GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
COMMUNITY WINTER EDITION 2021
Our Journeys Our Stories
我们的历程 | 我们的故事 Exploring the Chinese migration history of the Georges River area.
WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AU
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MAYOR'S MESSAGE framework necessary for open and transparent governance on subsidies, donations, and community grants to ensure sound decision-making. Openness with the community on the financial challenges and the proposed solutions has been the priority. The willingness of the community to engage on this topic has been highly valuable to assist Council in its decision making. Our City Strategy and Innovation Directorate has taken hold of projects and actions that will transform our city over the coming decade. We will be focusing on placemaking, innovation, economic development and strategic partnership building. This year marks the fifth year of the Georges River Council. I am proud to say that as the inaugural Mayor of Georges River, I have the privilege to work with extraordinary and talented Council staff who displayed the visionary leadership to shape the growth of this beautiful part of Sydney since 2016. The amalgamation of two organisations whilst maintaining everyday services is an extraordinarily complex task. It requires the involvement of the entire organisation and the support of the community. Georges River Council has embraced the fresh start that the amalgamation presented, building the foundations for a solid and sustainable organisation that delivers outstanding results to our community. Since amalgamation, we have launched new customer service centres offering flexible, multi-use community spaces and designing, harmonising and improving services to deliver benefits to our residents and businesses. We have demonstrated impressive resilience, professionalism and flexibility during this change and continue to deliver excellent services to our community. I thank our Council staff, under the leadership of General Manager Gail Connolly. They do a fantastic job across the whole range of our activities. With this strong team, we work towards our goal of being the best performing council in New South Wales.
Since inception in late 2018, the team has produced numerous key strategies for Council, such as the Kogarah Investment Attraction Strategy, Hurstville ‘Heart of the City’ Place Strategy, 2050 Vision, Innovation Strategy, ongoing work on Council’s brand, image and reputation and Night Time Economy Study. They actively seek grant funding opportunities from the NSW Government, such as $4.75 million of grant funding from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program for Hurstville Revitalisation Project, bringing more greenery, street furniture, public art and open space upgrades to Kogarah and Hurstville. On 24 May, the team won Planning Institute Australia National Awards - Planning Excellence 2021for its ChillOUT Hubs in Hurstville, Kogarah and Mortdale. These smart, open-air spaces offer our community free places to meet, work and relax. I particularly would like to congratulate the team, and our partners Street Furniture Australia, UNSW and University of Sydney. Looking ahead, the team is developing a city-wide marketing campaign to encourage residents, visitors and investors to discover the unique offerings of Georges River, driving increased visitation and investment. In addition to our innovation activities we launched the Georges River Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040 ('LSPS 2040'). We were awarded a commendation for ‘Great community collaboration’ at the 2020 Greater Sydney Planning Awards for outstanding leadership and excellence in community collaboration. LSPS 2040 will guide land use planning and deliver significant infrastructure for the Georges River area over the next 20 years.
Georges River Council has embraced the fresh start that the merger of the former Hurstville City and Kogarah City Councils presented, building the foundations for a financially sustainable and robust organisation that delivers outstanding results to our community and city.
Over the past five years, Council has delivered key capital works projects worth over $224 million. Flagship projects include: •
adventure playgrounds at Jubilee, Meade, Kempt Field and Oatley Parks
Council has been provided with a clear, strategic direction that has enabled us to deliver more extensive capital programs, improved services, greater transparency, capacity and consistency in evidence-based decision-making.
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Kogarah streetscape CBD upgrades
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Gannons Park Master Plan works
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synthetic fields at Peakhurst Park, Poulton Park and in the near future at the Penshurst Park Sporting Hub
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completion of the Norm O’Neill Cricket Centre sporting complex and Oatley West Childcare centre
Our focus has been on expanding services across the whole area and harmonising services and developing the
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
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the Carss Park Foreshore Naturalisation Project
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sports field irrigation, drainage and resurfacing upgrades such as Oatley, Beverly Hills, Olds Parks and Harold Fraser Oval
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sports amenities upgrades such as those at Harold Fraser Oval, Gannons Park, Renown Park, Charles Pirie Reserve and Peakhurst Park as well as the San Souci Pool and the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre upgrades to name just a few.
Since the amalgamation, Council has built and fostered a solid ethical and governance framework and culture. A range of processes and structures have been adopted, including the establishment of: •
more than 80 Council and Corporate Policies, which guide our decision making
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a clear delegations framework, which clarifies decisions and accountability
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risk and safety frameworks, which act to mitigate liability, business interruption and maintain service continuity
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a robust reporting culture, to ensure Council is meeting legislative and statutory reporting obligations
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Council’s code of conduct and extensive education and training, having regard to corporate values and ethical conduct
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policy frameworks having regard to legislation governing ethical conduct including public interest disclosures, fraud and corruption prevention and information privacy
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procurement and contract management frameworks, systems and training to strengthen integrity, accountability and value for money regular oversight, management reporting and adherence to the audit program adopted by the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee established in 2016
2021/22 will be a critical year in securing the immediate and long-term financial future for Georges River Council. Looking forward, we will continue to advocate for muchneeded infrastructure and services from the NSW Government such as transport, housing and amenities for our growing community with Georges River 2050 Leading for Change Vision. With four aspirations: accessible, green, diverse and innovative, this Vision sets the direction for the entire city. It is our commitment to lead the city towards an ambitious future – a city that unlocks opportunities.
