Urban Village - Summer 2021

urbanvillage.com.au

Summer edition

Oxtravaganza

JAN/FEB/MAR 2021

19

CONNECTING OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS & VILLAGES

with Mardi Gras CEO

INTERVIEW

8

MAP& GUIDE

Eastside Sydney

10-11

Free

Surry Hills Village • • • • • U P D AT E • • • • •

13

Local Rewards goes next level

Shop local loyalty program Local Rewards is set to implement award winning Australian technology in a roll out which will be the first of its kind nationally.

By

Lachlan Colquhoun

L Welcome to the Summer The 3 Devonshire Divas.

of Head to Surry Hills Remember Head to Surry Hills? It was originally a 2017 promotional campaign run by the Surry Hills Creative Precinct designed to benefit Devonshire Street retailers impacted by the light rail construction.

By

Tess Scholfield-Peters

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he campaign gave $100 a day to shoppers who then visited their favourite Devonshire Street shop. At the peak of the light rail construction Head to Surry Hills proved highly popular among retailers and shoppers, given the depletion of consumer foot traffic during that trying period.

In 2021 Head to Surry Hills returns in a larger format as a neighbourhood brand, designed to bring all local events, promotions

and big ideas together under one iconic banner. In light of Covid-19, Head to Surry Hills is now aimed at bolstering not only local business, but creativity and community spirit as well moving into 2021.

This exciting venture aims to streamline and encourage community engagement through a branded, locally focused campaign. Think of the big Sydney events such as Mardi Gras or Sydney Festival: in the same way that diverse acts and companies come together under these brands, local businesses, promoters and event organisers are able to register online under the Head to Surry Hills brand, be featured and listed on the website and benefit from the strategic campaign marketing.

The new HTSH campaign collates all events, promotions and local knowledge in one online platform, and is accessible to all community members, businesses and promoters who wish to get involved.

As summer heats up there are a number of events and promotions lined up across Head to Surry Hills. From Saturday 20th February through to Sunday 7th of March, with the

support of the City of Sydney, HTSH will present 16 days of promotions and events, including Local Rewards offers and discounts, Picnic Surry Hills, Poetry Sydney events, a series of night-time projections and public art installations, self-guided walking tours, and many other events to be announced in partnership with local businesses, groups and individuals.

The aim is to get as many community members, businesses and retailers involved as possible to bolster our neighbourhood as Sydney’s creative hub. From live music shows, artistic performances, markets and gallery exhibitions, to local school events, specialised business offers and locally focused retailer promotions, Head to Surry Hills is driven by community members to benefit everyone – and we mean everyone. Keep your eyes peeled over summer for upcoming events and remember to Head to Surry Hills.

For more information about the campaign, local events and how you can get involved, visit: www.headtosurryhills.com.au.

ocal Rewards launched in October using a loadable gift card which is also now being used as a membership card to earn hundreds of members discounts and rewards across around 80 participating businesses in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Redfern and Potts Point.

Building on the initial success of the program, Local Rewards is set to upgrade to new digital card reading technology provided by award winning Sydney fintech company OpenSparkz, firstly in a limited trial and then in a full roll out in early 2021.

OpenSparkz is one of the leaders in developing new “frictionless” card reading technology, which will do away with the need for consumers to carry dedicated loyalty cards which need to be shown and scanned.

Going forward, Local Rewards members will simply have to register the personal cards of their choice with the program, and will automatically receive rewards when they shop with participating merchants.

For merchants, the OpenSparkz technology does away with the need for any dedicated point of sale technology or training of staff.

The transaction occurs securely and automatically, with the reward credited to the members’ account.

Ultimately, Local Rewards will be available as an app which can give consumers information about rewards close to them through geolocation technology.

Sacha Newell, business development

“ Local Rewards will be available as an app which can give consumers information about rewards close to them through geolocation technology. manager for Local Rewards, said it was exciting that local residents would have the opportunity to be among the first in Australia to use the new technology.

“Having OpenSparkz as a technology partner gives us the opportunity to bring the best in the next generation of digital payments to our community,” said Newell.

“This will be a win win for both consumers and merchants and continue our mission to strengthen the local economy through local loyalty.”

Local Rewards will continue to offer the gift card option to members, who will still be able to load credit onto a card and also – if the card has no value stored – use it as a membership card to receive their rewards.

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4 Local News Redfern’s Albert Cricket Ground, the original SCG Thousands of people will stream in and out of the SCG for this year’s summer of cricket, but very few of them will know that Sydney’s first major home of cricket was actually a few kilometres away in Redfern.

By

Queenie Colquhoun

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djacent to the Redfern Oval, the Albert Ground was opened as a dedicated sports ground in 1864, and was Sydney’s original cricket ground.

Prior to this, Hyde Park was used as Sydney’s main sporting facility, until it became public gardens in 1856.

Although the New South Wales Cricket Association preferred to play at the Domain, a cheaper alternative, The Albert Ground was a notable money making business hosting a number of inter-colonial or ‘state’ games between NSW and Victoria.

The Albert Ground presented an opportunity to play cricket in a fenced area, away from grazing animals. It also hosted a grandstand and a pavilion for its spectators.

However, early Lebanese settlers camped on the cricket ground before being evicted by authorities. The newly evicted community would soon make the Eastern side of

Elizabeth Street home, becoming one of the earliest migrant communities in Redfern.

The Redfern facility hosted five first-class matches between the 1870 and 1878 cricket seasons, regularly hosting crowds of more than 10,000 a day.

The home team for the stadium, the Albert Club, was a champion team, also consisting of the famous Fred Spofforth, universally known as ‘The Demon’, who was the best bowler of the period and is recognised as the first bowler to take 50 Test wickets.

The Albert Ground was the home to cricket in New South Wales until the late 1870s, when it was demolished to give way to the Garrison Ground at Moore Park, which, as we know it today is the Sydney Cricket Ground.

This snippet was taken from Bourke Street Public School’s book 50 Secrets of Surry Hills and Redfern which provides a fantastic look into our neighbourhood and its history.

50 Secrets of Surry Hills and Redfern can be purchased for $50 from Bourke Street Public School or online at 50secrets.com.au with proceeds going to the schools P&C.

CHAMBER UPDATE

Glebe Chamber revived The Glebe Chamber of Commerce, which has been dormant for around 12 months, was revived at an Annual General Meeting in December with a new board focused on rebuilding local engagement and collaborating with other similar chambers.

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lebe has had a longstanding chamber, with over thirty years of history, which has delivered highly successful events such as the annual Glebe Street Fair, but its activities have waned in recent years as businesses in the area came under pressure first from development, digital disruption and more recently the COVID lockdowns.

Jen Burn, who has served with the chamber for over five years, will continue on the new board and work with six other board members, including Urban Village editor Lachlan Colquhoun and Sacha Newell, business development manager for Local Rewards.

Colquhoun said the collaboration was an opportunity to expand the footprint of Urban Village further across the City of Sydney area, and he looked forward to covering Glebe

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issues as Urban Village continues to grow.

Local Rewards, the shop local initiative in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Redfern also has an opportunity to be rolled out in Glebe and strengthen the local business ecosystem.

Jen Burn welcomed the developments, and said she was looking forward to working with the new board as Glebe recovered from the lockdowns in 2021.

“The Glebe Chamber has played an important role in supporting local business, and I look forward to the energy our new board members will bring to their vision for community development,” said Burn.

Businesses interested in learning more about the Glebe Chamber or about Local Rewards should contact Lachlan Colquhoun at: lachlan@urbanvillage.com.au

Photo by Dean Francis

A year we will never forget...

L 2020, the start of a new decade, and the year of Covid. 2020 began like 2019 ended, with bushfires raging across Australia, burning over 18.6 million hectares and killing over 1 billion animals. No sooner had the bushfires subsided, Covid-19 rolled into town. Back then, no one knew just how much the way we worked, lived and socialised was about to change.

By

Mike Galvin

Energy and resilience at NAS It’s been a challenging year at the National Art School, but that hasn’t stopped this year’s cohort of 115 students from making their art and celebrating their graduation with a new exhibition.

By

Queenie Colquhoun

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AS Director and CEO Steven Alderton says that the COVID-19 disruptions had a massive effect on the operations of the school, as the school had the almost impossible task of pivoting from an almost entirely practical educational practice into an online format.

“Our teaching staff were incredible the way that they pivoted to zoom… with lectures here and in their homes demonstrating art making techniques, critiquing their work and art history lectures,” Alderton said.

This year’s graduating class were also thankful for NAS’ adaptability and forward thinking to changing the educational practices

ockdown, sanitiser, social distancing, stop the spread, wear a mask all became part of the worlds vocabulary.

Sani for your hani anyone? For local businesses, the pandemic had a huge impact on not just daily operations, but how businesses would function in the future.

Reinvention meant survival, and we witnessed so many businesses adapt and reimagine their offering. Local residents embraced the new offerings, supporting businesses with their take-away and pantry offerings. Work from home became the new norm, and the home delivery cocktail craze swept into homes cross Sydney.

For the Surry Hills Creative Precinct, we started the year with Picnic Surry Hills in Ward Park featuring food stalls, DJs and live entertainment. As Covid impacted in person

events, our Surry Hills Live sessions moved from local pubs and evolved into Surry Hills Live, a weekly online music show streamed out of JJ Splice Studios in downtown Surry Hills. Over 4,000 people tuned in each week to listen to the sets of Andy Golledge, Liz Martin, Jesse Redwing and an array of other local talent.

Our live Recovery Series has been a platform for locals and businesses to connect, and we look forward to reinventing this experience as both an online and in person series of networking events in 2021. Seen by over 40,000 viewers, the shows featured guests including our Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, local MP Alex Greenwich, Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Scully as well as local artists, performers, community leaders and business owners. You can watch all the episodes and feature interviews via the video section of the Surry Hills Creative Precinct Facebook page.

