Neighbourhood Media | Newtown Magazine | Issue #6

Artist Steph Tisdell, another stand-out act at this years Just for Laughs Sydney

JUST FOR LAUGHS

2022 sees the festival’s biggest lineup to date with lots of new and exclusive Sydney-only, never to be repeated shows such as the All-Star Gala hosted by Tommy Little, Musical Comedy Gala hosted by Aunty Donna, The Alternative Show hosted by Randy Feltface, First Nations Funnies hosted by Steph Tisdell, Say No More! A Conversation with Eric Idle hosted by Shaun Micallef, and Just For Laughs Australia: Live hosted by Nath Valvo.

The All-Star Gala is the crown jewel of the festival, selling out year after year. 2022 sees a huge lineup including Rhys Nicholson, Urzila Carlson, Tom Ballard, Nish Kumar, Rob Beckett, Melanie Bracewell and Steph Tisdell. Never will you see these comedians on stage all together again, and there may even be some surprises!

International superstar of comedy, music, acting and writing

Eric Idle makes his return to Australia with Say No More! Hosted by Shaun Micallef, the Monty Python alum will be performing for one night only exclusively at the State Theatre.

First Nations Funnies, curated by Steph Tisdell, will showcase First Nations comedians from all walks of life. Having recently launched First Nations Talent Agency, Steph has her finger on the pulse of all things comedy, and is bringing the best First Nations comedians from around the country including Dane Simpson, Janty Blair, Andy Saunders, Kevin Kropinyeri and Jay Wymarra to the Opera House Stage. For the musical comedy buffs, Aunty Donna have you covered with their Musical Comedy Gala — Musical Comedy IS Cool. With a lineup including Matt Okine, Michelle Brasier, Two Hearts, Jude Perl and Donny Benét, this gala will be a real party.

2Finally returning on 28th November–4th December to celebrate its 10th year of bringing the world’s best and brightest comedians to stunning venues around Sydney!

JNow a staple on the Sydney comedy calendar, Just For Laughs Sydney celebrates its 10th year in 2022. From small beginnings in Montréal way back in 1983, Just For Laughs is now the largest international comedy festival in the world.

JUST FOR LAUGHS festival began nearly 40 years ago at the Theatre St-Denis in Montréal’s Quartier Latin. The first instalment was a two-day French language event, with English acts only beginning to grace the stage in 1985. The festival quickly grew to a month-long affair, with both Canadian and international acts taking part. Just For Laughs became known as a place for talent scouts and booking agents to find the next big thing in comedy, providing a great opportunity for new talent to break through. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the festival dipped its toe in the United States market, with events held in Florida and Chicago.

In 2011, Sydney’s own branch of the festival was born, bringing with it some of the world’s biggest names in comedy. The inaugural Sydney festival was held over four days at the Sydney Opera House, and the lineup included iconic names like John Cleese (Monty Python), Russell Howard, Margaret Cho and Dylan Moran (Black Books). Ten years later, the Just For Laughs stage has been home to many superstars. Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show) made his Australian debut at the festival in 2012, Trevor Noah (The Daily Show) travelled downunder in 2014 and Ken Jeong (Community) graced the stage in 2018. New Zealand’s Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords) is a frequent performer, and Bill Bailey (Black Books) has been back more than once.

Just For Laughs Sydney has also become known for its strong support of Australian comedians, with each year’s lineup containing a healthy serving of local talent. Rove

McManus, Pete Helliar, Hannah Gadsby, Charlie Pickering, Wil Anderson and Celia Pacquola have all made appearances over the years, keeping the Sydney Opera House full of laughs. The festival continues to pride itself on bringing upand-coming talent to the stage, with the various galas allowing comics of all disciplines to showcase their craft.

The festival has been on hold for the past few years, but in 2022 it’s back and better than ever. Partnering with Destination NSW for the first time, Just For Laughs will continue to bring world-class comedians to Sydney’s stages. As NSW Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin commented, “We could all do with a good laugh after the past few years, which have been incredibly challenging for our tourism and creative industries…Just for Laughs Sydney will be a major visitor drawcard and is a fantastic addition to the incredible calendar of events we have ahead exclusively for Sydney over summer.”

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Various Venues - Nov 28 - Dec 4

Tickets available at justforlaughs.sydney

JUST FOR LAUGHS

KNOWN as “the Mouth of the South”, comedian Rob Beckett has spent the past few years selling out UK stages, starting a popular parenting podcast, and even penning two books. He’s now returned to Australia for his first national tour, bringing along some special guests: his parents. “They’re loving it!” he laughs over the phone from Perth. “It’s quite fun actually, because I’ve been touring around the UK and with COVID it went on for ages. You start to get a bit bored, going from hotel to hotel. But they’re so excited, it’s quite fancy in their eyes. They’re like ‘oh, my gosh, look at the four different croissants!’ and stuff like that. It’s reminded me how lucky I am to do this job.”