CONTENTS 4. YOUR COUNCIL 5.
Misinformation and how to identify credible sources Waste calendar changes Household Chemical CleanOut A-Z Guide
6. BUSINESS
Setting up solid information management in your small business 7. Teach Ted 8. The Reconnect Project
10. COMMUNITY
Vale Alan Garside 11. 2021 It's a Mood - Chess Day 12. What's happening at your library
14. ART AND CULTURE 4. 1 16. 17. 18. 19.
Our Journey | Our Stories Striving for Gold: Olympians of St George Table tennis tables add vibrancy to local parks Insid the Hurstville Museum & Gallery collection Dragon's Lair Gallery
20. LOCAL HISTORY
The Battle of Crete 22. What's in a name: Mortdale
23. WHAT'S ON
Georges River Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land in which the Georges River Local Government Area is situated - the Biddegal people of the Eora nation.
YOUR
SAY
Kevin Greene Mayor, Georges River Council
Be involved in important projects that shape the future of the Georges River area. Your feedback matters! Register via Council’s website at yoursay.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
To subscribe, visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au and sign up via the eNewsletter form located at the bottom of the home page.
Information and events in this publication are current at the time of printing. Subsequent changes may occur. Georges River Council does not guarantee that this publication is without flaw or wholly appropriate for your purposes. It and its employees expressly disclaim any liability, for any loss or damage, whether direct or consequential, suffered by any person as the result of or arising from reliance on any information contained in the publication.
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YOUR COUNCIL
Misinformation and how to indentify credible sources Georges River Libraries has recently appointed a new position of Librarian Information Services. This role will focus on supporting the community through an environment of rapidly changing information with an emphasis on promoting health, legal, government and research information and services.
• Do your own research to independently verify if someone is who they claim to be by calling back on a verified phone number.
New librarian Louise will be bringing her many years of experience working in public libraries to this role as well as her rigorous research, analytical skills and online expertise. To start off her new role and to promote Scam Awareness Week this August, Louise wanted to share her top 5 tips to protect you against scams.
• Don't share personal information online with someone you've never met in person including limiting personal information shared on social media.
You can find more information about scams and sign up to the scam watch eNewsletter by visiting www.scamwatch.gov.au
• Be suspicious of emails and messages asking for your personal information, even if they seem to be from a trusted source.
• Use tools such as anti-virus software to help you check and protect your online security. • Subscribe to the Scamwatch eNewsletter to stay up to date on the latest scams. If you would like to know more about the information environment, please contact Louise on library@ georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Waste calendar changes Council will be updating the process for residents to receive their annual waste service calendars. Commencing in January 2022, residents will only receive a printed waste calendar by contacting our customer service team on mail@georgesriver.nsw. gov.au or at 02 9330 6400. Residents can also see their waste collection dates at any time by visiting Council’s website and entering the home address in the waste service search function. Visit the waste pages of Councils website for more information.
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
A-Z Guide Council have created an easy-to-use recycling guide on our website. The A-Z Recycling guide contains information on how to dispose of over 150 difficult waste items such as chemicals, electronic waste, and bulky household items. We always encourage the community to reduce, reuse and recycle, so if you don’t know how to dispose of a certain item, visit this link to find a solution www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/Services/Waste/ A-Z-Recycling-Guide
Household Chemical CleanOut Council‘s next Household Chemical CleanOut event will be held on Sunday 19 September 2021, 9am - 3:30pm at Mortdale Depot (100 Roberts Avenue, Mortdale). Make sure to only bring accepted chemical waste. Below you can view the items that are accepted and unaccepted. Accepted Waste
Unaccepted Waste
Acids, alkali materials, car batteries, motor oils, fuels and fluids
Domestic bin waste
Fire extinguishers and gas bottles
Tech waste or e-waste
Hobby chemicals, pool chemicals, paints and solvents.
Furniture or household appliances
Fluorescent tubes
Commercial waste
Herbicides, pesticides and poisons
Asbestos
Keep up to date with the latest information on this event and future events by visiting Councils ‘What’s On’ and Chemical CleanOut pages. If you need to dispose of any waste that is not accepted at this event, visit the A-Z Recycling Guide on Council’s website for more information.