The Surry Hills Creative Precinct also welcomed new board new members including: Jimmy Wong, Liz Clarke, Amelia Birch, Megan Douglas, Angela Stretch and Orlando Sydney. We look forward to their contributions to the precinct during 2021.

Shopping local just got better - the Local Rewards Gift Card program also launched recently. Supported by the City of Sydney, the program has over 100 participating local businesses on-board and with hundreds of Gift Cards sold and distributed through the community. If you’d like to be part of it, visit www.localrewards.com.au It's been a tough year for Sydneysiders, and an unprecedented and challenging time for local businesses. It’s been inspiring to see how people have looked out for one another across the community. Many residents and business owners have been helping our homeless and marginalised community, as well as our disadvantaged youth. There must be learnings from Covid, and I truly hope that being great, more caring neighbours is a permanent silver lining of a year that has impacted each and every one of us.

As we head into the holiday period, remember the importance of shopping locally, and the real impact this has on our precincts economic health and vibrancy.

Until 2021, have a wonderful break, stay safe and take care of each other. Mike.

Photo: National Art School

of the school. Theoretical work was taught in the first half of the year, so that students would not miss practical time when they returned to campus.

Painting student Emily Ebbs spoke with Urban Village at the graduation ceremony and said: “The good thing is that we got to do all theory in isolation, so that it was all finished when we came back.”

New graduate BFA ceramics student Stella Ramage added, “… when it came to crunch time we didn’t have to worry about anything other than our majors.”

Time away from the campus was also seen as a positive, giving the students a better understanding of the world outside of the school and how to make art in an environment without so many resources.

“I think it’s prepared them for life after art school. We have incredible facilities… So that period away from this site enabled them to think of other ways to make art and new ways to create their current practice,” said CEO

Steven Alderton Ebbs agreed: “I feel like it made everyone more adaptable.”

This is NAS’ first school exhibition since the NIRIN show at the Biennale in March, and the excitement about the future among staff and students was clear.

“The roaring twenties happened a decade after the Spanish Flu in 1919 and I see that pattern emerging again,” said Alderton.

“We’re still worried and concerned about the pandemic but I see the energy and these students are so happy that they’ve made the work and they’re about to present it.”

If you missed the BFA Grad Show, The National Art Schools Master of Fine Art exhibition will run from February 12-21 and features the work of 34 Masters students, as they finish their two year postgraduate course.

Much like the BFA Grad Show, the MFA Grad Show offers a look into the resilience of the arts industry during difficult times.

Local News 5 Photo by Rob Harley

In a year of storm clouds, I’m thankful for two silver linings of 2020.

By

Jess Scully

Photo by Linda Mateljan

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The Importance of Keeping Your Local Alive During Sydney’s COVID-19 lockdown, Annette Tolhurst was waiting for a coffee at Little Evie café in Redfern, and noticed that the business had begun operating both as a coffee shop and a grocery store.

By

Queenie Colquhoun

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ith Little Evie’s business changes largely unknown, Tolhurst decided to create a page for local businesses to post updates to their community members.

Waiting for that coffee was the catalyst for her to start the Keep Your Local Alive campaign in April.

“I thought that’s such a great idea, but how is everyone going to know? Everyone is still at home, working from home, and so I thought, how can I help them?” says Tolhurst.

The group is a place for local Redfern, Surry Hills and Waterloo businesses to post

“ I looked at this community and I thought, what would it be like here if all these shops didn’t exist… It just wouldn’t be the same, it’s a part of why you live here... updates about their business and encourage local residents to recommend and support local businesses to their community.

“I thought, what’s going to happen if these businesses go out of business? And I looked at this community and I thought, what would it be like here if all these shops didn’t exist… It just wouldn’t be the same, it’s a part of why you live here.” says Tolhurst.

Annette has been living in Redfern for almost seven years, and has embedded herself in the area culture.

Well known from her involvement in

the Bourke St Public School community, as well as being a friendly face around the neighbourhood and at local businesses, Tolhurst both preaches and practices the importance of loving and supporting community.

The page was originally shared through a Bourke St Public School community group, Darlo Darlings and a Waterloo and Zetland Business Facebook group.

“That’s how I got the core membership, and then all those people obviously told people about it, and then people would join and join and join.”

Between April 1st and May 1st the group grew from 4 members to 506. Currently Keep Your Local Alive has over 750 participants.

In less than a month 25% of voters in the groups poll mentioned that they had purchased a product or service because they had heard about it through the page. Many voters commenting that they had done this multiple times.

“I found that Redfern was very real, everyone is just who they are,” says Tolhurst.

“Its very community based, very friendly, everyone helps each other. I think that one of the key things is that the local businesses are such a part of why you live in a place like this.”

he first has been our community: it’s been so heart warming seeing people taking care of each other. From fire and smoke to storms and floods, the pandemic and lockdown, even while isolated, Sydney came together. The bushfire relief efforts were extraordinary, including the New Year’s Eve appeal, which raised more than $13 million for the Red Cross disaster relief and recovery fund. Despite the far reaching and devastating impact that Covid-19 has had, the community really came together and brought out the best in each other.

In talking to people for the City of Sydney Community Recovery Plan, they told us to prioritise the most vulnerable, and I’m proud that the City has supported dozens of business and community efforts to build social resilience. There’s been so much goodwill and neighbourliness through it all, and I think we’re seeing people fall back in love with Sydney, as we all relied more on our villages… and now we’re about to have a summer of rediscovering the city that we’ve missed, but like we’ve never seen it before.

The second silver lining has been more life on our streets! We’ve always had to abide by and enforce a lot of regulation about the use of public space, but thankfully now governments at all levels are working together to clear the path for more active use of footpaths and streets. Finally, we’ll have the outdoor use to match our incredible weather and beautiful villages.

I get a thrill every time I see a restaurant, bar or café claiming outdoor space for creativity, entertainment and social life on our city streets: after months being kept away from each other, it’s just what we need right now.

Post lockouts and lockdowns, things are looking up for nightlife lovers in 2021.

Blockages are finally being removed through legislative changes to the Liquor Bill which will mean some of the City’s long-running policy changes will get embedded in law.

I’d love to hear your feedback on how that’s going for businesses and neighbours as we try to find a way to keep that buzz for the long term.

I’m also looking forward to a more walkable 2021 too – we’re extending the pedestrianisation of George St all the way to Central Station and pedestrianising Devonshire Street between Chalmers and Elizabeth Street. This is all part of delivering our long-held vision to deliver people-

“ I get a thrill every time I see a restaurant, bar or café claiming outdoor space for creativity, entertainment and social life on our city streets: after months being kept away from each other, it’s just what we need right now. friendly spaces along the light rail corridor and create a world-class civic boulevard in the City centre.

I’m really excited about this summer and I’ll see you on the streets: keep an eye out for some entertaining surprises in your favourite spots. I’d love to hear your ideas on how we can work together to nurture this more social and connected life in Surry Hills even further in 2021.

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6 Local News Girls and Boys Brigade’s Emma Stubley shares with us her reflections on the G&BB Charity Golf Day, a day spent raising funds in the spirit of resilience.

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t was a sunny but windy day at St Michael’s Golf Course when 144 golfers gathered for The Girls & Boys Brigade Charity Golf Day. The 21st of October marked the 7th annual day that The Brigade have hosted this sell-out event.

Teeing off at 8am, golfers played the 18-hole coastal course, competing for the chance to win the coveted Directors Cup. The course included a range of oncourse competitions, including the Hole in One where golfers tested their aim for the chance to drive away with a flashy A250 Mercedes, provided by the event’s Gold Sponsor Sanderson Mercedes Benz.

The day was also supported by several generous community and corporate supporters, including The Surry Hills Creative Precinct’s Local Reward Program who donated a $250 Local Rewards gift card for one lucky raffle winner.

Over $127,000 was raised on the day to support The Girls & Boys Brigade.

Situated on the corner of Riley and Arthur Street in Surry Hills, The Brigade provides holistic services to help improve the lifelong outcomes for children and youth living with social, educational, and financial disadvantages.

The theme for the day was resilience.

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Money raised will go towards launching a series of resilience workshops in 2021 for children, youth and their families.

The effects of COVID-19 have seen mental health issues rising at an alarming rate in Australia and the mental health system is experiencing increasing demands. At The Girls & Boys Brigade, many families are turning to its holistic family support service for informal counselling and assistance in navigating government and community services.

At the Golf Day’s lunch, Tracy Clifton, Program Manager at The Brigade told the captive audience, “Our Family Support Program is bursting at the seams. We are very aware that we need to develop specific resilience programs and work harder than ever to ensure our children and youth are supported and flourishing.”

The Brigade encourages resilience by allowing children and youth to face personal challenges that improve their confidence.

“These are things that most of us remember doing at home with our parents,” said Ms Clifton.

“But for many of our children this is not the case, so providing those opportunities through programs like our camps or excursions is really important.”

Amongst ever changing COVID-19 restrictions, it was uncertain for a while whether the day would go ahead. Though COVID-19 restrictions required golfers to socially distance throughout the day, spirits were high and golfers enjoyed the chance to catch up on the green.

“Many charities have had to cancel their annual fundraisers due to COVID-19,” said Stefan Lamour-Jansson, Executive Officer of The Girls & Boys Brigade. “We feel very lucky to have been able to hold our Annual Golf Day. A huge thank you to everyone who helped us put this event together and who donated on the day.”

The Brigade is looking forward to hosting its 8th Charity Golf Day at The Lakes Golf Course on the 29th July 2021.

For more information about the organisation, head to: www.girlsandboysbrigade.org.au.

