire without issue. “The keffiyeh is a centuriesold garment worn by my family, grandparents, great-grandparents and many others in the Palestinian community,” she said.

The snap protest — which was

organised by SydStudents4Palestine, Palestine Action Group Sydney, and other Palestinian activist groups — condemned the school’s decision.

“No student should be segregated because of their cultural attire,” read a post by SydStudents4Palestine.

An activist at the protest read an emotional story about being a Palestinian student, that had been shared at a previous rally:

“Being Palestinian at school means… I wake up to another massacre, and then I go to school and am expected to shut up because school is an apolitical place. Palestine is not to be mentioned on school grounds. Shame.”

NSW EDUCATION DEPT STRESSES APOLITICAL STANCE

The Department of Education released a statement urging schools to remain apolitical in order to promote “safety, respect and social cohesion.”

NSW Education Department secretary Murat Dizdar has offered to meet personally with the 17-year-old student.

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Photo: studentsforpalestineunsw / Instagram

NSW Drug Summit concludes after two days in Sydney

BY LYDIA JUPP / NAOMI LAWRENCE

Health experts, academics, people with lived experience, and other stakeholders came together in Sydney over the December 4 and 5 for the final leg of the 2024 NSW Drug Summit, which was held for the first time in 25 years.

The summit also included two days of regional forums in Griffith and Lismore in early November.

Premier Chris Minns opened the Summit on December 4, highlighting the importance of diverse opinions in the pursuit of finding solutions to drug abuse.

“Drugs exist, and drugs will continue to exist after this summit has wrapped up,” he said. “Drugs are a health issue. They’re also a justice issue. They’re a police issue… They’re an issue for people that want a safe and sociable neighbourhood to live in.”

“The best hope for lasting change on any question, but particularly a vexed question like drug policy, is finding points where we agree and we can share a common ground.”

The state’s last drug summit was held in 1999, while Bob Carr was premier. It introduced radical new drug policies and strategies, and laid the groundwork for a medically supervised injecting facility in Kings Cross, the first to exist in the English-speaking world.

NSW currently has no existing drug policy, with the last one expiring in 2010.

EXPERTS

CALL FOR GOVERNMENT TO COMMIT TO CHANGE

Multiple advocacy groups called on Premier Chris Minns to implement a whole-of-government drug and alcohol strategy as the Summit came to a close on December 5.

A whole-of-government approach is what many groups have been advocating for for years, and would bring together health, social services, and legal perspectives in order to plug the gaps in the system.

“This Summit brought together a broad group of stakeholders, and we had some productive discussions – but it can’t stop there,” said CEO of NSW

Council of Social Services Cara Varian.

“It was clear that we are failing our most marginalised communities, including First Nations people, young people and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. People, their families and their communities must be at the core of the Government’s response.”

people seeking help, and are having to turn people away.

“The lack of early intervention services means our members are quite literally on the street intercepting young people from being recruited to use drugs, or deal drugs,” said Ms Varian. “If the Government wants to shift the dial on these issues, it needs to support the service providers on the frontline doing incredible work.

“The government will then, across its portfolios and ministers engage, review and report back, importantly, in a very timely manner.”

Minister Park confirmed that the report will be released to the public, acknowledging how the summit has reshaped his own views.

Dr Robert Stirling, CEO of Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies, touched on similar issues, saying that it’s not too early for the government to react.

“We already know what needs to be done,” Dr Stirling said. “We just need the Government to get on with the job.”

Both organisations released research this week highlighting the struggles service providers on the frontline are facing.

NADA shared their waitlist data, revealing that more than 1,800 people are on the waitlist for treatment services every day, the number climbing to more than 2,660 for those waiting for multiple service types.

NCOSS is facing a lack of critical funding despite record high numbers of

The summit has also ignited debates about pill testing. With Victoria preparing to trial pill testing at the Beyond Valley following the success of trials in the ACT and Queensland, pressure mounts further on NSW to adopt similar measures to reduce harm.

REPORT TO BE DELIVERED IN 2025

In the wake of the Summit, co-chairs former NSW Labor deputy premier Carmel Tebutt and former Liberal opposition leader John Brogden will deliver a report to the government next year, which NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has emphasised will have no restrictions.

“They’ve been given no limitations,” Mr Park said.

“They’ve been given no set agenda. While there are things that we will agree and not agree on — absolutely — that report will be handed to the government in a faithful way.

“Each of the days I’ve left … thinking, ‘What have I learned? What have I been challenged? What do I need to think about going forward?’” Mr. Park said.

Encouraging his fellow officials to embrace the same spirit of openness, Park added “that is how we truly reform and how we truly serve the communities and the people of NSW in a way that we’re all passionate about doing in our respective roles.”

Park also addressed opposing views and underscored the vital role of young people in shaping effective drug policies after speaking with delegates on the December 4.

“Your voice is critical, because in many ways, you are what we are all here for,” Park added, urging them to share their perspectives with members of Parliament.

“They don’t always see that through a frame of problem and problematic behaviour. And I say to those young people, thank you for challenging me,” Park said.

Photo: NSW Police / AAP

Sydney Harbour water mysteriously turns blood red

BY CHRISTINE LAI

Sydney residents were left stunned when they discovered eerie, blood red water near Milson Park in Kirribilli on December 2.

Experts are investigating the cause of the vibrant red hue — captured in photo and video by 7 News — in the bay leading into Sydney Harbour.

A North Sydney Council spokesperson confirmed that they were aware of the blood-red water.

“Council is aware of the red water flowing into the harbour from Milson Park, and officers have investigated but have not been able to find the source.”

“We have reported it to the EPA. The cause of the colour is likely to be plumbers dye which, while alarming in appearance, is safe and non toxic,” the

In September, authorities were alerted to a “large spill of fluorescent green material” that was traced to a nearby stormwater drain, where fluorescein, a non-toxic substance, had leaked out.

