KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY
5 November 2014 6 October 2011
www.burwoodscene.com.au
Independent FORTNIGHTLY COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Competitive’ 2 NEWS Strathfield MP on WestConnex and amalgamation
Volume 09 No.9
NEWS
3
6 October 2011
Page 5
Page 3
Strathfield WWII pilot honoured
(L to R) Jim Miles, Val Bullied, Judy Smith and Dion Marinis on Cable Beach, Broome. Below: Memorial at Cable Beach, Broome Photos: Courtesy Leon Mead and Dion Marinis
by Belinda Noonan
It took 70 years to find the RAAF Beaufighter plane that went down off the coast from Broome on September 18, 1944 during World War II with its two young pilots Flight Sergeant Kerrigan (from Perth) and Flight Sergeant Smith (from Strathfield).
O F R E G E W T T S E L
The ultimate sacrifice made by the two men was officially honoured in a moving memorial service and plaque unveiling at Cable Beach on the 70th anniversary of the fateful event with family members, Commanding Officer of Number 31 Squadron Wing Commander Joanna Elkington, the Broome Historical Society, local dignitaries and students. (continued on page 5)
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News
2
5 November 2014
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ORGET all the police drama shows that would have us believe that crack police teams can bring a crim to justice in a 60-minute time slot. We all know that’s fiction and it doesn’t happen like that. What really does happen was demonstrated recently in a full-day tour of Burwood Police Station to a small group of community representatives. We learned police jargon, procedures, examined the docks, cells and a highway patrol car equipped with so much technology that a ham sandwich wouldn’t fit in
By Belinda Noonan
MYTH BUSTER the boot. That is the tip of the iceberg. The astonishing and varied expertise collectively harnessed by the 145 men and women in Burwood Command keep 110,000 Burwood and Canada Bay municipal residents safe in 22 suburbs. That number swells to
200,000 daily as people come to work in the area. A mock ‘Dangerous vehicle stop’ and ‘Person & Vehicle search’ was fascinating. The procedures and processes are multiple and automatically performed by officers. The police discipline is ultimate and whilst this was only a mock up in the underground police garage,
complete with flashing lights and sirens, you could feel the sense of command and as guinea pig volunteers we automatically did as we were told – immediately if not sooner. I was the lucky volunteer who was the finger print duster for five minutes and I still have the blue gloves to prove it! I can tell you that dusting for finger prints is similar to applying a powder blush makeup. We spoke with GDs (General Duty), CIB (Detectives), Forensic, Highway Patrol, a myriad of community safety officers, ‘Civvies’, Sergeants and Inspectors. Batman’s belt looks passé
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Burwood Scene is a registered trademark. All material appearing in this newspaper is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder. Delivered across four municipalities: Burwood, Strathfield, Canada Bay and Ashfield.
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tells us, “Television doesn’t show the work. There is a higher level of scrutiny today and it’s harder than when I joined.” On his door is a daily reminder to his team: “Police employed in the CIB should possess special aptitude for detective work and always be ready to sacrifice comfort and pleasure in the demands of duty.” Sergeant Power (even his name is, well… powerful) could be the archetypal principal character in any cop show. I’m glad he’s at Burwood.
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An independent fortnightly community newspaper. 100% family owned and operated. Published by Scene Newspapers next issue: Wednesday 19 November 2014 deadline: Wednesday 12 November 2014 Advertising: ads@burwoodscene.com.au Phone: 9715 2700 Fax: 9715 2007 Editorial: editor@burwoodscene.com.au refinance rebate Phone: 9715 2700 Fax: 9715 2007 refinance rebate refinance rebate Post: PO Box A187, Enfield South, NSW 2133 Editor: Belinda Noonan Deputy Editor: Mitchell Jordan mitchell@scenenewspapers.com.au Journalists: Sami Jeong saimi@burwoodscene.com.au Paul Brown paul@burwoodscene.com.au Accounts: Aileen Soria aileens@scenenewspapers.com.au Art Director: Kevin Robinson Sales Director: Robin Eggleton Printed by: Rural Press Seetha Naidu shows Burwood Scene Editor
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compared to the 6kg vest police wear with its weapons and ‘appointments’ and due to the recently increased terror threat, all uniform police are now armed in public. Previously, when I thought about police, it was always in a dangerous context but it doesn’t have to be for all officers. The diversity of skills required in the force offer a place for expertise in most fields – even media. However, who doesn’t love a crusty, experienced cop? He’s there at Burwood Police. Detective Sergeant Aaron Power who has ‘persons of interest’ photos on his walls
One of Peter’s illustrations, “Band of Monsters”, from peterbaldwin.com.au – Inset: Peter Baldwin.
by Mitchell Jordan
ASHFIELD artist Peter Baldwin has swapped the security of the classroom for the solitude of the studio in his quest to pursue a career as an illustrator. The 29-year-old has been drawing for as long as he can remember. Faced with adult responsibilities, Peter chose primary school teaching as a career, though his interest in illustration did not wane. “As a teacher you use children’s illustrations every day,” he said. During his teaching days, Peter undertook freelance assignments for clients such as the Australian Museum. Eventually, he decided to take
the plunge and begin working for himself. “I use one of the two bedrooms in my home as my studio,” Peter explained. “I’ve already made a fair bit of traction.” He hasn’t ruled out a return to teaching one day, but is happy to be working in a field that is still related to children. One of Peter’s goals is to illustrate children’s books. Compared to other types of drawings, he finds the pictures more inspiring. “I like the bright colours. There’s more freedom in terms of imagination; it’s not as maintained as other types of illustrations,” he said. “I like appealing to the kids – I know what they want and what captivates them.”
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5 November 2014
All the great and good for Greek Fair
IF THERE is one thing the Greeks excel at, it has to be food and hospitality. Burwood will come alive for a Greek Street Fair along Burleigh Street beside the stunning Orthodox Church on Railway Parade on Sunday, 9 November for dancing, a live band, food and sweets and that famous Greek hospitality from 11am until 3pm. The event, organised by The Greek Orthodox Parish, marks the Feast Day of its Patron Saint, St Nectarios, and is a way of sharing the Greek cultural heritage and spirit with the local community.
Activities for children include a giant inflatable slide, competitions and there are market stalls and the opportunity to win a $500 Delphi Bank account. “We’re so excited to once again be hosting this special event. We look forward to welcoming as many people from the local area as possible,” said Chris Syrios, President of The Greek Orthodox Parish. Along with Burwood mayor, John Faker, the mayor of Canada Bay, Cr Angelo Tsirekas will be attending to show support and celebrate his Greek heritage.
Tickets are available on the day for the chance to win a 1.6 litre, 4-speed auto Peugeot 2008 SUV Active valued at $28,696, with all funds raised to go towards the restoration of the leadlight windows of the Parish and Community’s Church, which was built in 1879. Tickets are $50 each with 2,000 to be sold and the lucky winner will be drawn on Sunday 21 December.
• The Greek Street Fair Burwood is on Sunday 9 November from 11am to 3pm in Burleigh Street Burwood.
