The Beast - April 2015

Beast the

THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR SYDNEY'S BEACHES OF THE EAST • APRIL 2015

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Bruce Notley-Smith Member for Coogee Delivering Investment in public transport ✓ Investing in the CBD and South East Light Rail ✓ 247 extra weekly train services on the Eastern Suburbs Line ✓ 100% of bus and train services in the Eastern Suburbs are now air-conditioned ✓ X40 bus service introduced for Clovelly residents with extra services on the way ✓ The introduction of the new weekend Denham Street/Bondi Road bus service ✓ The Opal Card has been successfully rolled out We are also building important cycling infrastructure, like the new $1.6m Oxford Street cycleway and will continue to deliver more funding for more cycleways.

The Baird Government is delivering much needed investment in public transport to ease congestion, get cars off our roads, and provide a quicker and more comfortable journey.

Our plan for the future will deliver $20 billion in investment to build new public transport infrastructure that we need, together with schools and hospitals.

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Welcome to April 2015... A Huge Month Words Dan & James Hutton Picture David Webb

W

elcome to the April 2015 edition of The Beast – the monthly magazine for Sydney’s Beaches of the East.

It’s a huge month, not just in the Eastern Suburbs, but Australia wide. April Fool’s Day kicks off proceedings and gullible types had best be on their toes as all and sundry look to take the less astute among us for a ride.

Daylight saving will unfortunately come to abrupt halt on April 5, meaning that anyone who works in the city can pretty much forget about indulging in any after hours outdoor activities without the assistance of a torch. Figuratively speaking, this is undoubtedly the darkest day of the year for many Eastern Suburbs locals.

The end of daylight saving

coincides with the Easter long weekend this year. Not only do you get to indulge in as much chocolate as you like without the fear of getting fat (because

everyone knows that Easter eggs have magical powers that don’t allow you to put on weight), you’ll also get an extra hour’s sleep when you wind your clocks back. Bonus.

Rounding out the month, Australia’s second most patriotic occasion, Anzac Day, is on April 25. Notably, it falls on a Saturday this year, which means we won’t be granted a day off work despite it being the centenary anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. Disappointing.

On the cover of The Beast this month is iconic Bondi photographer Eugene 'Uge' Tan. For the past 16 years, Uge has been rising at the crack of sparrow’s to capture the beautiful Eastern Beaches sunrises and broadcast them to the world through his popular photo blog, Aquabumps.

As always, there’s plenty of other good stuff inside the mag this month, so we hope you enjoy reading the April 2015 edition of The Beast.

Cheers, Dan & James

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Contents April 2015 • Issue 123

8 11 12 14 20 22 26 28 29 41 50 51

Welcome Note Contents Pearls of Wisdom Letters Local Photos I Local Favourites Thumbs & Dogs Local News Beastpop I Beastpop II Calendar Local Tradies

52 58 60 61 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76

Interview Sports Bits Rupert’s Rant Beastpop III Bruce's Banter The Naked Truth Trippin’ With Todd Local Photos II Local Wildlife Enviro News Travel Bug Fish ‘n’ Tips

78 80 81 82 84 86 87 88 90 96 98 98

This Sporting Life Tide Chart Frothers Monthly Street Style Sexy Time Reviews Arts Bits Bandage Food & Wine Beast Brainteasers Beardy From Hell Trivia Solutions

Amaury Tréguer from Morning Bondi captured these fine flamingos mid-dance at Marks Park.

Pearl's favourite politician.

Tony Failure: Mistakes Were Made Words Pearl Bullivant Picture Tom Smith

T

here are times in our lives when we make illinformed decisions and pay the consequences for years to come. Take, for instance, my shortsighted decision to become a yoga guru, swapping tinea and chunky runners’ thighs for a purple mat and elegant Luluemon leggings; a stupid and dangerous decision that deprived my readers of my words of wisdom, words that could have saved them from making erroneous decisions of their own; a decision motivated purely by vanity (the desire to have sculpted biceps) that unfortunately landed me in bed for a month with a sports injury far worse than anything sustained pounding the pavement in my Mizunos.

So readers, poor Pearl was stuck in bed last month, panicking that Tony Abbott’s likely eviction from The Lodge would deprive her of much needed column material, but knowing full well that Our Mal was far too left wing to suit the nutty ideology of his peers and Mr Abbott would likely be replaced by someone of his own ilk, a hardliner sans the scungies. The yoga-induced bed rest provided ample time to ponder mistakes that resulted in painful economic consequences, like the Australian public’s decision to vote Tony Abbott into power in the first place.

