Welcome to Anna Jahjah, managing editor of the SSH
Following the conclusion of Rev. Andrew Collis’ placement at South Sydney Uniting Church, Anna will take over as managing editor. Andrew will remain for a few months in an advisory capacity.
May is always a busy month in Sydney, with winter creeping up, and Carriageworks is central to a lot of the activities.
Australian Fashion Week at Carriageworks – May 12-16
Sign up for access to the Carriageworks venue, where you can have entrée to off-catwalk events, including live screening of the shows. This is a free event, but you must have a Fashion Pass which you can get at https://australianfashionweek.org/. A must for all fashion lovers.
Sydney Writers’ Festival, ‘In This Together’ – May 19-27
As well as Carriageworks, there are several venues, including Sydney Town Hall, Barangaroo, State Library of NSW and Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. Writers and guests include Nardi Simpson as guest curator, Kate Grenville, English actor Harriet Walter on Shakespeare’s Women, and Markus Zusak. Lots of free events this year, mostly at Carriageworks, and bookings are essential even for free events. You can pick up a copy of the festival program at your local library or cinema. Book tickets at https://www.swf.org.au
Vivid Sydney 2025, ‘Dream’ – May 23 to June 14
Visited annually by over 3 million people, the Harbour City will light up again this May and June with illuminations, light shows, music and food at Circular Quay, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour and the Opera House Sails, to name a few.
First Light: Live at 6pm on May 23. The official switching-on of the lights will be followed by a free concert with First Nations music from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada. Venue is Campbell’s Cove, 4 Circular Quay, The Rocks. For all information contact: https://vividsydney.com
Vivid Ideas, Law & Life: Transgender Stories – June 5-7
Presented by the Inner City Legal Centre, this powerful event will bring together five trans storytellers, including South Sydney Herald’s own resident cartoonist norrie mAy-welby, to share their lived experiences – navigating gender, identity, legality and survival. At The Rebel Theatre, Pier 2/3 13A Hickson Road, Dawes Point. For tickets and information, contact: https://www.vividsydney.com/event/ideas/law-and-life-transgender-stories
Lilian Fowler, Australian Heritage Festival – Wednesday May 14, 11am-12pm
A celebration of a local history-maker – Lilian Fowler was elected NSW’s first female alderman for Newtown Council in 1928, and again 10 years later when she became Australia’s first female mayor. From 1944 to 1950, she served on the NSW Legislative Assembly, being responsible for the creation of several children’s playgrounds in the inner city. Venue is the Brown Street Community Hall, 8-10 Brown St (behind Newtown Library). This is a free event, and you can book tickets at https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/international-womens-day-lilian-fowler/. There is no mobility access available for this event.
May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)
May 26 – National Sorry Day: 17th anniversary of the formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples by former PM Kevin Rudd in 2008
May 27-June 3 – National Reconciliation Week with the theme “Bridging Now to Next”
June 4-15 – 72nd Sydney Film Festival. For tickets and information contact https://www.sff.org.au
Pat Clarke
volunteers@ssh.com.au
