urbanvillage.com.au
Recovery Edition
Win: 1 of 5 x $100
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Liz Martin &
Surry Hills Live
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CONNECTING OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS & VILLAGES
Acts of COVID19 Kindness
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What Coronavirus?
Free
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Images by Meg Hewitt
Local Rewards Cards
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JULY 2020
Brand X back in action By
Tess Scholfield-Peters
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ince 2005 Brand X has been on a mission to convert Sydney’s disused and vacant spaces into creative havens. Their collection of subsidised spaces gives artists the chance to rehearse, record, perform and build their creative enterprises, but due to COVID19, all Brand X venues and programs were forced to shut down.
“We lost customers and haven’t made income for three months now. It almost destroyed us, but thanks to some generous donations and subsidies from government, we live to fight another day,” Brand X founder James Winter told Urban Village. “It’s been a weird experience for the arts community. People tried the pivot to digital but desperately missed the physical and visceral engagement with colleagues and their audience. Online just doesn’t cut it.”
Thankfully, on the 15th June Brand X reopened the doors of their St Leonards studio spaces, with East Sydney Community and Arts Centre in Darlinghurst and Tempe Jets Rehearsal Space opening imminently. James predicts that all venues, including their popular Flying Nun theatre program, will be back up and running by September. Restarting now is critical if we are to expect live shows by the end of the year. “This is a fast-moving beast. Last fortnight it was all looking very dire. Now venues are preparing to open, reprogram their activity and implement COVID19 Safety Plans. Opening safely and quickly is the most important thing right now.” Even as the creative industries have taken a significant hit and the future still looks uncertain, James maintains optimism. “I think recovery will happen faster than we think, if we don’t have a second outbreak. Audiences are hungry for culture, more so than before COVID19, and I cannot wait to see what artists do with this new voice.” The reopening of creative spaces is the first step on the long road to rebuilding our creative sector. Finally the wheels of progress are in motion.
Community outrage at closure of popular Crown Street Doctor Surry Hills residents are rallying behind their long serving
General Practitioner, Dr Peter Brown, whose surgery has been closed down by NSW authorities after 39 years of service. By
Lachlan Colquhoun
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r Brown is believed to be receiving legal advice on his position after the Medical Council of NSW closed his surgery because it was a “solo non computerized practice.” Dr Brown operates the surgery alone, without
a receptionist, and does not computerize patient records. He is, however, highly popular in the area and services many disadvantaged people who would otherwise not see a doctor. Since the surgery was closed at the end of the week of June 19, social media has hummed with the news and patients have put up their own
signs and notices on the door of the surgery at 598 Crown Street, next to Dr Brown’s original notice telling of his closure. “Free Dr. Peter Brown. The community needs Dr. Brown,” says one message. “This is terrible and undeserving news,” said another. “Dr Brown is the most kind and compassionate person, I am shocked at this injustice.” Another note urges people to write to the Medical Council of NSW to complain and demand Dr Brown’s reinstatement. The Council’s address is PO Box 104, Gladesville, NSW, 1675.
A Timely Tribute to Swans Legend By
Tess Scholfield-Peters
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urry Hills locals will have undoubtedly noticed the large-scale photorealist mural of Swans legend Adam Goodes appear on the corner of Crown and Foveaux Streets on Thursday, 11th June. The mural had been in the works for nearly a year, Apparition Media co-founder Tyson Hunter told Urban Village. However due to COVID19 setbacks and artist availability, it so happened that the mural was instead completed during one of the most politically charged moments in recent history. “We were supposed to paint the mural in February, but then COVID19 happened and we went into lockdown,” said Hunter. “It just so happened that the mural painting lined up with round two of the footy and all the conversations happening globally.” Hunter and his business partner are long-time Swans fans, so it made sense that Surry Hills, the heartland of the Swans, would be the perfect place for their immense tribute to the remarkable player. The mural is a depiction of the original image taken by photographer Ryan Pierse. A team of five Sydney-based painters are behind the work: Hamish McBride, Laura Paige, Megan Hales, Jacqueline Butterworth and Kailin Hegel. In just eight hours the team finished the mural, as rain was forecast the following day.
e were supposed to paint W the mural in February, but then COVID19 happened and we went into lockdown. It just so happened that the mural painting lined up with round two of the footy and all the conversations happening globally.
“A lot of the artists have taken twenty years to sharpen their craft. To be able to paint something of that detail in eight hours is pretty phenomenal, so it’s great that they’re getting the recognition they deserve,” said Hunter. “The reception was overwhelming to be honest. It’s beautiful to read all the comments online and see how supportive people are of Adam as a player and a person.” “Surry Hills is a pretty progressive suburb, and a very proud suburb as well. We’re happy the mural can drive new conversations and we hope the reception stays positive.” “We haven’t heard from Adam yet, but we assume he’s happy with it. We hope he is.”
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2 Local Rewards Temporary Art Install In Local Pub
A collaborative project between Margot Natoli, The Surry Hills Creative Precinct and The City of Sydney through the Creative Fellowships Fund.
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he Surry Hills Public Art Project is seeking expressions of interest from local artists to revamp an empty wall space in a selected local pub. The Project is designed to support and celebrate local artistic talent by transforming disused public wall space to spark connection and enjoyment in the community. Restrictions are lifting, locals our pubs – we want to celebrate our suburb’s recovery and brighten up our community public spaces with unique local art.