‘Tony Failure: Mistakes Were Made’ - alas, if Australians actually took an interest in politics beyond one-issue catch cries, Pearl wouldn’t be plagiarising the title of a children’s book to take the piss out of the dire situation we find ourselves in. Instead, Australians would have seen an evergrowing and dangerous conservative force in this

12 The Beast | April 2015

country, where the ALP has shifted to the right and the LNP is so far from centre that it is slipping off the flat Earth that its neo-conservative members still believe in. Tony Abbott isn’t the problem; it’s the LNP as a whole. They are hell bent on recreating Australia in the US vision, where the interests of big business outweigh that of its citizens, and where government’s only role is to collect taxes and hand them over to a deregulated private enterprise to run the country.

What did voters really expect from Tony? The masses joined with Abbott in booing Gillard over a mining tax and we actually swallowed his accusations against Labor of ‘class warfare’, not bothering to question whether the wealthy were actually in danger from low wage earners, pensioners and welfare recipients. Surplus budgets had to be accomplished somehow and there was no way a Liberal government was going to raid the coffers of big business, despite obscene yearly profits and overly generous remunerations thrown at senior management.

Instead, the Liberals attacked those most in need, delivering what Joe Hockey deemed the “right thing to do” by cutting public services, raising the cost of university fees and healthcare, and cutting grants to agencies and NFPs, all while getting rid of the ATO’s tax auditors and relying instead on profit-driven enterprises to self-assess out of the good of their hearts!

Australians as a whole are acting like spoilt brats over their decision to elect Tony Abbott. He gave them what they wanted and more. My desire for Lululemon biceps had far fewer consequences!

The Beast's Monthly Mailbag Sent in by The people of the Eastern Suburbs

STOP HURTING OUR CHILDREN A message to those adults, particularly young male tourists, who are buying alcohol for kids as young as 13 outside of liquor stores at Bondi Beach. You are hurting our children. Stop it now!

Apart from the fact that it’s a crime carrying an $1,100 fine, you are not doing those kids any favours and it shouldn’t be a source of amusement for you. It’s natural for young teenagers to want to assert their independence and to engage in experimentation and risk taking behaviour. We’ve all done it to varying degrees. Tragically, not all of us survived. Children (and these are children) are not equipped mentally, emotionally or physically to deal with uncontrolled quantities of alcohol, and you are placing them in potentially dangerous situations when you agree to buy it for them.

To Bondi Beach bottle shop owners, whilst I understand that it is difficult to know when an adult is buying alcohol on behalf of minors, please be aware that this is happening at your shop. Please take every step to prevent it.

To the adults who intervened after witnessing under-age kids drinking in Hunter Sculpture Park at South Bondi last Saturday night, thank you for calling an ambulance for the kid who was vomiting uncontrollably and barely conscious.

Thank you also for having the presence of mind to carry out basic first aid, and for putting him into the ‘recovery position’ to prevent him from choking on his own vomit. You may have saved that child’s life.

To the other adults who took

14 The Beast | April 2015

advantage of that same situation by stealing the belongings of one of the intoxicated kids, shame on you. Scumbags.

To the paramedics who treated the semi-conscious child and took him to hospital, thank you for your understanding, kindness and skill.

To the parents of the kids involved, this is very much a parenting issue. We all know how cunning kids can be when they make up their minds to try something they know their parents won’t like.

We know that even good kids will lie and cover for each other when they say they are going one place, but are really going somewhere else. Please be aware of where your children are going, and check that they are where they should be.

Parents, be good role models.

To the kids, we parents understand your need to experiment and assert your independence.

However, my advice is don’t be in such a hurry to grow up. Being an adult carries with it a lot of additional crap that you won’t like.

Whilst you may not appreciate it now, being a kid is the best time of your life. On the other hand, being an adult and doing adult stuff is highly overrated.

Kids, don’t be afraid to say no when your peer group is pushing you to do something you are not comfortable in doing. Personally, I think the kids who think for themselves and make the right decisions are the coolest kids. Finally, if you do find yourself in an ‘out of control’ situation (even ones that are of your doing) look after each other and don’t be afraid to call for help when you need it.

