Which of these go in the FOGO bin?

Raw or cooked

Fruit & vegetable scraps

? ?

Meat, bones & seafood

Plastic bags

? ?

?

Branches Grass Leaves & prunings Tissues & paper towel

Eggs & dairy products ? ?

? ? ? ? ?

Paper & cardboard

Large logs

Thank you for using FOGO. Together we have diverted more than 30,000 tonnes of organics from landfill

Your green lid FOGO bin is just for kitchen food scraps and garden waste.

YES - these can go in FOGO: Meat, bones and seafood, Raw or cooked leftover food, Eggs & dairy products, Fruit & vegetable scraps, Grass, Leaves, prunings and branches.

NO - these cannot go in your FOGO bin: Plastic bags, Pet waste, Paper & cardboard (Newspaper, brown paper and paper towels can only be used to line your caddy), Tissues and paper towel, Large logs

Scan for a comprehensive list of what goes in your FOGO bin

4. Don’t always trust your neighbours. They blab. So don’t blame the council for what your neighbours have said. We all wish life was like Ramsay Street, but it can be more like Elm Street.

5. With parking permits, deal with it, you do not own the road. Every year you may have to apply for one. Yes, you must show ID and registration papers. It’s your neighbours that wanted these.

6. When there is a fire alarm that is too noisy, please don’t call the council, call the fire brigade.

7. Please do not contact the council because a waste truck collected your rubbish from 5.30am. At least your rubbish does get collected.

8. Most of the world does not live like we do in the Eastern Beaches (Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra). We need to be grateful for how good we have it. Please stop complaining about the littlest things that mean nothing.

9. Please never park your car in a No Standing or No Stopping zone. Expect a fine if you do. Please don’t use victim mentality if you get a fine. If someone is having a baby, or having to park to control their children, the rangers have a right to book you.

10. The road rules that council’s rangers use are from Transport for NSW. They are not technically council rules.

11. Don’t get annoyed with the waiting time for your DA or other applications you may have lodged. Councils are finding it difficult to keep staff, due to the State Government offering a better salary and benefits, or having staff leave due to burn out. The pay structure seems to be from 2005. Most staff should be on at least $20,000 more for what they have to do.

So, local councils have a lot to do. But please help them by being courteous and helpful - not a hindrance. Please don’t expect the world. They do so much for you, even though you don’t often see it.

Thomas Cornwall Randwick

Birrell Street Cycle Lanes

Dear Beast - I am writing to express my outrage at Waverley Council having installed bike lanes using concrete bollards from Bronte Road down to Newland Street on busy Birrell Street, Bondi Junction.

These concrete bollards are placed at intervals of 1.8 metres from the pavement, meaning entering or exiting your vehicle now becomes a very dangerous exercise, especially if you are elderly or are parents with young children in the rear seats.

It is only a matter of time before a major accident occurs and Council will have blood on its hands!

Obviously the so called ‘brains trust’ haven’t put much thought into this planning and are merely pandering to the minority. Like my late father used to say, “Common sense is not very common.”

While we’re on the topic, where was the community consultation on this? On a more positive note, I have witnessed three cyclists using this bike lane in the past week.

Dale Jones Bondi Junction

You Ought to be Congratulated

I would like to congratulate the wonderful staff at the Prince of Wales Billington Centre. I had a small day surgery procedure in May, and they were all very kind and polite.

B. Willemsen Bondi

Homelessness

Dear Beastie - We all know how the community and governments come together when people are rendered homeless due to bushfires or flooding. Temporary spaces, generally community or public spaces, are quickly made available to provide shelter, and we are all proud of such efforts and praise our sense of community in hard times.

Yet, particularly in urban centres, we pass homeless folks sleeping in doorways and huddling against the cold, wind and rain while so many buildings remain empty over night. Many of these buidlings are schools or libraries that, with some effort on the part of our own communities, could provide proper shelter for the increasing numbers of our homeless. These are as much refugees as the refugees we see fleeing war zones across the planet. What about the corporate executives that spend a night in the streets to show their care and compassion with the homeless? How many of them work in buildings that remain empty at night?

