Urban Village urbanvillage.com.au • winter 2019
eat local • drink local • shop local • be local
Natalie de Silver Old Habits, New Ways
Fine Art, Conservation & Decorative Framing
Now open 7 days a week Come into our showroom for your complimentary 30-minute design consultation
MONDAY-FRIDAY 10:30am –6:00pm SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10:30am – 4:30pm Free Customer Parking courtesy of Hiscoes Gym 525b Crown St., Surry Hills Tel. 02 9698 7731 info@acmeframing.com
www.acmeframing.com
Editor's Message In the new random seasonality we are living in, autumn and winter seem to have merged and every now and then, even in July, there is a hint of spring. All of which makes it rather confusing when pondering the right street attire for an evening’s amusement on the streets of Surry Hills, filled as they are with a forest’s worth of fallen leaves even though the night time temperatures are mild.
They have kindly humoured me, and Natalie has also indulged me by granting us an interview which, if it does seem like a breathless hagiography, it probably is.
Will we ever get to wear our favourite winter coat again, or is it now on hold and just for the occasional trip to Melbourne or Dark MOFO?
An edition of Urban Village is always much more than the cover story, of course. In cricketing parlance, we bat deep.
Regardless, we all continue in our own way, as we have done here at Urban Village with our Winter edition, which features a profile of the biggest rock star many people haven’t heard of yet: Natalie de Silver. I say yet, because Natalie is just back from a hugely successful tour of Europe and surely has to be the next big thing.
Tess Schofield-Peters has been out amongst it again. Within these pages she pokes fun at contemporary misogyny at the Fringe Wives Club, gets over her phobia about Thai cooking at an Essential Ingredient class, and hangs out with emerging bluesman Jesse Redwing.
A confession. I have been a huge fan of Natalie and her band the Dandelion ever since I first saw them in a club in Glebe a few years ago. Since then I have continued to embarrass the band and myself by consistently being the oldest person in the audience, and by also dragging my similarly aged friends along.
All this and more is within these pages, so read on, and Happy Winter.
Lachlan Colquhoun Editor, Urban Village
Contents
Urban Village
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Route 66 moves to Enmore
44
Q+A with Jesse Redwing
48
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Cover story: Natalie de Silver
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A word from the wives of Australian comedy Surry Hills and Valleys share the voices of our community Poetry in action with art contribut or Fiona McIntosh
Urban Village is published in co-operation with the Surry Hills Creative Precinct to foster communcation, innovation and networking between the business community, residents, visitors and workers of Surry Hills and the surrounding neighbourhoods of inner Sydney. To learn more or to join, go to www.shcp.org.au 4
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Winter 2019 June/July/August Editor: Lachlan Colquhoun Words: Tess Scholfield-Peters, Lachlan Colquhoun, Sean Masters, Peter English, Fiona McIntosh, Glen Hare, Claire Deakin, Mike Galvin, Dr Nima Rahmani, Liam Barrett, Narelle Clarke
Images: Walter Maurice, Sean Masters, Georgia Roach, Nicole Cleary, Tim Ritchie, Sophia Athas, Naoto Ijichi, Janie Barett, Dallas Kilponen, Alex Gerber
Design & Layout: Adelphi Design Creative Consultant: Sean Masters Publisher: Urban Village Media Pty Ltd ABN 68 623 934 609
Cover: Natalie de Silver Cover photo: Walter Maurice All Enquiries Tel: 02 8218 2163 Email: info@urbanvillage.com.au Office: Level 1, 483 Riley Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 ISSN 2208-6242
farmers market
to you
HEADS UP
Save the Date
Crown Street Fete
Sunday November 3rd, 10am – 3pm
The biennial fundraising fete in the heart of Surry Hills will celebrate the school’s 170th anniversary, making Crown Street Public School one of the oldest continuous schools in Australia. Come along for a day of fun, summer sounds, child friendly workshops, food and entertainment.
Also look out for...
Thursday Jazz Jam at Café Lounge Catch an eclectic mix of acts every Thursday night from 7:30pm.
Parasite at Golden Age Cinema See the awardwinning Korean drama that took the film festivals by storm.
Comedy Club at Low 302 Every Tuesday night from 7:30pm. With the best new talent and comedy veterans, Tuesday just got a little sillier.
Life of Galileo at The Belvoir Upstairs 3 August – 15 September Brecht’s classic play of individual liberty and political suppression.
Ghost Sonata at Opera Australia 11 September – 14 September A unique performance inside the gritty Scenery Workshop on Elizabeth Street..
CUSTOM RUM SPICING MASTERCLASS SERIES BECOME A RUM SPICING MASTER & TAKE HOME YOUR OWN SPICED RUM BLEND! Includes a distillery tour, two drinks, light food, all inhouse infusions & a 200ml custom blend $95pp
350 Bourke St, SURRY HILLS Book at www.brixdistillers.com
Surry Hills’ fourth most popular satirical newspaper, three weeks running!
Children Playing Marbles Arrested After Noise Complaint By Surry Hills Times Two young Surry Hills residents have been detained by police after persistent noise complaints from a resident due to the irritating ‘clinking’ of their glass marbles. City of Sydney Council and Surry Hills Police Area Command confirmed the arrest of Cecilia Paquin and Jezebel Jones, both aged 6. This comes after Darlinghurst bar Black Bottle was asked to remove a sand pit from its back garden after noise complaints from a nearby resident due to the clinking of metal balls from the game pétanque, a French boules-like game. “It was said to be irritating,” City of Sydney councillor Jess Scully whispered, not wanting to raise her voice for fear of a noise complaint.
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residents, forcing its owners to curb their patrons’ behaviour. The noise came not from the kitchen, but during the French game petanque, which was played in the bar’s courtyard until the City of Sydney Council banned it. The game, similar to bocce, requires players to throw metal balls towards a target. It was introduced to the Black Bottle wine bar at Darlinghurst by its owners, who grew up playing the game in the south of France. He and co-owner Lucas Cristofle built a small sandpit in the courtyard and encouraged customers to play, while enjoying a glass of wine. However, not everyone enjoyed it.
Clinking noises are usually associated with restaurants and bars, where the collision of glassware, cutlery and plates is virtually unavoidable.
The City of Sydney banned the game, after somebody complained about the sound of the metal balls colliding, but said it hoped to find a solution that “satisfies all parties”.
However, the clinking emanating from one Sydney venue has been ruled too “irritating” for local
But in Sydney, seemingly, whatever residents want, residents get.
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Route 66 motors to the (inner) west By Lachlan Colquhoun
Iconic vintage and classic clothing store Route 66 closes its Crown Street doors at the end of June, after more than 30 years. But Darlinghurst’s loss is Enmore’s gain, as the shop is set to reopen at a new location later this year. Lachlan Colquhoun reports. The corner of Crown and Campbell Streets has been a fashion hub and destination for three decades or more, but with the departure of Wheels and Doll Baby last year and now Route 66 the future is uncertain. “I think they’re putting up offices and a car park, won’t that be exciting,” says Tina Lowe, co founder of Route 66. With the likely demolition of the block and with her lease up, Lowe has decided to close the doors of her famous store which has clothed rock and film stars, outback cowboys and inner city cognoscenti. It is the latest twist in a journey which began back in 1987, when Lowe and her late partner Ross Waddington opened a Sydney outlet for Route 66 after originally opening in Melbourne’s Prahran. “We’d been travelling around the world and ended up in London, hanging around the Kings Road when that was still hip,” says Lowe. “There was a shop there called Flip which we really liked and that inspired us. “Then we kept travelling and went to America, and did the swap meet trail and sent it all back to Australia and thought we’d give the shop a go.” Over the years Route 66 has done vintage clothes, new clothes, and has done its own branded collection but has always aimed to be more than just a shop.
