Darling Magazine | Autumn 2024 | Edition 13

Balmain

| Balmain East

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Birchgrove

| Rozelle | White Bay |

Lilyfield

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Welcome

to the autumn edition of Darling! After a long wait, the historic White Bay Power Station is finally opening to the public. The building will host the 24th Biennale of Sydney. This event showcases a diverse range of contemporary art from both Australian and international artists, including visual art, installations, multimedia, and performances. Entry is free and is open from 9 March to 10 June 2024. You’ll find your complete guide inside these pages.

With each Darling edition, we get wonderful feedback, and this is what makes Darling such a special publication for our community. Everyone who contributes to Darling are locals, and we love to showcase the people, businesses and stories that make our community wonderful. Thanks for your support!

Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee

Publisher: Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce

Front cover: White Bay Power Station

Photography: Daniel Boud

Circulation: 25,000

All material is protected by the Copyright Act. No part of this publication may be produced without permission. Whilst every care has been taken in producing this information, it does not guarantee accuracy. All prices and information are correct at time of print.

To enquire about future issues, please contact us on balmainrozelle@gmail.com

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work, the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora nation, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

The Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce is proudly supported by Autumn 2024

Autumn 2024

6 Flavours of Argentina

12 Biennale of Sydney

24 Local Art Trail

34 Midlife

56

Kids

the Block

Team

With the Biennale of Sydney on our doorstep for the next three months, it’s an exciting time ahead for our area. And with galleries and shops selling art on every corner, now is the time to explore all that our neighbourhood has to offer. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this edition of Darling.

Annelie and Belinda

A special thank you to our supporters and contributors who have donated their time and services:

Guest Writers

Marc Bennie, Tara Eales, Kathleen Felton, Mina Iacono, Duncan MacAuslan, Caro West

Our volunteer letterbox walkers

Thank you to Fiona Robinson, our art director, for bringing this issue to life.

All about Balmain and Rozelle

Balmain East is less than a 5-minute ferry ride from Barangaroo.

DarlingStreet runs fromLilyfieldtoBalmain Eastand is3kilometresofshops , restaurants, cafes andbars.

9

harbourside parks to explore. Buy some takeaway or pack a picnic and enjoy the views.

The Balmain Rozelle peninsula is home to 19 heritage pubs.

Australia’s oldest harbourside pool, Dawn Fraser Baths is here in Balmain.

Flavours of Argentina

Casa Esquina is Balmain’s newest restaurant and bar. The landmark corner building on Elliott Street, a site with a rich culinary history, has been transformed into a hacienda with fire-cooked Argentinian food as the focus. Casa Esquina is the latest offering from Atticus Hospitality, the team behind the popular Paddington neighbourhood-gem Tequila Mockingbird, and innovative Mexican restaurant Esteban in Sydney’s CBD.

Spearheading the venue is Balmain local and Atticus Hospitality Director Michael Fegent, along with Head Chef Will Quartel. The duo embarked on a 3-week culinary adventure across Argentina last year, immersing themselves in the country’s cuisine and culture to authentically bring it to Balmain. An open flame parrilla and lively open-plan kitchen take centre stage within the venue. Outside in the leafy courtyard, a BBQ spit serves Argentinian style street food to grab and go during the week. On Sundays, a custom-made parrilla BBQ flame cooks whole beasts such as lamb and suckling pig.

Although the menu is meatcentric, there are plenty of vegetarian options. Key dishes include Wagyu beef tongue pastrami, spigarello, capers, and sauce tonatto, sweet bread and prawn paella with wagyu fat chilli crunch, kangaroo and maraschino cherry empanadas, and seed encrusted-whole roasted baby pumpkin with mushroom risotto.

The drinks menu has been as carefully curated as the food, with a focus on South American and Argentinian wines. Cocktails have been

Tajima Wagyu Hanger Steak expertly crafted and include the iconic signature Tequila Mockingbird cocktail – a nod to their flagship restaurant.

The architecture revolves around two 80-year-old camphor laurel trees growing through the courtyard balcony. The venue is designed to suit all occasions. The leafy courtyard transports you to the vineyards of Mendoza. The ground floor welcomes you with a striking long bar – a casual setting to unwind in with a cocktail. The hidden private dining room doubles as a wine cellar on the mezzanine floor, and the first-floor dining room opens onto a spacious

balcony for everyday a la carte reservations or private groups. Fegent says, “Casa Esquina is a testament to the remarkable bones of the building and a salute to the lively community that surrounds it. We are putting a lot of emphasis on creating an offering where people can come in for a well-priced meal on a Tuesday night or go all out on the weekend or for a special occasion – there’s something for everyone!”

CASA ESQUINA

79 Elliott St, Balmain casaesquina.au

Five minutes with...

Who hasn’t eaten at Our Place on Darling? The restaurant, owned by Marco De Angelis, was a staple in Balmain’s food landscape for over fifteen years, before closing in 2022. Now Marco is giving back to the community through his work at Together2.

You’re not a local, but have a strong connection to the area, what’s the story?

I’ve been part of the Balmain community for almost twenty years. I opened a restaurant in 2005 with two partners called Our Place on Darling and although I lived on the northern beaches, I commuted to Balmain every day. When our business stopped trading because of the first Covid lockdowns in 2020, the amount of love and general concern shown towards us by the community proved how special this place is. This inspired me to start an initiative called 20for1 where we cooked twenty meals every week to help locals in need. I loved the positivity this created for not only the recipients, but also my staff. When our lease came up for renewal, I made the decision to close the restaurant down permanently and pursue a career where I could give back to the community.

Tell us about your work at Together2

After the restaurant closed, I joined Together2 (formerly Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre) as Social Enterprise Manager and was lucky enough to continue working on 20for1. We’ve rebranded to Good in the Hood and gone from twenty meals per week to over 350 meals and fresh food hampers, thanks to all the local volunteers that help each week. Working at Together2, I’ve been able to run programs for young people, people with a disability and seniors. It’s been a rewarding journey. This year, we’re opening a social enterprise café, which along with our new community garden, will vastly increase our capacity to support a wider variety of vulnerable people in our community.

What do you love most about the area?

There is a lot to love. I love the buzz of the place but also how down to earth it is. No swanky restaurants or bars. I love the history of the place. If I could step back in time, I’d spend an afternoon here in the early 1900’s.

I also love the passion and care that locals have for the area. I honestly don’t think there is another place like it in Sydney.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the area?

I think the biggest change for me since arriving here almost twenty years ago, has been the reduction in visitors to the area. It has become a little more gentrified.

A piece of unsolicited advice you would offer locals

Support the local businesses. I do fear that every time a beautiful local business gets replaced by a generic shopfront, we lose a bit of what makes Balmain special. Even if it costs a little more or it’s not always ‘perfect’, support them because when they’ve gone, Balmain will never be the same.

By Mina Iacono

Crunching the facts on apple varieties

Batlow in New South Wales is known for its variety of delicious apples, and in the heart of it you’ll find Hillview Farms. They’ve recently opened a store in Rozelle run by local vegetable and fruit experts, Ashleigh and Jason. The plethora of apples on the market can be puzzling, and here Ashleigh shares what some of their most popular varieties are used for.

Starting in late February, the first of the new season to be picked are the Royal Gala, followed by the Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Bonza. Each of these apple varieties has its own unique taste and texture, making them popular choices for different culinary purposes.

