BEAST The
April 2021
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Lucky to Be Living in Sydney Words James Hutton, Publisher Welcome to the April 2021 edition of The Beast, the monthly magazine for Sydney’s beaches of the east. I say this every year, but Sydney really is at its very best during Autumn. We’re bloody lucky to be here, as much as the ongoing travel restrictions are doing my head in. This month’s cover art comes care of North Bondi artist Jacob Pedrana, who currently has some exquisite pieces hanging in Bondi’s Twenty Twenty Six Gallery. Yes, the horse is naked, but you can’t see his crown jewels, so I hope it doesn’t offend. While we’re on that topic, I’ve always been fascinated by what offends people, and I welcome any feedback that our readers may have, whether it’s positive or negative. I feel that
6 The Beast April 2021
most of the complaints about last month’s cover were pretty prudish, but I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I try to publish every letter I receive. Anyone who’s offended by a painting of a bikini-clad female needs to go and spend a bit of time somewhere like Saudi Arabia to experience a society where the media is strictly censored and women are all covered up. I can assure you it’s better here in liberal Sydney. It is wonderful that women are enjoying the sport of surfing as much as men. A painting of a fit, healthy female surfer, by an aspiring local female artist, should be celebrated rather than torn down. Cheers, James
The Beast The Beast Pty Ltd ABN 32 143 796 801 www.thebeast.com.au Editor james@thebeast.com.au Advertising Enquiries advertising@thebeast.com.au Rates and Specs thebeast.com.au/advertise Circulation 60,000 copies are delivered every month; 56,500 are placed in mailboxes and 3,500 in local shops. PEFC Certified The Beast uses paper from sustainably managed forests. Letters to the Editor Please send your feedback to letters@thebeast.com.au and include your name and the suburb you live in.
CONTENTS Ap r i l 2 0 2 1 Issue 1 9 5
6 7 8 10 21 22 32 34
Welcome Note Contents Pearls of Wisdom Monthly Mailbag Thumbs Local News Local Artist Police News
35 36 37 38 40 41 42 44
Mermaid watch at Bondi, by Kat Candotti.
Tide Chart Satire Unreliable Guide Marj's Musings Headnoise Making Music Local Photos Food Review
46 47 48 48 49 50 50
Dana's Recipe Business Page Film Review Album Reviews Brainteasers Beardy from Hell Trivia Solutions
How good is lycra?
Middle Aged Fat Men In Lycra Words Pearl Bullivant Photo Andrew Ettingshausen Pearl is easily offended, and I am finding my propensity to take offence has undoubtedly risen during ‘The COVID’. I find it offensive that Scott Morrison denigrates the Australian flag by wearing it in the form of a mask. I find it offensive that JobKeeper has morphed into a form of corporate welfare (I’m pointing my finger at Gerry Harvey and the $22 million he refuses to repay the ATO) while Newstart recipients are harassed by the totally offensive Michaelia Cash. I am offended by the control that the mining, building and forestry industries have over Australia, and I’m extremely offended by the rorting and profiteering of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. But 8 The Beast April 2021
most of all, Pearl is offended by MAFMILs - Middle Aged Fat Men In Lycra. Please don’t think I’m turning this into an anti-cyclist rant. Cycling is good for the environment, good for health and good for Australia, and it riles me that motorists are quite happy to be delayed by a slowmoving double-B truck but are not willing to wait sixty seconds behind a cyclist without getting pent up. Nothing would please Pearl more than to see more cyclepaths encroaching on road space, more children riding to school, more people wilfully delaying the transit of Range Rovers and LandCruisers. The ordinary, everyday cyclist is not Pearl’s beef.
Instead, I’m offended by those rotund, affluent men who get off their lard-arse once a week to expend energy on a $13,000 bike, their guts strapped into lurid lycra while they wield their carbon fibre bike frames in a similar way they drive their Porsche Macan - self absorbed and dangerous. Why do I find these men so offensive? Apart from being visually offensive, it is what they represent - affluent people flogging another bandwagon and spending obscene amounts to do so. To quote a University of Sydney study, “Most are weekend superheroes who do not cycle to work during the week.” Instead, they are most probably harassing everyday cyclists from behind the wheel of their Porsche. I liken the MAFMIL to the yummy mummy who thinks that yoga, WelleCo tonic, Lululemon leggings and veganism will offset an ecologically damaging ‘lifestyle’. The typical MAFMIL looks like he would down a bottle of red each night, and the only exercise he indulges in is waddling to the lift and his fancy car. His life may be a stressful corporate one, but does he really need to ease the pain by squeezing into cycling cosplay to boast loudly above the headwinds about his stock market successes, real estate acquisitions and children’s private school fees to his fellow ‘travellers’? Pearl has a few suggestions for those MAFMILS who are still reading my article to make their ride less offensive: Select clothing more suited to one’s age, ability and size. Ride silently so that you can concentrate on the road. And, most importantly, normal everyday cycling can add more years to your life and wallet than a $13,000 bike ridden manically once a week. Lose a few kilos and then Pearl will allow you to wear the lycra.
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It is not only a distorted image of the female body, but also condescending, ugly, dirty, sexual and degradingly portrayed. I wonder if you would get away with a similar image of a male portrayed in the same distorted, sexual, ugly way? Joy Edgecliff
The Beast's Monthly Mailbag Words The Wonderful People of the Eastern Suburbs OFFENSIVE AND MISOGYNISTIC I found the cover picture of the March 2021 edition offensive and misogynistic. This is supposed to be a local neighbourhood newsletter, not a pornographic magazine. When I looked back at previous publications, the January front page is also demeaning to women’s image and offensive. Stop putting your filthy rag in my letterbox. I will be writing to our local business and councils to stop supporting your magazine. Kids open our family mailboxes; what sort of message does it send? Don’t email me back to tell me you are right and I am wrong. I am entitled to my opinion and my privacy. I will not, as suggested, give myself an uppercut and go to bed. There is a time and place for such images. Kathleen Probably Saudi Arabia AN APOLOGY PLEASE James - I am writing to ask you to print a written apology, in the next edition, to the residents of Randwick and Waverley Local Government Areas for your front cover photo on the March 2021 edition of The Beast magazine. This image is not OK. The image is degrading and highly offensive to women in our community - thousands of us. It portrays women not only as sexual objects, but suggests and promotes potential harmful treatment of women, including rear and anal sex. It suggests dominance and entitlement rather than equality and consent.
10 The Beast April 2021
This is a dangerous message you are sending to men, women, boys and girls alike. For example, consider the trouble some young sportsmen are getting into for not being sure about consent. Are these the cultural and community values you want to promote in your publication - values that objectify and promote the potential abuse of women? If you do, I suggest you are out of touch with the times. For years police, armed forces, politicians, surf lifesaving clubs, schools and government have all walked on White Ribbon Day in our Local Government Area, and only yesterday the mayor of Randwick, Councillor Danny Said, spoke about the importance of equality and respect for everyone at ‘the rainbow’ on Coogee promenade. You only have to look at what is happening in Canberra this week and the uproar from people on both sides of parliament and beyond in the broader Australian community to determine the levels of respect expected towards women in 2021. It is my opinion you risk, and should lose, advertising income over such publication. I am going to copy the two mayors and the state member for Coogee into this email. Paula Bruce Resident and Lawyer COVER OF MARCH MAGAZINE I find the cover highly offensive and disturbing. It can be a painting better displayed elsewhere.
