FEATURES

Our Journeys Our Stories

Guo Jian with his commissioned artwork Where the river flows for the Our Journeys I Our Stories exhibition

Our Journeys | Our Stories explored the changing face and history of Chinese migration in the Georges River area, against the backdrop of wider social, cultural and economic developments in Australia.

The stories were told through a collection of rare historical items as well as new artworks from six internationally renowned ChineseAustralian artists. Over 60 historical items and artwork by six internationally acclaimed Australian Chinese artists: Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen, Guo Jian, Lindy Lee, Xiao Lu, Jason Phu and Guan Wei, including photographs from the Georges River Libraries Local Studies collection were featured.

Our Journeys | Our Stories is supported by the National Foundation for AustraliaChina Relations and the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Susan Lowe with family history objects on loan for the Our Journeys I Our Stories exhibition

National Tree Day and Plant Giveaway

This year’s National Tree Day event was held at Beverly Hills Park (Black Forest Reserve). A huge number of community volunteers attended to help make a positive impact to the environment.

Over 1,000 native grasses, shrubs, small trees and a few canopy trees were planted in a pocket of the reserve to increase native plants in the area.

A big thank you to Oatley Lions Club who helped provide a well-earned sausage sizzle BBQ for our hungry volunteers after a great effort in planting and watering the plants. Thank you to the International Peace Youth Group for bringing their enthusiasm for planting trees on the day and to the Oatley Flora and Fauna members who were also on hand to lend support throughout the morning. Thank you to our very own mayor, Nick Katris who rolled up his sleeves to help community with planting native flora on the day. A huge thank you to Council’s Bushcare volunteers who organised and facilitated the community event and plant giveaway! We’re excited to see the plants grow and give vital structure to the plant community on site, this will also help improve the overall biodiversity of the site.

Georges River Council Mayor, Nick Katris with Council's Bushcare team and International Peace Youth Group members.

And finally, thank you everyone for your help on National Tree Day, we couldn’t have done it without all your support.

We hope to see you again at the next tree day planting event!

One of Bushcare's littlest volunteers

Find more infomation on events visit

georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

Un[contained] 2022

Octopoda by Amigo and Amigo.

This year’s Un[contained] event was bigger and better! Over 38,000 visitors attended the three-day urban arts festival in the heart of Kogarah.

Many of the community’s favourite activities and entertainment returned to light up Kogarah Town Centre including the largescale installations, aerial performers, live and interactive art experiences, drummers, and dancers.

Visitors came together to experience and enjoy live music, food, and wine while exploring the wild and vibrant attractions. Thanks for making it an exceptional event this year, see you again next year!

Labyrinth by Atelier Sisu.

Eurovision Broadcast Party

The Marana Auditorium in Hurstville transformed into little Italia with Council’s Eurovision Broadcast Party returning to celebrate the grand final of the singing contest.

Multi-award winning drag queen Charisma Belle hosted the event while fellow Sydney Drag Royalty artists, Hannah Conda, Fairah and Carmen Geddit joined her during the interval for a Eurovision medley performance.

Eurovision fans watched the live event on the big screen to cheer on their favourite talent while enjoying Italian cuisine, tea and coffee for breakfast.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the spectacular event!

Drag artist Charisma Belle posing with Eurovision attendees.

Drag artist Hannah Conda.

Koomurri Aboriginal Incursions giving Welcome to Country.

Georges River Council Mayor, Nick Katris participating in the art mural project.

NAIDOC

Youth and Family Day

Georges River Council partnered with 3Bridges who hosted the first ever First Nations Youth and Family Day in celebration of NAIDOC Week.

Koomurri Aboriginal Incursions kicked off the event with a Welcome to Country, traditional performance and smoking ceremony.

Visitors flocked to Penshurst Park for an action-packed day with cultural activities including traditional arts and crafts and an evolving art project to embrace NAIDOC Week and Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

Other family activities included face painting, an animal petting zoo, a youth OzTag competition plus a sausage sizzle and refreshments all free for all ages to enjoy.

Country Women's Association (CWA) exhibition opening.

Country Women’s Association (CWA) celebrates 100 years of history

This year, the Country Women’s Association of NSW celebrates 100 years and Georges River CWA members hosted a special morning tea with the community for the official opening of the CWA exhibition at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

The CWA centenary exhibition features historic pieces donated by members including women from the local Georges River branch to help preserve the diverse culture in our area. Items such as kitchen memorabilia, textiles and knitted creations from the past 100 years were shared for the exhibition.