Royal Gala. This apple variety is known for its crisp and juicy texture. It has a sweet flavour with a hint of tartness, making it perfect for both snacking and baking. Royal Gala apples are often used in salads, pies, and apple crisps. They also make a great addition to fruit salads, providing a refreshing crunch and a burst of sweetness.

Pink Lady. These apples shine on the shelves with their vibrant pink colour and they have a distinctive sweet-tart flavour. Pink Lady apples have a crunchy texture that holds up well in both sweet and savoury dishes. They are often enjoyed on their own as a healthy snack, but they also shine in pies, tarts, and apple sauce. Pink Lady apples add a delightful sweetness to salads and are often paired with cheese for a delicious flavour combination.

Jack harvesting the Granny Smith apples

Granny Smith. Under their bright green skin they have a tart, tangy flavour. Granny Smith apples have a firm and crisp texture, making them ideal for baking. They hold their shape well when cooked, making them perfect for apple pies and tarts. Granny Smith apples also add a refreshing tartness to salads and slaws, balancing out other flavours and providing a crisp bite.

Bonza. This variety is unique to Australia and characterised by a very white firm flesh contrasted with a red exterior with green or yellow tops. Bonza apples have a semi-sweet flavour and are particularly good in salads as they keep their colour after being cut.

Pink Lady apples on the farm

The art event of the year arrives at White Bay

The 24th Biennale of Sydney, titled Ten Thousand Suns, ignites its transformative power of art across Sydney, including the recently restored White Bay Power Station. This extraordinary exhibition showcases the visionary creations of leading artists from diverse corners of the globe. Best of all, entry to this cultural extravaganza is free, making it an unmissable opportunity for art enthusiasts and curious minds.

For the first time in over a century the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station, a relic of the early 20th century and once a bustling coal power station, opens its doors to the public. Ten Thousand Suns breathes new life into this architectural gem, transforming it into a canvas for contemporary expression.

Immerse yourself in the richness of Sydney’s art culture with a plethora of offerings, including artist talks, live music, panels, performances and workshops.

The Family Days provide a day filled with engaging programming for all ages. For those seeking a date night with a twist, and an atmospheric evening, Art After Dark at White Bay Power Station every Wednesday promises an alluring ambience amidst captivating artworks.

With a diverse program spread across three months, there will be plenty of reasons to visit. Gather your friends and family and plan your experience by visiting the Biennale of Sydney website. The 24th Biennale of Sydney invites you to indulge your senses and embark on a transcendent journey through the boundless world of contemporary art.

THE 24TH BIENNALE OF SYDNEY White Bay Power Station and other venues

9 March – 10 June 2024 biennaleofsydney.art/events

OPENING WEEKEND SUNDAY SESSION

Head to White Bay Power Station for a FREE Sunday Session, a music program curated by Biennale of Sydney and Phoenix Central Park that explores a diverse breadth of traditional music cultures with a contemporary lens, all set amongst the breathtaking and awe-inspiring visual art showcased at the Biennale. Featuring Yirinda, Maissa Alameddine and The Rubai and Taikoz.

White Bay Power Station

Sunday 10 March 3pm – 6pm Free

EDGE INNER WEST: HIVE OF INDUSTRY BY LEGS ON THE WALL

Hive of Industry is a new work by Legs On The Wall in 2024 responding to the industrial nature of White Bay Power Station, and its history as a key part of the city’s electrical grid. Hive Of Industry will consist of a fusion of aerial performers and world-class riggers using a series of large pullies, chains and other objects to enable a performance that stretches from floor to roof.

White Bay Power Station

Saturday 6 April and Sunday 7 April, Check website for details

ART AFTER DARK

Every Wednesday during the exhibition, you can experience the 24th Biennale of Sydney at White Bay Power Station late into the evening. Stay until 9pm on Wednesdays to experience the free music performances inspired by the works and themes of Ten Thousand Suns, presented with Phoenix Central Park. Gather with friends, share a drink (or a few) and a delicious meal, dance the night away, and immerse yourself in the exhibition.

White Bay Power Station

Wednesdays, 6pm – 9pm

Tickets to Art After Dark: Music are available via ballot registration | Exhibition entry is free

ART AFTER DARK: CAKES DA KILLA | MC YALLAH + DEBMASTER

Brooklyn-based rapper and Queer icon Cakes Da Killa is notorious for his witty flow and unapologetic delivery. He wears his queer identity with pride; delivering electric, powerful performances set to high energy club beats with a 90’s grit. Having worked with LSDXOXO, DJ Shiftee, and legendary house DJ Honey Dijon, Cakes Da Killa is making waves across the world of hip-hop, electronic music, and dance.

Also performing are the dynamic pairing of MC Yallah + Debmaster. Kenyan born, Ugandan raised MC Yallah established herself as a pioneering voice in the East African rap scene in the early 2000s. With conscious, poetic, and experimental verses that traverse Luganda, Luo, Kiswahili, and English, MC Yallah is a central figure in the Nyege Nyege/Hakuna Kula La family. She is joined by regular collaborator Debmaster, who will be laying down eclectic live beats.

House Stage, White Bay Power Station

Wednesday 13 March, 7pm-9.30pm

Adult $45 | Senior $35 | Concession $35 This is an 18+ event.

FAMILY DAY: MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE WITH STUDIO A

The first of the disability led Family Days is curated by the wonderful folks of Studio A, and sees their artists take over White Bay Power Station with a series of works, participatory artworks, and performances including Love Poem Sorceress, Weaving Dreams, Spin the Wheel and Let’s Get Ready to Rumble and Catherine the Roaming, Wish-Granting Angel.

In 2024, Family Days will centre the work and perspectives of artists with disability, creating accessible works, performances, and installations for all audiences.

White Bay Power Station

Saturday 23 March, 11am – 5pm Free

WORKING CLASS CLOWN

Jester. Drag Artist. Clown. Buffoon. IT. Working Class Clown is a new site-specific one-person-play by Queer Fa’afafine performance artist and playwright Tommy Misa, on the transcultural figure of the ‘town fool’ and their unique ability to speak truth to power. Join Tommy in the communion of play; undo the top button of your designer denim, let your gut sigh in relief, your wind pass, and your anger to transform into something unruly, radical and free.

White Bay Power Station

Boiler House Stage

Wednesday 1 May –

Friday 3 May, 7pm– 7.45pm

Adult $30 | Concession $25 | Blak $20 | Unwaged $20

FAMILY DAY: SOFT PLACES WITH AMY CLAIRE MILLS

The May edition of the disability led Family Days is curated by artist, facilitator and advocate Amy Claire Mills and sees Amy and a group of artists and contemporaries take over White Bay Power Station with a series of works, including interactive installation Soft Sculptural Picnic, a Textile Workshop and Roving Performance.

White Bay Power Station

Saturday 4 May, 11am – 4.30pm Free

ART TOURS

Guided exhibition tours welcome all to experience the 24th Biennale of Sydney up close with one of their knowledgeable guides who will be presenting ten major works in detail.

Guided tours take place at White Bay Power Station from Tuesday – Sunday, twice daily at 11.15am and 1.45 pm. Numbers are limited to twenty participants per tour, so make sure you book.

White Bay Power Station

Twice daily, Tuesdays –Sundays, 11.15am and 1.45pm Bookings essential.

