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Mask makers discuss how masks are made & the benefits of use PAGE 1-2
BY ANNIE LEWIS he government has issued a “strong recommendation” that people wear masks in four vital circumstances, as the NSW premier warns that the state is in a “critical” stage. On Sunday, Gladys Berejiklian urged for residents to use face masks on public transport and in supermarkets amid fears the state remains at risk of Victorian cases spreading. Wearing masks will not be mandatory, but Ms Berejiklian said: “it is a strong recommendation from Health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in NSW.” The four key areas people should wear masks are in enclosed spaces
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(such as public transport), if they work in a customer-facing role (such as hospitality or retail), if they attend a place of worship, or if they are in an area where there is high community transmission. Abrar Chughtai, an Epidemiologist from the University of New South Wales, said that masks are crucial in helping to stop the spread, particularly as people with coronavirus can be asymptomatic. He explained that the state is “now at the border” and it’s about doing our part to keep the community safe. “In NSW either we can control it, or we will be in the same situation we see in Melbourne now,” Dr Chughtai said. “If we have effective intervention available, then why don’t we use it? I would urge people to wear masks for
the safety of those around them.” Dr Chughtai said that surgical, one-use masks are generally considered to be better quality. Still, cloth masks will do the job and ensure there is enough supply of the surgical masks for health workers and other critical areas. He added that it was essential to wash hands with soap and water before putting on and after removing the mask. “Avoid touching your mask when using it and assume there could be a virus on both sides of the mask,” Dr Chughtai said. “Wash your reusable mask every time you take it off.” Dr Chughtai said there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing or sewing a cloth mask to use.
“Find one that uses two or three layers of fabric,” he said. “Choose a fabric with a high thread count; in layman’s terms do not choose one that is see-through. “Make sure it fits well around the face and covers the nose and chin.” On Monday, NSW Labor called for face masks to be mandatory on public transport, in supermarkets and shopping centres and places of worship. The Premier’s mask recommendation isn’t an instruction,” said NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay. “It doesn’t convey the severity of the situation. NSW needs clear directions to keep people safe and keep businesses open. Continued on page 2
THE GREAT MASK DEBATE
(Continued from the cover)
“Public health orders exist to grocery outlets, mining protect the community. companies and we The Premier should also sell online use them to stop direct to the the spread of the public. virus and keep the “We now have economy moving.” over 200 people Before the current in the medical international business, pandemic, and 180 of the Detmold those are new Group primarily employers.” manufactured board Mr Lunn said and paper packaging they have teamed for the food and retail up with Tacca industries. Medical which will But as the country produce the meltblown Casey Zeiders & Emily Garren wearing their masks looked to bolster medical polypropylene layer for Photo: Supplied supplies, the company was medical masks. approached by the South This will help ensure that Detmold Australian government to see if they Medical can access the vital raw would be interested in producing masks. material that prevents microscopic Tom Lunn, group general manager particles from passing between patients for marketing and innovation, said and medical professionals. compared to 14 weeks ago they now “This consolidates the supply of the raw have 20 machines on the floor and are material within Australia, so we don’t making one million masks a day. have to rely on any overseas suppliers,” “The initial deal was 45 million for SA Mr Lunn said. Health and 100 million for the national Saiba Choy started making masks after stockpile,” he said. losing her job as a result of COVID-19. “We now have direct contracts with most “I needed to be able to afford dog food health departments around Australia, for my baby boy, Astro the Kelpie,” she private hospital operators and lots of said. “Demand has been up and down. direct businesses such as the major
I started making masks in April during the first lockdown, and lots of my sales were to family and friends.” Ms Choy sold 100 masks in that first month, but under 50 in May and June but as the case numbers started to increase rapidly on too did demand. “When the Victoria wave and clusters started coming out, and the government guidance for masks occurred, demand skyrocketed to 600 in July,” she said. “It was very interesting to see and challenging to meet the demand. It has brought me closer to my family, who has rallied around me to help me keep the supply going.” To cope with the strain of losing a job and stress due to current events, Ms Choy makes sure she still trains to keep up her fitness health which in turn helps her mental health. “The mask-making itself also helps me cope,” Ms Choy said. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something useful for the community because my masks are reusable and washable and I think they’re a better alternative than singleuse masks which contribute to landfill. “I love seeing people wearing reusable masks, and I also want it to be more acceptable in the community outside of Victoria. If I make masks with prints people enjoy wearing, I hope that will mean more people will wear them.”
