Issue 32 Summer 2020/21
NEWSLETTER Seasons greetings COVID-safe summer Mosman Council is implementing its COVID-19 Summer Action Plan to assist in managing public health and safety at local beaches during the busy Summer period. COVID Safety Marshals will be carrying out regular visual observations to monitor estimated gathering sizes while a Council Health Officer will continue to monitor food outlets near popular beaches and open spaces. The plan, prepared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with NSW Health requirements, follows discussions with key agencies including NSW Police. The plan details how Council will respond to crowd levels at popular Mosman beaches, including Balmoral, Chinamans and Clifton Gardens. COVID Marshals dressed in highly visible uniforms will supplement Rangers at local beaches, while messaging will be displayed on streetside signage over Summer highlighting any capacity issues at major destinations. Residents are reminded to maintain at least 1.5m, or a good towellength, between themselves and others, to avoid large crowds and keep an eye on public health orders about maximum gathering numbers, maintain good hand hygiene and follow any advice or directions by a Council Ranger, COVID Marshal or the Police.
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan, Councillors and staff wish everyone in Mosman and their families the very best for Christmas and the festive season. Apart from public holidays, Council services at Mosman Civic Centre, Mosman Square Seniors Centre, Mosman Art Gallery and the Barry O’Keefe Library will be available during normal operating hours over the Christmas and New Year period with the exception of: § 3pm closure on Friday 18, Thursday 24 and 31 December § The Mosman Meals kitchen will be closed from 1pm on Thursday 24 December and reopen on Monday 4 January. Prior appointments will be required for Community Care facilities between 24 December and 4 January § Barry O’Keefe Library and Mosman Art Gallery will be closed on Sunday 27 December In addition to the above: § Mosman Youth Centre will be closed from Thursday 17 December and reopen on Monday 11 January. Youth Holiday Programs will run from Monday 11 to Friday 22 January § Marie Bashir Mosman Sports Centre will be closed from Monday 21 December and reopen on Monday 11 January. Council Rangers will be on duty throughout the holiday period, including public holidays.
Waste collections will continue as normal with the exception of pre-paid waste and pre-paid green waste bookings which will not operate between Thursday 24 December and Monday 4 January.
Live updates on beach capacity will be available from 12 December at mosman.nsw.gov.au/summer
Stay safe this summer. For updates visit mosman.nsw.gov.au/summer
Asset management plans Council has adopted a suite of documents designed to guide Council’s efforts in asset management over coming years. The plans will assist in implementing asset renewal and maintenance works for local roads, parks and open spaces and buildings, stormwater and marine structures that in turn support Council’s core business of delivering services to the community. All adopted plans are available on Council’s website. The financial modelling that helped inform these plans will be further reviewed in future to take into account factors such as the impact of COVID-19.
Conserving Mosman's art
Climate progress Mosman Council’s draft Climate Strategy and Action Plan will be considered at the December Council Meeting as part of the organisation’s commitment to mitigating environmental impacts in Mosman. The strategy and plan will form part of a set of documents that will also include the Mosman Climate Resilience and Adaptation Plan, and follows the appointment of six community members, including youngest member and Mosman resident Bella Wiggs, 24, and Councillor representatives, to the newly established Climate Action Community Consultative Committee. At the Committee’s inaugural meeting last month, members provided feedback on the strategy, which has also been informed by outcomes from Council’s Climate Action Forum held in September and three earlier community engagement workshops. Key priorities include reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable lifestyles and practices, enhancing and protecting our natural environment and reducing energy, water and resource waste, and encouraging reuse and recycling. Actions currently underway include the installation of a public electric vehicle fast charger, preparation for the installation of solar panels on the Civic Centre and engaging with Ausgrid to accelerate the conversion of residential street lighting to LED lights. A key element of the plan is the recognition that the majority of emissions in Mosman are produced by the community. Council will continue to inform and actively engage with the community as it works towards net zero emissions by 2030 for its own operations and aspires to achieve net zero by 2040 for the wider community. Visit mosman.nsw.gov.au/environment/climate for more information.