7 Local News Photo: Alli Sabastian Woolf

To market, to market Surry Hills Markets has always been great for the whole family, with stalls full of treasure for all ages and plenty of sunny lawn and play equipment. But many people don’t realize just how deep the family connection goes.

By

Alli Sabastian Woolf

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ot only are the markets run by a close family team, this month the mother daughter element was stronger than ever – with at least six stalls run through mother daughter collaboration and half a dozen others where mum/daughters stopped by throughout the day to offer support. There is also a number of stalls run by siblings, partners, best friends and fur baby parents – because families of all shapes are always welcome in Surry Hills.

Our longest running family connection might be the Cooks, who keep their own bees and sell honey along with antique treasures each month. They’ve been a staple at the Surry Hills Markets for decades, Alice Cook was practically born here according to her mother Jemima; “She was born in June and come the July markets she was in a basinet under the table. People still come up to her and say ‘oh, I know you from when you were breast feeding at the table.’”

Not everyone is bringing their babies along; A couple of our stall holders have taken a step back to take care of infant daughters, but their ware’s are still going strong. Emi from Ems Pottery doesn’t have time to create since her daughter Mia was born but Ichi Joy carry on the legacy with some of her ceramics still for sale at their stall. Another mum on parental leave is Monique from vintage clothes stall Pretty Frocking Vintage, whose daughter is only 10 weeks old. Her sister Janine, the other half of Pretty Frocking, isn’t worried though: “I miss having her here, not because she’s not doing the work but because that market time is the time I get to hang out with her. But we have trained Avery (her 3 year old) so well that he’s been asking when we can go op-shopping again, so I’m sure it won’t be long before baby Elodie is coming on vintage frock hunts with us, part of the family business.”

The markets has a great mix between handmade, vintage and bric-a-brac and that is reflected in the family teams. Bianca and her mother knitted and crocheted adorable baby toys, blankets and pot holders especially for this months markets. Another crafty bunch

are scrunchy makers Sofia and Majken, local primary school students who design and made 73 scrunchies over the last few weeks. “Mum sewed them but we did all the turning inside out and cutting the threads. We chose all the fabric.” They were with Harriet and Lauren who’d made Swedish cinnamon scrolls with their dads help.

And Irene from the Criticos Collective has some beautiful living wreaths created by her mother Vicky at her stall this month. “It’s very clever” explains Irene when talking about how her mother invented these air plant wreaths that keep growing, “It’s not something you throw away, it’s living art.” Her mother is in her 80’s and an avid gardener, “She loves to share her plants and it makes her feel like she’s contributing to the stall, sharing the love. It’s nice, it brings us together.”

That togetherness and quality time is a big contributor in many of the mother daughter teams, almost all the mums reflected on having a dedicated day together; “From a mothers point of view it’s wonderful because we get to see each other at least once a month – we have a great rapport, we have fun. It brings us closer together as a family.” Said Jemima Cook.

Asako agrees – it’s a main motivation for having her succulent stall paired with her daughter Layla who’s selling clothes. “We can talk, we can have the time together – when kids grow up you don’t get so much time together but here you spend the whole day talking.”

And it’s not just quality time, mums want to support their children’s dreams. Jules really appreciates the dedicated help from her mother Linda since starting her own sustainable fashion label Whipp. “You can’t do this without your mum – you just can’t” says Jules. “It feels impossible to do without a mum. I went to a slow fashion event and all the designers had their mums there – all of them.

At the end of the day the mums all got together and joked about unionizing.”

“It’s a lot to do on your own” Linda agreed, talking about all the different elements of the business she can help with, especially emotional support through the challenges of running a fashion label and the reward of seeing your child’s succeed in their passions.

“I’m paid in “I love you mum”, and we have a lot of fun. We have a good laugh.” “It’s fun,” agrees Jules, “We get a nice bottle of wine on the way home and we have a good laugh” Laughter is a common sound here – stall holders are always laughing with each other and their customers and everyone is always down for a chat. “It’s great interacting with the customers – Lots of interesting people come here. It’s nice, I enjoy it – I wouldn’t come if I didn’t enjoy it.” explains Atlantis’ mum Vicki, helping her at the colourful Not Too Shabby clothing stall. Atlantis agrees “Mum’s here every markets, she just loves being at the markets and giving me a hand – we meet so

“ Connecting with your family isn’t the only important social aspect of coming here for stall holders. Asako reflected on how important the social element of the markets is, particularly after a year of isolation and separation. “If you’re home all the time it’s really depressing – with covid I hardly go out or see friends and family so this is really special, I meet so many different people.” many interesting people here.”

Connecting with your family isn’t the only important social aspect of coming here for stall holders. Asako reflected on how important the social element of the markets is, particularly after a year of isolation and separation. “If you’re home all the time it’s really depressing – with covid I hardly go out or see friends and family so this is really special, I meet so many different people.”

“It’s the community that keeps us coming back for years and years.” Said Jemima “We just love spending time with the people, the other stall holders and the people who come every month to see us – it’s our social time.”

The effect of all the family influence on Surry Hills Markets is clear – whether it’s chosen families or blood families, these connections have created a community that’s so much more than the sum of its parts. We feel enriched by the love and laughter that’s flowing between the stalls – it’s filling a need that’s especially vital during these isolating times – a sense of caring and connection much deeper than the euphoria of finding a bargain (though we do love that bit as well). Coupled with the abundance of friendly dogs and beautiful park, The Surry Hills Markets can feel like an oasis in the hurly burly of city life.

The Surry Hills Markets are on the first Saturday of Every month except January.

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8 Feature Photo by Russell Quinn

Poetry BY

CHARLES FREYBERG

Vanessa and Shirley at Les Girls

Funny how I often seem To think I’ll never find another dream...

I cannot meet the mirror I’m empty like the dresses hanging on the rack Shirley can I leap with you soaring and plummeting on a gust way over the orchestra, notes spurting like blood from my throat an exquisite sauce, I sigh, a lump of purple glaring on my neck it sings as I tease it with a viscous blob of makeup his kisses seem last year, not last night.

I touch the itch of gilded twill silk as glossy as lips, Hellen stitched her foot on the treddle sequins glow over red and purple lace, her laughter resounds a ridicule of dullness then the venom of her stare her reasoning a weapon, “Lets find more strength than them.”

I chuckle as I gag.

The dancers are dressing, fabric in strands like petals starts to blossom on their bodies.

I embolden my makeup the ghost of crazy Ophelia throwing punches at the court, we’re freed from all constraint.

I’m nervous like a fever.

The stage shakes under our feet as men quaff cocktails

Planning for Every Scenario Even before the Northern Beaches COVID-19 outbreak just before Christmas, Albert Kruger and his team at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras had modelled 42 different scenarios for holding the 2021 event (which has been held for 42 years).

Kruger sat down with Urban Village’s Lachlan Colquhoun to discuss planning for an event unlike any other in the proud history of Mardi Gras.

pinching their wives, they share our longing for the world to be upended just here, just now, we turn the tables of bucks burn with our acid beauty.

We curtsy to their cheers.

This is me This is my life.

Charles Freyberg is a Kings Cross poet and playwright. His forthcoming book The Crumbling Mansion, published through Ginninderra Press will be released in March 2021. poetrysydney.org

www.urbanvillage.com.au

By

Lachlan Colquhoun

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s this edition of Urban Village goes to print at Christmas 2020 no-one can really know what Sydney’s immediate future holds.

Will a new lockdown mean the end of the new freedoms the city had started to enjoy in early December? Will the Northern Beaches cluster be brought under control and can the city resume its slow return to almost normal?

One person with a lot invested in a positive answer to this question is Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger, who could have had no idea of the maelstrom which was set to confront him when he took up his role in December 2019.

Mardi Gras, of course, is one of Sydney’s flagship events and a beacon for the LGBTQI+ community around the world, so there is a lot at stake.

Sydney has a big investment in Mardi Gras, and after the tough and isolating lockdowns of 2020 the community was looking to Mardi Gras as an opportunity to break out, party, and start to create the future afresh.

“I think the biggest thing is that we are not quitters,” Kruger said in an interview just before Christmas, and before the sudden shock of the new lockdown restrictions.

“The biggest thing for us is that it has never been cancelled in 42 years and this wasn’t going to be the first one. Not on my watch.

“We have worked super hard to understand what the restrictions are and how we’d be able to deliver a safe event.”

The current planning for 2021 is for a unique event, a parade at the Sydney Cricket Ground ticketed for 46,000 people which would be live streamed into venues and house parties where satellite events and performances would be staged.

Originally, the organisers had approval for 23,000 people at the SCG, but this was upped to 46,000 when the restrictions were eased in December. Now, who knows?

But assuming the event is held as planned with the parade on Saturday March 6, it will be meticulously planned. Beyond the logistics of the parade and the broadcast, there will also be a massive contact tracing effort with the collaboration of NSW Health.

“The community expects us to be at the forefront of dealing with the pandemic and we feel we have risen to the occasion and can give them something that is safe,” says Kruger.

Normally, the Mardi Gras attracts a crowd of 500,000, but this year’s crowd will be around one tenth of that. Interest in the event remains huge, so significant planning has gone into creating a platform for streaming broadcast where a similar number of people can still participate.

This goes beyond simply watching the parade on streaming, explains Kruger.

“When you are walking around the streets on Mardi Gras nights it is an amazing and electric feeling and we want to recreate that in small pockets, and that is how we can engage as many people as we possibly can through the venues,” he says.

“So that brings in all the other artists, the DJ’s and the performers. If we are not only in the SCG but in as many as 70 other venues throughout the city with people engaging not just with the parade but with specific performances, then that is a great way for us to still engage our community and do something spectacular in a COVID environment.”