Jess Kumanovski, the owner of Maison de Femmes, has also shifted her business to adapt to the changing world. Originally from Wollongong, she has decided to live with her parents there during the pandemic rather than go back to Melbourne. “In retrospect, I’m pretty glad I stayed, even if my life and my little apartment are 900km’s away,” Miss Kumanovski said. “My mum recently mentioned that she was going to make fabric face masks for our family, and I realised that there was a gap in the market for beautiful face masks. “After seeing the number of people outraged at their ‘human rights’ being violated by being asked to protect themselves and others with a face mask, it made sense that making face masks fun and fashionable may entice people to actually wear them.” Miss Kumanovski said she started selling them at the weekend after spending some time building up supplies. She added that alongside her mother, they had been sewing face masks from 100 per cent cotton material, crafted to the DHHS guidelines. WHERE TO BUY CLOTH MASKS: SAIBATOOTH www.etsy.com/people/saibatoothcub MAISON DE FEMMES www.maisondefemmes.com
The Good Neighbour Project Supporting responsible cat ownership Protecting wildlife and feline welfare Keeping your cat happy and healthy Join our Good Neighbour Project. Visit catprotection.org.au
Rehoming Organisation Number R251000224
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HubNEWS
Is time up for racing at Wentworth Park? (See p.4)
COVID-19 cleaning closes more Sydney venues BY ANNIE LEWIS s the state battles to keep coronavirus numbers down, a public health warning has been put out for anyone who attended an establishment in Surry Hills on Sunday. NSW Health has put out an alert for those who visited Hotel Harry, known also as Harpoon Harry on July 26. A case confirmed today who attended the Apollo Restaurant in Potts Point on July 25 also attended the venue in Surry Hills. Any patron at the venue for two hours from 2.15pm to 11pm, must self-isolate and get tested and stay isolated for a full 14 days, even if the test is negative. If symptoms develop, they must get tested again. Harpoon Harry has been closed to undergo a deep clean. The alert follows a growing number of COVID-19 cases as NSW Health is asking people across key suburbs to come forward for testing if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 at all.
A HubARTS: Chris Sebastian COVID seriously impact The Voice results (See p. 7)
Published weekly and freely available throughout the Inner City. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city. Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city.
Harpoon Harry’s in Surry Hills which has closed for COVID-19 cleaning. Photo: Mitch Lui
In the same announcement, NSW Health said those who visited Tan Viet in Cabramatta on July 23 from 12pm to 2pm are also advised they must selfisolate for a period of 14 days and get tested for the virus. Anyone who attended Matinee Coffee, Marrickville on July 26 between 8am
Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, we take no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Publisher Assistant: Mal Moody News Editor: Allison Hore Contributors: Allison Hore, Annie Lewis Cartoonist: Sam Mcnair Arts Editor: Jamie Apps
Cover Photo: Supplied. Mask maker Jess Kumanovski from Maison De Femmes Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 Website: cityhubsydney.com.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au @CityHubSydney
For more information on the latest COVID-19 case locations and testing visit the NSW Health website.
Social housing solution to homelessness
Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677.
Contributors: Irina Dunn, Madison Behringer, Mark Morellini, Renee Lou Dallow, Rida Babar
and 9am and on July 27 between 7am and 7.45am is urged to monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate if symptoms occur.