MISSING THE MARK Dear James - I always look forward to my monthly copy of The Beast and have been an avid reader since I moved to the east 13 years ago. It’s funny, topical and community minded. Unfortunately, I felt that this month’s edition missed its usual mark. It’s just my opinion, but I thought the cover, a beautiful image by an obviously skilled artist, was a bit dated for a community mag and more suited to an art gallery, a beach bar or a lads’ magazine. But hey, no big deal. Art is subjective and we’re lucky enough to live in a place where we’re free to form our own opinions and respect those of others. Or are we? The editor’s letter seemed to mock anyone who didn’t like the image, regardless of whether they asked for the magazine or not. For many, the letter is nothing but harmless banter. For many others, it’s typical of a culture that tells women any problem we have with how we’re represented is ours and our alone. Or to use a very clumsy analogy, if someone puts something in our (mail)box that we didn’t ask for and don’t like, we just need to relax and get over it. This is the same culture that results in some young men - good men - doing things they know are wrong because to do otherwise risks social exclusion and, yes, more mockery. Am I saying the editor’s letter or anyone at The Beast supports or encourages rape culture? Absolutely not. Perhaps it’s unfortunate timing, but when we have hundreds of young people and school principals right here in the Eastern Suburbs speaking up about a ‘pretty dark culture’ of sexual assault, routinely followed by banter that aims to undermine
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and discount victims’ ordeals, the editor’s letter seemed tone deaf and pretty ignorant. Put arses on the cover by all means, but please don’t tell us we’re wrong to have an opinion on it. Wishing you all the best, Natasha Coogee NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Dear James - The Beast has given us much enjoyment over many years. The cover this month takes the cake and greatly disappoints us. The bikini-clad bum is not good enough. Offering me an uppercut and bed is pathetic. My husband just walked in from the letterbox with The Beast and said we must write a letter to the editor this time. Surely you know that there are much better ways to entertain your readers? You have had enough complaints previously. Please keep the magazine a well run, well done, good taste newspaper. There is so much to celebrate in the Eastern Suburbs apart from a woman’s back. Rosemary King Randwick MORE LOCAL ARTIST COVERS, LESS OBJECTIFICATION I am so grateful for all of the wonderful local artists you are bringing to the cover of The Beast - I have the June 2020 cover framed in my home. That said, what’s up with two covers in a row (January and March 2021 editions) objectifying women? At a time when it is hard enough as a father to teach my two sons that it is not alright to treat women as sexual objects instead of people, it doesn’t help to have the cover of one of our favourite magazines presenting a female surfer as a pair of glutes. When you have a guy in Speedos on the cover (May and April 2020 editions) they are treated as individuals with their own personalities, not faceless stereotypes. And, no, it doesn’t make it better that this month’s artist is female. Enough! Exasperated Randwick
12 The Beast April 2021
OBJECTIFY EQUALLY To the editor - Love The Beast featuring local artists on the cover (please keep doing so), but one cover sexually objectifying a woman’s body surely was enough? The March edition cover that just arrived, featuring not even a woman’s face, just her bottom, is a major disappointment. Isn’t this 2021? Aren’t we all in this together finally, pushing against the tide of sexism as we raise the next, improved generation (full of women who feel safe and men who don’t treat women as objects but as, gasp, human equals? If you think what you are doing is about body positivity and that this is all equal and good, then pay better attention, or try objectifying equally - Budgie Smuggler close-ups for the next covers? Bummed out Randwick A SAD DAY Hi James - I’m a long time reader and admirer of The Beast. But when I did see this issue’s cover I groaned. And then I read your editorial about giving myself an uppercut if I was offended by it. You just gave me a double uppercut. It’s poor timing to put an image like this out when we’ve got politicians behaving like school boys, and school boys behaving like politicians. I think you need to read the room a lot better than this. The only way we can get the male mindset away from objectifying women and treating us with respect is to stop using glorifying images of women like this. I’m really sad, you just lost a reader. Kate Bondi THE MARCH COVER Hi James - This is not a complaint, just an education piece about the March cover of The Beast. The cover is not offensive, just plain inappropriate. Of all the wonderful paintings Yasmin has done, I’m guessing you felt this one best represented the Eastern Beaches in 2021. I get it, the girl is in a bikini, and at
the beach we see girls in bikinis all the time. Genius! Uppercut to myself for not understanding the nuances of an editor’s mind in being able to link the imagery. Of course, in other leftist mainstream media, the mundane headlines and imagery all week were about a whiny girl called Brittany and of course our local girl Chanel’s petition, where “Over 2000 Sydney Girls Allege They Were Sexually Assaulted By Young Men From All-Boys Schools”. Fortunately in the east we hardly have any all-boys schools. When my eight-year-old daughter picked up The Beast out of our mailbox this week, I wish you could have seen her face light up with empowerment when she ogled Yasmin’s artistic skills. Finally someone was speaking to her, giving her some muchneeded inspiration. I’m going to bed now and hopefully when I wake up The Beast will have a more enlightened, mature and socially responsible editor. John Clovelly BIKINI CLAD BUM I will not be “tempted to complain” and not have to suspect that there might be some sexism at play, on the day when I will see an equivalent painting of a male body on the cover of The Beast. Ute Geissler Waverley LANTANA IN THE PARK Dear Beast - Peter West is right, lantana is on the march in Queens Park (Letters, The Beast, March 2021). So is ivy. It’s strangling a grand and glorious Port Jackson Fig on the corner of John and Henry Streets. The tree needs protection. And while we’re in that area, what is the story with that large strip of land above the rock ledge? Is it part of Queens Park, or does it come under Waverley Council? Either way, it’s neglected and becoming a private reserve of the adjoining landowners. Without doubt it has the absolute best
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views of the whole parkland. It needs some care and attention, and opening up to the public. Mark Paul Queens Park PEARLS OF WISDOM Dear Pearl (Rights and Responsibilities, The Beast, March 2021) - I’m a fan of the New Zealand approach, from the town of Taihape on the North Island. S Cotis Maroubra
VARNA PARK 'UPGRADES' Residents of the Waverley Council LGA and in the area of Varna Park should be aware that Waverley Council proposes to undertake various works (commenced on February 22) and spend, based on Council information, a total of $280,000 in funds as follows: • New picnic shelter, new drinking fountain, playground improvements, removal and pruning of trees, removing old seats $100,000 • Further playground works the existing playground will be demolished - $56,000 • New fitness station - $100,000 • Off leash dog area works $13,000 • New bins - $5,000 • Shade trees and plants - $6,000 That these works were to occur was advised by letter drop to nearby residents dated February 8, 2021 (received in letterboxes
14 The Beast April 2021
some days after). Prior to this, “consultation” was conducted in two rounds on October 15 to November 8, 2019 (this was via an “ideas board” that generated 34 ideas) and December 6, 2019 to January 27, 2020 (an online survey where respondents were asked to comment on a concept plan, which had 59 respondents). The next update was the letterbox drop received the week commencing February 15, 2021, advising works were commencing February 22, 2021. It is important to note that the consultation was undertaken by the council’s “Have Your Say” community engagement website, which relies largely on members of the community initiating their engagement with what is occurring by visiting the Council website. Also, anyone can provide feedback whether they are a resident or not, or an individual or other entity. There was no consultation targeted at residents, nor the feedback from residents looked at as a subset of the information collected. The impact of the park’s usage on residents who live nearby a park can be very different to visitors or occasional users of a park (not least of all because they are affected by the activities at a nearby park more often). Varna Park is acknowledged, including by Council, as a park for which it is important to retain a local feel (e.g. there are much larger, more formal parks nearby with a number of amenities including Queens Park, Centennial Park, beach parks and coastal walks). Waverley has one of the highest population densities in Australia. It is part of the Wentworth federal electorate, which is the second smallest by area in Australia. With increasing population density comes the need for more open and green space - not less. Each time a decision is made to remove multiple-use public space for a specific use, this is removing that space from a more varied use by a wider group, and to instead be used for a specific use by particular user group. In making such a decision, it has
to be able to demonstrate clear benefits and be based on adequate evidence. Local residents are concerned that the works do not in fact represent an upgrade to Varna Park, and are not an appropriate use of funds. This is because the works will cause Varna Park to lose the local feel, and there has not been appropriate consideration and assessment of the negative impacts of undertaking the works. While many aspects could be raised (including why an entire playground that was upgraded in 2012 needs to be demolished in its entirety), two aspects are of particular concern - the lack of regard had for the environmental impact of the works, and the impacts associated with the fitness station have not been properly assessed. Council has removed a number of mature trees from Varna Park in the last year or so. It does not seem that these trees have been replaced. In a time where there is concern for lack of green cover generally (e.g. recent bushfires) and increased focus on acting sustainably, where mature trees are removed there must be a replacement strategy implemented. Of a budget of $280,000, a measly $6,000 (only 2 per cent!) is to be spent on “shade trees and plants”. This is clearly not adequate or appropriate. Council must, at a minimum, allocate appropriate funds to replace the mature trees lost. It should also allocate funds to plant more trees, which was supported by 70 per cent of survey respondents. This would clearly cost more than $6,000. Residents can talk to many instances of illegal and unapproved tree removal, objections to tree removal permits that are disregarded, and a general loss of trees and green space in the area. This is an instance where Council has to take a positive action in replacing some of the loss. Contrast this with the fitness station, which will use 35 per cent of the funds, costing $100,000. This will result in the loss of green open space, with hard fixtures for a specific use only. Its location
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is to be immediately adjacent to a small garden bed in the park at the end of Wills Avenue. The small garden bed contains a number of native plants that are frequented by groups of small birds which often fly in a triangular area between this garden bed and the larger trees on the Varna Street and Leichhardt Street sides of the park. Waverley Council has acknowledged local bird populations are at risk (e.g. through its Local Connections program, which provides support to establish bird-friendly plantings), however it is now actually placing local bird populations at further risk. There is no environmental impact assessment of the works in the information released by Council. This area of the park is also an area that is closest to homes (the picnic shelter is also proposed to be moved near this area too) and will therefore have an impact on local residents with extra visitation and noise. This impact on residents is not mentioned at all in the information released by Council, despite being raised by residents. Furthermore, this area also forms part of the “open/free play” area of the park (i.e. the area that is not taken up by the off-leash dog area and the playground), which will now be reduced due to space used by the fitness station. Of the 59 responses to the online survey, 32 supported the outdoor gym, whereas 42 support more planting of trees. Why does the allocation of funding and works not reflect this? And to such a large extent? As a park that is to retain its local feel, Varna Park should not receive a fitness station. The impact on local residents has not been considered or evaluated, nor has the environmental impact of the works been assessed. There are numerous fitness stations nearby (including Queens Park, Centennial Park, Clovelly, Tamarama, Bondi and others in the Local Government Area). It is difficult to see why it is even required, let alone how the benefits of such a station at Varna Park outweigh the negative impacts, especially
16 The Beast April 2021
the environmental ones, which could be irrevocable (e.g. disrupting bird populations). And to spend such a large amount on the works when mature trees are being removed and not even being replaced (let alone increased given the increasing population density), are inappropriate and irresponsible actions. There have been a number of projects related to Council mentioned in the pages of The Beast and by letters from readers where the true value of the project and appropriate use of funds has been questioned by residents. This is another such project. This is not a political party issue, as the ongoing disregard of residents’ needs and wellbeing has been placed secondary to others over the course of Council’s actions for some years now. Concerned Resident Waverley CLOVELLY HISTORY Pearl seems to have a chip on her shoulder regarding Clovelly, once known as Poverty Point. I am 80 years of age and have lived in Clovelly all my life and in the present home for 55 years. I went to Clovelly Public School and so did my children. The suburb of Clovelly was a village long before Pearl. In the 1960s and ‘70s Burnie Street was a village, with two butcher shops, a chemist, post office, bootmaker, haberdashery, bakery, dress shop and grocery store. Westfield and big supermarkets eventually killed this off. The only shops in Pearl’s ‘village’ are cafes and coffee shops - not what I would call a ‘village’. So, Pearl, do not paint us all with the same brush. Pat Williams Clovelly CANINE CRAP Hi James - I recently received a Liberal Party newsletter which, in criticising a decision by Waverley Council councillors to refuse to allow dogs to roam off-leash at Mackenzies Bay, alleged that “83 per cent of community members support a timed dog off-leash trial at Mackenzies Bay.”
FACTS: They failed to disclose that the alleged 83 per cent was comprised of a mere 436 persons, not all from the municipality, who responded to a “Have Your Say Waverley” website page which resulted from an organised petition by dog owners. Those 436 only represent 0.59 per cent of the 2019 population of Waverley (about 74,300), and 2.3 per cent of the Waverley Ward (some 18,980). The con job of alleging that 83 per cent of community members support allowing dogs to roam at will at Mackenzies Bay for the trial is wilfully deceitful. HISTORY: Being concerned for community safety and enjoyment, Waverley Council has for many years refused requests to allow dogs at Mackenzies Bay, which has an inhospitable rocky area where, occasionally, wave action forms a small narrow beach known locally, on account of its rarity, as ‘7 year beach’ and, to the south, an uneven and often slippery rock platform with tidal pools. The beach reappeared during 2019/20 summer. While it lasted, dog owners flocked to it, making the otherwise delightful spot unpleasant for others. Not surprisingly, Council officers, to the annoyance of some dog owners, intervened. Those owners not only want dogs to be allowed, but also to run free amongst those wishing to enjoy the area, often with young children. The beach has now disappeared, to return who knows when? Now they want their dogs to run free on the rock platform. Those wanting unrestrained dogs organised a campaign using online platform Change.org, which advertises that it “mobilises supporters”. This mobilisation resulted in Council inviting viewpoints via “Have Your Say Waverley”, a web page many of your readers may not be aware of. Not surprisingly, the views of the organised campaigners outnumbered those not wanting the obvious disruption to their enjoyment and who, somehow or other, had become aware of the Council’s web page.