News
3
Faker out McKay in by Belinda Noonan
NSW Labor formally endorsed Jodi McKay on November 4 as their Strathfield candidate in the March 2015 elections, effectively shunting aside two local mayors by abandoning a promised community pre-selection. Citing time, Opposition Leader John Rober tson exercised his power in bringing the former Newcastle MP’s endorsement forward ahead of Burwood mayor John Faker and former Strathfield mayor Daniel Bott. “I requested a ballot of the National Executive of Labor for the seat of Strathfield as it is the only target seat in NSW without a Labor candidate. As we are only five months out from the election it is critical that we have a candidate in the field as quickly as possible,” John Robertson said. “Despite an original plan for a community pre-selection to occur in the seat, the limited time until the election means this is no longer a practical option.” NSW Labor had promised community pre-selection for five NSW Labor candidates including Strathfield but a spokesperson for Mr Roberston said that because Ballina had been the fifth seat trialling the new process and that time was of the essence, Strathfield would
be determined by the National Executive. Dragging out the date for community pre-selection to the point where making a National Executive decision would appear to be a tolerable outcome is a risky strategy for the marginal Strathfield seat that Mr Robertson says is “targeted” as a must win for Labor. John Faker had declared his intention to nominate for the community pre-selection process only three days before Labor HQ nipped his run in the bud. “I won’t be nominating in a ballot that won’t allow the branch members and community vote,” Faker said after a call informing him of Labor HQ’s decision on Thursday, October 23. “I refuse to be installed by the faceless factional power brokers of the ALP. I am disappointed that John Robertson has not stuck to his commitment of opening the party up to the community and that Jodi is accepting to be parachuted in, contrary to her statement a month ago.” Jodi McKay says she would have preferred a community pre-selection. “I remain committed to that [community] pre-selection. It was taken out of my hands when John Robertson called me on Thursday evening,” Ms McKay explained.
“I think everyone would have preferred community pre-selection. The mechanism to bring me in was not my call.” “No branch member raised it as an issue with me and while there are people who are concerned, there are others who aren’t,” she said. The Liberal Member for Strathfield, Charles Casuscelli took immediate aim at Labor. “For months now all we have heard from Labor was how important it was to select a candidate for Strathfield that truly represented local community interests,” he said. “Opposition Leader John Robertson may have secured the candidate he wanted for Strathfield but his integrity is in tatters after promising on more than one occasion that the community would have a say in preselecting Labor’s representative.” “We have witnessed the spectacle of two local mayors expressing strong interest in the post, only to be told – no thanks, and not by the local pre-selection process but by Labor head office.” “Labor’s candidate for Strathfield lacks legitimacy. She is Robbo’s pick. The Labor Party would like the Strathfield community to vote for a candidate that they would not vote for themselves as the preferred candidate. It’s the same old Labor.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Charles Casuscelli RFD MP Member for Strathfield
Year Break. “The NSW Parliament will rise later this month for the Christmas/New ay 24th December. My office will remain open for constituent enquiries until Wednesd forward It is a privilege to serve the community as your representative. I look to continuing to serve you in 2015”
Please contact my office or come in: Shop 1/54 Burwood Road, Burwood NSW 2134 P (02) 9747 1711 | F (02) 9747 6054 | E strathfield@parliament.nsw.gov.au Authorised by Charles Casuscelli RFD MP. This advertisement was produced using Parliamentary entitlements
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news YOur News
5 November 2014
m ay o r ’ s m e s s a g e
From Burwood CounCil
Taking pride in our area
Follow me on Twitter: @johnfaker
O
ur community is a great place to live with beautiful tree lined streets and heritage houses welcoming visitors to our residential areas. Council takes great pride in the appearance and cleanliness of our residential areas which is why we provide services including regular street sweeping, prompt collection of illegal dumping and tree maintenance. I encourage residents to share this pride in our area by maintaining the front of their property and mowing
their residential verges regularly so that our area remains presentable. Council provides mowing of residential verges for aged pensioners and people with disabilities. Please contact 9911 9911 or email council@burwood.nsw.gov.au to see if you are eligible for this service. A clean and attractive environment helps create a sense of pride in the community and showcases our area as a great destination.
Mayor Faker listens to resident feedback
Christmas is coming
B
urleigh Street will be transformed into Little Greece this Sunday at the annual Greek Street Fair.
C o n ta C t s
The event, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Parish, Burwood, will feature cultural performances and culinary delights.
C r J o h n Fa k e r (Mayor) 9911 9916 mayor@burwood.nsw.gov.au C r to n y D o u e i h i
0437 970 499 tony.doueihi@burwood.nsw.gov.au
C r s a l ly D e a n s
C r l e s l e y F u r n e au x - Co o k
Christmas in the Park - Call for stallholders
T
he festive season is fast approaching and now’s your chance to take part in Council’s celebrations.
We’re currently seeking stallholders for our Carols in the Park event. Please visit our website for more information.
C r J u s t i n tau n to n
0408 227 826 lesley.furneaux-cook@burwood.nsw. gov.au
0488 083 108 justin.taunton@burwood.nsw.gov.au
Cr george mannah
0425 691 838 ernest.wong@burwood.nsw.gov.au
0448 133 396 george.mannah@burwood.nsw.gov.au
Cr ernest Wong
0424 022 627 sally.deans@burwood.nsw.gov.au
Burwood Council, Level 2, 1–17 Elsie Street, Burwood NSW 2134
9911 9911 www.burwood.nsw.gov.au
meetings
a touch of greece comes to Burwood
a Building and Development Committee meeting will be held on monday 10 november 2014 at 6.00pm in the Council Chambers. • A Council Meeting will be held on Monday 24 november 2014 at 6.00pm in the Council Chambers.
News
5 November 2014
Mayors uneasy on Broome memorial for Government push Strathfield pilot to vote by post
5
by Belinda Noonan
(continued from page 1)
by Saimi Jeong
A NEW LAW proposed by the NSW Government last week will allow local councils to hold their elections exclusively by postal vote. The bill has been met with concern at the prospect of losing the Election Day turn out, alienating a proportion of voters and the practicalities around how an exclusive postal vote would work. Strathfield Mayor Gulian Vaccari said postal voting might be “more open to votes being controlled by certain people”. He said councils need to be given more information about what safeguards would be put in place to stop one person from voting on behalf of multiple residents. Mr Vaccari predicted higher costs associated with postal voting. “Who’s going to pay for all that? I don’t know – because it would cost more, not less when you have to print, send and monitor postal votes.”
Greens MP and Local Government spokesperson David Shoebridge said while optional postal voting can lead to more voter participation, exclusive postal voting delivers the opposite. “Allowing local government elections to be held exclusively through the post, will inevitably disenfranchise voters, especially young people and those with impermanent addresses,” he said. “Removing polling day downgrades local council elections and denies candidates and voters the opportunity for direct civic engagement.” Burwood Mayor John Faker also stressed the importance of “direct engagement with the community” in ensuring the “democratic process” of local elections not be compromised. In response to community concerns, Minister for Local Government Paul Toole said the NSW government “has always been committed to removing obstacles that inhibit people from exercising their democratic right to vote”.