Midway through answering a question, Beckett spots two men in “cowboy hats”, and asks about the differences between Perth and Sydney. It’s everyday moments like these that inspire his shows. “I write down all the funniest stuff that happens to me, and then report it back on stage basically,” he says. He finds it works best to not have an overarching narrative. “It can get in the way of being as funny as possibleI just go out and give the audience all the jokes.” A key part of his performance involves the audience, with Beckett chatting to the crowd for the first twenty minutes of the show. “I rely on just talking to the audience and finding out what’s happened with him. It’s always different every night,” he says.

KRob Beckett has had a busy few years, and he’s finally returning to our shores to fill everyone in.

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Beckett confesses he has no idea how his show will be received in Sydney. “I go out and try and be funny and hope for the best,” he laughs. He recalls a corporate gig for a Swedish company in London: “They didn’t understand any of my references. Out of all the English people they’ve met I was probably a bit of a shock to the system.” After reassurance

that Australians will most likely understand his references given our consumption of British TV and culture, he’s a little more confident. He explains that his goal is simply to entertain. “I want audiences to have not thought for the hour and a half, to have been completely taken out of their world,” he says. “I don’t do much on politics, I don’t do much on the problems with the world.” How does he know when he’s done a good job? “When I get as many laughs a minute as possible!”

Beckett is performing four shows in Sydney - two at the Enmore Theatre, and two at Sydney Opera House as part of the Just For Laughs All-Star Gala. As for many international stars, the Sydney Opera House can be daunting - but he’s not too phased. “It’s quite intimidating. But really, it’s all about the people in the room,” he says. “Everyone goes ‘what an amazing, amazing venue’, but it’s the crowd that makes it special. I’m just looking forward to it.”

“I write down all the funniest stuff that happens to me, and then report it back on stage basically,”

Rob Beckett is performing as part of the Just For Laughs All-Star Gala on 2 and 3 December, and at the Enmore Theatre on 29 and 30 November. More details and tickets can be found at justforlaughs.sydney/portfolio-item/rob-beckett

JUST FOR LAUGHS

THE ALTERNATIVE SHOW

Just for Laughs Sydney debuts The Alternative Show hosted by everyone’s favourite non-human comedian Randy Feltface. Think wrong, but oh so right — fun, whacky and edgy — The Alternative Show features a line-up of some of the most talented, quirky and of course funniest comedians.

JAY PHAROAH

Highly-anticipated comedian Jay Pharoah is coming to Australia! Best known for his spoton impressions, Pharoah spent six seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

2 & 3 December

Sydney Opera House

FIRST NATIONS FUNNIES

For the first time at Just for Laughs Sydney, the amazingly hilarious Steph Tisdell will host and curate our brand-new show First Nations Funnies. Combining the oldest living culture in the world with the newest material in comedy today — this show will feature the best First Nations comedians from around the country.

Wed 30 November

Studio, Sydney Opera House

Sun 4 December Factory Theatre

ROB BECKETT

It’s been a busy few years for the Mouth of the South, Rob Beckett. Host of Rob Beckett’s Undeniable, All Together Now and team captain on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Rob is one of the UK’s top comedians.

Tues 29 & Wed 30 November @ 8pm Enmore Theatre

WILOSOPHY LIVE

Wil Anderson is back and he’s asking smart people stupid questions to try and find out the meaning of life. Or something. The awardwinning WILOSOPHY podcast returns from hiatus for two live shows at the Opera House with special guests.

2 & 3 December

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Learn about the environmental and human health impacts of using creative decision making in the design and renovation of houses. Scan to learn more or visit utas.edu.au/study/sustainable-living

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ARTS

ALooking for somewhere to book in for a big year of arts and cultural experiences in Sydney? Look no further — here’s a roundup of some of the top music, opera and dance experiences this city has to offer.

AFTER the stops and starts of 2022, Sydney’s theatre and live performance scene is back in full swing. City Recital Hall presents a smorgasbord of musical experiences including everything from electroclash to chamber music. Opera Australia comes back in force including an outdoor spectacular, and a special showcase of OA’s famous Chorus. Sydney Dance company celebrates a decade of New Breed at Carriageworks, along with new intimate experiences and touring shows. Get online and get booking those season tickets!

CITY RECITAL HALL

City Recital Hall Presents announces 01 | 23, its inaugural season that will take over the venue in the heart of Eora/ Sydney’s CBD from 19 January–24 March 2023, forming the first part of the venue’s 2023 offering. Featuring a new, world-class 360-degree spatial audio sound system, City Recital Hall promises to bring music to life in ways Australian audiences have not experienced before.