Swim centre reopens
International Conservation Services staff working on The daisies by Brett Whiteley AO.
Major conservation works have resulted in the treatment of 110 items from the Mosman Art Collection to ensure the significant artworks are preserved for future generations. The conservation review followed a successful 12-month ‘Hunters & Collectors’ fundraising campaign by Mosman Art Gallery. Gallery staff and project partners International Conservation Services (ICS) turned the gallery into an on-site pop-up conservation studio to carry out the delicate work over five days in November. Outstanding artworks from the Balnaves Gift collection, historical pieces from the Cowlishaw Collection and winning works from the Mosman Art Prize were among those treated. More conservation work is planned to further safeguard the collection with 40 artworks identified as requiring more in-depth conservation treatment at the ICS lab over coming months.
Mosman Swim Centre, built in 2003, has reopened following a major upgrade to improve accessibility, safety and amenity. Refurbishment works were brought forward to take advantage of the limited use of the pool due to COVID-19 restrictions. Change rooms and concourse tiling have been renewed and painting and drainage works carried out, while electrical and mechanical system upgrades have increased the facility’s energy efficiency. Other minor works include the addition of new furniture and fittings throughout the centre.
mosman.nsw.gov.au Ghostly exhibit
Free car seat checks Mosman residents can apply for a free professional installation or inspection of their child car restraints at home. A limited number of vouchers is currently available for this service, which aims to improve the safety of children travelling in cars by ensuring child seats, harnesses and booster seats are fitted correctly. The voucher covers the fitting of up to three seats per household at the resident’s address after an appointment is made with the fitter. To apply for a voucher visit mosman.nsw.gov.au/safety
Think Mosman First Wendy Sharpe, Self Portrait with Three Ghosts (detail), 2018. Photo: Martin Lane
Mosman Art Gallery’s next major exhibition Ghosts will include special site-specific murals created on-location by Sydney-based Australian artist Wendy Sharpe. The exhibition can be viewed from Wednesday 16 December 2020 to Sunday 7 March 2021. Featuring many new works created during the COVID-19 period, the exhibition focuses on the afterlife phenomena, ancestry and cultural practices as well as the artist’s interest in Sydney’s heritage and areas such as Mosman. The new wall murals specifically designed for the Mosman Art Gallery exhibition spaces will add to the more than 50 pieces from Sharpe’s studio. Opportunities to view the mural painting in progress are available on 14 and 15 December for half-hour sessions between 11am and 3pm. To book a viewing time visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
In the lead-up to Christmas, Mosman residents are being reminded to ‘Think Mosman First’ whenever they need goods and services. The Chamber of Commerce’s buy local initiative, supported by Mosman Council, assists businesses by encouraging residents to spend locally. Look for the ‘Think Mosman First’ decals and promotion in shop windows and at counters of participating retailers and services. Visit mosmanchamber.com.au for more information or the Chamber of Commerce stall at the Christmas Night Market on 10 December.
Open space upgrades
Rotary projects Local artists and writers are being invited to create artworks, poems, stories and short life reflections recalling significant moments from their lives that took place in or around Mosman as part of an innovative new history book. ‘Remembering When’ is designed to help older adults and their carers feel more valued by celebrating their stories through the publication of a book while the accompanying art exhibition will also include artworks by people living with a disability. The writing and art partnership between Council and Mosman Rotary coincides with Council’s recent sponsorship of Rotary’s Mosman Jigsaw Puzzle project, due for completion early next year. Proceeds from the sale of the 1000 piece, double-sided jigsaw puzzle, which features images of present day Mosman on one side and late nineteenth century Mosman on the reverse, will assist Mosman Rotary in delivering further community projects. Visit mosman.nsw.gov.au/rememberingwhen or call Council on 9978 4128 to contribute to the ‘Remembering When’ project.
