South East Sydney Community Transport held its Annual General Meeting on November 26. More than 150 members, including staff, volunteers and clients, gathered for the meeting at St Barnabas’ Church at Broadway which included presentation of reports and election of board members for 2014. Long-serving board member Terry Murphy (a former chairperson) announced his retirement and was effusive in his praise of SESCT manager Jane Rogers whom he described as “the most successful operator I’ve ever come across”.
REDFERN: Tim Gray is a Gumbaynggirr man from the Nambucca Valley on the mid-north coast of NSW. He is a gifted and busy musician, filmmaker and eco-justice activist. “Music, film, storytelling, it’s all the one thing,” Tim says, “trying to make the world a better place.”
Multi-award-winning artist, curator and educator Miriam Cabello has marked the 40th anniversary of “the first September 11” – the Chilean military coup in 1973 that brought Augusto Pinochet to power and heralded a dark chapter in her home country’s history. As part of the Sydney Fringe Festival’s “Cultural Rebels” program (September 6-29), Cabello’s artworks highlighted the violent overthrow of the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende.
16th/17th-century aficionados I Cantarini will join nu-folk songsters Salta for a one-night-only performance at the SSH dinner/fundraiser on October 18.
Last month the SSH reported on Weave Youth Family Community’s award-winning building (the $2.7 million starburst building at the corner of Elizabeth and Allen streets in Waterloo won the Sulman Award for Public Architecture) and inspirational programs. Weave client Kat Hines spoke of the organisation’s generous and genuine staff, and about her passion for art. In August Ms Hines won a graphic design competition. Her original artwork now features on posters and promotions for the Mad Pride youth event to be held at 107 Redfern Street, Redfern, on Wednesday October 9.
REDFERN: After more than 20 years, the family-run business known as Kozma’s Convenience Store in George Street is closing. The community is sad to farewell the Sleiman family – George and Rania, and their children Samara (4) and Tony (1), as well as George’s sister Christine and parents Samira and Tony. Kozma’s has provided fresh fruit and veggies, and essential grocery items, seven days a week, from 7.30am to 9.30pm. It has always been a friendly place.
WATERLOO: Weave Youth Family Community is a hard-working non-profit organisation working with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, children and their families. A year after the opening of its new facility on the corner of Elizabeth and Allen streets, the building has won the Sulman Award for Public Architecture.
Philippa (Pip) Clark was one of 164 Youth Members of Parliament representing 79 electorates (85 per cent of the electorate total) at this year’s YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, a residential camp and parliamentary simulation (June 30-July 6). Youth MPs are aged 15-18 years. The Youth Parliament is a program that gives young people a voice in the running of NSW. It aims to promote youth-led advocacy, active community leadership and legal and parliamentary education.
REDFERN: Wednesday June 19 saw a lively gathering at the Redfern Community Centre for Your Place, a sustainability expo for social, boarding and government housing residents. The expo was hosted by Green Renters and sponsored by the City of Sydney. Stallholders represented South East Sydney Community Transport, Inner West Women’s Shed, Open Shed, the Green Living Centre and The Big Issue. Throughout the day, participants attended workshops, enjoyed a free community lunch, and gleaned practical information on sharing resources and “greening” their homes.
WATERLOO: Russell Walker and Gerard Virgona have hearts for hospitality. Three-and-a-half years ago, the couple initiated a weekly get-together for their neighbours. “Favour” is held every Wednesday from 12 to 3pm in the community room of the Marton Building on Cope Street. Guests are offered tea, coffee, fresh bread and a place to socialise. A gold coin donation towards the cost of the tea and coffee is gratefully received.
REDFERN: Pigeonhole Gatherings is an initiative of Katie Hatch and Lauren Quinn, with graphic designer Swah who created the group’s distinctive logo. Swah also edits a zine (available from the Rag Land Cafe in Raglan St, Waterloo) and contributes online material. The three friends share an obvious love of good design and entrepreneurial community service. On Saturday June 15 Pigeonhole Gatherings hosted a Bake Sale vs Cake Stall at the Redwater Markets.
Regular readers will know that Sydney-based singer-songwriter and composer, Marcus Corowa, was the special guest performer at the SSH Harbour Cruise and Picnic on May 18. Corowa’s soulful set was the perfect complement to a warm, breezy day on the water.
REDFERN: Dina and Borris are neighbours in Morehead Street and clients of South East Sydney Community Transport. On Monday May 20 the two friends gathered with 30 fellow clients of SESCT at the Our Place Centre on Poets Corner. This was the second monthly Catch-Up for locals since SESCT moved from Redfern to its new premises in Ultimo.
Philippa (Pip) Clark is the 17 year-old Minister for Mental Health in this year’s YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, sitting the first week of July. A first-time participant in the established education, advocacy and leadership program, Pip will chair the Mental Health Committee of the lower house and oversee the writing of a Standing Report on the importance of access to mental health services for youth.
April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day, an opportunity to celebrate and be involved in helping raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Peak body, the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders, partners with other organisations such as Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) to host a number of activities and events.
WATERLOO: Waterloo Recycling Workshop (WRW) is a sustainable business with a proven record of community service. Now in its sixth year, the team, led by Naomi Ward under the auspices of The Factory Community Centre in Raglan Street, comprises skilled volunteer carpenters and collectors, sales and support staff. Each Friday morning in the lower car park of the Turanga building, customers clamour for bargains – a picture frame, a vase or tablecloth, a restored table or bench seat, an antique set of drawers or freshly painted cupboard.
ULTIMO: There’s a lot to admire in the good work of South East Sydney Community Transport (SESCT), which last financial year provided approximately 70,000 trips to more than 3,000 people. Following a recent period of insecurity, the community organisation has relocated from Redfern to a spacious commercial building with bus bay in Ultimo. Staff are committed to maintaining connections with valued clients across five Local Government Areas, and are excited by plans to engage new clients.