Yes, it would take a lot of thought and effort to plan a way of opening up buildings at night and have them ‘restored’ again in the morning for their normal use. There are many factors to consider, but are we not capable of solving any associated problems or issues? This is an emergency situation that exists in our midst yet we so often walk by, feel sorry but do little. Let’s start with our local government public buildings and show the way. Corporate benefactors might follow.

Byron Comninos Bronte

Genetic Testing to Enforce Dog Poo Collection in Our Parks

Hi Beast - lots of poos in and around Bronte today. I picked up three in spots people are going to step in them, when walking my dog. Is it time for Council to bring in some mechanism to shift people’s behaviours? I’d be supportive of a Tel Aviv-style genetic test warning and fines system (visit www.theguardian.com and search ‘Tel Aviv Dog Poo’).

I would be happy for you to make an article or satire on this instead of a letter to the editor if it fits the magazine.

Reid Bondi

Putting Lives at Risk

Dear James - I am writing to draw urgent attention to the deplorable state of the roads in Bondi Beach, an issue that has been neglected for far too long. As a concerned resident and frequent user of these roads, I believe it is crucial to highlight the dire situation and the lack of accountability from our local and state governments.

Bondi Beach, an affluent area renowned for its natural beauty, vibrant community, and recreational activities, should also be known for its well-maintained infrastructure. Unfortunately, this is not the case. While the local and state governments continue to engage in a futile blame game regarding road repairs, our community suffers the consequences of their inaction.

To emphasise the gravity of the situation, I was recently struck by the remarks of a cab driver from Rwanda who commented on the appalling condition of our roads. It is disheartening that someone visiting our supposedly developed and prosperous neighbourhood would be astonished by the poor state of our infrastructure. The irony of our relative affluence juxtaposed with the state of our roads is indeed striking.

Despite being heavily taxed by all levels of government and being constantly bombarded with initiatives such as bike lanes and encouraged to adopt alternative transportation methods to alleviate traffic congestion, public safety is only mentioned when convenient for our various representatives’ next speech. The roads, with their potholes, cracks and crevices, have become perilous for all users, including cyclists.

Yesterday (May 30, 2023), on the corner of Curlewis and Wellington Streets in Bondi, I witnessed a distressing incident that further underscores the urgent need for road repairs. A cyclist, unfortunately, fell victim to a crevice in the road and suffered significant injuries. The impact of the fall resulted in the loss of at least one front tooth, profuse bleeding and a likely concussion at the very least. Prompt action from the paramedics of Hatzolah, who arrived within minutes, was crucial for the victim. It is crucial, however, to acknowledge that such an incident could have been fatal. And it would be because of inaction.

It is outrageous that no responsible authority has taken ownership of the deteriorating state of our roads. The lack of accountability is not only frustrating but also endangers the lives and well-being of our community members. We cannot stand idle while our roads resemble the surface of the moon, and everyone (that we pay!) passes the buck.

It is imperative that the focus be shifted from constructing new bike lanes to fixing our existing roads and ensuring the safety of all road users.

I implore you, as the editor of our local paper, to use your platform to shed light on this matter and rally support from the community. We need your help in amplifying our voices and holding all levels of government accountable. It is high time for a unified effort to rectify the state of our roads and ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I eagerly await your response and any assistance you can provide in addressing this critical issue.