Several popular locations are being spruced up for the warmer months with works completed or underway: § A new multipurpose hardcourt at Balmoral Oval has already had a high level of usage since being completed in September § Fencing will be installed by the school holidays to fully enclose the Memory Park playground in Cowles Road § Lights have been installed at Drill Hall Common netball courts § The picket fence around Allan Border Oval is being replaced § Cricket sight screens are being replaced at each end of the Rawson Oval wicket § Reid Park and Sirius Park have been turfed in high use areas.
MosmanNow's printed edition is available at locations throughout Mosman. It is also published as a digital edition and available online. To download a PDF of the digital edition with links to additional content, go to mosman.nsw.gov.au/news/mosman-now
What’s On
©2020 Mosman Municipal Council This publication is written by Council staff and authorised for distribution by Dominic Johnson – General Manager
mosman.nsw.gov.au Spit Junction NSW 2088 9978 4000 fax 9978 4132 council@mosman.nsw.gov.au
Connect with Council on the go with MyMosman, download free from the iPhone App Store and Google Play
Connect with us
Don't miss out on the many interesting events taking place in Mosman over the next few months. Here are some highlights of what's on offer – visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au for more.
Christmas Gift Appeal Mosman residents can help disadvantaged children in northern Sydney end 2020 on a brighter note by placing new, unwrapped gifts for donation under the Christmas tree in the Council foyer by Thursday 17 December. Gifts for children and teenagers aged from 0 to 18 years are welcome, including toys, books, puzzles, science kits, sporting gear, beach towels, personal accessories and toiletries.
School holidays Mosman Community Care has introduced a range of new activities for seniors and their grandchildren during the school holiday break, including Christmas Trivia, edible gardening, Qigong and a Wacky Racers LEGO event. A range of other school holiday activities will also be on offer for children and teens. For more information visit events.mosman.nsw.gov.au/hubs
Summer reading Mosman Library Service is running summer reading challenges to encourage children and adults to read over the warmer months. The children’s Tales of Wonder challenge encourages children to explore myths, legends and fairy tales, while adult readers are asked to read a book from childhood or by a local author. To register and for details visit shorelink.beanstack.org/reader365
Christmas Night Market Thursday 10 December, 4.30–9pm Mosman Square and Village Green, Spit Junction Mosman’s popular Christmas Night Market returns. Find the perfect Christmas gift amongst stalls including jewellery, textiles, plants, homewares, fashion and skincare. Stall numbers will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Library anniversary Mosman Library Service has celebrated 75 years since the first library building opened on 1 December 1945 in Belmont Road. The library moved to Boronia House in 1952, where it remained until 1979 when it opened at its current home at 605 Military Road. To celebrate the Diamond Anniversary milestone a range of COVID-safe activities and events have been staged, including online history exhibitions and competitions. A new collection of digital literacy kits for all ages has also been launched to develop STEAM skills through play. These Discovery Collection kits include robots, circuit kits, virtual reality goggles, merge cubes, microscopes and other technical equipment. Enquire at Barry O’Keefe Library about how to borrow a kit. With up to five thousand visits recorded each week to the Library, staff look forward to continuing to welcome visitors for many more years to come.
Christmas Concert Series Friday 18 December, 2.30–3.30pm Mosman Square Seniors Centre Cool jazz, bossa nova beats and romantic French chansons singer Annique Azure will bring some festive season fun to the Seniors Centre. Cost $10. Bookings call 9978 4128.
The Christmas Trivia BIG Event Wednesday 23 December, 2–4pm, Mosman Art Gallery Enjoy a fun afternoon of trivia. How many of Santa’s reindeer can you name? What gift was given on the fourth day of Christmas? Bring your children and grandchildren. Not suitable for children under 6 years of age. Cost $5, includes Christmas goodie bag. Bookings call 99784129.
Hannah Quinlivan: Compression Until 31 January, Mosman Art Gallery The experimental installation work Compression by Canberra-based artist Hannah Quinlivan deals with contemporary concerns, highlighting the crises which have unfolded this year. The expressive sculptural exhibition focuses on summer bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic recession.
events.mosman.nsw.gov.au
Nothing beats a Mosman summer Let’s keep it safe... mosman.nsw.gov.au/summer