Adult $10 | Concession $7 |

Student $7 | Blak $7

Family $20 (two adults and two children)

QUEER POWERPOINT

Queer PowerPoint is the cult hit experimental performance series in which Queer artists from Sydney and beyond are invited to explore and share an idea, current obsession, or ongoing fascination using that most staid and ubiquitous of programming tools –PowerPoint. Creators Xanthe Dobbie and Harriet Gillies host the night commissioning artists to create a new 10-minute performance lecture about absolutely anything – the only rules are they have to be queer af, and they have to use Microsoft PowerPoint. Come back together and revel in this new strangeness with a digital tool from a simpler time.

White Bay Power Station

Thursday May 9, 7pm – 10pm $25

ON ABORIGINALIA AND ARCHIVING & WORKING WITH RACIST MATERIALS

Featuring Tony Albert, Kimberley Moulton, Nathan Sentance. A panel discussion of artists and historians/ archivists speaking to their respective practices as they pertain to the handling of Aboriginalia and historic material contributing to the subjugation of First Peoples. It will discuss the difficult negotiation between essential truth-telling and ongoing trauma through exposure.

Program Hub, White Bay Power Station

Saturday 11 May 11.30am – 12.15pm

Standard $10 | Senior $5 | Concession $5 | Unwaged $5

FAMILY DAY: THRIVING ENVIRONMENTS WITH WE ARE STUDIOS

The June edition of the Disability Led Family Days is curated by We Are Studios and will see their artists take over White Bay Power Station with a series of works, participatory artworks, and performance tours including Future Flowers, Chalk Mural and Performance Tours.

White Bay Power Station

Saturday 1 June, 11am – 5pm Free

TOP LEFT AND CENTRE,

Be radical and change the world with art

Tony Albert, a Kuku Yalanji man, is a supremely creative, humble and ground-breaking artist whose work over the past decade has challenged the way First Nations people are portrayed in society. Last year, Tony was announced as the inaugural Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow in partnership with the Biennale for the next four years. This will allow him to develop a long-term program that brings together First Nations artists from around the world.

The Biennale of Sydney, hosted at White Bay Power Station sits on a stretch of local Country which has been known for millennia as Gari Gurad/Nura (Saltwater Country) and Nattai Gurad/Nura (Freshwater Country). This Country is celebrated for vast expanses of garaban (rock and sandstone) which in some places provides shelter, gibbaragunya (stone/ cave shelters), and in other places creates yiningmah (steep cliffs).

Tony Albert’s work is bold and striking. He uses humour and optimism to counter complex histories and traumas, creating a joyful tension and absurdity in the face of racial and cultural misrepresentations which has seen him recognised globally.

The partnership with the Biennale will allow him to develop a long-term program that brings together First Nations artists from around the world and celebrates First Nations knowledge as a force for positive change.

In reflecting on his appointment, he says his purpose is to break down barriers often associated with art so that local and global communities can experience First Nations narratives in their truest form.

He says, “Art is for everyone, it transcends gender, race, age, culture and should be accessible to all.”

Kaylene Whiskey, exhibiting at the Biennale, Flying to New York, 2022

Tony Albert

Further, he says placing First Nations knowledge and ideologies at the forefront of the Biennale’s work can enable an excellent space for learning and connection towards a radically inclusive future and that these stories can help navigate the challenges of our planet and change the world for the better.

“My role is also to be a guiding light in creating elite First Nations artists, whose stories can be shared unhindered”, says Tony.

This role affords him a permanent presence at the table and an opportunity to be a conduit between artists, the festival and to enable access to broader audiences here and around the world.

He’s thrilled to be responsible for conversations that ensure First Nations art is sourced, portrayed and narrated in

ways that appreciate the nuances and that these subtleties aren’t overshadowed or overlooked in curatorial visions.

Tony says he aims to keep it simple and remain ever present, making sure both the artists and their work are looked after. In his eyes, this means showing respect to custodial protocols, welcoming people to local communities, creating connections to the places where their art is shown and even sharing family time to create a feeling of home away from home.

Ever grateful for the opportunity to engage with local communities through this interview, Tony encourages everyone to come down with an open mind. “Be challenged, rethink ideas and enjoy learning from First Nations peoples, seeing art and stories the way they’ve approached the world for thousands and thousands of years.”

By Marc Bennie

Artful reads

Have you visited the Biennale and want to continue your art exploration? The team at Hill of Content Bookshop share their top art book picks.

NOTEBOOKS

Philip Hughes | Art reference

Pieced together by Hughes himself from over a thousand drawings, this is a logbook of momentary observations. Some are swift sketches of fields or horizons, others are slower studies of lichen and flowers in Antarctica, or lines of quartz in granite in Cornwall. The depth of feeling and knowledge Hughes has for different terrains and climates underpins the beauty of this essential and inspiring selection of notebooks.

LEE MILLER: PHOTOGRAPHS

Antony Penrose | Photography collections

Photojournalist, war correspondent, model and Surrealist muse, Lee Miller was one of the most important women photographers of the twentieth century, working in the fields of photojournalism, fashion, portraiture and advertising. This book presents a hundred of Miller’s finest works in a single volume and was published in anticipation of the November 2023 release of the film Lee, starring Kate Winslet as Lee Miller.

VINCENT NAMATJIRA

Vincent Namatjira | Artist monographs

Reframing Australian history through the eyes of a prolific Indigenous artist, this is the first major monograph on Vincent Namatjira. To be in the presence of a Vincent Namatjira painting is like being on the edge of a portal into another world. From the first page of this monograph, Vincent takes us on a journey through his artwork, contextualising his iconic series on Indigenous soldiers, Indigenous leaders, power and the Royal Family, giving us an insight into his world view.

READING THE ROOMS

Rachel Franks, Richard Neville | Art collections

The incredible painting collection of the State Library of New South Wales is documented for the first time. Reading the Rooms reveals this little-known, but rich and highly significant, collection. It delivers a fascinating and authoritative account of hundreds of paintings, and a compelling argument for their importance. Unlike an art gallery where the focus is usually on aesthetic excellence, the rationale behind the library’s collecting is broad and often eclectic.

Books available from Hill of Content Bookshop.

1

Approximately how many people live in Rozelle? 8000, 8500 or 9000?

4 Which is the oldest pub in Balmain?

7 What’s the former name of Gladstone Park?

2 Which AC/DC member lived at 12 Johnston St, Balmain East?

5 Which coffee brand is served at The Old Rosebud?

8 In what year was Clontarf Cottage built?

3

During which four months is Dawn Fraser Baths closed?

6 Which NSW Premier said, “Balmain boys don’t cry”?

9 Which local author wrote Black River?

A walk of art

Balmain and Rozelle have long attracted artists, authors and creatives and they form the backbone of our community. On this walk, as you weave your way through the streets, you’ll discover numerous galleries, celebrated local artists, artisans and makers.

Start your journey at Bits of Australia in Balmain East where you’ll find Australian art and souvenirs. The team have carefully curated the store with an extensive range of genuine Aboriginal art, and everything in the store is Australian made.

Nearby, at Home Industry, you’ll find a selection of vintage and new homewares and divine textiles for your next home project.

Wander down Darling Street and pop into Kirana Haag at 202 Darling St, where you can browse original artworks or have a work commissioned for your home. Be inspired by the use of colour and light in her works. Take a brave step and book an art class with Kirana to create your own artwork. While you are there, be mesmerised by the originality of the Julius Haag sculptures on display.