A
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After careful consideration of the contending views and a thorough report by Council officers, the majority of councillors acted in the best interests of the community, as is their duty, and refused to lift the ban on dogs. Among the many factors considered were the following; “Dogs should be prohibited from accessing the rock platform to promote safety, safeguard the use of the rockpools for young families, prevent dogs from accessing Tamarama Beach and to limit community conflict,” and, “Survey and email responses clearly conveyed that families with young children highly value the rockpools located on the rock platform... The potential risk of co-locating activities involving children and dogs was also outlined in the Council report dated June 2, 2020.” Dogs can be frightening and are potentially dangerous. Also, not many parents wish their children to play in rock pools in which owners allow their dogs to splash and swim (even alongside the children of strangers) and which are subject to inflow from animal urine, plus wave and rain wash from faeces. It is interesting that the Liberals put the desires of dog owners ahead of the safety of, and enjoyment by, families. And to do so, stooped to using deceitfully misleading information. It really speaks volumes. How can we trust them when they so grossly misrepresented facts, which they well know? Greg Maidment Bronte CENTENNIAL PARK COVID-21 MUTANT VIRUS Dear James - During a stroll through Centennial Park I came across a frightening sight - yes, a monster mutant COVID-21 virus. I put on full protective clothing, placed a few on a park bench and took this photo. And, yes, looking up, there was a belfry of bats that are obviously responsible for this disaster. Given the sensitive nature of the local princesses, how should
18 The Beast April 2021
this disaster be handled? Please keep this confidential until it can be resolved. Ben Bondi Junction
THE BONDI JUNCTION BUS SEWER Dear Editor - Since the bus fatality adjacent to the Bondi Junction interchange there have been a number of letters to the editor on the subject of the appalling situation with this bus sewer through the Junction destroying the safety and amenity of our district centre. As the author of The Beast article that addressed this very subject (A Sewer for Buses, The Beast, June 2018) I would like to respond to some of the issues raised in this correspondence. In the March edition of The Beast, Norman of Bondi Junction asked whether the idea of a tunnel between the bus/rail interchange and Westfield was ever considered. This would clearly resolve the pedestrian and bus conflict for these users. Yes, Norman, it was considered. Westfield loved the idea and would’ve contributed to the cost for obvious reasons. They actually build pedestrian tunnels and transport interchanges linking their developments in other world cities. The government committee that was responsible for the design and construction of the interchange rejected the idea. It was either too complex for them or the urban design implications were unacceptable. Putting people underground in an Australian district centre is a suboptimal solution, depriving the streets of vitality and the people of natural light and air. The buses need to be removed from the streets of Bondi Junction where they pose danger to people
and frankly make the centre ugly. There is a solution that requires visionary action which is outlined in my article. Basically it involves relocating the bus interchange to a new road deck parallel to the Syd Einfeld Drive above Grafton Street, accessed off the retail podium of Meriton above the station. Buses would be largely routed on the arterial road network around the Junction with ramps and signalised intersections connecting it to Syd Einfeld Drive. Passengers would have north facing harbour views and an easy and safer stroll to the mall and Westfield. To realise this solution requires considerable leadership from Waverley Council and the local member, both of whom have been informed of such a scheme in the past. An alliance group of Transport for NSW, Council, Westfield and Meriton would drive it. Both commercial players could gain better foot traffic and potentially new development sites. A design competition for architects and traffic engineering consortia could be used to establish an exciting workable commercial design. For too long Bondi Junction has been blighted by the bus sewer. Every user is aware of the considerable daily safety and amenity issues. Let’s have no more bus fatalities, accidents and near misses. The bus interchange is in the wrong position, but it can be moved. Let’s reclaim the streets and make the Junction an attractive and safe place to be. The people deserve it. Con Gestion Waverley BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NOT LUXURY APARTMENTS I agree with Duncan Horscroft (Council Calls for More Control Over Development, The Beast, March 2021) - we need more control over development. I’m currently living smack next door to a housing over-development in Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi. Dreading the looming excavation for an underground carpark, my quality of life seems lost as the diggers, concrete-mixers, trucks, power tools and testosterone-
fuelled band of labourers invade at 7am weekdays (where are the young women tradies? Not part of Scomo’s COVID recovery?) Another single-storey family home near the beach destroyed and demolished. In its place a 3-4 storey multi-unit development is under construction, with a swimming pool but no open green space or landscaping (dude, it’s only a 2-minute walk to splash in the kiddie’s pool for free at North Bondi). More luxury apartments that most people can’t afford are being built - why? The development will block the glorious morning sunlight I currently enjoy in my unit. And while the light is not ‘mine’, it’s certainly not the developer’s to steal from me, by the simple and cruel act of building too high. It still shocks me that Waverley Council approved the build, with no modifications. Until we begin to see housing as home and shelter rather than an asset to trade with and build wealth, our Eastern Beaches will continue to be plagued and blighted by mega-developments that take many good things from the local neighbourhood. Robyn Bondi LIBERAL SEX: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY In recent months the Liberal Party has been ridden with sex scandals of different kinds - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The Good: a pork barrelling premier and her secret Wagga Wagga sex boy. The Bad: before that we had a Liberal Party off-sider featuring high on conservatism and Christian values but the outspoken familyman - bad boy Barnaby Joyce - had secret sex with his secretary and even produced a love child. Then, as so often with the Liberals, things soon turned ugly... The Ugly: a Scomo staffer was [allegedly] raped by a Scomo minister at Parliament House, only a short distance away from Scomo’s office. Once the doublefailed marketing manager - failure 1: Where the bloody hell are you?
20 The Beast April 2021
Failure 2: Hawaiian holiday during bushfire crisis - got into the mix, things got really ugly and the victim was blamed. Yet there is good news for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. As long as Murdoch’s PR machine supports our valued (Christian values, please!) Liberal Party, reelection of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly should be assured. Sergio Leone Clinteastwoodville WHERE ARE PEOPLE'S MANNERS? Every day I walk to work from Clovelly to Waverley, granted not far, however I have a massive gripe about people’s lack of manners/etiquette regarding my daily journey. I walk along Arden Street and Macpherson Street on the footpaths and literally every time I pass people on the pathways with their dogs and kids (which we should be sharing as co-walkers) I’m pushed off and relegated to the dirt as people refuse to pull their dogs and kids in line and walk single file while walking past someone else. This isn’t a biggy, I know, but if we can’t teach our kids the respect of co-sharing and being cordial for fear we may be putting them out so very slightly, then what hope do we have left? And it isn’t just dogs and kids either; it’s adult women exercising and refusing to move to let other people pass and share the walkways. It’s just plain bad manners, people, not to mention it’s ruining my shoes, especially when it’s wet! Rant over. Rebecca Clovelly REMEMBERING EURIMBLA Three years ago, when we were in the process of being evicted from our homes in Eurimbla Avenue, Botany Street and Magill Street, Randwick, The Eurimbla Precinct History Association was formed in order to write a book to commemorate and record as much as possible of the long history and community spirit of this area. We were so sad to leave as it is was a wonderful community - talking to neighbours in
the street, children cycling up and down the footpath, parties at Christmas time under the reindeers, cricket in the street on a quiet Sunday afternoon with the Sulo bin as the wicket, community BBQs, afternoon teas... many of us have kept in touch. More than 90 houses were demolished to make way for the expansion of the Prince of Wales Hospital. Some former residents have managed to stay within the local area, while others have moved further away. Some former residents have happily settled into their new homes and some have found it more difficult. Remembering Eurimbla presents the fascinating early history of this historically significant area of Randwick, together with many interesting stories, anecdotes, mysteries and surprises, as well as memoirs and photographs from those who lived in this area. We hope that this book would be of interest to people wanting information on the early history of Randwick. The book is now available for purchase from eurimblaprecinct.com.au. The Eurimbla Precinct History Association BONDI TIDE by Michael L Parker the tide is in front channel’s full my ears are full of hissing foam it softens to thunder when I go under the next wave is unbroken I’m pushing backwards, upwards my skull cracks the peak a glass arc wraps around me, closing the view sensation rises, it never fails in the crashing, the ringing, small silences are hiding a monotonous beauty, so easy to love it comes, again, and again each different the static sounds pull my senses together there are rituals on the beach, and in the water our spirits bow to their source at the edge of the ocean, the universe, a clue to the eternal now 10:30 Wednesday morning high tide Bondi.
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NEIGHBOURHOOD GARDENS You’ll never need to pay top dollar for herbs again once someone in your street has kindly established one of these floral free-for-alls. LA NIÑA The little sister and colder counterpart of El Niño has chilled things out a bit and helped stave off another brutal summer of bushfires.
THUMBS DOWN RADICAL IDEOLOGUES While we genuinely do enjoy the feedback, anyone who was ‘offended’ by last month’s cover should go and spend some time in Saudi Arabia, or any of the Gulf states for that matter. TEETHING CHILDREN Nothing guarantees deprivation of sleep quite like the tortuous tribulation of a teething child. CORRUPT UNIVERSITIES These formerly respected educational institutions must be held accountable for blowing billions of dollars on buildings while sacking thousands of staff and selling degrees off to the Chinese.
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Bondi's world champion.