We’re looking for expressions of interest to create a temporary artwork/s in a courtyard space, a disused wall, in a window sill or other possible space in a selected Surry Hills pub. Upon submitting an EOI form, artists will be sent a location- based brief and will be asked to submit broad visual design ideas, art application ideas and required materials along with their artist portfolio. The successful artist/s and project will be chosen by Margot Natoli, Dove and Olive owner Chris Deale, Urban Village magazine
editor Lachlan Colquhoun, The Green Rooms’ Olly Adam and Maxine Fielding and legendary local artist Nico Nicoson. The artist/s will then be provided with the The budget for the Public Art Project is estimated at between $500—$1500 including artist fee, materials and installation. The artist/s will be featured across the Surry Hills Creative Precinct channels including a feature in Urban Village magazine and promotion via all social media channels. Keen? For more information and to apply, go to Facebook.com/SHCPInc EOI closing date: 31st July 2020 Artist selection: Mid-August 2020 Installation: Late August - September 2020
Inner Sydney food delivery platform, Love Local, a COVID19 success story Love Local was started by Sydney restaurant owner Hamilton
Kings as COVID19 social restrictions effectively shuttered his then dine-in only Potts Point restaurant Honkas (Bar + Eats).
LOCAL REWARDS
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His bold and highly graphic street art compositions can be found all over Sydney and around the world. While most will murals, Nico’s work also spans acrylic paintings, printmaking and digital art.
part of the Surry Hills Creative Precinct’s Local Rewards scheme, which is designed to bolster local retailers, hospitality venues and businesses through their localised gift card program. Each run of the gift card will feature the designs of a different local artist. “I worked with the Surry Hills Creative Precinct last year to create the Flowerhouse artwork on Devonshire Street. After seeing the devastation wrought by COVID19 on small businesses, I was already wondering about possible ways to help support them,” said Nico. Nico’s Local Rewards design is playful and
interact with their communities in such a meaningful and genuine way.” “I hate going to big soulless supermarkets and being served by robots. For me the act of shopping is just as much about engaging with the merchant and building up community bonds.” “As an artist I love that I am able to interact with those who purchase my works and support my practice - it truly is such a joy and adds another layer of meaning to my work.” In the works is another mural on Crown Street by Nico and a string of commissions set to brighten up our city, as well as his own exhibition next year. “I think a lot of people have been eager to support artists during this strange time and I am incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported my work.” “I'm excited to see how the city will be rejuvenated when it re-emerges postCOVID19. I’m hopeful that people will return to public life with a new appreciation of their local communities.”
small local retailers. “I feel like local businesses are able to
You can find Nico at @nico_nicoson on Instagram and artofnico.com.
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post-painterly abstraction and the hard edge movement. I’m mainly interested in creating engaging and balanced compositions using colour, shape, line and space,” Nico told Urban Village.
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Scott Walker
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aunched in the midst of the pandemic with just three restaurants, the ordering platform grew quickly, expanding its reach and adding new food and drink partners. It now includes 20 food and drinks partners and delivers in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay and Woolloomooloo. Food and drink partners include Pizza Autentico, Honkas (Bar + Eats), Melo’s Italian, Et Al, The Roosevelt and Penny’s Cheese Shop.
Love Local has been a hit with restaurants and customers alike. “We experienced immediate growth, rapidly expanding the number of partners using the platform and our delivery zones,” said Kings. Self interest may have driven the realisation of the need to pivot his business, but Kings says his local platform is also a win for the Sydney food scene and local community. “When I realised I needed to pivot my business, starting a delivery platform seemed retain my staff during the downturn. Being the pandemic and beyond made the decision to start Love Local that little bit sweeter. It’s a
win win” said Kings One restaurant which has been on the platform since it started is Melo’s Italian. “Joining Love Local was the easiest of decisions and one that’s already paying off. We love being part of Love Local and look forward to the platform continuing to grow and deliver our food to more people” said Michael Bradley of Melo’s. Love Local charges just 12% commission, including GST, about half as much as the big delivery players. “We are returning more money to restaurants, amplifying pressure on the big players to lower their fees, and helping businesses survive COVID19 social distancing,” said Kings Love Local is a website-based ordering service at www.lovelocal.com.au.
Online Mental Health Support Training For COVID19 And Beyond
For some in our community, lockdown and physical distancing have increased stress, leading to a rise in mental health challenges.
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adre Connect equips people in the basics of how to be aware of, care for and respond to those struggling with mental health. The course takes an intuitive approach and has been described as ‘Mental health Neighbourhood Watch'. Cadre Connect explores questions such as: What is mental health? Who struggles with mental health and why? How do we show care and good boundaries towards someone
struggling with mental health? For: Businesses, retail staff, security guards, residents, workers who interact with the public. Note: This training is general in nature and does not provide skills to give psychiatric advice. About the facilitator: Dom Grenot has worked with people living in social housing for 20 years. He was the City of Sydney community services at TAFE.
When: Tues 14, 21 and 28 July at 7-9pm and Wed 12, 19 and 26 August at 10am-12pm Where: Online (via Zoom) | Cost: $40 for 3 sessions over 3 weeks Info: www.neighbourhoodmatters.com.au or email: info@neighbourhoodmatters.com.au
Cadre Connect was developed by local organisations with assistance from Dom Grenot, and funded by the Clover Moore Lord Mayoral Salary Trust. Hosted by Neighbourhood Matters in partnership with Inner Sydney Voice.
