De ce mb e r 2 0 2 0
BEAST The
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Another Year Rolls By Words James Hutton, Publisher Welcome to the December 2020 edition of The Beast, the monthly magazine for Sydney’s beaches of the east. We’re back to publishing a 68-page magazine for the first time since April, so it’s good to see some business confidence returning after a bloody challenging year. This month’s beautiful cover painting was created by Clovelly’s Geoff Taylor, who taught himself to paint with his left hand after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. We are honoured to feature Geoff’s work and grateful to his wife Barbara and their family for making it happen. We’ve got some important members of our local community writing in The Beast this month, including the regular
8 The Beast December 2020
contribution from our state member for Coogee, Marjorie O’Neill (Labor), and the federal member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma (Liberal). Dave Rogers, senior minister at St Luke’s Clovelly, has also penned a Christmas piece for our readers to reflect on. Everyone is welcome to share their views in this magazine, as long as you’re not a complete nutcase, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. As we head into silly season, please bear with our local councils as they try and maintain a COVID-safe environment during the busy period. It’s not going to be forever, so let’s tolerate the small inconveniences until it’s over. Thanks for reading, have an epic Christmas! 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
De ce m b e r 2 0 2 0 Issu e 1 9 1 8 9 10 12 18 39 40
Welcome Note Contents Pearls of Wisdom Monthly Mailbag Local News Beast Thumbs Local Artist
44 46 48 50 52 54 56
Jumping for summer, by Brody Vancers.
Tide Chart Kieran's Satire Police News Unreliable Guide Making Music Headnoise Marj's Musings
58 60 62 64 65 66 66
Local Photos Food Review Dana's Recipe Album Reviews Brainteasers Beardy from Hell Trivia Solutions
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A Christmas Prayer for Those in Need Words Pearl Bullivant Photo Daryl Maguire Part of Pearl’s role as self-appointed COVID-19 Ambassador is to provide pastoral care to the masses, but I have noticed during these troubling times that those most in need are the affluent and powerful who feel threatened by any form of economic equanimity. I know we are all struggling, but it has been a long time (ten years exactly) since Pearl asked readers to open their hearts and Glomesh purses to the rich, powerful and famous; people such as Sarah Ferguson’s financially strapped sister Jane and socialite Karen Upton-Baker, saddled with an $18 million mortgage. But 2020 is a world away from a carefree 2010. If former Married at First Sight ‘star’ Amanda Micallef (for whom ‘being a public figure is such a 10 The Beast December 2020
curse’) can raise $5,000 from her inane fans to fund a move from Victoria to Queensland, I’m sure readers can join me in praying for three people in need this Christmas... James Packer Poor Jamie, depressed and forced to give evidence via Skype to the Crown Casino inquiry from the luxury of his $200 million yacht, perking up his mood by converting five of his Crown Hotel apartments into a six-bedroom house with room for five cars - my heart bleeds. Pearl wants you to forget Australia’s mental health crisis, where young people are unable to afford adequate psychiatric care and medication, and face a five-week wait for a Headspace consult. Instead, Pearl (and the media) want you to reach out to
Kathy Jackson The former national secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU), whistle blower turned fraudster, turned bankrupt (when ordered to repay $1.5 million of union funds), turned darling of Tony Abbott, could be facing jail if found guilty of misappropriating $100,000 in union funds. Pearl must declare a vested interest in Kathy’s fate, having been on the HSU blacklist during the early 2000s (apparently a union dossier with my name on it lurks behind a toilet cistern in Randwick Hospital). There is something inherently wrong with a legal system where 80 per cent of Indigenous people found with small amounts of cannabis face the court system, but Kathy so far has escaped the clanger despite admitting to the misuse of union funds paid by the cleaners, porters and clerks. Let us pray for Kathy’s destiny. Gladys Berejiklian Poor G - what was she thinking, risking her career by canoodling with an unattractive and very dodgy Wagga Wagga MP named Daryl? Sheesh, next time choose someone sexy and slim with good hair. If Gladys had followed the trajectory of most lonely career women and adopted a real cat instead of a fat cat, ICAC would not be leering into her bedroom. Perhaps with the company of an animal she would have more sympathy for the koalas she is sacrificing to the wood chipper for her property developer friends. A moggy is on its way, Gladys, courtesy of Beast readers. Readers, thank you for showing compassion to the real needy. Have a wonderful Christmas.
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space, but they are doing little to nothing to eliminate their footprint in regards to single-use plastics and cigarette butts being flushed down the stormwater drains. Marina DeBris Coogee
The Beast's Monthly Mailbag Words The Wonderful People of the Eastern Suburbs PUNCH UP Hi James - We were disgusted to read Kieran Blake’s article in the November edition, titled ‘Safe Injecting Space Planned for Mackenzies Bay’. Sure, dogs pooping freely in the bay sucks, but what an awful way to write about it. And the accompanying photo and caption?! Shame on The Beast for publishing this. Words are powerful. Stigmatising language supports negative attitudes. It is distressing, marginalising and dehumanising, and leads to poor outcomes for everyone. People who use drugs deserve the same love and respect that we extend to our friends, family and community, because we guarantee that everyone knows someone who uses drugs. Articles like this only serve to make people feel ashamed and afraid to disclose or seek help if needed. It has been proven that safer injecting saves lives! Since the Kings Cross Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) opened in 2001, they have managed thousands of overdoses without a fatality. How dare you trivialise this vital public health service in the name of ‘satire’. We look forward to future content that is compassionate, better informed, and doesn’t punch down. Lizzie & Sarah Jane Clovelly
12 The Beast December 2020
POOR PENNY Hello James - First, let me send loving wishes in memory of Dan. I still think of him each time The Beast arrives, and of how brave he was. Turn to this November issue of The Beast’s Monthly Mail bag, page 14, and “Outraged Penny from Bronte” is complaining about an advertisement plastered on the back of a bus that “doesn’t belong in this century”. It offends her! Try and move forward from your bitter nook, Penny! Three men and one woman holding a ball “outrages you”?! A severe imbalance of power on an advertisement, on the back of a bus, for all to see... OMG! Does anything else vex you? Maybe you should start a page of your own somewhere, reporting such indecencies. “Penny’s painful pursuit purges pitiful posting propriety.” I wish you a day full of anything that does not offend, dear Penny. Francine Randwick MY COOGEE Bravo Mike Ougie on the article about Coogee Pavilion’s massive footprint, er, expansion request (Coogee Pavilion Proposes Privatisation of Public Space, The Beast, November 2020). As the article states, not only does the building already devour public
SOMETHING FISHY Randwick Council is currently waiving all application fees and footpath dining charges for businesses until June 30, 2021. That probably means that if the DA is approved for the Coogee Pavilion, it will not have to pay any usage fees for the public space until July next year. The usage fee for the whole Coogee Primary Zone is only $741 per square metre per year. The Pavilion would be paying the same rate to use that public space with absolute water views - and no passing traffic - for 18 hours a day, as a small restaurant at the top of busy Coogee Bay Road that is open for only 8 hours a day would pay. Something wrong here! Brian Coogee DOESN'T PASS THE PUB TEST The public furniture proposed in the DA excludes the possibility of use by a person who lives with disabilities. It’s difficult to assert that the proposal is in the public interest while ever that is the case. Gary Coogee OH, SWEET GLADYS Some might call Gladys’ school funding for her - no longer secret - former boyfriend’s electorate in Wagga Wagga outright corruption. Others might see it as classical Liberal Party criminality. Still, others might say it’s just Liberal Party pork barrelling - using government funds to win votes. Yet there is a term that evolutionary psychology calls SSS - sexual selection strategies, albeit SSS comes a bit late for the 50-year-old NSW Premier. Indeed, many of our
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prehistoric ancestors would have engaged in a little “food for hanky panky” exchange the hunter man returning with meat for his “hot date”. Going back to about 40,000 years ago, such exchanges also included Neanderthals, as most of us with European background carry up to 2 per cent Neanderthal DNA. This is nothing new, including the rather typical Liberal Party hypocrisy. Then again, as long as Murdoch’s formidable media monopoly machine can sell this party as standing for family values (secret lover) and law and order (school funding for sweet bedroom action), all is well in Murdochland. I am sure there are capable men in the Eastern Suburbs – not just in Wagga Wagga – who can measure up(!) to get their school better funding. Actually, come to think of it, isn’t it a shame that sweet Gladys had to use tax money to travel all the way to Wagga Wagga to see her boyfriend? What is wrong with men in Sydney? Thomas “Gigolo” Maguire Coogee TRAILER TRASH Hi - I have been living in North Bondi for a long time and I have always been a keen reader of The Beast. Since 2017 I’ve been staying in Hastings Parade, and since then there has been a boat trailer parked just in front of the building where I live. The boat has been there non-stop for not less than three years (but who really knows how long), and hasn’t been used or even moved a single time. I’ve seen the owner washing off the boat twice a year, maybe less. The problem is that the street is quite narrow (one way) and the trailer makes it difficult to get out of the driveway, depending on the size of the car parked on the opposite side of the road. Most of the time, it is a big inconvenience for me and all the others sharing the same driveway - which is two buildings of 6 units each and multiple cars passing through the driveway
14 The Beast December 2020
every single day. Sometimes, to get out of the driveway, we have to drive the wrong way down the road, risking an accident. Not to mention the scarcity of car spots in the area. I was told that in some areas of Sydney there is a time limit on boat street parking of 28 days, but unfortunately I did not find any information regarding my residential area, so I guess it does not apply here. Personally, I think that this behaviour should be an offence regardless of the area, and the offender should have the trailer towed and receive a hefty fine. The public land, particularly in busy cities, is not intended to be occupied by private vehicles indefinitely. Simon Baraglia North Bondi KEEP CUPS Just a reminder to The Beast readers: many cafes in the Eastern Suburbs are once again accepting reusable coffee cups after banning them during the height of the COVID outbreak. It’s time to once again ditch the takeaway cups! If you forget your reusable cup, then at the very least refuse the plastic lid. Paula South Coogee COMMERCIAL CREEP: AMALFI BEACH CLUB Dear Editor - I loathe the Amalfi Beach Club concept. The beach is our public space and its natural beauty should be protected. Keep the commercial creep off our sand. Merran Hughes North Bondi THE NIGHTINGALES This is a great interview with an interesting man (Harry Nightingale... Living Life in the Moment, The Beast, May 2013). I was born and raised in Ceylon and I think Harry’s father taught me to swim as a child. He was a trainer who wanted me and a couple of friends to come to Australia to train for the Olympics. My parents said no, as I was 12-years-
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOOS AT 11 O’CLOCK! By Vicky Edema, Bronte Last week I heard a pterodactyl-like screech Coming up from the gully, near Bronte Beach “Oh no!” I cried “It’s the raucous sound Of Channel-billed Cuckoos, they’ve landed in town!” Their calls drew closer, Pied Currawongs flew in I sensed a battle was about to begin. The cuckoos took cover in gumtrees near by As the Currawongs, like Kittyhawks, commanded the skies. Those birds were relentless in their attack As one flew in, another flew back. Next thing I knew, Noisy Miners arrived Like a squadron of spitfires they chirped, and they dived. The Currawongs’ nest was a short distance away The cuckoos withstood the noise and affray With their eyes on the prize, the male tried a distraction While the female moved closer to the coveted attraction. Above the discord I heard bird bodies collide “Knock those cuckoos off their perch! I’m on your side!” And I too clapped my hands, to give those cuckoos a scare No eggs will be laid, in nests around here! The determination and courage of the Bronte bird team Was a sight to behold, an amazing scene! Like our soldiers past, they were up for the fight And the pair of cuckoos eventually took flight. Forced to abandon their invasive play For the Currawongs and Miners, it was victory that day! And... HUGE thanks to them, and allied forces, I say!