Burwood Scene Online
www.burwoodscene.com.au
FOLLOWING a two-year search by Broome Historical Society Vice-President Dion Marinis and local helicopter pilot Jim Miles, the Beaufighter was identified as A19-163 piloted by Flight Sergeant Ronald Stephen Kerrigan and navigator, Flight Sergeant Ronald George Smith, both just 20 years of age. The service, conducted by an RAF Chaplain, and the unveiling of a plaque embedded in beautiful local stone looking out over the water took place at Cable Beach at 5.45am on September 18. “On 18 September 1944, this 31 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter was tasked to conduct a seaward patrol to provide protective cover for Catalina flying boats. Shortly into the flight, A19-163 was lost about a mile off Cable Beach,” Wing Commander Joanna Elkington said. “R e m e mb e r i n g F l i g ht Sergeant Kerrigan and Flight Sergeant Smith with this plaque recognises their important contribution to the defence of Australia. I’m pleased that their families could be part of the 70th anniversary memorial service today.” Croydon Park resident, Judy Smith and her daughter Carrie attended the service on behalf
of their extended family and her late husband who was Ronald Smith’s brother. “It’s hard to explain how I felt at being there, other than saying it was overwhelming. In some ways I felt a bit like an outsider because I never met my brother-in-law. Ronald joined the RAAF in April, 1943 and was made a Flight Sergeant two weeks before that flight went down. He had turned 20 only the month before,” Judy explained. “Finding the plane as Dion and Jim did has given the family closure but also brings home the sacrifice made. Sergeant Kerrigan’s sister and only sibling, Val Bullied was understandably very emotional and thinks she met Ronald during leave.” During their stay in Broome, both families visited the crash site to lay flowers and take part in a second service. “Dion’s effort to find the plane amazes me and he has worked hard with the local council to arrange the monument and service. For my daughter who leads a busy life and has three children, it was very moving because it is so close to home,” Judy recalled. “The wreck is right in amongst rocks, not far off the beach. You wonder how come
it wasn’t found before this but the water is quite milky and back then there wouldn’t have been the equipment or resources,” said Judy. During the initial dive on the main wreckage Dion Marinis discovered a huge live oyster, which when opened revealed two mirror image mother-of-pearl shells. His first thought was of the two Ron’s that he subsequently had mounted for Judy and Val. E D I TO R ’ S N OT E : Fo r background and assistance in bringing this story to light, thanks go to Donybrook WA volunteer Pamela Harrison, Dion Marinis, local ABC Radio and Broome Shire Council.
Val Bullied, Judy Smith and daughter Carrie.
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20-year-old Ronald George Smith in 1944.
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News
5 November 2014
Sustaining the future Brave new age for Alzheimer’s research by Mitchell Jordan
Roslyn Bean was awarded ‘Environmental Citizen’ by Mayor Angelo Tsirekas.
THE bi-annual City of Canada Bay Sustainability Awards were presented in late October at the Phoenix Restaurant in Rhodes to a capacity audience. The 2014 winners are: Business Access - Concord Veterinary Hospital Child Friendly Business – Mirvac (Rhodes Waterside) Sustainable Culture Award – Rhodes Multicultural Community Association Environmental Business – Outback Steakhouse and Vatel Restaurant Environmental Community Organisation - Russell Lea Infants and 1st Yaralla Sea Scouts Environmental Citizen - Ros Bean Best Maintained Heritage Property - 48 Kings Road, Five Dock and 57 Tranmere Street, Drummoyne
Best New Development Involving Heritage - Omega House Pty Ltd, 189 Great North Road Five Dock Conserved Heritage Precinct Award - Bourketown Square, Drummoyne Business and Community Group Recognition • Club Five Dock RSL – 50 years • Derivan – 50 years • Master Hair Design – 50 years • Five Dock TAB - 25 Years • Rhodes Residents Group – 25 years • Drummoyne Art Society 50 Years • Uniting Church Five Dock - 150 years • 1st Yaralla Sea Scouts - 75 years • Concord RSL Community Club - 50 years Partnership Award – Five Dock RSL
A NEW institute to focus solely on ageing could see the inner west rival medical centres around the world. Last month, Dame Marie Bashir announced the opening of Concord Hospital’s Ageing and Alzheimer’s Institute. These are exciting times for Professor David Le Coutier and the team of five professors linked to the Institute. “It’s like going into new territory. There hasn’t been a lot of research done on ageing and there are almost no institutes focusing solely on ageing,” said Professor Le Couteur. “The inner west has a growing population of older people which exceeds that of many other areas. Lots of people are either choosing to stay here or return to the area.” The Institute received a $2.5 million research grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council that will be used to look at how to improve the way medications and drugs are utilised, and possibly even reduce the quantities taken by senior citizens. “The majority of people over 70 are taking five or more medicines a day,” Professor Le Couteur said. “This is a big issue. Medicine can be helpful, but data also shows that the more medicines people take the more they can develop loss of important functions or even enter nursing care.” According to Professor Le Couteur, the projections for
Dame Marie Bashir at the opening of Concord Hospital’s Ageing and Alzheimer’s Institute.
increases in dementia amongst Australians are “substantial.” “As the population ages, the number of people with dementia is increasing,” he said. Prevention may be the closest thing to a cure. “I doubt that there will ever be a therapy that can fix someone in old age,” Professor Le Couteur said. “The chances of preventing or delaying it are very high. If we can manipulate things in the environment then we can prevent 30 to 50 per cent of cases of dementia.” Professor Le C outeur re c om m e n d e d av oi d i n g smoking, staying physically active and looking after blood pressure and cholesterol as the first step in keeping dementia at bay. “These things can be done already – we’re interested in
medicines to influence memory and cognitive functions,” he added. Ever the optimist, Professor Le Couteur’s advice to anyone
with an elderly family member worried about dementia is to stay positive. “Smile and tell them they’re doing fabulously,” he said.
Three-day bra sale
SPECIALIST bra shop, ‘More Than a Handful’ is opening its second store on Majors Bay Road in Concord and there will be bargains galore for three days only from Thursday November 6 to Saturday 8. Whether you wear a regular size or require plus size bras, or swimwear, More Than a Handful will be your local go-to shop. The three-day sale will be a once only event before regular trading begins on Tuesday, November 11. Owner Margaret McLachlan has operated her highly
successful outlet in the city for ten years and along with Concord Store Manager Jessica D’Ilario, they are looking forward to finding out exactly what inner west women want. Professional fitting services and plus size bras are their speciality but the range is extensive. Don’t miss this sale. More Than a Handful are located at 29 Majors Bay Road, Concord. Trading hours: 10am until 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am until 4pm on Saturdays.
is coming to Concord
3Thursday DAY6 November OPENING SALE to Saturday 8 November 10.00am to 6.00pm
29 Majors Bay Road, Concord
(opposite Coles) Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm • Sat 10am-4pm
News
5 November 2014
7
Strathfield MP ‘competitive by nature’ by Belinda Noonan
THE battle for Strathfield in the 2015 March State Elections has been full of intrigue and it’s likely that incumbent Liberal Charles Casuscelli could be sitting pretty. Burwood Labor Mayor John Faker put up his hand for pre-selection as did Strathfield Councillor Daniel Bott but head office has denied the community its much-touted reform community selection process by parachuting in Jodi
McKay, a former Minister and Member for Newcastle who was booted out in the 2011 elections. Casuscelli, who says he is “competitive by nature”, is eager to have an opponent. “I’d be wondering how much attention Jodi McKay paid to the inner west when she was a Minister and, if John Roberston is doing everything he can to distance himself from the previous Labor government, why he would want to put Jodi in?” Mr Casuscelli said. The Strathfield boundaries have changed with the loss of Ashfield and
Just sayin’…
By Mitchell Jordan
Mitchell@scenenewspapers.com.au
Wrongs of passage CONGRATULATIONS to Richard Flanagan, who last month became the third Australian writer to win the world’s most coveted literary award, the Man Booker Prize. This is something that should have made the front page of every newspaper in the country, along with considerable airtime on television and radio. Sadly, I can only find online coverage on two commercial television channels: Channel Ten and Sky News. True, Flanagan’s victory doesn’t have half the sensationalism of the Kardashians or the fearinducing drama of terrorism on our shores, and the fact that the average Australian would likely reply “Richard who?” says as much about our cultural cringe as it does for our supposed support for the underdog. Anyone who has ever written for a living – be it commercial or creative writing – will know that words don’t have a lot of value in Australia. We are the first to trumpet and cheer the success of our athletes, many of whom are extremely talented. Provided, of course, their sporting arena fits within the norms of being acceptable. Awards and support for the arts continues to be frugal, reinforcing the old stereotype of artists living on, or more likely below, the breadline. As someone whose tax return features the word JOURNALIST,
which basically translates to writer, it frightens me that our work has so little value. I know I will never be fought for and headhunted the way a project manager or IT consultant is despite the fact that our work is deemed important enough to be archived. Many of us who write fear for our work opportunities running dry far more than the dreaded writer’s block. Indeed, the thought of ending up in call centres or – perhaps worse than that – teaching indifferent students is the stuff that nightmares are made of. Every time I visit a library I walk out not only with a bagful of books but a sense of guilt almost as heavy. For every book I have read there are hundreds I have ignored; either through ignorance or misjudging a book by its cover and disregarding the collective decades of blood, sweat and tears each author has endured to get their work published. Introducing a book review column into Burwood Scene has been my way of showcasing some of the talent that may go ignored. It’s only a small effort, but it may be enough for us to turn a new page. Mitchell Jordan is Deputy Editor at Burwood Scene.