CWA Georges River Presidents, Wailyn Mar and Catherine Sloan baked delicious cakes, biscuits and scones for the community to enjoy at morning tea.

Established in 1922, CWA is Australia’s largest women’s organisation focused on creating a network of support for women in towns and cities.

Country Women's Association (CWA) morning tea.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION Geoff Paine - Verge Garden Program

We’re introducing a new section to Council’s Community Magazine, celebrating our local Community Champions who have demonstrated how they’ve positively impacted the Georges River area and people. We’re calling on our next Community Champion to share their exciting achievement or quirky story to be featured in the next edition. Submissions are now open and all ages welcome. If you’re interested in sharing your story, please send through your submission via media@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

In this edition we speak to Geoff Paine from Connells Point about his luscious verge garden. Geoff has always been passionate about gardening and growing vegetables. Geoff grows a variety of fruits and vegetables, everything from an assortment of onions, herbs, beans, garlic, chilli, root vegetables to strawberries and rhubarb.

What do you love about your community?

The people that stop and look at our garden come from many cultures and even though we may not be able to communicate very effectively, we connect through our love of plants. With the ark being so close, it draws people from out of the area and they too come to have a look and have a chat. Through this common interest, we get to grow different vegetables than we would not normally grow as we often swap plants, seeds and tips with people who visit our verge garden.

What do you love about the Georges River LGA?

We love living in the LGA. It has become very diverse culturally in the time we have been here. We have a great public transport system, we are close to parks and beaches, the food and restaurants all make for it to be a very liveable area. We are very happy here.

What inspired you to be grow your own verge garden?

We have always been interested in gardening and growing our own vegetables was a natural progression. We are surrounded by quite a few trees so the only area that gets some sun is on the verge. We’re quite lucky, our verge is wide and doesn’t have a concrete footpath so we could add the garden without impeding any movement. Plus, it saves me having to mow too much grass!

How important is it for community members to get involved in Council’s verge garden program?

I would encourage other people to get involved with the verge program, especially if they don’t have room within their own yard to start a garden. It helps with mowing and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to grow your own vegetables and herbs rather than buying everything you eat. It also attracts locals walking past to have a look, talk and offer and ask advice as they pass by which I think is great. I hope our garden makes people happy when they look at it.

Any tips or advice for other community members who are interested in starting their own verge garden?

I tend to use a no-dig type of gardening. Once the grass is removed you don’t dig or disturb the soil you just add homemade or store-bought compost once or twice a year. This really cuts down on the weeds that grow and the soil is full of worms so you know it is healthy.

I have also added a dripper system for watering and covered the exposed soil with either lucerne or sugar cane mulch. This has really helped in maintaining moisture in the ground – since doing this, the garden is thriving!

Want to start your own verge garden? Learn more about Council’s Verge Garden Program, Guidelines and how register via the Georges River Council website:

georgesriver.nsw.gov.au

IN GOOD TASTE Recipes

Yomari

Region: Nepal Contributor: Laaki

Yomari is usually made during the Yomari Punhi Festival, celebrated by making, eating and distributing Yomari during the full moon day in November/December. People believe the celebration of Yomari brings them wealth, health and prosperity. This festival belongs to the Newari community in Nepal. I am from the community and have grown up watching the full moon with my family. This recipe is very meaningful to myself and my family.

Ingredients

Dough 2 cups rice flour 2 tbsp. ghee (clarified butter) Water (as required)

Filling

1 cup chaku (molasses) or khuwa (evaporated milk solids) 1 tbsp. grained coconut 1 tbsp. roasted sesame seeds

Method

1. Prepare the dough. Boil the water and 2 tbsp. of ghee into water. Add the water slowly to the rice flour. Gently stir the mixture until it is sticky and thick. Then blend it into a smooth dough.

Tip: don’t make the dough too soft 2. Once the dough is ready, keep it aside for about 10-15 minutes.

Tip: Cover the dough with a damp cloth 3. Prepare the fillings. Filling may be chaku, roasted sesame seeds, grained coconut or khuwa 4. Shape the dough into small pockets. Later, you will add the filling and seat it. It is formed into different shapes which often represent fruits and marionettes of gods and goddesses.

Tip: Before shaping, put a little bit of oil on your hand so it won’t stick.

5. After the sealing process, steam it similar to the way you might make dumplings, or for about 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

This recipe was originally featured as part of Georges River Council’s In Good Taste festival.