What happens with Mardi Gras is not only being watched closely in Sydney, but around the world as other Pride movements – which all cancelled their events this year – look to Sydney for a successful and safe template for the future.

“We are sharing our playbook with these other events and are happy to do so,” says Kruger.

“And looking forward to a time when the

“ Normally, the Mardi Gras attracts a crowd of 500,000, but this year’s crowd will be around one tenth of that. Interest in the event remains huge, so significant planning has gone into creating a platform for streaming broadcast where a similar number of people can still participate.”

world has a vaccine, our 2023 Mardi Gras is shaping as the event which will not only open up Sydney, but send a signal to the world.”

That event, says Kruger, will definitely be back in Oxford Street, the “spiritual home” of Mardi Gras, but the 2021 event as planned will definitely be one to remember.

“It’s going to a hybrid of what we’ve done before and we’ll be using the online platform to drive wider engagement,” he says.

“It’s going to be a one off special event, and absolutely first class.”

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10 Eastside Sydney Guide 1933 BOOZE HOUSE & KITCHEN

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Summer 2021 11

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12 Local Stories Photo Rob Harley

Local Stories

The Cliff Notes of Trans and Gender Diverse Identities Grand Royal Barbers In 1999 Steve Salecich and Maria Dillon set out to revolutionise the barbershop landscape in Sydney.

M

ore than two decades later Grand Royal Barbers (named after the label and magazine of Steve and Maria’s favourite band, The Beastie Boys) is an institution for men’s grooming, now operating out of salons in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Sydney CBD. Walking into the Riley Street Salon feels

like a trip back to the 1930s: reupholstered retro barber chairs in bright red leather with sleek silver trims face floor to ceiling mirrors, vintage knickknacks are displayed in cabinets and a choice of beverage on arrival transport clients to another time.

Customer service is key for Grand Royal, in fact, during his training years Steve was taught the importance of banter alongside skill when delivering the barbershop experience.

Steve is a fifth-generation barber. He was introduced to the trade by his father, and his aunt works alongside him in the Riley Street Salon. His business partner and wife Maria has trained internationally and runs their Darlinghurst salon.

“I’m very proud of the experienced staff in our team and the three great destinations we have created. We have a band of juniors coming through who are being trained by some of the best barbers in the industry, which in turn will mean a healthy crop of new barbers to keep our craft alive,” said Steve.

Customers are made to feel like family when they walk through the door. Their level of customer service, craft precision and experience have earned Grand Royal Barbers the reputation as one of the top barbershops in Sydney.

Local Rewards members can receive a free EVO Hair product with any haircut, beard trim or shave.

With the recent (and frankly vile) revitalisation of Mark Latham’s Education Amendment Bill, it’s about time we talked about how Trans and Gender Diverse people should be treated – with respect.

By

Mike Hitch

H

owever, it can be hard to know what’s respectful or hurtful if you’re simply out of the loop on discussions of gender and trans identities. If you feel out of the loop, then never fear, because this is a quick guide to understanding pronouns, terms and inclusivity when it comes to our gender diverse family.

Gender Affirmation & Pronouns:

It’s a jungle out there Noraville Green has opened in Darlinghurst.

Enter through the Chisholm Street back alley to find the lush terrace jungle of hand-picked plants.

T

anya Baker and Bobby Hamilton have always been plant people, but it wasn’t until 2017 that the couple turned their green hobby into a business.

“When we no longer had to rely on any other income, that’s when we became full time plant people,” said Tanya.

Tanya’s background is in fine art and photography and Bobby had an inner-city removalist business before the pair packed up and moved north to the Central Coast.

“I think what started it was when we were selling our apartment, we didn’t have enough money for styling. We ended up buying lots of plants instead.”

The flagship Noraville Green store is in Toukley, the town neighbouring Noraville in the Central Coast. There you’ll find the large greenhouse which Tanya and Bobby converted from an old mechanics warehouse.

Now Noraville Green is open in Darlinghurst too. Tanya has tried to replicate the treasure trove of the Toukley greenhouse in their terrace courtyard.

“Our range makes us unique, specifically our house and tropical plants. We try to keep the plants back in the greenhouse so we can provide a bigger, healthier plant.

That way when someone takes it home

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there’s less chance of it dying.”

The Noraville Green team members hand pick their plants from nurseries twice a week and are there in store to make sure you choose the plants best suited to your space.

“I just love watching plants grow. They change and they die, and sometimes they surprise you and grow really big and

beautiful.”

“It’s a very joyful business to be in.

Customers walk out happy and it’s nice to be able to provide that service.”

Noraville Green | 62 Flinders St, Darlinghurst (enter via Chisholm Street). Follow: @ noravillegreen

ACON has created a handy glossary to understanding trans-affirming language – which I strongly advise you to checkout.

However, as a cliff note, the language we’ll be discussing is called ‘trans-affirming’ as it’s designed to affirm trans identities while encompassing the remarkable differences in physical, emotional and spiritual experiences that occur with a trans identity.

‘Trans’ and ‘Gender Diverse’ are umbrella terms used to describe people whose gender is different from what was presumed for them at birth. These terms can refer to history or experience as well as an identity, and refer to identity as being female, male or non-binary identity.

Binary trans identities can be labelled as ‘male’ and ‘female’, while people whose gender is not exclusively female or male, are sometimes labelled non-binary and use ‘they/ them’ pronouns. A person might identify specifically as non-binary, or relate to nonbinary as a term for genderfluid, genderqueer, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender, bigender, or anything in-between.

‘Sistergirl’ and ‘Brotherboy’ are terms used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to describe gender diverse people that have a female or male spirit, and take on female or male roles within the community.

These terms are distinct from the Western classifications of ‘woman’, and ‘man’ as they refer to the spiritual and cultural elements of gender and identity. As such, a nonbinary First Nations person can identify as a Brotherboy, due to their cultural identity.

But why do these terms matter so much?

Well, it’s important to affirm the identity of trans and gender diverse people, just as others should affirm your identity.

This is known as ‘gender affirmation’, which

“ Remember, ‘gender’ is how you interact with others, while ‘sex’ is the physical parts of the body that are related to the development/ regulation and reproductive systems.

As such, a trans person who hasn’t medically or legally affirmed their gender is no less the man, woman or nonbinary person. is a blanket term for the physical (e.g., surgery) and social integration of a trans or gender diverse person. Terms such as ‘Sex change’, for example, are not only outdated, exclusive and offensive – but also factually incorrect as ‘gender’ and ’sex’ are not the same thing.

Remember, ‘gender’ is how you interact with others, while ‘sex’ is the physical parts of the body that are related to the development/ regulation and reproductive systems. As such, a trans person who hasn’t medically or legally affirmed their gender is no less the man, woman or non-binary person.

However, while some trans people connect with their trans experience, others don’t.

Gender dysphoria, the distress or unease sometimes experienced when someone’s gender isn’t recognised by society, varies significantly from person to person. Many trans people, for example, do not experience gender dysphoria, or if they do, it may cease with support or gender affirmation.

As such, it’s also important to remember that trans identities do not revolve around medicalisation, pain or trauma – though these aspects can play into how a trans person experiences their identity. Instead, in this new year, try to remember that trans identities are about how a person feels inside, which influences how they identify on the outside.

And most importantly, if in doubt when talking to a trans person, it’s okay to ask them for clarification respectfully (e.g. What are your pronouns?). When in doubt, do some research. But most importantly, remember the mantra of ‘treat others how you would want to be treated,’ when it comes to how you identify!

Surry Hills transformation underway TOGA announces the Construction Commencement of Surry Hills Village

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rogress is well underway at the exciting revitalisation of the Surry Hills Village precinct by leading Australian developer and builder, TOGA. The first shovel will break ground in February, marking the start of construction at the site.

The much-anticipated transformation of Surry Hills Village will deliver a vibrant residential, shopping and dining destination for the community.

Once complete, the community will be able to enjoy a diverse range of new public spaces including a new 517 square metre park, and a pedestrian laneway linking Marriott Street and Baptist Street.

Additionally, the precinct will feature a Coles supermarket, Vintage Cellars, boutiques, providores, restaurants, street cafes and parking for retail customers, creating a welcoming space to shop, live, work and socialise.

TOGA has partnered with some of Australia’s most exceptional and award-winning creatives with the vision of creating a truly “Surry Hills” destination, many of whom are Surry Hills locals themselves, such as Adam Haddow, SJB Architects and Sacha Coles, Director, Aspect.

The new retail and dining experience will include a mix of some of inner-city Sydney’s best-known up and coming retailers, including restaurants and bars ensuring the precinct will celebrate the unique character and energy of Redfern and Surry Hills.

Fabrizio Perilli, CEO of TOGA, said the start of construction was an exciting milestone for this iconic suburb: “We are proud to leading the revitalisation of one Sydney’s most significant sites and embarking on the next phase of the project.

“We have long history in the area, having redeveloped the former Crown Street Women’s Hospital into the Adina Apartment Hotel in 1994. We also have a growing presence in the area, having announced our joint-venture

“ The new retail and dining experience will include a mix of some of inner-city Sydney’s best-known up and coming retailers, including restaurants and bars ensuring the precinct will celebrate the unique character and energy of Redfern and Surry Hills... partnership with Ashe Morgan to transform 56-76, 82106, and 110-122 on Oxford Street.

“We’re hugely passionate about the neighbourhood, and will retain ownership of much of the Surry Hills Village development after the construction. We are committed to this community and in it for the long term.”

To assist local shoppers while the centre is closed, TOGA is providing a complimentary community shuttle bus that will run from the current site to the Coles at Crystal Street Waterloo. The bus will be departing from the bus stop adjacent to the project’s display centre at 3 Baptist Street, Redfern.