Local Music 3
Image by Joy Lai
Liz Martin. Singer songwriter LIZ MARTIN has gone through a number of phases during the COVID19 lockdowns. She started positive enough and then admits she went into a “massive slump”. But now – as she tells Lachlan Colquhoun – she has come out the other side, with thanks to recent live gigs streamed on the Surry Hills Live platform.
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Lachlan Colquhoun
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their set on the Surry Hills Live platform recently, one of the band members put down their instrument and said simply: “That feels better.” Martin couldn’t have said it better herself. socialise and play, but it’s another thing at a time of social distancing rules and when lockdown stops band practice, let alone a live gig. “I was so disturbed at the beginning of lockdown and just couldn’t focus on anything,
New pets grow the local population Australia has one of the highest levels of pet ownership in the world, at 61 percent of all households, and that percentage may have been boosted even more during the COVID19 lockdown. By
Lachlan Colquhoun
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ccording to the RSPCA, prior to COVID19 the pet population of Australia was 29 million, with dogs the largest percentage at 40 percent and cats second at 27 percent. (Reptiles, including snakes, turtles, tortoises, lizards, frogs and salamanders, comprise 2.5%.) For anyone interested in economics, Australia’s pet industry is worth an estimated $12.2 billion per year. The RSPCA was inundated with inquiries on fostering pets during COVID19, receiving
around 2100 calls, while petrescue.com.au saw a national doubling of adoptions in a one month period in April, with 12,534 adoptions. In Surry Hills, vet Nima Rahmani says he hasn’t seen any rescue pets come through his rooms at Vets on Crown, but he has seen a major increase in new puppies and kittens. This would come as no surprise to many of us, as the streets have been filled with people walking their pets, children on bicycles, and families walking together. “People have been at home more, they have had time on their hands and many people who have always wanted a new pet have had time to think about it, and do it,” he says. “Pets are a great emotional support for
I was just reading all the news and was really distracted and couldn’t settle at all,” she says. “But I have to say though that I am lucky in that I live in an artists’ co-operative in the innerwest, and there are 35 of us there in a truly amazing space with a central garden area”. “So while we were all in lockdown with all the restrictions we were at least able to have chit chat as we hung out our clothes on the line. That at least made it a little less weird.” The lockdown also made rehearsing impossible. Viewers probably wouldn’t have noticed it, but the Surry Hills Live gig was the months. They showed up at the studio, had a quick sound check, and then went live to play to the online audience. “Luckily we have played a lot together in the last few years, so it all fell together quite easily,” says Martin. “And everyone was super keen to play after all this time.” As gigging musicians, lockdown has been like suffering withdrawal – both creatively and back to normality Martin sees the online format as something which might be here to stay. “I loved playing in that format,” she says. “The production values were really high at Surry Hills Live, we could all hear each other well, and for our style of music it worked really well.
“Plus, for the audience there were heaps of people commenting. I saw that the community we normally play to were all online and they were chatting to each other as we played, saying ‘hey’ and ‘how are you going’, so I think it is a format which has a real future as an alternative.” Martin has also watched other gigs by other artists live online during lockdown, and said she felt connected and part of the performance, and not disconnected. “You can be comfortable, you can have as much or as little of your alcohol of choice and you can hear everything clearly, so it’s a great experience,” she says. “When you think about people who are disabled and can’t get into venues because the venues are not wheelchair accessible, or anyone who can’t afford the expense of going out – beer prices, ticket prices – or people who have kids. I think this is a great alternative and I really hope it kicks on.” The online gigs are also going to be critical, she says, for a music industry which will clearly be restricted for some time. Who really knows, for example, when venues will be able to fully open and when crowds will go back? Anyone who saw one of Martin’s two performances on Surry Hills Live will have seen how far she has come creatively since she emerged around a decade ago, largely in the electronic music genre through her successful collaboration with Paul Mac. Ten years on her music is very much band-centric, and stylistically a mash-up of alt-country, jazz, pop and with a little bit of Weimar era cabaret thrown in at various points. to play with a band, Martin says it just feels right creatively. On a personal level, her fellow musicians feel like family, and playing with them is a “beautiful friendship embedded in music”. “I just can’t sit in front of my computer to make music anymore, there is just something about electronic music which can be so isolating,” she says. people playing music together and the way you need to listen and respond to each other and how we come together that way, I think there’s something beautiful about it. “Music for me now is about the connection with other people, allowing room and space for people to bring their own selves and make their own contribution.” doesn’t think she has written enough songs. During lockdown she has been exploring some other artists and has been looking at Dolly Parton, the country music superstar who has written some 3000 songs. “That’s so many from her! I do write a lot but I have a big discard rate, because the songs
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For the audience there were heaps of people commenting. I saw that the community we normally play to were all online and they were chatting to each other as we played, saying ‘hey’ and ‘how are you going’, so I think it is a format which has a real future as an alternative...