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“I think it turned into somewhere that people visiting Sydney wanted to come and see, to experience,” says Lowe. “When you go travelling you want to go somewhere which is vibrant you want to go and look at stuff, and be inspired and talk to people.” The move to Enmore is also a generational change, with Tina’s son Leroi taken over the main duties. “It’s a new beginning, but we’ve got a great brand and legacy to build on,” says Leroi, who says he “grew up in the business.” Tina says that with Leroi in charge the business is in good hands, and a new chapter can begin. And even though she will take a back seat, she’ll “still be around somewhere.” “I think we still have a following, and I’m getting lots of great feedback about the shop from people who have shopped here for years, and come in with their kids and grandkids,” she says. “The great thing is having people who understand and have a passion for the music and the whole experience. “It creates an atmosphere, not just a shop, and that is what we’ve always done here and will do in Enmore too.” Route 66 now at 82 to 84 Enmore Road Enmore.
Leroi Waddington - Photo by Axel Gerber Urban Village
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ACME presents: The Art of Japanese fr By Tess Scholfield-Peters
If, like me, you think being bilingual is impressive, meeting a person who is fluent in five languages is frankly awe-inspiring. Picture frame designer, interior stylist, published author, photographer, exhibited artist, multi-linguist: Marta Wawrzyniak-Ijichi wears many hats, from all over the world. Best known locally for her work at ACME Framing on Crown Street, Marta’s career in design began first as a teenager growing up in Krakow. Her love of Japanese art and culture was fostered by an underground club of fellow Asian art enthusiasts. She was encouraged to study art and did so in Germany before moving to Japan, where she spent 16 years living, working and exhibiting in and around Tokyo. “What I love about Japanese craft and design is the use of colour and pattern – it’s very detailed on one hand yet very bold. It reminds me a lot of Scandinavian design,” explained Marta to Urban Village. Marta has published two books: one is a beautifully crafted guidebook for Polish products and interior 12
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“The patterns from the Edo Period (1603-1868) for me look very modern, like contemporary twenty-first century design. I have always been really drawn to that.” design written in Japanese (2011). Marta published as author, photographer and designer. The other book Marta art-directed, designed and translated into English – a Kyoto food and art book, in collaboration with Kyoto-based Japanese pop art and mural artist Ki-Yan (2015). This July, Marta is giving local art and design appreciators the chance to learn about the fascinating world of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and framing. The free event will be hosted by ACME, and will feature a talk by Marta about traditional Japanese framing techniques and a live demonstration of traditional
raming
Marta Wawrzyniak-Ijichi - Photo by Naoto Ijichi mulberry paper mounting by artist and ACME Framing staff member Roy Lee. Artworks by Ki-Yan (Hideki Kimura) will also be exhibited, framed by Acme Framing exclusively for the event. The event is a rare opportunity to learn about the world of traditional Japanese art and framing. Plus, attendants will receive a complimentary glass of Choya Umeshu on arrival – we’ll see you there. About the event: When: Wednesday, 24 July 2019, from 6:30pm Where: Acme Framing Showroom, 525b Crown Street (Hiscoes Gym building), Surry Hills Tickets: free with RSVP, Eventbrite www.acmeframing.com Instagram: @acmeframing
“Diversity isn’t something that should just exist on a poster. It’s actually the way you live your life.”
MEET THE LOCAL PLACE
VISIONARY By Tess Scholfield-Peters
Andrew is the principal of Hoyne, Australia’s leading corporate and retail branding agency. The agency celebrates its 28th year this year, having won over 350 awards locally and internationally since its inception. Surry Hills is the embodiment of a diverse community, according to Andrew. It’s true; there isn’t another community in Sydney (or anywhere else, for that matter) that is positioned at the defining juncture of so many groups of people. Hoyne is working closely with TOGA Group on the re-development of Surry Hills Shopping Village. Being a local himself, Andrew recognises the importance of developments that work for every community member. “You can never really think about tourists or out-oftowners as your core audience because they’re not. Your core audience for everything you ever do is the people that live in direct vicinity of that development,” said Andrew. “We wanted to do something that really engaged locals. I always say that if you can’t make a place busy in winter on a Monday night then you’ve failed.” Projects with both big businesses and small not-for profits as well as vast travel experiences has given Andrew deep insights into how places work for each facet of the community, and how symbiosis can be achieved through his developments. “The dichotomy of working at both ends of the spectrum enabled me to see what was missing in some places, and how if you actually live and work in places that are diverse you have a more collaborative community.” 14
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Photo Supplied
Andrew’s sixteenth book The Place Economy (Volume Two) is an expansive collection of essays, interviews and case studies from around the world. From Berlin, Singapore, Havana and Detroit to our very own Surry Hills, the book explores the elements of placemaking on both a global and hyper-local level. Hoyne has a close partnership with Habitat for Humanity Australia, which provides appropriate housing solutions in sustainable communities. Andrew hopes to raise $100,000 this year from sales of The Place Economy, and will donate one hundred percent of the profits to the charity. In its time Surry Hills Shopping Village has been colloquially referred to as Murder Mall, but its transformation from dilapidated convenience stop to destinational hub is in sight. “I think we’ll see in next year’s time is the blossoming of Devonshire Street. Crown Street down near Cleveland will come alive. Right now there are dozens of empty shop spaces, and I hope we will see a growth in entrepreneurialism, people starting their own small businesses. “I think we’ll really see that part of Surry Hills come alive. Ultimately when Surry Hills Village is completed, that will really be the final piece of the puzzle.” Volumes 1 and 2 of The Place Economy are available for purchase via hoyne.com.au. Stay up to date with the Surry Hills Shopping Village development at https:// surryhillsshoppingvillageproposal.com.au/.
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OPEN! WHATEVER THE WEATHER
60+ UNIQUE STALLS AND A COMMUNITY CAFE. UNFOLLOW THE NORM AT SURRY HILLS MARKET. 7:00am to 4:00pm ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH! N FASHIO ES U ANTIQ L V & INY BOOKS MADE HAND Y BEAUT TS C PRODU LL A T CHAI S N O H EY FRESH
Provided by Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre proudly serving the community for over 40 years. shnc.org facebook.com/surryhillsnc
Photo by Walter Maurice
SEOUL
TO SOUL By Tess Scholfield-Peters
Curly Corn by Jiwon Kim
Soul Dining was meant to open in Walsh Bay, but due to some last minute plan changes (or “destiny” as co-owner Illa called it) Soul has ended up on Devonshire Street.
Illa, Daero and Kim met decades ago back in South Korea. Illa’s background is in design, marketing and PR, Daero has worked as a chef for fifteen years (previously as head chef at Criniti’s) and Kim is a hospitality industry veteran. While their shared heritage would suggest otherwise, Soul is their first Korean restaurant venture – and even now, the team shies away from any definitive cuisine label. Daero has worked hard to produce a menu that in no way reflects what Australians typically know to be Korean cuisine (you won’t find Korean barbecue or fried chicken – at least not conventionally, anyway.) Soul is instead inspired by a culmination of countries and ways of eating. “In Korean food, every element in each dish has a philosophy and tradition,” said Kim. “Everything involves that time element.”