Phil Leamon, Bondi

TIME TO SAY ‘SEE YA CARS’ I have lived in Bronte for five years now, and also lived here for two years in the early 2000s. The area hasn’t changed much in my mind, except it’s perhaps busier and noisier. As a local, I enjoy your magazine heaps; the letters especially are interesting and often hilarious.

Driving and parking seems to be a hot topic. My little family of three does not own a car. We have done in the past but don’t need one here. Everything is so close; it’s all on tap. The beaches, pub, shops and anything you can think of are a short walk, bicycle or bus ride away. When I need a car to go further afield, I use GoGet cars.

See where I am going with this?

I know some people need to ‘own’ a car, but most don’t and don’t even know it. They are so wedded to their cars that it’s unthinkable to not have one. The ease of which I get around this area and do everything I need to without a car is a relief, so enjoyable, and brings a great sense of freedom.

Car trips are inefficient, noisy, polluting and dangerous (the list goes on). The enormous SUVs people drive around here are obnoxious in the extreme. Wake up people and quit whining about parking and roads. In medium/ high density areas, the time of the car as a primary means of transport is over. Wake up to that.

No amount of whining will change it. However we get there, the future is pedestrian and bicycle-friendly, with buses, trams and trains.

Make a sea change in your life for the better of us all. Sell your car.

Nigel Wensley, Waverley LAY OFF THE CLUBBIES, BEAST Guys, Your March cover story demonstrated your long-running bias against the local volunteer surf lifesaving movement.

Amongst four pages of full tosses to Bondi Rescue producer Ben Davies, you let a wrong-un go by asking him: "Clubbies: help or hindrance?" Davies dispatched that rubbish to the boundary with the disdain it deserved: "Definitely a help”.

I've been a volunteer surf lifesaver on Bondi for ten years, and while the relationship with the Waverley lifeguards has gone through

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its ebbs and flows, we now work together well. If lifeguards and clubs can put behind them some of the initial tensions caused by the production of Bondi Rescue, surely it's time for The Beast to do so.

In your readership area there are around 16,500 surf lifesaving club members, participating in everything from youth development, further education, sport and, most importantly, helping to keep the coastline safe.

Surely this local, vibrant volunteer movement deserves a bit better.

Sean O'Connell, Bondi UNDERCOVER FARCE Dear Editor, It’s Sunday morning and cars are queuing in Campbell Parade waiting to enter Queen Elizabeth Drive, which is chocked with those hopeful for a place to park at the beach. This is a council actually intending to reduce the number of available parking spots and prepared to spend $34 million-plus of ratepayer money to produce this absurd outcome. Might this really come to pass?

Greg Maidment, Bronte BEN GETS IT, SHAME COUNCIL DOESN’T Dear Eds, Thank you for an interesting interview with local personality Ben Davies in the March Beast. What really got my attention was his answer to the question: "What would you change at Bondi Beach?"

Straight away he says: "Don't build an underground car park”.

It's clear Davies 'gets' Bondi, as evidenced by the runaway success of the Bondi Rescue program. The same cannot be said for much of Waverley Council. Despite huge community opposition, Council is pressing ahead with its plans to inflict a hugely expensive underground car park on ratepayers.

Andrew Worssam, Bondi CEMETERY PROPOSAL SHOULD BE DEAD I am increasingly disturbed by a campaign headed up by a former Waverley Council employee to build a commercial business on the Waverley Cemetery site. The argument put forward is that this business venture is needed to sure up part of the coastline and ‘save’

16 The Beast | April 2015

the cemetery. This is despite geotechnical reports to the contrary.

As a resident of Waverley for over 30 years, a mother of three children who all went to Bronte Public, a grandmother of two who are about to start childcare in the area and, most importantly, the mother of two dogs (Chester and Archie, who were walked beside the cemetery every day), I have got to know many, many residents over the years. The current campaign manager asserts that hers is a community-based organisation. I know of no one in the area who wants this iconic cemetery dragged down a commercial path, with a ‘security’ fence that will restrict access to the many thousands of people who enjoy this tranquil and historic site.

Waverley Council says it does have the funds to upgrade the much-needed cemetery infrastructure and work is to commence in the near future. Yes, it has been a long time coming, perhaps due to the obstruction from the former Council employee. I implore readers of The Beast to ignore the bizarre proposal to build a pavilion and a Centennial Park-type fence around this iconic site.