Tenacious Pauline is a Genuine World Champion Words Duncan Horscroft Photo Derek Ho A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since American Margo Oberg became the first women’s world professional surfing champion in 1975. In those days women’s surfing was regarded as unimportant and a novelty compared to the men’s events. Women fought for recognition through the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, and virtually had to pay their own way in hope of attracting decent sponsorship, and it wasn’t until the mid-‘80s that the girls were given their own stand-alone contest - the Agree Pro at Maroubra Beach. As a haircare company, Agree promoted the contest by giving some of the top surfers a full makeover and used them in a series of advertisements. At that time, South African Wendy Botha was the world champion. She had the looks as well as the ability, which was the ideal marketing tool. Pauline Menczer became Bondi’s only world champion in 1993 after finally beating her nemesis Botha, but the accolades of being a world champ went unrecognised as she had no sponsors and received only a broken trophy for her efforts. 22 The Beast April 2021
She was regarded as sort of an “ugly duckling” with her freckly face, dark hair and impish grin among a flock of blonde-haired, blue-eyed competitors. But she remains philosophical about the fact she never received the recognition from the sponsors or her peers. “I'm not sure why I didn’t, maybe because I was never a groupie,” she told The Beast. “I basically would surf my heats and then go, and I did miss out on sponsorship dollars.” “A lot of people think it was because I didn’t have the look that the surfing community wanted - the blonde hair, etc. I was this dark-haired, frecklefaced kid.” Menczer is no stranger to adversity, suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis since she was 14. But that never stopped her from winning the world amateur title as an 18-year-old in 1988 and the professional world title in 1993, after being runner-up in ‘91 and ‘92. “I had friends pushing me around in shopping trolleys because I had trouble walking.
I couldn’t even free-surf the year I was going for the title, but then as soon as I put the contest jersey on and went out in the water, the adrenaline was amazing and the pain would disappear,” she explained. Overall, Menczer won 20 World Championship Tour events and eight World Qualifying Tour contests, a record only bettered by seven-time world champion Layne Beachley. More recently, Pauline has suffered from a rare autoimmune disease. For two years now her body has been wracked with painful blisters that resemble burns, and she has been on high doses of steroids. “This has been horrendous both mentally and physically because my body has felt like it’s been burnt in a fire.” Bondi filmmaker Chris Nelius recently released Girls Can’t Surf, a documentary featuring a group of “renegade” women surfers fighting for recognition in the male-dominated sport during the ‘80s. Pauline’s plight is featured in the film and, as a result, a GoFundMe page has already raised over $40,000 for the treatment of the disease. “Originally we were hoping to raise $25,000, but the response has been amazing and now we can give the extra money to other charities,” she said. “I have been in touch with a man in the Philippines who has the same potentially fatal disease and hopefully we can provide funds for him to get the proper treatment.” Nelius has since approached Waverley Council in an effort to get a statue of Pauline erected at Bondi Beach. And why not? Bondi has been recognised as a National Surfing Reserve and who better to represent that recognition than Bondi’s first and only world professional champion?
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Bin bits found on Coogee Beach.
An Honest Review of FOGO Words and Photos Nicola Smith During the past month, shiny new green bins with FOGO caddies zip tied to them landed on the doorsteps of most homes in Randwick City. FOGO stands for Food Organics Garden Organics and is a new scheme allowing Randwick City residents to separate their waste to be composted (food scraps could not previously be added to the council green bins). Each household has received a kitchen caddy, a lime green FOGO bin (that will be collected weekly) and a set of compostable caddy liners. The new FOGO scheme has found many supporters in the community, as well as several critics who are quick to point out the initial teething problems of the scheme. Comments on the Randwick Council Facebook page have ranged from questions about why perfectly good bins were being taken away to be recycled, to asking why bins haven’t yet been delivered or picked up, 24 The Beast April 2021
with one commenter referring to their street as a “bin convention”. But with 43 councils in New South Wales currently using FOGO, and its popularity growing, Eastern Beaches residents may just have to get used to it. The Good After just a week of FOGO there was half as much waste in our kitchen bin as there usually would have been . The caddy fits neatly under the sink and the liners appear to be genuinely compostable, unlike many ‘green’ brands at supermarkets that will only degrade in special high temperature facilities where they never arrive. The list of items that can go into a FOGO bin includes more than your typical compost bin, with tea bags, pizza boxes, bones and even pet waste among the many inclusions. We initially worried about running out of liners but soon found out that they are deliv-
ered each quarter and are available at libraries and customer service centres throughout Randwick City. The best thing about FOGO happens after the garbage truck leaves. All of Randwick’s FOGO waste is composted by Veolia and used in agriculture - our potato peels are a lot more valuable than you might think! Environment Protection Authority trials of FOGO compost on farms have found that it increases water retention in soils, increases microbial activity and can increase the yield of crops. The popular Netflix documentary Kiss the Ground also features FOGO programs in the US as key weapons in regenerative agriculture tackling climate change, as healthy soils have huge CO2 storage capacities. A representative from Randwick Council said that this was a key part of the FOGO strategy. “I think the more we can link people’s appreciation of food waste as a valuable resource, the more successful it’ll be and the more meaningful the process of separating food waste at the source will be for people,” the representative told The Beast. The Bad Some teething issues with the caddies have already been identified by Randwick Council. The next round of liners will be bigger to fit more easily around the edge of the caddy, and Council has also reminded people that any container works to collect food scraps. Home composters have been using ice cream tubs under the sink for years before purposebuilt caddies came along. If you’re a small household, there’s a chance the caddy will start to smell before you fill it up, but of course nothing is stopping you from emptying it when it’s half full.
Other residents complained that their old, perfectly functional bins were replaced when it wasn’t necessary, and that this created more waste than it prevented. Another change that has irked some residents is the belief that red bins will only be collected once every two weeks, with FOGO and recycling bins collected weekly. Council has informed The Beast that red bins will still be collected weekly for strata apartments and fortnightly for houses. Yellow recycling bins will be collected fortnightly, as they always have been. This should be enough for most households, but larger families may have to readjust to a larger bin that is collected less frequently. The Ugly One problem with the FOGO roll-out was brought to The Beast’s attention by Randwick resident ‘KG’, who regularly col-
lects rubbish from the Coogee shoreline on his evening walk and noticed that the plugs connecting the bin lids to the bins were showing up among the usual plastic and ciggie butts.
The Beast spotted contractors working on Knowles Avenue, Matraville, on the afternoon of February 25 using a chisel to sever the plugs to quickly remove the lids and allow the bins to be stacked. Unfortunately these plugs were then left in the gutters. We’ve assumed that the recent rain washed these plugs out to sea and now they’re washing up on our beaches. Council informed The Beast that this issue was
rectified during the roll-out. “Randwick Council is doing a good thing for the environment with FOGO, and I love that, but at what expense somewhere else? Everyone knows about microplastics, so why isn’t the council doing something about it?” KG asked. The Verdict FOGO is the way forward in tackling waste problems. Our food waste is very valuable if we sort it properly, and the way we eat and generate waste is intimately connected with how we fight climate change and pollution, so FOGO is an important step in the right direction. While there may be some teething problems for individuals and issues with the rollout of the new bins, the overall strategy is a good one. In ten years time, FOGO will be so second nature that we’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.
With over 90 years of experience in Eastern Suburbs property, we get results. Call: 02 9387 1700 www.willsproperty.com.au April 2021 The Beast 25
Freedom!
A Taste of Reform for Motorbike Riders Words Nicola Smith Photo Steve McQueen Waverley Council has passed a new motion to review current motorbike and scooter parking networks after a notice was introduced by Greens Councillor Elaine Keenan. Cr Keenan introduced the motion after significant public opposition to a change in parking regulations within Waverley that made the cost of parking a scooter the same as an SUV. The public outcry included several letters to the editor and articles published in the November and December editions of The Beast. The new motion includes developing a new parking strategy for bikes and scooters, considering reduced costs for 26 The Beast April 2021
both motorbike parking and infringement notices. It also includes a proposed 12-month trial of a free parking system like the one already in place in City of Sydney, which allows bikes to park in any ticketed zone for free, provided they observe time restrictions. With the introduction of new ‘pay by plate’ ticketing in Waverley, motorbikes and scooters can park in metered areas without taking up a whole parking spot. Bike owners typically park between cars when it’s safe, or up to four bikes can fit in one car parking space. Cr Keenan believes that the issue comes down to fairness.
“We’ve got the highest proportion of bikes and scooters of any metropolitan local government area in Australia and my fundamental bottom line is that it is unfair for a scooter to have to pay the same amount of money as a big SUV when they take up a quarter of the space,” Cr Keenan told The Beast. Bondi resident and scooter driver Tim Maunsell supported Cr Keenan’s motion. “I live just off Bondi Road, and I have to say, in the last 30 years, the traffic is horrendous,” Mr Maunsell said in a video recorded for the motion. “It’s no fault of the council, but they could definitely help by not restricting, or even favouring, the use of motorcycles to take up a lot less of our carbon footprint and a lot less space.” Cr Keenan agrees that an effective motorbike strategy is in the interests of all local residents. “My view is that if people can take their scooters out it reduces congestion and helps the environment. I’ve had my scooter for 15-16 years for all of those reasons,” she said. Council is set to report back on the motion in June 2021, with the hope that, under point 3 of the motion, parking officers will show leniency on infringing motorbikes in metered areas in the intervening period. In the meantime, Cr Keenan believes that residents who want equitable parking for bikes and scooters should let their voices be heard. “People who want to speak up could start a petition and get as many signatures as possible. A lot of signatures tells Council that people really care about an issue,” she said. If you have something to say about scooters and motorbikes, or if you have started your own petition, please email The Beast at letters@thebeast.com.au.
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The future of medicine.
Holistic Health for the Mind Words Nicola Smith Photo Jacob Taucher Bondi local Alex Teo is bringing groundbreaking medical therapies to Aussies in a new venture, Cingulum Health, formed in partnership with her neurosurgeon father Dr Charlie Teo and his colleague Dr Mike Sughrue. Cingulum seeks to challenge traditional treatments of mental health and neurological disorders through a multidisciplinary approach combining the technology developed by Teo’s former venture, Omniscient Neurotechnology, with other holistic health practices. Cingulum treats patients with a variety of mental and neurological conditions ranging from traumatic brain injury and dementia to anxiety and depression. Ms Teo, the director of Cingulum, told The Beast that she wanted to build a space where patients would feel safe and at ease. “I have a background in fashion and customer service and have always been taught that the customer’s experience comes first. That approach feels like it’s missing in the medical 28 The Beast April 2021
world,” she explained, “and when you’re suffering from illness, that’s exactly the kind of service and care you need.” The offices, located at The Cannery in Rosebery, incorporate open plan and biophilic design, where staff and patients can freely interact while surrounded by greenery and relaxed communal spaces. They also have state of the art consultation rooms, a movement studio and a meditation room. The technology at the heart of Cingulum is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, which helps the brain form new pathways or ‘circuitry’. While this technology is well established, Cingulum uses it with far more precision, and therefore effectiveness, than ever before. The treatment plans, which are tailored to each individual, also focus on educating patients about holistic practices and providing oversight to connect them with other specialists if required. Ms Teo said that education about health and alternative therapies can often have the
largest impact on their clients. “We are trying to expose more people to alternative mental health therapies,” Ms Teo said. “‘Alternative’ has this connotation of being ‘hippy dippy’, but a lot of these practices are based in real science and have been around for thousands of years, so we’d be ignorant to dismiss them.” Cingulum promotes therapies such as meditation and exercise because it believes in them as long-term strategies for managing mental fitness. “We want to equip clients with tools and strategies so that they don’t need to solely rely on us, but rather feel empowered enough to take control over their own health.” Ms Teo is joined by Bronte local Ethan Davis, who works at Cingulum as a medical researcher and technician. Mr Davis works with patients, as well as conducting research that Cingulum can publish for review by the scientific community. “We’re publishing our findings so that we can find better solutions for patients and improve our quality of care,” Mr Davis told The Beast. “I think that’s the only way forward.” Both Mr Davis and Ms Teo make the most of their homes in the Eastern Beaches to manage their own mental health. Ms Teo starts each day with a swim at Bondi while Mr Davis opts to surf at Bronte. Mr Teo, Ms Teo’s father, is often found kayaking on Sydney Harbour as part of his morning routine. Ms Teo believes that living in the Eastern Beaches provides plenty of opportunity to strengthen mental fitness. “We’re so lucky living here. We have amazing local communities, access to good, healthy food, and the ocean on our doorstep,” she said. “It’s the perfect environment in which to lead a balanced lifestyle.”