Gary Bondi ¢

Please send your feedback to letters@thebeast.com.au and include your name and suburb. We try and publish as many as possible, but nothing too crazy please.

b o o k e d y o u r f l u s h o t y e t ?

n t o w i n t e r , f l u s e a s o n i s w e l l a n d t r u l y t h a n e v e r , i t ’ s i m p o r t a n t t o p r o t e c t o u r f a m i l y f r o m t h e i n f l u e n z a v i r u s e c t i o n f r o m i n f l u e n z a i s t o g e t a a c h y e a r . V a c c i n a t i o n i s a v a i l a b l e t o n t h s a n d o l d e r , a s l o n g a s t h e y d o n ’ t a l r e a s o n t h a t p r e v e n t s t h e m f r o m y h a v i n g a f l u s h o t , y o u a l s o h e l p t o a r o u n d y o u w h o a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y i t s l o w s t h e s p r e a d o f t h e v i r u s a l i s c u r r e n t l y o f f e r i n g f l u v a c c i n a t i o n s B o o k y o u r a p p o i n t m e n t t o d a y !

A p p o i n t m e n t s A v a i l a b l e : w w w b r o n t e m e d i c a l c o m P h : 0 2 9 3 8 9 4 4 2 2

Local Artist... Alan Jones from Coogee

Coogee artist Alan Jones is the talent behind this month’s moody cover painting of Coogee’s Dunningham Reserve. He shares his local favourites with The Beast...

How long have you lived here? We moved to Coogee from Bondi ten years ago. Once our son came along we needed a bigger place and we liked the Coogee family vibe. There’s a real sense of community here and we’ve met some great people.

What's your favourite beach? If I’m looking for waves I’ll head to Bondi. If I want to go snorkelling with the family then it’s definitely Coogee.

What's your favourite eatery? Brunch at Barzura and an early dinner at Four Frogs Creperie at The Spot never disappoint.

Where do you like to have a drink? I’m not much of a drinker, however the Coogee Wine Room always has that gorgeous, cozy feel. And it’s just across the road from Gusto, for my must-have morning coffee.

Best thing about the Eastern Suburbs? Living close to the beach during summer when the days are long. I typically get home from work at 6pm, in the water by 6.10pm for a quick swim, then home cooking dinner by 6.30pm. I love it!

How would you describe your art? My work is largely autobiographical; I like to paint people, places and things I have some personal connection to. This way my exhibitions can be read as a ‘visual diary’. Some people feel their own visual diary relates to mine, others simply like to come along for the ride.

Where can people see your work? The Olsen Gallery in Woollahra represent my work (www.olsengallery.com).

Who are your artistic inspirations? Inspiration for me comes from anyone who is willing to go out of their comfort zone and put their heart on their sleeve and have a go. Inspiration is all about having the right attitude.

What are you working on at the moment? I’m working on a series of small-scale landscape paintings that look at the area around Coopers Shoot in the Northern Rivers. It’s a special place I’ve been escaping to with my family over the last few years. The exhibition, Paintings from Coopers Shoot, will run from August 2-26 at Olsen Gallery, 63 Jersey Road, Woollahra.

When did you discover you had a gift for your craft? From around the age of nine. As a kid, drawing, creating characters from my imagination and making things out of wood was my happy place.

Any other local artists to look out for? Our good friend Laura Jones lives just up the road. Laura has been killing it in the studio. Her painting of actor Claudia Karvan was in this year’s Archibald Prize.

Did you study art? In 2000 I graduated from the National Art School (BFA), then in 2004 I worked in Paris on a Brett Whitely Travelling Art Scholarship.

Any words of wisdom for young aspiring artists? Have fun. Experiment. Explore everything. Be persistent. Be patient. Keep going.

Do you have a favourite sporting team? We follow the Swans. In 2014 I painted Adam Goodes’ portrait for the Archibald. That was definitely a career highlight.

What music are you into at the moment? I recently rediscovered the 1996 soundtrack to William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, directed by Baz Luhrmann. I forgot what a great soundtrack it is.

Who is your favourite person?

In 2022 I judged the Remagine Art Prize, and Professor Veena Sahajwalla (2022 NSW Australian of the Year) was our guest speaker at the opening. Listening to Veena talk about her work and achievements in recycling and the building industry was truly inspiring.

What do you get up to on the weekends? For the last few months I’ve been working every day preparing for my August exhibition. When I’m not working, the walk from Coogee to Bondi is definitely a massage for my soul.