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old at the time. My friend Margaret de Saram became an Olympic silver medallist. I wonder which years his dad went back to Ceylon to teach? He was a martinet and worked us very hard but we loved Mr Nightingale. Maggie Ceylon A BIG THANK YOU This morning I was coming out of Spotlight at Bondi Junction when I tripped and fell over an uneven pavement. I hit the pavement on my face and my wrist took the fall. Within seconds there were amazing people surrounding me. I was quite shaken up, but a lovely English family and two big young chaps all came to my assistance, even offering to get me an a Uber home when I said I was walking home to Coogee. Thank you for caring and assisting an embarrassed old girl. I want to say a big thank you to these caring people. Anonymous Coogee BRING BACK THE DUNNIES! Hi Beast - I am appalled that Waverley Council has not placed an accessible toilet at the Bondi Beach Pavilion renovations, which began in June 2020 and are predicted to continue for 18 months, especially as there were accessible toilets there prior to renovations. They have placed two male and two female temporary toilets, all up six or seven stairs, with no consideration for people with disabilities, the elderly and possibly parents with prams. Also, the Surfish Cafe continues to trade there, with no accessible toilet in close proximity. What is of huge concern is that when I called Waverley Council I was told it was only a temporary thing and that there are accessible toilets at Bondi Icebergs or close to North Bondi Surf Club. The customer service person was rude and argued the point. I then emailed Waverley Council and received the same response, but they also attached
16 The Beast December 2020
a map showing me where the North Bondi accessible toilet is. I asked them why they don’t make the able-bodied people use those toilets and place accessible temporary toilets near the pavilion, and received no response. I know that it is against the law for any new public building not to be fully accessible, and I am sure that there must be rules surrounding renovations of a usually accessible public building. I just feel for minority groups in our society and think that Waverley Council must do better for people who are already up against it every day of their lives. I would hope a temporary accessible toilet is added in front of the Pavilion renovations as soon as is possible, in addition to the four temporary toilets upstairs. It’s too far for people whose mobility is already compromised to get to the other toilets that were suggested, and why shouldn’t their lives be made a little easier, just like the able-bodied people, by having a toilet they can access in that vicinity too? Concerned Citizen North Bondi RANDOM DISCURSIVE Growing up here in the east we are born into a bubble, born and bred here without realising the effects this so-called social isolation has on our perspectives and attitudes towards misogyny. What characterises this social isolation, you might ask? What does being in this bubble imply? Both of these questions you’re asking yourself are extremely valid and help to gain a deeper insight into this discussion. This social isolation can be represented as a dome placed over the Eastern Suburbs - no one can come in, and no one goes out. Being in this bubble is all we know, causing us to become increasingly more ignorant to issues outside of this bubble. The perspectives outside of this culture are being ignored to an extent, however it may not be viewed in this manner, but more a way that other perspectives are
irrelevant. The way this culture of masculinity manifests is by symbolising itself through this echo chamber where prejudice and oppression are recycled and reinforced through the generations. There is no one, definitive version of masculinity that is shared among all young males in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. However, as an active member of this community, I am in a position to provide some sort of authentic insight into how young men think about themselves, each other and women. This is partly because I am one, and guilty of participating in these discussions surrounding women, whether it be in the surf or in Maccas at 2am after a night out. As a surfer, you are placed into this unknowingly hierarchical environment and, like any hierarchy, you have to work your way up the ranks. For some, this will never be possible, due to circumstances beyond the individual’s control. What seems to those outside of this bubble like a place of solitude and relaxation can often be the complete opposite. With the surfing community around the east being predominantly male dominated, the chats and ‘bants’ that take place in this environment are free of criticism from your fellow surfers and political correctness. It is seen as a place of safety in which ‘the boys’ have your back. To a certain degree it is an environment where what is said will never leave that place, and this can be a fundamental aspect of a surfer’s ‘escape’, this release in which they place utmost confidence to hold their deepest and darkest secrets. This idea of the surf safe haven stems from when surfing was first introduced into Sydney in 1915. From there the safe haven was born, and as each year went by, the sacredness became more and more important. It was so long ago we tend to forget how it even came to fruition. The typical ‘Aussie bloke’ is a stigma which has been well and truly
alive for generations. However, in this day and age, with all the controversial ‘political correctness’ and a growing awareness of inappropriateness regarding misogyny, there has to be an outlet for these attitudes and conversations. Young boys growing up around the east generally have everything on a silver platter, and if not very close. They take this privilege for granted. Then their views surrounding attitudes towards women are being labelled as inappropriate, which in a large majority of cases is true. Young Australian males are unknowingly presented with this stigma of being a ‘true blue Aussie’, and a large factor of this is attitudes towards women, going way back to when tapping a girl’s arse was a compliment. Despite women’s growing awareness of their own rights, along with a large feminist movement being present worldwide, young males still feel the need to have these inappropriate
beliefs. One of the main things fuelling this fire is the need to live up to previous generations and ‘fill their shoes’, and as mentioned before, to fulfil this idolised ‘Aussie bloke’ persona and the associated mannerisms. I can attest to this as I have caught myself doing just that. Being a 17-year-old male growing up in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, you are once again ‘trapped in this bubble’. Even with parents who are so aware of misogyny, racism and sexism, I have still engaged in these behaviours. Most young males do so, while still knowing that if these conversations were heard by women, they would be judged, frowned upon and - the worst thing for a teenager - lectured. So, this leaves us with the question of why? Why do these conversations, attitudes and behaviours still take place in such a politically correct society, an educated society that knows right from wrong? This question hasn’t been answered to this
day, and probably won’t be for generations to come. However, I can attempt to provide you with an answer. If males do not start to address these horrific sexist conversations taking place, nothing will change, although taking this leap of faith and ‘growing the balls’ to say something to ‘the boys’ could seem like you’re risking your place as ‘one of the boys’. I strongly feel this is partly the reason as to why these attitudes are not addressed. And who knows, there could be a multitude of ‘the boys’ thinking the same thing, all holding back due to this growing fear. So, if anything, these attitudes will keep being forced to be on the down-low, within a safe place like the surf. I’ll leave you with these questions: Why is this still such a large part of such an educated society, how do these attitudes remain, and when will they cease to exist, if ever? Finn Waverley
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Motorcycles only.
Riders Request Parking Reform Words Nicola Smith Photo Chloe Andrews As the number of cars per household and the size of said cars increases, scooters are becoming the popular choice for local residents tired of driving around aimlessly in search of a parking spot that often simply doesn’t exist. For a while there, councils’ approach to scooter riders unofficially acknowledged their contribution to the availability of parking spots. However, several frustrated letters from readers of The Beast in recent months have shown that this has changed, in Waverley at least. In our last two editions, we published letters from readers complaining that they had received fines for parking their scooters between cars in a metered zone without a valid ticket. They also explained that previously they were not being fined for this, whether that was the law or because Council was turning a blind eye. We suspect the reason for this sudden change to be the implementation of a pay by plate meter system in Waverley, requiring all vehicles to register rather than purchase a ticket to display on their vehicle. 18 The Beast December 2020
While anecdotal evidence suggests that, for whatever reason, these rules were not previously being enforced to the level they are now, the rules surrounding motorbike and scooter parking in metered areas in Waverley actually have not changed. A spokesperson from Waverley Council confirmed this. “Council’s policy has always been that all vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters, must pay for a valid parking session unless they are exempt by displaying a valid parking permit,” the spokesperson told The Beast. Waverley Council’s website also confirms that anyone parking a vehicle within the local government area must pay for the privilege. A recent change to the metering system has made it easier for scooter riders who previously had no way of securely displaying a paper ticket on their vehicle. From June 9 this year, Waverley Council has implemented a new ticketless pay by plate meter system, allowing motorbike and scooter riders to pay for metered parking and avoid a fine.
The introduction of this system is, however, arguably the reason that motorbikes are now being fined, as parking inspectors can no longer give scooters without a valid ticket the benefit of the doubt (scooter riders were previously arguing that the ticket had fallen off their vehicle or been nicked). Not too far from Waverley, however, City of Sydney Council offers free parking for scooters and motorbikes. “Motorcycle and scooter riders don’t need to pay at any of the parking meters in our local area, including central Sydney. Simply park as you usually would but remember to observe the time restrictions,” its website states. One Beast reader, Rory from Bronte, wrote in to say that he had previously asked Waverley Council if they would implement a similar policy for Waverley, given that in 2018 motorbikes and scooters made up 10.3 per cent of total registrations within the municipality. The policy had not changed at the time of writing, but Council explained that it does endeavour to be fair in its parking policy. “Council appreciates that access to parking is a major issue in our LGA and we want to be able to provide a fair system for parking for people, driving to their local shops and appointments,” the spokesperson said. The Beast would argue that a fair parking policy - one that encouraged more people to ride scooters and motorbikes - would at the very least offer some concession for vehicles that are around a tenth of the size of a car. Currently, the price of parking, as well as the fines, are exactly the same. We’ve heard whispers that options are being investigated, but until then it seems that scooter riders will need to just cop it.