Member for Strathfield, Charles Casuscelli at Graffiti Removal Day on October 26.
Summer Hill to the new seat of Summer Hill but the gain is parts of Croydon Park from Canterbury, and Homebush and North Strathfield from Drummoyne. With a margin of 6.4 percent, Casuscelli doesn’t have a lot of wriggle room and the spectre of not having the popularly elected Burwood Mayor to contend with will be a bonus. As council amalgamations grab more attention and the Baird Government plays a ‘carrot or the stick’ game, Casuscelli firmly planted his stake in the ground. “For the record I am against forced council amalgamation but I won’t sign a pledge based upon an ideology because as I see it the pledge that’s being presented is based on a worst case scenario, emotion and misinformation.” “The reality is that rates will have to go up either way for two reasons. Councils need more money to run and for infrastructure backlogs,” he says. Using Strathfield Council as an example, which is currently led by Liberal Mayor Gulian Vaccari, Casuscelli says that the message being put out by Strathfield that
amalgamation will make rates go up is “just wrong”. “Rates will have to go up in Strathfield anyway. It has been assessed by TCorp as being unsustainable because their rates are too low. Amalgamation is all about sustainability of councils.” “It’s mostly councillors who are active in this space and I challenge all councils to seek genuine consultation with their communities on the pros and cons of ‘Fit for the Future’, take advantage of the $1billion package and have the councillors come together to see how they can come up with an equitable result for their communities,” he says. “Most of the concerns are emotionally based, which are legitimate, surrounding a loss of local identity or representation, that services will get worse, rates will go up and inheriting a poorer neighbouring council but there are models that can address those concerns.” After six months door knocking, the burning issue is not council amalgamation but traffic he says. “In all that time there has been just one person talk about council amalgamation. The number one
issue is traffic congestion, followed by roads. “Traffic hits you in the face every day including weekends. People aren’t happy and many are resigned to the fact that nothing can be done , but I think there can be solutions.” “The WestConnex is the best thing since sliced bread,” Casuscelli says. “There will be a one-year delay as the three preferred tenders come up with the design. “It will be late 2015 until we have the first indication of the look, emission stack locations, property acquisition information and entry and exit portals.” Casuscelli is confident that a major traffic study he asked for Homebush Bay Drive and Concord Road and how they interface with the WestConnex will occur, saying “they have time to do it and it needs to happen sooner rather than later because these roads will have the most dramatic effect on the local community”. “My number one argument is that the NSW Government has allocated $11billion for WestConnex. It hasn’t ever happened previously and probably never will again. Beat that.”
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BACK TO SCHOOL 8
5 November 2014
@ SCHOOL Top 200 for Meriden player SINCE winning the Tildesley Tennis tournament for the fifth consecutive year in 2014, Meriden’s tennis players have continued their impressive run on the court. When 15 year-old Michaela Haet won the Auckland Indoor Championships in early October, she secured a place within the top 200 junior players in the world in the ITF international rankings. The Auckland win was Michaela’s second ITF title having defeated number one seeded players in the semi final and final matches to take out the South Pacific Open Junior Championship in Fiji in June. 14 year-old Violet Apisah is also on the way up having won the singles title at the NSW Junior International tournament held in Gosford in October, lifting her ranking to within the top 300 in the world. Earlier this year she was crowned winner of the Gallipoli Youth Tennis Cup, an ITF Junior Grade tournament played at Melbourne Park. Violet continued her good form, competing in July against high-ranked opponents to earn the runner up title at the Queensland Junior Winter International, an ITF Grade 4 tournament.
A most confronting student
@ SCHOOL ALL SAINTS Year 9 student, James Skibinski has been officially hailed as a Most Confronting person following his win in a debate recently for gifted and talented students from schools across Sydney. Organised by the Gifted & Talented Secondary Teachers Association, the competition, ‘Confronting Concepts’ required the contestants to display excellent debating and oratory skills, who then faced feedback from a student panel.
Among the topics up for debate were ‘Schools really need to teach failure’ and ‘How to solve all the world’s problems tomorrow’ but it was James’, ‘It has never been clearer that we get the politicians we deserve’, that won him the title. “James argued that a state of Meritocracy (leaders selected on individual ability or achievement) would be preferable to a democracy,” said All Saints teacher Elly Paxinos.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Right: Top World 200 for Meriden’s Michaela Haet.
Back To Schoo l Kids @ Weldon
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“He cited Plato’s reasons against the ‘mob’ deciding on the future of a nation, and delivered humorous quotes from Winston Churchill, the champion of democracy who famously said: “The best argument against Democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” All Saints Head of School, Elfa Lillis, said the competition was all about anti-conformity and thinking outside the square. “The idea is for talks to challenge orthodox thinking. He was quite contentious, he got accused of all sorts of things by the panel but he held his own,” Elfa Lillis said. James, a debater since Year 3, said there was lots of controversy about his presentation but most of the panel ended up agreeing with him. “I wouldn’t go into politics, but I’m quite interested in it,” he said. James plans to study science or the classics and cites an interest in astrophysics.
Back To VET awards callSchoo out amidl criticism of funding overhaul by Saimi Jeong
SCHOOL communities are being encouraged to nominate their top Year 12 students for the 2014 Australian Vocational Student Prize (AVSP). Up to 500 students will be awarded $1,000 in prize money and be recognised as one of Australia’s top vocational students. The AVSP aims to recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding skills while completing vocational training in senior years of high school. “With skills shortages in a range of employment sectors across the country, we really do need more of our young people pursuing
training in areas of demand,” Federal Member for Reid, Craig Laundy, said. The Federal Government announced last month that skills development would be a key element of the wider National Indust r y Invest ment and Competitiveness Agenda, designed to cut business costs. Employers will shape new training schemes offered to young people, in a nationwide overhaul of vocational training funding. The government has allocated $500,000 to assess the development of programs that link private employers, educational providers and students. John Rice, Associate Professor in Strategic Management, has
said that when private firms have accessed public funds to train employees in the past, it has “not gone well”. He advised that skills should not be focused too narrowly on the processes used by specific employers, and should instead be relevant and generic. Greens higher education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said the government was “imposing market organisation on VET to such a degree that in many places students are unable to afford the costs”. “The Coalition wants to turn the clock back to the discredited training policies of last century where technical education was designed purely to meet the
employment needs of favoured industries,” Ms Rhiannon said. At last month’s TAFE Directors Australia Conference, the Mitchell Institute’s Professorial Fellow Peter Noonan said the cuts and removal of funding for some courses will leave many VET students to face significant fee increases or programs being not run at all. “A key part of TAFE’s future role should be a focus on future skills requirements and investment in the new infrastructure and capability to meet these requirements,” Professor Noonan said. “These requirements will not be met by relying purely on market mechanisms, which are largely responsive to immediate skills needs.”