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Traditional fermentation methods and aging techniques are used for the house-made kimchi and soybean paste. Applied to a range of dishes from gnocchi to short rib, tartare to toasted sandwiches, Soul offers a rare exploration into contemporary Australian cuisine from the Korean perspective. Illa is behind the restaurant’s interior that, like the fare, is not what you might first expect. The walls are painted charcoal revealing patches of exposed brick and a sleek circular light installation rounds the ceiling. The dark tables and seating are rounded by a deep blue velvet lounge, elements which give the feel of a small bar – especially when paired with the well-crafted wine list. Tradition has been reworked for the contemporary plate at Soul, a welcome addition to the Devonshire strip.
www.reddie.com.au Handmade. Timeless. Customisable Furniture
322 Crown Street Surry Hills info@reddie.co 0414-524-250 IG/FB @reddiedesign
Q+A
JESSE REDWING In the age of the bedroom producer, blues musician Jesse Redwing is a rare entity. Spearheading the new generation of blues in Australia, Jesse spoke to me about touring, lockout apathy and the blissful life of a musician. Interview by Tess Scholfield-Peters
Where did you grow up and how did that influence you? I grew up on the northern beaches and it influenced me to leave the northern beaches. What have you been up to lately? I’ve been touring with my band around Australia. I did a US tour last year and the previous year - been meaning to get back there sometime soon. What’s the best thing about your job? The whole thing is just bliss. People coming up to you ecstatically happy saying you made their night. That’s probably the best thing. What’s your connection to Surry Hills? I lived on Riley Street for over ten years. I’ve watched the neighbourhood change over that time. I’ve grown up here, basically. It’s more my home than the beaches. Where’s your favourite place to eat, drink and see live music? ‘Low Bar. You can do all three at once! To eat I’d say Abdul’s. Abdul’s over Fatimah’s – I know it’s a big debate, but what gets Abdul’s over the line for me is that everything comes as standard. What’s the worst thing about your job? The downside is the schlepping around, I guess. Long drives – although I don’t even mind that. I just put a podcast on. What drew you to the blues in the first place? It’s just the feeling and the sound – it’s so raw and personal. I think Jewish people and black people have a certain affinity, shared suffering in our history.
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I think that has something to do with it, maybe. It really touched me, and I instantly loved it. What are the best and worst aspects of the Sydney music scene right now? There’s so much good music coming out of Sydney, but the negative is that people are too busy with their phones, sitting at home watching Netflix. People love to be so negative about the lockout laws, but it’s like, step outside your door, there are still lots of things happening. What does you ideal day look like? Wake up, potter around, go for a surf, play guitar in the afternoon and rehearse with my girlfriend’s [Sloan Peterson] band, play a gig at night and the party continues. Best piece of advice you’ve been given? Don’t stop listening to music. Never stop listening, because that’s the way it gets inside you. And also, don’t give up – things have a way of working out.
JESSE’S TIPS: For live music Low 302 –302 Crown St, Surry Hills For good food Abdul’s – 563 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills You can catch Jesse play every Wednesday at The Landsdowne Hotel 2 - 6 City Rd, Chippendale
“I feel like everybody always told me to never quit my day job. But I’ve never had a day job.”
Jesse Redwing photo by Walter Maurice
DRINK MASTERING THE FORGOTTEN
By Claire Deakin
Brix co-owner James Christopher wants to bring rum back to Sydney. Our host for the evening, James declares this ambition and in one hand flourishes a sugarcane stalk, rum’s base ingredient, for dramatic effect. An attentive cohort has gathered at Brix Distillers for one in a series of Rum Blending Masterclasses, running throughout the year. The combined distillery, cellar door, bar and restaurant on Bourke Street is the brainchild of James Christopher, Damien Barrow and Sid Soin. The trio is inviting a new generation to share in their passion for rum, one of the world’s oldest and most diverse spirits. The evening kicks off with a dangerously drinkable Brix White & Tonic, followed by a tour of the distillery. The venue fit out is sleek and industrial which blends with the distillery’s wood, copper and steel elements. As James guides us through the process of distilling molasses to rum, we sip on the delicious end product amidst the fragrant ageing barrels. 20
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Photos by Sophia Athas
The blending takes place on the mezzanine level. We swill different styled rums sourced from around the world – from Australia to Mauritius, Saint-Étienne, Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados – while our host poetically describes each of their unique flavour notes. Finally, we get to channel our inner master blender as we embark on the perilous blending process. We syringe our preferred rums into a single distillery base to produce two customised 200ml bottles – the ultimate take home souvenir. Brix offers rum blending and spicing master classes, as well as distillery tours and tasting sessions that run regularly throughout the week (by appointment) and on weekends. For an evening of delicious sensory stimulation, suffice to say Brix has you covered. Just like Jack Sparrow, you too will ponder as you drain your glass to the last drop: “why is the rum always gone?”
CHALLENGING TABOOS AT
WHITE RABBIT By Lachlan Colquhoun
Chippendale’s White Rabbit Gallery marks its 10th anniversary this year, and in that time has built a reputation as a national destination to see the best of contemporary Chinese Art. The current exhibition “Hot Blood” runs until August 4, and curator David Williams tells Urban Village about the theme which drove his vision. The exhibition ‘Hot Blood’ was inspired by a video work Judith Neilson acquired on a trip to China in 2016. There seemed to be this movement of artists who refused to be labelled by nationality or gender who challenged social and sexual taboos with their work. I was interested in how they represent the body being bruised physically and spiritually, by oneself, our intimates and society. How were the works sourced? As with all the exhibitions at the White Rabbit Gallery, the works are drawn entirely from Judith Neilson’s White Rabbit Collection. Judith has been visiting China and meeting artists for almost twenty years now, so she has access to a huge network of artists working in China. Judith doesn’t acquire work with a certain exhibition/theme in mind, she buys works that talk to her visually. The Collection houses over 2700 works at the moment, so I then source works from within the collection for the exhibitions. What are the logistics of mounting the exhibition? All of the works shown in the Gallery are owned by Judith, so they are returned to the Collection warehouse after the exhibition’s end. The warehouse is a purpose22
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built structure, designed to make sure the works in the collection are preserved as well as possible for many years to come. The works are sometimes lent to other institutions, such as the NGV which is now showing “A Fairy Tale in Red Times”, an exhibition featuring 26 artists from the White Rabbit Collection. What is the theme for the next exhibition? ‘Hot Blood’ runs until 4 August and our next show will open early September. It is entitled ‘Then’. We will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Gallery being open (the gallery opened in August 2009), by taking a chronological walk through the first ten years of the Collection (2000-2010). It’s really interesting to re-visit artists who were already challenging what was happening around them in the art world. It will essentially be a 2 part show, with our exhibition in March 2020 focusing on works from (2011-2020).
WHITE RABBIT GALLERY is at 30 Balfour Street Chippendale. Opening hours are 10 am to 5 pm Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and entry is free. There’s also the Teahouse serving tea and dumplings.
Photos Supplied
Getting acquainted with the Essentials By Tess Scholfield-Peters
The Essential Ingredient has moved to Foveaux Street from Rozelle, much to the delight of Surry Hills’ culinary crowd. The store is known for its top tier cookware, expansive selection of ingredients, and infinite pool of staff cooking knowledge.