The bright green colouring was observed in Careening Cove at Milson Park, Kirribilli, located near Sydney’s central business district and one of the Prime Minister’s official residences.

Officers have investigated but have not been able to find the source

Fluorescein, which breaks down under UV light, is often used because its distinctive green colour makes it easy to trace.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent

probably thousands of points, like homes and stormwater drains, which lead into the harbour,” Superintendent Dewberry told Sydney Morning Herald at the time.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority investigated the bizarre blood red water.

An EPA spokesperson also said the substance reported in Careening Cove appeared to be plumbers’ dye.

This dye is commonly used in plumbing/drain testing and dissipates

quickly once diluted. The dye has now dissipated and is no longer visible in the harbour.

“Officers from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and North Sydney Council made enquiries into the matter but were unable to find a source for the dye,” the spokesperson said. Anyone concerned about possible water pollution should contact the EPA’s 24/7 Environment Line on 131 555, as soon as possible to ensure their concerns can be investigated promptly.

Stopping Toxic Cruise Ship Pollution at White Bay

Our community deserves clean air free from the toxic fumes of cruise ships.

But for over a decade, we’ve been forced to endure the toxic fumes of the cruising industry’s oldest and dirtiest ships, right in our backyard

Cruise ships docked at White Bay Cruise Terminal run their diesel engines around the clock, pumping fumes into our homes and into our schools It’s the equivalent of 4,000 extra cars on our roads every day

Installing shore power would instead allow cruise ships to plug into the grid for power, rather than running their polluting, diesel engines.

After advocating for over a decade, the local community won a commitment in 2022 from the former government to install shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal by the end of 2024

This was a good first step, and something that NSW Labor committed to seeing through. Sadly, we know that Labor’s plan doesn’t go far enough, as older ships without shore power capability will still be allowed to dock at White Bay and run their diesel engines

This loophole is disappointing, particularly in light of the delays to the shore-power rollout revealed earlier this year - leaving us waiting till 2026 to see any relief

Our community deserves better That’s why I’ve introduced a Bill to make shore power mandatory for all ships docking at White Bay. This would prevent the cruising industry from continuing to send us their oldest and dirtiest ships

Please join us and call on the Minister for Transport to support the Greens Bill for mandatory shore power at White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Shetty MP Member for Balmain

Photo: Screenshot via 7 News

Cost of living crisis driving homelessness in Parramatta

BY BIANCA TROPIANO

Homelessness is a primary issue throughout NSW, and has been increasing within the Parramatta LGA.

Homeless individuals within Parramatta are yearning for more support, assistance and care. The solutions and programs to help assist homelessness in Parramatta have limited availability due to the high demand of resources since the rise in living costs. These individuals need better care, and are fighting for survival.

As the development of Parramatta grows, it is placing financial stress among households. With 50% of households in Parramatta experiencing stress and worry about their living stability, housing stress can forcibly drive people into homelessness. This also applies pressure to the services that are provided to aid homelessness individuals.

LIVING IN A TRAIN STATION: THE REALLIFE STORIES OF HOMELESSNESS

Lizzie Cowell and Elizabeth Thompson are two homeless women who have been living in Parramatta Train Station for more than 6 months. Elizabeth, 54, became homeless after fleeing a domestic dispute, and has been residing in Parramatta Station from September 2023. “When I pictured my life, this wasn’t the plan,” Elizabeth reflects.

Her struggles have been reflected through her rejection from resources. “I have reached out to support programs and they can only do so much. They promise a lot of stuff, but when it comes to the actual doing, nothing ever happens,” she says.

Elizabeth recalls a moment when she was helping a younger girl who was sleeping in Parramatta station. She had been turned away by an organisation due to lack of available housing. “They basically didn’t do much, they told the young girl that there were no vacancies anywhere and that’s all they did,” says Elizabeth. “I helped make some money to put together a bed for one night because nobody was helping [her].” Lizzie, 51, has been residing in

Parramatta station for over 10 months due to unemployment and personal issues. “People will do a lot to avoid you when you are homeless,” says Lizzie. “They know the problem is there but they don’t want to see it, until it comes to their own doorstep.”

“It’s really hard to overcome homelessness when the cost of living is so high,” she shares.

One homeless individual, who preferred to remain anonymous, resided within Parramatta station for one week in 2022 following the outbreak of COVID-19. They strictly relied on the programs provided by the Parramatta council in order to have a roof over their head and survive. “I experienced primary homelessness in Parramatta Station… it was nothing short of brutal and suffocating”.

It’s really hard to overcome homelessness when the cost of living is so high

Georgie, 18, is a university student that travels to Parramatta station three days a week for university, where she regularly encounters the two homeless individuals. “It makes me feel disheartened and very upset, that they were out in the cold sleeping whilst I got to go home to bed,” says Georgie. “It really makes you question your privilege and reflect upon the struggles these people have to face daily.”

“Governments and organisations should realise this [is an ] issue and allocate more funding.”

with the large number of homeless people in Parramatta,” Elizabeth pleads. Parramatta City Council is one of the main responding resources for homeless individuals. “The Council’s Homelessness Policy has identified diverse strategies involving all levels of government and other stakeholders to address this complex issue,” said a Parramatta City Council spokesperson. “Actions speak louder than words,” Lizzie says. “With the lack of change and access to these resources, there is no hope for change.”

LOCAL AND EMERGENCY RESOURCES STRETCHED TO LIMIT

With the rising index of secondary homelessness in Parramatta, ‘emergency relief’ is a program supported by the council, which helps individuals who have limited resources and are experiencing hardship and financial distress. The program provides free food and material aid to homeless people who have limited access to the resources needed to conduct a healthy, functioning life. This program is offered every week with different kinds of services, like financial assistance, food vouchers, furniture, and food supply. But these programs can be overwhelmed by demand.