Sydney is one of the electorates with the largest population of homeless people. Photo: Allison Hore
BY ALLISON HORE ccording to new interactive heat maps showing the problem of homelessness across NSW, Sydney is the electorate in fourth most need of social housing. Timed to coincide with the launch of Homelessness Week on Monday, the maps created by Homelessness Australia and Everybody’s Home show the number of people without a home in NSW, and the amount of social housing needed to end homelessness in each electorate. According to the data, NSW has a shortfall of more than 135,000 social
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housing properties and, pre-COVID-19, more than 37,500 people were homeless across the state on any given night. Homelessness most severe in Sydney’s inner-city and in south western Sydney. The three electorates most in need of social housing were Watson, Blaxland and Fowler followed by Sydney. The economic blow of COVID-19 has only made things worse. Modelling by the NSW Council of Social Services has shown up to 16,000 more people in NSW could be experiencing homelessness as a result of the pandemic. “The growth in unemployment as a
consequence of COVID-19 and cuts to social security payments will drive further increases in homelessness,” Homelessness Australia Chief Executive Jenny Smith said. “By investing in social housing, the government will not only give more people a home but will also keep more people in a job.” The Social Housing Acceleration and Renovation Program (SHARP), developed by a coalition of housing advocacy groups, says building 30,000 social homes over the next four years will not only combat homelessness, but will also create up to 18,000 jobs per year. The group is working together with more than 300 member organisations to meet with local MPs to discuss homelessness rates and ask them to commit to investment in social housing. “This data shows homelessness effects all electorates and we know social housing is the most effective solution, so we hope to see every MP sign up,” Everybody’s Home spokesperson Kate Colvin said. Homelessness week runs from August 3 to 7, and this year’s theme is “Everybody Needs a Home”. The interactive heat maps can be viewed online on the Everybody’s Home website. CITY HUB 6 AUGUST 2020
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HubNEWS
Draft Pyrmont Place Strategy unveiled to mixed reviews of up to 180m would be allowed on the Star Casino site, opening the possibility for the Star’s development to be reconsidered.
BY ALLISON HORE he first draft of the muchanticipated Pyrmont Place Strategy has been to the public and it’s already raising eyebrows.
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Ms. Moore said the City of Sydney supports a “vibrant” mixed-use precinct with additional housing and supports an increase in building heights when it is in the right location and used for the right purpose. But she asserts The Star Casino’s proposal, which she describes as “a towering monument to gambling”, is neither.
After months of consultation with the community and a detailed study by the NSW Government, the draft strategy which explores future development frameworks in the Pyrmont peninsula over the next two decades was released to the public on Friday.
All those involved should
be proud of creating a robust vision In a statement, Committee for Sydney CEO, Gabriel Metcalf, praised the strategy and said “Pyrmont has enormous potential” which the strategy will help the suburb realise. “Creating this strategy was a complex task and all those involved should be proud of creating a robust vision,” he said. The draft place strategy sets out five “Big Moves” which will help Pyrmont
The Darling Harbour and Harborside Shopping Center precinct. Photo: Allison Hore
to realise this potential including the construction of a “world class” foreshore precinct, venues for 24-hour entertainment, a new Metro station to make Pyrmont a destination, more public transport and better pedestrian links. The key sites for development and the creation of new jobs outlined in the strategy are Blackwattle Bay, The Star Casino site, Harborside Shopping Center and UTS in Ultimo. The government estimates that up to 23,000 jobs and 800,000 square metres of extra commercial and office space will be created across the peninsula by 2041.
CASINO QUESTIONS
However, it’s not all praise for the draft strategy. Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore has criticised the strategy for potentially giving the Star Casino’s controversial 51-storey Ritz-Carlton hotel at Pyrmont the green light. “The Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy must not become an exercise in retrofitting controls to justify the Star Casino’s inappropriate tower,” she said in a Tweet. Initially the Star’s plans for a $500-million Ritz Carlton hotel were blocked by the NSW government due to its imposing physical presence. However, under the strategy, buildings
“New development should complement and enhance the area, and be governed by a unified planning framework that meets the needs of all the community, not designed to make exceptions for wealthy gambling magnates,” she said. While she is critical of the implications the strategy has for the Star Casino, Ms. Moore praised some of the other moves outlined in the draft. “There are some big ideas in the strategy that we do indeed welcome, including a metro station at Pyrmont and the return of Wentworth Park to people as high-quality parkland,” she said. The draft Place Strategy is on exhibition until midnight Sunday September 13.