Cross the road and walk through the historic Balmain Watch House, home to various artist exhibitions throughout the year. Flick through the historical books, photos and resources by The Balmain Association.

Australian contemporary artist, Lara Scolari is on Beattie St and has an open gallery most days, where her joyful artworks are on display. Lara’s art is inspired by nature and experience, and each piece is one-of-a-kind.

Nearby, 52 windows brings joy to passersby with a weekly art display in the window.

Established by local artists, the Art Gallery on Darling has a revolving annual calendar of artists who showcase their diverse art in all its forms – printmaking, painting, sculpture, ceramics and photography.

Pop into Hill of Content Bookshop, where you will find a large array of art-inspired books, perfect for your home coffee table or to gift to an art enthusiast.

Try your hand at weaving or crocheting at Fibre Art in Australia, which has regular workshops on offer. The shop features a floor-to-ceiling gift range of handmade pieces designed to make any gift recipient feel special.

At Punch Gallery, in-house artist Iain Powell displays his unique pieces. Often displayed in the window, these artworks spread happiness to locals. In store, there are unique and handcrafted jewellery, glassware, ceramics and whimsical objects to explore.

Next door, Mecque is the destination for designer homewares and lifestyle, combining the best of local and international designers. MoMA, Greg Natale, Tom Dixon, Maison Balzac and Hunter Lab are just some of the brands you’ll find.

Head down to Artspark Studio, where children and adults can learn to sew, and after-school art classes inspire young minds. The extensive garden at this studio not only produces seasonal fruit and vegetables, but much of the art materials are found in the garden. Artspark is also home to Niwa and Tori, resident hens, and Pablo and Monty, the much-loved guinea pigs.

the

in the heart of Rozelle. This warm open space is designed to inspire people big and small, from DIY workshops, kids’ creative free play, adult paint and sip sessions and after-school classes.

You can’t be in Rozelle without visiting this gem of a shop, Embellish Atelier. All the hats and headpieces are constructed entirely by hand using an authentic artisanal approach. Whether you need a hat for the races, a tiara for the ball or a headband for the gala, this is the shop to browse in.

Representing more than 250 artists, the Kate Owen Gallery spans three levels, houses over 2,000 Aboriginal artworks, and showcases the diverse styles of ethically sourced Indigenous art across Australia. Explore an extensive selection of decorative, designer, and collector artworks that will breathe life into any space.

Every afternoon, young creatives from local schools descend on Paper Rock Scissor Art Studios as they enjoy after-school classes exploring all art techniques. The light-filled studio also hosts adult workshops, teen classes, corporate functions and even hen’s parties.

A newcomer, 44 on Callan St, is a gallery space created in an old Rozelle factory. It opens on 6 April with the exhibition unentitled – a suite of timely photomedia works by Denise Corrigan and David Watson, its artist proprietors.

Down the road, in Drummoyne, Fine Print Co. curates a modern range of original paintings, photographs and limited-edition artworks perfect for any home or office.

Newish to the scene, Chulo Studio is a creative space that connects artists to

community

Embellish Atelier | $495 “Madlin” Headpiece 128 Victoria Rd, Rozelle embellish-hats.com

Local finds

Inside Traders & Co. | From $37 Wooden boxes

Local and independent

499 Darling St, Balmain insidetraders.com.au

Health & Home Balmain | From $64.90 Ayurvedic mineral complex “The Destroyer of Weakness”

215 Darling St, Balmain

Balmain Boutique X Maurice | $49

Balmain Est. 1836 Brushed Cotton

Classic Cap, Printed in Australia

256 Darling St, Balmain mauriceofbalmain.com.au

Nature’s Energy | From $25 Gift cards for bathhouse, massage, facials and products

312 Darling St, Balmain naturesenergy.com.au

Here’s your guide to shop local

Art

44 Gallery

ART Gallery on Darling

Artspark Studio

Chulo Studio

Fineprintco

Kate Owen Gallery

Kirana Haag

Lara Scolari Gallery

Paper Rock Scissors

Art Studios

Bars

Bar 26

Cantina Bar

The Corner Bar

The Local Bar

The Lodge Bar

Books

Hill of Content Bookshop

Cafés

Bertoni

Contessa Balmain

Dirty Red Rozelle

Fancy Nancy Cafe

Hungry Bull Co. Balmain

Sandy Bake Shop

The Old Rosebud

Fashion

Balmain Boutique x Maurice

Blue Illusion

Daisy.Kids.Life

Embellish Atelier

Hester Fleming Vintage

Lin & Barrett Lingerie

Monkeysee High Visibility

Sportscraft

The Styled Wardrobe

VENLA resell + relove

Vie Vie S

We Are Mindful

Fitness

Balmain Health Club

Running Science

Stronger you with Victoria

Vision PT Balmain

Food & Drink

Blackwattle Distilling Co.

Bonfire Bread

Cheese Celebration

Fortune Cookit

Hillview Farms

Lily Fields Distilling Co.

Otter Craft Distilling

The Balmain Barmaid

White Bay Beer Co.

Woolworths Metro

Gifts

Bits of Australia

Fibre Art in Australia

Rozelle Collectors Markets

Stories to Gather

The Makers + Shakers Market

Two Baskets

Hair & Beauty

Canvas Skin Beauty Retreat

Emma Dean Salon

Hairlab by George

SILK Laser Clinics Balmain

Health & Wellness

Balmain Vision

Beattie Street Health Studio

CalmBar

City Cave Balmain

Elemental Chiropractic

Fluidform Rozelle

Health & Home Balmain

Hearlix

Kirsten Jade Kinesiology

Lilyfield Physiotherapy

Nature’s Energy

RedoHealth

Rozelle Medical Centre

The Eye Piece

The Well Store

White Waratah Boutique Thai

Massage & Infrared Sauna

Home

Alena Smith Interior Design

Angel Aromatics

Ballast Point

Fern Peters-Wilson Interior Design & Styling

Furniture Noir

The Heater Man

Home Industry

Insidesign

Inside Traders & Co.

Madeline Street Interiors

M2 Styling + Interiors

Mecque

Punch Gallery

That Plant Shop

Local services

Art of Bloom Balmain

Balmain Autocare

Balmain Community Pharmacy

Balmain Rowing Club

CareToDance Balmain

Dorian Blue Productions

Inner Sydney

Montessori School

International

Grammar School

Le Ray Gymnastics

Little Zaks Academy Rozelle

Milk & Honey Photography

Mobile Phone

Care Centre Balmain

Rozelle Plumbing

Together2

TooUp Sailing

Wall’s Pharmacy

Pets

Harbour City Dog Gear

Ziippup

Pubs

3 Weeds

Bald Rock Hotel

Cat & Fiddle Hotel

Dicks Hotel Balmain

The Dry Dock

Native Rose Hotel

Sackville Hotel

The London Hotel

The Royal Oak Balmain

Unity Hall Hotel

Professional services

Accura Lending

Avocado Communications

Bespoke Investment Group

Decision Health

First Class Accounts

Helm Finance

Inner West ActionCOACH

Marzy Management

MEK Bookkeeping

Morgan + English

Commercial Lawyers

Nexia Australia

Pass the Salt Studio

Savvy Finance Group

Spectrum Wealth Partners

Speer Finance

Stem Finance

Syrinx Corp

Texture Collective

The Finance

Broking Studio

The Marketing Edit

Real estate

Belinda Cassano

Real Estate Services

ICC Group Rozelle

Laing+Simmons Balmain

McGrath Balmain

Parker Hadley Buyers Agent

Ray White Rozelle

Rozelle Village

Restaurants

Casa Esquina

Chez Blue

Dolce Napoli Restaurant

Forli Italian Restaurant

Hanoi Shuffle

L’Auberge du Bout du Monde

Secolo Balmain

Tipo “00” Balmain

Why independence matters in hearing care

In Australia, more than 3,000 clinics provide hearing healthcare services and more than half of these are owned by a larger company. So, how do you know which clinic to choose? For service and healthcare that is personalised, you should consider an independent healthcare provider.