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Thirteen Years of Christmas Presents for Sick Kids Words Nicola Smith Photo Barbie Queue The team behind the Forever Johnno fundraiser will be holding their annual Christmas Presents for Sick Kids event at the Coogee Bay Hotel on December 13. Christmas Presents for Sick Kids, organised by Coogee local Mal Ward, has now been running for thirteen years. As with many things in 2020, there was some doubt over whether the drive would be possible with COVID-19, but Mr Ward said he was encouraged to run it because sick kids had a harder year than most. “I asked a nurse at the hospital whether they’d still want to do it with the pandemic, and she said, ‘There’s still going to be Christmas, still going to be sick kids.’ It makes me even more determined, to tell you the truth,” Mr Ward said. 20 The Beast December 2020
Mr Ward told The Beast that part of the success of the drive is the connection to the local community. “I think people like it because they know how it works, they see me collecting it, and then they see me delivering [the gifts] to the hospital, and they know it’s really going to kids in the hospital,” he explained. Mr Ward is also the organiser of the Forever Johnno fundraiser that ran this year in September in honour of his late son, John Anders Ward. Mr Ward hoped to raise $21,000 in the year that would’ve been Johnno’s 21st birthday. Despite all the restrictions, the campaign received over $31,000 in donations. “It was great to see there were people we know who were suffering under COVID
who have donated; sometimes people who have the least are the ones who give the most, it’s amazing,” Mr Ward said. Community spirit is also growing the present drive, with local organisation Santa by the Surf coming on board to collect presents for a second year. Sophie Matson, the coordinator of Santa by the Surf, which runs Santa events for kids at local surf clubs, said that the collection of gifts for sick kids was now an important part of her event. “Families were so generous, and seeing children give presents to Santa for the sick children was so heart-warming. The best bit was dropping them off at the event last year and seeing so many people come together for this charity and the huge amount of generosity within the community,” Ms Matson told The Beast. Santa by the Surf will run at North Bondi and Bronte surf clubs this year. Over its thirteen year history, the Christmas Presents for Sick Kids campaign has grown into something that not only provides every child in the Westmead and Sydney Children's Hospital with Christmas gifts, but also supports their parents and siblings at a very difficult time. It’s also a great event for the countless Eastern Suburbs families who come along on the day to donate or wrap gifts. “As time goes on and you reflect more, I think to myself, ‘What if I’d done nothing and said, well my son’s died, and that’s it?’ When you think about how many people know his story now and how many lives have been made better through his legacy, it makes me proud,” Mr Ward said. You can join in the fun on December 13 at Coogee Bay Hotel’s Sea View room from 1pm or drop a gift off at a Santa by the Surf event.
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Cheap, cheap.
Affordable Housing Doesn’t Come Cheap Words Duncan Horscroft Photos Greg Bird Bondi identity Phil Leadley is leading the fight to stop the development of three heritage bungalows in Edward Street by artist Ken Done’s Cadmium Property company under the guise of affordable housing. The bungalows initially housed eight people, but the proposal to convert these into a “boarding house” complex comprising 37 “micro units” has local residents fuming. Around one hundred objections have already been filed with Waverley Council, but Cadmium seems oblivious to the uproar and applied for the matter to be heard by the Land and Environment Court. Phil and local residents are concerned the development will eventually play host to holiday rentals, or even a backpacker’s hostel, and will seriously impact the local neighbourhood. “I’ve lived in this area for over 40 years and it has always been family friendly with plenty of trees and green space, but this outrageous proposal will knock out existing trees and gardens and turn it into a concrete jungle, which goes against Waverley Council’s edict of maintaining green space within 22 The Beast December 2020
the municipality,” Phil said. “It (the development) should be in Pitt Street, not a suburban neighbourhood,” he said. The main issue is that properties developed under the affordable housing banner are simply not delivering the goods, with many units already in existence in both Randwick and Waverley municipalities advertising at-market prices. How can small self-contained studio-apartments possibly be affordable with rents of up to $500 a week? The financial returns are favourable to the developers, with returns of more than 10 per cent on investment, but not those in need. Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said Council has been at the forefront to change the existing Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (ARHSEPP). “The objectives of the policy to increase affordable housing supply are laudable, as this issue is one of the most commonly raised by our community,” she said. “However, the policy achieves its aims by permitting developers to construct additional floor space beyond that permitted by the Council’s LEP (Local Envi-
ronment Plans) in return for the provision of affordable housing.” “Research has found that boarding houses delivered under the New South Wales government planning control are not actually affordable and not required to be rented at an affordable rate.” “Furthermore, Waverley Council has advised the New South Wales government that in areas with floor space ratio controls, such as Edward Street, the 0.5:1 bonus effectively doubles the allowable floor space and can contribute to excessive bulk and scale of boarding house development.” Cr Masselos said Council supported a proposed change by the state government to reduce the extra floor space bonus developers are receiving and to mandate that they be affordable. “We recognise that increasing housing stress caused by the loss of affordable housing has detrimental ramifications such as the displacement of longterm residents in gentrifying areas, loss of cultural and social diversity and key workers struggling to afford housing costs proportionally to low incomes.” One local boutique property developer (who asked to remain anonymous) told The Beast he was outraged at how some people in his industry took advantage of loopholes to make a lot of money and have no concern whatsoever for the local communities. “Some of us adhere to the rules and face strict guidelines to get our proposals accepted and completed. This doesn’t appear to be the case when it comes to so-called affordable accommodation,” he said. “Why are so many of these constructions appearing around the beaches and not in the Western Suburbs? Because in the long run, these developments will be off-sold for a tidy profit.”
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Waverley College, what have you done?
Waterford Preschool Parents Left Stranded by Closure Words Nicola Smith Photo Mel Archer Despite numerous attempts by the community to save it, Waterford Preschool on Henrietta Street, Waverley, will be closing for good at the end of 2020. The preschool has been running in the same location for fifty years. Waverley College, the owners of the privately run preschool, announced its closure in September, citing aims to use the space for the mental wellbeing of its older students. In a statement from the college, a spokesperson said that the decision was made in line with the school’s broader aims. “Due to limitations with heritage listings, a greater need for space and to cater for an increased focus on our wellbeing programs and learning spaces, the difficult decision to repurpose the preschool space was made,” the spokesperson told The Beast. 24 The Beast December 2020
While many parents acknowledge that this is a good use of the space, there was concern over the lack of community consultation in the decisionmaking process. Alicia Caplice, a parent at Waterford Preschool, said she understands the school’s motivations but disagrees with its methods. “They need the space and say it’s for the mental health of their students, and we applaud that,” Ms Caplice explained to The Beast, “but we just wanted the time to work out another option for our kids and this great institution.” Many parents have also been left stranded trying to find options for their children next year, with some parents facing no other choice but to enrol their children into primary school a year early.
Ms Caplice shared this sentiment, explaining that most parents have been unable to find a place for their children in 2021 due to long waiting lists at similar preschools. “I called a few local preschools and they just laughed at me. There’s no hope for kids getting in next year,” she lamented. Waterford was a special preschool because it did not use waiting lists but rather took enrolments after children turned two. It also catered for children with special needs and was often recommended to parents by staff at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Because of these practices, parents tried to lobby to keep the school open or find a new home, but ultimately there was insufficient time before the end of the school year. One source told The Beast that 90 per cent of current parents had said they would come on board if the preschool found a new location. Julie Jensen, another Waterford parent, said that the legacy of the preschool would lie in the dedication of its staff. “We go to the school because of the staff, they go above and beyond and the kids get such a good baseline of what it means to be a great human being from them,” Ms Jensen told The Beast. Waverley College’s decision is yet another blow to community short day preschools in the Eastern Suburbs, with Kanga’s House at UNSW and another preschool in Dover Heights having also closed this year. After fifty years, Waterford has left a legacy with many Eastern Suburbs residents. If you have any memories of Waterford, or would like to rant about the community preschool situation, please send an email to letters@thebeast.com.au.
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Gully Days ripping in at Factory Theatre.
Local Musicians Call for Government to Save Our Stages Words Nicola Smith Photo Paul McMillan Music venues in the Eastern Suburbs are joining with venues across New South Wales to call for government support to counter the effects of Coronavirus restrictions. The Roundhouse in Kensington and Spring Street Social in Bondi Junction are among 61 independent live music venues that have launched the Save Our Stages online petition. The campaign hopes to lobby the New South Wales government to provide immediate support to save the state’s live music industry. The venues are calling on the government to work with MusicNSW and industry representatives to put together a stimulus package that will ensure the ongoing survival of live music venues. The Victorian and Queensland governments have already pledged similar packages. While many venues have been able to re-open with the 26 The Beast December 2020
easing of restrictions and hold shows under new social distancing regulations, business owners are concerned that the current model is not viable long-term without government support. The Oxford Art Factory, a popular live music venue in Paddington, can only run at a capacity of 20 per cent under the current social distancing restrictions. Oxford Art Factory CEO Mark Gerber told The Beast that these restrictions are not sustainable. “Until we can get to a point of 70 per cent, rather than 20 per cent capacity, Oxford Art Factory is going to be in a position where we don’t know if we can last. It’s not like it’s an industry that’s going back to normal, it’s an industry walking with crutches. If you take that crutch away we might fall over,” he explained. The sudden imposition of lockdown laws in April left
live music venues scrambling for ways to stay afloat. Bondi Junction’s Spring Street Social offered roast dinners for home delivery during lockdown to help keep their doors open. Now that restrictions are easing across the state, many live music venues see themselves as being able to offer crucial resources for the recovery from COVID lockdowns. Tyla Dombroski, co-owner of Crowbar Sydney, said that live music is a key part of rebuilding the community. “Live music venues help to bring people together and provide an essential space for music, culture, and community to flourish. We must do everything we can to protect and save our local venues before they disappear forever,” Ms Dombroski said. Mr Gerber believes live music is also a profitable part of a post-COVID economic recovery. “We’re going to be needed not just for a social recovery but also the economic recovery. We can play a huge role in the recovery in a healthy and productive way. The old is not there anymore, and we need to start thinking of new ways of going forward, and the creative space is a great way of finding those new ways forward,” he told The Beast. Government support will not only provide short-term relief for those already in the industry, but also regenerate the industry for future generations. “If it’s done right and we do recognise the value of live music in New South Wales, it can be great. We have an incredible pool of talent here, and creatives. We should endeavour to make live music a main industry and it should be funded by the government and recognised as such,” Mr Gerber said. To find out more, please visit www.sosnsw.org.
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Fighting for Aged Care Words Nicola Smith Photo Kristin Davis Maroubra nurse Corey Sclater has won the 2020 Champions for Change award at Prince of Wales Hospital for a new system of forms that aid in the handover of nurses’ shifts. Mr Sclater introduced the Safe Clinical Handover improvement project in the Prince of Wales aged care ward in his first six months as a registered nurse. In the aged care ward, incidents like pressure injuries, falls and infections caused by cannulas that have been left in too long can result from poor communication of patients’ information when nurses change shifts. Mr Sclater’s new handover sheet template has already been shown to reduce these kinds of injuries by around 30 per cent. “The handover sheet is meant as a prompting tool, but if 28 The Beast December 2020
there’s more information on it, it means nurses are more likely to remember things that need to be checked. In a tense and stressful environment, it’s so important to have a safeguard in place, so you don’t forget things,” Mr Sclater told The Beast. In addition to creating the new handover sheets, Mr Sclater was also responsible for training other more experienced nurses in his new systems and creating visual media to communicate new procedures throughout the ward. Handover procedures are necessary for all hospitals to ensure relevant care is given to patients when one nurse finishes a shift and the next nurse begins, but the handover processes for the aged care ward hadn’t been updated in over twenty years.