The latest from Randwick City Council about living in this great city
Randwick News The Coogee Bay Road Shared Village space will be extended until the end of April this year. It was created to support local businesses and create a festive atmosphere that encouraged people to the town centre while also giving them space to shop and eat. The project was due to finish in February 2021 but community feedback was so positive that we’re keen to keep it going for a little longer. A survey of 3,029 respondents (nearly 2,000 of whom are from Coogee) revealed that 79% rated the project as good or excellent and 78% wanted the initiative to last longer. So make sure you head down there to soak up the last of the summer vibes.
What’s On UNTIL 26 AUGUST SHELL IT: BOOMALLI AT LA PEROUSE
La Perouse Museum 1542 Anzac Pde, La Perouse
14 APRIL ADVANCED CARE PLANNING WORKSHOP 7pm – 9pm Via Zoom Registration required
EVERY FRIDAY PERMABEE COMMUNITY GARDENING PROGRAM
9am – 12.30pm Randwick Community Centre 27 Munda St, Randwick
Sustainability is a core focus for us at Randwick Council, we have several projects and programs that focus on conserving water, reducing energy needs, better managing waste, looking after our coastal environment and ensuring that our residents feel well equipped to lead sustainable lives as well. We introduced the Community Sustainable rebates program last year to help residents implement a range of energy and water savings initiatives in their own homes that will help to reduce bills. Residents can also receive up to $2,000 in rebates for purchasing rooftop solar, rainwater tanks, pool pumps, insulation, LED lighting or another one of our Sustainable Products. Head to our website to see how you might be able to take part. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter this year, and that you get to spend it with the people who mean the most to you. Councillor Danny Said Mayor of Randwick 1300 722 542 randwick.nsw.gov.au
21 APRIL HISTORY TALK – ANZAC PDE 6.30pm – 7.30pm Via Zoom
EVERY THURSDAY CHESS CLUB FOR ADULTS
1.30pm – 3pm Lionel Bowen Library 669-673 Anzac Pde Maroubra
Keep your eye on the ball.
Watching Australia from the Outside Words Siriol Dafydd Photo Boris Becker I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet who isn’t tired of hearing about COVID. It has killed too many, exacerbated poverty and generally disrupted everything. Although some have undoubtedly suffered more than others, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been shat on - at least a little - by COVID. I was in Wales looking after my dying mother when it started. After a painful battle with cancer, Mam conveniently popped her clogs hours before our Buffoon in Chief (AKA Boris) announced a UK-wide lockdown. While others bought bog roll and baked sourdough, I planned a tiny funeral and stayed away from family and friends when I needed them most. It was the right thing to do but it was too little too late. Boris and his ilk had dilly30 The Beast April 2021
dallied their way into a colossal crisis and we’ve been on the back foot ever since. A year later, I’m back in lockdown waiting for COVID to calm its farm so I can come home. Like thousands of stranded Aussie residents, I’ve been enviously watching you enjoy something far closer to normality than we could ever hope for. While Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have juggled different strategies to varying levels of success (or lack thereof), Australia has crushed outbreaks and kept deaths impressively low. Every single death is a tragedy, but the countless lives - and livelihoods - saved by decisive action should be celebrated. Although my friends on Aussie soil appreciate that, many also roll their eyes at the extreme
measures taken to quash small clusters. Given the history of lockouts and overzealous festival sniffer dogs, it’s understandable that Sydneysiders are cynical of nanny state rules, but as someone living through the savage consequences of inaction, I see these measures as entirely necessary. With even the tiniest hesitation this virus gets wildly out of control, and while snap lockdowns, border closures, travel bans and hotel quarantines have consequences ranging from inconvenient to devastating, trust me when I say that they are better than the alternative. Of course, it’s easy for me to profess how lucky you are from the other side of the world. We may have it worse but that doesn’t diminish your suffering. You might have low death rates but the logistical, financial and psychological implications of constant upheaval and everchanging restrictions are just as real. In this global clusterfudge of suffering and anxiety, there is room for both resentful wallowing and a healthy dose of perspective - I for one swing wildly between the two on a daily basis. It’s natural to resent drastic measures but if you do, please do this perpetually jealous stranded resident a solid and try to also enjoy the freedom you do have. The truth is I’m not there and I don’t know how you feel. All I can say from a painfully long distance is that I would give my right arm for a pint with friends and a government with faster reflexes. With a bit of luck, and billions of vaccines, we could be on the home stretch soon. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future I will be back in Bondi enjoying a cold pint of Kosciuszko and we’ll all be free to come and go as we please. Until then, stay strong and be thankful you don’t have Boris in charge.
Do you have any artistic inspirations? I adore Julian Schnabel’s work, and I also draw inspiration from Jean-Michel Basquiat and Ken Done. Do you have any exhibitions coming up? I actually have a solo show coming up in June at Twenty Twenty Six Gallery, which will be fun. When did you realise you had a gift for art? I guess I’ve painted since I can remember. My mum has always said I’m gifted in art since I was a 10-year-old. Any other local artists to look out for? Ryan Paulder (Love Ryan ceramics), he’s making some beautiful stuff right now. Did you study art? Nope, it’s always been a natural progression for me.
Expressing himself.
Local Artist: Jacob Pedrana from North Bondi Interview James Hutton Photo Trevor King Introducing North Bondi’s Jacob Pedrana, the talented local artist behind this month’s cover... How long have you lived here? Just over a year in Ben Buckler. I’ve lived in Bondi for 14 years. What is your favourite beach? North Bondi. I live a stone’s throw from the water. I love jumping off flat rock to start my day. What is your favourite eatery? It’s a tie between North Bondi Fish and Porch. I don’t care what anyone says, Porch makes the best coffee. Where do you like to have a drink? I can’t really beat the cocktails at Rocker bar. Best thing about living in the Eastern Suburbs? The beaches, the food and the people.
32 The Beast April 2021
Worst thing about living in the Eastern Suburbs? The unnecessary potholes and the waste that hits our shoreline after a storm. How would you describe your art? Expressionism. I like to paint moving objects - I couldn’t paint a bowl of fruit. I love using softer pastels in my pallet, combined with thick oil stick.
Any words of wisdom for young aspiring artists? Throw yourself in the deep end! What music are you into? I’ve been loving this band Spacey Jane. I also jam out on Alan Power and Van Morrison. Who is your favourite person? My beautiful son Ryka. I feel really grateful to be his dad. We paint together and he loves the ocean, which is great. What do you get up to on the weekends? If I’m not stuck in the studio, I like catching up with mates over a beer or a surf, and hanging out with Ryka.
Where can people see your work? I’m currently being represented at Twenty Twenty Six Gallery on O’Brien Street, Bondi. You can also follow @jakeypedro on Instagram.
What do you do for work? I was working as a tradesman for the last 15 years, but for the last six months I’ve become solely an artist, which I love. It’s my dream job!
What are you currently working on? I’ve been really enjoying painting rodeo cowboys in action. It’s a great subject to paint due to the movement. I’ve also been working on a bunch of abstract cowboy portraits.
What’s your favourite thing about work? Flexibility, passion and meeting like-minded people. Do you have a favourite quote? “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
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April 2021 The Beast 33
The thief.
Alleged Crimes of the East Words Gary Larson Fraudster’s watery death Facing prosecution and jail for an investment scam, Melissa Caddick walked to the cliff line near her luxury Dover Heights house. The tide was high, the waves rolling over the rocks below. She jumped over the edge. That is the scenario police are now looking at after the discovery on the South Coast of a decomposed foot which has been DNA-matched to Caddick. The businesswoman disappeared from her home at 5.30am on November 12 last year, the day after financial investigators raided the house. While all the indications are that the 49-year-old took her own life, detectives have not completely ruled out the possibility she was the victim of foul play. Caddick did not leave a note, which is unusual in cases of suicide. And she had notched up her share of enemies, having defrauded superannuation clients out of $25 million-plus. Documents lodged by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission have shown how the funds bankrolled a luxury lifestyle, with Caddick spending a fortune on designer accessories and overseas holidays. 34 The Beast April 2021
Randwick man ran $500K car scam - police A man is said to have run a scam selling non-existent classic cars from his Randwick unit - which allegedly yielded an Aladdin’s cave of luxury goods when police raided it. Joshua Peter McIntosh, 51, was arrested at his Barker Street home by officers from Eastern Beaches Area Command. He was taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with four outstanding warrants and 47 fraud-related offences. Next port of call for McIntosh was Waverley Court, where he was remanded in custody after the court heard evidence he sold and took payment for more than 40 bogus vehicles worth more than $500,000. His victims are said to have come from all over Australia. The vehicles are said to have included vintage and veteran cars like a 50-year-old Chrysler that an Adelaide con victim paid $26,000 for and never received. McIntosh is said to have found his victims through ads on Gumtree. It is alleged McIntosh set up fake bank accounts to receive the funds for his bogus cars. In a search of McIntosh’s unit, police allegedly found a cache of designer handbags, watches and electronic goods. Maroubra man jailed for big ice deal A Maroubra man has been jailed over a $460,000 drug deal after his client in the transaction turned out to be a police informant. The District Court was told Corey Spagnol, 31, a former member of the Finks bikie gang, organised the sale of 5 kilograms of methamphetamine. He set up the deal while on holiday in Bali, using an encrypted phone and referring to himself by the code name
‘The General’. The court heard he had abused cocaine and steroids for ten years and had been attending drug counselling sessions since being released on bail. Spagnol, the owner of a Botany-based demolition company, received a four and a half year jail term after pleading guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. Ex-priest charged with sexual assaults on boy, 9 A former priest was arrested at his Randwick unit and taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with five counts of sexually assaulting a nineyear-old boy. The arrest of Robert Maximus Blumenthal, 85, followed a police investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse at two schools in Bathurst. It is alleged that Blumenthal committed the offences in the mid-1980s. After a night in custody, Blumenthal appeared at Waverley Court where he was granted $10,000 bail. His case was adjourned to Bathurst Local Court on April 12. Another man, aged 59, has also been charged as part of the same investigation and was arrested in Bathurst around the same time as Blumenthal. Risky business A young male P-plate driver stopped his car in an interesting position one night recently. The VW Golf flipped and came to rest upside down in the middle of Mirrabooka Crescent, Little Bay. To make matters worse, the driver allegedly tried to flee the scene and was restrained by residents until police arrived. And to make things worse still, it appears the red P-plater had been drinking. He was arrested by police and the matter is now before the courts.