Elizabeth says many of these resources are “limited with availability,” and priority tiers apply to accommodating services to individuals.

“The untold reality is that it is extremely difficult to become a priority, especially

“I am aware they have specific programs for under 25-year-olds, but what about women and men who are over the age of 50? We are in need of the same support,” Lizzie pleads. “We need more availability and care for homeless people in Parramatta, especially as the cost of living is rising.”

Ultimately, the reality is that “[the] federal government needs to supply more funding and services to help the lives of homeless people,” says Lizzie. There is a demand for more support workers, assistance, housing, and materials for these individuals.

Homelessness will always be a prominent figure within society, but within communities in NSW we need to unite and combat the harsh reality that homeless individuals are being left behind. Change must happen, availability must be open, and we must validate the realities that people are barely surviving.

Parramatta Homeless statistics 2010-2024. Photo: Parramatta City Council

VISIT PARFUMS DE MARLY BOUTIQUE AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WITH ANY PURCHASE

PARFUMS DE MARLY BOUTIQUE

The Strand Arcade

Boutique G015, Ground floor, 412-414 George Street

Sydney NSW 2000

(02) 9666 4868

University of Sydney’s new ‘civility rule’ sparks backlash

BY CHRISTINE LAI

Staff and students at the University of Sydney have expressed their concerns over free speech about the Senate’s approval of a new “civility rule” that requires speakers to clarify contested terms and enforces a strict ban on protests within university buildings.

The controversial decision, based on an external review led by barrister Bruce Hodgkinson SC, follows the dismantling of a pro-Palestine encampment in July and has sparked accusations that the university is curbing free speech.

The University of Sydney Chancellor David Thodey AO released a statement acknowledging the challenges of balancing free speech with campus safety, following the release of an external review led by barrister Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC.

The report included 51 submissions and consultations, while highlighting steps the university has already taken, such as banning camping on campus, prohibiting protests in buildings, and enhancing security.

It also acknowledged the “complexity of our environment and our continually evolving regulatory landscape, noting in particular our expanded work health and safety obligations.”

USYD REVIEW RECOMMENDS CIVILITY RULES, STRICTER PROTEST RULES

The University of Sydney’s recent review has outlined key recommendations that include maintaining the ban on campus encampments as a form of protest and continuing restrictions on protests within university buildings.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: Prohibition on Encampments and Protests: The ban on campus encampments and protests within buildings, including actions that impede access, should be maintained.

New Civility Rule: The University should amend its policies to require individuals using contested words or phrases to clarify their context to the audience. Failure to comply with this civility rule during lectures, seminars, or meetings could be considered misconduct.

Accountability for Organisations:

Student organisations will be responsible for ensuring that all meetings held on university premises adhere to the Civility Principles.

USyd SRC’s Education Officers Luke Mesterovic and Jasmine Al-Rawi issued a joint statement on Thursday, condemning the new Hodgkinson External Review report as an “unacceptable attack on student free speech on campus.”

This review is one of the worst draconian attacks on student free speech anywhere in the country

“This video potentially breaks the University of Sydney’s new rules, if the university doesn’t like what we have to say,” Al-Rawi spoke in a video posted to Instagram.

“This is a draconian attack on free speech, on the independence of student

organisation and a clear attempt to silence any opposition in our university,” said Mesterovic.

“The review includes unacceptable recommendations that would allow the university to discipline student organisations such as the SRC or USU clubs if they break some of the rules that the university has put forward. So, if you put up a poster, or you say something that breaks their new “civility rules,” you can see your organisation defunded,” Al-Rawi explained.

The Education Officers defended the right to protest, stating, “An attack on the SRC is an attack on all students.”

The university plans to involve NSW and Federal Police to establish protocols for assisting with campus matters under the new recommendations.

“This review is one of the worst draconian attacks in student free speech anywhere in the country. We demand that it is repealed,” the education officers said. “Our free speech should not be policed by the university.”

USING ‘PSYCHOSOCIAL SAFETY’ TO JUSTIFY POLITICAL CENSORSHIP

Two Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) at the University of Sydney have also issued a statement condemning the university’s use of “psychosocial safety” as a justification for political censorship. They argued that psychosocial safety is a workplace health and safety issue focused on how work is organised, designed, and carried out, meant to protect workers from their employers— not shield employers from criticism.

NTEU members from the USyd Fightback group, a caucus within the union, have argued that the university’s approach misrepresents workplace health and safety regulations, which address issues such as role overload, bullying, and workplace conflict—none of which apply to campus political activities.

The 2021 Safework NSW code of practice for managing psychosocial hazards lists common workplace risks such as role overload, traumatic events, role conflict, low job control, poor relationships between workers and supervisors, bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), and isolation.

According to USysd Health and Safety Representatives Vinil Kumar (Student Administration Services) and Jennifer Huch (Central Operations Services), none of these hazards, nor the Work Health and Safety regulations of 2011, “require changes to the university’s longstanding tradition of political activism on campus.”

“We fail to see how students, student organisations and staff making lecture announcements, engaging in protests, putting up posters and banners, setting up bake sales or any other kind of political activity constitutes a threat to psychosocial safety akin to the issues raised above,” they wrote.

Critics argue that the University of Sydney’s latest measures, which justify restrictions on political activism, represent a direct assault on free speech and raise concerns about the future of protest on campus.

Photo: Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra / Unsplash

PROPOSAL TO INSTALL NEW MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT THE ROOFTOP OF 15 BOWDEN STREET ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015

1. The proposed facility consists of the Installation of six (6) panel antennas for the provision of 4G and 5G technology on supporting mounts on the rooftop of existing facility; Installation of two (2) outdoor equipment units (ODU) on the existing building rooftop, Installation of platform and walkway above roof level Installation of ancillary equipment such as, Radio Units, and feeders associated with the operation and safety of the facility within the proposed ODUs and existing building

2. Telstra regards the proposed installation as low-impact facility in accordance with the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.