“What’s the use of having it if it’s not updated or giving a helpful depth of information? There’s a real stigma around working in aged care, but it’s just as important as the ICU or other wards that have their procedures updated regularly,” Mr Sclater told The Beast. Mr Sclater hopes that the ongoing Royal Commission into aged care will help bring attention to the stigma around working in the sector amongst health professionals and hopes that more healthcare workers will see aged care as a meaningful sector to work in. “There is so much to learn working in aged care. It’s not just menial tasks; you learn amazing coping skills and time management strategies that serve you really well across your whole career," Mr Sclater explained. Mr Sclater graduated from the Australian Catholic University in 2019. In the future, he hopes to go to medical school and become a geriatrician, a doctor who specialises in aged care. In the meantime, however, his award-winning protocols are being implemented in other wards throughout the hospital and beyond. “I’d like to promote this system throughout the hospital district and up to all of New South Wales Health,” Mr Sclater told The Beast. He hopes this will help many more nurses to work well while coping with the pressures of the job. “Nurses do everyone’s job a bit and then do their own. Without good systems in place you get jagged care rather than continuous care that really makes a difference in the quality of life,” he said. Mr Sclater is also one of three finalists for the New South Wales Graduate Nurse of the Year.
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Hear them roar.
40 Years of Women in Surf Life Saving Words Nicola Smith Photo Tim Read Bondi Surf Club is celebrating 40 years of women being part of surf life saving this year. The club welcomed four female bronze medallionists to its ranks in 1980 and celebrated the milestone on October 19 with a women’s champagne breakfast. One of the original four bronze medallionists, Susan Murray, remembers women being pushed to the side in their first season. “I was 17 turning 18 at the time, and we just weren’t seen to have the skills to save people, so we were mostly kept up in the radio tower when we were on patrol,” she explained to The Beast. Another bronze medallionist, Sue McIlvray, remembers the women having to fight to prove themselves to the male club members. 30 The Beast December 2020
“We had to go out into seas where you thought, ‘I’m going to die’, but the guys would be standing on the beach saying, ‘You girls can’t do it’, so out we went,” Ms McIlvray said. As with many moments of change, some club members weren’t pleased with what was let go to welcome women into the club. “The guys had to give up a bit of their space so we had somewhere to get changed, and the old boys weren’t happy about that,” Ms Murray told The Beast. Plans to create equally sized change rooms for men and women at the clubhouse in the next renovation show just how far the club has come in accommodating women since the original four trained. The club now consists of 40 per cent women and has female
patrol vice captains and inflatable rescue boat captains, as well as a female director of education and director of surf sports. Catherine Rich, a current patrol vice captain at Bondi who participated through nippers, feels that women have come into their own in the club and believes that having a strong presence of women helps the club to function better as it serves the community. “On Bondi in summer, you have so many lost children, for example, who are more likely to talk to and feel safer with a female lifesaver. It’s just about having a diverse range of options to serve the dynamic range of people who come to Bondi Beach,” she explained. Today, the women in the club are a world away from being stuck in the radio room, with six of the twelve major awards won by the club in 2020 going to women and two out of three gold medallions awarded going to women. Club President Brent Jackson, who joined the club in the early nineties, said he realises now how hard the first wave of women worked. “I came at a time when women were first getting a foothold in the club, and we didn’t think about it this way as guys, but they really were pioneers who had to work very hard and were quite isolated and alone,” he said. While most of the original four girls didn’t stay with the club longer than the first season, Ms Murray said that she now sees how their efforts paved the way for the thousands of women who joined surf lifesaving after them. “I’m a shy person, I’m not out there campaigning for women’s rights, but just by doing the bronze medallion, it definitely started something,” Ms Murray said.
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Changing the World, One Bean at a Time Words Nicola Smith Photo Keiran Stone While many of us were slothing on the couch care of Job Keeper, Coogee Local Nathan Stone spent the COVID-19 lockdown walking on a human-sized hamster wheel to raise awareness about sustainable coffee. The coffee lover spent 22 days walking, working and sleeping on the homemade wheel, live streaming it across the internet. “I originally only planned to spend three or four days on the wheel,” Mr Stone told The Beast, “but I’d always said, ‘I’m going to keep going until people care about sustainable coffee or until my body breaks down’.” Mr Stone’s friends and family delivered supplies and meals to him daily as he walked on the wheel that was housed in a coffee roastery near Maroubra Beach. 32 The Beast December 2020
As he walked, the wheel ground coffee beans in a small hand grinder that was attached to its base. The hamster wheel marathon was part of an Indiegogo campaign to fund Mr Stone’s startup coffee company - Community Bean. Throughout the 22 days on the hamster wheel, Mr Stone raised enough money through pre-selling coffee to launch his business with all the sustainable elements he had hoped to implement. “This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had putting together a business,” Mr Stone explained. “There’s charity involvement, sustainability and coffee, so it ticks all the boxes for me.” The concept behind Community Bean is sourcing ethical
coffee beans that are roasted and sold locally, with $2 from every kilo sold donated to local charities. The three blends currently on offer reflect the charities that are supported, the ‘Fair and full-bodied blend’ supports the health charity Fair Game, ‘Banks blend’ supports Food Bank Australia, and ‘Nemo’s nectar’ supports Take 3 for the Sea. Having helped build the Sydney branch of Fair Game, Mr Stone was passionate about creating a company that gave back to the community and felt that his ambition meant sustainability had to be a part of the business model from the beginning. “It didn’t make sense for it to be community-oriented but not sustainable, because that would be hurting a community somewhere else,” Mr Stone told The Beast. The beans are either Rainforest Alliance Certified or sourced directly from a sustainable farm. “We source one variety of our coffee from a lovely guy called Carlos at San Ragael farm in Columbia, and we can make sure that they’re investing in sustainable farming practices and paying their people correctly,” Mr Stone explained. Community Bean also packs their coffee in home compostable packaging and uses carbon neutral courier service Sendle. Mr Stone doesn’t want to stop at just selling coffee beans though. His vision for the future is a self-contained social enterprise café where locals can buy coffee in reusable containers and drop off grounds for composting. Profits from the café, rather than going to charities, would go to fund local community groups and after school care programs in the area. With a vision like this, maybe sustainable coffee really can change the world.
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December 2020 The Beast 33
No thanks.
Why I’m Saying No to Offshore Drilling Words Dave Sharma, Member for Wentworth Photo Bear Drills Australia is an oceans superpower. We have the third largest exclusive economic zone in the world, some 10 million square kilometres - even larger than our landmass of 7.7 million square kilometres. In Sydney’s east, we are fortunate to be custodians of some of the world’s most pristine coastline, with beaches and bays that people travel from around the world to visit. This gives us a unique responsibility to protect the health of the world’s oceans. But our oceans are under pressure: from neglect, from overfishing, from pollution and from climate change. One such threat is the petroleum exploration permit 11 licence, more commonly known as PEP-11. This licence allows oil and gas companies to drill for fossil fuels off a 4,500 kilometre stretch of our coastline, all the way from Newcastle to Manly. This area is one of the 36 The Beast December 2020
most densely populated and trafficked strips of ocean in the world. It’s also one of the most beautiful and most iconic. It’s been 16 long years since PEP-11 was approved, and yet no useful data has been uncovered to warrant its approval, and no useful discovery has been made. As we learn more about the impacts of climate change, the risk, worry and lack of benefit PEP-11 poses only increases. An extension of PEP-11 is due to be considered in 2021, and last month I spoke against this proposal in Parliament. It is simply indefensible for this licence to be continuously renewed, creating uncertainty for our community. I am proud of our efforts to protect our oceans and have faith that both the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments will make the right decision on this issue. It was a coalition government that helped the Great Barrier Reef
win World Heritage status in 1981, and it was a coalition government that expanded no-take zones to increase from five per cent to 33 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. We have introduced the Reef 2050 plan to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef in the face of a changing climate. We have created the $100 million Environment Restoration Fund to clean our oceans and waterways and protect threatened migratory species. We are spearheading efforts to get more plastics out of the ocean, including in cooperation with our neighbouring countries in the Pacific. With the passing of the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill, we are prohibiting the exportation of waste from Australia, undoubtedly reducing the amount of marine debris in our oceans. There is always more to do and we must work harder to reduce our emissions and tackle climate change. While PEP 11 is a joint decision of the New South Wales and Commonwealth governments, I will continue to voice my opposition and that of my community of Wentworth in both jurisdictions. This is a clear issue where times and values have changed, and where what might’ve been acceptable ten years ago is no longer acceptable. If you live here, take the ferry to work, volunteer at one of our surf clubs, take the kids to Nippers, have a swim or a surf in the morning or at the end of the day, or regularly do one of our amazing coastal walks like the Bondi to Bronte or Hermitage Foreshore walk, then you have a stake in stopping PEP-11. I am running a petition to present to the Environment Minister on this issue and I urge you to sign by visiting www.bit.ly/stoppep11.
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Unexpected Kindness for an Unexpected Christmas Words and Photo Dave Rogers For such a ‘slow’ year, it feels like Christmas is approaching pretty fast. The magical appearance of Christmas decorations in Westfield from October used to irk me as crass commercialism, but this year I’m finding it strangely comforting. But even though the rush to Christmas feels familiar, this year won’t be the Christmas we’ve come to expect each December. State border closures and pricey airfares might mean the family Christmas lunch takes place on Zoom (pants optional), or that gift for your sister in Adelaide will arrive just in time for Australia Day. Most work Christmas parties will be muted or cancelled, and I don’t think many of our friends will be heading home to the UK this year. And there won’t be any Christmas crowds, with Coogee Carols and Coogee Sparkles now cancelled as a precaution. The giant Clovelly Street Party 38 The Beast December 2020
that our church hosts every year for our community is off too, but at least we have a date for 2021. This year, COVID-19 really is the Christmas grinch. Which is why the predictable arrival of Christmas trees and schmaltzy Muzak at Westfield Bondi Junction seems comforting this year. Even in a pandemic, Christmas still rolls around. It’s a welcome interruption to the monotony of daily case reports (here’s hoping for another ‘zero’) or the anxiety of new venue alerts (why does Westfield Bondi Junction have to be on the list again?!) Maybe in this, ahem, ‘unprecedented’ year we might find ourselves more grateful than ever come Christmas. Even if we lost Origin one, New South Wales is number one out of all the places in the world I’d like to be right now. Perhaps we can meet this unexpected Christmas with
unexpected kindness. This year our church is collecting for food and toy hampers to provide for families in need. Maybe you could invite a neighbour or student for Christmas lunch who’d otherwise be on their own, send a thank you to someone who can’t afford not to work on Christmas Day, or donate to one of the charities seeking to #endcovidforall - not just for those of us blessed to call Australia home. Of course, the first Christmas was unexpected from the beginning. Into a world burdened under the brutality of the Roman Empire and the crushing demands of religion, the face of hope wasn’t a new calendar year or a new president, but a newborn. A baby boy, born to an unwed mother, in a backwater town, with smelly shepherds for his first visitors and a family that were soon refugees in a foreign land. But what no one ever expected was what Christians celebrate as the ultimate good news: that God loved us all in spite of all our faults and still sent his Son to save us all. It certainly wasn’t expected - a God who loved humanity was unheard of in the pagan world - but the message of Christmas has been a welcome interruption for over two thousand years now. It’s a message of joy to a world still troubled by plagues and poverty. It’s a message of peace in a world increasingly divided and distanced. It’s a message of God’s love that we didn’t expect and don’t deserve. So, even if this year is an unexpected Christmas, we can still celebrate with unexpected kindness. Dave Rogers is the senior minister of St Luke’s, Clovelly (clovelly.org.au).