April 2021 Tide Chart Numbers Bureau of Meteorology Tidal Centre Photo Alan Wang Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1.85 0.38 1.44 0.57
3 0116 0806 1405 1940
1.79 0.46 1.31 0.68
4 0218 0822 1422 1948
1.72 0.51 1.24 0.75
8 0548 1.66 1225 0.46 1831 1.45
9 0021 0634 1302 1909
0.61 1.67 0.45 1.53
10 0105 0715 1335 1944
0.56 1.66 0.44 1.59
11 0145 0752 1404 2016
0.52 1.63 0.45 1.63
17 0538 1135 1705 2340
0.60 1.28 0.73 1.62
7 0454 1140 1748 2329
0.50 1.59 0.47 1.67
13 0258 0901 1500 2118
0.50 1.54 0.51 1.70
14 0334 0.50 0937 1.48 1528 0.55 2149 1.71
15 0413 1014 1557 2223
0.52 1.42 0.61 1.70
16 0454 1052 1629 2259
0.56 1.35 0.67 1.67
19 0028 0729 1325 1846
1.57 0.68 1.18 0.84
20 0128 0836 1439 2000
1.54 0.68 1.19 0.86
•
21 0237 0942 1553 2118
1.54 0.63 1.24 0.82
22 0345 1037 1651 2227
1.58 0.55 1.34 0.74
23 0445 1125 1738 2326
1.66 0.46 1.47 0.62
26 0112 0719 1332 1950
0.39 1.80 0.30 1.87
27 0204 0810 1415 2035
0.31 1.77 0.31 1.97
•
28 0258 0902 1459 2123
0.26 1.70 0.36 2.02
29 0353 0958 1544 2212
0.26 1.60 0.45 2.02
30 0451 1054 1632 2303
0.29 1.49 0.55 1.97
12 0221 0827 1432 2047
•
Frothing.
1.64 0.49 1.37 0.68
•
2 0022 0659 1300 1845
1.63 0.52 1.29 0.74
1.66 0.53 1.24 0.78
Sunday
1 0558 0.32 1203 1.58 1757 0.45 6 0347 1045 1655 2225
5 0231 0938 1546 2109
Saturday
24 0539 1.73 1208 0.38 1822 1.61
18 0629 0.65 1225 1.22 1749 0.79 25 0019 0629 1250 1906
0.50 1.79 0.32 1.75
Moons
• New Moon • First Quarter • Full Moon • Last Quarter
Another victim.
Eastern Suburbs Residents Harbouring Australia’s Biggest Killers Satire Kieran Blake, kieranblakewriter.org Photo Cat Stevens Eastern Suburbs residents have reacted with horror to the news that many of their neighbours have been harbouring Australia’s biggest killers for years, and getting away with it. The harrowing revelations have only recently come to light and have spread fear and panic throughout the region, which is famed for its beautiful beaches, high standard of living and relative security. The huge loss of life inflicted by these savage murderers has remained undetected and unpunished for so many years because it occurs mostly at night, while the region’s innocent children are safely tucked up in bed and their parents are 36 The Beast April 2021
firmly engrossed in the latest crime thriller on their preferred streaming service. “This news sent a chill down my spine, and continues to keep me awake at night,” reported one resident, who insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisal. “I grew up in the east, and I never thought this could happen here. How could someone knowingly house a creature that causes so much pain and suffering - and right next door to me?” A fellow neighbour reacted with similar sentiment. “I let my children visit and play in the neighbour’s house, even without us sometimes. They must have come in contact
with the murderer while they were playing - oh, it’s just horrifying.” Other residents have been faced with the decision of remaining in paradise, where their families are firmly entrenched, or moving in order to distance themselves from these mass murderers. “But how do we know there aren’t more of them elsewhere in Sydney, or even the rest of the country?” despaired one local who is grappling with the decision. Many residents remain perplexed that such vicious murderers have not only remained unpunished, but are afforded protection by all three levels of government, the police and law enforcement agencies, and even large mainstream charitable organisations whose mandate is to protect all creatures great and small. “Surely,” declared one harried long-time resident, “If so many lives have been lost, and the identity and location of the perpetrator is known, they should just get rid of them, to stop further loss of life.” Other residents rejected the claims, arguing that if they were true, the region would be littered with dead bodies of the victims. Experts reminded them that the murderers are clever and cunning, and often commit their wicked acts in bushland and heavily wooded areas, where bodies can remain undetected. Furthermore, the bodies of their victims are often buried. “The story becomes more macabre when we realise that most of these murderers return to their homes to be fed and showered with love and affection,” stated the expert. Residents are thus asked to report sightings of cats, the single most destructive introduced species in Australia.
find myself ineligible for a new credit card, mortgage, health insurance…
Big Brother is listening.
The Unreliable Guide To... Privacy Words Nat Shepherd Photo Susan Bennett The Unreliable Guide has been wondering if privacy is an endangered species? We live in an inescapable tsunami of data, merrily uploading everything from our breakfast burrito to our baby’s first steps (copyright now held by Facebook, Inc.). Plus, during the pandemic we’ve handed over great swathes of our privacy. Contact tracing is a great weapon against the spread of the virus, so of course we sign into every café, shop and event. It makes sense, but it sets a trend. Will all this documentation disappear after COVID? And the smart phones we so willingly carry with us at all times not only log where we are, but what we are buying, who we are with, what we are talking about and even, if it correlates to our Google searches, what we are thinking about. With a smart algorithm in charge of that wave of data it’s no surprise that there are companies out there that know you better than your own mother. What’s scary is that they are starting to know you better than you know yourself. If this sounds like a paranoid episode of Black Mirror, well it is. The future is coming and there’s nowhere to hide, but never fear, The Unreliable Guide is here to help...
AI Marketing drives our world The Russian-American writer and philosopher, Ayn Rand, once said, “Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy.” We like to imagine that civilisation is advancing, but our preferences, purchases, tastes, relationships, movements and beliefs are now documented as never before. Data processing algorithms collect all kinds of information about us, they shape and drive our desire to consume. Even the colours and fonts used in the targeted ads on Instagram and Facebook, etc. are now tailored to expressly attract our individual eyes. More insidious still, most of us now accept the fact that our phones are listening to us. Voice data marketing is big business and it’s legal. I asked Siri the other day if she was listening to me. She paused for a moment, then said, “nope”. Did I believe her? Nope. But at least I’ve taken the trouble to deactivate ‘Hey Siri’. That may be an illusion of privacy, but it’s all I’ve got right now. This might not be to my advantage though; it’s been proven that algorithms discriminate based on the data they lack. If I don’t provide the data required to show that I’m a good little consumer I could
Dataism Writer, historian and philosopher Yuval Harari has suggested that the emerging religion of the twentieth century is Dataism, a belief that information flow is the “supreme value” and “the value of any phenomenon or entity is determined by its contribution to data processing". In this worldview, your sole purpose is to add to this collective database. Nothing you do or think or experience should ever be private, for then it has not added to the collective bank of knowledge. Uploading endless selfies is not selfish narcissism, it’s adding to the data flow and enabling advances in facial recognition technology. The Orwellian heretic in this brave new world is the person who switches off their phone, who does not photograph and upload every experience, who insists on keeping a section of their existence to themselves. These humanist renegades defy the Almighty Internet of all Things and will be punished for their individualism. Worse still, advances in biometric testing can now reveal your deepest darkest emotions. Orwell’s hero only had to arrange his face into a compliant smile, but our mandatory biometric bracelets will openly reveal our internal rebellion... Be scared, the future is shared. Finally, The Unreliable Guide suggests we guard our privacy jealously and think before we share online. We must protest against new laws that threaten privacy, keep abreast of the latest technological developments and actively block apps like Facebook from sharing our data. Be a heretic, while you still can. April 2021 The Beast 37
Marj and Gary making Big Macs.