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BUSINESS
Setting up solid information management in your small business by Mark Atkins, Intraversed Pty Ltd
If you’ve never thought about information management (IM) because your business is small, then it’s time to reconsider. Setting certain structures in place now could enable growth for your business in the future. Small businesses aren’t subject to the same level of risk as large organisations due to IM problems. But the same IM principles can be applied to effective ends. Information is anything you create from running your business, so managing your information when you’re small doesn’t take much work. This includes all the important factors when running your business e.g., financial, inventory, and maintenance reports; regulatory and legal (including HR paperwork & policy manuals). There are three foundations to solid IM: 1. Build a culture that values information. Without this, it’ll be hard to get compliance with the processes you establish.
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2. Define your key language. Create a glossary of terms for your business’s functions – e.g., product, contract, asset – and categorise them by function – e.g., HR, Sales, Finance. Write clear and context-relevant definitions of these terms. Review with your team, ensuring the definitions work for everyone. Use language consistently, adhering to these definitions. This avoids confusion when you need to implement or upgrade IT systems and reporting. 3. Establish a register of key information artefacts. Register all your reports, contracts, and other important artefacts. Artefacts need to be kept up-to-date and retired when they’re superseded. Ensure your register includes where they are stored and who: • created them; • is responsible for checking validity; • to contact about errors in the artefact’s content; Believe me, we’ve worked in many big businesses who would have saved millions of dollars if they’d implemented these three foundations early on! Mark Atkins is a member of Georges River Business and a regular contributor. Register for free on Council's website.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Teach Ted 'Imagine a world where every parent knows the best possible way to prepare their child for challenging experiences, no matter where they live or who they are being treated by. Imagine too that all care practitioners, not just paediatric specialists, have the tools and knowledge to deliver the most awesome, child-friendly treatment to kids.' Georges River locals, Sarah Cummings and business partner Sare Christensen, are the Co-Founders of Teach Ted – a childhood educational project that helps children with medical conditions feel confident when facing hospital admissions and medical procedures. Both Sarah and Sare drew on their professional and personal experiences to create Teach Ted. Both women will tell you that this business started from an eagerness to help parents and children overcome emotional challenges. They aimed to do this through the art of storytelling little Ted’s visits to hospital. This idea has now evolved to a fruitful partnership with peak medical facilities including Sydney Westmead Hospital and Royal Flying Doctors Service. The story of Ted empowers a child to tell their feelings through the character. One of the results of this is the time spend on a child's blood test is drastically reduced by half with the use of this book. Sarah Cummings is ambitious and states 'Our goal is to have Ted’s story on every single Royal Flying Doctor’s planes and clinic throughout the nation.' Local families and businesses have the opportunity to support this mission by sponsoring Teach Ted’s books and resources to be donated. Ted and his friends take children into a fun, imaginary world of research-based storybooks and apps. By understanding what might happen and why, children can face new challenges with reduced anxiety and have their unspoken questions answered.
Sarah Cummings
Every time you buy a Teach Ted book or toy you’ll be helping them provide free resources to those in need. For every three they sell in their shop, they give one to our donation partners. Sales also help them to continue to develop free educational resources. It also helps conduct research into other ways to improve the experience of children going to hospital or undergoing medical treatment. If you would like to help, go to www.teachted.com.au.
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BUSINESS
The Reconnect Project Annette Mayne began The Reconnect Project with an environmentally positive vision and a purpose for connecting people. The Reconnect Project combines the desire to stop usable items from going into landfill and provide a device for people in need. With her background in Communications and extensive experience with businesses, Councils and charities, Annette began The Reconnect Project in 2019 and founded their workshop in Penshurst. 'I’ve worked in waste and recycling projects for almost 20 years. In 2018, I started looking into the issue for electronic waste, particularly for mobile devices and the statistics around mobile phones shocked me. In late 2019 I pitched the idea for The Reconnect Project at a social enterprise crowdfunding event in Parramatta and set up the business as a not-for-profit, Annette said. Then in March 2020, it really took off. Covid-19 restrictions and social isolation highlighted the need for people to have access to mobile devices. Within a week, I had requests for just over 400 devices from Caseworkers at social service agencies - women's refuges, homelessness agencies, refugee support services - all asking for help for their clients. It's just exploded from there.' Her humble team of three include tech whizz, Gokhan Tufan, and content producer and fellow upcycler, Anna Hope, along with generous volunteers from the community. There are an estimated 23 million mobile phones across Australia sitting idly in drawers unused. A combination of phasing out the old and a desire for the latest model of phones, laptops and tablets has meant that e-waste remains a growing issue. Australia’s e-waste is growing at three times the rate of any other waste stream. That is where Annette and The Reconnect Project step in. Their Repair Workshop is located right in the heart of Penshurst. There you can hand in your old devices to receive a complete overhaul before they are passed on to someone in need. In early 2021, I opened a repair shopfront in Penshurst. Anyone can come and have their mobile phone, tablet, laptop or any other electrical or electronic device repaired by The Reconnect Project's Repair Shop. It operates just like any other repair
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store. The difference is, being a registered charity means that the income we generate from offering a repair service then funds the social mission, Annette said. The Reconnect Project works with caseworkers, women’s refuges, homelessness agencies, refugee and asylum seeker support services as well as youth outreach programs. In their first 12 months of operation, they have provided 252 phones, 23 tablets and 26 laptops to people in need. This includes working with Caseworkers at 21 organisations including Parramatta Mission, The Wayside Chapel, the Women & Girls Emergency Centre and the YWCA. The difference a device can make to a person’s life in such circumstances could mean they are contactable by support services, have a lifeline for domestic violence help, or have access for a young person to complete their studies or apply for work. It could also mean a connection to the world and their family. The Reconnect Project is a worthy cause with extensive outreach. Authorised donation stations are also located in Castle Hill, Marrickville, Paramatta, Windsor, or Zetland. But Annette has said the Georges River community has played an important part of the work she does.