3. The proposed infrastructure will be in compliance with the ACMA EMR regulatory arrangements.

4. In accordance with Section 6 of the C564: 2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to BMM Group on behalf of Telstra, email submissions@bmmgroup.com.au and at www.rfnsa.com.au/2015071. Written submissions should be sent to: BMM Group Pty Ltd, L3 223 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst 2010

5. The closing date for comments is 15th January 2025.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION

Kings Cross Railway Station, Victoria Street, Potts Point NSW 2111

Vodafone Ref: 2593, www.rfnsa.com.au/2011004

1. The proposal consists of upgrading the Vodafone coverage within Kings Cross Station. The works include:

• Reconfiguration of wall-mounted and rack equipment within several locations throughout the station and the surrounding tunnels.

• Ancillary equipment and works, or any other necessary activity for the installation.

• The proposal will provide Vodafone 4G (LTE850, LTE1800, LTE2100) and 5G (NR700, NR2100) to Kings Cross Station and the surrounding tunnels. The Vodafone 3G coverage will also be decommissioned.

2. Vodafone regards the proposed installation as exempt development in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 based on the description above.

3. Notification is being undertaken in accordance with Section 7 of Industry Code C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment.

4. Members of the public may obtain further information on the proposed work, and nvite you to provide written comments about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to Vodafone’s representative c/- James McIver, Catalyst ONE Pty Ltd; phone: 02 4022 9533; email: consultation@catalystone.com.au and post: PO Box 1119, Crows Nest NSW 1585 by 5:00pm 10 January 2025.

SYDNEY FESTIVAL 2025 IS SET TO ASTOUND, AMAZE, AND DELIGHT

Sydney Festival’s Visual Artist in Residence, Telly Tuita, created his own visual language, ‘Tongpop’, that will take over the iconic Thirsty Mile.

CHLOE SARGEANT

From 4 - 26 January 2025, the 49th Sydney Festival will feature 130 events, 22 world premieres, a wide offering of Australian exclusives and over 50 free events. Besides events being held across the city, they will also be lighting up areas such as Manly, Bankstown, Blacktown and Parramatta.

The January events will also mark the final festival for director Olivia Ansell before she heads to Luminato Toronto.

As in other years the Sydney Festival will include Blak Out, a celebration of First Nation perspectives on art, queer identity and culture, with this year’s events being held at Barangaroo Reserve under the creative direction of Bangarra’s previous Head Designer Jacob Nash.

Blak Out highlights include Jacky at Belvoir St Theatre, and Tina - A Tropical Love Story featuring Top End drag performer Miss Ellaneous, plus the extraordinary Dark Noon, a re-telling of the Wild West by a cast of South African artists.

Continuing his dialogue with Sydney audiences is photographer William Yang, who turns the spotlight on himself and his journey of being Australia’s most notable gay photographer as he navigates his family, identity and culture over fifty years.

Yang will be accompanied by a group of musicians including Elena KatsChernin AO.

PASIFIKA ARTIST TELLY TUITA IS THIS YEAR’S ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Pasifika artists are not forgotten, with this Sydney Festival’s Visual Artist in Residence at the Thirsty Mile being Telly Tuita, a Tongan/Australia/New Zealander who has the most incredible back story.

Born in Tonga in 1980, he was abandoned by his parents and sent to Australia at age nine to first live with his father, and then Uncle and Aunty in Sydney’s western suburbs.

Tuita overcame great adversity and gained a number of degrees and rose to being an assistant principal as a high school art teacher.

It was as a combination of his relocation and interest in art that he created Tongpop, his own visual

language, drawing on his cultural influences that will take over the Thirsty Mile as he explores time and space with Telly Tuita: The Ta and Va of Tongpop

Tuita will be applying his Tongpop sensibility to a rebirth of the steamship

SS John Oxley as he draws from his ancestors’ maritime history by reframing the water space and the vessel.

Tuita will also be an influence on the musical series Resonance as the performers respond to the theme “birth,

destiny and what we leave behind”. They embrace the last works of greats such as Purcell, Haydn and Bach, while celebrating the legacy of female composers who at the time were forbidden to publish music.

Tuita will also be collaborating with artists Amigo and Amigo at the Thirsty Mile as they present Colour Maze, a wonderland of adventures for kids.

DIVERSITY IS SYDNEY FESTIVAL’S STRENGTH

KATMA’s Azzam Mohamed from Sudan will unveil a world premiere of street and club dance with seven dancers fusing Afro, breaking, house, hip hop, locking and waacking over four nights at Bell Shakespeare’s The Neilson Nutshell

Over two days Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden will explore Brett Whiteley’s record collection with performances by William Barton, Veronique Serret, Sydney Philharmonia Choir’s VOX and Chamber Singers along with Joseph and James Tawadros.

Delving into Detroit’s musical heritage are Chez Damier and Alton Miller, pioneers of the Music Institute that came about as a response to the city’s house music scene.

This will be the first time that these legends have toured together and expect them to delve deep into their record collections at the City Recital Hall. Australian music royalty Not Waving Drowning will be performing their ground breaking album Tabaran with PNG legend George Telek and other PNG artists from the original recording. In an Australian premiere, Daptone recording star Jalen Ngonda will take the stage at City Recital Hall with his distinct sounds of his new soul.

There’s a rich program of free events, so there’s something for everyone.

Photo: Neil Bennett

COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY

RIDICULOUS JOBS THROUGH HISTORY

It’s no secret that the last twenty to thirty years have seen enormous changes in technology, creating hundreds of new ‘professions’. A new vocation arises almost overnight.