have to really surprise me to make it,” she says. Martin’s songs are highly personal and internal, and storylines are hinted at rather than fully explained even though the songs are often inspired by stories. “It’s very much about the soul for me, which could be one reason why I love the band thing right now,” she says. “I really appreciate country music for that reason, because it has that expression of pain, hurt and woe but also has the joy and the bliss.” One song from the most recent recording Led Me Down, for example, is about giving your heart away to someone, not only to have back – when you yourself have moved on. This, apparently, has happened to Liz Martin. Then there is another song about a love between someone living and someone who is dead, sung in the voice of the dead person. but while it’s something I can imagine, this one hasn’t actually happened to me!” says Martin. Songwriting inspiration, she says, can come at any time, and the voice recorder on her phone is full of scraps and snippets of ideas which occur to her, often while she is walking or driving. I suggest that a potential album could be excerpts from these phone recordings, but Liz isn’t keen, preferring fully worked songs evolved with her bandmates. So I ask about what is next, and Martin talks again about the band and how much she loves it, and also about another performance on June 27 on Surry Hills Live as part of the PLATFORM Live disability arts festival. “And then, there is the future…dot, dot, dot,” she says, hinting at a tomorrow which, while it might be uncertain in some ways, will also have lots of music – in whatever form. Liz Martin’s recent performances can be seen at surryhills.live and at the Surry Hills Live Facebook page
people, and for many people they have used the lockdown to make something happen which has been a lifelong dream.” Nima says that he understands why some people are wary of adopting rescue pets, thinking they have behavioural issues, but that is not always true. There are also a lot of young puppies and kittens waiting to share their unconditional love with new owners. While happy for new pet owners, Nima is also concerned for the long term welfare of their pets. “People should commit to the pet for the lifetime of that animal, so I’m hoping that the increase in pet ownership isn’t just a passing thing,” he says. Nima, for example, loves animals but has no pets himself. “People often ask me why and find it strange that as a vet I don’t have a pet of my own,” he says. “The reason is that, yes I’d love to have one, but I am so busy and committed here at Vets on Crown that I just don’t have the time for the commitment, and it wouldn’t be fair to the animal which deserves my love too.”
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4 Local Recovery Our Top Nine
Acts Of COVID19 Kindness By
Lorraine Lock
During lockdown we saw some local businesses going out
Lani-McAllister was wondering how she would
of their way to think about others, creating pay-it-forward
future. A Zoom chat with mates was the catalyst for a new idea - Says Christine “I am literally a stone’s throw from St Vincent’s Hospital and my friends suggested they buy some coffees from me, to give to the nurses there. It was a way to keep my business turning over and say a thank you to the nurses who are such a part of our local community” she said. Now she has also has set up a “pay-it-forward” system (via Instagram and Facebook) where anyone can buy coffee online and donate to healthcare workers. You can also buy soup or a sandwich for locals who access the service Rough Edges. Darlo Darlings is the brainchild of Darlinghurst local Mike Galvin, who is doing so much to connect community in the 2010 postcode. ‘The Darlings’, as they are affectionately called, have set up a kerbside, community ‘Darlo Pantry’ to help people who need immediate food supplies. The Darlo Pantry is a pantry for everyone who needs someone to lift the burden of their situation.
schemes, distributing food packs, free coffees and just generally being all-round great people.
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ow that we are slowly getting back to normality we urge you to support them as most of these schemes are still running and you can help out and support the kind of businesses we all want to see thrive in our community. Simon Says Juice has chosen a very juicy way to say “thanks” to the staff at nearby St Vincent’s Hospital, with their ‘pay it forward’ packs. Grab something for yourself too with pick up and delivery options available on a wide range of juices, including the Daily Iso Survival Cleanse - your Iso liver will thank you later. Popular Surry Hills Pan-Asian eatery Chin Chin offers 50% off takeaway food, between 4-6pm, for healthcare and frontline workers. The menu changes around but is still pretty comprehensive with versions of their delish curries, stir fry and roasts available. Make sure you phone in the order and take your work ID along when you pick up your food. Around the corner, fried chicken / sneaker store, butter is offering customers the opportunity to ‘butter it forward’ - buy a $20 ‘pay it forward’ gift voucher and butter will match it, enabling two meals (like a delicious soothing ramen bowl) to be available for a person in need. Nutie Donuts sell doughnuts and cakes and meal packs and gluten free delights and even build-your-own burger kits. The ever changing menu is a wonderful collision of healthy and decadent meals and treats and to quote the team “no, we don't count calories” (seriously who is even counting calories in a pandemic?). Nutie also offers a pay-it-forward option with meal packs (at cost price to you) going out to someone in need. Delivering pretty much everywhere. Those legends at Casoni are offering 49% off your individual bill if you are a local teacher,
hospitality worker, a nurse or doctor from St Vincent’s Hospital, local GP or staff, work in a local clinic or are a volunteer, or aged care worker. (yep basically if you’re on the front line, they got you guys covered). The Italian style takeaway-packs and cook-at-home boxes are all made from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Oh, and make sure to get the lasagne if it’s on the menu - you won’t be disappointed. JAZUSHI, a Surry Hills live jazz sushi restaurant is helping out-of-work musicians by offering 30 free meals every Thursday. And no, you don't have to be a professional, nor do you have to be a jazz musician. According to JAZUSHI “From concert performers to bedroom beat-makers, from guitar shredders to tambourine shakers, all musicians are welcome to come and pick up a feed. Just let us know that you're a musician when you arrive, and it’s on us! “ So spread the word and tag a musician you know that might be doing it rough and let’s hope that one day soon we can all gather around together again and enjoy the gift of live music. Hamilton Kings from Potts Point local Pan-Asian Honkas has set-up a home delivery service called Love Local. The idea was to keep his out-of-work staff in a job, but it’s grown to be much bigger than that, with other local restaurants and cafes using the service and taking advantage of the low, low prices he is offering compared to other delivery services, who are whacking cafes and restaurants with massive commissions. Love Local covers Potts Point, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. Cohab Coffee on Oxford St, Darlinghurst opened their doors at the end of February and just two weeks later the pandemic was called and the lockdown began. A once bustling Oxford St was deserted and owner Christine
community to get food to people who need it, and can’t afford it. This service helped in a big way! All non-perishable goods and toiletries are welcome. The pantry is stocked, and depleted, regularly - so give if you can, and take if you need. According to local Darlinghurst Psychotherapist Shane Warren “When we take our time to help others, in times of crisis or even during more standard times, we naturally get a buzz”. “There are lots of reasons for this - it gives us a moment of relief from our own struggles, which often helps us put our situation into real time perspective, and we also get a little chemical high. Giving to others and, in particular when they thank us, our brain releases oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine it’s nature’s combination of happy drugs going crazy wild in our brain” So there you have it - giving and receiving equates to a natural high, which is a win-win any way you look at it.