'Being able to find like-minded people who support the ethos of The Reconnect Project has been the best part of the community here. It’s about finding ways to keep technology in working condition and helping people in need. I have some fabulous volunteers helping with repairs, and it’s great to be part of a community that is actively providing positive outcomes.' At it's May meeting, Georges River Council committed to establishing collection boxes at the Customer Service Centres in support of The Reconnect Project. You can visit The Reconnect Project Repair Workshop at 8 The Strand, Penshurst (directly opposite the train station) or head to their website at www.thereconnectproject.com.au
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Annette Mayne
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COMMUNITY
Alan Garside
Vale Alan Garside In May, the Georges River community lost a Socceroo legend and member of the community, Alan Garside. Georges River Council Mayor Kevin Greene was lucky enough to meet with the former footballer earlier this year at Mortdale’s Ferndale Nursing Home with fellow former Australian footballer, Mark Bosnich. Alan was a local of the Georges River area and a wonderful member of the community. Alan met with Mark and Mayor Greene to be presented with a brand-new Socceroo jersey. After playing his last international game (called a ‘test match’ back then), Alan swapped jerseys with the South African team as a token of appreciation. However, Alan always feared that he would never have an Australian jersey again. Alan was able to have his dream fulfilled when he was presented with this new jersey. His former player number ‘9’ and name were also printed on the back.
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Alan said on the day that he felt honoured to meet with both Mark and Mayor Greene and for being gifted with a new Australian jersey. He also shared his love for living on Wattle Street in Peakhurst for many years and that it was the best part of his life and the best place he has ever lived. Mayor Greene expressed his deep condolences for Alan’s family and is saddened by loss of a valuable member to the Georges River community. 'Alan Garside was a wonderful man with a remarkable record in the soccer community, Mayor Greene said. 'His goal scoring feats in the early 1950s are astonishing and it is easy to see why he represented Australia for four years straight. Georges River feels privileged to have had this outstanding man as part of our community.’
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
2021 It’s a Mood - Chess Day Kogarah Town Square
Young, old, experienced and novice. That was the calibre of our 2021 It’s A Mood Chess Day participants.
Our local St George Leagues Club, Chess Club Captain, Charles Zworestine took out the top prize with medals and trophies awarded to other age groups and categories.
Over 70 people from our local community and surrounds joined in the Georges River Council Chess Day held on Saturday 24 April 2021.
Big thanks to our event sponsor Home Instead Inner South West for helping the day become a success. Given the great achievement of the event, it is hoped the Chess Day will become an annual feature on the Georges River Council event calendar.
The day saw Kogarah Town Square come alive with a 6 round, Swiss style tournament, large chess board for kids and social tables for passers-by. The event was bubbling with tension, concentration and laughs and was a great example of community participation across ages and diverse backgrounds.
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COMMUNITY
Author Gary Lonesborough
What’s happening at your library? When was the last time you visited your local library? If you haven’t been to a library in years then you will be pleasantly surprised to find a vibrant community hub that provides opportunities to learn new skills and encourage lifelong learning. We support literacy from birth and develop programs and services to support a range of formal and informal learning across generations. And just as importantly, we provide social spaces where people can meet and connect with others, offering opportunities for social and cultural participation.
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Our Homegrown Living program focuses on sustainable and natural ideas for living, as well as topics to keep you, your family and your home healthy. Over winter we have organised a range of workshops that will get you creating edible and medicinal gardens and upcycling old kitchenware to use in your garden. If art and craft is more your thing, come along to one of our Get Crafty classes. There we will get you making macramé pot hangers, creating a unique bullet journal to track your past, organise the present and plan for your future, or construct some unique sculptures using books. For Pride Month this year we are very excited to have Indigenous author Gary Lonesborough who will have an in-conversation about his young adult book, The Boy from the Mish. Or come to our Drag Queen Story Time with Charisma Belle. Starting in June, we have a series of six online fiction writing workshops with Keith Whelan. Each month Keith will focus on a different aspect of writing whether that is creating characters, developing dialogue or setting the scene that will motivate and inspire you to put that pen to paper. For more information and to book into these events please go to /www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/Community/What-s-On ................................................................................................ The library runs a range of programs for babies to seniors at all our branches. From book clubs, to knitting groups, code club and English classes. We have you covered! To find something that suits your interests visit our library website at georgesriver.spydus.com and click on ‘Programs and Events’ for further information.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Book Week - August 21 to 27
Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds Dress up in a book-inspired costume and join us to celebrate Book Week 2021 with a presentation of the Book of the Year shortlisted titles at Story Time. Vote for your favourite story and make some craft inspired by this year’s theme: Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds! Bookings essential. For session times and bookings visit georgesriverlibraries.eventbrite.com The Georges River Libraries July school holiday program is perfect for technology buffs and curious minds. Your children can learn how to code, play with robots, and create artwork using virtual reality technology. Bookings open Monday 14 June, 2021.