PLC SYDNEY JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATION SESSION WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014 | 5.00 PM TO 7.00 PM
PLC Sydney is a school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, offering boarding from Year 7. The College aims to educate young women from the basis of a Christian world view to make a difference in a rapidly changing global society. We invite you to join us for an Information Session where you will have the opportunity to hear from the Principal, speak with key staff, listen to students talk about their life at the College and take a tour of the facilities and grounds. To register please visit the ‘enrolments’ section of our website. (02) 9704 5666 enquiries@plc.nsw.edu.au Boundary Street, Croydon
www.plc.nsw.edu.au IN ASSOCIATION WITH PLC ARMIDALE
@ SCHOOL 9
5 November 2014
@ SCHOOL
New school on target to open in 2015
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
THE NEW 28-classroom public school at Concord West is on track to welcome its first students from K-6 in January 2015. NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli inspected the Victoria Street site on October 29. “When completed in early 2015, this new school will have capacity for 600 students from Kindergarten to Year Six. Work is progressing at a rapid pace and the school will be open on the first day of the 2015 school year,” the Premier said.
“We are now consulting with the local school community to choose a school name, motto and uniform.” Mr Piccoli said the school is one of six new schools opening across NSW on the first day of school in 2015. The yet-to-be-named Concord West school will incorporate four special education classrooms and two special program rooms. “There will also be Out-of-SchoolHours-Care facilities, a 47 place childcare
centre and an early childhood and health centre.” Mr Sidoti said the school’s sports facilities, hall and library will be available for use by the community. “Making these facilities available outside of school hours will establish the school as an important and valued community hub,” Mr Sidoti said. “Other work that will be completed as part of the project includes the construction of a games court, a covered outdoor area, a canteen, and an administration and staff building.”
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Annabel’s amazing act
ROSEBANK student Annabel McConnachi is on the path to fulfilling her dreams as a performer after being selected as a member of the senior cast in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The musical is showing at The Concourse in Chatswood. Musicals are something that Annabel has been interested in from a young age. “I started dancing when I was three and after seeing Wicked, I knew I wanted a career in acting, singing and dancing,” said Annabel. “I love performing and showing a part of myself that you don’t get to see in daily life. Even though I do get nervous beforehand, once I hit the stage and start to speak or sing, I am fine.” A love of performing runs in the family. Annabel’s father is a singer and guitarist, while her mother was also a dancer and singer in her younger years. “It is really great to have the support of my parents and encouragement of my teachers,” said Annabel.
Back To Schoo l NSW Premier Mike Baird with John Sidoti MP at the new Concord West public school.
Meriden girls Back To Schoo l make their marks.
Treading the boards for Rosebank student Annabel McConnachi.
Ibrahim talks the talk
Ibrahim Taha, talking for Legacy.
TWENTY-FOUR students from across the state took to the stage for the NSW semi-final of the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award. Joining them was Ibrahim Taha, of Homebush Boys High School, who spoke eloquently on his chosen topic “Books are obsolete” for the prepared five-minute speech and followed up with a convincing argument for the two-minute impromptu speech. For Ibrahim, it all started when he started taking part in the Annual John Symond sponsored All Boys Public Speaking Competition in Year 7. Making it to the semi-finals was a great achievement for Ibrahim as more than 425 students competed across New South Wales. The Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award encourages the speaker’s use of language to convey a message or a point of view to the audience. They are judged on choice of words, intonation, articulation, pace and pausing.
Since 1897 Meriden has produced confident and articulate young women, renowned for making their marks academically and in the global community. Open Morning Tuesday, 18 November 9am to 11am
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Places now open in our Middle School Program All Saints would like to offer places in Years 5 & 6 for 2015 Limited places also exist in other Years from Pre-Kinder to Year 10 PLEASE CONTACT THE ENROLMENT OFFICER FOR MORE INFORMATION P: (02) 9718 7715 | E: enrolments@allsaints.nsw.edu.au | www.allsaints.nsw.edu.au
10
NEWS
5 November 2014
by Saimi Jeong
THE Federal Government continues to back its Green Army program for job seekers amid claims that it will not provide genuine entry into environmental management roles for young people. The Green Army is supposed to provide useful environmental training for unemployed young people, on local projects that help to improve the environment. According to the Australian Greens, the scheme is exploitative of participants and will not deliver meaningful employment or environmental outcomes. “The training components of the scheme are not compulsory and participants will be denied a guaranteed number of hours and basic employment protections that other trainees receive,” Senator Rachel Siewert,
Greens spokesperson on family and community services, said. Federal member for Reid Craig Laundy said, “It is not possible to gauge the employment prospects of participants at this stage”. “Participants will have the opportunity to undertake training that is… relevant to the type of work required by the project, such as natural resource management, environmental rehabilitation, and so on,” he said. “The Green Army allowance aligns with the national training wage.” Participants are paid $10-16 per hour to undertake tasks such as weeding, revegetation and rubbish removal. “This approach is very likely to entrench young people in unemployment and poverty, while diverting energy and resources away from more ef fe c t ive env ironment a l programs,” Ms Siewert said.
Mr Laundy campaigned before the last election for the Duck River restoration project in Auburn and Parramatta to be listed on the Green Army agenda, with the submission sent by Parramatta City Council. “I am delighted that it has been approved and is scheduled to commence early next year,” Mr Laundy said. He said that future Duck River maintenance could be continued by another Green Army team if another application is submitted to the Department of Environment and is successful. Greens Senator Siewert said that as a training program, Green Army cannot replace skilled environmental workers, “and it’s delivery is coming at the cost of Landcare and NRM funding, which has been cut in the budget”.
ESSAY WRITING FOR DISCOVERY
LEGISLATION to change the Do Not Call Register so that it will only be necessary to place a phone number on the Register once, as opposed to re-registering after eight years, has been introduced by the Federal Government. There are now 9.3 million current registrations with around 1 million telephone numbers added every year. More than two-thirds of Australian households have listed their number on the Register. The Do Not Call Register is a free Government service and registration of a phone line, mobile phone or fax number at www.donotcall.gov.au, by phone on 1300 792 958 or by post. Where a householder registered on the Do Not Call Register receives a call from a telemarketer, they can report this to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, who can investigate and take action including issuing infringement notices and fines. Some organisations have an exemption and are able to make unsolicited calls. These include charities, educational institutions and political parties. Phone numbers that are primarily used for business purposes may not be registered, however any fax number can be listed on the Register.
70 years for Women’s Liberal group AUSTRALIA’S first lady, Margie Abbott joined the Strathfield Women’s Branch of the NSW Liberal Party at a local restaurant late last month to celebrate the group’s 70th anniversary. “The Strathfield Women’s Branch, since its inception, has been a leading light for women in the Liberal Party at both a State and Federal level. “I wish all members every success and congratulate them on their contribution to their community,” Mrs Abbott said. Margie Abbott, Suzi Laundy, Lorna and Alan Wright at the Anniversary lunch on October 22.