Welcome to Post COVID19 2010! The 2010 postcode is bounding back to recovery, having discovered new possibilities during the COVID19 disruptions.
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s Jess Scully, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City Sydney, said recently, its time now to “unlock the possibilities of the new economy” and that means new ideas for using space, pursuing innovative collaboration and supporting local businesses.
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“It’s about understanding we are all a part of this together and embracing the hyper-local and all the great things about this fabulous part of the world we live in,” she said at a recent Surry Hills Create Precinct (SHCP) Salon event. Filming and broadcasting the event was JJ Splice founder Dean Francis, who has been keeping everyone entertained with his Surry Hills Live series of music gigs. “The sudden removal of our regular modes of creative expression has proved the resilience of art and artists,” he said. “We’ve been forced to innovate, learn new skills and explore new means of delivering
our work. That’s been invigorating and wonderful.” President of the Precinct, Leigh Harris, said the organisation was there to offer its support to businesses as the economy moves into the post-COVID19 period. “It’s time to the look to the future now and we are here for help and support,” he said. Harris thanked the City of Sydney for its work in supporting local businesses and creatives through COVID19, in particular the $7.25 million grants program which supported many businesses and creatives.
5 Local Recovery
By
Dean Francis
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reativity has both suffered and thrived during lockdown. On one hand, the sudden removal of our regular modes of creative expression has proved the resilience of art and artists. We’ve been forced to innovate, learn new skills and explore new means of delivering our work. That’s been invigorating and wonderful. Yet the lack of opportunities for direct collaboration in the physical world have also
has been a challenge. The promised endless overshadowed by the stress of a continually changing world, rapidly evolving appetites of audiences and ever-shifting practical parameters. There are plenty of creative arts more months of lockdown but will be forgotten in the unexpectedly quick end to restrictions. For the arts and creative sectors as a whole the pandemic has shown yet again how little our federal leaders value arts, despite the enormous contribution the creative sector makes to the national economy. More real than
creative struggles have been the struggles of many artists and musicians just to pay the rent. On the whole, I like to think that what will stay with us are the discoveries made in terms of format, medium and making what we do accessible to an audience. We’ve had to take time. And maybe that’s going to be the way we approach art form now on - as an extension and companion to the ancient forms of the communal art experience. night!
James Irvine, Stu Gregor and Eileen. Image by Steven Woodburn
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our Pillars’ founder Stu Gregor blames his pathological love for gin on his mother, who from a young age began teaching him to make gin and tonics. His gin fanaticism is shared by co-founders Matt Jones and Cameron Mackenzie, who together have been distilling gin out of the Yarra Valley since 2013. Four Pillars distillery now has a home away from home on Crown Street. Nestled in amongst Bartolo, The Dolphin and Bills, the new Gin Laboratory is a welcome addition to the Crown Street precinct. The new hub will leave no gin-lover wanting. It features a Four Pillars retail shop, a cocktail bar called Eileen’s, and the
Drinks Lab, where cocktail and gin distilling masterclasses take place. The Lab is home to Eileen, the smallest of the distillery’s copper stills, named after Matt’s mum. Eileen’s Bar is accessible via a discrete door on Fitzroy Street, which has garnered the colloquial name ‘Tinder Alley.’ The drinks list is by the legendary James Irvine, who has previously been behind the cocktails at Baxter’s Inn, Shady Pines and Restaurant Hubert. The new venue opened its doors on the 12th June, only days after the more onerous COVID19 restrictions were lifted. “I think people understand that it’s been really hard for hospitality the last couple months. I’m hoping people come back out and that the industry starts to bounce back,” said Stu.
Distancing measures are in place at Eileen’s and in the masterclasses, with a maximum of 14 people throughout July, and a forty-person limit in a venue licensed for 110. According to Stu, no one is sure when they’ll be able to operate at capacity. But he is hopeful that they’ll be able to scrap the ninety-minute time limit for bookings by August. “Sydney has quickly become a super special part of our DNA. We’ve got some great neighbours. I love Surry Hills because it’s where Sydney-siders go.” Masterclass sessions can be booked on the Four Pillars website, as can spots at Eileen’s Bar, open Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm till midnight.
curtains come up? I’m looking at returning to public gatherings with
excitement and trepidation. Despite being a die-hard theatre maker, I’m nervous about going back to work; is it safe to ask audience members back into our venues?