From dancefloor fillers to heavenly pop hits and immersive electronic acts, 01 | 23 promises breakout performances by emerging and pioneering musicians. The program has an international focus featuring artists from six countries while continuing the Hall’s commitment to Australian and First Nations artists’ enduring and vital contributions. Eight of the season’s featured headliners will perform at City Recital Hall for the first time.

Emma Donovan & Paul Grabowsky will cut the ribbon on 01 | 23 with an ode to the history of country gospel. Deborah Cheetham AO will present her contemporary chamber work Woven Song, inspired by the Australian Tapestry Workshop’s Embassy Tapestries and the culture

of the cities where they reside. Aotearoa indie greats and Dunedin’s finest, The Chills will bring four decades of heavenly pop hits to the stage in February.

Multi-award winning singer, songwriter, and actor Nakhane, whose forthcoming album has been produced in collaboration with Nile Rodgers and features Perfume Genius, will showcase their new dancefloor-influenced sound, and Peaches will perform her seminal electroclash album The Teaches of Peaches in full, celebrating its belated 20th Anniversary in her first Australian shows since 2017.

16-time GRAMMY Award winners Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, also known as “the king and queen of the banjo” will make a welcome return to CRH. Yann Tiersen brings an immersive electronic performance for his first Australian show in five years, and Michael Rother & friends celebrate 50 Years of Neu!, celebrating and recasting the legacy of this pioneering outfit.

Hugely influential electronic music pioneers Monolake & Electric Indigo, the former a co-founder of Ableton Live, will close the inaugural 01 | 23 season, showcasing the new spatial system by placing and moving sound so as it unfolds before their audience, adding a whole new dimension in listening.

City Recital Hall 2 Angel Place Sydney Tickets available at cityrecitalhall.com

PSYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

PACKED with familiar hits, world premieres and exciting new contemporary dance experiences, Sydney Dance Company’s 2023 Season is bound to delight and inspire. “In 2023, Sydney Dance Company will welcome international artists and present entirely unique dance experiences, cementing our place as a global incubator of innovation and groundbreaking movement. I am delighted to announce a premiere triple-bill Ascent, cocommissioned by the Canberra Theatre Centre, followed by a season at Sydney Opera House as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations. It’s an honour to be part of the Sydney Opera House’s 50th anniversary celebrations, even more special as Sydney Dance Company performed as part of the Opera House’s grand opening in 1973, so it will be a real full-circle moment,” says Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela.

Ascent will feature the reprise of Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning Forever & Ever and two world premieres by Bonachela and internationally renowned choreographer Marina Mascarell, Ascent is full of electric movement and emotional force.

Sydney Dance Company’s second season will deliver an entirely new experience for audiences — Up Close. Performed in the Neilson Studio at Sydney Dance Company, this intimate setting will provide audiences with an unparalleled connection to the formidable Company dancers. “Our first-ever season of Up Close will feature my brand-new work Somos, meaning “we are” in Spanish. Audiences will be transported by a cascade of solos, duets and trios with a distinct Latin flavour,” explains Bonachela.

In 2023, Sydney Dance Company celebrates a decade of New Breed with co-presenter, Carriageworks. With the unwavering support of The Balnaves Foundation, New Breed has seen more than 34 emerging dance artists present world premiere works. After this year’s sold-out inaugural season supported by the City of Sydney, INDance will return to the Neilson Studio in August. This curated program provides the opportunity for independent Australian dance artists to present their works to new audiences at Sydney Dance Company.

In May 2023, the Company will commence its National Tour, presenting a wide range of works including Ascent, Rafael Bonachela’s critically acclaimed ab [intra] and a double bill of Bonachela’s Impermanence and Antony Hamilton’s Forever & Ever. From Wyong to Warrnambool, Sydney Dance Company will visit 14 locations across five states and territories, connecting with new audiences and familiar faces. “I look forward to welcoming audiences into our world, to experience a year of invigorating, transformative dance,” says Bonachela.

Join Sydney Dance Company for another year of mastery, innovation and provocation. Subscribe at sydneydancecompany.com

NEW THEATRE

“It’s a wonderful feeling to finally get to launch a season after nearly three years of stop, start, off again on again and off again,” says Artistic Director, Louise Fischer. “And what a line up we have! We’re presenting four plays that will challenge you to question the definition of normal, give you moral conundrums to unravel, reaffirm your faith in the power of kindness and make you laugh till you nearly pee yourself. “From classics to new works, the New’s tradition of presenting affordable theatre without skimping on quality continues, and we look forward to seeing you in the foyer during 2023.”