The community shuttle bus will operate every hour from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 3pm on weekends, with passenger pick-ups at 40-50 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills and 55 Morehead Street, Redfern.

The shuttle bus timetable and further details will be available online: www.surryhillsvillagecommunity.com.au Construction is expected to run from February 2021 to end of 2023.

To find out more or if you have any questions, please visit: www. surryhillsvillagecommunity.com.au

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14 Local Stories Local Stories

Via Napoli By

Tess Scholfield-Peters

L

uigi Esposito came to Sydney from Naples in 2010 with the goal of bringing the culture of his hometown streets to Australia. A decade later and Luigi has opened multiple restaurants around Sydney, with another in the works.

Luigi brings Naples to Crown Street at Via Napoli, the large airy restaurant known for its traditional woodfire pizza and lavish stretches of antipasto boards.

Luigi’s passion for Italian cooking began early, at age eight, when he followed his grandparents around the streets of Naples selling pagniottiello and freshly made pizza fritta to the locals.

“My grandmother was very tough on me, she made sure I learned the right way,” Luigi told Urban Village.

Via Napoli has been on Crown Street for

Photo by Rob Harley

six years now. Their sister venue, Pizza Fritta 180, is also on Crown Street and exudes the same simple and authentic dining experience Luigi and his team are known for.

Luigi’s passion and enthusiasm for good food and community spirit has won him a slew of awards, including a place in the top 50 World’s Best Pizzas, Good Food’s Top 10 Best Pizzas in Sydney, and multiple local business awards for his franchises beyond Surry Hills, in Lan Cove and Hunters Hill.

“One of the things I love the most is our approach the customers. We’re friendly, honest and make sure everyone leaves happy,” Luigi said.

I can’t help but ask about the secret to a good pizza.

“For me, the secret to a good pizza is in the hands. With your hands you understand that the dough is ready, you understand the stretch of the pizza, you can judge the temperature of the oven. The experience in the hands is important. That’s what makes our pizza fantastic.”

Photo by Rob Harley

Flowers go online at Merchant and Green Flowers have been in high demand during the Covid disruptions as people have focused on home decorating and adding new indoor and outdoor plants.

By

Queenie Colquhoun

F

or Redfern florist Merchant and Green this has created new business opportunities and surprising demand, which they have responded to online.

Part of the Redfern community since 2017, Merchant and Green is owned by Chris Saban, himself a local resident for over 20 years.

Merchant and Green is a boutique florist and also offers workshops for terrarium making, kokedama and flower arranging.

“When we first opened in 2017 we were teaching one every couple of months and it’s grown to the point where we’re currently

Photo by Rob Harley

Martinez Art Dealer By

Tess Scholfield-Peters

S

erafin Martinez has always loved collecting art. Around a decade ago, he and husband Thai ran out of wall space for all their acquisitions.

“I decided I would try my hand at listing the works on eBay. Slowly but surely we started selling at a profit. We then started to meet artists, other dealers and galleries.”

Martinez Art Dealer came to fruition in 2012. Serafin and Thai source directly from artists and wholesalers, the majority of which are Australian.

According to Serafin, the Sydney art dealing world is cut-throat and without much space for a bespoke customer experience.

“I have clients say that when walking into a main street gallery they feel intimidated or pressured with a hard sell. There’s snobbery attached to those galleries.

“That’s why we created our private gallery downstairs in the basement of our building. Our clients can book appointments and when they

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come in, they get a full 360 experience and my individual attention.”

The studio is below their home, a converted warehouse that was once a felt hat factory in the 1930s. The ceilings reach 5 metres high and a heavy metal barn door opens up to a two-level gallery space and the immense collection of curated artworks.

“I give at least 30 minutes to an hour to each client, so they can be with the paintings undisturbed.”

Serafin is with his clients before, during and after the sale. He even offers a free home visit service where he and Thai drive the prospective artwork to the client’s home to trial it on their wall before purchase, with no obligations.

“It’s hard to envision it at home when it’s on a gallery wall. At home they can feel the dynamic of the work in the space. Generally, it turns into a sale.”

Teenagers getting into art for the first time and seasoned collectors alike are catered for by Serafin, with works for every budget and highly individualised service.

Ring or email Serafin to make an appointment or browse over 500 works in the online gallery. Local Rewards members can receive 10 to 20% discount on purchases.

doing around six to eight a week,” says Saban.

Seasonal classes such as ceramics, weaving and Christmas wreath making are also offered. Both private and public classes are taught to anyone from corporate groups to future hobbyists.

“The Christmas wreath workshops we’ve been doing, we’ve done almost 200 people this year, and we did some at the Botanic Gardens,” says Saban.

As the Sydney Covid-19 lockdown threatened the business, Merchant and Green were quick to adapt.

“Sydney City Council did an amazing thing for us,” says Saban.

“They gave us a grant to develop a whole range of online classes. We found packaging and all the items and quickly worked out how to use Zoom, and launched online classes.

“When Melbourne went into lockdown we were doing four or more classes a week teaching people in Melbourne, people in Regional Victoria, people in Regional New South Wales how to make things.

“A little kit would be delivered to their house, they’d jump onto Zoom with me and then classes went online.”

Merchant and Green has survived the pandemic through a combination of innovation and support from council and community, both in Redfern and a new community reached online.

“It seemed like we were going to lose everything in our business and the opposite happened,” says Saban.

“Everyone is buying flowers, decorating their houses, everyone was buying plants to set up their home offices.”

During the worst of lockdown the store was still able to remain open, with local residents lining up outside to pick flowers by pointing at the window displays.

“There is a deep sense of community,” says Saban.

“Even just knowing that people are looking out for you when you’re under so much pressure and stress is a good thing.”

Photo by Ever by X

Ever by X finds local X factor Launched in December 2019, at the height of bushfires which then segue-wayed into a pandemic, Kerryl Bullen thought there would never be the right time for her to push her Ever by X fashion brand.

By

Queenie Colquhoun

“T

hen I read a quote: ‘Use this time to reinvent what you do. Bring customers new alternatives, new values and in the process reinvent your own brand. Don’t let innovation stop as this could be your window of opportunity,’” says Bullen.

From that moment, she stopped feeling unsure about pushing her new business and, “started making the dress and found a community of Australians (in particular women) that were passionate about seeking out quality brands that were Australian made.”

Ever by X is a family owned luxury, slow fashion brand from Redfern that aims to produce its garments sustainably and ethically.

The brand offers a versatile dress which offers busy people a quick fix to wardrobe meltdowns. The One Dress project is an adaptable dress that changes through life phase, shape and style.

Mother of twins and small business owner, Bullen saw a need for quality and stylish clothes appropriate to the demands of a busy life.

“By simplifying your wardrobe with one dress, you’ll gain ‘me’ time for the long game while looking and feeling incredible,” she says.

Bullen appreciates how the community spirit of Redfern has helped her promote and market her business through the Facebook page, Keep Your Local Alive, which seeks to enable local businesses to communicate with the local community, and for businesses to be recommended by local residents.

Keep Your Local Alive is as an online extension of the local community’s values, where the importance of supporting local businesses is emphasized along with the camaraderie amongst residents.

The ability to promote her page through the platform enabled Bullen to grow her new business, as well as receive support and word of mouth from customers.

“It was a great local awareness raiser,” she says.

“We feel like we live in a diverse community of like minded people with similar values – we all love and appreciate living here.”

Local Stories 15 Photo by Andrew Tsangarides By

Queenie Colquhoun

O

Framing gets personal at ACME ACME Framing was founded over fifty years ago by 1960s pop artist Martin Sharpe’s picture framer, Fern Lindsay. Geoff Bracken had been working at ACME for three years when he took ownership in 2000.

ver the past 20 years, Geoff and his team have built Acme into a trusted Surry Hills institution known for their high quality and creativity in each unique project.

COVID-19 disruptions have seen the business build an even closer connection to their community as locals choose to frame more personal and intimate items during the lockdown period.

Bracken says that with everyone at home, people are “discovering a lot of wonderful hidden treasures to frame.”

“We’ve framed an amazing array of items over the years, from kids’ drawings to an autographed toilet seat signed by infamous American film maker John Waters,” says Bracken.

Acme have also framed numerous prints by famous street artist Banksy including recent work on a signed and numbered edition of his iconic 2005 “Flower Thrower” mural in Jerusalem.

The Acme team is comprised of a close knit and dedicated collection of professional, artists, photographers, designers and master framers who together possess over 80 years of framing experience.

The pandemic has seen the home renovation and interior design industries flourish, as isolation has pushed people to de-clutter, redecorate and refresh their home and work environments.

“Getting those family photos and memorabilia out of storage, having them framed in a really nice way and getting them up on your walls is a great way of honouring and celebrating the people close to us,” says Bracken.

“Over the years we’ve created some wonderful framed collections for our clients, that bring together old family photos and heirlooms into a single frame. We also offer a photo re-printing and re-touching service, so it’s possible to share framed re-prints of these photos with other members of your extended family.

“It’s a lovely way for families to connect across generations.”

Local Stories Photo by Rob Harley

All About Salon By

Tess Scholfield-Peters

T

he team at All About Salon are passionate about making their clients feel great. Each stylist delivers top quality cutting, styling and dying, with techniques honed by years in the industry.

Founder and head stylist Wizdom Westlake has been a hairdresser for fourteen years. Originally from London, Wizdom came to Sydney seven years ago and was drawn to Surry Hills instantly.

“I love how connected it is, how diverse it is, I automatically felt like I was meant to be here. I’ve lived and worked in Surry Hills for the past seven years and when I decided to open my business this was the first place I chose.”

Wiz opened All About Hair in October 2018. The Crown Street salon has since cultivated a large local clientele, who have come to expect high quality styling and customer service.