Local Community Enjoying Extended Trial Library Opening Hours The Georges River community is enjoying the new library opening hours, after Council extended the opening time for three libraries on a trial basis. The extension was made following initial community consultation and Council continues to listen to the community’s feedback. The initial three-month trial period, which was due to end in early May, has been extended until 31 July 2021 to measure the usage of the lengthened opening hours. Council’s two central libraries continue to operate at their usual hours, accommodating the needs of the wider community. Hurstville Library is open 9.00am-8.00pm on weekdays and 10.00am-4.00pm on weekends. Clive James Library Kogarah is open 9.00am-6.00pm on weekdays, 10.00am-4.00pm on Saturday and 10.00am-1.00pm on Sunday.
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ART AND CULTURE
Our Journeys | Our Stories 我们的历程 | 我们的故事 Hurstville Museum & Gallery 24 July – 13 October 2021 悉尼南城好市围博物馆和美术馆 2021年7月24日 — 10月13日
Our Journeys | Our Stories explores the Chinese migration history of the Georges River area, interweaving social and cultural history with the work of contemporary ChineseAustralian artists Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen, Guo Jian, Lindy Lee, Xiao Lu, Jason Phu, and Guan Wei. The exhibition aims to highlight and celebrate the significance of local Chinese migration from the 19th century through to the 2000s and the ongoing contribution of the Chinese community to the Georges River area. Featuring oral histories and objects from both cultural institutions and private collections, the combination of historical material, personal stories and artistic interpretation reflects on and expresses a shared cultural heritage.
Golden headgear for an Emperor (c. 1970s-80s), Opera performance headpiece, fabric, metal, plastic, metallic mesh, faux jewels and pearls, tassels. Private collection, Sydney.
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Hurstville Museum & Gallery has received two significant grants which have made this exhibition possible. Create NSW have provided funding to commission contemporary Chinese-Australian artists to create works for inclusion in the exhibition. The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations has also provided a grant to support the exhibition’s catalogue, bi-lingual translations and oral history online platform. Both grants have enabled a demonstration to strengthen understanding and promote connections between Australia and China.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Guan Wei, Georges River, acrylic on board, 175 x 208 x 3.5 cm (1-4 panels) 2021.
Tiy Sing stencil template for produce boxes (c. 1910), Georges River Libraries Local Studies collection.
华人历史文艺展《我们的历程 | 我们的故事 （Our Journeys | Our Stories）》追述了悉尼南 城乔治河地区华人移民史，通过当代澳籍华裔艺 术家关伟、李林迪（Lindy Lee）、肖鲁、符子龙 （Jason Phu）、曾苑慈（Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen） 、郭健等的新创作品体现在澳旅居华裔的社会和文 化历史。 该展旨在体现和弘扬自19世纪至2000年代的漫长岁月里，悉尼 南城乔治河地区华裔移民推动整个悉尼建设和发展所起到的重要作 用，及其长期以来对本地区所作出的贡献。 展藏口述记忆录音和历史物品均来自悉尼各大文化机构和私人 收藏。所涉及的历史资料、个人历程、艺术创作也都完美地融合在 了一起，彰显五湖四海同根同族的炎黄子孙传承下来的中华文明底 蕴。 好市围博物馆&美术馆因本次主题展览荣获来自州级和联邦级政 府的两项重大支持：新南威尔士州政府创意部（Create NSW）拨 款征集澳籍华裔艺术家参与创作；澳大利亚外交部澳中关系国家基 金会（National Foundation for Australia-China Relations）也为 该展的推行、展录出版、双语译文以及华人口述历史在线平台开发 等出资辅助。两项拨款均为澳中两国双边互通、交流提供了有力推 动，从而拉近了两国间的距离。
The Our Journeys | Our Stories exhibition is supported by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
Our Journeys | Our Stories is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
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ART AND CULTURE
Stephanie Magiros
Striving for Gold: Olympians of St George In the lead up to the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, Striving for gold portrays Olympians of the St George area. Their stories and memorabilia provide a personal insight into past Olympic Games, reflecting on social and sporting history from the early 1900s to present day.
INSIDE THE EXHIBITION Test your skills Do you have what it takes to be an Olympian? Find your inner sports star and try your hand at swimming, athletics, canoeing and more!
Come to one of our many programs celebrating this exhibition!
Live the dream Step on to the podium and live the dream of an Olympian! Have you won bronze, silver or gold?