Workshop will focus on; different ways to think about the discovery concept,how to recognise language and textual features of Discovery, choosing a text and how to write about it in essay form, discovery essay questions and ways to form an argument. The workshop will be presented by teacher and Discovery textbook author Dr Anna McHugh. Date: Monday 17 November 2014 Time: 5:00pm - 6.30pm
CREATIVE WRITING FOR DISCOVERY
Workshop will focus on; how to generate ideas for Discovery narratives, analysing discovery through characters, how to stick to a plot structure in 40 mins, language and language techniques in creative writing for assessment. The workshop will be presented by teacher and Discovery textbook author Dr Anna McHugh. Date: Monday 1 December 2014 Time: 5:00pm - 6.30pm
GAME ON @ YOUR LIBRARY
Local President Sandra Blackmore said that the Branch has encouraged generations of women to become more politically active. “I am extremely proud of the fact that for seventy years our Branch has given countless local women a say in how Australia is governed,” she said. “Since October 1944, when the Branch became part of the Liberal Party, many notable figures from the local area have become members, such as Mrs W. Arnott and Mrs Lucy Stone OAM, former President from 1982 to the mid-1990s.”
OFF THE SHELF
Green Army caught in crossfire
Do Not Call
Join us at Burwood Library on International Games day for board games and computer games. Open to all ages. Date: Saturday 15 November 2014 Time: 11.30am - 1.30pm
All events are held at the Burwood Library and Community Hub 2 Conder Street, Burwood 2134 Please contact 9911 9999 or email library@burwood.nsw.gov.au for information and bookings.
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MONTHLY COMMUNITY NEWS
Unsightly graffiti gone
Heritage Register considers Catholic University THE Strathfield Residents Action Group has successfully applied to the NSW Heritage Council to put the Australian Catholic University site on Barker Road at Strathfield on the State Significant Heritage Register, which will now undertake their own enquiries on whether to proceed with a heritage listing on the NSW State Significant Heritage Register. Proceedings in the Land & Environment Court between Strathfield Council and the ACU have been ongoing during the year following the ACU’s expansion concept plans being knocked back by Council after a determined and rigorous campaign by local residents against the plans. Resident spokesperson, Jane Pistolese said that on October 17 the Land & Environment Court called the parties together and re-opened the case on a “strictly limited basis”. “In Court, the ACU would not allow Strathfield Council’s lawyers to tender our letter from the Heritage Council notifying us that the site is
The Strathfield Rotary Club joined forces with local police, girl guides, scouts and residents for Graffiti Removal Day on Sunday, October 26 at South Strathfield. Photo: Bradley Ayres.
Call: 9715 2700 Email: ads@burwoodscene.com.au
being considered for the State Significant Heritage Register,” Ms Pistolese said. “The ACU’s Concept Plan comes under 3A legislation and therefore the Courts can ignore a Heritage Listing. We feel that if there is any avenue the residents can do to highlight to the ACU how important the site is to our suburb, it is worth doing.” The ACU tendered a further affidavit from the ACU’s architect Mr Pollard f rom Ha ss el l s b e c au s e Council’s lawyers were seeking clarification on the size of the library and, in particular the gross floor area. “It was established that a ‘thick blue line’ was actually a hard built edge, which could be enclosed to form a glazed wall or masonry and therefore, the ACU would be using 100% of its gross floor area and, in Council’s expert’s opinion, affecting the maximum Gross building area,” Ms Pistolese reported. “This space was ‘undescribed’ and Council wanted to draw the Court’s attention to that matter.” A decision could be reached this month.
MORE than just a meal by Maree McDougall
TO ADVERTISE
11
STRATHFIELD Meals on Wheels will merge with its Bur wood counterpart to improve efficiencies and offer an expanded range of services to their aged and disabled clients. Under the new structure, Burwood Meals on Wheels will be responsible for overall control of operations at the headquarters at The Dutton Centre in Augusta Street, Strathfield. Strathfield Meals on Wheels will continue to provide Strathfield clients with meal services – delivered by the same volunteers. At the recent AGM, attended by Federal MP Craig Laundy, State MP Charles Casuscelli, Mayor Gulian Vaccari and Cr
Daniel Bott, the merger was officially approved. Strathfield Meals on Wheels President, David Moncur, said the new organisation would now be better positioned. “Together we can embrace the increasing needs of the aged and frail in the local community to provide ‘More Than Just a Meal’, including a variety of social gatherings”, he said. Mr Laundy outlined federal government plans for a policy to link aged and disability respite care services to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Mr Casuscelli said that the state government is pursuing p olicies t hat pr ior it is e independence of the aged by supporting services which allow them to remain at home.
NEws
briefly
12
5 November 2014
One-stop shop Arj is back with the unexpected on its way
WIN TICKETS TO NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS The NSW Government has opened an online ballot to win one of 1600 family passes to celebrate New Year’s Eve from the Cahill Expressway above Circular Quay. The spectacular vantage point is not an area that the public can otherwise access and will be specially designated family area on the night. The family passes in the ballot state-wide are for five people to either the 9pm or midnight fireworks. One entry only per household. To enter visit: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/nye VIEW CLUB MEETING Five Dock Evening View Club will hold its next Dinner Meeting on Wed November 12 at 7.00pm at Club Five Dock, Great North Road. Ladies come along and enjoy a good meal, great company. The guest speaker is from the Dept. of Fair Trading. The club also holds mid-week lunches and weekend outings. View Clubs help support The Smith Family.
FOUR new lifts and a new station concourse at Concord West Station have been officially opened by NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian as part of the joint State and Federal Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program.
“The upgrade to Concord West Station includes a new ticket office, information displays for customers, a family accessible toilet and bike parking facilities. The upgrade also means a boost to security with new CCTV and help points for customers.”
LAWN SERVICES
Comedian Arj Baker
SINCE his last tour in Australia during 2011, American stand-up comic Arj Baker has been constantly performing and will return to our shores from Singapore and California with a brand new show ‘Go Time’ at Burwood RSL. Arj says Go Time is “what audiences expect from me AND the last thing they expect from me, which if my
calculations are correct, will make for a great show.” As possibly Australia’s favourite American comedian, Arj has spent enough time here to understand the Aussie culture with a unique, insightful twist. “A true alchemist who takes observations and transmutes them into comedy gold...” says
Fiesty Liberal Ashfield Councillor standing for Summer Hill
Liberal Summer Hill candidate Julie Passas.
JULIE PASSAS has been endorsed as the Liberal Party’s candidate for the newly formed Summer Hill seat in the March 2015 state election. K n ow n f o r h e r outspokenness, Mrs Passas lives in the electorate with her husband of 37 years Bill and has served as a councillor for Ashfield for eleven years, listing improved road safety, youth services and the
establishment of the Ashfield Carnival of Cultures among her achievements. “For too long the people of Summer Hill have been taken for granted. “Our community deserves someone who is going to listen and fight for our area and that’s exactly what I will do in state parliament,’’ Mrs Passas said.
a review from the Independent on Sunday, London Arj Baker will appear at Burwood RSL 96 Shaftesbury Road, Burwood on Friday, November 21 at 8:30pm. Tickets cost $39 each. Book online at www. clubburwood.com.au (plus online booking fee), phone 8741 2888 or visit reception.