Why consider going ‘independent’?

True independent audiologists value trust and transparency with each patient. Furthermore, when it comes to something as specialised as hearing health care, attentiveness is necessary. Independent hearing clinics provide an in-depth focus on your hearing health journey. They focus on addressing all concerns throughout each step of the process. It allows the patient to feel confident that if they need more care, these clinics will supply it with the best possible outcomes.

Understanding every patient’s unique hearing health journey is a priority. Your audiologist should dedicate their time to evaluating and assessing each diagnosis. An independent clinic ensures more freedom with appointments, frequency, and payment processes. You can trust that they can confidently address your concerns and questions. Support and care are vital when treating hearing loss, and that your audiologist shows care, expertise, and genuine compassion.

Being independent, these clinics are not limited to one hearing aid brand and can offer extensive assistance when helping you choose the right hearing device. Additionally, independent audiologists are highly educated and knowledgeable on a broader spectrum of hearing issues, including specialised tinnitus treatment and micro suction wax removal, which you may not find at other clinics.

Is your audiologist independent?

Ask the questions:

• What type of hearing aid brands do you supply?

• Do you offer any specialised treatments?

• Ask them to go through their treatment process and appointment policies.

• Do they offer routine follow-up appointments?

• Are you a local/family-owned business, or

• Do you partner with a hearing aid company?

If you have any inquiries regarding our independent hearing healthcare services, please contact Dr. Annemarie Lindner at Hearlix, The Premier Independent Hearing Clinic.

HEARLIX

372 Darling St, Balmain hearlix.com.au

Midlife without the crisis

Midlife is no longer considered a crisis. The new 50s is a vibrant and transformative chapter of life, challenging the stereotypes and rewriting the script on aging. This phase is not about reaching a numerical milestone or acting your age. It’s a chapter marked by individuality, resilience and confidently embracing the age you feel.

At 54, life feels like a second chance to me, but this time with the advantage of experience and freedom. The 50s ushered in a profound shift where my priorities evolved, and I unpacked and repackaged every value and belief I had. Unlike my 40s, which for many of us, is dominated by work and raising kids, the new 50s are about self-discovery and personal fulfillment.

Age is not a number, it’s a state of mind

As the world evolves, so does the perception of age. The dichotomy of acting your age versus acting how you feel becomes a crucial aspect of the 50s mindset. It’s less about slowing down and embracing the decline to old age and more about self-care and healthy living. This plays a vital role in the shifting paradigm where chronological age takes a backseat to how we feel about ourselves, our bodies, and our lives. The new 50s mindset revolves around vitality, wellbeing, and the belief that the best is yet to come.

The biology of aging

You don’t have to dig too deep to find a plethora of information about the biology of aging. There is undisputed scientific evidence about what happens to our bodies as they age. But there is also research around the mindbody connection with aging. These studies found those who envisioned the onset of old age were more likely to face health challenges.

If we listen to science, the truth is our hormones shift and our metabolism slows down by the time we are in our 50s. But I’m not a Doctor and I’m not here to argue

biology. I can only speak to my personal experience as a 54-year-old woman living it, in real time. I entered my 50s feeling amazing, and (quite smugly) at least a decade younger than the number of candles on my cake. It wasn’t until I turned 53 that I noticed a biological shift. My body started to change – inside and out.

Is menopause making me fat? Abso-effinglutely. Just when I thought I had aging under control, biology decided that I will gain weight on the mere thought of food. While my weight gain is a work in progress, I know that the number of calories I consume must be less than the volume I burn. I’ve given up on fad diets and hours of cardio and instead I’m focusing on healthy eating, increasing protein and building muscle. And I’m proudly embracing my imperfections.

A rebellion against ageism

As women, we endure a lot in our first 50 years – trying to be enough, do more, work harder and juggle it all. We build careers, make homes, give birth, raise kids, nurture friends and manage schedules. We arrive at our 50s exhausted!

Then something shifts and all that pressure dissipates. Sure, as the 50s unfold, the pendulum swings. Conversations that once revolved around nights out and marathons transition to discussions about sore joints, menopause, and navigating the challenges of aging. But I feel better and more confident now than I ever have, an innate power comes with that confidence.

What I have gained in my 50s is the ability to not care about things that are out of my control. I say what I mean, I mean what I say, I dress how I feel, I work with purpose, I call out BS and I distance myself from fair weather friends. I also colour my greys, I haven’t had Botox (yet), my hips hurt when I sit too long and a great night out ends by 9pm. But I’m living my best life!

Addressing age shaming

Madonna was shamed for being too old in her ‘weird and outrageous’ performance, while J.Lo was told to hang up her career to make space for the younger generation. Even Justin Timberlake was shamed for his dad dancing on socials.

We live in an era of cancel culture, where wokeism is praised and people think their opinions are gospel and I’m a bit bored by it all. Madonna has been pushing boundaries and stereotypes since I was a teen, it’s what

catapulted her to fame. But now at 64, it’s disgusting (apparently).

I think it’s just that we are unaccustomed to seeing women in their 50s embracing their sexuality and freedom. We are also living in a world more connected than ever, and life often plays out on social media. So the collective voice can be loud, and the pressure to conform to outdated expectations can be intense.

It takes courage to dismantle these stereotypes and recognise that age is not a limitation. I hope people like Madonna and J.Lo continue to challenge convention and redefine ageist standards. This will ultimately create a cultural shift and help to empower all women in midlife.

By Mina Iacono

Not your regular Pilates

Our neighbourhood isn’t short on wellness spaces, but a new Pilates studio is bringing much more than fitness to Rozelle. The Fluidform philosophy states that for the body to work effectively, it needs to be balanced. Darling sat down with studio owner Alice Zikou to learn more.

Returning to exercise post injury or after having a baby can be daunting. And if you’re new to exercise you may lack body awareness and confidence. Fluidform founder Kirsten King saw a need for a personalised approach to Pilates and created a unique version that aims to rebalance and strengthen the body, both physically and emotionally. Alice, owner of Fluidform Rozelle, explains that each program is tailored to the individual so that clients feel the difference and see the changes in their body.

A personalised approach

Fluidform instructors have expertise in prenatal and postpartum exercise, injury rehabilitation and professional athletic training and offer students individual support. Alice says that through a hands-on approach they work with students to identify any acute imbalances in their bodies. The personalised program and a combination of small equipment mat work, reformer Pilates and studio Pilates is what sets Fluidform apart from other studios.

An emotional release

Each class at Fluidform begins with stretching and mobilisation of the joints to release any tension held in and on the body.