BABY EXPLORERS Bring your baby to the Museum & Gallery and enjoy a guided tour of Striving for gold. Suitable for babies up to the age of 12 months. Wednesday 14 July 2021, 10.15am-11.30am $4.00 per adult participant. Babies are free. Bookings essential. FAMILY FUN DAY – ‘MINI OLYMPICS’ Join us for an open day for the whole family, with guided tours, story time, mini-Olympic competitions, modern interactive games and craft activities. Saturday 3 July 2021, 10.30am-2.00pm Free. All welcome. REMEMBER WHEN…? Interactive guided tours of the Striving for gold exhibition. $4.00 per adult participant. Book your group and arrange your guided tour. Bookings essential.
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Make your own Olympic pin Make a memory of your visit to Striving for gold: Olympians of St George by creating your own Olympic style pin.
For more information please contact Hurstville Museum & Gallery on (02) 9330 6444 or museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au Programs can be booked online at www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/HMG
or visit us at the Museum & Gallery service desk. Please note: Payments must be made at the time of booking. Events and activities with a cost may incur small booking fees and surcharges depending on your payment method. No refunds for cancellations or missed bookings.
Striving for gold: Olympians of St George will run until
18 July 2021 at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Table tennis tables add vibrancy to local parks
Pole Depot Park tennis table by Keith Stanley.
Georges River Council recently installed two new outdoor table tennis tables at Peakhurst Park and Pole Depot Park. Artist, Keith Stanley, was commissioned by Council to paint bright and colourful designs on both tables to bring a sense of fun and creativity to the tables and surrounding park landscape. Stanley was inspired by the Georges River and has included a blue stream of water down the middle of both designs. The artworks feature surreal underwater and solar system scenes. Stanley commented that "the design of blue stream in my artwork represents the Georges River, while the characters represent space, clarity and insight".
Stanley also worked with Jennifer Tyler from the Headspace Youth Advocate Group (YAG) to design characters for the tables. Together, they designed a cockatoo and spider, both in space helmets playing video games to symbolise staying connected with friends and family, an artistic eel representing partaking in new hobbies, and a martial artist turtle, symbolising maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The table tennis tables form part of a growing collection of public artworks that Council has commissioned since the adoption of the Create Georges River Cultural Strategy 2019 and Public Art Policy in 2020. Council’s aim for installing public art is to revitalise the urban environment with colour, texture, creativity and cultural engagement. The table tennis tables are a permanent feature and Council hopes they will bring enjoyment to all in the community.
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ART AND CULTURE
Inside the Hurstville Museum & Gallery collection One of Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s newest additions to our collection are a set of chairs believed to be connected to Rafael & Moyia Kowron, founding members of Oatley Flora & Fauna Society and valued members of the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club. Rafael and Moyia Kowron moved to West Oatley in the 1950s and became interested in preserving the natural bushland in the area. They established the Oatley Flora & Fauna Society in 1955 and organised community events, including free film nights, to encourage community engagement and attract new members. They retired from the committee in the 1960s. In later years, they were active members of the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club, which had been founded in 1927. The Annual General Meeting reports regularly mention both Rafael & Moyia as committee members elected to posts such as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from the 1980s-2000s. These mid-century chairs were likely used in the clubhouse on Woonona Parade, during the many social events that took place after the swimming events each week. Based on the club's journal, the nicknames painted on the chairs may date to c.1985. The social secretary of that year, Barry Whitcombe, wrote a list of some of the members and gave them nicknames and a small explanation. Rafael is listed as ‘Sticks’, which is painted on the red chair, due to his slim physique and preference for swimming backstroke. The second chair refers to Moyia as ‘Dance Queen’, which may be a reference to the parties held by the club. The Hurstville Museum & Gallery team would love to hear from anyone in the community that has any information about these chairs. Please email museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Sofie Dieu, Beyond reflection, drawing-photo on paper, 2021.
Dragon's Lair Gallery At Hurstville Museum & Gallery we have an exciting line up of Dragon’s Lair Gallery exhibitions planned throughout the winter months, featuring the works of Sofie Dieu, Rebecca Trajkovski and Venessa Possum. These exhibitions will showcase each artist’s unique and compelling artistic styles through their latest artworks.
Local Art Prize in 2019 with her work The Board (Series 4). Trajkovski’s exhibition While you were sleeping includes works spanning from 2017 to today. Trajkovski painted these artworks at home on her kitchen bench while on maternity leave and as her son slept. This exhibition will be on display 12 June to 4 July 2021.
Past Georges River Artist in Residence, Sofie Dieu, presents Water Memory, Tale of a Rippling Mirror, her new body of work created during her residency at Carss Park. Dieu was inspired by the waterways and the ecosystem of the Georges River to interpret the work of Japanese scientist, Dr Masaru Emoto. This exhibition will be on display 15 May to 6 June 2021.