Marie Persson, Bronte WHO'S REALLY SAVING WAVERLEY CEMETERY? Dear Editor, Three geotechnical reports on the Waverley coastline environment have concluded that Waverley Cemetery is not in imminent danger of falling into the sea and that major stabilisation work is not warranted. Why then does former Council bureaucrat Bronwyn Kelly (who is not an engineer) insist that it is? Her website 'Save Waverley Cemetery’ (SWC) calls for the installation of a retaining wall at an estimated cost of $3-4 million, followed by a multi-level function centre with a double storey car park (cost estimate of $30-40 million). Ms Kelly also thinks the cemetery should be surrounded by a very high fence (cost estimate of $10 million), yet there isn't, nor has there ever been, any real problem with vandalism. So why lock up a public space of spiritual and environmental importance?

The most recent geotechnical report points out that stablisation works are only necessary to

accommodate a building. One of the arguments for developing Waverley Cemetery suggested by Ms Kelly is that the cemetery is in financial strife, yet the opposite is the case. The cemetery is in fact running profitably according to Waverley Council’s audited accounts.

It is possible the funeral industry would appreciate Waverley Cemetery being developed along the lines being promoted by SWC, especially if they aren’t paying for it and all the risk is borne by others. However, what’s in it for the local community and the people of Sydney? They will be out of pocket and locked out. Not only that, but a wild, beautiful, peaceful and historically significant place would be ruined forever by this crass development proposal. Ms Kelly doesn't mention on her website that she was responsible for the cemetery during a period of the cemetery's decline, and that in 2003 she wanted a crematorium with a 25-metre retractable smoke stack to be built adjacent to the Bondi to Clovelly coastal walk.

Waverley Cemetery features in many lists of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, often in the top ten. It is also a suburban haven for wildlife, including birds of prey. It deserves to be properly conserved and protected from the development plans of the oxymoronically named ‘Save Waverley Cemetery’. New management at Waverley Council is addressing the years of neglect and the improvement is starting to become evident. The cemetery deserves to be properly maintained as a place of local, national and international significance.

Penny Mora, Bronte BRONTE RSL REZONE MUST BE REJECTED Dear Editor, As long-term local residents, we want to comment on the recent letter from Simon Paterson (Letters, The Beast, February 2015).

The reason we are opposed to this rezone and overdevelopment is safety and amenity for local families. Our children have left home, but we remain concerned about the following: 1. Safety risk for young children at local schools and pre-schools (five in the immediate area).

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2. Unacceptable traffic congestion with gridlock in Macpherson Street.

It may not surprise your readers to know that both the developer and Simon Paterson do not live in the area. Traffic and parking issues will not be a concern for them.

Minister Pru Goward and the Department of Planning must reject this application by WLB to rezone the old RSL. Julie Buchanan, Bronte WE’RE ALL OPPOSED TO IT, SIMON Dear Beast, I want to comment on your recent article regarding the Bronte RSL (The Beast, February 2015), and in particular to remarks made

by Simon Paterson. As a passionate Bronte local, I need to remind him that community consultations have shown that 95 percent of local residents are strongly opposed to overdevelopment of the site. They know that a large retail outlet will cause traffic gridlock and make life very difficult for residents, as well as small shopkeepers.

Both Simon Paterson and the developer do not live in Bronte, so traffic mayhem and parking will not be their problem.

The old RSL site needs to be redeveloped and we have no problem with this. However, it must be in line with the existing planning rules. It would be totally immoral and unethical for the Department of Planning to allow this developer to change the rules just for his benefit.

The Department of Planning and also Minister Pru Goward must accept the independent advice from the expert Council planners. This advice strongly recommends refusing the developer’s application for the site to be rezoned.

Neil Walsh, Bronte HAS IT COME TO THIS? After coming in from a surf on Sunday, I came across two police officers giving a fine to a couple enjoying a drink on the grassed area in the middle part of Bondi Beach. Is this what it has come to?

All those complaints from people about drinking on the grassy knoll in North Bondi has led to a nice couple being fined for having a

18 The Beast | April 2015

glass of wine or beer while watching the surf on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

To the police, is this the strategy you have decided to pursue after receiving complaints from some of the community? Well, now I am complaining. I'm actually very pissed off about your strategy. And for the people who we just know are about to chime in with the argument that drinking in Bondi is ‘against the law’, you need some common sense. Unbelievable!