The Ronald McDonald House Words Dr Marjorie O'Neill, Member for Coogee Photo Rachel Stoddart Being able to identify with the perspectives and experiences of others is valued in our society, and for good reason. Empathy narrows the gaps between people and produces tolerance, understanding and kindness. Our literature, music, poetry and common expressions abound with the symbolism of walking in another’s shoes. Although we appreciate the value of being able to see life from different perspectives, our capacity to actually do this is limited by our own lives. Living in the Eastern Suburbs, it is easy to take for granted our easy access to worldclass hospitals and healthcare across all fields of medicine including exemplary maternity and paediatrics facilities. We have plenty to complain about, like traffic congestion and lack of parking, but the reality is that when we need medical services they are close by. We have the only female-specific hospital in all of New South Wales, which means that often complex births from across the state are sent here. We also have a fabulous children’s hospital. 38 The Beast April 2021
Few areas in New South Wales enjoy the quality medical and hospital facilities we have, and accessing these services is fraught with major difficulties for those living outside our locality. The costs associated with travel, issues of accommodation, maintaining income, balancing family and work commitments, as well as the emotional issues associated with a loved one’s illness are some of the very real problems confronting those who need the facilities we take for granted. These issues have been amplified during the pandemic. I thought I understood these issues and, in particular, the problems facing people needing to access medical facilities based in our area. In the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to engage with people accessing local medical facilities who live a long way away, and I have learnt a lot. Together with a number of other participants, most of whom were business leaders, I participated in an immersive exercise at The Ronald McDonald House where I stayed
overnight and took part in an exercise that exposed us to the reality of peoples’ experiences. The scenario I experienced concerned a family that lived 100 kilometres west of Griffith and I was required to research ‘my child’s disease’ and immerse myself in the family’s shoes for 24 hours. With other outside participants, I cooked meals for families who were staying at The House, engaged in conversations with them and learnt about their experiences. For me, this was a life changing experience. It is one thing to imagine the difficulties such people face; it is quite a different matter to hear from a young mother and father the pain they are experiencing and the fears they hold. The challenges of accessing health care for seriously ill kids from regional and remote parts of New South Wales and the barrage of challenges that presents for families is seriously concerning. The Ronald McDonald House provides a lifeline to people seriously in need of assistance with accommodation and support. It is only accessible to those who live more than 100 kilometres away and have their child at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. While McDonalds and other major partners provide valuable contributions, the majority of funding is provided through charitable donations from the community. It needs our support. I urge our Eastern Suburbs community to learn more about The Ronald McDonald House and the work they do. Not only do they have another CEO evening coming up, if you’re looking for team building experience and would like to learn more about the work they do you can volunteer in the kitchen, take some pressure off families and cook them a meal, and meet some wonderful people.
Upcoming Legislation
Stamp Duty and Land Tax
Voluntary Euthanasia
In last year’s budget, the Treasurer outlined his plan to phase out stamp duty by the 2024/25 financial year, and to introduce a land tax. This is a significant change to the structure of State taxation in NSW and will impact people in very different ways depending on their home ownership status and future home ownership/ investment plans.
The Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich MP, has indicated that in 2021 he will be introducing a Private Members Bill to the NSW Parliament which looks to legalise Voluntary Euthanasia. While a Bill is yet to be presented to the Parliament, this is an issue that many people across our community have very strong views about. I have made a commitment that I will not make any decisions regarding such legislation without consulting our community, which is why I want to hear from you.
There is a consultation period currently open and I want to hear what you think about these significant changes. You can do so by scanning the QR code on the left and filling out my quick survey.
I have created a short survey to help me canvas the views of our community that you can complete here by simply scanning the QR code on the right.
Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP
Member for Coogee If you have any issues at all that you require assistance with, please do not hesitate to contact my office on 9398 1822, email coogee@parliament.nsw.gov.au, or come in at 15/53-55 Frenchmans Road, Randwick.
To fill out my community survey, scan this QR code!
Authorised by Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.
Feeling the pressure.
Crisis... What Crisis? Words Jeremy Ireland Illustration Reece Seeder Bondi attracts all walks of life. Whether you want to see or be seen, a leisurely stroll down Hall Street or the beach promenade will deliver on many fronts. Recently, while using the pedestrian crossing in front of Bondi Surf Club, I happened to take a look at a car that had stopped for me. It was some kind of expensive red convertible with what looked like a 50-year-old male behind the wheel and a female passenger half his age. The music coming from the car seemed to be at odds with his age, as was his clothing. I’m sure he was happy to be seen in this set-up - he certainly had that ‘cat who got the cream’ look about him - but the more I stared, the more I wondered whether this fellow was in the grips of some form of midlife crisis. While I was transfixed on the scenario before me, I began to wonder what it actually meant to have a midlife crisis. The more I researched the topic, the more I realised there were no hard or fast rules, but there does seem to be some underlying themes. For some of us, as we approach the middle or senior years, there can often develop a sense of disillusionment, or despair if you like. 40 The Beast April 2021
As we review the past, if we conclude that our life hasn’t really amounted to much in comparison to the starry-eyed expectations of our youth, then that may lead to our crisis. In other words, it’s a stage where we look back on what we’ve done in life and compare it to what we had hoped or planned. Disappointment may result when what we have achieved doesn’t stack up against what we planned. To give this idea more scope, we need to look into what is called ‘lifespan psychology’, or how we as individuals change psychologically over time. As we get older we start to ask ourselves questions like, ‘What have I achieved?’, ‘Was it all worth it?’ and the big one, ‘What’s next?’. These questions tend to revolve around career, marriage, children and health. There has been much research into lifespan psychology and theories abound, most of which describe how we transform through certain stages until we ultimately pass away. Different theorists, despite using varying timelines, say pretty much the same thing when it comes to our careers. The age between 25-44 is seen to be a productive time where
we are establishing ourselves, working out what type of career we want and starting to build a stable life structure around those choices. It’s the back end of this time from say the age of 35 that things start to change. It’s from this age we make a discerned effort to carve out a secure place in our job, with potential to advance up the ladder a bit in terms of hierarchy, promotion and higher pay. We may also start to feel pressures outside of work such as family responsibilities and community entrenchment. From around the 45-60 year mark things get more interesting. Often described as a period of midlife transition, it is the so-called ‘maintenance’ phase where ambition can take a back seat and be replaced with productive energies that benefit society as a whole. We are known to reformulate our goals here, as by now they have mostly been achieved from a career standpoint. We no longer strive to get ahead and have usually dropped the lofty ambitions. The concept of self is no longer shaped by surpassing past feats, and we may settle into resignation and reality. Often during this period we think of our legacy, leading us to the ‘what’s next’ phase. How do you know you’re having a midlife crisis? Warning signs include stress, burnout, apathy, feeling like you’re on autopilot, loss of purpose, being successful but unsatisfied, and questioning purpose and self worth. Oh, and perhaps buying a new red sportscar. If any of these symptoms resonate with you or you feel you’re a bit stuck or at a crossroads, please seek professional help. Have you got a question? Please contact Jeremy at bondicounsellingservices.com.
About to explode.
Making Music: Lahgo Words Alasdair McClintock Photo Zac Tomaszewski Insta @z.zewski Sometimes writing about a band can be a torrid affair. Not because they aren’t great at what they do, but because trying to catch their charisma and energy and put it into suitable words can be near impossible. You need the bass line, the strut of the lead singer and the splash of a symbol or two to truly convey what they’re about. Lahgo is one of these bands. The four piece from the east only got going towards the back end of 2020, but are already making waves on the local scene. The Beast caught up with bass player Bob Easy, who thankfully had so much to say he basically wrote this article himself.
Easy described their sound as “Lahgoish. Strong feminine vocals, pocket grooves and big rock choruses. And harmonies. Lots of harmonies. We’ll harmonise anything, even your grandma.” Harmonising grandmothers aside, what does ‘Lahgo’ mean? “Well,” Easy explained, “It is either an acronym for, Late Arvo Heavy Glass Off, when the winds swing offshore late in the day and the line-up cleans up, preferably delivering sick pits under the setting sun, or Love And Have Great Orgasms - you take your pick.” The rest of the band is made up of front woman Mel Bailey, “Our vocal powerhouse. She
delivers the soul of Lahgo,” Mr. Pablo Smooth on guitar, with a “background in rock ‘n’ roll and disco, he does his thing, usually in tight gold pants or no pants at all,” and Danny Rixx on the sticks, who “keeps things light and tight.” They’re currently working on their debut album, but for now you can follow them on Instagram via @lahgo_ to catch some snippets. Easy said, “We’re gonna have some singles dropping hard. Album isn’t too far off and you better believe we got shows coming up. Just go on Instagram or Facebook if ya wanna come party. We just rocked two sold out shows at Oxford Art with Honey Hayze, it was sick.” “Sydney’s music scene needs a violent shove back to being killer. I work at Talon Music (@talonmusicstudios), and Guitar Garage (@guitargaragebondi) in Rose Bay so I get to see all this great local talent come through. Young artists with tons of talent.” “I’m a bit pissed off to be honest. For ages, even before COVID, Sydney’s nightlife has been like a bung note in a killer riff. Just wrong. The east used to be alive. The potential here is huge and we’re seeing signs of life again. We’re gunning to change the east’s music scene and get it back up on the mantle. It’s our job as artists to prove to venues that live music counts now more than ever and that there’s strong demand for it. “I got a gut feeling we’re gonna come out of this COVID period and live music will explode. We’re positioning ourselves to be right in the heart of it for when it does.” “Keep supporting local music. Keep bands uniting and growing the live scene, wherever you are. No competition, let’s have fun and rock stages together!” April 2021 The Beast 41
Subject Unsolved Location Maroubra Photographer Theresia Hall @flow_n_glow_tg
Subject Choppy Bogey Location Bronte Photographer Melody Mahoney @melody_.ann
Subject Looking south Location Coogee Photographer Melody Mahoney @melody_.ann
Subject Light at the end Location Maroubra Photographer Theresia Hall @flow_n_glow_tg
Subject Frothy Location Coogee Photographer Jarrah Forbes-Droulers
The Beast Magazine wants your local photos!
Subject Rock off Location Maroubra Photographer Theresia Hall @flow_n_glow_tg
Subject Calippo'clock Location Bondi Photographer Kat Candotti
Subject Morning ritual Location Clovelly Photographer Richard Sydenham
Subject Gazillionaires' Row Location Bronte Photographer Melody Mahoney @melody_.ann
Subject Tonguey Location Centennial Park Photographer Graeme Bogan
Please send them to photos@thebeast.com.au
Frutti di mare.