As a Dharug-Dharawal woman, Venessa Possum travels throughout her homelands as experiential research to produce a diverse oeuvre of gestural painting, drawing, collage, frottage, photography and video as installations. She used her residency to conduct site specific research of the Georges River and create works that will be presented in her exhibition Nangamay dreams. This exhibition will be on display 10 July to 1 August 2021.
For Dieu and Possum, their exhibitions will be an opportunity to share the work they have created as a part of the Georges River Artist in Residence program, For Trajkovski, this solo exhibition was awarded to her for winning the Georges River
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 19
LOCAL HISTORY
The Battle of Crete
(I Mahi Tis Kritis, Μάχη της Κρήτης)
Bdr Charles Leaver. AWM photo PO2466.039
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Eighty years ago, on 20 May 1941, Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of the island of Crete. They expected to be welcomed by the locals, and to meet little allied resistance, but they were very wrong. Along with Greek soldiers and the people of Crete, Australian, New Zealand, Indian and British troops fiercely defended the island. The battle lasted thirteen days, but the bonds formed between the Cretans and the Anzacs were enduring. A number of men from the Georges River area fought in the battle. Nearly 300 Australians were killed in action and over 1,000 were wounded; and 3,100 Australians, mostly from the infantry battalions were taken prisoner of war by the Germans. Those who were taken prisoner had to endure great privation for the remainder of the war. The people of Crete put up strong resistance to German occupation, and 30,000 of them died during the course of the war. Among those who gave their lives was Kogarah man, Bombardier Charles James Leaver, of the 2/3rd Field Regiment, who was killed in action on 27 May 1941, aged 26. He grew up in Ocean Street, Kogarah, where his mother still lived. He is remembered on the Athens Memorial at Phaleron Cemetery. The wounded included Gunner Ronald Dixon, of Carlton, a former pupil of Hurstville Central Technical School. Many local men who served in Greece and Crete are legion, most of whom had previously fought in North Africa. A number were taken prisoner of war, including Private Roy Bowmaker of Lugarno who had previously fought in Libya and Greece; Corporal Alston Fowler of Hurstville; Private Norman Freeberg of Penshurst; Private Lionel Paynter, Corporal Frank Collins, and brothers Sydney and Walter Malcolm of Hurstville. They were to spend four years in a Stalag before liberation in 1945. Driver William Illingworth, a resident of Ramsgate, was imprisoned and repatriated in 1944. Other local men who were involved in the Crete campaign were able to escape, with the help of locals who faced the danger of savage reprisals from the Nazis. They included Private Rupert Brooks of Penshurst, Private Keith Thompson of Kogarah and Alfred Hawkins of Oatley. Driver John Glossop, of Forest Road had previously been wounded in World War One. Following his escape, Captain R J F McIntosh, whose parents lived at Hurstville, retuned to Australia to marry in 1942. Corporal Walter Leslie Bowman, another to escape, was awarded the George Medal for gallantry displayed at Tobruk. He was a former resident of Hurstville, whose sister was Mrs Barter, of Barter’s department store in Forest Road.
Herbert Doig, 1926
Warrant-Officer Herbert Doig, who had been Hurstville Council’s Health Inspector before the war, was involved in setting up military sanitation on the island, and was mentioned in despatches for his efforts in fighting both disease and the enemy. On his return to Hurstville in May 1942, he was interviewed by the Propeller newspaper. Referring to the hasty reinforcement of the island by allied troops, he stated “Some of the men landed there without even so much as a hat, and they nicknamed the place ‘The Island of Doomed Men’, such was their plight”. At Rethymno on Crete, where Australian and local forces held back the German paratroopers in May 1941, the local community erected a memorial to commemorate the event. A plaque on the memorial records every major Australian unit that fought the Germans on the island. In Canberra, the Australia Hellenic Memorial, a Doric column representing civilization, is at the top of Anzac Parade, close to the Australian War Memorial, and commemorates all who died in the Allied campaigns in Greece and Crete in 1941.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 21
LOCAL HISTORY
Street parade, Mort’s Road, 1920, open-air picture show in background
What’s in a name?
Mortdale
The name ‘Mortdale’ commemorates the innovative businessman Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, who acquired a large land-holding in the area in the 1850s. Mort’s land was subdivided into small farms and orchards, straddling either side of ‘Mort’s Road’. The face of Mortdale transformed with the arrival of W G Judd’s Hurstville Steam Brick Company. Judd’s brickwork was the dominant industry in Mortdale for many years, and its chimneys stood out over the suburb until their demolition in 1973. The Oatley Senior Campus of Georges River College now stands on the site of the brickworks. With the arrival of the Illawarra Railway, the suburb of Mortdale began to take shape. A post office and public school both opened in 1889. The first Mortdale Station had to wait until 1897, to be replaced in 1922 by the current platform. Shops grew up along Morts Road and Pitt Street. Daniel Saltwell’s Hotel in The Avenue opened in 1895, and its license was transferred in 1930 to the new Mortdale Hotel in George Street.