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DEPOPULATION Being able to consistently find a car park in my street, much cheaper rent, fewer people at the beach and in the surf... I could really get used to this. MOZZIE NETS A cheap and effective way to outsmart the blood thirsty little beasts and feel like you’re relaxing on holiday in Southeast Asia at the same time.
THUMBS DOWN SORE LOSERS Trump’s refusal to concede defeat in what ended up being a genuine flogging will go down as one of the most childish displays of bad sportsmanship in history. INCONSISTENCY We’re big supporters of the lockdown measures, but banning dancing in bars when 40,000 people were packed into a stadium for the footy final is a bit unfair. THE MURDOCH PRESS Kevin Rudd is a tosser, but The Beast supports his push for a Royal Commission into the Murdoch media. WINTER LAYERS A couple of sedentary months with virtually no waves and a big batch of mum’s choc chip cookies have gone straight to the love handles.
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Doing what he enjoys.
Local Artist: Geoff Taylor from Clovelly Interview James Hutton Photo Barbara Taylor Clovelly artist Geoff Taylor enjoys painting and drawing and has done several works featuring our local area. Geoff was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in October 2018 and has since lost the use of his right hand and arm, but has somehow managed to teach himself to paint and draw with his left hand. Geoff actually painted this month’s beautiful cover image with his left hand, and we are grateful for the opportunity to showcase his work.
What's your favourite beach? Probably Coogee, for the swim across the bay or out to Wedding Cake Island. I swam with Randwick & Coogee Amateur Swimming Club at Wylies Baths since the early 1990s and with Coogee Penguins Winter Swimming Club for many years. I used to love bodyboarding at Bronte, and Gordons Bay is a great place for a swim.
How long have you lived here? My wife Barb and I moved to our semi in Clifton Road, Clovelly in 1985 and have been here ever since.
What's your favourite eatery? I have Motor Neurone Disease and cannot swallow, so I am fed via a tube directly into my stomach, but before I got sick we enjoyed going to Pizzavelly and Wet Paint. Pinto Thai was my favourite for takeaway.
Why do you live here? I like to be near the ocean. Clovelly is a relatively quiet place, but still close to everything.
Where do you like to have a drink? Again, MND means I can’t swallow, but before COVID-19 we loved going to Starfish
40 The Beast December 2020
Club at the Clovelly Bowling Club each month for great live music. When I could drink I enjoyed their Reschs on tap. Best and worst thing about the Eastern Suburbs? It’s a shame there are so many cars, but I support the idea of the pop-up pedal park in the Clovelly Beach car park, and widening the footpath on Coogee Bay Road was an improvement. It’d be better if it was just pedestrianised. How would you describe your art? My art is quite varied. The main groups are Jackson Pollock style, with paint splashed onto the canvas; wood cut outs - as far as I know, no one else does this kind of thing - where I get a sheet of particle board and jigsaw out pieces so the overall shape is understandable, then I varnish the timber; dot
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paintings, inspired by Australian aboriginal dot painting techniques; watercolours; and pencil and ink sketches. Where can people see your work? I had an exhibition at Clovelly Bowling Club where most of my works were sold and a further eleven commissioned. I’m putting the finishing touches on the eleventh commission. All money raised went to the Motor Neuron Disease Association of NSW (www.mndnsw.asn.au).
water so it sees water, and the other sees another swimmer, cliff faces and ocean surface.
ing and painting. Nick Hollo is well-known for his distinctive oil pastels of the local coast.
Do you have any exhibitions coming up? Unfortunately my health is deteriorating fast so I am not up to producing many further works once the commissioned work is complete.
Did you study art? I never studied art formally and I don’t regret it. Art is something I do for my own enjoyment; I do what I want when I want. Over the years I’ve been to a number of evening classes for drawing, painting and sculpture, and I started going to a weekly painting class in The Rocks.
Who are your artistic inspirations? There are many, but the more famous include Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Jackson Pollock.
When did you discover you had a gift for your craft? I never thought of it as a gift, it was just something I enjoyed doing. When I was at school I would do sculptures or carve pieces of wood while watching TV. After I left school I’d often have a sketch pad with me. I did my first wood cut in my early teens.
What are you working on at the moment? I’m working on my last commission from the exhibition. It’s an acrylic painting of an ocean swimmer’s view. One of the swimmer’s eyes is in the
Any other local artists to look out for? A very good friend, Melissa Becker, is a talented Coogee-based professional artist, painter and printmaker. She has taught me a lot about draw-
42 The Beast December 2020
Any words of wisdom for young aspiring artists? Do it because you enjoy it; the more you do the better you will get. If you see something you like, try to sketch it, emphasising the things you like. The sketch is only for you so it can be rough, it just needs to remind you of something you liked. You may never look at it again, but sketching forces you to look at the work in detail and helps you learn a lot from it.
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December 2020 Tide Chart Numbers Bureau of Meteorology Tidal Centre Photo Alan Wang Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
2 0337 1009 1648 2245
0.54 1.78 0.38 1.30
3 0415 1047 1730 2329
0.57 1.78 0.40 1.27
•
9 0410 0955 1607 2243
1.38 0.66 1.55 0.39
10 0507 1108 1714 2334
1.50 0.58 1.53 0.36
•
16 0338 1013 1658 2257
0.43 2.01 0.20 1.38
17 0428 1100 1748 2348
0.49 1.95 0.25 1.34
•
24 0505 1114 1705 2318
1.40 0.75 1.28 0.57
31 0318 0951 1633 2229
0.53 1.84 0.34 1.32
1 0302 0932 1609 2204
0.51 1.77 0.39 1.33
7 0205 0734 1358 2053
1.25 0.69 1.62 0.44
8 0308 0842 1500 2149
1.30 0.69 1.58 0.42
14 0200 0833 1514 2110
0.36 1.97 0.20 1.46
15 0249 0923 1606 2204
0.39 2.01 0.18 1.42
21 0224 0755 1411 2101
1.27 0.73 1.49 0.53
22 0318 0857 1504 2147
1.29 0.77 1.39 0.56
23 0413 1004 1603 2233
1.33 0.78 1.32 0.57
28 0122 0756 1437 2026
0.55 1.69 0.46 1.29
29 0200 0833 1515 2107
0.54 1.76 0.41 1.30
30 0239 0912 1554 2147
0.53 1.80 0.37 1.31
Purple Coogee.
•
Friday
Saturday
4 0457 0.60 1129 1.75 1815 0.42
5 0015 1.25 0542 0.64 1213 1.71 1903 0.44
6 0107 0634 1302 1957
1.24 0.67 1.67 0.45
11 0601 1.64 1216 0.48 1816 1.52
12 0024 0652 1320 1916
0.34 1.77 0.37 1.51
13 0112 0743 1418 2014
0.34 1.89 0.27 1.49
18 0517 0.55 1148 1.86 1838 0.32
19 0040 0607 1235 1927
1.30 0.61 1.74 0.41
20 0131 0700 1322 2015
1.27 0.68 1.62 0.48
25 0552 1.47 1217 0.69 1802 1.26
26 0001 0636 1311 1855
0.56 1.55 0.61 1.27
27 0043 0716 1356 1942
0.55 1.62 0.53 1.28
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Draft Community Engagement Policy and Strategy The draft Community Engagement Policy and Strategy, as well as amendments to the Community Participation Plan, are currently on public exhibition until 22 December 2020.
We want to make sure everyone who wants to have their say on a Council project is able to, and is kept in the loop as projects progress. These documents explain how Council makes decisions, set out our commitments to you, and outline the what, when and how we will engage you for different types of projects. Head to: haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au to provide your feedback or register to attend on online webinar
Questions? Please contact Council’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Libby Mackenzie on 9083 8167 or communications@waverley.nsw.gov.au December 2020 The Beast 45
UnAustralian.
Bondi Needs a Private Beach Club Satire Kieran Blake, www.kieranblakewriter.com Photo Wayne Kerr The famous sands of Bondi Beach could soon enjoy an injection of culture if the Amalfi Beach Club is approved. The private club would cordon off two per cent of the beach and deliver desperately needed joie de vivre to the beach and the region. La gente bonita La gente bonita are ‘Beautiful People’. They are attractive, effortlessly sophisticated, wealthy and popular, and need a private club in order to socially distance themselves from the great unwashed. They carry an exclusive strain of the COVID-19 virus, which can improve one’s career prospects if transmitted from one high net worth individual to another. Beautiful People pine for the gender stereotypes of the 1950s, as the Amalfi males are doctors, surgeons, business owners and entrepreneurs, while the women can aspire to success only in fashion, advertising, beauty and modelling. High disposable income Beautiful People with high disposable income will fill the sun 46 The Beast December 2020
loungers and cabanas because they hold a ‘BPass’, or Bondi Passport. Lower middle-class Sydneysiders are also known to enjoy spending their disposable income, but they do not qualify for a BPass. O’Brien Estate The exclusive club would be established on a patch of sand called O’Brien Estate, named in honour of Francis O’Brien, who previously owned the land surrounding Bondi Beach and attempted to block public access in the 1880s after the beach became too popular. It’s black and white While the masses will jostle for clean waves between the red and yellow flags, Beautiful People can swim in serenity between the black and white flags which will mark the boundaries of O’Brien’s Estate. Backpacker’s Rip Backpacker’s Rip will be re-engineered to constantly tow the great unwashed away from the Amalfi Club, and backpackers will have to drown at another
part of the beach if they want a cameo on Bondi Rescue. Lifeguard recruitment Waverley Council will form a special unit of lifeguards plucked from the pages of social media, and the aesthetically gifted lifeguards will patrol the sands and the surf around the private club. Bronzed, buffed, bedazzling beings need only apply. Unfounded criticism Locals and Sydneysiders argue that it is UnAustralian to pay to enjoy the beach. They claim it is an attack on Australian values to pay for what has always been an egalitarian space, while others are denied this right. They argue that this would be akin to having to pay exorbitant fees to ensure a strong education for your child, or having to pay a fortune to secure reliable home internet access. Proponents of the private club refute these claims. “Gazing longingly at a hundred beautiful people sipping on cocktails while marauding teenagers kick sand in your face is sure to lift community morale.”