The salon is part of the small business culture of Crown Street, an ecosystem of neighbours who help and support each other through what has been an immensely challenging period.

“What I really love about working in a small business is that you get to do something new every day. I love giving team members opportunities to make them the best version of themselves.”

All About has partnered with Sustainable Salons ANZ (@sustainablesalonsanz), a social enterprise that rescues up to 95% of salon resources from landfill and finds repurposing solutions that benefit the community.

“We recycle everything from hair clippings to excess colour. We also have an inclusivity policy which means wherever you’re from, you will be accepted here at our salon.”

Now partnered with Local Rewards, customers can receive 20% off their next salon visit when they show their card.

Local

Rewards

Featured Businesses

VIA NAPOLI 20% OFF YOUR WHOLE ORDER Via Napoli Pizzeria is a traditional Neapolitan restaurant led by 3rd generation pizzaiolo Luigi Esposito. They proudly follow classic family recipes and create an ambience reminiscent of the lively streets of Naples, Italy.

BRIX DISTILLERY & BAR 15% OFF YOUR WHOLE ORDER Brix Distillery & Bar is a casual, classic and friendly Surry Hills bar combined with a craft rum distillery producing award winning Sydney made rums. It’s the only place in Sydney where you can sip your favourite cocktail over some delicious food while watching 1800LT copper still “Molly” produce delicious rum.

Feel free to chat with their distillers about anything you want to know or run through a delicious rum flight with one their amazing bar team.

BELLA RESTAURANT & WINE BAR 20% OFF YOUR WHOLE ORDER (Monday - Thursday, 10% off all weekend) Bella is a new Italian restaurant and wine bar, vegetarian and pescatarian with vegan and gluten free options.

Everything is homemade including their selection of fresh pasta made every day with the best ingredients from Italy and Australia.

SUZIE Q COFFEE & RECORDS 10% OFF YOUR ORDER ($20 Minimum) Suzie Q Coffee & Records is a celebration of the finer things in life, namely delicious food, music, great coffee and good company. With friendly service and a meticulous attention to detail that extends to every facet of the business, from a menu homaging classical jazz, rock and techno songs to the hand-picked collection of rare records, Suzie Q is a hub for like-minded people to meet, relax and gorge on quality produce.

NORAVILLE GREEN 10% OFF YOUR ORDER Beautiful plants for your home & garden... Bamboo & Tiger Grass, perfect screening plants, low maintenance, clumping, non-invasive screening plant. Perfect for the suburban environment.

BAYSWATER FINE WINES BUY 3 BOTTLES OR MORE AND RECEIVE CASE PRICE FOR ANY WINE. Bayswater Fine Wines is a wine & liquor retail outlet offering excellence in customer service to the local community and visitors. The team have deep knowledge and passion for wine and can assist you with recommending wines to suit all tastes and budgets.

MALONEYS GROCER 10% OFF YOUR ORDER ($50 minimum) Maloneys Grocer is 100% family owned and run. Quality and customer service has always been their principal focus. They hand pick their produce and taste fresh food and groceries. Supporting Australian growers and producers will always be a priority, as is buying fresh seasonal produce. Their staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

THE CARRINGTON 10% OFF YOUR ORDER The Carrington is one of Surry Hill’s oldest pubs, serving the best food and drinks to locals since 1877. They are a proud dog-friendly venue, with a menu for your fur baby as well as an extensive menu for all the twolegged folk. The Carro is the perfect spot for a date night, catching your favourite sports on the weekends, or grabbing a quick drinks with friends.

ALL ABOUT SALON 20% OFF YOUR ORDER A salon with a conscience. Specialising in colour, particularly blondes & balayage. They are a social enterprise that rescues up to 95% of salon resources from landfill and finds repurposing solutions that benefit our planet, all while supporting the community.

MARTINEZ ART DEALER 10% OFF YOUR ORDER Martinez Art Dealer is a leading Australian online and physical Art Gallery established in 2012.

Click the QR code on top of page to view our full businesses directory.

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16 Local Advice

The easiest way to FAIL your future self’s finances in 2021 By

Glen Hare

Glen Hare is one half of Surry Hills based financial advice firm The Fox & The Hare www.foxandharewealth.com

As we put the dumpster fire that was 2020 firmly behind us, it’s more important than ever to think about how we can transform 2021 into the life changing realignment that we all so sorely need!

I

n my experience as a financial adviser, many of us have a general idea of what it is we should be doing on our journey toward financial freedom but, for whatever reasons, fail to get started. Whether it’s option paralysis, procrastination or just “waiting for the perfect time” it’s this failure to get started that is one of the biggest financial hurdles we see here at Fox & Hare Financial Advice.

When it comes to finance, procrastination should be considered public enemy number one. Consider this, you’ve been thinking of getting started investing for a while - whether it be property, stocks or even additional super but, for whatever reasons, haven’t yet taken the plunge. Every moment spent deliberating robs you of a moment that could have been spent accruing interest! Two hypothetical Surry Hills locals, Yin and Marcus are looking to begin

By

investing. Yin starts January 2021, depositing $400 per week at five per cent per annum for ten years. Marcus takes a while to get started and doesn’t make his first deposit until January 2026, but decides on $800 per week - to make up for lost time. $400 per week for ten years or $800 per week for five, both at five per cent PA interest. Do you think there would be a significant divergence in the returns? If you said yes, you would be right. At the ten year mark, Yin would walk away with a total of $269,152 while Mark would finish more than $30k down at $235,752. The reason? Compounding interest - which is the interest you get paid on the interest that you earned!

It’s a general, very simplified example but still a pertinent one. If you’re looking to fail your future’s finances this year, then your very best bet is to not get started working on them!

red wine could have numerous health benefits.

Therefore a ban on a fine bottle of Merlot seems a tad harsh. Scientists in Japan say, "alcohol improves insulin sensitivity" which means our bodies become better at storing and using carbohydrates and sugars following a cheeky gin.

Essentially, the idea of Dry January seems a bit extreme. What's worse is it perpetuates this denial/binge cycle which is an approach that will no doubt lead to an alcohol-fuelled February as people already begin to plan their first colossal night out to celebrate 31 alcohol-free days and that's hardly healthy.

Photo Supplied

Avoid falling off the Fitness Wagon in 2021 By

Dave Marsh

J

anuary is upon us and our hopes and dreams for the year ahead typically include one or two vows of abstinence accompanied by a renewed sense of vigour to attend the gym. But research conducted shows that, despite our best efforts, 92 percent of us will have fallen off the bandwagon by February. Not necessarily due to lack of discipline, but simply because our well-intentioned plans were scientifically flawed and destined to end in tears, cake and abandoned gym memberships. Here are the resolutions you need to AVOID for a happier, healthier and more successful 2021.

1. Train every day: Willpower can only get you so far. That's because even with the very best intentions, unbridled passion and a protein shaker you are only human. Therefore you must obey certain laws of physiology that govern us all. This includes taking care of your immune system, which ultimately prevents you from burning out. It's widely accepted in sports science that light exercise can stimulate

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the immune system. In fact, research published states, "Moderate exercise is associated with a reduced incidence of infection."

But before you crank it up to level 15 and attack it like a spartan soldier it would be wise to heed the words of the Journal of applied knowledge. Scientists claim all-out, balls-to-thewall training can cause a "temporary depression" of the immune system. This is an idea supported by the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Loughborough University who say, "although elite athletes are not clinically immune deficient, it is possible that the combined effects of small changes in several immune parameters may compromise resistance to common minor illnesses." Put simply, you can be extremely physically fit but should you train too hard you could be knocked out by a common cold.

Embrace your rest days because you can't train a suppressed immune system.

2. Dry January: Granted, any national initiative that increases donations to a charity is a good thing. But why are we vilifying all alcohol? If it's for health reasons, researchers discovered the natural compound known as resveratrol found in

3. Restrictive diets: Don't follow restrictive diets. The human body was never meant to eat through rules and checklists. Public library of science says calorie restriction dramatically reduces total "daily energy expenditure." If you drastically reduce your food intake your body will automatically reduce the rate at which it moves and burns calories. You effectively move less, and slow down.

It's all related to a primitive mechanism that's innate within all of us that kicks in when we think a famine is coming. An idea supported by the Division of General Medicine which looked at "depression of the resting metabolic rate after massive weight loss." Meaning not only do you move less, but your metabolism slows down in response to severe calorie restriction.

Instead, take note of the research which believes, "health communities should work to empower individuals with knowledge needed to reconcile weight control." Read and learn about nutrition, don't just follow checklists. But above all else, understand that it's not the quantity of food you eat, it's the quality.

4. "Exotic", fashionable fads: Every year, without fail, a new fashionable and exotic fad is unleashed. "Consumer belief in the nutraceutical category has increased significantly". That confidence in magic cures may be misplaced. Instead you might be better off visiting your local allotment for some homegrown, quality, nutrient-dense foods like Kale. It's not as sexy as handpicked Brazilian berries, but scientists found the vegetable was incredibly high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. So save your money, avoid fads and invest in some homegrown, quality produce.

Dave Marsh is a Surry Hills based fitness professional. Get in touch with him via Insta @ movable.muscle or www.movablemuscle.com

Peter English

Registered Trade Marks Attorney Surry Partners Lawyers, Peter English is the director & founding partner of Surry Partners Lawyers. www.surrypartners.com.au

Designers – better IP protection is coming

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ustralia’s intellectual property (IP) laws have always made it difficult for its design community to profit from its success. Copyright protection for designers will take you only so far. If you are writer, musician, artist or graphic designer, copyright is your friend. Without the need for any form of registration, the Copyright Act confers on “authors” the exclusive right to publish and reproduce their work. That protection lasts a lifetime + 50 years.