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any companies have been bridging the gap with online content, from overseas productions of A Streetcar Named Desire streaming through London’s “National Theatre at Home” to local heroes at The Old Fitz, who have been pulling heavy weights like Alec Baldwin and Rose Byrne into the fold for their online play readings. Clearly there’s no
By
Clare Hennessey
Clare is a writer and musician from Sydney. She works as a freelance playwright and sounddesigner for independent theatre, and is a passionate advocate for the arts.
what comes next. Theatre companies are waiting with bated breath to begin planning their return… only time will tell what exactly those productions will be, and how they happen. Many venues internationally are adjusting their seating and drastically reducing capacity so that 1.5m can be observed in their auditoriums. Perhaps we will see a great renaissance of outdoor theatre in the warmer months - there’s even been drive-in theatre staged in the Czech National Theatre parking lot! I can guarantee that art-makers are going
ways to keep people entertained and safe. But, it’s also easy to be pessimistic about the future of live entertainment here: our industry was gutted overnight and the government’s delayed response was yet another painful reminder of the way the entertainment industry is prioritised, despite its huge economic footprint ($111.7 billion in 2018). As in every industry, COVID19 hasn't just created new problems for the arts: it’s revealed the fragility in what was ‘the status quo’. With a few venues already losing their footing, the industry stands on a precipice that could easily sprawl into chaos. But it’s important to look at this as an opportunity: if the government uses this time to change how it invests in the arts, Moving towards a different funding model in which government support helps companies keep their overheads low could transform the status quo. It would ease the reliance upon a subscription-based model, and with it relinquish the need to bow to the expectations of the narrow demographic with the income to afford one. The key is keeping ticket prices low, and quality high. We’ll see diversity and by the droves, 1.5m or not! www.urbanvillage.com.au
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6 Local Business Standing Down Employees during COVID19 Employers may be able to stand their employees down during the COVID19 for a number of different reasons. These can include where:
• The business has closed because of an enforceable government direction relating to non-essential services (resulting in no work at all for employees to do, even from another location) e.g hospitality • There’s a stoppage of work due to lack of supply for which the employer can’t be held responsible e.g certain manufacturing jobs with supply chain issues
an eligible employee to work less hours or days (including no hours) in certain circumstances. for and enrolled in the JobKeeper scheme, and if the employee can't usefully be employed for their normal days or hours, because of business changes attributable to COVID19, government initiatives to slow the transmission of the coronavirus (for example, an enforceable government direction).
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Employers generally can’t stand down employees under the Fair Work Act stand down provisions simply because of a deterioration of business conditions, or because an employee has coronavirus. There has to be no work they can usefully do due to circumstances beyond the control of the employer.
• A qualifying employer is using the new temporary JobKeeper changes to the Fair Work Act.
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mployers are required to consult with their employees in relation to any proposed stand down to consider alternatives, if any. Employees who are stood down without pay remain employed for the period of the stand down and continue to accrue holiday entitlements during the stand down period. Employers generally can’t stand down employees under the Fair Work Act stand down provisions simply because of a deterioration of business conditions, or because an employee has coronavirus. There has to be no work they can usefully do due to circumstances beyond the control of the employer. Under the JobKeeper provisions in the Fair Work Act, an employer can temporarily direct
By
Peter English
Registered Trade Marks Attorney Surry Partners Lawyers, Peter English is the director & founding partner of Surry Partners Lawyers. www.surrypartners.com.au
Employees who are stood down under a JobKeeper stand down direction need to be paid an amount at least equal to the JobKeeper payment for the fortnight ($1500 before tax). The employer has to pay them either the amount of the JobKeeper payment, or their usual pay for any hours that the employee does work – whichever is more. The employee’s hourly base pay rate can’t be reduced. Employees who are stood down without pay can’t use paid sick and carer’s leave during the stand down. Similarly, employees who are stood down without pay can’t use paid compassionate leave during the stand down. Employees can use other types of leave by agreement with their employer during a stand down, including annual leave or long service leave. Some useful examples of how the scheme is intended to work can be found on the website of the Fair Work Ombudsman. If you’re an employer and you get it wrong, you risk ending up in the Fair Work Commission.
How COVID19 has impacted the By
Glen Hare
Glen Hare is one half of Surry Hills based financial advice firm The Fox & The Hare www.foxandharewealth.com
In the time of COVID19
The 2010 postcode has always been a property hotspot, and predictions of a slump in rents and sale prices are widely off the mark
By
Lachlan Colquhoun
L
ynette Laming isn’t always proud of her colleagues in the real estate business, but she says many in the industry rose to the occasion during the COVID19 disruptions. “Many of us have never been busier, and it’s not as if we are making more money, we are making less,” she says. “But it’s been more about acting to keep a roof over peoples heads and seeing people through this crisis.” Laming, the principal of her company Laming Property, knows the property business in the 2010 postcode intimately. She says that while many people are saying the market is “all doom and gloom” this is simply not the case.