Many are born out of necessity and in the name of innovation, whilst others are downright ridiculous. Let’s look at one of the strangest occupations that’s long disappeared into the clouded annals of history.

These days we often rely on a mobile phone to wake us up and take that for granted. But what did they use before this tech, when workers toiled hard, arrived home exhausted and fell dead asleep, but needed to wake up again in the early hours? It was the industrial revolution in England and Ireland, and workers were expected to begin labour on time.

Enter the ‘knocker-upper’. Armed with a stick or a pea shooter, their job was to hit the doors and wake up their clients who paid them a small amount of money each week. It thrived during the 1800s and hundreds took up the call, starting as early as 3am.

As strange as earning your keep waking up heavy sleepers, there are some equally peculiar vocations on offer today. Perhaps the strangest of these is ‘wombat walking’ as advertised by East Coast Natureworld in Tasmania earlier this year.

The job description included helping maintain the physical and mental wellbeing of the wombats by leading them on morning excursions. (Sadly not a permanent position, purely voluntary.)

Professional mourners at funerals, or ‘moirologists’, are nothing new and date back thousands of years in Egypt, China and Mediterranean cultures. While the modern professional mourner is rare in Australia, it’s apparently a growth industry in America and the UK.

If crocodile tears aren’t your forte, there are also opportunities for professional cuddlers. It’s a therapeutic offering, purely platonic, aimed at lonely people needing tactile human contact. It doesn’t come cheap, with some cuddlers charging up to $100 an hour, but supposedly there is a strong demand.

For any young Australian looking to carve a career in the so-called gig economy the opportunities would seem endless, particularly if you are prepared to diversify. A spot of professional cuddling in the morning, followed by a funeral and a few hours of deejaying at night, all interspersed with some creative online influencing.

And if your conscience gets the better of you, why not volunteer for a couple of days of walking the wombats in Tassie!

Photo: Wernersville_ public_library / Instagram

HubARTS

BY EMMY WHITE

After its success on Broadway and the West End, the award-winning stage adaptation of Back to the Future is making its way to Australia.

Back to the Future: The Musical premiered at Manchester Opera House on March 11, 2020, and has since been seen by nearly 3 million people.

Producers John Frost and Colin Ingram and original creators Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale have now announced that the production will make its Australian debut at Sydney Lyric Theatre in September 2025.

Based on the original film, the musical sees rock & rollloving teenager Marty McFly transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean. Before he can return to 1985, he must make sure his teenage parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

The production is accompanied by a new book by Bob Gale, co-writer of the original film. It will feature music by award-winning composers Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.

NEW VENUE FOUNDRY

OPENING IN 2025

BY EMMY WHITE

TTISM

On breaking up, Dadaism, and new album ‘Death to Art'

(See p.21)

‘BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL’ COMING TO SYDNEY

well as a talented and multi award-winning design team.

he highly anticipated new entertainment venue Foundry Theatre is opening its doors in 2025, bringing with it a thrilling, diverse program.

Foundry Theatre was born from the repurposing of the rear stage of Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star, the minimalist performance space seating up to 360 people.

“Taking this under-utilised space and turning it into a theatre is something that we’ve wanted to do for more than 10 years,” said Foundation Theatres CEO Graeme Kearns.

First in the theatre’s lineup is Tim Minchin in February, with a show appropriately titled Tim Minchin – First at the Foundry

“The opening of a new theatre is a rare and wonderful thing, and I was stoked that the legendary theatrebuilder Stephen Found asked me to be the canary in the coalmine. Or the champagne bottle shattering on the hull. Or the mohel removing the foreskin of the... anyway, you get my drift. Stoked,” laughed Minchin.

After Minchin is the Australian premiere of the musical No Love Songs. The program also features musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate, multi-award-winning musical comedian Gillian Cosgriff, Akmal, Lawrence Mooney, and The Umbilical Brothers’ show The Distraction, and French cabaret production L’Hôtel Tickets for all productions go on sale on December 6.

Despite being met with mixed reception – with critic Andrzej Lukowski describing it as “bombastic” – the production has had significant success, breaking Adelphi Theatre box office records when it opened.

In 2022 it was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, as well as numerous WhatsOnStage Awards and a Broadway World Award for Best New Musical.

Australian producer John Frost says Australian audiences will be “blown away” by the iconic story. “Whether a fan of the movies or not, this is a show for everyone, and I can guarantee that you will leave the theatre on an absolute high!”

Bob Gale said, “Regardless of whether you've seen the original film, Back to the Future: The Musical, with its incredible stagecraft, will delight and enthral you, your kids, your parents, and everyone you know.”

Ticket waitlists are already open and can be joined at backtothefuturemusical.com.au.

STATE THEATRE’S 2024 CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

BY MARK MORELLINI

Christmas is that magical time of year when families come together, and attending this year’s Christmas Spectacular is a joyous way to celebrate the holidays together.

A festive extravaganza of music, circus, dance and magic from master magician and illusionist Michael Boyd – there’s a lot of entertainment packed in this 90-minute show.

“My role is the songstress of the night,” enthused special guest Prinnie Stevens, who rose to fame when she appeared on the first season of The Voice. “I get to sing all my favourite carols and much, much, more!”

Stevens enthusiastically explains that Spectacular is fantastic at keeping the Christmas spirit alive. “Our dancers are heavily influenced by the New York Rockettes, so there is a real New York feel. That exciting bubbly feeling of Christmas is obvious in the venue and Santa is on his way!”

It’s the perfect way to spend festive time with family, says Stevens. “This Christmas Spectacular should appeal to the whole family! From grandparents to the grand babies! We have something for everyone. A PG - fun loving, pure fun and high energy show that is so rare to find nowadays!”