What do you do for work? I work for myself as a visual artist. Art and ideas are my passion, and anyone who makes their living from their passion has the key to happiness. I’m also a parent. Both are full-time jobs!

Do you have a favourite quote?

“Every day is a school day.” I’m not sure who came up with this one first, but they were spot-on.

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast? Follow your passion, and be kind to your mum.

Counting Whales

Words Stephen Lightfoot, Convenor

One sunny Sunday in late June, a group of 80-odd Eastern Suburbs locals joined Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Eastern Sydney at the Kamay Botany Bay National Park to count whales. We were taking part in the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) whale census. Kingsford Smith MP Matt Thistlethwaite, Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker and Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos accompanied their constituents and, if you will forgive the pun, we all had a whale of a time.

It was a cracker of a day on the spectacular clifftops of Cape Banks and the whales didn’t disappoint, with about twenty humpbacks breaching and blowing their way past us on their long journey from the cold waters of Antartica to their breeding grounds in the warmer north.

The event was hosted by ACF to highlight the nature crisis facing our planet. ACF has been championing nature for over fifty years. It was formed when the whales we love to watch from the cliffs of our coastline here in the east were hunted in Australian waters, and one of our first successes as an environmental group was the Save the Whales campaign of the 1970s.

Now, more than ever, nature needs all of us to stand with ACF and fight for nature protection, because we are currently moving headlong into a wave of extinctions. The record on extinctions in this country is already appalling and habitat destruction, together with feral species impacts, are decimating Australian wildlife. This dire situation led Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to state last year, as she pledged to end extinctions, that “the need for action [on extinctions] has never been greater.”

ACF is building a network of people, communities and political leaders around the country who will champion nature. Local groups such as ACF Eastern Suburbs have adopted a local threatened species to champion - we have chosen the southern right whale. This magnificent creature can be seen off the coast at Malabar and Kamay but you have to be lucky.

The southern right whale gets its name from the unfortunate reality that is was the ‘right’ whale to hunt, mainly because of its slow swimming speed and high oil and baleen (bone) yields. Southern rights were almost hunted to extinction during the height of the whaling industry in Australia and the species is listed as threatened in NSW. Now it is making a very slow recovery, but you have to be fortunate to spot one off our coast in amongst the seemingly hundreds of humpbacks.

ACF seeks a better future where both nature and people thrive; a future where our kids and grandkids can spot a southern right whale off the coast from all of our local beaches. For this to happen we need strong laws to protect nature and we need to stop habitat destruction. We need our political leaders like Matt Thistlethwaite to stand with us and champion nature. There is a nature crisis and we need to do something about it, now.

Local Councils Say 'Yes'

Randwick Council has formally thrown its support behind the Yes campaign for constitutional change for an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament. Council’s position echoes the view of the La Perouse Aboriginal Land Council, who consulted with their local community and in May reached a position to support The Voice. Council will support the Land Council in running a local event and support the Yes campaign through communications campaigns including street banners and social media. Waverley Council announced its support for the Yes vote in October last year, with Woollahra Council confirming its support in March.

Inspiring Future Artists

‘To share and inspire local creativity’; that’s the mission of Emotive Agency’s The Alfreda Street Project. Alongside the mural commission on its Alfreda Street headquarters, Emotive have purchased a number of original works from artist Renny Pike, which are currently for sale with all proceeds going to Clovelly Public School’s new art space. As well as contributing financially towards the school, Emotive will be inspiring the kids with a creative workshop and art competition based on Renny’s colourful and free-forming character art. So, please loosen those purse strings for the future of our local creativity! To express your interest in any of the art, email hello@emotive.com.au.

Plenty of colour.

Game On - Seeking 50 households to play

Join 50 families competing together over three months to win great prizes, protect the environment and help prepare our community for climate change.

Spaces limited, so get in quick. To enter scan the QR Code or contact secondnature@waverley.nsw. gov au