Fish and Chips With a Twist Words Joel Bevilacqua Photo Joel Bennetts When I was a kid, fish and chips came exclusively wrapped in old newspapers. Although it was probably a good form of recycling, the acidic vinegar splashed over the contents meant that you were usually consuming a couple of paragraphs of weeks-old news, as well as weeks-old fish, covered in weeks-old oil. Thankfully, there is no risk of encountering any of these issues at the newly opened Fish Shop in Bondi. This modern take on an old-school fish shop retains all the joys of the traditional fish and chips experience, but with a healthy, exotic twist. Over the past few years, it has felt as if the Mafia and Mexican cartels have taken control of the Bondi food scene. Nearly every new opening has specialised in either tacos and margaritas, or pizza and pasta (no offence intended towards any of these new restaurants, nor the Mafia 44 The Beast April 2021
and cartels). Joint owners Nathan Delah, Nic Pestalozzi and Casper Ettelson are three brave men standing up to these gangs and bucking the trend. There is a high chance that these guys have also helped to whip more than one of your sloppy rigs into some sort of reasonable shape. This is because the trio are the same men behind the hugely successful Fishbowl. Their latest venture isn’t too far away, located in the new Sevenways precinct on the corner of Glenayr and Warners Avenues. The Fishbowl boys are not ones for thinking up creative names for their eateries, preferring to let their menus do the talking. We sat barside to watch Head Chef Joel Bennetts (formally Peppe’s) do his thing. With his dark, wavy hair, cut-off sleeves and bling, he resembled a young Casey Ryback as he wielded his knife in the kitchen (albeit a
much friendlier version). The industrial interior of Fish Shop adds to the Under Siege vibe, but instead of preventing a group of mercenaries from stealing nuclear weapons, Bennetts is shucking fresh oysters, slicing ever-changing sashimi and stacking healthy-ish fish burgers. The Mediterranean-inspired menu is pretty fluid, depending on whatever is biting, but you can always rely on getting some good old fish ‘n’ chips (hold the ink). Anchovies are perhaps the most polarising of all marine creatures, but I love ‘em. If you’ve an educated palate, kick things off with the anchovy toast. It’s thicker than a dugong’s rear-end and serves as the perfect platform for those contentious little suckers. If you’re on the other side of the fence, have a few cocktails or glasses of wine beforehand to help muster up some courage. Fish Shop is open for walkins and take-away, seven days a week. You can complete the fish’s cyclical narrative by making the short walk down to the beach, or you can ask for a picnic blanket and sit across the road in the miniature park. Either way, it will be a lot more relaxing than the battleship Missouri. Given you’re in Bondi, you should still expect to see a few posers dressed as rock stars getting around. Fish Shop Address 87–89 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach Web www.fishshop.com.au Instagram @fishshop_au Open 7 days, 12-10pm (takeaway before 5.30 weekdays) Prices Fish Burger $16, Anchovy Toast $5, Oysters $5, Drinks $12-$15 Cards Master, Visa, Amex Licensed Yes
38 years Family owned Estate grown & made Twelve years served on Qantas Business Class and First Class
2017 Noble Blend 4 Trophies 4 Gold Awards
Fiumara 7 Angelo Blend 2 Gold Awards
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Lillypilly Wines
47 Lillypilly Road Leeton NSW 2705 Phone: 02 6953 4069
combined 100gm Greek feta, broken into chunks 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
Let's get freekeh!
Healthy Spiced Lamb Bowl Words and Photo Dana Sims Instagram @stone_and_twine This recipe ticks all the boxes for a protein packed, flavoursome, healthy bowl - a perfectly deconstructed salad for lunch or a simple dinner for 2-3 people. Meatballs are a great way to incorporate spice and aromatics, and they don’t take long to cook. Accompanying the lamb is textured freekeh, fresh salad and vegetables, nuts, feta and the obligatory - but always delicious - fragrant yoghurt sauce that gives a nod to Middle Eastern cooking. Ingredients Lamb meatballs 500gm lamb mince ½ brown onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed ¼ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp ground fennel seeds ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp sea salt 1 tbs olive oil for frying 46 The Beast April 2021
Yoghurt sauce ¾ cup Greek yoghurt 1 tbs honey ¼ cup coriander, chopped 2 tbs lemon juice Freekeh ¾ cup wholemeal freekeh ¼ cup currants ¼ cup shelled pistachio nuts, chopped ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped ½ cup spring onion, finely sliced Dressing 1 tbs olive oil Juice of ¼ lemon ½ tsp salt The Rest 2 zucchini, cut or peeled vertically into thin slices and coated in olive oil 1 cup spinach leaves 20 gm each of mint & coriander, roughly chopped and
Method 1. To cook the freekeh, bring a small saucepan of water to the boil. On medium heat, cook the freekeh for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool. Once cooled, add in the currants, parsley, spring onion and pistachios. Pour over the dressing and stir to combine. 2. Add all ingredients for the lamb meatballs in a large bowl and combine well. Using a heaped tablespoon of mixture for each one, use your hands to roll into balls (12-14). 3. To cook the meatballs, heat a frypan on medium. Add the olive oil and fry each meatball for 8 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Drain on paper towel and set aside. 4. Using a griddle pan on high heat, cook the zucchini on each side for 1-2 minutes. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the yoghurt sauce. 5. To assemble, add the freekeh to one side of your serving bowl, then place the lamb meatballs next to it. Add the remaining ingredients next to each other - zucchini, spinach, herbs and feta. Generously squeeze lemon over the bowl. Serve the yoghurt sauce on the side. Enjoy! Dana Sims is a Sydneybased food and prop stylist who has grown up in the Eastern Suburbs and loves to create delicious food for entertaining and family. She is inspired by the fresh produce we have access to here in Sydney. For ideas, recipes and styling inspiration, check out her Instagram, @stone_and_twine.
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TASH SULTANA Terra Firma Label Mom + Pop Music Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating Tash Sultana has returned with what is very much a jam record. You might have heard terms like “sprawling journey” and “musically fearless” to describe it (by her record label’s communications team, most likely), but let’s call it what it is; a fricken jam session on tape. Not that that’s a bad thing, I quite enjoyed it. At times, it felt like I was floating in a daydream, and there were moments that transported me back to festivals of my youth, when a hefty scent of green would waft across an afternoon crowd. Now that was a sprawling journey!
THE RUBENS 0202 Label The Rubens/Opposition Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating
BOSS LEVEL Genre Action Sci-Fi Reviewer Linda Heller-Salvador If you’re looking for a bit of high octane timelooping fun in the manner of Groundhog Day meets Happy Death Day meets John Wick, and you’re not averse to a bit of over-the-top bloodshedding laced with a good dose of humour, then you need look no further than Boss Level. Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo) is an ex-special forces operative whose groundhog day predicament of being continuously murdered in the most outrageously creative ways by a motley crew of assassins, is directly related to his ex-wife Gemma (Naomi Watts) and her involvement in a secret government project run by the power-hungry Colonel Clive Ventor (Mel Gibson). We all need a bit of whimsy in our lives right now and director Joe Carnahan’s (The Grey, Narc) latest offering should do the trick. It’s not the first time-loop film and it won’t be the last. Don’t overthink it... it’s just a rollicking good kickass thrill ride to lose yourself in for a couple of hours. 48 The Beast April 2021
I’ve reviewed The Rubens before and am in severe danger of repeating myself here. I’m sure it’s something I do all the time, but when you know you’re doing it, it just feels dirty, like giving your partner the slice of cheesecake you saw a fly land on. Do you eat the slice yourself, knowing what you know? Or do you serve it to them, because ignorance is bliss? Either way, you’re not enjoying your slice. Back to 0202, listening to any one of these songs by itself is a pleasure, but listening to them all in a row feels like working in data entry.
DJANGO DJANGO Glowing in the Dark Label Because Music Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating I once walked out of a Django Django concert because I was bored and tired, which is not the best way to start a positive review, but it’s the truth. They failed to inspire me and it was a school night, so I decided to go home to bed. I probably wouldn’t do that now. Glowing in the Dark has transferred me from a casual observer to a casual fan. It’s probably not their best album, but I feel they’ve given me enough material to sink my teeth into now, to at least stay up past my bedtime for.
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ACROSS 1. Announcement (12) 6. Abstain from alcohol (8) 8. Vehicle (3) 9. Lyric poem (3) 10. Deer; bachelor party (4) 12. Beginning (5) 13. Apparatus to hold art (5) 14. Silent performer (4) 16. Knot (3) 17. Converged (3) 18. A person meant for another (8) 21. Happen at the same time (12) DOWN 1. Field of study around psychological
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measurement (12) 2. Prompt (3) 3. Money (colloq.) (5) 4. Hot drink (3) 5. Vocabulary pertaining to specific study or community (12) 6. Smaller scaffolding structures (8) 7. Elvis song, ‘Are You ... Tonight’ (8) 10. Part of flower and brain (4) 11. Pure excitement (4) 15. Religion with Muhhamad (5) 19. Choose (3) 20. Dark viscous liquid made of carbon (3)
Trivial Trivia Words Cameron Anderson Photo Melody Mahoney Insta @melody_.ann Unjumble the following anagrams using their clues (in brackets)... 1. Old West Action (Actor and director) 2. Cool Cider (Animal)
3. Abusing Yeast (Singer) 4. Ethic Sentinel (Country) 5. Wireless Animal (Sportswoman) 6. Scrub Host Son (Easter treat)
7. Songs And An Underdog (Role-playing game) 8. Renown Dairy (2-time Oscar nominated actress) 9. Omega Toddler (Singer) 10. Frosting Holder (Movie)
Boats in a row. April 2021 The Beast 49
Gemini May 22-Jun 21 You need to address the hair situation around your ringot. The first step is acknowledging that there is a problem.
Scorpio Oct 24-Nov 22 Beware of anyone claiming to be a cryptocurrency specialist, which is basically the same as being a Queen of the Nile expert.
Cancer Jun 22-Jul 22 Take your friend’s dubious ‘family tragedy’ excuse seriously, because this time they’re actually not making it all up.
Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21 Try and accept the uncomfortable fact that you would have been better off by quitting work and going on the dole a year ago.
Visions Beardy from Hell
Leo Jul 23-Aug 22 There’s simply no excuse for being bored when you can argue with your partner about nothing for hours on end.
Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20 Underestimating the intelligence and ability of someone significantly younger than you is going to leave you looking like an idiot.
Aries Mar 21-Apr 20 Every P-plater is a shit driver there are no exceptions - and one of them is going to cost you an absolute fortune this month.
Virgo Aug 23-Sep 23 Sort out your own personal problems before turning your attention to global issues or no one will take you seriously.
Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19 Call out shit behaviour among your peers, because you never know when you’ll become the target of their vitriol.
Taurus Apr 21-May 21 Your so-called healthy homecooked meals have the nutritional equivalent of a Big Mac. It could be time to visit a dietician.
Libra Sep 24-Oct 23 Refreshing your wardrobe won’t mask the shocking way you’ve treated your body over the last six months.
Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20 Talk loudly and aggressively over people to ensure they benefit from the brilliant opinions and philosophies you have to share.
Star Signs
Trivial Trivia Solutions
1. Clint Eastwood 2. Crocodile 3. Guy Sebastian 4. Liechtenstein 5. Serena Williams 6. Hot Cross Buns 7. Dungeons and Dragons 8. Winona Ryder 9. Delta Goodrem 10. Lord of the Rings 1
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