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Photos by Georgia Roach
The at-home artisan and the extravagant entertainer would be hard pressed to find a utensil or niche ingredient absent from the shelves. At The Essential Ingredient’s cooking school, skilled chefs teach attendees fundamental techniques and
“The idea of any workshop is to empower you.” use ingredients they might not otherwise be game to cook with at home. From kombucha fermenting to mastering the Moroccan feast, Italian pastry techniques and the intricacies of cooking fish, the school provides usable skills and knowledge with a hands-on approach, as opposed to other ‘master classes’ where attendees just stand and watch. We went along to the Essentially Thai course led by Australia’s Malaysian food ambassador and everyone’s favourite aunty, Wanitha Tanasingam. Thai food has traditionally resided in my ‘do not attempt’ folder, reserved for restaurants and Friday night Uber Eats. There are so many elements to a Thai dish that to cook one from scratch seems utterly overwhelming. As I looked around the communal cooking bench at the other sheepish attendees, I could see I wasn’t alone in feeling completely out of my depth. Wanitha took her place at the front of the table and announced: “We’re going to learn the way I was taught, which is to understand the ingredients, to get to know them. “The idea of any workshop, educators will tell you, is to empower you.” Essential Ingredient’s mantra is to cook from scratch. We learn how to dice an onion (a technique which I now use every time), how to balance all the flavours of a curry paste and what to look for when making sure a vegetable is at its prime. “Once you get the flow going, cooking becomes a dance!” Wanitha exclaimed and the class started to loosen up. Our group of ten was split up into smaller work groups to focus on each element. It’s enviable, the confidence Wanitha exudes as she mixes spices together in perfect balance, adds an unmeasured pinch here and there. Every move shows a seasoned professional in her element. At the end of the evening we opened a few bottles of wine and marvelled, ravenous, at what we had each created: two types of curry paste from scratch, chicken satay, Pad Thai, green fish curry and a Thai beef salad. Not bad for a bunch of first-timers. While I’m not totally at home in the Thai cuisine arena, I’m now willing to give it a red-hot crack at home. Perhaps most valuable were the skills Wanitha taught us that can be applied to a whole range of culinary scenarios. Taking risks and adding a bit of spice to my kitchen repertoire might just pay off, if only for the fun had in the process. The Essential Ingredient Surry Hills 146 Foveaux StSurry Hills NSW 2010 Tel: (02) 9555 8300 www.essentialingredient.com.au Urban Village
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Keep an eye out for our new safety campaign, Heads Up and check out our video here: https://youtu.be/ UMqGZL6ADT
Be aware,
there’s a tram there
Tram testing underway at Town Hall
As construction of the Sydney Light Rail continues to wrap up across Surry Hills, tram testing in the area is expanding. Testing of trams during the day commenced on 27 June, following the commencement of night time testing in late May. Trams are now making their way from the Randwick Stabling Yard, through Moore Park, along Devonshire Street in Surry Hills to the Central Chalmers Street Stop. Night time tram testing is also underway along George Street to Town Hall. During the early stages of daytime testing, police and traffic controllers will be on hand to ensure the safety of all those around. As testing continues, a reminder for everyone to take extra care and play it safe around light rail.
Remember: ❱ Be aware, there’s tram tracks there ❱ Use signalised crossings ❱ Road conditions may have changed follow traffic signals and never turn in front of a tram ❱ Trams cannot stop easily or quickly
❱ Trams are quiet, pedestrians and cyclists should look out before they step out, and use designated crossing points ❱ Trams cannot swerve to avoid a collision ❱ Cyclists should cross tracks at an angle ❱ Trams tracks are for trams. Motorists and cyclists are not permitted to drive within the tram lane.
Now testing is underway, hazard zones are also in place, up to three metres on either side of the tracks and near all wires and poles. This is due to increased risks including electrical hazards and tram movements. All works in hazard zones require approval and an approved Permit to Work before proceeding, this can include:
❱
Erecting ladders or scaffolding and establishing work stations
❱ ❱
Tree pruning
❱
Delivering equipment/goods from large or oversize vehicles.
Operating excavators, fork lifts cranes or any other plant or heavy equipment
Remember the tram tracks are only for trams
For more information, check out: sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/ safety
Randwick Stabling Yard
Employment Law, Social Media and Termination By Peter English
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Photo Dallas Kilponen Urban Village
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“WARNING - Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolators HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES" Is Israel Folau a well-intentioned Christian who has a right to free speech and deserves a second chance, or is he a divisive zealot that should find another platform to preach and to vilify significant sections of the community? While his employer, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), appears to be going out of its way to afford him due process, the issues at stake seem to have run away. Freedom of speech, anti-discrimination laws, religious principles, nanny-states… Forget all that. It’s interesting, but ultimately it’s not relevant. So what is relevant? The ARU Code of Conduct policy, published on the ARU website https://www.rugbyau.com/about/codesand-policies , says: "Treat everyone equally, fairly and with dignity regardless of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural or religious background, age or disability. Any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination has no place in Rugby." Another section states: "Do not use Social Media as a means to breach any of the expectations and requirements of you as a player." It is safe to assume that because he has just gone through a “Code of Conduct” enquiry, that there is a term in Folau’s contract that says that if he were to commit a breach of the Code of Conduct, or otherwise engage in conduct that brings the ARU and/or their sponsors into disrepute, that constitutes a breach of contract that would allow his employer to, amongst other things, terminate his contract. It is well documented that Folau was sanctioned for a similar post in April 2018. What is less well known is that he lost LandRover as a personal sponsor over that incident. There is a dispute over what discussions took place between him and the ARU following that post. What is also relevant is that there is a lot at stake. He has a 4 year fixed term contract worth $1M a year. He also has some remaining personal endorsement deals. He is worth a lot to the ARU because he is a gifted rugby player and because the ARU have spent a lot of money promoting him as the face of the game. If the ARU is right and he has committed a high level breach of the Code of Conduct, they could terminate his contract and pay him nothing. He may even be liable to them for damages. If Folau is right and he has been discriminated against and his contract unlawfully 30
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terminated, he gets the balance of his contract term paid to him. He may even seek reinstatement. Whether his employment agreement contains specific terms concerning the use of social media should not matter. The general terms of his agreement and established employment law principles will cover that. It doesn’t seem too onerous for the ARU to say: “You are paid to play rugby, represent the ARU and to live the Code of Conduct. When you are the face of the sport and you have 356,000 followers on Instagram, you cannot use your ‘private’ social media to express views which could bring us or our stakeholders (sponsors and supporters) into disrepute. If you choose to act in a way that is controversial and breaches to Code of Conduct, you’re in breach of your contract.” Simple? It’s unlikely that any reasonable person would think that publishing the statement “Homosexuals – Hell awaits you” would not offend the ARU’s principal sponsor QANTAS, or that the statement would be regarded as treating gay people with dignity. It is significant that the Instagram post is still up there and Folau stridently stands by it. Sportswear brand ASICS has recently cancelled Folau’s endorsement contract because of his post: https://www.rugby.com.au/ news/2019/05/08/izzy-asics Folau may have some protection under the “general provisions” of the Fair Work Act 2009, which make it unlawful for employers to take “adverse action” against employees for exercising legitimate workplace rights. It is also unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees on the basis of their age, gender, religion, race or sexuality. He might even argue that the Code of Conduct is “uncertain” and has to be read in the context of any legal right he, or his congregation, claim give him the right to express his personal views as a private citizen. It seems likely that a Court may have to go through all of this, to end up at the point where it determines that employees cannot use their religious views, however genuinely they are held, to openly offend or vilify others. It would follow that employers can lawfully terminate the employment of an employee who does that (despite being counselled not to do it again), who does not apologise for it and who is not prepared to commit to not doing so again.
Israel Folau leaves the Fair Work Commission, Sydney, after arbitration with Rugby Australia, 2019. Photo Janie Barrett
Next steps? If you’re an employee, understand what your obligations are concerning your conduct outside of work, including your use of social media. If you’re an employer that values your reputation and brand, review your employment agreements and take steps to ensure your staff are aware of how their conduct outside of work can impact on their contract obligations. It is regarded as best practice to document your dealings with staff, including contract reviews, social media training and counselling sessions. When the dust settles, the cost and the damage will be significant. The ARU’s investment in Folau is wasted. Sponsors are not happy. Fans are not happy (especially in a World Cup year) and Folau will most likely be lost to the game for good. No winners there.
PETER ENGLISH Registered Trade Marks Attorney Surry Partners Lawyers May 2019 Peter English is the director and founding partner of Surry Partners Lawyers. www.surrypartners.com.au Urban Village
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Desmond & Molly Jones Hairdressing has moved to an intimate new studio, inside the building that was once the Porters Paint factory. Award-winning hair stylists Leonard and Carly offer their totally bespoke service, precision cutting and colour in a friendly and professional space. The styling duo are focused on giving their clients a new level of service reďŹ ned `by a shared ďŹ fty-four years of industry experience and driven by passion.