‘THANK YOU’ DOES HAVE A PLACE Deputy Editor Mitchell Jordan’s opinion piece ‘The lost art of thank you’ struck a chord with teacher, Brian Doughan. Hi Mitchell I’m a teacher at a Catholic girls’ school in the area and am really impressed with your article on ‘Thank you’. I am 60, obviously of a pre-i generation (iPad, iPhone, iPod) and have recently been trying to instil in the students a sense of gratitude; even for the everyday things that we take for granted: food, clothes, shelter etc. I will read out your article to them when we have a few free moments. Take care. ‘Ta’ for the ‘Thank you’ article, it makes sense. Brian Doughan LOTE coordinator
617 SCHOOL SPECIAL
The 617 School Special buses from Lyons Road Drummoyne to Strathfield are dangerously overcrowded. Two State Transit buses service this route, departing at 7.50am, but are full from the first pick up point at Tranmere Street. The 30 minute journey sees up to 40 students standing on buses licensed for 15 standing passengers, which is a breach of the regulation. With students rarely asked to present models of major DAs in says Burwood Mayor, Cr their travel passes, no passenger Faker. full detail. THEJohn FRIENDLY PLACEcount TOisSHOP recorded.AND DINE The electronic displays I ask the State Member for “We pride ourselves on Drummoyne, John Sidoti MP, to being an innovative and are available at Council Chambers, and at the immediately arrange for an additional progressive organisation Library and Community morning bus service so our children and improving t he Hub to allow viewing for are transported safely to school on exp erience for our outside of normal business this government bus service. Heather Crichton, Drummoyne residents and ratepayers,” hours.
Zoom, flip and rotate in 3D: The new age in development applications
THE FRIENDLY PLACE TO SHOP AND DINE
Lifts open at Concord West
MONTHLY COMMUNITY NEWS
HAVE YOUR SAY
BALMAIN HOSPITAL ANNUAL NURSES’ REUNION Balmain Hospital Annual Nurses’ Reunion will be held on Saturday, November 8, at 2pm in the MONTHLY NEWS Hospital ConferenceCOMMUNITY Room. All past and present hospital staff are welcome. Call Betty on 9874 7078. RENOVATIONS have begun at the Burwood motor registry, which is set JOB SKILLS AGM to become the new Service NSW one The Annual General Meeting of Inner West Skills stop shop. Centre Inc will be held on 25 November at Suite The motor registry at 1-17 Elsie 5, Level 2, 1-17 Elsie Street, Burwood. RSVP by 21 Street has closed temporarily to November on 8746 2400 or cheryl.w@jobskills. make way for the new Service NSW com.au centre, which is due to re-open in late MORE BURWOOD TO BONDI BUSES November completely transformed. 43 extra services a week and an additional 23 Service NSW’s Burwood service services on Sundays on the 418 from Burwood centre will also offer extended to Bondi Junction started Sunday, 26 October. operating hours from 7am to 7pm weekdays and from 9am to 3pm on LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD FOR LESLEY Saturdays as well as incorporating the Long standing Burwood Community Voice latest in digital technology. councillor Lesley Furneaux-Cook has been Service NSW launched in July 2014 elected to the Board of Local Government and through 20 service centres, the NSW after a vacancy became available. Ms Furneaux-Cook missed out by a handful of digital service and 24/7 phone service, votes on being elected outright at the 2013 it has served in excess of six million LGNSW Board election. The vacancy occurred customers with low waiting times and due to the untimely passing of Clr Tsardoulias. customer satisfaction scores of 98 per Ms Furneaux-Cook has been a Councillor cent. on Burwood Council since 2000 and in 2008 During the refurbishment period, became the first woman to be elected as Mayor customers will be able to carry out of Burwood. transactions at www.service.nsw.gov. au. CARING FOR CARERS A free information forum for Carers will be held on November 11 at Concord Library, corner Flavelle and Wellbank Streets, Concord. The topics incoude ‘Planning Ahead’ by the NSW Trustee and Guardian and ‘Aged Care Services’ presented by a Social Worker from 10:00am – 12:30pm. For enquiries and RSVPs contact Concord Library on 9911 6210. A light lunch will be provided.
BURWOOD Council has introduced an electronic system for viewing 3D models of major Development Applications (DAs). The web based system allows users to pan, zoom, rotate and investigate 3D
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News
5 November 2014
13
Shop hot shots REDFERN RISING on show by Mitchell Jordan
PHOTO GRAPHER Nic Bezzina knows that shopping in Newtown is a far cry from visiting Westfield. The 30-year-old spent four years documenting his town’s colourful and quirky stores, which included everything from rubber-wear designers to cookie makers. “I looked at independent shops you wouldn’t find in a shopping mall. They had to have a nice, interesting interior and subject,” he explained. “I believe in shooting what you know. You don’t need to
go too far to find an interesting subject.” Nic published the images as a book earlier this year before approaching the State Library of New South Wales, which acquired the collection for a six-month exhibition, Shopkeepers of Newtown, opening this month. An image of the late activist and bookseller, Bob Gould of Gould’s second-hand bookstore has a particularly special significance for Nic, in part because “it shows how time is fleeting and moves so fast.” He estimates that of the 50 shop images, at least five have now closed down. However, Nic still loves the suburb he has lived in for ten years. “The main stretch of King Street has changed a lot with gentrification, but I’m attracted to the demographic and people. Newtown has a lot of students and artists and musicians; it’s where commerce meets punk rock,” he said. “It would be difficult to find another suburb like it in Sydney or even in Australia.” Shopkeepers of Newtown is showing at the State Library of NSW until 10 May 2015.
Protesters cling to The Block.
streets of Redfern, I found little in the way of inspiration; apart from Video Ezy, Domino’s MY MOTHER almost screamed pizza and a few stray discount when I told her I’d moved to stores the suburb seemed almost ghostly and untouched. Who Redfern. My previous home in the would willingly choose to live sedate inner-west suburb of here? Two years ago, I returned Dulwich Hill probably seemed like the safest place for a parent to Redfern – a decision based to know their child was living, not on nostalgia but on the fact but among locals the once-seedy that a room in a townhouse city slum notorious for theft, with two other housemates drugs and, of course, The Block was considerably cheaper than (not the television show), was anything else I could find. What quietly being talked about as I soon noticed was how much my former home had changed. Sydney’s next big suburb. Domino’s and the discount This was back in 2008 stores had stuck around, though when DVD stores could still cafes and bars had not only turn a profit and hadn’t yet sprouted, but multiplied. been reduced to a kiosk in On Saturday mornings An eye for the odd: Nic Bezzina. supermarkets. Walking the there was a steady procession of coffee-lovers waiting inline outside of what appeared no more than a hole in the wall for their caffeine hit. By night, 107 Projects drew DJs and performance artists from ANZAC Research Institute Medical Appeal overseas and the tapas bar, Tapeo, meant that it was no The ANZAC Research Institute has launched this public appeal to fund pre-clinical longer necessary to trek into Story and photo by Mitchell Jordan
An answer to cancer – we need your support
the city in search of a refreshing drink. When I invited a friend from the northern beaches over for lunch she expressed a sense of shock at seeing a florist that would not look out of place in Paddington. Such a transformation has also been bittersweet. The erasure of homes from The Block, a key part of the Aboriginal identity and history, could widen the rift as gentrification overrides culture and protestors cling to the space with ferocious pride, though the indigenous-run gym, Eora, is a promising sign of what the future may hold. Friends and I have also expressed concern that Redfern may become the new Surry Hills: a nice place for lunch, but otherwise inaccessible. Given Sydney’s ever-escalating property market, it seems a matter of when, not if. Still, Redfern’s roots are strong enough to have maintained a gritty sense of realism: on weekdays the unemployed who
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When: Saturday2014 22 November 2014 When: 22 November emailSaturday editor@burwoodscene.com.au
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SEE … THE BLOCK It’s a good idea to see this pivotal piece of Sydney’s history while it still remains. 107 PROJECTS This artist’s space is home to an ever-changing range of exhibitions.