Alice says “We have clients come into the studio with an element of fear – whether they are pregnant, returning to movement postpartum, recovering from injuries or new to Pilates. We start by reading their body to identify imbalances and work to release emotional barriers to rebuild their strength and confidence. It’s not uncommon for new clients to experience an emotional release during their first few sessions at Fluidform.”

Slow is the go

Fluidform has a unique focus on your slow twitch, stabilising muscles that support your joints and posture. Working these muscles in slow, controlled movements effectively balances your body, creating long lean muscles. This type of exercise minimises the risk of injury and supports not only your fitness, but your day-to-day life. With regular practice, you’ll experience less pain, improve your flexibility and start to move more efficiently.

FLUIDFORM

12 Mansfield St, Rozelle fluidform.com.au fluidform_rozelle

Jazz in the Park

Be inspired by a terrific line-up of award-winning musicians and celebrate the best of Inner West Jazz.

Saturday16March 2pm–6pm atGladstonePark,Balmain

Is it ok to put a poo bag in someone else’s bin?

We’ve all been there – your dog decides to do a poo and there’s no public bin in sight. What do you do? Do you dutifully carry it home, OR do you put it in someone else’s bin? Darling explores the unspoken rules around poo bag disposal.

It’s not illegal to put your rubbish in a stranger’s bin, but it’s very much frowned upon. However, there are times when dumping your dog’s doo doo in someone’s bin is ok. But only if you follow these golden rules.

1. There are no public bins around.

2. Your house (and bin) is more than a 5-minute walk away.

3. The bin must be on the nature strip – you can’t use the bin in someone’s driveway.

4. You must place it in the correct bin. Poo may be natural, but it doesn’t go in the FOGO bin, it belongs in the general rubbish.

5. It must be bin night! You can’t let your poo bag fester in some strangers’ bin for a week, that’s just cruel!

6. Under no circumstances can you put it in your neighbours’ bin. If you get caught, you’ll be forever known as THAT neighbour. It’s also incredibly lazy because your bin is right next door.

There’s only one thing that’s lazier than dumping your dog poo in your neighbour’s bin, and that’s to leave your poo bag on the foot path, in a tree or on top of a public bin – we’ve seen it all. If you’ve gone to the trouble of picking up after your dog (which you obviously should), do the right thing and put it in the bin. Who’s bin you choose is totally up to you.

Which parenting style are you?

Authoritative, gentle, free-range – if you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard these terms. While some parents closely identify with a specific parenting style, others find these labels confusing or unnecessary. While it can be useful to understand the characteristics of different styles, only you know the best way to raise your kids says Carly Dober, a Psychologist and Director of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi). Here we explore the many aspects of parenting.

People often parent instinctively, sometimes as a response to how they were raised, notes Martina Palombi, a Family and Couple Psychotherapist. But whether you’re pregnant with your first or have multiple schoolaged kids, reflecting on your parenting approach can be worthwhile. Ask yourself “What kind of parent do I want to be?”, says Palombi. “Which parts of my parents’ parenting do I want to hold onto, and which do I not want to repeat?”

Find your style

It’s not necessary to adhere to a specific label (though there’s also nothing wrong with doing so!). Dober recommends familiarising yourself with the main parenting styles. If there’s a style you identify with, ask yourself: What are the behaviours and attitudes of these parents? What do I like about this style? What are my values and ideas, and how do I want to apply these in my parenting?

Observe yourself

Once you have a general sense of how you want to parent, take a step back and consider how it’s going. No one can tell you how to parent, stresses Palombi. But in her sessions, she helps parents track challenging interactions by reviewing them together. “I ask for data”, Palombi says. “What were they feeling when they said ‘X’? What were they thinking? What did they say?” Once parents have reflected on some challenging interactions, they’re often

Parenting styles

Authoritative

These parents are supportive and nurturing but still have rules and clear expectations for their kids. This style is often considered “firm but fair” and “the best approach” by experts, Dober says.

Authoritarian

In authoritarian households, parents demand obedience and have strict, firm rules that they regularly enforce using discipline. Their kids are often well-behaved but may struggle with self-esteem and rebel against authority later in life.

Permissive

Though permissive parents are loving and nurturing, they usually have few rules or boundaries. Kids in permissive households may be particularly freethinking but can also be impulsive and struggle with self-control.

better equipped to observe themselves in future situations with their kids and objectively assess what’s working and what isn’t.

Expect to evolve

Whether it’s the death of a loved one, separation or behavioural challenges, all families go through periods of difficulty and change that requires you to parent a little differently. Your child may also benefit from a different approach at age twelve than they did at two. “Your boundaries change at each stage of life,” says Dober.

Everyone makes mistakes

Every parent has days they don’t feel especially proud of.

Uninvolved

Children raised by parents who are unavailable and unable to meet their kids’ needs are more likely to lack self-esteem and confidence.

Free-range

Parents offer kids lots of independence and unsupervised play. Kids may be more likely to be resilient and learn how to solve problems on their own. This style can become permissive if there are no limits whatsoever.

Helicopter

These parents are known for “hovering” and being overly controlling. Though their parents have good intentions, kids raised by helicopter parents may question their own instincts more frequently, Dober says, “They might need to check in more often, which can lead to self-doubt and high anxiety.”

In a 2018 poll from The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, 36% said they lose their temper and feel guilty later. “You learn from doing, and sometimes you learn from making mistakes,” says Dober. “But if you’re able to talk openly and apologise if you do something wrong, that can reassure children that their parents aren’t perfect and they’re willing to collaborate in a really supportive, loving way.”

Get support

If you’re struggling with a parenting challenge and aren’t sure where to turn, you’re not alone. According to the same Royal Children’s

Hospital poll, 45% of parents said they wouldn’t know where to seek help for a child’s behavioural problem. In addition to consulting your GP, the AAPi or Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT) websites are helpful for finding a psychologist near you specialising in family support or child development: visit aapi.org.au or aaft.asn.au.

By Kathleen Felton

Historic Balmain Watch House

Balmain is renowned for its charming sandstone buildings, many of which have been preserved and converted into private homes, schools and businesses. The Balmain Association finds its home in the historic Balmain Watch House and historian Duncan MacAuslan gives us the story behind this historic building.

In 1851 resident numbers in Balmain had grown to 1,397 and the settlement along Darling Street was thriving. As the population grew, the community demanded a police force and a gaol. The Government approved funding of £450 and Edmund Blacket, the Colonial Architect, worked together with the Inspector General of Police to find a suitable site and design. In 1853, Lot 47 of the Waterview Estate was purchased for £240 from Edward Hunt. It was to become the new Balmain Watch House.

Blacket’s design appears to be a standard at the time and the same design was used for the North Sydney Watch House. It was originally planned and built as a single storey building with four rooms. The guard room had a fireplace and was entered from the

street through a stable-type door that accommodated the main business of the building. The building also housed a bedroom for the duty constable.

The smallest cell, 2.59m by 2.44m, accommodated female prisoners and the doorway opening from the guard room, although long since filled in, is still visible today. The larger cell housed male prisoners and measured 4.27m by 2.75m. It extended over what is now the corridor leading to the gaol exercise areas.

In 1878, the Balmain police force comprised of six men and by 1881, the population had increased to 15,063. In the early 1880’s, another storey was added for a sergeant’s residence. A staircase was constructed in the constables’ bedroom which then became

a lobby. A kitchen was added at the side and a verandah to the front. Two new cells, each with a privy and exercise yard, were also added.