First up is a Sydney premiere, presented as part of Sydney WordPride Pride Amplified. JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS by Tom Wells is an hilarious and heartwarming queer rom-com about football, friendship and finding your way.

Season: 7 February – 4 March

In March/April, New Theatre’s stage is set to explode with the crazy comedy of ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean. This hilarious romp celebrates the best of British comedy (think Carry On movies meets Fawlty Towers), in a unique laughout-loud mix of satire, slapstick, skiffle music and sparkling one-liners.

Season: 14 March – 15 April. The third play for 2023 is a timely revival of one of the classics of 20th century American drama: Arthur Miller’s ALL MY SONS. This searing drama of a family in crisis, written in 1946, was also a scathing indictment of postwar America. Seventy years later, it is still devastatingly relevant. Date: 1 January – 23 April, 2023

Season: 25 April – 27 May.

Finally, New Theatre is producing the Australian premiere of an acclaimed new English play, JELLYFISH by Ben Weatherill. This radical and heartfelt love story with a difference explores the issue of independence and sexual fulfillment for those living with a disability.

Season: 6 June – 1 July.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 28 November at 10am - take advantage of the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $22 tickets for any performance during the season, when booked using the promo code WORM.

Purchase tickets online newtheatre.org.au

ARTS

MUST SEE IN 2023

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY — Ascent

This inspired triple bill features the return of Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning Forever & Ever and world premieres by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela and renowned international choreographer Marina Mascarell. Brimming with physicality, Ascent tempers contemporary classical with futuristic experimentation — a portrait of contemporary dance and its potential to move, excite and activate audiences.

Sydney Opera House

16 – 26th of March 2023

Tickets from $47 – save 15% with a 2023 Subscription

CITY RECITAL HALL — Switched On: Nakhane

London based, South African-born powerhouse Nakhane — musician, novelist, actor and queer activist — makes their debut at City Recital Hall next March as part of CRH presents 01 | 23 and Sydney WorldPride. Instrumental in challenging the status quo in conversations about gender and sexuality, Nakhane has been steadily building a body of work of cultural importance that hits every dancefloor sweet spot. Fresh from collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Perfume Genius and Moonchild Sanelly, Nakhane is a true star in the making.

2 Angle Place, Sydney Cityrecitalhall.com

Tickets from $59 (+ booking fee)

NEW THEATRE - Jumpers for Goalposts

First up on New Theatre 2023 line up - Jumpers for Goalposts is a hilarious and heartwarming queer romantic comedy about football, friendship and finding your way. Barely Athletic is a bottom-of-the-ladder fivea-side soccer team in a local LGBTQI+ amateur league in Hull, England. Player-coach Viv was thrown out of Lesbian Rovers for being too bossy. Beardy Geoff, a gay busker, has a weakness for sex with opposing players. Viv’s brother-in-law Joe, the team’s token straight guy, is seriously unfit – and depressed. And shy library assistant Luke only joined because he’s got a crush on student Danny, who’s struggling with issues of his own. Though on-field success is what they’re after, it’s how these five very different personalities support each other off the field that lies at the heart of this utterly charming, feel-good story.

New Theatre - 542 King St, Newtown 7th Feb - 4th March 2023

Tickets are $35 full price, $30 concession

BELL SHAKESPEARE — Macbeth

A terrifying portrayal of moral collapse, Bell Shakespeare’s Macbeth will take you on an intense and compelling journey into the dark heart of humanity. Don’t miss Shakespeare’s most haunting thriller at Sydney Opera House in 2023, directed by Peter Evans with Logie award-winning Hazem Shammas as Macbeth and Jessica Tovey as Lady Macbeth.

Playhouse, Sydney Opera House 28 February – 2 April 2023

Tickets from $45 ($8.50 booking fee)

TELL us a bit about yourself:

“My name is Jenni Large. I’m currently based in lutruwita, Tasmania. I’m a performer, choreographer, rehearsal director, and teacher. I studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and have worked independently and with various companies around Australia.”

Your recent works have examined the female experience and body in relation to capitalism and consumerism, will these themes appear in your new work?

“For New Breed 2022 I have been sourcing inspiration from vampire culture. It has led me down a path that includes the work of Mary Shelley (Author of Frankenstein and the ‘mother of horror’) and the film adaptations

of Dracula over the years. I’m drawn to the drama, suspense, tension, grit, desire, sexuality, obsession and grief. For me, vampires represent vital social deviance and are a relatable embodiment of transgression. In literature and popular culture, vampires are often used as a sexual metaphor and depicted as sexually ‘overt’ and ‘deviant’. Throughout history vampires and horror characters have served as vehicles of expression for queer culture and sexual oppression. Horror exploits our primordial predisposition to fear otherness. And yet, I think the genre’s cult followings show that we identify with ‘villains’ and ‘monsters’. We’ve all felt victimized and isolated for our differences, and paradoxically, this is what connects us.”

