JULY 30, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
A lesson in charity
(Luke Hemer)
A Sydenham mum is hoping to impart life lessons to the next generation. On Sunday, Rian Aldim and a group of friends put together food and care packs for those in need. “This all started with wanting to do something where I could include the kids,” she said. “I contacted a few organisations to see if we could volunteer, but due to insurance circumstances that wasn’t able to happen. So I decided to do something independently.” Ms Aldim posted her idea on social media and was overwhelmed with the response within just 24 hours. “I thought, let’s try and feed 30 people, but with all the donations we received from the local butcher, chemist and grocer, we’re easily going to be able to feed over 100.” The Soup Place in Flinders Lane helped distribute the packs. Ms Aldim said it had been an eye-opening experience for more than 12 children who helped on the day. “I think actually seeing how these things work is a lot different than just telling them.” She is hoping the initiative will become an annual event. Tate Papworth
Icon becomes an eyesore Sunshine’s iconic Millennium Man statue is rapidly deteriorating as an ownership squabble threatens his future. The once Zeus-like creation near the Village Cinema entrance now looks anything but as he slowly rots away, covered in graffiti and in a derelict state. Village Cinemas commissioned the colossal ironman in 1997 and two years ago said it would work with Vicinity Centres – the group that owns and manages the Sunshine Marketplace – to restore him. Works have never eventuated.
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Both Village Cinemas and Vicinity Centres this week refused to claim ownership of Millennium Man when contacted by Star Weekly Weekly. Albion resident Dinesh Jayasuriya believes Millenium Man could become a tourist attraction and has led an online campaign to have the statue restored. “He’s half serious, half a bit of a joke – he’s a cultural icon,” Mr Jayasuriya said. “The Marketplace is at risk of becoming just another shopping mall, it needs a point of difference.” Mr Jayasuriya said it was sad to see the landmark in its current state.
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“When I first moved here I thought he was a bit of an eyesore, but he’s really grown on me. I think through the passage of time he’s become a tongue-in-cheek part of the community.” The Marketplace is set for a major redevelopment, but Vicinity Centres has been tight-lipped on details. Neither Vicinity nor Village would confirm if the statue would be included in redevelopment plans. Mr Jayasuriya believes Millenium Man should be returned to the community as part of the Marketplace redevelopment. “It could be dressed up at certain parts of the year like the Lunar Festival and really become a The Millenium Man is showing signs of wear and year-round attraction,” he said. tear. (Tate Papworth)
FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2019
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By Tate Papworth