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December 2020 The Beast 47
Huracán (which has a top speed of 325 kmph), so the vehicle was not impounded.
Anyone recognise this bloke?
Alleged Crimes of the East Words Gary Larson Knife-wielding robber A man armed with a knife threatened a young female supermarket employee in a late night robbery on Anzac Parade, Kingsford. The robber (above), fled with the cash register. Out in the street he threatened two members of the public. He is described as a heavyset Caucasian man around 170 centimetres tall. The robbery took place around midnight on Wednesday, October 28. Eastern Beaches Police Area Command established a crime scene. Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Grand prick on Syd Enfield Drive Police clocked a Lamborghini racing through rush hour traffic on Syd Enfield Drive, Bondi Junction, at 170 kmph - that’s 90 kmph over the speed limit! The high performance car was seen weaving in and out of traffic lanes, causing another driver to brake suddenly, at 6pm on a weekday. The driver, a 27 year-old from Sylvania, had his licence suspended on the spot by officers from Eastern Suburbs Highway Patrol. The man was not the owner of the Lamborghini
48 The Beast December 2020
It’s my party and I’ll spread COVID if I want to A party in a Bondi Beach unit block was “crashed” by police because there was more than the 20-person limit imposed under public health restrictions. The 1.30am visit by officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command followed several complaints about the gathering. Police say there were more than 30 people in attendance. They issued $1,000 penalty infringement notices to 17 attendees who were able to be identified. The COVID raid is one of a number that have taken place around the Eastern Suburbs in recent weeks. A gathering in a home in Oxford Street (near York Road), Bondi Junction attracted complaints about an excessive crowd plus loud music. Police dropped round and 24 of those $1,000 penalties were handed out, with 20 going to guests and the remainder to the four young flatmates hosting the party. Police hunt Peeping Tom Eastern Beaches Police are on the trail of a pervert who entered the back of a North Maroubra unit block and pulled open a bathroom window to look at a teenage girl in the shower. The man ran off after the girl alerted her parents. He is described as being between 20 and 30, Caucasian and wearing an Adidas shirt. Police were called and forensic samples taken. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Magistrate’s cutting remarks to tree lopper An Eastern Suburbs arborist has been fined $3,000 plus $1,500 costs after illegally removing a tree. Bondi-based Branch Out Tree Specialists admitted removing a Crepe Myrtle in Onslow Street, Rose Bay, without a permit.
Waverley Court was told the tree was eight to nine metres high and that trees can only be removed without a permit when they are five metres high or less. The prosecution was brought by Waverley Council following complaints from a number of locals. The owner of Branch Out Tree Specialists, James Vineall, said he had removed the tree at the request of the elderly owner of the adjacent house, who said fallen leaves “were making the path slippery for his wife”. Magistrate Jennifer Giles told Vineall, “People feel very strongly about trees in the Eastern Suburbs. You hungrily took business that you shouldn’t have taken.” The court heard that Vineall was a qualified arborist who had worked for other companies for more than ten years before branching out on his own. Tradies warned about thefts from utes Eastern Beaches Police have noticed an increase of thefts from utes parked in local streets. “An assortment of power tools have been taken from the lock boxes in the trays of the vehicles,” tradies were warned in a Facebook posting. “Please do not leave your power tools in your vehicles, these are your livelihood. Engrave your tools with your company details. Keep a lookout for persons lingering around vehicles in the street, contact the Police on 131 444.” Ghosts from man’s past A man’s past has come back to haunt him. Bradley Albert (aka Bradley Bennet or Jan Bradley) has a District Court warrant out for him over an assault and robbery he allegedly committed in the Eastern Suburbs in April 1988. Albert is now 50, meaning he was around 18 at the time of the offences. His case has been brought up as part of ongoing inquiries into unsolved and unresolved crime in the local area by Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command.
Waverley Council Update Mayor’s Message Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah As we bid farewell to what has been one of the world’s most challenging years in living history, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Waverley community for their resilience and the kindness they have shown to one another in 2020. Our Council is continuing to support our community during these challenging times, and it has been great to see so many projects progress in spite of the challenges presented by COVID-19. We will continue to beautify our public places, protect our local neighbourhood centres and villages and fully engage with the community in continuing to make our suburbs liveable and safe. We will continue to support our local businesses through our Business Relief Package and keep our most vulnerable residents connected as we work together into the new year. The next few months will be challenging but an exciting time for Waverley, and I would like to remind residents and visitors
Help shape the direction of culture in Waverley to continue to use our public places safely and adhere to the current Public Health Orders and health advice. Don’t forget to socially distance, and if on the beach, that means keeping a towel-length apart, and keep up the hand hygiene. Remember to get tested if you have any flulike symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or a sore throat. On behalf of my fellow Councillors and everyone at Waverley Council, I wish you a safe and happy festive season, and above all, good health.
HeadOn photo festival Australia’s leading annual international photography event returns to Bondi Beach on Friday 6 November until Sunday 6 December with an installation of photographic displays along the southern end of the beach promenade. For more, visit headon.com.au
Bondi Surf Club upgrade Waverley Council unanimously voted to progress the draft concept design for the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club upgrade to detailed design stage. Council Officers will then report back to Council with the final design prior to lodging a development application. The draft concept design was guided by a detailed Conservation Management Plan for the site and is formally supported by The Heritage Council of NSW. It preserves the 1934 clubhouse, with modern lightweight additions that showcase the original heritage building. The footprint of the overall clubhouse remains the same, and the design will increase useable public parkland. Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley
Ph: 9083 8000 | waverley.nsw.gov.au | Stay in touch: waverley.nsw.gov.au/subscribe Updates for Coronavirus COVID-19: waverley.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus
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The Unreliable Guide To... Summer Holidays, 2020 Style Words Nat Shepherd Photo Chris Hemsworth The Unreliable Guide thought 2020 would be the year we finally went to Argentina. We’ve always wanted to go; what’s not to love about a country famous for red wine, sexy tango, and BBQ? We bought a guidebook, watched Evita and started learning Spanish, but then came COVID-19 and no one was going anywhere. It was adios, Argentina. Yet, while overseas travel is still off-limits, interstate restrictions are currently lifting around the country. It now seems possible that we might actually get to go somewhere this summer. But there is so much conflicting advice about how, when and where we can travel. It’s a gamble - should we deposit some hard-earned on a trip that might get cancelled by a third wave, or wait and find that there’s nowhere left to book? Here are some tips and tricks to help you decide... 50 The Beast December 2020
Stay in-state Many of you have voted with your feet against the uncertainty of interstate travel. After the setbacks of 2020, you have no faith in Morrison’s recent promise that, “By Christmas of this year, certainly seven of the eight states and territories will be open.” Instead, you’re all booking holidays in New South Wales. Most holiday accommodation along the length of our coast is already booked for summer. A friend who lives in the ever-popular Byron Bay declared that the town is already busier than she’s ever seen it. Demand for accommodation is far outstripping supply. Hoping to go away but haven’t booked yet? You’ll be paying top dollar for a dump in the boondocks. I’m going interstate This could be an excellent idea, or it could be a really bad one if the borders suddenly close
due to an outbreak. Even in a normal year, travelling involves some uncertainty, but with COVID we have to regularly monitor conditions. Currently, every state and territory has different definitions of what constitutes a COVID ‘hotspot’. Some focus on individual premises, others reject visitors from hotspot shires or veto entire states. Scotty has not been able to bully all the state premiers into following his lead, so there is no Australia-wide standard. That means we need to know the latest rules of both sides of the border we hope to cross, and have all our paperwork ready. If and when border decisions are formalised into state regulations, we should have more confidence about travelling to interstate destinations. But, as we’ve seen throughout this year, situations can change rapidly. If you do decide to book interstate, check the small print carefully and see if you will have any cancellation rights in the event of border closures. When you get there So you’ve hit the jackpot and actually found a decent holiday spot for an affordable price. You can relax now, right? Well, no. Many experiences now require pre-booking and are restricted to a maximum number of people. If you don’t organise your family fun in advance, you may wind up spending your holiday being turned away. Do some research on your destination, get in touch with the places you’d like to visit and see how they are managing their COVID-safe responsibilities. Finally, if all that seems a bit much, maybe just ask around your friends and family and see if anyone fancies a house swap. Even if they live right next door, sometimes a change is as good as a rest!
The latest from Randwick City Council about living in this great city
Randwick News We have a few changes coming up in the next few months, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that change is not always a bad thing. It allows us to find new, often better, ways of doing things. One of the things we’ll be doing differently this year is summer. Typically as the mercury climbs higher we plan a day at the beach. Given that we live in the eastern suburbs we have some great beaches to choose from, but they’re not big enough to handle masses of people all at the same time. To keep them open and COVID-safe for everyone, I encourage you to think about visiting the beach when it’s not busy – early in the morning, the evening or on weekdays. Before you pop down to the beach check our website to see how full it is. If it’s nearing capacity, think about having a quick swim then heading to a nearby park or town centre so others can also visit and enjoy the beach. In March 2021, we will introduce a new waste collection service called FOGO, which will allow you to put your food scraps and garden waste in the same green lid bin. Throughout February all households in Randwick City will receive a new 240L red, yellow and green lid bin as well as a kitchen caddy and compostable liners. We’ll have more information about the new bin delivery soon, so keep an eye on your letterbox and our website. If some of the change you’ve experienced this year due to COVID-19 has been rough, our Community Development team can help connect you with the resources or assistance you need. Call them on 1300 203 111 on Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. They’ll be happy to help you navigate your way through. Councillor Danny Said Mayor of Randwick 1300 722 542 randwick.nsw.gov.au
What’s On 25 NOVEMBER ACTS OF KINDNESS ADVENT CALENDAR
Maroubra Beach Promenade
28 NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAYS
125 and 180 Anzac Parade, Kensington
3 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CHALK ART
High Cross Park, Inglis Park, Maroubra Beach
5-6 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ELVES
Coogee, Clovelly, La Perouse, Little Bay, Matraville, Malabar town centres
12-13 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ELVES
Kensington, Kingsford, The Spot, Randwick, Maroubra Beach town centres
19 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ELVES
Maroubra Junction town centre
It's only a matter of time before everyone's heard of these guys.