TLarge, one of this years’ emerging choreographers.

““For New Breed 2022 I have been sourcing inspiration from vampire culture. It has led me down a path that includes the work of Mary Shelley”

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How does your creative practice reflect your individual experiences?

“The themes and movement vocabulary of my recent works, this one included, share a distinct sexual expression and entertainment value. Maybe a rejection of post modernism, and definitely a revival of the reasons I came to dance in the first place. As a struggling teenager, dance was my vehicle for expression and quite literally, a saving grace. I wasn’t cognisant of that at the time, but now and particularly as a freelance artist, I make conscious effort to stay connected to these core values. The miraculous ever-changing body, movement, creativity, expression, collaboration and the non-linear continue to play an important role in how I process life’s challenges. There are undoubtedly parallels between why I’m obsessed with dance and why I’ve chosen to explore horror/vampires in this work. Dance is my vehicle for expression and vampires are a tool for expressing the repressed.”

How do you approach your audience?

“I want to let audiences in, live art exists because of our audiences. I hope to create work that is both entertaining and challenging, I want the viewer to feel connected and included even if they don’t fully ‘understand’. Accepting that our intellect can’t fully comprehend the experience of dance/dancing is powerful and freeing.”

Will this opportunity change anything for you?

“This is my first choreographic commission of this scale - I’m scared and thrilled! It’s an honour to be a part of New Breed 2022. I’m really ecstatic to be among such amazing other choreographers and the chance to collaborate with the incredible dancers and artists at Sydney Dance Company is going to be a thrill.”

New Breed runs at Carriageworks, November 30th until December 17th Tickets + more details at sydneydancecompany.com/performance/new-breed-2022

EDUCATION

SSO, before you make that all-important decision, ask yourself what’s important to you about university and the degree you’re keen to study.

Do you want to study a degree you can personalise?

One that’s been co-designed with industry?

Or maybe one that has internships that are built in?

Do you want to study at a uni whose campus is green and spacious, as well as being home to state-of-the art facilities?

Or study at a uni that’s ranked number one in Sydney for graduate employment rate and that offers a oneof-a-kind employment service?

If you answered yes to any of these, Macquarie University might just be the perfect choice for you. Why’s that? Here’s a few reasons:

PERSONALISED DEGREES

You can undertake one of more than 40 single bachelor degrees or one of countless double bachelor degrees. While a single degree generally focuses on a specific area, you’ll have lots of scope to choose units from outside your degree. This means you’ll gain the skills you’ll need for your career, but you can also follow your passions in diverse areas. If you’re considering a double degree, you might be interested to know that while all universities offer double degrees, we allow you to personalise your double degree by choosing the combination you consider will best kickstart your career.

DEGREES CO-DESIGNED BY INDUSTRY

So that our degrees equip you with the capabilities that employers are looking for now and into the future, we design many of them in consultation with industry. Degrees codesigned with organisations such as Accenture, Adobe and Fujitsu, offer a curriculum that’s shaped by the latest industry trends and can be adjusted to respond to the needs of industry in real time.

DEGREES WITH IN-BUILT INTERNSHIPS

Practical experiences are built into all of our degrees, so you’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the current and future challenges of your profession. In-built practical experience is made available through our unique

PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) program, while our extracurricular Global Leadership Program helps you develop cross-cultural and leadership skills. Plus, if international experience is something you’re keen to explore, you’ll have many options to undertake overseas, or virtual, exchange.

A CAMPUS BUILT FOR COLLABORATION

We’re uniquely located in the heart of Australia’s largest high-tech precinct and we’re only a quick Metro ride from the Sydney CBD. Our campus is green and spacious with so many different spots to either hang out with your friends, relax by yourself, or hit the books. What’s more, $1 billion has been injected into campus development initiatives, so many of our facilities are brand new, state-of-the-art and built for collaboration.

CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

Our Career and Employment Service will work closely with you so that you’re in the best position to secure the job of your dreams. Our staff will help you build your résumé and online profile, workshop your interview skills and provide advice about building your networks. You’ll also have access to a recruitment service that’s unique among universities — you’ll be matched with local industry partners who want to employ motivated students and graduates in casual, parttime and full-time roles.

So, now that you’re across so much of what Macquarie has to offer, surely you’re not still unsure about where you want to study! But, if you are, why not speak with our fantastic recruitment team? You can catch them at futurestudents@ mq.edu.au or on (02) 9850 6767.