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Natalie de Silver could be the biggest rock star you haven’t heard of, yet. If you do know Natalie, you will know her as the mesmerising singer, guitarist and songwriter for Sydney band the Dandelion, just back from a tour of Europe. After playing 21 gigs in one month from the UK to Greece and all points in between, Natalie got back to Sydney and slept for several days and then talked about the band and her music with Lachlan Colquhoun.
&
Old Habits New Ways By Lachlan Colquhoun Photo Supplied
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Photo by Walter Maurice
Imagine you could capture the essence of the 1960s, everything from the Beatles through to garage rock, psychedelia, folk and even the soundtrack brilliance of Ennio Morricone. Take that essence and put it through some sci fi looking time machine from a 60s movie and take it out the other side in 2019 and you would have something that sounded like the Dandelion.
I say “sounded like” because the Dandelion has another element as well, and nothing quite sounds like them. It’s not just a trip back to the 60s but a sound for now, and one that conjures its own world of mystery and romance, even magic. If this sounds like hyperbole, then give it a listen and email me and tell me I’m wrong. There are three Dandelion albums so far (go to the Bandcamp website and find them) but the most recent is Old Habits & New Ways of the Dandelion, released just before the tour of Europe. In addition to writing and singing all of the songs Natalie plays guitar, sitar, drums, keyboards, flute, bass and also the therEmin, the freakish electronic instrument you never touch, but senses your presence. As she has done with all her albums, she recorded the drums in a rehearsal studio and took the recordings back home and did all the other recording and production in her bedroom. “I start off with the drums and start playing with a song in my head,” says Natalie. “Then I bring the drumbeats home and write the songs over the top. The songs take on a life of their own, and the lyrics come out of a stream of consciousness almost. There’s no editing in the production, no cutting, and I leave it all up to God.” The story of the Dandelion began around 2013 as a recording project for Daniel Poulter, best known as the singer and songwriter with Sydney band the Dolly Rocker Movement. Somewhere in the middle of the second album Natalie took over from her predecessor and has been in control ever since, changing and moulding the band’s sound with her own very particular inspiration. And along the way, because people kept asking her to play live shows, she put the band together to perform with her on stage. “The Dandelion is a very symbolic flower in terms of my own life,” she says. “It’s a
transformative flower and moves from a yellow flower – representing the sun – to white which is the moon and then it spreads as the wind blows and disperses, so it’s a cosmic flower and that’s cool. “But it’s also an outcast flower. People refer to it as a weed, but it has so many benefits. It has health benefits, but people also make wishes on it too.” While it is still recognisably the Dandelion the new album is different too, and that’s where the title “Old Habits & New Ways” comes from. It references the old habits of the previous albums but moves in new ways into a different sound which includes some psychedelic folk and even instrumentals which sound conjured up from a surrealist film set in an alternative Renaissance reality. The evolution of the sound is also driven by Natalie’s increasing spirituality. She’s very private about it but acknowledges that she feels she has a personal relationship with the divine, and this is part of her inspiration to develop as an artist.
“It is a very solitary dialogue I have, but the connection is becoming clearer and stronger,” she says. “I feel protected by it, I sing praises to it, and that is where I get my inspiration and what guides me through life. So, all of my songs now are songs of worship, and they are very much a conversation with the divine and that is what I feel I am channeling.”
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Natalie is a compulsive songwriter and has lost track of how many songs she has written. Some of the songs on the new album existed as demos for ages before she got around to recording final versions. But there was a time, quite recently, when she tried to stop music altogether. “It was a conscious decision and there was a period when I didn’t play at all,” she says. “For some reason I thought I would try and live a regular life, just have a job and have an apartment, and there were aspects of that life I enjoyed, but I got bored very quickly. “So, I went back to music, but I have a strange relationship with that too. It is my God, but it is also like the Devil in that it lures me in. The world of music can be quite dark and hedonistic, but ultimately it gives me a purpose, a controlled insanity because if I didn’t have it maybe I would be insane. “That is perhaps why I am compelled to follow religion. I need it to keep me in line because otherwise I would be completely insane.” And speaking of insanity, that is what the European tour became the longer it went on. “As the tour went on it seemed that our lives were getting crazier and messier, but on stage it was more solid and together,” says Natalie.
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“On stage is where I feel different, and so comfortable, it is one moment in my whole existence which makes sense to me.” In contrast, the studio is a more defined and controlled environment and it is where Natalie will return – at some point – for another Dandelion album. This one, however, will be different in that it will be a studio album as opposed to a bedroom recording, and she will work with other musicians and act more as a producer. “I do feel compelled for the next record to be quite different,” she says. “It won’t sound anything like anything I have done before and that is quite exciting to think about. And while I’ve written a few things I couldn’t tell you know exactly what that sound will be.” Beyond that, Natalie doesn’t rule out anything. There could be a time when she doesn’t use the Dandelion name to record under. At some point, the flower may disperse to the winds and take seed somewhere else. Or perhaps she will make a wish on a Dandelion and take another musical form.
Photo Supplied
Photo by Walter Maurice
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PET ADVICE with Dr Nima
What is the best food and how do you choose the right brand of pet food for your fluffy friend? 1. The right consistency: pet food can be categorised in wet (tin) or dry forms. It is always best to ask your vet what is right for your individual pet. 2. The size of the meal: I always get asked “How much should I feed my pet?” The easiest way to answer is to consider the age and weight of your pet and use the feeding guideline that usually comes on the package. 3. Ingredients: Apart from paying attention to the percentage of protein, fat, fibre, calories etc, it is really important to know what the source of the protein is in the brand we are looking to use. Chicken, beef, kangaroo, turkey and fish are the common ones. Knowing this would help to avoid
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the protein source that might be at blame of causing food intolerance and allergies. 4. Palatability is another important factor. Some brands are known to be more palatable but it can be up to your pet’s taste to go for it or turn their nose away from it! 5. Some pets need to be on prescription diets. If your pet is on one of the special diets you need to follow your vet’s instruction as changing the type or mixing it with other food can neutralize the benefits of these diets. Last but not least, if you are in doubt always talk to your vet and they will help you to pick the right diet to keep you beloved pet healthy and in shape!
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FINANCE TIPS Put your money where your future is From making additional contributions to super to investing in a company your mate said was a sure thing, very few of us actually know what these companies do with all those dollars. What is ethical investing? Increasingly I’m helping clients invest in a way that aligns with their core values – ethical investing. The challenge is that nothing is clear cut - core values are inherently personal and therefore how individuals wish to ethically invest differs. What does ethical investing mean to you? Why is it important? Simply put, the more people who choose to support companies promoting a positive social, environmental and humanitarian change, the more pressure it puts on organisations to embrace these ethical values.
next generation of progressive investors - the more we invest in environmentally and socially progressive companies, the more revenue, profit and shareholder return! What can you do? Consider what’s important to you and the social and environmental impact you wish to make. Then carefully examine the companies you’re regularly investing in and determine if they coincide with your ethics. This could be anything from where you get your morning coffee, the fashion labels you regularly buy or where your employer is paying your super every month. Then ask yourself 3 questions:
Does doing the right thing come at a cost?
• Where is your money actually going?
There is often a preconceived notion if you invest ethically you have to forgo performance. The good news is this isn’t necessarily the case.
• Are the companies you’re supporting staying true to your values?
The 2018 Responsible Investment Benchmark Report found that the responsible Australian share funds outperformed the average fund over 3, 5 & 10 years. It’s a similar story for responsible international share funds. The result is predominantly being driven by the
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• Could your money be working harder for you and the greater good? Glen Hare is one half of Surry Hills based financial advice firm The Fox & The Hare
A Word from the Wives of Australian comedy By Tess Scholfield-Peters “I don’t normally find women funny, but you’re hilarious” is the well-worn refrain of (mostly male) comedy-goers who believe their backhanded and frankly offensive comment is a nice thing to say.