Leigh Webber, Bondi Beach LOOKING FOR PEARL Where is Pearl's column? Why was there nothing in March? Also, thanks for adjusting the font. It’s a great magazine and I look forward to reading it each month.

Carole O'Brien, Clovelly CENTENNIAL PARK ROUTE MUST BE STOPPED Dear Editor, The massacre of trees proposed in Centennial Park for the amended light rail route to the northern side of Alison Road must be stopped. As a Randwick councillor, I have argued for feasibility studies for other routes, including from Anzac Parade up High Street, not Alison Road. I am successfully working through Council to save High Cross Park by investigating alternative tram terminus sites.

From Doncaster to Darley Roads, the amended Alison Road route seriously disrupts our beloved parklands, blocks views into the park, and removes the recently constructed bikeway. It doesn’t even provide a sensible service to racecourse patrons who will have to cross the busy Alison Road.

TAFE students would be well serviced by the amended route, which is a plus, yet bus services and/or a short parklands walk could allow access to Randwick TAFE. Loss of parkland and trees is too high a price to pay. Chopping down wonderful trees and constructing a huge wall to keep floodwater in the parklands allegedly saves expensive engineering works to keep their tram-stabling yard in Doncaster Road dry. We need to think harder about this light rail project and look into a range of alternative design strategies.

Lindsay Shurey, State Greens Candidate for Coogee

HOLLYWOOD THEME PARK AT WYLIE'S Why is Wylie's a private pool?

Was it constructed for public use and how on earth did it become private?

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The Beast Publisher The Beast Pty Ltd ABN 32 143 796 801 www.thebeast.com.au Editors james@thebeast.com.au dan@thebeast.com.au marcus@thebeast.com.au Advertising Enquiries advertising@thebeast.com.au www.thebeast.com.au/advertise Circulation 61,000 copies of The Beast are distributed every month.

55,500 are placed in mailboxes and 5,500 in local shopfronts.

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Copyright Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced, stored electronically or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The publisher accepts no liability in the event of any information being incorrect or for any errors or omission.

It is not possible for the publisher to ensure that advertisements appearing in this publication comply with the Trade Practices Act, 1974.

Letters To The Editor Please email your feedback to letters@thebeast.com.au and include your name and suburb.

MOTHER’S DAY Sunday 10th May Relax and enjoy your favourite afternoon tea delights.

Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with preserve & cream, as well as a delicious assortment of petite cakes, macarons & sweets; served with loose leaf tea or espresso coffee & magnificent ocean views. $45 pp with a glass of French champagne. Bookings essential.

COMING UP SAT 25 APR: ANZAC DAY at Oceans Live entertainment from 3pm with food and drink specials cnr arden st & carr st. ph: 9315 9178

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Subject Clouding over Location Bondi Photographer Matthew Strutt (@mattstruttphoto)

Subject Keeping the beach safe Location Bondi Photographer John Kapos Photography

Subject Surfing spouses Location Bondi Photographer Amaury TrĂŠguer (FB: Morning Bondi)

Subject Star catcher Location Bondi Photographer David Freeman

Subject Coolite cutties Location Bondi Photographer Sean Anderson

The Beast wants your local photographs...

Subject Glassy Location Bronte Photographer Dylan Davis

Subject Captain Snorkel Location Clovelly Photographer Sandy Hart

Subject Purple panes of glass Location Bondi Photographer Matthew Strutt (@mattstruttphoto)

Subject Sacred waters Location Bronte Photographer Sean Anderson

Subject Angel crack Location Waverley Photographer Roxy Cherry

...email them to photos@thebeast.com.au

Let me tell you, Travis knows his way around an axe.

Local Bloke... Travis New from Coogee Interview James Hutton Picture Ben Dilger

C

oogee resident Travis New teaches guitar locally at Sunburst Music and loves jamming on Thursday nights at the Coogee Diggers. Travis shares his local favourites with The Beast…

Where do you like to have a drink? The Bunker Bar at Coogee Diggers is a good spot, especially on a Thursday night when Mogadishu Family Band is playing. I may or may not play in the band... yes, this is a plug!

How long have you lived here?

I've lived in Coogee for the past five years. I grew up in Orange and lived in Byron Bay after I finished school for a few years.

Coogee has the perfect mix of both places.

What music are you into at the moment? Recently I've been listening to Ryan Adams, The War On Drugs and Flight Facilities on pretty steady rotation.

What's your favourite beach?