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o, what impact has COVID19 had on
of opportunity on the horizon? And, most importantly, how can you take care of your money during a global pandemic? Disclaimer: this advice is general in nature will help you map out the best path forward based on your personal circumstances.
How to navigate: the stock market
The Coronavirus has caused the fastest ‘bear market’ (money jargon for a falling market of 20% from a market high) we’ve seen in history. We’ve also seen a severe sell-off of growth assets that tend to carry a higher level of risk and volatility in uncertain times like these. But for prepared investors, market downturns can represent great opportunity.
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many investors might be concerned about the outlook for their wealth. And we get it: watching your hard-earned cash plummet in value (virtually overnight) isn’t an enjoyable experience. All investments carry a level of risk and periods of turbulence are all a normal part of the journey towards long-term wealth. Smart investors will buy at the bottom of the market and sell at the top, not the other way around. No matter what the headlines are telling you, markets will recover, a well-
“It’s not doom and gloom, it’s just different,” she says.
comprise 62 percent of households in the 2010 postcode and this sector of the market has been the most active in recent months. Some tenants have been in distress and have been negotiating with landlords, many of whom have been accommodating with rebates and rent reductions. Other tenants have simply refused to pay, putting landlords in distress. There has been a moratorium on evictions, but that comes to an end in mid-June and some of these tenants will have to move on. Overall, Laming says the rental market has held up, partly through the Federal Government’s JobKeeper program which has them to pay rent. As an example, she says she recently had an inspection for a house to rent and 48 people showed up to the open, with the queue extending down the street. “I rented that one for exactly what it was being leased for prior, and the new tenants offered to pay six months’ rent in advance,” she says. “I did get a lot of very low ball offers from people, but the reality is that in this area
It’s important to remember that market downturns are out of our control and therefore we need to focus on the things we can control in order to navigate them. Here are the top 5 things to do in a bear market: 1. Tune out the noise 2. Revisit your asset allocation 3. Control what you can – costs 4. Set realistic expectations
With some stocks cheaper than they have been in years, interestingly Fox & Hare members that have never considered investing in the stock market before are now reconsidering their options.
properties are largely still going for the same rents. “That said, I’d still encourage tenants to negotiate because not all properties are the same, and you never know.” In terms of sales, she says some vendors withdrew their properties from the market when the disruptions hit but are now pondering re-listing as the economy opens. “The listing numbers are really low, but I’m getting a lot of buyer enquiries,” she says. Buyers are encouraged by record low interest rates and people with money in the bank were looking at interest rates of savings of under 1 percent, creating an added incentive to invest. The Government’s $25,000 renovation grant was also having an impact, and Laming says she knows several people who had planned to do renovations down the track and are now planning on doing them sooner because of the grant. “And it might mean that these properties end up on the market for sale sooner than they might have before,” she says. Dire predictions that property prices were going to sink by up to 30 percent were “just wrong,” she says. “That’s just not going to happen, not in the 2010 area anyway,” says Laming.
How to navigate: property
Over the past few months, we’ve seen the grow rate across the rental and sales market shrink to 0.3% in April). Plus, we’re also seeing a decline in the volume of stock on the market, with CoreLogic revealing listings are down almost 40% from this time last year. Despite this negativity, for those looking to buy, invest or move there are still opportunities to consider. By doing your demand, you’ll be able to make a wise property you encounter over the short-term, to build longer-term wealth. If there is only one thing you take away from this article, make it this: be proactive about A degree of control, discipline and structure and choice in the future.
Local Updates 7 Things to consider when returning to the gym With gyms re-opening make sure your return to the iron is fruitful by easing your
in the
Hood
way back into things and not causing more pain than good by going back in full guns blazing.
By
Dave Marsh
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dopting a gradual approach and adjusting your workload will get you back to where you were previously in a safer, more effective manner. 1. Adjust your expectations You will need to lower your expectations when returning to the gym if you have been training at home with limited equipment and weights or you haven’t been training in a similar fashion to your regular gym routine for a significant period. In either case it is likely that you might return and see a loss in strength and be unable to lift the same loads for as many reps as you previously did.
WITH
2. Start slow You need to ease into your first week of training, start with an introduction week which will incorporate either one or many the three variables; Less volume: start with fewer sets per week per muscle group. Lower intensity: Keep more repetitions in reserve (not pushing to failure) and use lighter loads than you previously did. Lower frequency: Start with less total workouts per week (or training each muscle group only twice per week) eg. 2-3 full body workouts. Even if you are feeling fresh, motivated and don’t feel like you’ve lost much muscle an introduction week is still a good idea.
3. Monitor recovery & soreness If you are excessively sore, you may have over shot your introduction week. If you are experiencing overlapping soreness it is likely that you are not recovered and may need to either decrease volume (decrease number of sets), decrease intensity (reduce load or reduce reps) or decrease frequency (number of workouts per week). 4. Gradually increase your training If you’re recovering and are not excessively sore. Gradually progress your training over the coming weeks by the variables stated above, increase either volume, intensity or frequency. Adopting a gradual approach and adjusting your workload will get you back to where you were previously in a safer, more effective manner.
Dave Marsh is a Surry Hills based fitness professional. Get in touch with him via Insta @movable.muscle or www.movablemuscle.com
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Since December, Transdev has reduced journey times between the east and the city by more than 12 minutes. It’s now aiming for a service every four minutes in the CBD and eight minutes in the suburbs...