“This was just prior to the #MeToo movement. We were talking about that song Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, and how it had the most horrific lyrics yet it’s an absolute banger,” said Tess.
Tess Waters, one third of the awardwinning comedy trio Fringe Wives Club, revealed to me another even more bizarre male ‘compliment’: “I loved your show, it gave me a semi.”
“We asked ourselves: could we make a banger of a song that has positive lyrics and isn’t preachy, didactic yet doesn’t talk down to the audience? That was our challenge. So we combined forces.”
Just as infuriating as the male antifeminist (or Men’s Rights Activist) is the male pseudo-feminist (also known as a feminist fuckboi, soft boy or trend boy) who performs a kind of feminism sometimes, but will then go and tell female comics that their show sexually aroused them. This particularly hilarious brand of performativity has invited commentary from the Fringe Wives Club in their show Glittery Clittery: A Consensual Party, showing at the Griffin Theatre in July. The Fringe Wives Club was conceived in Edinburgh during the fringe tour circuit in 2016. Tess, Vicky and Rose began talking about their shared experiences of misogyny in the industry over bloody marys at brunch one morning. 44
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The trio has been together ever since, and is a blend of cabaret, musical theatre and comedic storytelling. “All of our shows have a strong foundation in feminism, or at least feminist ideas. What we love about comedy is the power to create a show that’s first and foremost really fun and engaging, but then also packs a punch and talks about stuff that’s important.” The Wives’ latest musical release is a song and music video titled ‘Feminist F*ckboi,’ a catchy satirical take on the pseudofeminist that most women will have come across at some stage. “He probably works at a café-comereconditioned-furniture-store and studied gender theory at uni, but still
gets drunk and annoyingly asks women to have sex with them even after they’ve said no,” explained Tess. “He talks to everyone about feminism and will often try to explain feminism, particularly to women.” The lyrics are all anecdotal, with lines like “he’ll be a sensitive soul, and then break up via text,” and “he tells a sexist joke and then says it’s ironic, if you take offense he’ll say you’re being moronic.” This strand of pseudo-feminists has been observed by other outlets like Vice. According to one article published in 2015, “the Male Feminist isn't into labels—except for labelling himself as Feminist.” Another published in 2016 claimed, “The Trend Boy is a proud male feminist, or “more of a humanist,” or appears legitimately invested in fighting misogyny. The Trend Boy adopts or ignores these beliefs as he pleases.” The prevalence of the pseudo-feminist today is also hilariously captured in the Instagram account @beam_me_up_softboi run by Manchester based student Iona Erskine, which posts submissions from all over the world of cringe-worthy exchanges with these men. Whatever the label – fuckboi, soft boy, trend boy – behind their earnest intentions lie a lack of critical thinking and delusion that provides excellent fodder for comedy, and a light-hearted avenue to explore the more serious political derivatives of the global pseudo-feminist phenomenon. “Art is there to ask questions and spark conversations. That’s what this show is all about. We want you to have a great time and a really good laugh and also learn a thing or two. “We might have made huge steps forward in so many places, but every generation needs to be taught again about consent. Every generation needs to be taught about racism. Every generation needs to be taught about compassion and empathy. “These are not things that are just learnt. You have to keep reminding people about consent and keep growing.” Join the Fringe Wives Club in their award winning cabaret show Glittery Clittery: A Consenual Party at the Griffin Theatre from July 8 – 20. Tickets via the Griffin Theatre website.
Photo Nicole Cleary Urban Village
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Inside Australia’s oldest
HIV CHARITY By Tess Scholfield-Peters
The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation provides financial, emotional and direct practical assistance to people living with HIV in New South Wales and South Australia. The foundation was established in 1984 by the friends of Bobby Goldsmith, after the champion swimmer lost his battle with AIDS at the age of 38. I spoke to Sue Wood, Elvis Caus and Angelo Laios of Bobby Goldsmith Foundation on Devonshire Street about what the virus looks like today. The HIV demographic has changed, and there are more people living with HIV than ever before. BGF provides holistic support ranging from helping out with grocery shopping to operating programs that promote healthy living. What might people not know about HIV? SUE: It’s classed as a chronic condition, the same as diabetes. ELVIS: If someone is diagnosed and on treatment they’re just going to live a normal life, whereas before they were given a year or two. Also, that people can be safe in discordant relationships – that’s an HIV positive and negative person. A common misconception is that you can get it from kissing or drinking from the same glass. There’s a lot of fear about HIV because the general population really isn’t educated about the conditions, so understandably they have a fear of the unknown. Are there instances where stigma still exists? SUE: We still receive reports of stigma in the health sector. We held a panel of people positive from all different areas, and they reported a lot of stigma within the health professionals. There’s also a bit of internalised stigma within the HIV community itself. ANGELO: Using language like “are you clean,” indicating that if you have HIV you are unclean. We’ve gotten to a stage where HIV is one of the illnesses that can be managed by medication, like diabetes, but it isn’t – there’s a completely different psychology behind it.
What still needs to be done? ANGELO: In Australia today HIV is still a taboo. We live and work it, but anywhere else it isn’t talked about widely. So I hope that in future it is talked about more and normalised, like it is in America. ELVIS: I think the reason it hasn’t been normalised is that it’s all about politics. Not just government politics, but the politics of people. In the modern world there is a lot of promotion of fear to promote agendas. SUE: What we need are more champions who are going to be out there as spokespeople, people that can really be open and talk about it. What do you hope for in the future? ELVIS: Funding is vital for us to survive. We have started to support people living with HIV throughout Australia, so in the longer term we’d like to do more outreach. SUE: HIV is not the disease it was in the 80s and 90s. People aren’t supporting it as heavily as they used to, but people are still doing it tough. Around Darlinghurst and Surry Hills there are heaps of services, but it’s reaching out to other areas and receiving the funding to do it properly. In the Northern Territory there is a danger of HIV and other health issues in indigenous populations. So yes, being able to expand our services is definitely what we hope to do.
The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation. For more information head to www.bgf.org.au. 46
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ELVIS CAUS Client Services Manager
SUE WOOD Case Work Team Manager
ANGELO LAIOS Community Support Program Manager
Telling the Stories of People in our Community
NARELLE CLARKE Photo by Tim Ritchie
Surry Hills Devotee
I moved into Surry Hills when I was 18 months old. Mum and dad lived here and this was the family home. The house was built in the late 1800s. Mum wanted stability and I remember her saying “I’m going to be carried out of here in a box”. She has always been the centre of the family. She stayed here, so we always gravitated back for family gatherings. I came back to Surry Hills because mum started getting sick in the last six years. It’s hard when you are in your 80s. So it made sense that we moved in with her to make it easy. We lived on the Northern beaches for a while and I missed Surry Hills. I missed the eclectic society. I grew up and went to school here. There were Greeks, Italians and Chinese, whereas the Northern beaches was very Anglo. I missed the kid of naturalism of Surry Hills. You don’t have to look amazing everyday. Things are a bit grubby and dirty and houses need renovation. I don’t like perfectionism anyway. 48
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When I grew up here in the 70s everyone was moving out. Public housing just across the road from me was full of migrant families. They all moved out because they thought Surry Hills was getting really bad. I noticed a change myself about 10 years after that. A lot of actors moved in, trendy shops popped up, you’d bump into famous people at Redfern Mall, now Surry Hills Shopping centre. There was a change in the public housing as well. People needed a lot more support so the area got a bit difficult. I feel like there is not enough help for some people in public housing. I want to get involved in helping now that my kids are grown up and my mum’s not here anymore. There’s not enough attention to detail about those who need help in Surry Hills. I’m sad about the fact that
there is neglect here. People need better help. How do I change that? My great aunt (Kate Leigh) made some positive changes in Surry Hills in the 50s, she did some crazy things too, but she made positive changes. I barely knew her as I was only 3 when she died but I vaguely remember her. She was known as a criminal, she was in gaol. Once someone tried to get into her house at 212 Devonshire. She said, “If you walk in any further I’ll shoot you” Well he did walk in, and so she shot him. That’s why she went to gaol. But she was just protecting herself. However, then there is this other side to her and you think “Oh my God what a beautiful woman”. She threw house parties and looked after the street kids and the poor people. If someone didn’t have any money she’d give them some. Back then the pubs shut at 6pm, so after that she was open for business. She never judged. I wish I had known her. She would have been a total character, rough but great. She was recognised by the Catholic church because of her work with the poor. I teach Pilates here in Surry Hills. I love people having the satisfaction of doing something really good for their bodies and knowing they can get better. I love seeing people who are sore or having trouble and then I get hold of them and then they feel good. That makes me feel good. I love that. I’m not there to flog them like they have to do a Cirque du Soleil exercise, or thrash them at the gym. I like making them think about themselves in a more gentle way. There is nothing worse than someone walking out of a gym class thinking “I couldn’t do any of that” and going home thinking they are hopeless and useless. No, I don’t like that. Family is important to me, but so is community. I would love to be able to say when I am in my 80s, that I tried to make Surry Hills a better place. I want to make change on a community level. I would say to my younger self, stop stressing about the future. Enjoy the journey and don’t worry.