Macquarie University Balaclava Rd, Macquarie Park mq.edu.au (02) 9850 7111 futurestudents@mq.edu.au

PLIBERSEK

H ERE TO HELP

As your local representative, I can assist with enquiries or problems you have with Federal Government departments and services like Centrelink, immigration, superannuation, Child Support payments, Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS), Veterans’ Affairs, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the National Broadband Network (NBN), universities, employment, training, Commonwealth funding and grants.

STAYING IN TOUC H

To keep up to date with my activ iti es ( incuding my mobi le offices), issues and events - both lo cally and nati on ally, please subscrib e to my eNews at: tanyaplibersek .com

C ONGR ATUL ATORY M E SSAGES

My office can arrange messages of congratulations for people who live in my electorate and are celebrating their golden (50th) and diamond (60th) wedding anniversaries; and 90th and subsequent birthdays. Please allow for 6-8 weeks for congratulatory messages from dignatories. A uthorised by T.P l Ibersek MP (ALP ) 1A Great Buckin gh a m St, Redfer n NSW 2016

WE spoke with Mayor Darcy Byrne about his efforts to bring more community-minded events to the Inner West, as well as why it’s important to maintain the area’s pub-culture and why making the streets more pedestrian-focused is the way forward.

Following the success of the 2022 Marrickville Music Festival on 19 November, Mayor Byrne had this to say:

“The crowds really flocked down there, which I think is indicative of the fact that people are really keen to come back together through community events and Main Street activity following COVID-19.”

When asked if the residents could expect to see more community events in the future, the Mayor said:

“The Marrickville Music Festival will be back again next year. We have the Espresso Chorus, who have traditionally held a very large-scale outdoor Christmas carols event on Norton Street in Leichhardt — they are coming to host two concerts in December at Marrickville Town Hall.”

“We also want to go further than just annual festivals by having more regular street closures and pedestrianising main streets on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis, and that’s a project we’re working on intensively.”

The pandemic prompted a boom in outdoor living in response to capacity limits and indoor restrictions. However, the Mayor has acknowledged that the high cost of outdoor events has been a disincentive for businesses and councils.

“I think we need to make sure we get the policy settings right so that we encourage more use of our public spaces and streets for community gatherings. Now that the COVID-19 situation is a lot safer, there’s a real hunger from

local people and people across Sydney and Australia for more community events.”

“We are working systematically to look through how we can reduce those costs, and we proposed to the NSW government that there be a pilot, here in the Inner West, of a programme to have more pedestrianisation of main streets.”

“We want the inner West to become the alfresco dining capital of Sydney and pedestrianisation of main streets is a really good way to work towards that goal.”

Currently, the Inner West council website promotes many outdoor community events and activities, such as the free Newtown Walking Tour.

“One of the main reasons people love living in and visiting the Inner West is that our streets are such fun, vibrant and interesting places. If you live here, you can walk up the road to your Main Street and see hundreds of your neighbours and spend time in the public domain, in a way that is very social.”

“Walking tours are another great example of something that we should be supporting and promoting and making it easier for local community organisations to hold, and that will be part of the plan as well next year.”

Another part of the Inner West’s identity is its historic pub scene. Recently, the council voted to heritage-list 27 pubs in addition to the 31 already protected.

“In recent years, for the first time ever, we’ve seen a trend towards pubs being converted for other business uses or for residential development, and we want to counteract that. The message we’re trying to send to prospective pub owners is that if you buy a pub in the Inner West, be prepared to operate it as a pub.”

W“You can walk up the road and see hundreds of your neighbours”: Mayor Darcy Byrne talks pedestrianisation and community gatherings in the Inner West.

“These hotels are really integral to the Inner West and the inner city. We don’t want to see that famous pub culture going out the back door,”

The Cat & Fiddle, amongst those being heritage listedCredit: @innerwestcouncil, Instagram

“These hotels, many of which have been in existence for more than a century, are really integral to the Inner West and the inner city. We don’t want to see that famous pub culture going out the back door,” said the Mayor.

However, these protections do not enforce how the pub must operate. Lately, the Inner West has seen a rise in integrating pubs with other businesses, such as The Exchange in Balmain, which recently closed its doors after an attempt at using the building as a co-working and bar space. Mayor Byrne had this to say of heritage protections:

“It protects both the façade of the building and the internal fittings, such as the public bar, so it is much more difficult to simply convert a pub into office space once it has been heritage listed. But it does still allow flexibility for a different hospitality use or a different mix of uses within a pub.

The Exchange has since been approved to be used as a pub and boutique hotel. Mayor Byrne recognised this revision to traditional hotel usage as “a really good thing for our local economy.”

The Mayor is also tackling the enemy of pubs and live music venues: noise complaints. The council is combating such complaints with their “Good Neighbour Policy”, which sees residents and licensees meet to resolve their issues through mitigation rather than litigation.