Mayor backs call to end greyhound racing BY ALLISON HORE ord Mayor Clover Moore is backing calls for greyhound racing to end at Wentworth Park in Sydney’s inner city. On Monday night the City of Sydney council voted eight to two in favour of a motion proposed by independent councillor Philip Thalis to “return Wentworth Park to the public”. Mr. Thalis told the ABC on Wednesday that the fact the space was only accessible to a “diminishing” number of people a few nights a week was not good enough. “It’s much more important to open 24 hours to the public. We’re in the middle of the high density areas of Ultimo, Pyrmont and Glebe and we need more space,” he said. “We know that under COVID people are using their public space. They need to take exercise, they need that relief of being in green spaces. Wentworth park could be so much better.” The Greyhound Owners Breeders and Trainers Association (GBOTA) has been the primary tenant of Wentworth Park since the 1980s, but Ms. Moore agrees it’s time the space was opened up for the public. “It doesn’t seem right that so much of Wentworth Park, which sits in the middle of one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in Australia, is dominated
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by a greyhound racing track,” Ms. Moore shared to social media on Tuesday. “This space should be in the hands of the community, not an industry that has admitted to killing up to 17,000 healthy dogs each year, has been shown to livebait, and causes problem gamblers real suffering.”
This space should
be in the hands of the community Mr. Thalis said that the move to reclaim Wentworth Park would be a “win win” situation with “more public space for all to enjoy at Wentworth Park” and “progressive winding back of rapacious greyhound industry”.
A CONTROVERSIAL INDUSTRY
After ABC’s Four Corners’ 2015 episode, “Making a Killing” revealed horrific practices in the greyhound racing industry the entire board of directors of Greyhounds NSW was dismissed and a special commission into the industry was set up by the NSW government. The commission found that of the 97,000 greyhounds bred in the last 12 years, between 48,891 and 68,448
Wentworth Park in Sydney. Photo: Allison Hore
dogs were killed and that 10-20% of trainers were involved in live baiting. Following the investigation then premier Mike Baird moved to ban greyhound racing in NSW. However, after lobbying from racing and gambling bodies, a few months later the decision was backtracked. Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) boss Tony Mestrov said that “GRNSW absolutely rejects the Lord Mayor’s assertions about the welfare and integrity of our participants”. He said the group still have seven years remaining
on their lease agreement with the NSW Government. “The GBOTA has a contract to conduct greyhound racing at Wentworth Park until 2027 under Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) rules of racing, and GRNSW would welcome any further discussion with the NSW Government and all stakeholders that takes this into account,” he said. Ms. Moore will be writing to the NSW Government Ministers for Better Regulation, Property and Public Space to advocate for the council’s position.
HubNEWS
Masks “strongly recommended” on public transport By ALLISON HORE acial masks on public transport are being “strongly recommended” by the NSW government to reduce community spread of COVID-19. In a press conference on Sunday premier Gladys Berejiklian offered a “strong recommendation” for people to wear a mask in enclosed spaces including on public transport, in supermarkets, places of worship and in public spaces in areas of high community transmission. Hospitality and retail workers in customer facing roles are also being strongly advised to wear a mask. “I want to stress it is not compulsory, but it is a strong recommendation from Health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in New South Wales,” Ms. Berejiklian said. “Where you are in an enclosed space and you cannot guarantee social distancing, you should be wearing a mask.” However, over the weekend photos surfaced on social media showing many commuters are ignoring the advice. One viral photo snapped at Town Hall station on Saturday morning showed commuters standing shoulder-to-shoulder while
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waiting for a train to Bondi Junction. Transport for NSW responded to the photo saying it was an “isolated incident” and that social distancing measures and capacities were in place. On a Waratah train, there is a maximum capacity of 68 passengers per carriage. But a report prepared by the NSW government, obtained by NSW Labor under freedom of information, revealed that during the morning peak, 23 percent of trains and 10 percent of buses breached social distancing regulations.
We must do everything we can to protect our frontline transport workers Ms. Berejiklian told the ABC that she was unaware of the report and had not seen the data.
RECOMMENDATIONS NOT ENOUGH
NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay thinks that masks being recommended on public transport is not enough. In a press conference on Monday Ms. McKay called for masks to be made mandatory
Masks are being strongly recommended on public transport. Photo: Allison Hore
in enclosed public spaces and on public transport. “If the Premier makes face masks mandatory on public transport, and in places of worship, supermarkets and shopping centres, I will back her. I will even do a joint press conference. It’s time for clear and decisive action,” she said. The Transport Workers Union calls on commuters to take responsibility for the health of workers. Secretary of the TWU NSW Branch, Richard Olsen, asks commuters to wear masks on public transport, “as per the NSW Government recommendations”, and to observe social distancing rules, maximum passenger
limits and cordoned off sections. “We would urge commuters when using public transport to think of the drivers and other transport workers who must come into contact with hundreds of people as they do their jobs every day,” he told City Hub. Mr. Olsen said these rules are essential for protecting the health of public transport workers including bus drivers and train attendants, as well as other customer service staff. “We must do everything we can to protect our frontline transport workers so they can continue to do their jobs while staying safe and healthy themselves.”
COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY
f some of our local politicians started boasting of an exceptionally high IQ or the way they breezed through a cognitive test, you might immediately question their motives. When Donald Trump does the same it hardly surprises, as such claims fit perfectly into his persona of bluster and selfaggrandisement. But just how smart is the Donald given the kind of skeletons that have been emerging from his murky past in recent months? When he first campaigned for office in 2016 he gleefully endorsed a rumour that he had an IQ of around 156, the second highest of all US presidents. This was countered with the disclosure of a document from his early days at the New York Military Academy which put his IQ at a lowly 79. Whilst I can’t confirm its authenticity here’s another more politically relevant cognitive test which Trump recently completed. You might like to try it yourself, with Trump’s answers included with each question to either aid or totally confuse you. Any score better than
By Sam Mcnair #thatsneakyrabbit
five out of ten will confirm that you are smarter than Trump, although you no doubt knew that to begin with!
PLAY TRUMP THE TRUMP (ANSWERS BELOW)
1. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug derived from: (a) The Quinoline Molecule
(b) GottiBerries (c) Household Bleach. Trump said (c) 2. Which of the following can be arranged into a five letter word? (a) SSUPY (b) HRGST (c) WQRGS. Trump said (a) 3. Finland is: (a) Part of Scandinavia (b) Part of Russia (c) A Nordic Country. Trump said (b)
4. Kim Jong-un would most likely appreciate: (a) A peace treaty with South Korea (b) A copy of Elton John’s Rocket Man (c) More nuclear warheads. Trump said (b) 5. How many times is a broken clock correct during a 24 hour period? (a) Once (b) Twice (c) Never. Trump said (c) 6. A covfefe is: (a) A flightless African bird (b) A rare Mexican cactus (c) Whoops, did I tweet that? Trump said (c) 7. Global Warming was created by: (a) The Chinese (b) Human activity (c) Al Gore. Trump said (a) 8. President Obama was born in: (a) Alaska (b) Kenya (c) Hawaii. Trump said (b) 9. If Joe Biden is elected President there will be no more: (a) Life (b) Religion (c) Hair Sniffing. Trump said (a) and (b) 10. If a tree falls in the forest and no living thing is there to hear it fall, does it make a noise? (a) Yes (b) Yes & No (c) Sounds like fake news. Trump said (c) ANSWERS
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (c). 9. (c). 10. (b)
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ARE YOU SMARTER THAN TRUMP?
CITY HUB 6 AUGUST 2020
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HubARTS
ANTENNA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL:
A new digital documentary platform is coming in the wake of COVID-19 (See p.7)
SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE “I
REVIEW
t’s a small moment of theatre in the palm of your hands.” The Short Message Service is a new and fascinating performance by the Q Theatre, comprising a short story
Margaret Davies. Photo: Nick Mckinlay
delivered over an hour via a series of text messages. The free and immersive experience includes six narratives under the theme of intimacy. I booked The Angel Code by Margaret Davis which centred the story of a first date gone wrong. The experience encourages one to be caught off guard, and while you cannot reply to the messages, they come every few minutes with the intention to leave you thinking about what could happen next and where the story is going. The story is delivered through classic text language which makes it easy to follow along. Personally, I did not find the experience to be engaging. While it was a theoretically fresh way to virtualise plays during this time, it did not have much momentum and failed to deliver an exciting experience that I would sign up for again However, the short story itself was well developed and enjoyable to read through the 14 messages that it was sent in. (RBa) Until Sep 4. FREE. Register at www.qtheatre.com.au
FULLY LICENSED PIZZERIA & RESTAURANT Alberto’s Pizzeria Restaurant was established 38 years ago and has been successfully catering to the locals of the Inner West ever since. Quality food, huge servings and a wide selection make Albertos a must-dine experience.