ABOUT SURRYHILLSANDVALLEYS.COM We are four storytellers whether through art, photography or written word, who want to create a space for giving voice to the stories of the inhabitants of Surry Hills. Surry Hills has a history of storytelling. We hope that the stories that are told will bring about community in our neighbourhood especially during this time where Surry Hills is going through so much change. We want to represent the diversity of the people in our community so we can increase learning from and respect of each other. To read more profiles, visit www.surryhillsandvalleys.com Urban Village
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HANDS-ON ANTIDOTE The Sydney Opera House has announced the first line-up for Antidote, a festival of ideas, action and change. Over the weekend of 31 August to 1 September, Australia’s most iconic meeting place will be inundated with cutting edge ideas from leading creative minds. For the first time in 2019, Antidote is partnering with the recently established Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas. “Antidote has fast established itself as the festival for all of us who believe the world can be a better place,” said Dr Edwina Throsby, Festival Director and Sydney Opera House’s Head of Talks and Ideas. “We are facing some massive global issues: nationalism, digital safety, climate change and corruption. There is power in the meeting of great minds, and bringing together leading international thinkers in politics, journalism, art, and human rights. “Antidote is one way of addressing these problems in a productive, proactive way. I hope that Sydneysiders leave this festival feeling like they’re part of a global community that really can make a difference.” In the spirit of ideas, action and change, Antidote will feature a workshop series of practical skills that attendees can adopt in their daily lives. Favourite Surry Hills hairdresser Desmond and Molly Jones is participating with their workshop ‘How-to hairdos for Dads.’ 50
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In an Opera House studio, salon director Leonard Newton will be teaching guardians essential skills for decorating their children’s hair, from immaculate braids to perfect ponies. The session takes a hands on approach in a friendly, casual environment. “We’ve done the workshops previously, and quickly realised how powerful they could be,” said Leonard. “The idea originally came when I used to braid my three daughters’ hair every morning. We would arrive at school and the other dads would ask me how I did their braids. “I figured I knew lots of other single dads responsible for their kids that would want to learn how to do it. In some ways it’s pretty amazing, it’s really empowering for the blokes.” Other workshops in the series include a ‘Collective Tarot Card Reading’ with Psychic Sarah, and ‘Making and Mending’ with the team from Sew Make Create. Progressive ideas, rational debate and the acquiring of new skills comprise Antidote Festival 2019, Sydney’s most provocative and eclectic weekend festival. Find out more about the full line-up at the Sydney Opera House website.
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(L) Stefan (R) Richard Photos by Walter Maurice
The Girls and Boys Brigade By Tess Scholfield-Peters The Girls and Boys Brigade was founded in 1882 by Sir James Fairfax. It was originally a safe haven for the young paperboys, who were often homeless with nowhere else to go. Its long history of caring for inner city children is still very much alive today. First in Ultimo, in 1912 the Brigade moved to Riley Street and has been there ever since. Walking past, you might not realise the history behind the big corner building, nor the significance it holds for many local families.
“I was living in Surry Hills 25 years ago, back when it was cheap. As everything has gentrified, Bourke Street School ten years ago had 40 kids, and it’s now 440 kids,” said Richard.
The multi-level space is an afterschool and holiday care facility for kids at Crown and Bourke Street schools that come from low income or disadvantaged homes, providing a young friendly space, youth workers and educational support.
“As this gentrification has happened social housing has stayed – that pocket of people is still there with the same issues. They need services like us.”
From kindergarten to Year 12, the GBB students receive services like homework and reading help, access to WiFi and computers and most significantly, a close-knit group of friends and support network. Urban Village sat down with Stefan and Richard, who both changed career paths drastically to pursue work for Girls and Boys Brigade. 52
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Girls and Boys Brigade has recently introduced a grocery service in partnership with Food Bank, so families with children enrolled can come in and do a grocery shop for free. “While everything around us has changed, we’re still doing what we were doing twenty years ago – helping the same kinds of families.” Inside the multi-level building children’s paintings are all over the walls as well as black and white
“We’ve been here for a hundred years but a lot of people don’t know what’s actually inside this building.”
photos from the Brigade’s first few years. There’s an underground basketball court and murals painted by local artists, reading and homework rooms all quietly waiting for that time in the afternoon when they’ll be full of young students again. “A lot of our success stories are the little ones. One of our parents might get a job; one of the kids manages to turn up to school; I’d lent one of our clients some paper so she could study for an exam and she came in to tell me that she passed. “It’s those things I like because little by little it builds,” said Richard. The Girls and Boys Brigade has been a quiet but constant fixture of Surry Hills life for a hundred years and runs entirely on grants and donations. For more information about the organisation or how you can show support, head to http:// www.girlsandboysbrigade.org.au/. Urban Village
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POETRYÂ IN ACTION By Fiona McIntosh
What do racing pigeons, truckies, botanists, inmates, maps and developers have in common? Poetry, and more specifically, Red Room Poetry.
our sense of place, space, culture, community and self. It can be written, spoken, sung, rapped or slammed, installed and/ or performed. It can be a solo endeavour and experience, or one which engages a bigger community. Red Room encourages the lot, through a bold and vibrant blending of innovative workshops, publishing and competition programs: inserting a poetic moment into our everyday lives.
Established in 2003 by poet Johanna Featherstone, Red Room Poetry looks to make and present poetry in everyday places and spaces, often where it is neither obvious nor expected. Its approach is imaginative and innovative, with a focus on building a wider appreciation of poetry, affirming its place in regular contemporary culture, as enjoyable, accessible and memorable. Poetry uses language in aesthetic and expressive ways. It has the potential to expand awareness and to connect us in more meaningful and insightful ways to 54
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There are no rules where poetry can or cannot be placed. Red Room’s Poetic Moments program puts poetry on trains, planes, banners, murals and/or public sculpture installations - not as gratuitous gestures, but as thoughtful expressions which reflect and resonate with the communities and individuals from which they arise. Poetic moments have found their way onto coffee Keep Cups, into prisons and on the road with truckies. The Dust Poems (2009) project partnered poets with truckies to write their personal stories reflecting on lives on the road, which were then published in truckie-logbook style. What surprised the organisers was that many truckies were already writing poetry and that the collaboration with Red Room raised their poetic prowess to the next level.