Service and Safety priorities for new Surry Hills transport mode The advent of light rail through Surry Hills has provided the community with a practical turn-up-and-go transport option
T
he CBD and South East Light Rail (CESLR) stretches 12 kilometres, taking in 19 stops, from Circular Quay to either Randwick (L2 Line) or Juniors Kingsford (L3 Line). The L2 Line commenced services in December last year whilst the L3 Line opened with lesser fanfare, due to the COVID19 pandemic, in early April. The original L1 Line from Dulwich Hill to Central Station, known as the Inner West 1997 and intersects at Haymarket. Since the opening of the new tram lines, Transdev Sydney, the operator of the network, has had two main priorities aimed at increasing
Maintaining a safe and reliable service and speeding up the service frequency. Since December, Transdev has reduced journey times between the east and the city by more than 12 minutes. It’s now aiming for a service every four minutes in the CBD and eight minutes in the suburbs. Transdev also realises it’s been almost 60 years since trams serviced the eastern suburbs. People are still getting used to the concept of trams sharing the roadways so safety is also very high on Transdev’s agenda. The biggest safety issue for Transdev at present is the number of near-misses with pedestrians. There have been 55 pedestrian “near-
Mike Galvin
misses” on the L2/L3 Lines since December, 12 of them in Surry Hills. There have been another 12 “near-misses” concerning cyclists. Food couriers on bikes, for example, have been more active than normal during the stayat-home restrictions. When they stray onto tram tracks there’s a high risk of riders falling into the path of oncoming trams. A fully-laden tram weighs about 120 tonnes. They obviously can’t deviate and they need room to stop. The cyclist might be lucky enough to escape serious injury but on board the tram, the shocked driver has hit the emergency brakes, potentially placing passengers in harm’s way. Transdev is working hard to prevent these types of incidents. As the Surry Hills community emerges from the COVID19 crisis and heads back into the workplace with everyone else, if you’re travelling near the tracks, please “look left and right, check both ways for trams.”
Mike is a Postcode 2010 local, founder of the Darlo Darlings Facebook Group, former Chef and a keen food writer. www.mikeygalvin.com | Insta: @mikeygalvin
and celebrate the old, and welcome the new. Fast forward to 1 June 2020. Stage two meant more bums on seats and restaurant and cafe bookings went through the roof. Local institution Tropicana Caffe in Darlinghurst was overwhelmed with the support saying on opening day ‘we thought our customers would have forgotten us’ - the community support has been remarkable to most extent, however last minute cancellations, and the self-entitled act of making group bookings at multiple venues and deciding ‘on the night’ has been a real frustration for restaurant owners. This needs to stop.
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Residents need to appreciate small business owners like change too, and whilst COVID19 initially has also steered people in new directions. We need to congratulate and celebrate the old, and welcome the new.
Coronavirus? The hospitality industry surges following restriction lifting.
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t midday on 23 March, pubs, gyms, nightclubs were shut down, and restaurants and cafes were limited to selling food via take away and delivery services. To say it’s been a tough time for businesses is the understatement of the decade, however what we are seeing now is truly remarkable. So who is open and who is closed? It’s the question on the minds of hungry locals who can’t wait to get back to their favourite haunts. We need to appreciate that every business has unique operating models and costs - their return is dependant on how well they can position themselves for success that aligns with their offering. Many business owners will use this unprecedented time as an opportunity to totally change direction. It is not all doom and gloom. A closed business does not mean a failed business. Residents need to appreciate small business owners like change too, and whilst COVID19 initially in new directions. We need to congratulate
Owner of Bloody Mary’s Darlinghurst have been very uplifting. Cinta says the support from locals has been truly humbling and she hopes that people continue to shop local and share the love. Bloody Mary’s like Lil Darlin and Surry Hill’s Pizza Autentico, Loluk Bistro, Brix Distillery and so many others turned their restaurants into Pantrys to keep going for as long as they could and to use up their inventory. They are now all back craving stage three, and they couldn’t be happier. Some new kids on the block have also been born during COVID19, Henrietta Chicken in Surry Hills, a new concept from the owners of Nour and Cuckoo Callay opened recently, and we have others to celebrate very soon too. I truly hope after all we’ve been through, and will continue to go through that people become more tolerant, complain less and appreciate what we have. Keep shopping and loving all things local!
Urban Village is published by Urban Village Media Pty Ltd with co-operation from the Surry Hills Creative Precinct, Potts Point Partnership and the Darlinghurst Business Partnership. Our purpose is to strengthen relationships and co-operation between the business community, residents, visitors and workers of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Potts Point and the surrounding neighbourhoods. While all efforts are made to ensure information is accurate, Urban Village Media and our co-operating chamber partners, take no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Editor Lachlan Colquhoun Words Tess Scholfield-Peters, Lachlan Colquhoun, Peter English, Lorraine Lock, Mike Galvin, Dean Francis, Glen Hare, Dave Marsh, Clare Hennessy and Scott Walker. Images Leigh Harris, Mike Galvin, Meg Hewitt, Steven Woodburn Design & Layout Ben Eckersley Publisher Urban Village Media Pty Ltd | ABN 68 623 934 609 Feature Liz Martin By Lachlan Colquhoun Email info@urbanvillage.com.au Office PO Box 644 Surry Hills NSW 2010 | ISSN 2208-6242
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