Coogee. I love getting down there for a body bash to start the day.

What's your favourite eatery?

The Little Kitchen is a fave of mine for breaky and lunch. For dinner, Fat Rupert’s for a few sliders and their cheesecake always hits the spot.

22 The Beast | April 2015

Who is your favourite person?

Anyone who would pack up their life and move halfway around the world to hang out with me would have to be a pretty good candidate… my lovely wife, Kalyn.

What do you get up to on the weekends? My Thursday to Sunday usually consists of

airports, hotels, vans and stages somewhere around our beautiful country.

Do you have a favourite sporting team? I follow the American football season during our summer. The Green Bay Packers are my team; I've been super into it since my first visit to Wisconsin in 2008. The games are on Monday mornings, so it fits in with my muso's weekend.

What do you do for work? I teach guitar at Sunburst Music and work as a session musician.

Do you have a favourite quote?

"Do not fear mistakes, there are none" - Miles Davis Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast? Don't forget to have a good laugh and get out and see some live music.

A rather hilarious human being, by all accounts.

Local Chick... Jovi Vojvodic from Randwick Interview James Hutton Picture Grant Brooks

R

andwick resident Jovi Vojvodic runs Project 82, where she specialises in interior design and enjoys the process of building something from nothing. Jovi shares her local favourites with The Beast…

How long have you lived here? An eternity. I grew up in Waterloo and was raised in Randwick.

What's your favourite beach?

You can never beat Clovelly tides when the moon is full.

However, the sea life below remains untrusted, so for submerging purposes, it is Bronte.

What's your favourite eatery?

Why Jed’s Foodstore, of course.

Where do you like to have a drink? I am rarely out these days, but if I am feeling wild my local go-to is Mamasan. Dim lighting, whiskey and jazz will always get my vote.

24 The Beast | April 2015

Do you have a favourite sporting team? Arsenal; always has, always will be.

best with the practical use of the space and the lifestyle of the client.

What music are you into at the moment? Last week’s fixation was Jack Ladder and this week it is Perfume Genius.

What's your favourite thing about work? Like all creative endeavours, to witness and orchestrate something that is built from nothing; you cannot beat that.

Who is your favourite person?

The complexities that are Batman will forever hold my attention.

What do you get up to on the weekends? I’m currently working and designing the interior of my new home, which seems to be an endless search for imaginary objects that live in my conscience but not entirely in reality… yet.

What do you do for work?

I consider myself a space manipulator, but you would say I work in interior design. I find objects for spaces that belong in certain scenes, according to how I feel they reflect and resonate

Do you have a favourite quote?

“My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night. But oh my foes, and oh my friends, it gives a lovely light.”

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast? Project 82 specialises in all things local and Australian made. We love what we do, so if there is anything you need, we are always happy to meet new faces and help you find exactly what it is you're after. Visit the HQ at 82 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills, go to www.project82.com.au, or you can check out Project82 on Instagram.

At Bondi Junction Skin Cancer Clinic our Doctors are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all skin cancer types.

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Kanga Age 7 years Sex Male Breed Chihuahua X Mini Foxy

Weight 4.8kg

Lest we forget.

Thumbs Up THE ANZACS – April 25 is Anzac Day, a time to remember all our countrymen who gave or risked their lives to protect our way of life.

HARRY ‘H-MAN’ NIGHTINGALE – After God knows how many years keeping swimmers safe, H-Man has hung up the boots. Legend.

GUILT-FREE CHOCOLATE – Easter, the one day of the year when you can eat as much chocolate as you like and not get fat, is almost here.

BUZZ CUTS – Shaving your head is by far the best thing a bloke can do. It’s cheap, easy to maintain and it makes you look kind of tough.

JOE HUGHES – After nearly a decade as captain/manager of the mighty Ratpack touch footy team, Joe has officially retired.

Kanga is a sweet little fellow who likes to be picked up and cuddled, even by strangers. He is not very confident walking on lead and needs an understanding family with patience to let him take baby steps. Kanga is very social and playful with other dogs. He has a short, easy to maintain coat.

He comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. His adoption cost is $350. For further details, please give Doggie Rescue a call on 9486 3133, email monika@doggierescue.com or visit the website at www.doggierescue.com.

Lulu Age 11 years Sex Female Breed Pomeranian

Weight 3kg

Lulu is an affectionate girl. She is social with other dogs and good with children if they handle her gently. She loves little squishy toys to play with.