The 2024 Christmas Spectacular is on at The State Theatre on December 20, 21 and 22.

It features choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow, illusions by Chris Fisher, orchestrations by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, and dance arrangements by David Chase, as

Photo: Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman

Photo: Damian Bennett/Supplied

Photo: Christmas Spectacular

Photo: Christmas Spectacular

ABIGAIL ADRIANO

PLAYING

‘DREAM’ ROLE OF EURYDICE IN HADESTOWN

BY MAJA JANC

Hadestown is coming to Australia — premiering in Sydney’s Theatre Royal in February of 2025, then at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in May.

This global phenomenon is the modern-day retelling of two ancient Greek myths: the romantically tragic tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the old story of King Hades and Persephone.

It’s the story of tragic young love. The young, musically talented Orpheus falls in love with the beautiful Eurydice. She agrees to marry him, but suddenly dies. So Orpheus ventures into the underworld to attempt to retrieve her, and manages to convince Hades to let her go with him. He allows Orpheus to leave on one condition: Eurydice can reenter the overworld as long as Orpheus does not look back at her during their journey. But Orpheus, fearing he’s been tricked by the gods, looks back only a few feet from the exit and Eurydice is returned to the underworld. Heartbroken, he asks the gods to strike him down.

Hadestown is haunting, chilling, beautifully crafted and performed, and truly shows the dichotomy between both leading couples. Australia’s production should be nothing if not spectacular.

Leading lady Eurydice will be played by the incomparable Sydneybased Abigail Adriano, who joins the Australian cast members Christine Anu as Hermes, Noah Mullins as Orpheus, Adrian Tamburini as Hades and Elenoa Rokobaro as Persephone.

Adriano has just finished her Australasian tour as Kim in the cultclassic drama Miss Saigon

The 20-year old actress, singer, and dancer spoke about her experience getting cast as Eurydice.

Adriano said her audition process was a bit unconventional, due to her touring.

“I was in Taiwan, and every weekend I was on a bus touring to a different city for Kim, and so I was in the midst of such a busy time. I was the only person, I think, that didn't actually step into a

physical room and meet with any of the producers or any of the Associate Directors,” Adriano recounted.

“All my auditions were on Zoom, which is kind of a testament to modern times and how auditions work these days. But I was really extremely grateful that they took a chance on me.

“I would say the audition process was quite vigorous. I sent over 10 tapes. It was a lot. It took two months before I actually knew when I got the role.”

Adriano went viral on TikTok in October, with a video of her surprising her friends and family with the exciting news of her Hadestown casting, and capturing their overwhelmed reactions.

“It was so emotional for me, because when you don't hear back for a while, you just kinda go, ‘Oh, I didn’t get it’,” she explained.

“When I was doing Saigon; that was my first ever lead role. I would say I was extremely inspired by Lea Salonga, but that's because I was enchanted by her voice and it was my first chance to sing music that I've loved since I was a kid.

“And so when I started consuming pieces of storytelling that Cynthia Erivo was doing, and I'd see her performances, I was just like, ‘wow, that's how it's done’. And in a way, her performance as Elphaba, or even in The Color Purple, just being different, is very much like Eurydice. So I like that.”

After premiering off-Broadway in New York City in 2016, Hadestown took the world by storm, winning 8 Tony awards, including the award for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. The acclaimed musical, composed by American playwright and composer Anais Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, has toured internationally in Canada and London, and is finally coming to audiences down under. Comparing international theatre to Australia, Adriano said that the theatre scenes are “very different.”

“Sydney and Melbourne are very different. In Melbourne, everyone in the theatre scene is so immersed; the audience is extremely connected to the performance. And there's a nice mutual exchange in Sydney.

“I would say, for Hadestown, though, it will be impossible not to be immersed in the story anyway, because we break that fourth wall a lot.”

Adriano said she’d been immersed in musical theatre since she was a very young girl, ever since she watched Lea Salonga’s audition tape for Miss Saigon

“When I was younger, I would always tell my mum that my dream role was to play Kim, and I did it already. So now, whenever I get this question, it's like, 'oh, I'm so blessed to be able to say that I've done it.'

“Now, the dream is just to continue falling in love with new characters. And I think Eurydice is going to be a dream for me.”

Wise beyond her years and unbelievably talented, Adriano will be bringing dear Eurydice to the stage in Hadestown very soon.

Photo: abigailadrianoo / Instagram

Photo: abigailadrianoo / Instagram

SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT PRECINCT CHANGES

Council seeks your feedback on revitalising Sydney nightlife

BY CHLOE SARGEANT

The City of Sydney wants your thoughts on how we can reinvigorate Sydney nightlife. They want community feedback from residents, business owners, nightlife venue operators and locals on a variety of proposed changes for the city's special Entertainment Precincts.

The council hope that the new Entertainment Precincts will revitalise Sydney's flatlining nightlife, which was drastically affected by things like the COVID pandemic and the 2014 lockout laws.

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said the current proposals would make it easier and cheaper for venues to trade later into the evening, while also considering the sound management needs of both local businesses and their residential neighbours.

right, so we will be holding community and stakeholder forums and extending the exhibition period to ensure everyone has a chance to have their say.”

The council is hoping for feedback on proposed changes such as regulations of sound management for nightlife venues.

The proposed changes protect existing nightlife venues by putting the onus for sound management on new developments, as well as giving ‘sound rights’ to existing venues and residents, and making it easier to trial extended trading hours.

The council also wants to recognise existing well-established and wellunderstood late night trading areas with special entertainment precinct status.

The council says this status in late night trading areas could unlock government liquor licence fee discounts

“We all want a nightlife we can be proud of and that our global city deserves,” said the Lord Mayor. “On the back of lockouts and lockdowns and amidst increasing cost of living pressures, we need to ensure we are doing all we can to support this integral part of Sydney’s economic, social and cultural fabric.