If you are a designer planning to develop and commercialise your own products, or you run an organisation that employs designers, copyright protection has limited value. Unless designers apply for formal protection under the Designs Act before they publish their design, by selling it or

even offering it for sale, once 50 or more of the designed products are sold, their copyright is lost and protection under the Designs Act is denied. Seriously?

In December 2020 IP Australia published a summary of its “Designs Reform Project”. It found that Australian designers contribute more than $67 billion to the Australian economy, with a strong presence in manufacturing and global supply chains.

Despite this contribution, fewer than 0.5% of Australian businesses have held a registered design right in the past 16 years.

Changes being proposed to the Designs Act for 2021, that include a grace period of 12 months from first use to an application for registration and a simplified online application process.

Improving design rights for designers of furniture and lighting, and for fashion and accessories designers, are an important step in offering protection to designers from copyists. A public interest fund to underwrite the cost of design infringement legal cases would be good too. Design rights should also be considered alongside other IP rights like trade marks and, in some cases, patents.

If you are interested in the topic, check out what the Authentic Design Alliance is doing: www.authenticdesignalliance.org The Arts Law Centre is a good resource too: www.artslaw.com.au Happy New Year!

Pet Advice

No holiday food scraps!

By

Dr Nima Rahmani

D

uring the holiday period we see a number of pets suffer from pancreatitis, which is the inflammation of the pancreas.

Pancreatitis can happen at any time, but it is especially common during the holiday period. An increase in house parties, barbeques often mean that people are more likely to share food with their pets.

As we go into the holiday season, it might be wise to ponder the risks of pancreatitis and inform ourselves about its prevention, symptoms and treatment.

Risk Factors: Silk Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers and Schnauzers are the most likely to get pancreatitis, as they have a predisposition to the disease. Obesity is also a common risk factor, and pancreatitis is also most common in dogs with high levels of fat in their diet. It also develops secondary to other issues, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms: Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. You may also notice your dog

standing in a prayer like posture – this is to take pressure off the affected part of the abdomen. Some immunosuppressive medications and seizure medications that dogs are already prescribed to can help increase their likelihood of developing pancreatitis.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis occurs through a blood test, as well as looking at symptoms and history.

Treatment: Pancreatitis can be recurring if it is not properly managed. It can be managed with supportive treatments, such as intervening with the dog’s food, by cutting back food and gradually reintroducing low fat food. At the discretion of your vet antibodies and pain relief medications may also be given.

The holiday season is a time for good food, family and sharing. But please remember that when it comes to the furry members of your family, the phrase ‘too much of a good thing’ really does apply.

Being aware and monitoring the distribution of food scraps is a great step to keeping your pets healthy these holidays.

Local Advice 17

Funerals. Done differently Funerals can be an expensive burden on a family, and often family and friends would like to share in the cost and make a contribution.

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t Darlinghurst based Sydney Funerals, owner Scott Duncombe now offers something he calls the TLC Project, which stands for “Tap a Little Contribution” and is an opportunity for make a donation to the wake or to the charity of the family’s choice.

The contribution can be made either by passing around a terminal at the event, or through a link which can be circulated online.

“We wanted to have that platform for people to create a fund without losing any fees, so there are zero management fees on this and everything goes to the family,” says Duncombe.

“This is just an added service to our families and it’s up to them if they want to use it, and they have the choice of how the funds are used, for the funeral or charity.”

So far, Duncombe says mourners have been more than happy to make contributions and have welcomed the TLC service, but the reluctance comes from the family of the deceased. But he believes attitudes are changing and Australian culture is shifting to be more accepting of new practices at funerals.

“Other cultures and countries do this and embrace this as part of the funeral process, and it is certainly the case at weddings,” says Duncombe.

“It’s all about community coming together and helping out, because funerals can be expensive and some people just don’t have the money sitting there, and losing someone who is a breadwinner can often be a big financial blow.”

TLC is just one example of how Duncombe is seeking to disrupt the funeral industry. All his variable costs – such as for coffins - are fully listed and transparent, and he charges a set fee for his service. He also drives a hearse called “Harry” in which family can also ride with the coffin.

With a background in food and beverage and front of house, Duncombe also approaches funerals more like an event planner, helping families chose different locations and combining the wake into the event.

“I am driven by a belief that funerals need a cultural change to be a more modern reflection of society,” he says.

With strong links to the LGBTQI community, Duncombe says these families often want a different approach and don’t always receive cultural sensitivity from the traditional funeral industry.

“I had a gentleman whose husband passed away suddenly and there were some complications with the Public Trustee, and we had to cancel the funeral 24 hours out,” he says.

“I wasn’t going to have that, so I took the deceased and his husband for a drive down to La Perouse so they could have a sunset moment together and a glass of wine and say goodbye.

“It allowed them to be together in that moment, and I don’t think any other funeral company would be able to do that.”

Web: www.sydneyfunerals.com. Ph: 02 8328 0700 2/30 Kings Lane Darlinghurst NSW 2010. (By Appointment Only)

Yellamundie Festival Expands its Program

By Queenie Colquhoun

Moogahlin Performing Arts, Sydney Festival and Carriageworks will present the 5th biennial Yellamundie Festival in January 2021. The Yellamundie Festival is the only festival in Australia to identify, develop and present new First Peoples stories for stage.

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Photo Supplied

he Yellamundie Festival came out of the 2010 Indigenous Theatre Forum in Cairns. Since 2013 the Festival has showcased new plays, but in 2021 will be expanding, showcasing works through the medium of dance and music.

Creative Director of the Yellamundie Festival Lily Shearer says, “Our people have only been writing plays for about 50 years. Yet we’ve been storytellers since time immemorial through sound, music, song and dance.

We’ve been dancing our stories for thousands of years.”

The choice to open the Festival up to music composers and dance choreographers is an exciting and natural step in the Yellamundie Festival’s progression.

From a national call for submissions, six works have been selected to undergo development for the three-day festival. The six ground breaking works will represent

the voices and artistry of eight First Peoples storytellers.

In 2021 The Yellamundie Festival features the works of two playwrights, being Sydney based Gumbaynggirr and Wiradjuri woman Dalara Williams and Brisbane based Butchulla and Kabi Kabi man Aidan Rowlingson.

Showcased choreographers include Darkinjung woman Shana O’Brien and Nyikina man Sermsah Bin Saad.

Featured composers are Biripi man Troy John Russell and composing group Mark Ross, Bradley Hardy and Brad Steadman, which will include traditional language, music and animation in storytelling. Shearer says, “It’s not only a great story, and creatively presented but it is also a great cultural resource for mainstream Australia. It will be a great educational tool.”

Many works previously featured in The Yellamundie Festival have gone on to production in Australia. Notable works include Jane Harrison’s The Visitors, performed at Sydney Festival and Jaba Albert’s Brothers Wreck produced at Belvoir St Theatre.

Yellamundie Festival continues to be hosted by Carriageworks in Darlington, but given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the Festival has expanded their accessibility to an online platform.

The Yellamundie Festival will run from the 22nd-24th of January 2021 and is the only festival of its kind in Australia, being a First Peoples led platform to showcase First Peoples stories. It presents a diverse representation of works and individuals from across Australia.

www.urbanvillage.com.au

18 Neighbourhoods

Car spaces re-imagined Photo Supplied

Businesses have traditionally seen parking spaces in front of their premises as “the holy grail,” says Kris Spann, but more and more they are seeing new opportunities for alternate use.

By

Darlinghurst ex-pat kicks goals in Cambodia Former long-time Darlinghurst resident Terry Trethowan has a marked history of humanitarian service.

From inner Sydney to Battambang, Terry is focussed on bettering community at a local level.

By

Tess Scholfield-Peters

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mong his many accolades—serving as executive director of the Tasmanian AIDS Council, chairing the Darlinghurst Business Association, and receiving a national medal for services to Australia to name a few—his current work in Cambodia is cause for recognition.

“I had always wanted to immerse myself in another culture and Cambodia appealed to me greatly with its history and people,” Terry told Urban Village.

Terry currently resides in Battambang, Cambodia, as an advisor to the President at the University of Battambang. He founded a local Sports Club called Battambang Traveller which publishes its own newspaper, runs a cafe attached to the Club and gets local kids involved in soccer.

The Club operates through donations from across the globe that go towards soccer

www.urbanvillage.com.au

Lachlan Colquhoun

Photo: Visal Phung

S

pann is the founder of a business called People Parkers, who provides seating modules called” Parklets” which can be temporarily “parked” in car spaces.

With the City of Sydney now adopting new regulations for its Alfresco City Outdoor dining policy, Spann sees increasing potential for businesses to re-create their immediate environments for alternate uses.

“We did Sydney’s first Parklets in 2015 in Glebe, and had to use a regulatory loophole to make that happen and it was a long, arduous and expensive process,” says Spann.

“Now with the City of Sydney changes it is

a smooth process and it is an easier thing for a business to have a car space approved as an outdoor dining extension, or a meeting place for a cultural activity or meet up.”

Space in Sydney, says Spann, has always been at a premium but “is now being seen in such a different light post-pandemic.”

“What new things can we do with space has become the question,” he says.

“These new regulations are ground breaking and quite progressive.”

Spann describes his business as “creating temporary interventions which will inform long term change” and sees fresh opportunities for this in Sydney.

He has put significant effort in developing his Parklets, which can seat up to 10 people and include shade, greenery and bar tables.

“They are flexible modules which can be tailored for the use of the particular business,” says Spann.

For more information about how you can get involved or donate, email Terry at: tmtcambo@gmail.com

Towards the end of the most difficult year in living memory Peter Hackney made the improbable move from his role as a magazine editor to that of a fledgeling publisher of a new online media outlet.