By 1887, the expansion of the suburb had caused its centre to move further up Darling Street where the grand new post office and courthouse were built. The Watch House was used as a lock-up until the 1920s when the whole building became a police residence. The charge room became the living room and at one stage a family with twelve children lived there, so every cell was used as a bedroom.

In 1960, the police ceased to occupy the Watch House. The deterioration already evident became more rapid and the building became a target for vandals and a home for squatters.

Balmain Watch House

Regular art exhibitions feature in the space

Residents, interested in its history, began to inquire about a possible new life for the Watch House, which was marked for demolition.

The Balmain Association was formed in November 1965 by a handful of locals who wished to preserve the best of the suburb’s history, architecture and natural beauty. The Association asked the National Trust to support

an appeal to preserve the Watch House. Eventually, the State Government handed over the building to the National Trust.

The Balmain Association leased the building and undertook its repair and renovation. The Watch House restoration became the Association’s single most important project. Through concerted efforts, work was advanced for the official opening of the Watch House on 12 April 1970. Today, volunteers open the building twice a week to the public, and regular artist exhibitions feature in the space.

BALMAIN ASSOCIATION

Balmain Watch House

179 Darling St, Balmain balmainassociation.org. au/exhibitions

EXHIBITIONS FROM MARCH TO MAY

Making Memories

– Merle van Esch

9 and 10 March | 1pm-4pm

Unfamiliar Territory

16 and 17 March | 10am-4pm

Two Pretty Birds – Chloe

Cassidy and Francine Courtelle

29 March | 6pm-8.30pm

30 March – 1 April | 10am-5pm

Richard Sercombe – Over to You

6-7 April

Alchemy of Nature – Talia

Iaconis and Barbara Newton

12 April | 7-9pm

13-14 April | 11am-3pm

Connections, Balmain Association and National Trust Heritage celebration

20 April – 11 May | Tuesdays and Saturdays | 11.30am-3pm

Enjoyed a glass of red by the fire at The Dry Dock

AUTUMN BINGO!

Tried a reformer class at Fluidform Rozelle

Played with your dog in Elkington Park

Enjoyed the Sunday roast at Royal Oak Balmain

Sipped a Chai at Hungry Bull Co

Picked up a good book from Hill of Content Bookshop

Run through the rain to catch the 442

Visited the Biennale at White Bay Power Station

Tried the gin from Blackwattle Distilling Company

Picked up a scarf from Two Baskets

Enjoyed a hearty French meal at L’Auberge du Bout du Monde

Warmed up with an infrared sauna at City Cave

Sustainable fashion finds

Mindful consumption is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Shopping at charity and preloved clothing stores is becoming the new norm in Australia, it’s affordable, fun and always surprising. And Rozelle and Balmain are jam-packed with them.

“Buying sustainable fashion is better for your wallet, better for the environment, and arguably better for your style. More importantly, a fantastic way to support the less fortunate with every purchase at local charity shops”, says fashion stylist Caro West.

Caro shares her Insider Tips on how to shop sustainably:

Have an item in mind.

To remove the overwhelming nature of thrift shopping, it is always a good idea to have an item in mind and shop for that. Most charity shops will only organise items by colour or size, so be prepared to get rummaging.

Always try on the item and check for faults. Make sure it fits well and the colour is right. Don’t be drawn in by price, if one element isn’t quite right –don’t buy!

Remember not to rule out sizes that might be different from your usual. All clothes donated are from different stores which always vary in size.

Aim to find unique clothes that elevate your style. Without a doubt, the most exciting part of charity shopping is the thrill of uncovering a unique gem. Finding the perfect item might seem like searching for a needle in a haystack, but you’ll get way more satisfaction from working hard for your discovery.

Buy label-free items. Believe it or not, some of your favourite high street stores will have deals with local charity shops to donate stock that isn’t sold during fashion sales. Part of the

deal is often that they need to cut the labels off the clothes. It’s worth keeping an eye out for items that have had the labels purposely cut off.

Frequently visit charity shops on weekdays.

Charity shops will have new stock out every day. While you might find absolutely nothing one day, there could be something on the rails tomorrow. Weekdays are the best time for charity shopping as there’s less competition for the best stuff.

Find unique accessories. Vintage accessories and jewellery can elevate any outfit and be a talking point for your next outfit.

Make friends with shop staff and let them know what you are looking for and your style. They will be much more likely to point you in the right direction of the latest gems.

By Caro West

Uturn Recycled Fashion

VENLA resell + relove

Our neighbourhood has some of the best second-hand shopping in Sydney:

Rozelle Collectors Markets

Year-round fashion treasures every Saturday 9am-3pm.

Rozelle Public School, 663 Darling St, Rozelle

Uturn Recycled Fashion

Two huge levels of fashion finds.

686 Darling St, Rozelle

Vinnies Rozelle

This volunteer-run store has a vast range of fashion and homewares.

683-685 Darling St, Rozelle

VENLA resell + relove Racks of designer and high-quality fashion.

244 Darling St, Balmain

Hester Fleming Vintage Vintage jewellery and accessories curated for modern fashion trends. hesterflemingvintage.com

Red Cross Shop

Discover something special at this charity shop.

656A Darling St, Rozelle

Scandi Frock

Unique Scandinavian vintage threads. scandifrock

Rozelle Collectors Markets

Friends of Callan Park celebrates 25 years

For 25 years, Friends of Callan Park and its countless volunteers have been advocating to preserve the 61 hectares of Callan Park and its irreplaceable value as a green space and a place of significant heritage.

On the 4 December 2023 at Writing NSW at Callan Park the group commemorated its 25th anniversary. More than a hundred people attended the AGM and the party that followed. Former MP for Balmain, Jamie Parker, and current MP, Kobi Shetty, addressed the crowd. Guests included representatives from the Australian Garden History Society, Greater Sydney Parklands Trust, NSW Health and the National Trust.

Also present were Mrs Judy Mundey, the widow of Jack Mundey AO, and Roger Parkes, the great-grandson of Henry Parkes, the NSW Treasurer at the time of the purchase of Callan Park in 1873, representing personal links to the history of the park.

Member for Balmain, Kobi Shetty MP and Hall Greenland, President

The Friends celebrated their quarter century with a sense of achievement, having defeated major attempts to sell off or transfer portions of Callan Park and Broughton Hall for redevelopment. Challenges lay ahead however, as the group monitors the opening up and sharing of Kirkbride, is against converting one of the ovals to artificial turf and the call remains for modern mental health services.

Meanwhile, the Friends continue its advocacy work of heritage tours, exhibitions

and publications highlighting the remarkable history of this site – from a landmark Indigenous place, to landed estate, to an asylum for the mentally ill, to a psychiatric hospital, to a valued community asset and major regional heritage park. Callan Park is a remarkable place of tranquillity, history and open green space – take a stroll and enjoy.

FRIENDS OF CALLAN PARK callanpark.com

Friends of Callan Park celebrate 25 years

Add some local flair to your feed!

We love these local Instagram accounts and you will too.