“We have proposed important changes to the way we manage entertainment sound. We’ve also designated new special entertainment precincts that will help restore our thriving nightlife,” Moore continued.

“We need to ensure we’re getting this

FLICKERFEST

IS BACK FOR THE SUMMER AND CELEBRATING 34 INCREDIBLE YEARS

Australia’s famous short film festival, Flickerfest, is back! Australia’s most beloved short film fest is returning to the newly-restored Bondi Pavilion this summer.

This is Flickerfest’s 34rd incredible year, so this iconic Sydney festival has a lot to celebrate!

Flickerfest’s program is bigger and better than ever this year. More than 3450 submissions from Australia and around the world have been whittled down to around 200 short films that will screen at Bondi Pavillion, under the stars and inside the comfy theatre across an epic ten days.

With entries opening in July this year, the Flickerfest team received a record number of outstanding submissions this year. The handpicked films are some of the best and most inspiring movies out there, designed to move, inspire, amaze, astound, and entertain audiences — and of course, showcase up-and-coming cinema talent.

Every year since, Flickerfest has been dedicated to showcasing the best that cinema has to offer and giving Sydneysiders the most exceptional cinematic experience available.

This year, alongside the finest short films in competition from Australia and across the world, audiences will also be shown the top European films (EU Shorts Showcase), LGBTQIA+ films (Rainbow Shorts), kids and family friendly films (FlickerKids), films about relationships (Love Bites), and bellylaugh-inducing comedy films (Short Laughs).

and longer licensing hours, and make it easier for licensed and unlicensed businesses to trade later without a development application.

“By designating existing late night trading areas instead of one or two streets, we have already proven these precincts can support this kind of activity. We’re hoping to apply the benefits to as many areas and businesses as possible while avoiding the safety and economic impacts of saturation,” said Moore.

The public consultation period is currently open, running from 21 November 2024 to 20 January 2025.

34 WONDERFUL YEARS OF FLICKERFEST

Flickerfest began in 1991, as a small local festival at Balmain High School. Flickerfest has flourished to say the least, becoming one of Sydney and Australia's most beloved film festivals and with thousands of entries being sent from filmmakers around the world every year.

Today, Flickerfest is the only short film festival in the country which has Academy® accreditation and is BAFTA-recognised.

So get your popcorn ready, and settle in for a cinematic experience

Plus, there are of course plenty of prestigious prizes up for grabs. Including, but not limited to, the Flickerfest Award for Best International Short Film, the Yoram Gross Award for Best International Animation, the Panasonic Lumix for Best Australian Short Film and the Flickerfest Award for Best Documentary. Following the Festival in Sydney, a selection of these films will go on tour around Australia, to more than fifty capital cities and regional centres. And even better, winners in all of these categories will qualify for the Academy® Awards and could well go on to win an Oscar.

FLICKERFEST is on from 17 - 26 January, 2025.

FLICKERFEST is on from 17 - 26 January, 2025.

Tickets will go on sale from mid-December.

Tickets will go on sale from mid-December.

like no other under the stars at Bondi Pavilion

Photo: Supplied

Photo: City of Sydney/Katherine Griffiths

LEICHHARDT OVAL TO BE TRIALLED AS A LIVE MUSIC VENUE

BY LYDIA JUPP

Leichhardt Oval is set to be trialled as a live music venue after a motion put forward by Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne at a recent Council meeting.

The program will see up to two concerts at the grounds in the coming year, before the long-awaited upgrade of the oval.

Leichhardt Oval is already one of the hardest-working sporting venues in Sydney, acting as the home ground from Wests Tigers NRL and NRLW, Sydney FC women’s, the NSW Waratahs and a variety of school and amateur teams. Altogether, the ground is hosting a whopping 120 sporting events this year.

Clr Byrne has proposed that the $40 million renovation should include facilities to allow for future concerts and cultural events, so the oval can be trialled as a live music and cultural venue.

“Leichhardt Oval has the best atmosphere of any suburban ground in Australia and it’s time for music lovers to experience that as well as sports fans,” Clr Byrne said in a statement.

“Rugby league, soccer and union players all love playing at the eighth wonder of the world and some of Australia’s best bands will get a buzz out of performing there too.

“By trialling the use of the ground for live performance I’m confident we’ll be able to attract some big-name acts who

will bring the place alive as a concert venue.”

The Inner West Council will soon take expressions of interest from artists and organisations that would be interested in playing at the venue.

The announcement follows an almost decade-long campaign to secure funding for renovations for Leichhardt Oval. Byrne has reportedly secured $20 million from the federal Government, another $10 million from NSW Premier Chris Minns and $10 million raised from his own Inner West Council.

The Council in Sydney’s inner west will soon take expressions of interest from artists, creatives and organisations that

would be interested in hosting musical events at the venue.

This news comes only days after Darcy Byrne announced the establishment of six special entertainment precincts throughout the Inner West.

The state's first entertainment precinct along Enmore Road has been a huge success, with the initiative being set up at Norton Street Leichhardt, Darling Street in Balmain and Rozelle, and Marrickville Road, right through Marrickville and Dulwich Hill.

Byrne has been instrumental in the Inner West's new position as the leading entertainment and live music destination in Sydney.

TISM ON BREAKING UP, DADAISM, AND 'DEATH TO ART'

BY JOHN MOYLE

Death to Art is TISM’s seventh album — not a bad legacy for a band renowned for breaking up.

TISM (This Is Serious Mum) are known for disguises and their dark humour, exemplified in songs such as ‘He Will Never Be An Ol’ Man River’, ‘Greg! The Stop Sign’ and ‘Kill Yourself Now and Avoid the Rush’ Past members include Tokin’ Blackman, Leak Van Vialen and Jock Cheese, with foundation members Humphrey B Flaubert and Ron Hitler-Barassi overseeing the renewal of the band.