By

www.peopleparkers.com

“ Saying that it is an interesting time to start a new publication is an understatement as so many mainstream and independent publications are going under, or are under threat, but Hackney sees a flip side with many opportunities also emerging.

Profile Peter Hackney

equipment, training, coaches and resources, all with the aim of giving local kids a sense of purpose through their participation, and a place to call home.

“Labour migration is a fact of life, with many young and not so young people moving to places like Thailand. To join the Club you have to sign a contract to study or try to find work locally. This is better for the players, their families and the community. Where we can, the Club helps them to find jobs or to study,” said Terry.

Out of the many Battambang community members Terry’s program has helped, one story is that of Si E Tong Yii, the goalkeeper of Battambang Traveller F.C. A difficult childhood led Yii to the Battambang Orphanage Centre, where he spent nineteen years of his life. Now, not only is Yii on a soccer team but after three years of study he now works as a nurse in a local hospital.

Terry relies on international and local tourism for income, meaning this year has been particularly difficult.

“We are focussed on meeting the needs of the players and are planning a round of “friendly” matches against other communitybased teams. Fundraising is a challenge, but the aim is for the team to get through the pandemic. Our motto helps to remind us to stay positive. It is “Su! Su!” which is Khmer for “Keep trying!”

He is also strongly anti-waste, and one of the design features of the Parklets is that they are strongly built and re-usable.

While regulations enabling temporary use of spaces is welcome, it can also create a lot of waste if people take a “pop up” approach where materials are just thrown away after the activation.

“My approach is to use good design, fabricators and installers and create something which has design merit as well as being sustainable,” says Spann.

“So the Parklet concept can go from being an annoyance to a fresh solution.”

People Parkers is looking forward to being part of Sydney’s pandemic recovery, and Spann says he is “ready to hit the ground running in 2021.”

John Moyle

W

ith the Sydney Sentinel now being online for just over two months, Hackney said that it is already “a progressive new voice in Sydney’s media landscape offering a different take on Sydney, with emphasis on local issues, news, arts and opinion.

“These are joined by dedicated queer, vegan and youth sections.”

Saying that it is an interesting time to start a new publication is an understatement as so many mainstream and independent publications are going under, or are under threat, but Hackney sees a flip side with many opportunities also emerging.

“It means also that there is a levelling in the field as online has changed many things and has made it so that anyone can start up a publication and you don’t have the added costs of printing and distribution,” Peter Hackney said.

Any publication, online or hard copy, also needs to attract an audience in order to get

the advertising that is its lifeblood.

“We are picking up a lot of readers already through social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“Last month we had 48,000 readers and several thousand followers across our various social media channels, and I think that the growth will be exponential as the more topics we do covering local events the word will spread,” Peter Hackney said.

“We are about the local sphere and there are not a lot of people doing this in Sydney.”

The Sentinel has already attracted many of the best writers in issue driven journalism and the arts, and in the new year will add specialist writers in health and youth.

“We look for writers to have kind of ethical drive and a progressive outlook,” Peter Hackney said.

“They should care about people, the community and the subjects that they write about.

“Technically they need to be able to do

the work, as I see being a journalist is a profession and there are technical skills you need to have to be able to construct and tell an interesting story.”

From an early start as a writer and editor on Queensland based LGBTI magazines, Peter Hackney eventually made his way to Sydney where he gained further experience in the mainstream outlets of Fairfax, News Ltd, APN and Pacific magazines before landing the position as editor of the newly relaunched Star Observer.

“When Sydney Sentinel started I had already made a lot of contacts in my previous roles and was able to recruit many of them,” Peter Hackney said.

When asked how he sees the development of the publication Peter Hackney said,” The Sentinel is not a fixed concept, and it will evolve, and in six months time I will be as surprised, along with the readers, in what the Sydney Sentinel has become, as I am in this for the long haul.”

Neighbourhoods 19 Artwork: Flourish (No 5), by Jemima Wyman

Photo: Robert Knapman Photography

Oxtravaganza Returns for its 5th Year

So much will be different about Mardi Gras this year, but the annual Oxtravaganza will still be held on Oxford Street for the fifth consecutive year.

COLLECTIONS & RECOLLECTIONS V

By

Angela Stretch

The Future is Humanity Sullivan+Strumpf 2021 solo exhibition artists, Jemima Wyman, Sam Jinks, Lindy Lee, Yang Yongliang and Tony Albert

ariation and change take place, exploring movements of our times. In this urban landscape we trace memories and the attention to those effects on inhabitants of these times within our communities.

Reflecting on a sense of strength, humour and humanity is the late Frank Watters (1934-2020), whose gifts following the closure of Watters Gallery in 2018 have marked Australian art and academic institutions in Sydney with a formidable influence.

Since opening in 1964, Watters was interested in contemporary artists and recent arrivals from London Pat and Richard Larter were supported by their determination to challenge viewers.

Richard Larter went on to become a significant Australian painter and his work is an identifiable contribution to pop art (1929-2014).

His wife Pat was often his subject however; Pat was much more than his muse. She was a force of her own expressionism, challenging conventions of the male gaze inventing the feminist mail art term, ‘Femail Art’. A visual artist she also engaged in performance art and made art films.

Three years after her death from Lymphoma disease in 1996, Richard gave the Pat Larter archive to the AGNSW. The result is the first solo exhibition of her work spanning over 30 years, Get Arted, on until March 2021. It explores her provocative, humorous art making and her formidable political perspectives of antiestablishment.

Another artist that deserves to be better known is Australian –American modernist sculptor Margel Hinder (1906-95). AGNSW is presenting a retrospective, Modern in Motion, that opens at the end-of January. Hinder’s larger outdoor creations are some of the more enduring and engaging Australian public art works. Her abstractions were concerned with movement, light, space and time. Not unlike Pat, Margel married a prominent Australian modernist artist Frank Hinder. He went on to become the Head of Art at the Sydney Teachers College.

The Future is Humanity, is a response to the art making processes, the emotions and spiritual

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engagements of more than 40 Australian and international artists. Opening at the end-of January at Sullivan+Strumph in Sydney, the group exhibition is set to feature new and selected works including Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee. Lee’s major survey exhibition brings forth the spirit of humanity; Moon in a Dew Drop is at the MCA until the end-of February. Drawing on her experiences living between two cultures, the exhibition is host to 70 works using a variation of mediums. It explores personal themes of identity through Buddhist philosophies and the cosmos.

Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop, MCA (until 28 Feb 2021] Margel Linder: Modern in Motion, AGNSW, (30 Jan – 2 May 2021) Pat Larter: Get Arted, AGNSW, (until 21 Mar 2021) content advisory as original artworks in display contain sexually explicit imagery The Future is Humanity, Sullivan+Strumph Sydney, (28 Jan – 6 Feb 2021) Angela Stretch is an artist, curator and writer.

She is the Creative Director of Poetry Sydney and producer of Talking Through Your Arts on Eastside Radio.

lthough the official Mardi Gras parade has relocated for 2021, Oxford St still has plans to continue the party, with local businesses getting into festivities to promote the Mardi Gras celebration.

Celebrating both Oxford St and the Pink Mile, Oxtravaganza will promote over 100 local businesses as they offer retail promotions such as food and drink deals. Arts and culture will also be on display through live music, viewing parties, exclusive performances, outdoor entertainment and art works.

Chair of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership Stephan Gyory says: “After the parade at the SCG, Oxford St will be the destination that many people will gravitate towards.” Due to the size constraints of the SCG, and change of routine, businesses along the Oxford St strip and surrounding areas will host live viewing parties and trade late into the evening.

Viewing parties are to be held in the bars and clubs, as well as retail outlets, such as clothing and record stores. Organisers also expect that many residents will host viewing parties, creating a mass celebration throughout the area.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for the two weeks of Mardi Gras and with the recent lifting of the lock out laws and the relaxation of outdoor dining rules, Oxford St is really getting its mojo back” says Gyory.

Live performers are expected to roam the streets, and on Saturday the 27th of February, Oxtravaganza will host a ‘shop ‘til you drop’ day, extending as far as South Dowling, Bourke and Stanley Streets.

People are encouraged to shop locally for their Mardi Gras outfit, and are sure to find something in the sea of vintage stores, drag queen costume hire, leather, glitter and sequins.

Stephan Gyory says, “This area has always had a history of being a place to come to, have a good time, and feel welcome, it’s been a stomping ground for oddballs, queers, bohemians, and artists, whose influences delightfully combined to form a unique cultural hub.”

Organisers are calling for expression of interests from performers, local businesses and potential sponsors to get involved in the upcoming Oxtravaganza celebrations.

“Oxford Street is an unconventional and non-judgmental space where anything goes, and everyone is welcome” adds Gyory.

Oxtravaganza will run from February 19 to March 7. The Festival presents an excellent way to extend Mardi Gras, celebrating inclusivity, individuality and community, all while supporting local businesses.

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, Queenie Colquhoun, Mike Galvin,

Glen Hare, Peter English, Dave Marsh, Angela Stretch, Dr Nima Rahmani, Emma Stubley, Mike Hitch, Lorraine Lock, Charles Freyberg, Alli Sabastian Woolf and Jess Scully

Images Rob Harley, Dean Francis, Linda Mateljan, Alli Sabastian Woolf, Andrew

Tsangarides, Visal Phung, Robert Knapman, Jemima Wyman, Jemima Wyman, Sam Jinks, Lindy Lee, Yang Yongliang and Tony Albert

Advertising Sacha Newell Design & Layout Ben Eckersley Publisher Urban Village Media Pty Ltd | ABN 68 623 934 609 Feature Albert Kruger by Lachlan Colquhoun Email info@urbanvillage.com.au Mail PO Box 644 Surry Hills NSW 2010 | ISSN 2208-6242

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