There’s something quite beguiling about Tom Marr (vocals, kick drum, guitar and double bass) and Joanna Brooke (vocals, guitar, ukulele and cello) of persianlovecake. It’s apparent they’re accomplished musicians and yet they perform their songs shyly. The songs seem very simple and yet mesmerise, revealing mysterious depths. The harmonies are exquisite.
Redfern resident Marcello Araldi has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels since Christmas 2011. He took time this month to answer a few questions about the work he continues to find rewarding, and to share with readers some basic information about the food delivery service that began over 60 years ago and now facilitates delivery of 4.5 million meals each year in NSW.
In March 2006 the SSH featured a story on the fifth annual Back to Erskineville Reunion. The event, organised by friends Pam Carter nee Butt, Dawn Dempsey nee Hammond and Betty Kane nee Hammond, is intended as something more than a mere “walk down memory lane”. It’s about honouring the past, honouring connections to significant places and between people. This year, on Sunday February 10, Pam, Dawn and Betty were again at Erskineville Oval, and later for refreshments at the Alexandria-Erskineville Bowling Club, for the twelfth annual gathering of friends. “It’s about bringing people together,” Betty said.
Loene Carmen is well known for acting roles in The Year My Voice Broke (1987), The Nostradamus Kid (1992) and Red Dog (2011). She is also a fine songwriter and vocalist, lauded for bold and cinematic music-making – sensual, darkly atmospheric, beautifully crafted, playful and raw.
ALEXANDRIA: All day Saturday it rained and rained, but on Sunday February 24 the sun shone through the clouds, much to the delight of the estimated 1,000 people gathered at Alexandria Park for the very first Alexandria Fair.
The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA365) has released the finalists for the competition’s photography category and is thrilled to announce that a South Sydney local has been selected among the top 13 photographers from the many hundreds of entries. Lyndal Irons remains in the running to win a money-can’t-buy mentorship with celebrated international photographer Polly Borland (www.pollyborland.com), along with $5,000 in Qantas air travel, plus $5,000 in cash.
REDFERN: February 1 marked the fourth anniversary of the opening of the Purple Goanna cafe in Redfern Street. This year will see continued emphasis on nutritious bush tucker and hospitality as well as a few changes. Now a not-for-profit Indigenous Corporation, the cafe will service the community by way of work with Elders and families, the newly-established Jarjum School in Redfern Street, a Mums ’n Bubs group and partnerships with other small businesses.
Saturday 9th February saw the Rabbitohs kick off their 2013 season with the fifth annual Return to Redfern match. This year the locals took on the Papua New Guinea Residents XIII in a 38-12 point victory at Redfern Oval.
Sydney-based neo-folksters, Salta, launched their debut EP at the Vanguard in Newtown, Sunday February 3. Persian Love Cake and Eirwen Skye were supports. Salta's self-titled EP is available at www.saltamusic.bandcamp.com
Recently, in response to a query about a small repair job in the church, a helpful parishioner suggested I call OddJobbers. I was given a flyer with a phone number, retrieved with great care from the inner folds of a handbag. I made the call, left a message. Within a couple of days the work was carried out – effectively, in a friendly and humble manner. I was impressed.
All primary students should take compulsory swimming lessons to arrest the “alarming” increase in drowning deaths among young people, the Royal Life Saving Society says. The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jonathan Swan reported recently that the federal government is considering submissions on water safety for the new national curriculum.
Newtown artist Bede Kelcher loves “the drama of clashing colours, the extremes of light and shade at sunset, the wonderful juxtapositions that a city presents” …
When I first made the transition to a plant-based diet, wise long-term vegetarians advised me of the importance of eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and legumes. One of the things that first attracted me to vegetarianism was the simplicity of meal preparation – but I needed to ensure that I didn't just eat the same thing every day.
WATERLOO: The long weekend in October saw an opportunity for the South Sydney Uniting Church to welcome 21 visitors from Milingimbi, an island community just off the coast of Arnhem Land in the far north of Australia.
REDFERN: The much-anticipated new venue for the Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL) sub-branch has opened at 157 Redfern Street (opposite Redfern Station). The establishment will be known simply as Club Redfern, and occupy the second floor of the Deicota Tower, a 19-storey development which includes office space and retail as well as 84 apartments with five levels of underground parking.
Ever wondered what effect raising a child from birth as a vegan or vegetarian would have upon their outlook and behaviour? Well, here are some theories.
SURRY HILLS: Rainbow Parents in Australia, a series of images documenting the day-to-day lives of gay and lesbian parents and their children, opens 6.30pm on Thursday August 16 at the Surry Hills Library on Crown Street. Sydney-based photojournalist Isabella Moore has photographed these families over a two-year period.
On Sunday August 12, Adrian Spry will run the Sun-Herald City2Surf for Cystic Fibrosis NSW. The Waterloo local is an artist and teacher, a keen road-runner and member of the Ravens running group. He has competed in recent Sydney Half Marathons as well as this year’s Sun Run from Dee Why to Manly. He’s looking forward to taking up the 14km challenge on behalf of a cause he believes in.
July 20-27 saw local engineer and electrician, Stephen Creak, compete in the 2012 World Masters Squash Tournament in Birmingham. The tournament was held at the Solihull Arden Squash Club, West Warwicks Squash Club, Priory Club Edgbaston and Edgbaston Campus Birmingham University. Entries exceeded 500. “There is a great camaraderie with squash players re-uniting from all over the world,” Steve said.
Formerly known as South Sydney Youth Services, WEAVE is a non-profit community organisation working with approximately 2,000 people, over 60 per cent of whom...