Calls for the band to reform gathered momentum in 2015, after a failed attempt to enter Eurovision.

After many attempts to break their anonymity, City Hub found a publicist who offered to set up a call — on the proviso that we promote the new album.

“It’s Le Ron and Le Humphrey,” Ron Hitler-Barassi said.

When asked why they were reforming for a series of national headliners when they are more known for breaking up, Le Ron immediately becomes indignant.

“Give us some respect; you sound like you are in the Republican Party,” Le Ron said.

“The only thing that has happened is that we broke up in 1983 after a gig, and since then every single gig has been a reunion.

“We try to break up and we are just not very good at it,” Le Humphrey added.

Moving into safer ground I question if their stage

persona is a forerunner of the American Proud Boy movement, who lead the storming of the Capitol Building in 2021.

“We are more for the Proust Boys than the Proud Boys,” Le Ron said.

“You sound lame, you are artificial intelligence, but sadly enough there is not enough artificial artifice, and that is what we are about.”

“That is where TISM comes in, but we are a bunch

of Proustian Boys stuck in the past,” Le Ron said. Le Ron jumps to shock-jock duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O’s recent failure to conquer Melbourne soundwaves.

“The universe cares not for them. There’s a relentless melancholy about Le Kyle and La Jackie, like in “We can’t go on’,” Le Ron said.

My question about Death to Art, which I think will elevate me in TISM’s minds, is: “Are you a Dada band?” (Dadaism being an anti-establishment art movement against logic, reason, war, and capitalism.)

“We would describe ourselves as Australia’s first and last Dada band, and why wouldn't we,”Le Ron said.

“Second and seventh would be more accurate,” Le Humphrey immediately quips.

With that, the phone connection was lost.

Photo: Hpeterswald / Wikimedia Commons

Photo: tism.tism.tism / Instagram

Photo: tism.tism.tism / Instagram

BY MARK MORELLINI

Remarkable and powerfully irresistible, poignant drama The Room Next Door at times feels like a cinematic cancer awareness campaign.

Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton portray Ingrid, an author, and Martha, a war journalist, who were once best friends. They’ve lost touch for 15 years, brought back together under lessthan-joyous circumstances: Martha’s inoperable cervical cancer. The first half is a slow burn. The story takes a turn when Martha asks Ingrid to

help her die, with a deadly pill from the dark web.

Ingrid is terrified. Is she obligated to be there, to commit a crime? Should people have the right to end their suffering and die with dignity?

Moore and Swinton are well cast in this performance-driven drama, both deserve Best Actress nominations at the Oscars.

The Room Next Door is simplistic, focusing on the three most significant elements in the story – friendship, and the fear and behavioural changes brought upon by cancer. 

GOODRICH

THE ROOM NEXT DOOR YOUR MONSTER

MY FAVOURITE CAKE

BY MARK MORELLINI

My Favourite Cake is an outstanding drama, offering insight into the oppression that women experience in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mahin is a 70-year-old woman whose husband died 30 years earlier. She never remarried. and desires the companionship of a man – it’s love at first sight when she meets Faramarz, a 70-year-old divorced taxi driver.

But can a relationship build between two lonely hearts in a country governed by unjust rules?

In a pensive moment Mahin utters,

“This is freedom? When will they leave us alone?" These few lines of dialogue sum up the theme of the movie, sugarcoated by the romance storyline.

The performances of these talented actors —vastly unknown to Australian audiences — should keep audiences captivated. It’s impossible not to warm to the strong will and huge heart of Lili Farhadpour’s Mahin.

The finale is unpredictably heart wrenching, highlighting that oppression and fear may lead people to commit unspeakable acts.

BY MARK MORELLINI

The complexities of life become a reality for Andy Goodrich (Michael Keaton) when his wife calls to say she is going to rehab, and leaving him.

Plus, his art gallery is going broke, and he must suddenly learn how to be a father to his 9-year-old twins, having spent his time working instead of parenting. His eldest daughter Grace (Mila Kunis) is bitterly disenchanted with her father.

Can Andy successfully navigate through so many life changes? Will

Goodrich is the surprise feel-good movie of the year. Keaton delivers a performance that audiences will warm to. It's a pleasure watching Kunis. She is loved by audiences for her roles in silly and hilarious comedies, but comfortably settles into a role requiring dramatic intensity and emotional outbreaks. This is an enjoyable, refreshing movie, with several poignant scenes that may reduce audiences to tears.

1/2

BY NAOMI LAWRENCE

Your Monster follows Laura (Melissa Barrera), whose world collapses after her boyfriend (Edmund Donovan) dumps her following her cancer diagnosis, claiming it's “too much”. Left reeling and alone, Laura moves back into her childhood home, where she meets a terrifying-yetcharming Monster (Tommy Dewey).

Barrera carries the film with a nuanced portrayal of Laura's sadness, spirit and eventual rage. Dewey’s titular Monster is just as compelling, stealing scenes with unexpected vulnerability. Dewey

and Barrera’s chemistry is palpable, convincingly pulling viewers into their unconventional romance. For monster lovers and fans of films like Lisa Frankenstein, the pairing is a treat.

Your Monster masterfully blends rom-com charm, horror elements and dramatic undertones in a way that feels fresh.

The film is an ode to female rage and the power of embracing one’s complexity. Your Monster is a must watch for anyone looking for a fresh, twisted take on the rom-com formula, with bite.

 1/2

he learn to be a father? Will his wife ultimately return?

Photo: Totem Films

Photo: IMdB

Photo:

Photo: IMdB

of

MULTIPLE BAD THINGS ANTIGONE IN THE AMAZON

They’re just saying what you’ve already been thinking

8—12 Jan