The Unlocked program was designed to unleash the creative potential of prison inmates through poetry, as a means to assist them to reconnect with self, families and community. In collaboration with poets, musicians and educational staff from NSW Correctional Centres, inmates are encouraged to express their own stories through poetry, together with other creative means, which can then be performed or published. Over 250 inmates have embraced the Unlocked program since it began in 2010. Red Room worked with developers Mirvac to engage the community of the large scale Green Square development, to devise a project which instilled a sense of ownership and relevance for locals. The result was the poetry mural by poet Lachlan Brown and artist Amy Roser in The Social Corner Café, a central hub which provides a welcoming workspace for the local community. There is The Disappearing, an online interactive map which uses poetry to commemorate those points and places of interest which no longer exist. The online map of poems recalling histories, memories and impressions, is gradually reclaiming those almost forgotten places. Included in the map is poem by David Prater in which he remembers The Oceanic Cafe on Elizabeth St Surry Hills, a neighbourhood institution, which opened in the 1920s and ran until the death of its owner in 2014.
It is not unexpected to come across poetry in galleries, museums or public gardens. It is how it is presented that can surprise. Punchlines: Poets Play is a partnership with the Art Gallery of NSW for the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Six poets were invited to respond to specific artworks by avantgardist Marcel Duchamp in the exhibition The Essential Duchamp, on show at the Gallery (until 11 August). As an artist, Duchamp was interested in ideas, playing with words, meanings and concepts, more so than the aesthetic nature of the object itself. The Australian poets’ responses sit as wall labels to the Duchamp artworks, offering poetic rather than didactic interpretations that are provocative, absurdist and playful – everything Duchamp admired. Nature is an obvious source of inspiration for poets. Red Room’s New Shoots program leads you down the paths of many public gardens around Australia. New Shoots poetry explores themes around sustainability, ecosystems, plants and histories, becoming installed as permanent features. You’ll come across New Shoots poetry in gardens and landscapes such as the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, at Bundanon Trust, the Badu Mangroves boardwalk at Sydney Olympic Park, and the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens in Mount Tomah.
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Other Poetic Moments include those on the back of toilet doors in participating public places, for quiet, private enjoyment; on Keep Cups, as a project with Lend Lease to celebrate Reconciliation Week 2018; on light installation columns in Tumbalong Park Darling Harbour and, in 2008, bridging sport and poetry, attached to homing pigeons, which raced down the NSW south coast to deliver their poetic messages. One never made it to the finish line. We can only imagine it is still out there, spreading its poetic offerings far and wide. Whilst these line-ups of poetic displays may seem quirky, the quality of the poetry is sound. Teaching people be they young or old, how to create poetry of lasting integrity is the objective of Red Room’s Poetic Learnings. Mirvac (together with Landcom) supported workshops at nearby Alexandria Community School, bringing poet Gabrielle Jones to work with local school kids, to introduce them to poetry-writing and performance, to encourage a positive approach to literacy and self-expression. There is Poetry Object, a national poetry competition for school students; the Red Room Poetry Fellowship to nurture the creative and professional development of a recognised Australian poet; and Poetry in First Languages, a major priority in the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, which celebrates and preserves First Nations languages and culture. 56
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Devised by leading Indigenous Gunai poet Kirli Saunders, this timely program encourages and supports First Nations students to write poetry in their own Indigenous languages. They are paired with First Nations poets, Elders and Language Custodians in a series of workshops, to enhance their own language skills and connections to Country and culture. Robotics analyst and poet Joel Davison is a Gadigal/ Dunghutti man who has tasked himself with revitalising the languages of his own ancestors. There are few still alive who can pass on language, so Davison relies on old recordings to teach himself. He shares what he is learning, through his own writing and public workshops, such as those presented recently during the Sydney Festival. His poetry weaves English and Gadigal languages together, evoking different stories and cultural perspectives in a fresh and inclusive way. For Davison, language is the key to promoting a deeper understanding of Indigenous people, culture and histories. Red Room Poetry is a non-profit organisation based in Sydney. It relies on Government grants and private donations to run what are ambitious, imaginative and successful programs. Check out its comprehensive website for further information on its activities and how you can become involved. You may be delighted to find the poet within. Red Room Poetry
www.redroomcompany.org
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STATISTICALLY By Liam Barrett
SKINNY SURRY HILLS As a personal trainer I naively assumed working in Surry would mean training a perfectly chiseled combination of South Sydney football players, Instagram influencers and glitter soaked six packs straight from the Mardi Gras parade. Let’s just say the reality is a little different! I’ve noticed a few recurring themes when it comes to Surry Hills’ weight loss struggles. The endless procession of world class bars, restaurants and cafes that deliver direct to your door don’t help. Other stumbling blocks are not so obvious. Here’s a list of the five most common weight loss struggles in your neighbourhood. Drinking a glass of wine everyday after work. The recommended serving size (5fl oz) for red wine comes packing 125 calories. Have one everyday after work and you’ve consumed the caloric equivalent of a BigMac and fries by Friday. Next question - who’s actually consuming the recommended serving size? Ordering in. Not only is food delivery pricy, there’s also a tonne of ingredients going into your meal you might not know about. If you're getting to know your delivery drivers by name, it might be best to put down the phone. 58
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Living in food sin. If your pantry is stocked with chips, soft drink, biscuits and ice cream you’re going to gain fat. Why? Because you'll eat them. Liberate yourself from junk food bondage. Throw it out today! Starting again on Monday. On Saturday night in a moment of weakness you smashed a family pack of TimTams. Why stop there? It makes total sense to continue your junk food rampage until Monday morning when you can start again. Or does it? Everybody trips, it doesn’t mean you have to fall! Not exercising. Wake up, drive to work, sit at work all day, drive home, watch TV, go to bed. Need I say more? This one has an easy fix. MOVE. Walk to work, catch a class or come visit me in person at The Camp Fitness.
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TAKE A TRIP TO FRANCE
in Surry Hills without the cost of an airfare with Mike Galvin As a lover of all things French, I’m qualified to say LoLuk Bistro is one of Sydney’s favourite french dining destinations for a very good reason. They’re not only serving up some of the best southern French cuisine in Sydney, the service and attention to detail is impeccable. Owners, brothers, Luc and Loic have created a true French experience. The well-travelled brothers are hospitality professionals, returning to France regularly and bringing back with them carefully considered new concepts for their little piece of Provence in the heart of Surry Hills. LoLuk’s menu is bursting with interpretations of recipes inspired by Luc and Loic’s mother and grandmothers – you immediately feel a sense of family and belonging just sitting in the chic dining room or my favourite, the french garden. LoLuk’s use of veloutés, sauces and creams is highly creative, take the Gravlax Salmon - which is presented on a base of beetroot velouté, served with wild asparagus and lemon chantilly. Hungry yet? Ordering from the a la carte menu, you feel like everything has been created just for you and this is no
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accident! Stimulating feelings and emotion through food takes great effort, quality ingredients and dedicated staff. Walking through LoLuk’s door on Bourke Street, you’re whisked away to France in moments. It’s experiences like this that make great restaurants, magnificent! What to eat at LoLuk… I have never been to LoLuk and not ordered their double cheese soufflé, the country terrine is one of the best I’ve tasted, and the onion niçoise tart is a must have for the table. Main courses - the chicken breast with shallot velouté is beautifully prepared as is the pork tenderloin with carrot velouté. Dessert… remember, you’ve been transported to France which means it’s impossible to say no to dessert, and with the best lavender flavoured brulée in town, you’ll be licking your lips all the way home. Visit LoLuk at 411 Bourke Street. Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00pm, lunch from 12:00pm on Friday and Saturday. Experience the Raclette Party on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s. On a sunny day, enjoy a glass of Ricard and a game of Pétanque in the garden.
Tram testing is expanding to Randwick, Moore Park, and Surry Hills during the day and night. If you are traveling in the area, please remember: When crossing intersections, follow traffic signals or traffic controllers Cross tracks on an angle Don’t ride along the tracks Look out before you step out Trams can’t stop easily or quickly Don’t walk along the tracks Road conditions have changed Follow traffic signals Check twice for trams
For more information visit sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/safety