Making Music: Carey St Words Alasdair McClintock Photo Lola Brill Listening to a Carey St song for the first time is one of those strange moments where you question everything you know about the world. Are they really so young? Surely there’s a mistake in the bio? Abby Taylor’s vocals hit you like an Amy Winehouse number and you start wondering if you’ve wasted your life or not. Forged almost entirely in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs - guitarist, Jacko Hawthorne, the exception, hailing from the Riverina region - they’re one of the many up-andcoming bands in the area. Along with Jacko, there is aforementioned vocalist Abby, drummer Harris Guerin, and guitarist/bass player Henry Confos. The ocean is evident in their music. While they don’t have the grime of an Inner West band, they do have the grit of a sandy beach. It’s not all sunshine and piña coladas - the beaches can get pretty stormy, after all. Formed in September 2018, Henry introduced himself to 52 The Beast December 2020
Harris after school while waiting for a guitar lesson and they began to talk music. A week later they were jamming. Harris met Abby at a party in Coogee and learnt of that amazing voice of hers, and nek minnit three strangers had started a band together. Then came Jacko, a late addition to the band who, as Guerin so wonderfully put it, “has brought significant spices to our sound”. There is a genuine mixture of thoughtfulness and youthful exuberance that emanates from the group’s indie folk sound. It is a heady mix, often missing in young bands. A lot of them overthink it or are just plain dumb. Carey St have found that wonderful balance between insightful lyrics and the most important thing about music: enjoyment. People want to be moved, both emotionally and physically. What’s the point if you can’t dance? Citing Aussie indie contemporaries such as Lime Cordiale, The Middle Kids and DOPE
LEMON as influences, they also casually drop The Go-Betweens, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and most impressively, family, friends and the local community. Guerin explains, “We’ve been super stoked with the support that’s available for young musicians and new bands in Sydney. One of our best experiences was playing at the MCA Genext in July last year. Considering the circumstances of the current COVID restrictions, we’ve also been pretty lucky to be able to sneak in a few gigs with another local band, Gully Days.” For now, Carey St is waiting on a few members to finish high school (yep, I warned you they were young), before really embarking on the next step. They are currently working away in the studios recording some new songs, and are aiming to get an EP out early next year. So, keep an eye and an ear out, and in the meantime, check them out on Spotify or iTunes, they’ve got some bangers!
Season’s Greetings from the Mayor On behalf of Woollahra Council and staff, I would like to wish you all the very best for the festive season and a happy New Year. There is no doubt that 2020 has been challenging, however it has been wonderful to see our community supporting each other and local small businesses during this time. As the weather warms up, we expect to see lots of people enjoying our harbourside beaches and parks. Remember, we still need to avoid overcrowding to reduce the spread of
COVID-19 so do keep this in mind when heading out and about. At this time of year, we often see a large amount of food scraps going to landfill. With your help we can reduce this amount by creating compost instead. It’s as simple as placing your scraps into your green-lid bin instead of your red-lid garbage bin. To get you started, Council is offering a free kitchen caddy or set of compostable bags for your food scraps until 31 January. For details visit: woollahra.nsw.gov.au/ kitchentocompost-register. Councillor Susan Wynne Mayor of Woollahra
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December 2020 The Beast 53
Start them young.
Beware the Rabbit Hole - Part 2 Words Jeremy Ireland Photo Al Capone My parents love reading The Beast and are big fans of Pearl. They don’t live in Sydney, so I post them a copy via snail mail each month. The magazine keeps them in the loop with what’s happening in my local ‘hood and they look forward to receiving it. Dad will often send me a selfie of him on the couch with a cup of tea and the trusty mag in hand. But this month his text was a little different. “Jem, I enjoyed your last article, but maybe you should have included possible solutions for this insidious problem. Why not write a ‘part two’?” If you missed last month’s article, it revolved around the themes portrayed in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma and how we, as consumers of social media, are being manipulated by the tech giants to keep us addicted to our devices, potentially leading to unhealthy outcomes. Offering solutions to this problem is challenging. The main concern is that all too often we don’t even realise we are on our device in the first place. Have you ever had a face-toface conversation with someone who is more focused on their 54 The Beast December 2020
phone instead? It’s rude and infuriating, but the problem is their lack of awareness that they’re even on the device. Prior to discussing potential solutions, we need to accept that the smart phone isn’t going away. It’s here to stay, and the technology is only going to get more streamlined, sophisticated and easier to access. With this in mind, there’s a need to consider striking a balance between solutions and acceptance. Anyone born after 1995 would have no concept of a world without the internet, so denying access altogether is not the answer. iGen author Jean Twenge believes this balance between solutions and acceptance is the key. She explains that today’s kids are less rebellious, less happy, and are growing up more slowly and less prepared for adulthood. Why? It’s the amount of screen time spent alone that poses the biggest threat, leading people to believe their online lives are more important than their real ones. It’s this isolation that is the main concern for both kids and adults alike as it inhibits genuine human interaction and leads to mental fragility.
Investigating potential solutions, an obvious one is to put the bloody phone down - easier said than done! Like any addiction, there are strong forces at play here and the fear of missing out can cut deep - I have literally seen kids (and adults) flip out if they can’t get on the internet. By dedicating time to putting your phone away it allows you to open up to other things that are more ‘real’, like reading a book, talking to someone face-to-face, patting a dog, smelling the roses or anything that puts you in a more mindful state. A good trick I have used when entertaining at home is to have everyone put their phone into a bucket, which they can collect upon departure. It may sound dramatic, but they get used to it and often thank me. Another solution is delaying your child from getting a phone for as long as possible. If your child says, “Everyone else has one,” or if you as a parent think, “They’re going to get one eventually so why not just get one now?,” you are ignoring the collision between early adolescent development and social media. Early high school years are fraught with peer pressure and bullying - throw a smartphone into the mix and you’ve created a minefield. If you’re worried about safety, get an old-school ‘dumb’ phone that just texts and calls instead. Turn your phone off at night, and if you need an alarm, get a clock radio. And monitor your use - somewhat ironically, there is an app that monitors your screen time. Oh, and my favourite: get a landline. If you feel like your phone has become a clutch and you fear that you can’t do without it, professional help is available. Have you got a question? Please contact Jeremy at bondicounsellingservices.com.
There's still time to contribute.
Colour Me Purple Words Dr Marjorie O'Neill, Member for Coogee Photo Fifi La Fume It seems odd that a balmy late spring month when the flowers are blooming, the air temperature is rising and most of us are planning our summer holidays, should begin with reminders of death. All Hallows, All Saints and All Souls days marked the beginning of November. In Finland they call it ‘marraskuu’, meaning ‘month of the dead’. November is a time of juxtapositions for many Australians, particularly Christians, as a consequence of our being at the ‘wrong end’ of the world, or the antipodes. I’m sure it must feel a lot more in tune with the calendar to be focusing on the dead as the days shorten in the Northern Hemisphere. So many of our traditions in Australia are inherited from other places and sit somewhat awkwardly in our physical environment. Worldwide, November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and to my mind this fits comfortably. My father, Brian 56 The Beast December 2020
O’Neill, was one of about 3,000 Australians diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018. Like most Australian families, mine had not been very aware of this illness until it hit us. My father passed away in March 2019, the day after I was elected to represent the seat of Coogee, and just four months after his diagnosis. This was in line with the life expectancy for people with this disease - the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is a measly 8.7 per cent. Pancreatic cancer is the tenth most common cancer in both men and women in Australia and the fifth most common cause of cancer death overall, and it is predicted to be the third most common within the next decade. The survival rate for pancreatic cancer has only improved very slightly in recent years and a major factor is late diagnosis, when the disease is often already locally advanced or metastatic.
In the remaining days of November, one practical thing we can all do to assist in combating this disease is to spread awareness of its symptoms. Most of us, including many GPs, have limited knowledge of the disease. The only medium-term symptom my father displayed was a very sore back, followed by abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss. The Cancer Council of Australia lists these and other symptoms on their website. Please be aware and spread the word. We can also support medical research. Associate Professor Phoebe Phillips is the head of the Pancreatic Translational Research Group at the University of New South Wales. Phoebe and her team are focused on developing new ways of destroying tumour cells in the pancreas, which are very resistant to chemotherapy. Our help has never been more needed, especially since COVID-19 has stripped away funding for this enormously important research. You can make a tax deductible donation by visiting alumni.unsw.edu. au/Giving/MED/PPCRF and selecting Phillips Pancreatic Research Fund from the drop down menu. Donate a dollar, run a fundraising barbecue at your club, hold a gold coin day at your school… every dollar counts. If you send me your photos I’ll post them on social media to publicise your efforts! Raising awareness of pancreatic cancer and its symptoms, making a tax deductible donation to pancreatic research, supporting a friend dealing with this dreadful disease or even just wearing purple, the official pancreatic cancer colour, are some of the ways we can honour the old souls and try to make a difference for the living, while we get ready for the silly season!
Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP
Member for Coogee I hope you all have a fantastic break and get the opportunity to spend time with friends and family, especially after such a challenging year. To stay in touch with me and keep up to date with COVID-19, you can sign up to my newsletter at marjorieoneill.com.au If you're visiting the beach these holidays period, make sure to swim between the flags, and slip slop slap! Authorised by Dr Marjorie O'Neill MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.
Subject Gentlemen's hour Location Bronte Photographer Candice Epthorp
Subject Charlie on the fly Location Randwick Photographer Leigh Gazzard
Subject Dispersion Location Bronte Photographer Sebastian Elmaloglou intepic.net
Subject Lushness Location Coogee Photographer Patricia Bernardo Fleming
Subject Sunrise Location Bronte Photographer Paul McClafferty @photosbypaulm
The Beast Magazine wants your local photos!
Subject Submerged Location Bronte Photographer Sebastian Elmaloglou intepic.net
Subject Reflecting Location Bondi Photographer Liz Lynch
Subject The conductor Location Bronte Photographer Sebastian Elmaloglou intepic.net
Subject Timing Location Clovelly Photographer Mary Lin
Subject Quicksand Location Coogee Photographer Brody Vancers
Please send them to photos@thebeast.com.au
Everything has been taken care of.