GENEROUS TOPPINGS PROMPT SERVICE UNBEATABLE VALUE FOR MONEY
NATIONAL ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART AWARDS
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assie Leatham is an artists from Gippsland who has devoted her life to teaching others about Indigenous Food, medicine, arts and culture. Her workshops include traditional cooking techniques and how to weave mats and baskets, make pots and totems just as her ancestors did. Recently Leatham has run Zoom workshops for children on how to make little animals from what they can find in the bush. Her art is not only about sustainable living but also about healing. With an incredible knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs along with traditional “bushtukka” Leatham strives to educate on, “edibles from plant to plate. ”Leatham describes herself as a
Cassie Leatham. Photo: Kelly Coleman
“humble bushwoman who just wants to share. ”For the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) exhibition this year Leatham has entered her Pot Of Knowledge which tells the story of her people. Of the arrival of Bunjil the wedge tailed eagle, and of how men and women were created when a meteorite hit the earth. The 37th Telstra NATSIAA aims to showcase the very best in Australian Indigenous art from artists from across Australia. (RLD) For further exhibition details and updates to online events: www.magnt.net.au/natsiaa
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION including 5G AT HOWARD SILVERS BUILDING, 620 HARRIS STREET, ULTIMO NSW 2007 1. The proposed upgrade to the existing facility involves: • Reconfiguration and relocation of existing panel antennas (measuring no more than 2.8 metres long) on new mounts; • Installation of three new Vodafone and six new Optus 5G antennas (nine in total) on new mounts; • Reconfiguration of existing and installation of new ancillary equipment, including RRUs, GPS antennas, cabling and other items associated with safety and operation of the facility;
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2. Vodafone and Optus regard the proposed installation as an Exempt Development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 based on the description above. 3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2018 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Should you require further information or wish to comment, please contact: Jessie Zhao from Nokia Solutions & Networks on 0406 001 832 or at communityrelations.vha@groups.nokia.com by Thursday 20 August 2020. Further information may also be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/2007001.
HubARTS
CHRIS SEBASTIAN
BY JAMIE APPS he impacts of coronavirus have been far reaching, even in ways we perhaps never would have considered. For Sydney’s Chris Sebastian, brother of Guy, his victory on this year’s version of The Voice became a surreal and unusual experience thanks to COVIDSafe practices. Not only did COVID-19 impact the show format and taping schedules but it also meant that the grand finale had to be produced in a very unique manner. Where typically The Voice would culminate in a grand showcase event with the finalists battling it out in-front of a live audience this year they had to perform without a crowd and even record multiple variations of the result explained Sebastian. “The year was wild, we actually had to film four alternate endings a little under a week before the finale. Once the voting lines closed and the votes were tallied the company tallying the votes had three minutes to tell the network which ending to play.” This strategy meant that Chris learned of his victory at the same time as the rest of the country. “When I recorded the ending I didn’t know that I was actually winning. When I saw
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the result though I was genuinely shocked and in disbelief... I was completely shook because the other three contestants were so ridiculously good that I truly believe it could have been any one of us walking away with it.” Reflecting on the experience taping the finale Sebastian said it certainly “wasn’t glamorous” because in between takes they had to “wait while they vacuumed up all of the confetti” before repeating the process. Throughout the series the show also had to implement COVIDSafe practices, which Chis believes had an “enormous” impact on the show. “The performances definitely would have taken a hit because of the long days and lack of an audience” explained Sebastian. “I’m rubbish when I’m tired and some of the days which were incredibly long. My playoff performance where I sang 24 Carat Magic by Bruno Mars was 18 hours for example, I arrived at 6:30am and left at 12:30am.” For Chris having his brother Guy as part of the judging panel was something he has become used to over the years. “Being critiqued by Guy is definitely not new for me. If he doesn’t like
TKAY MAIDZA - LAST YEAR WAS WEIRD VOL. 2
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something he’s going to tell me real quick.” Having now come out as the 2020 winner Chris explained that the real work begins now. “The TV show is great in that it has given me a launch pad but it’s not the defining thing about my music career... Now I want to go and write great songs, work with great people and make some great music.”