Community Garden plans for Yaralla A COMMUNITY garden will be built at Yaralla Estate which could feature fruits, vegetables, and sensory plants to enrich the lives of patients and clients living on the estate, visitors and elderly residents engaged in the Inner West Neighbourhood Aid program. Inner West Neighbourhood A i d cl i e nt s wou l d b e
An answer to cancer – we need your support ANZAC Research Institute Medical Appeal The ANZAC Research Institute has launched this public appeal to fund pre-clinical research and the proposed clinical trial of a new treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, in collaboration with the Haematology Department of Concord, Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead hospitals.
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Call 9715 2700 or email editor@burwoodscene.com.au
inhabit the streets show that life isn’t all lattes and lemon tart and shrieking arguments in the streets during the early hours are nothing new. If there is anything that sets Redfern apart from its neighbouring suburbs it’s a strong sense of community that exists even when the Rabbitohs aren’t competing. Elderly Greek men still play chess outside their rundown townhouses and a larger-than-life pig who roams the streets has become a local celebrity. At Redfern Convenience Store, the manager knows many of his regulars by name and the main street is now a popular destination for young children after the opening of creative writing centre, Sydney Story Factory. Each Sunday afternoon, a laneway becomes a hotspot for handball players. For the moment, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather live.
encouraged to participate in gardening, harvesting and cooking the produce under a program proposed by Sydney Local Health District’s Yaralla Community Advisory Committee. The group hopes to hold about 12 garden visits a year, host six guest speakers and
increase the biodiversity of the site. Sydney Local Health District has extended the consultation period for comment on its draft management plan for the future of Yaralla Estate. Feedback on the Dame Eadith Walker Estate Management Plan 2014-2016 is now open until 5pm on November 28, 2014.
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5 November 2014
The call of the bagpipes Get moving at Bee Active AS A SMALL BUSINESS, which started with two trainers and no clients in Concord, Bee Active Personal Training has grown to service the community with eight personal trainers, a nutritionist and a qualified childcare crèche manager who makes training easy for local mums. The inspiration of Adam Grono, Bee Active has become a fixture in Canada Bay and this month celebrates its 4th anniversary by giving away a six-month free membership valued at $2,151.
The fabulous prize includes one personal training session each week, unlimited gym access, unlimited bootcamp sessions and a starter pack. To enter see beeactive.leadpages.net/4thbirthday “The prize will be drawn at our Open Day on November 15. Please remember to pop the date in your diary and drop in to join the festivities between 10am and 2pm,” said Adam. Call Bee Active on 8765 1628 to discuss your fitness goals.
The massed pipe band performance at Picken Oval. by Belinda Noonan
THIRTEEN bagpipe clubs from across NSW, including the Scots and Knox Grammar bands, put on quite a show at Picken Oval at Croydon Park last Sunday as they competed for honours in the 2014 NSW Pipe Band Championships. 250 pipers played before an enthused crowd of over 500 people and featured the state’s top pipes, drum bands and Drum Majors.
“It’s the first time that the NSW Championships have been held at Croydon Park. “We are hoping inner west residents enjoyed seeing the bands perform,” said Brett Dyson, a drummer and committee member with The Pipe Band Club Sydney. Brett and his band mates have previously competed in the World Championships, held in Glasgow, Scotland each year, placing 12th in Grade 1 a few years ago. “We haven’t been to the World
Championships in a couple of years and plan to compete in Glasgow in 2015,” Brett said. Everything Scottish was on show including wares, clan stalls and Celtic merchandise providing the pageantry feel. Then, of course, there were the kilts! Lots of them. Among the winners were Burwood RSL Pipes and Drums, which won ‘Best Dressed’. The final highlight of the championship was the massed band performance with 250 pipers marching together.
PCYC Car Wash Support the Burwood PCYC program that is engaging young people by having your car washed on a Friday between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on George Street in Burwood. To book call Senior Constable Mick Kennedy on 0447 632 317 or PCYC on 9744 0136.
Bee Active owner, Adam Grono (second from right), with some of his ten-strong team.
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5 November 2014
South Korea under the Asian Cup radar by Paul Brown
WITH the press fixated around 2011 Asian Cup title holders Japan and the Australian rivalry, little has been mentioned about one of the most successful national teams in Asia, the Korean Republic. S outh Korea is actually the most successful team in Asia having participated in eight consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments and the only Asian team to ever make it to the semi-final stages, when they co-hosted the World Cup in 2002. They have also won the Asian Cup twice and have been in the top three a record 6
times and will probably play off against Australia, in Brisbane, to see who tops pool A on the 17th January. The ‘Reds’, as they are called, have a huge, loud, fanatical following and with a FIFA ranking higher than Australia on 63 should not be discounted as contenders for the cup. The ‘Red Devils’, which is how the fans are known, take their football very seriously and pelted the team with lollies, a Korean insult, on their arrival back in Seoul after the
Stand up for your health FULL-TIME workers tend to spend a great deal of time attached to their seats, at considerable risk to their long-term health. Obesity, a greater risk of chronic disease and poor mental health are among factors associated with long periods of sitting, according to Professor Ronald Plotnikoff, Priority Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle. However, swapping daily sitting for equal amounts of standing is linked to a reduced mortality risk of up to 5 percent for each hour of sitting replaced, research by Associate Professor Emmanuel St amat a k is, C harles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, revealed. “Based on our statistical modelling, this means that replacing a realistic amount of daily sitting time – such as 3 hours per day – with equivalent amounts of even very light physical activity could result in considerable
important health benefits,” Dr Stamatakis said. “Replacing sitt ing with walking and other moderate to vigorous physical activity resulted in a much larger reduction in mortality risk of 12–14 per cent per hour of sitting replacement.” Dr Stamatakis urged office based employers to take action to address the extent of sitting time in the workplace and promote opportunities for their employees to move more during work hours. “It i s a b s o lut e l y imperative to find ways to incorporate some sort of movement into the daily office routine, even if only of a light intensity,” Dr Stamatakis said. Professor Stuart Biddle, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living at Vic tor i a Universit y, called for a complete re-think of how we approach inactivity. “It’s no longer sufficient for public health and behaviour change
initiatives to focus just on the small 6-7 percent of each day that a minority of people spend undertaking moderate to vigorous physical activity,” Professor Biddle said. “Instead we need to take action to address the 50 per cent of the day we currently spend being sedentary, and create a larger proportion of the day in at least light physical activity. “We need to break these ‘habits’ by seeking to change our surroundings and ma k i ng a c t ive behaviours easier to do. Small changes to the environment (e.g. fewer chairs or standing desks) can work well. “Public health gains will be far greater if we focus on getting those who do little to do something rather than thinking the answer to active living lies with sport and high intensity exercise.”
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formation, is a running machine that will hound teams to distraction before launching sneaky counter-attacks. Korea will definitely be vying for silver come finals time.
Do you have local football news?
Contact Paul Brown paul@burwoodscene.com.au Follow Paul on Twitter @Brown9Paul Pictured left: Korean Republic midfielder Son Heung-min.
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Costa Rica (3-1), Stielike has emphasised defender organisation and ball possession as priorities. Much like Japan, the Korean Republic has a wealth of home-based and European-based talent including Shin Tae-Young and Kim Seung-dae, a highly rated forward. European stars Ki Sung-yueng and Son Heung-min will be expected to bring their good club form with them to Australia. Most importantly South Korea, using their 4-5-1
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disappointing showing at the World Cup in Brazil. With new German born Manager, Uli Stielike has set about transforming the side since the World Cup and this new boss appears to be a no nonsense kind of guy, intent on results. The Korean Republic has midfield flair and Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung-min will lead the way with his speed and proficient finishing. With recent wins against Venezuela (3-1), Paraguay (2-0) and respectable losses to Uruguay (0-1) and
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16
BURWOOD SCENE
5 November 2014