“The reason that we created our policy is that there are lots of examples of famous live music venues across Sydney that have gone under because of the legal costs of having to fight against noise complaints.”

“In NSW, the system allows for someone who’s making a complaint about noise at a live music venue or a pub to go through multiple different government agencies. Not just the council but also the licencing police and the liquor regulator, and other agencies as well. So, the costs of fending off those complaints, which are sometimes vexatious, became

prohibitive for lots of Sydney’s most famous live music venues,” said Mayor Byrne.

It’s clear the council is looking to improve the spirit of the Inner West and the appeal of main streets. Notably, the Mayor is looking to implement reduced rates for main street landlords who keep their dwellings tenanted, subsidised by higher rates for those who leave their buildings empty — which would require an amendment to the Local Government Act.

When asked how this would benefit the area, Mayor Byrne said:

“When main street landlords choose to keep their properties untenanted for long periods, those empty shopfronts have a detrimental effect on the whole Main Street economy. It drives down pedestrian traffic and lowers the vibe of a main street if there are many shopfronts which are shuttered and empty.”

Regarding improving community sentiment, the Mayor has said that he wants to see more involvement from residents.

“It shouldn’t be the council working from the top-down hosting events we control. We need more creativity coming from the bottom-up with local businesses, organisations and residents coming up with ideas.”

This follows the events of Saturday night when the council held a viewing of the match between the Socceroos and Tunisia — an idea brought to the council by two residents.

“It was fantastic for local businesses. Local cafes and restaurants were chock-a-block with patrons who then came out to watch the game afterwards.”

You can contact the Inner West council via their website to share any ideas: innerwest.nsw.gov.au

“We want the inner West to become the alfresco dining capital of Sydney and pedestrianisation of main streets is a really good way to work towards that goal.”

Performers at The Marrickville Music Festival, 2022 Credit: @innerwestcouncil, Instagram

I’M JENNY LEONG , the Greens MP for Newtown and your representative in the NSW Parliament.

As a longtime resident of Newtown, a passionate advocate for climate action, affordable housing, renters’ rights and equality, I’m so proud to represent our diverse, vibrant, and progressive community made up of so many wonderful people.

Our community also has one of the highest proportions of renters anywhere in the state. And with more and more people renting than ever before - many likely to be lifelong rentersthe Greens have been campaigning for years to protect and massively strengthen renters’ rights.

We know we need a serious overhaul of the system to give renters desperately needed stability and security, and it’s why we’ve been working inside and outside Parliament to put renters’ rights at the top of the agenda.

When catastrophic floods hit around the state this year, we introduced a bill to Parliament to give renters in flood impacted communities urgent and immediate protections - including a ban on evictions, a cap on rents, and automatic rent waivers for uninhabitable homes.

As unrelenting wet weather hit Sydney and renters in our community dealt with mould, damp, leaks, and dodgy landlords, we pushed to make it a requirement for all rentals to be waterproofed and mould-free.

And as the rental crisis escalated, with more and more renters hit with record high rent costs and unfair evictions, we introduced a bill to NSW Parliament that would have finally ended unfair, no grounds evictions in NSW.

Ending no grounds evictions would have given renters much-needed security by Christmas, and made a massive difference to renters who we know are too scared to negotiate rent increases or ask for repairs because of the threat of an eviction notice.

Shamefully, the Liberal Government were backed in by NSW Labor and together they blocked our bill and voted against giving the two million renters in NSW housing security.

The Greens are the only party in NSW Parliament that will vote for renters’ rights, every MP, every time. We’re committed to cutting rents, ending unfair, no grounds evictions, and giving renters the right to own pets.

If you’re a renter in our community, I’m sorry the current situation is so crappy, but I can assure you we’re working hard to fix it. The Greens will always stand up to the special interests putting landlords and real estate agents’ profits before the right of renters to a secure and affordable home.

Whether you are a renter or not, if you are concerned about a local issue or if our office can assist you with a specific matter, please get in touch - we’re always here to help. You can call 9517 2800, email us on newtown@ parliament.nsw.gov.au, or drop in to our office at 383 King St, Newtown.

To let us know the issues that matter most to you, take our short survey at www.jennyleong.org/ communitysurvey_2022 or scan the QR code below.

And if you see me out or about on the street or in a pub or cafe - be sure to say hi!

Yours sincerely,

Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown

IDear 2042 Locals,

Is your boy an independent, creative thinker? Then Grammar may be the ideal school for him. There is no waiting list and entry is based on merit alone.

If families are worried about the fees, please note that Grammar offers a very extensive fee-assistance programme to help boys attend our School.

For more information about our Open Days and Scholarship Information Night, please visit www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au, or contact Tara Rennie at admissions@sydgram.nsw.edu.au.