espite the title of Tkay Maidza’s latest EP, Last Year Was Weird Vol. 2, would perhaps would perhaps have been more fitting next year to describe 2020. Despite this slightly missed opportunity the music contained within the EP is certainly no miss. Across the eight tracks Maidza slides between bass heavy hip-hop bangers and more subtle, sweet and spellbinding pop ballads. No matter what Maidza experiments with she creates gold on this record, for the purpose of this review we had the EP on repeat all day and never tired of it. Perhaps the biggest highlights of the EP are Shook, Awake (featuring JPEGMAFIA) and You Sad which together show the diversity of styles from this young artist. (JA) WWW
ANTENNA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
DEERSKIN A
n announcement has been made that the anticipated 2020 Antenna Documentary Film Festival unfortunately won’t be returning this year owing to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. However, documentary enthusiasts should be delighted that Antenna Selects will be launched in its place, a specially curated year-round program of some of the highest quality and most insightful award-winning documentaries from around the world. “I passionately believe that a festival is bigger than the sum of its parts. Online festivals have a place, but the festival experience of sitting in the dark and sharing stories together and discussing them afterwards
cannot be replicated outside of a cinema,” explained Festival Director David Rokach. The 10th anniversary celebrations were planned for this year but owing to the festival’s cancellation stylish celebrations will be withheld until next year. Tickets to the first six documentaries scheduled to screen between September and December at the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington are already on sale. There will be one or two documentaries screened each month with filmmaker Q&A’s and discussions after selected screenings. A preview of these documentaries will be compiled for our readers in coming weeks. (MMo)
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his French black comedy which is macabrely intertwined with graphic scenes of gory and riotous horror should keep audiences intrigued as to where all the absurdity is leading. Jean Dujardin (The Artist) plays the role of Georges, a delusional man who becomes obsessed with a deerskin jacket he has purchased. The jacket he describes as ‘the jacket of his dreams with killer style’ progressively takes hold of him and he devises an outrageous plan to ensure that his jacket is the only one in the world! Sinister behaviour leads to murderous madness and the analogy in the unpredictable but appropriate
finale will leave astonished audiences pondering whether there was a subtle message in this campy cinematic oddity. Open to interpretation the film may question the ideology that people hide behind shells from the outside world, or perhaps a statement is made concerning the importance, or more aptly stupidity, of society’s overzealous materialistic demands. Regardless, this horror satire is humorously engaging, and audiences may find they’ll be completely unaffected by the bizarre horror sequences which pop up when they least expect. (MMo) WWW1/2 CITY HUB 6 AUGUST2020
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Waverley Council Update Mayor’s Message Community safety I would like to commend the Waverley community for continuing to do the right thing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please, continue to wash your hands, stay at home if you are unwell and don’t hug your friends or extended family (for now). These actions are necessary to prevent the spread of community transmission and to help keep your loved ones safe. This has been a difficult year but together our actions are making a difference. To find out what support is available for local small business, please contact our business response team at business@waverley. nsw.gov.au
PUDO is here! In a first of its kind project in Australia, Waverley Council has unveiled nine new kerbside pick-up/ drop-off (PUDO) bays across Waverley in a trial initiative aimed at increasing pedestrian and motorist safety and access to transport links and shared transportation. The PUDOs provide safe access for ride share vehicles, taxis and the general public to pick-up and drop-off passengers safely in high traffic areas such as the Bondi Junction Interchange and Bondi Beach, with two endorsed mobile apps connecting them to the bay locations. This Smart City Transport and Parking initiative is a joint project between the Council, Transport for NSW, ride share operators and other key stakeholders. A 10th PUDO location is coming soon. Please see our website for more details.
Social Impact Assessment as part of development applications In response to a Mayoral Minute, Council officers will investigate the preparation of Social Impact Assessment Guidelines for inclusion in the new Waverley Development Control Plan (DCP). Social impact is a key consideration of the assessment of any development application in terms of the impact of the proposal on the amenity of neighbouring properties and the locality. The Council’s DCP, does not, however, have explicit references to how social impact considerations should be assessed and managed. I proposed that the Council investigates the preparation of a guide that considers how matters of social impact can most appropriately be assessed for inclusion in our DCP. Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley
Waverley Customer Service Centre: 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction Ph: 9083 8000 | waverley.nsw.gov.au | Stay in touch: waverley.nsw.gov.au/subscribe
2021 MASTER OF ARTS: SCREEN Applications Close 31 August Australia’s premier screen and broadcast school 8
CITY HUB 6 AUGUST2020
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