The Healthiest Store in Sydney Words Joel Bevilacqua Photo Guillermo Pena Harry Tsoukalas was a chippy with a dodgy back, heart issues and bad circulation, but a change in diet drastically changed his life. His switch to a clean, plant-based diet not only fixed most of Harry’s chronic health issues, it was so life changing that it inspired him to open Hippocrates Healthy Eatery in Randwick, perhaps the healthiest store in Sydney. The Greek style restaurant follows in the footsteps of famous Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras and more who adhered to an organic, plant-based diet, but the efforts Harry has applied to look after his customers’ health does not end there. Lime paints were used to prevent mould and bacteria growth, all wrapping is plant-based, air purifiers are used in the kitchen and lounge to clear the air from bacteria and mould spores, there are dehumidifiers to keep the humidity below 55 per cent and ozone generators are in place to destroy any harmful organisms. It may seem excessive, but Harry is extremely passionate 60 The Beast December 2020
about the health of his customers and spreading a message about the importance of clean, sustainable living. In the east, that message isn’t exactly new. We are, after all, the healthy living mecca of the world. The thing is though, most of us normally only stick to our resolutions for a day or two, or empathise with cows for half an hour after watching some animal cruelty doco, before mauling down a large Big Mac meal and sucking Fanta through a plastic straw, because we’re also the most hedonistic pricks on the planet. What we put into our bodies (via our mouths) comes down to two things: taste and convenience. How does Hippocrates fare on these two fronts? To be honest, I had a couple of beers the night before I went into Hippocrates (they do breakfast, lunch and dinner) and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t upset that I wasn’t going to be able to eat something that used to run around in a paddock, but the food was really bloody good! The mains are all plant-based
versions of Greek classics, named after Greek gods. Some options include a vegan grilled kebab called the Athena, a plant-based minced meat dish with eggplant, sweet potato and béchamel called the Demeter, and the Apollo, red lentils and jack fruit marinated in satay sauce and quinoa. I’ve had a few meat alternatives in my charmed life and the jack fruit tastes closer to the real thing than anything I have sampled to date. For dessert, there’s the Hercules tiramisu, a sugar and gluten free alternative to the old favourite, and the Odysseus raw carrot cake, which is just as good as any sugary original I’ve had. The breakfast menu is a bit of a mixed bag that includes avo’ on toast, bruschetta, crepes and a quesadilla. There’s a range of juices aimed to boost your dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin or whatever other chemical you have totally depleted from your brain. As for convenience, it’s nice to go somewhere where you know everything has been taken care of for you. Nobody wants to breathe in mould or absorb toxins from chemical-based paint, but buying a humidifier means a trip to Westfield on a Saturday, and getting rid of toxic paint means painting - no thanks. If only we had more people like Harry to do the heavy lifting for lazy bastards like myself. Hippocrates Healthy Eatery hippocrateshealthyeatery.com Address 129 Avoca Street, Randwick Phone 0449 264 474 Open Wed-Sun 7.30am-9pm Prices Bowls $16 Wraps $12, Hercules $9, Quesadilla $12 Cards Master, Visa, Amex Licensed Yes
This will definitely impress your mates.
Prawns, Whipped Feta, Roasted Tomato Dip and Flatbread Words and Photo Dana Sims Instagram @stone_and_twine This Greek inspired share plate is perfect for the silly season. I hope it gives you some entertaining inspiration for all the summer soirees to come. Ingredients MARINATED PRAWNS 800gm fresh green raw prawns (peeled, de-veined, tails on) 25gm fresh oregano (leaves picked, stems discarded) Juice of ½ lemon, extra for serving ¼ tsp sea salt WHIPPED FETA 300gm Greek feta (large chunks) 200ml thickened cream 100ml full fat milk ½ tbsp olive oil to serve ½ tbsp fresh mint (roughly chopped to serve) ROASTED TOMATO DIP 300gm small vine ripened tomatoes 1 tbsp olive oil ¼ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp cracked black pepper FLATBREAD 450gm baker’s flour 7g sachet dried yeast 62 The Beast December 2020
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Small sprig of rosemary (finely chopped, stem discarded) ½ tsp caster sugar ½ tsp sea salt 1 cup warm water Method 1. To make the flatbread, preheat the oven to 200°C. Sift the flour into a bowl and add yeast, oil, sugar, rosemary, salt and warm water. Stir to combine, use your hands to bring the mixture together and knead for 4 minutes until the dough is elastic and free of lumps. 2. Divide into 4 balls, roll the dough out into 40cm pieces on a lightly floured surface. Place the dough on baking trays that have been lightly oiled and prick the surface lightly with a fork. Bake for 5-7 minutes, turn over and bake for a further 5-7 minutes or until cooked through and a light golden colour. Remove from the oven and when cooled, break into large, roughly shaped pieces. Cover with a tea towel to keep fresh.
3. For the prawn marinade, add olive oil, oregano, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl and lightly whisk to combine. Add the peeled prawns and toss to coat in the marinade. Set aside. 4. Turn the oven down to 160°C and place the tomatoes on a tray lined with baking paper, leaving them on the vine. Drizzle over olive oil, salt and pepper and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, take the tomatoes off the vine and place in a blender. Blitz until smooth but still thick. Transfer to a small serving dish and set aside. 5. To make the whipped feta, whisk the cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Place the milk and feta in a blender. Blend on medium for 20-30 seconds or until combined but still textured. Remove with a spatula, add to the cream and gently combine. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle over the fresh mint, drizzle over the olive oil and set aside. 6. Strain the prawns of the marinade and heat the BBQ or a griddle pan. When searing hot, add the prawns and cook for 1 minute each side or until cooked through. Take off the heat and put straight onto a serving plate. 7. Assemble the individual dishes of whipped feta, tomatoes and prawns on a larger serving platter and place the flatbread around. Squeeze some lemon over the prawns and serve. 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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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Letter To You Label Columbia Records Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating The Boss is back! And he sounds exactly the same. Music is so subjective, that some will see this as a tired old hack trying to make a bit more coin, and others a joyous, nostalgic stroll. Interestingly, a friend of mine’s neighbour tried to sneak into one of Springsteen’s parties years ago in New Jersey. Security caught him and The Boss allegedly instructed them to tie him up to a tree for the rest of the night. The bloke told me the story as if The Boss was an arsehole, but I thought it a stellar move. See? Subjective.
MATT BERNINGER Serpentine Prison Label Concord Records Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating
KAJILLIONAIRE Genre Comedy Drama Director Miranda July Reviewer Linda Heller-Salvador Kajillionaire is the latest quirky and delightfully absurd film from the multi-talented writer-director-performer, Miranda July (Me And You And Everyone We Know, The Future). But don’t misinterpret July’s quirkiness for flaky. Her modus operandi is to lure you in with eccentric scenarios then subtly introduce soulful observations of family interactions, loneliness and people’s quest for love and acceptance. Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood) awkwardly navigates through her dysfunctional upbringing where she has been taught from a young age to hustle, scheme and swindle her way through life by her oddball grifter parents, Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins). When the vivacious Melanie (Gina Rodriguez) is brought in on the farcical scams, the dynamics change and Dolio becomes aware of her sheltered existence and the lack of choices she has been given in life. Although Miranda’s offbeat storytelling style won’t appeal to everyone, those willing to go with the flow will be happily rewarded with a stylish and delightfully unpredictable film. 64 The Beast December 2020
The lead singer of The National has gone out on his own and it sounds like, well, The National. As a huge fan of the band, there is a pleasant familiarity here, but it does feel like this could have been a lot better if it were workshopped by the whole group. One of the best things about The National is the sonic layers that peel away the more you listen to each song. That is lacking here. We’re just frolicking in the shallows, with Berninger’s interesting mind and some nice background music, but the passion is lacking, he’s not going to meet our mum.
JIM-E STACK Ephemera Label Innovative Leisure Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating Summer’s here and soon we’re going to be allowed outside to socialise with friends and attractive strangers. Ephemera is the perfect album for that warm summer’s afternoon, when the BBQ is just about to tilt. Barbara’s had one too many rosés, but she’s not ready to go full Daryl Braithwaite yet, she needs to work up a bit of a vibe. Friendly electronica with some familiar feature artists is just what she needs to turn up the volume on the anecdotes and start getting pleasantly handsy. As soon as I hear her mention ‘Horses’ though, I’m hitting the pavement.
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ACROSS 1. Happy to see the end of (4,8) 7. TV show repeats (6) 8. Trepidation (5) 9. Informal acknowledgement of debt (1,1,1) 10. In tender pain (6) 11. Beliefs (5) 13. A group of three people or things (7) 14. Ink smudge (4) 15. We (2) 17. An urgent beg (4) 18. Bring to a standard condition (9) 20. Alluring shyness (3) 21. Possibility of a future event occurring (8)
DOWN 1. Enormous (10) 2. Famously wealthy American talk show host (5,7) 3. Having a deep understanding (10) 4. Take away from (6) 5. A sibling’s daughter (5) 6. Terminated (5) 12. Intended to be understood by only a few (8) 14. Little ... has lost her sheep (2,4) 16. Tall farm tower used to store grain (4) 19. Tool to make sound from guitar louder (abbreviated) (3)
Trivial Trivia Words Cameron Anderson Photo Alan Wang 1. What is the collective noun for a group of owls? 2. Where would you find the Sea of Tranquility? 3. What is Pelmeni? 4. Who holds the record for the most Formula One race wins?
5. How many players are on the rink in an ice hockey game? 6. John Knoll works as a visual effects supervisor in movies and is one of the original creators of which software? 7. Who was the longest serving New South Wales premier?
8. AsunciĂłn is the capital city of which country that also repealed mandatory voting in 2018? 9. What animal has the largest eyes? 10. Who is the current mayor of Randwick City?
Splendid Clovelly. December 2020 The Beast 65
Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19 A tree change is great in theory, but you’re not going to cope well being forced to mix with poor people and bogans.
Cancer Jun 22-Jul 22 Stop trying to make new friends and invest some time in your real mates, the ones who know you’re a kook but still like you.
Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20 You’re way too comfortable at the moment, maybe it’s time you have a go at something that scares the shit out of you.
Leo Jul 23-Aug 22 The key to eternal happiness lies in learning to enjoy less, which is a lot more achievable than always seeking more.
Visions Beardy from Hell
Aries Mar 21-Apr 20 The off-putting, slightly fishy odour that you’re trying to locate the source of is actually emanating from you.
Virgo Aug 23-Sep 23 You’re going to be so horny this month that it’s actually unsafe for you to go outside. Please keep your hands to yourself.
Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21 Borrow as much money as possible and invest in just about anything to avoid being left behind by the rest of the world.
Taurus Apr 21-May 21 Propaganda and misinformation always trump evidence-based science. If you’re trying to convince someone, it’s better to lie.
Libra Sep 24-Oct 23 Every time you try and help someone, you end up becoming a hindrance. Just mind your own business and stop being a pest.
Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20 Evil forces are trying to take advantage of you, so be careful not to put yourself in a position where you can be compromised.
Gemini May 22-Jun 21 None of your clothes suit you anymore, they never really did. It’s time for a complete restock of your outdated wardrobe.
Scorpio Oct 24-Nov 22 Stop fighting the old and start building the new. You can’t move forward if you are always looking in the rearview mirror.
Star Signs
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1. Parliament 2. The Moon 3. Russian dumpling 4. Lewis Hamilton 5. 12 (6 in each team) 6. Photoshop 7. Bob Carr 8. Paraguay 9. Giant squid 10. Danny Said 1
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