Operating since 2011, Maggie’s Rescue is a cooperative of volunteer foster carers and passionate animal advocates working together to achieve a shared vision of getting as many foster dogs as possible into their ideal forever homes.

Maggie’s has a no-kill philosophy and uses a Foster-to-Adopt approach when it comes to finding animals their forever homes. This ethos is key to the organisation’s success, as it rehabilitates each animal in preparation for their new life. This co-op puts a huge focus on reducing the number of unwanted and abandoned animals through rehoming, community education, desexing initiatives and liaising with other welfare organisations.

The Building Better Behaviour program is aimed specifically at dogs and provides a vital educational resource within local communities. The program provides access to highly-regarded vet behaviourists who provide training for all volunteer coordinators and foster carers. Since the introduction of this program, Maggie’s has been able to accept dogs that may display behavioral issues — which they hadn’t previously had resources to manage before. These dogs are now given the support they need to grow and develop into perfect

family dogs!

In Memory of Maggie

In 2011, an independent dog carer received an urgent call regarding a dog found abandoned at a property. It was Maggie, a nine-year-old Border Collie, and on arrival, evidence of her long-term neglect was immediately obvious. A vet confirmed Maggie was suffering from cancer and chronic arthritis.

She was so ill, it was felt she couldn’t be treated and the devastating decision had to be made to euthanize her. In the conversations that followed, it was decided that while the world might forget about the ‘Maggies’ who remain locked up, ill-treated, and overlooked, they simply couldn’t forget.

Maggie’s story was the catalyst, spurring a couple of animal-loving individuals to create something bigger than a rescue group — a co-operative, which would provide a safe haven for animals in need of compassionate rehoming. This is her legacy, and today the work of Maggie’s Rescue continues, honouring her memory.

All the pets on the next page are available for foster and adoption.

Join our community @

MAYA NALA

NALA - Red Cattle Dog - 8 MONTHS

Nala is an absolute joy to have around! This affectionate, kind girl is always delighted to see you, especially if you’re up for a long game of fetch - followed by hours of snuggling together on the couch :)

While still young and full of beans, Nala is super-smart and a quick learner. You’ll find it incredibly rewarding to continue with her training, as she picks up new commands easily and is very keen to please!

BANDIT

BANDIT - Domestic Shorthair - 7 months

Bandit is a beautiful, placid boy who likes to keep his cards close to his snowy-white chest! Cautious yet curious and very sweet, he’s learning how lovely pats feel and has a small purr that feels like a precious gift every time you hear it :)

A home with another friendly cat or two will be a fantastic choice for Bandit. Over time he may become more open to human cuddles, but for now he’s all about ‘pats only’and of course, he enjoys being admired from afar!

MAYA - Bull Arab Mix - 8 years

Maya is a bodacious, scruffy lady who is truly one of a kind and makes for a fabulous companion for those who like that relaxed fit lifestyle! Her favourite activities include chilling, napping, snacking and trips to the beach where she wades in the water and strolls along the sand. She walks well on leash, although sometimes needs a little motivation to get moving off the couch. Like all Maggie’s pets, Maya is microchipped, desexed and vaccinated. Liam is basically a big doofus who LOVES attention! He also adores his regular walks, and is always thrilled to say hello to other dogs he meets on the street or at the park :)

If you are interested in adopting any of these amazing creatures you can visit our website for more info: maggiesrescue.org/adopt

The Sydney Fish Market Sundowner Sessions will soon be playing host to Seafood expert Sean who?

How do you say ‘Happy Christmas’ in Spanish?

Bell Shakespeare are presenting which classic Shakespearean tale from Feb-April in 2023?

The first ever Just for Laughs festival was held nearly 40 years ago in which international city?

In the song ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ how many gold rings does the singer’s ‘true love’ give him?

11. A standout show from this years Just for Laughs comedy festival is First Nations Funnies, hosted by Steph who?

If you’ve been naughty this year, what will Santa Clause bring you?

You can watch Opera Australias’ Carmen on which Sydney Island?

10 11 Across 3. The Sydney Fish Market Sundowner Sessions will soon be playing host to Seafood expert Sean who? 6. How do you say 'Happy Christmas' in Spanish? 7. Bell Shakespeare are presenting which l w s

City Recital Hall will house Peaches first show since 2017, celebrating which belated anniversary of her album The Teaches of Peaches?

People kiss under what at Christmas?

Harbour Party offers on of the best views of the Sydney Harbour NYE Fireworks available, where is it?

11. A standout show from this years Just for Laughs comedy festival is First Nations Funnies, hosted by Steph who? Down

EASY NOT EASY

1. If you ' ve been naughty this year, what will Santa Clause bring you? en on st ed Peaches ws of ble,

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