Beyond borders

Hands up who goes on vacation and gets totally sucked up into the vibe of the place… finding themselves buying outfits to suit the area. Think Phuket, Bali, Fiji and even the Gold Coast. All of a sudden you have a love for all things crochet, shell or shark tooth shaped. You buy a halter neck dress with a shell button from which two thin straps emerge to hold it all up, no bra needed! But that’s not all! You start braiding your hair and introduce silver hippie jewellery and beaded sandals – if you’ve decided to wear shoes that is. If you relate more to winter holidays then suddenly you need a furry headband that makes you look like you have an overgrown fringe, a knitted jumper that makes you feel like you’re from a winter Christmas movie or the thickest, hairiest après boots that you could have grown yourself had you not invested in all that laser hair removal! After all these fabulous purchases, you return home to the inner west and realise these outfits have no purpose on the peninsular.

Nick Greiner

Well, I personally think it’s the same with art. I am an emerging artist and a major lover of contemporary and thought-provoking art. Wherever I travel, the first thing I look out for are local contemporary art galleries. And just like fashion suits a country, city or region – so does art.

Artists and their work are a product of the culture and society in which they live or have grown up in. When I moved to New York, we set up a small apartment. Eager to feel settled, we began to purchase little art pieces by American designers that were all glamorous and shiny. Happy days! A couple of years later we moved to Austin, Texas. Well, we were no longer shiny, happy people. Straight out to the endless array of Austin thrift stores (they are AMAZING!) we replaced our white and gold with earthy tones, natural fibres and recycled anything. A minimal modernist lover from Australia now has a dust collecting, stocktake headache of an apartment in Texas. Oh, but how it works!

Tara Eales with Consul General

Boot shopping in Austin, Texas

In New York I was privileged to be invited to an event held at the Australian Consulate. As part of the evening, the Consul General at the time, Nick Greiner, proudly talked about several Indigenous artworks that were lent to The Consulate by the American actor and writer, Steve Martin. I can’t tell you how proud I felt to be Australian. The artworks and the stories that went alongside them were incredible. I was particularly blown away by the age of some of the artists from Martin’s wider collection. One lady started painting at the age of 80! To think of her in such a remote location with no formal art training just creating from the heart is inspiring. Using ochre hues from native earth, each of her incredible contemporary works are a short memoir of her life and of her family’s journeys and experiences.

From this very occasion, I took away a heightened appreciation of Australian Indigenous art. Unlike my tie-dye halter dress, some of these pieces could sit alongside the most valuable masterpieces

and hold their own. And unlike some of my shiny New Yorker interior selections, these Australian artworks will work in any home in any country.

Whilst I am far from being a qualified art critic, I do enjoy talking about art. I have adopted my own thoughts about how I buy art for my home and that is to select pieces that engage in me a happy dialogue. I also believe that when you buy an original piece of art you buy a small piece of the artist’s soul. So, a connection to the artist’s story is paramount for me. Australian Indigenous art does all of these things. They are purely and simply soulful stories with no words needed. I can’t wait to one day hang an Australian Indigenous contemporary piece in Austin.

Then all I need to get myself are some Texan cowgirl boots. Thanks y’all for reading!

By Tara Eales

Steve Martin with artworks by Makinti Napanangka

YOUR DREAM EVENT AT The Old Rosebud

Welcome to The Old Rosebud, where our space is your space, and your dream event comes to life.

The Old Rosebud invites you to explore the endless possibilities when choosing to host your next function with us.

”The Old Rosebud is your blank canvas where the only limit is your imagination”

Birthdays, Christenings, Engagements, Corporate, even puppy partied and other special events come to life at The Old Rosebud, where the only limit is your imagination. And with affordable food and beverage packages, tailor made to suit your budget, the sky is the limit.

Easily accessible by public transport along with ample and convenient on street parking, The Old Rosebud accommodates prams and wheelchairs with plenty of room for both. We also boast a fully equipped kitchen and licensed bar with a wide range of cocktail and drink options, with our talented team of chefs providing delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes as well as all your Party favourites for a stand up cocktail function.

Our head chef will impress your guests with his culinary talents, while our friendly staff ensure that your guests enjoy beautiful moments.

In addition to our oversized dining room with its spacious environment, we are also able to offer you high quality audio visual features for your special tributes and presentations.

The Old Rosebud Is your blank canvas, waiting for all your creative ideas to come to life, you just need to tell us how we can help.

CALL our friendly management and stuff today to discuss your event plans. We would be so delighted to help you celebrate the way you want to at The Old Rosebud . The Old Rosebud events space, “your events your way”.

Theoldrosebud The Old Rosebud

AROUND THE HOOD

New kids on the block

A store opening or new service offering is always exciting, and these three are no exception. All owned by locals, they’re the latest reason to support businesses in your neighbourhood.

Otter Craft Distilling (OCD) is owned and created by brother and sister duo, Eduard and Julie Otter. Based in Lilyfield, OCD’s internationally award-winning single malt whiskey, single malt vodka, and Mary St gin and gin liqueur ranges are all created by hand, using sustainable and traceable ingredients. Bar 26 is the speakeasy-style urban distillery bar for OCD. A whiskey and cocktail bar to showcase OCD’s spirits as well as like-minded wines and drinks. A place to enjoy a drink, a great night out, or a sneaky cocktail and cake to end an evening in the best possible way. Follow them for monthly events.

OTTER CRAFT DISTILLING | BAR 26 Unit 2, 26 Halloran St, Lilyfield bar26.com.au | bar26_2040

A new gallery space in an old Rozelle factory – 44 – opens on Saturday 6 April with unentitled, an exhibition of timely photomedia work by Denise Corrigan and David Watson, its artist proprietors. Seeking to nurture community through art, the couple have cut their teeth over the past decade mounting socially-engaged weekend expositions of painting, sculpture, photography and video by inner-west artists (Habitat, Made in Callan Street, Sensitive Receivers, Curbed & Gutted) in their ex-shopfittings-factory home studio near Iron Cove. Opening 5pm, Sat 6 April. Exhibition hours 11am to 5pm, 6-7 April, 10-14 April.

44

44 Callan St, Rozelle | 44_rozelle

Launched in January this year, First Class Accounts provides bookkeeping services for small to medium sized businesses in the inner west. Owner, Madeleine Veitch, is passionate about helping businesses succeed and understands that finding time to deal with financial responsibilities while running your business can be challenging. That’s where she can help! Let her service handle your books while you focus on what you do best – growing your business.

Sydney’s best pub crawl AROUND

With a pub at every corner, Balmain is the perfect place for a pub crawl.

At its peak, the Balmain peninsula had 55 pubs and hotels, and they formed a big part of our area’s history and culture. This area is still well known for its pub culture and with 19 pubs on your doorstep, now is the time to discover them all.

The Balmain Rozelle Heritage Pub Trail is available online so you can experience all that’s on offer – from fine food to local brews, live music and fun for the whole family, including daily specials and events.

There’s a pub for everyone!

The Merton Hotel

Native Rose Hotel

The Three Weeds

The Garry Owen Hotel

Red Lion Hotel

The Bridge Hotel

The Sackville

Cat and Fiddle Hotel

The Welcome Hotel

The Balmain

Dick’s Hotel

Unity Hall Hotel

The Riverview

Royal Oak Balmain

The Dry Dock

Cricketers Arms

The London Hotel

East Village Hotel

The Bald Rock Hotel

Thanks to our sponsors

balmainrozelle.org.au/events/heritage-pubs

Scan

The Dry Dock