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Headmaster and teachers of Mortdale Public School, 1924
An open-air picture show, in the vicinity of present-day 60 Morts Road, brought cinema to Mortdale from 1915 onwards. Although its days were numbered when the glamorous air-conditioned Paramount Theatre opened in 1929. From 1908, Mortdale had its own Fire Station, manned by volunteers who earned half-a-crown for every call-out. Its engine was drawn by horses, which cropped a nearby paddock when they were off-duty. It remains Sydney’s oldest operational volunteer fire brigade.
Did You Know…? Renown Park was named after the naval battlecruiser HMS Renown, which brought the Prince of Wales to Australia on a visit in 1920.
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
What's on 16 JUNE 2021 Artist in residence: Art making in Carss Park
105 Carwar Ave, Carss Park 10.00am-12.00pm Join our current artist in residence, Sandra Winkworth, for a series of free art making classes at Carss Bush Park.
19 JUNE 2021 TechWaste Drop Off
100 Roberts Ave, Mortdale 9.00am-12.00pm Get rid of your tech waste for FREE at the Georges River Council TechWaste Drop Off! Currently scheduled each Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm (excluding public Holidays) up until the end of June. Proposed times thereafter will be on a quarterly basis.
25 JUNE 2021 Get Crafty Macramé Pot Hanger - Adults Clive James Library, Kogarah 10.00am-12.00pm Come and join Bec from Becsknots in Sydney to create your very own stunning macramé plant hanger.
3 JULY 2021 Family fun day – ‘mini Olympics’ Hurstville Museum & Gallery 14 MacMahon St, Hurstville Join us for an open day for the whole family.
14 JULY 2021 Baby Explorers
Hurstville Museum & Gallery 14 MacMahon St, Hurstville 10.30am-11.00am Join a tour of the current Main Gallery exhibition with your baby.
25 JULY 2021 Dragons Vs Titans
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. 2.00pm
29 JULY 2021 National Tree Day - Evatt Park
National Tree Day is a call to action for all Australians to put their hands in the earth and give back to their community.
1 AUGUST 2021 National Tree Day - Gannons Park
National Tree Day is a call to action for all Australians to put their hands in the earth and give back to their community.
7 AUGUST 2021 TechWaste Drop Off
100 Roberts Ave, Mortdale 9.00am-3.30pm Get rid of your tech waste for FREE at the Georges River Council TechWaste Drop Off! Scheduled each quarter at 9.00am to 3.30pm.
22 AUGUST 2021 Dragons Vs Roosters
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 2.00pm
1 SEPTEMBER 2021 Wattle Walk
Carss Busk Park 9.00am-11.00am Celebrate Wattle Day with a guided Wattle Walk through Carss Bush Park.
12 SEPTEMBER 2021 Bushcare Big Day Out
Bald Face Point Reserve, Blakehurst 9.00am-12.00pm Join us to celebrate Bushcare Big Day Out in 2021 by planting native species at Bald Face Point Reserve.
19 SEPTEMBER 2021 Chemical Clean Out
100 Roberts Ave, Mortdale 9.00am to 3.30pm Get rid of your chemical waste for FREE at the Georges River Council
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 23
Blakehurst
Hurstville
Kogarah Bay
Mortdale
Peakhurst
Sam Elmir
Vince Badalati
Stephen Agius
Con Hindi
Kevin Greene
Sandy Grekas
Nancy Liu
Nick Katris
Lou Konjarski
Rita Kastanias
Kathryn Landsberry
Christina Wu
Leesha Payor
Warren Tegg
Colleen Symington
0410 654 310 selmir @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0424 617 831 sgrekas @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0419 984 934 klandsberry @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0411 745 255 vbadalati @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0400 681 188 nliu @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0400 241 851 cwu @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Deputy Mayor 0419 556 023 sagius @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0419 402 191 nkatris @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0419 616 898 lpayor @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0408 383 783 chindi @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0421 188 896 Lkonjarski @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0427 671 666 wtegg @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Mayor 9330 6020 kgreene @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0416 009 695 rkastanias @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
0409 546 202 csymington @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Calendar of Council Meetings In accordance with resolution of Council, all Ordinary Council Meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of each month at Georges River Civic Centre, cnr Dora and MacMahon Streets Hurstville, commencing at 7.00pm. Extraordinary Council meetings are called when required
After-hours Customer Service available at:
Phone: 9330 6400 24 hours, 7 days a week www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au georgesrivercouncil f grcouncil i Georges River Council y mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au & Georges River Civic Centre Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm Clive James Library and Service Centre Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Hurstville Library Monday to Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm Council Libraries opening hours: Clive James Library Kogarah Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm Clive James Council Service Centre Kogarah Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
28 June 2021 26 July 2021 23 August 2021
Penshurst Library 630 Forest Road, Penshurst Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Hurstville Library Corner Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville Monday to Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm Oatley Library 26 Letitia Street, Oatley Monday to Friday 11am – 5pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Sunday Closed South Hurstville Library Corner of Short and Allen Streets, South Hurstville Monday to Friday 11am – 5pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Sunday Closed