Lulu is looking for a family where someone is home most of the time. She has a fluffy coat that needs brushing and/or clipping. She weighs about 3kg. She comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Her adoption cost is $400. For further details, give Doggie Rescue a call on 9486 3133, email monika@doggierescue.com or visit the website at www.doggierescue.com.

Thumbs Down WAR – We think of ourselves as such a civilised species, yet we happily cross oceans to blow each other up. Completely primitive.

QUACKERY – Newsflash: sticking a shitload of coffee up your clacker and a crateful of fruit down your throat does not cure cancer.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT – No person or government should have the right to decide whether someone lives or dies. Full stop. The end.

THE GREYHOUND INDUSTRY – Is anyone actually surprised that this dodgy industry is full of cheats, crooks, shonkies and animal abusers?

THE AUSSIE DOLLAR – Travelling overseas is now about twenty percent more expensive than it was this time last year. Should’ve hedged.

26 The Beast | April 2015

Narla Age 6 months Sex Female Breed Labrador x Staffy

Weight 14.7kg

Narla is an active, happy girl. She is very social with other dogs and is used to walking on lead.

Narla would be best suited to a family that is active and outdoors oriented. She has a labrador shape with brindle markings. She is social with all kinds of dogs, but is used to playing with smaller dogs. She comes desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Her adoption cost is $400. For further details, give Doggie Rescue a call on 9486 3133, email monika@doggierescue.com or visit the website at www.doggierescue.com.

What a wonderful little corner of the Earth.

Coogee Bay Road To Receive Much-Needed Facelift Words Marcus Braid Picture Andrew Olah

R

andwick Council has used King Street in Newtown as a template for the proposed upgrade of Coogee Bay Road.

Wider footpaths, underground powerlines and improved pedestrian amenity are key features of a major upgrade of the Coogee Bay Road town centre, planned to start later this year.

“All the overhead wires were removed from King Street and the idea came from there,” Randwick Councillor Tony Bowen said.

“I’m hopeful that when it’s all done and when there are unobstructed views along Coogee Bay Road, it will look smashing.”

Council has adopted a concept plan that proposes widening the footpath by 1.2 metres on both sides of the road, as well as the creation of additional footpath ‘blisters’, which could be used for more outdoor dining, public art and landscaping.

“They are going to expand it but not massively,” Cr Bowen said. “Buses need to get down Coogee Bay Road and also ambulances. My hope is that it will really capture the seaside village feel that Coogee has.”

Cr Bowen, from Coogee Ward, hopes Coogee’s town centre will retain its unique style despite undergoing the improvements.

“Some of the other beaches are more transient,” he said. “Coogee’s distinct. I think it’s important it retains that easy-going charm and it doesn’t become too pretentious.

28 The Beast | April 2015

“It’s a beautiful spot and people want to live there and I understand what draws people in. I don’t want to see it develop an attitude and I don’t think that will happen.”

The Coogee community consultation process last year revealed an emerging theme of the need to create more parking, widen Coogee Bay Road, plant more trees and improve perceptions of safety.

Mayor Ted Seng said the plan was a “win, win”.

“Our staff have developed a plan that widens the footpaths, maintains two-way vehicle access and has a small net increase in the amount of onstreet parking – it really is a win, win,” he said.

The Coogee Bay Road facelift from Brook Street to Arden Street will also include new street pavers, street furniture and landscaping.

“Coogee Bay Road is one of our most vibrant and bustling town centres,” Cr Seng said. “This work will enhance its status as a premier local shopping strip and tourist destination. Wider footpaths means more space for people, a better experience for visitors and it’s good for business.

“We’ve conducted a lot of investigations and community consultation to help develop this plan.

“Our recent Coogee community survey found 76 percent of respondents think upgrading Coogee Bay Road is important or very important, while 72 percent said that wider footpaths are important.”

Council will now develop detailed design plans for the work.

What would you do to improve Coogee Bay Road?

Interview and Pictures Marcus Braid

Carree, Coogee

Floyd, Coogee

I'd love it to get more of a village feel about it. It would be nice to have a few more chairs and nicer fronts on the shops.

I don’t think it needs to be built up, but it needs a facelift and some more greenery.

It needs better footpaths and better awnings.

I was up in Byron recently and they have nice looking structures along the waterfront.

Coogee is pretty trashy. It needs a facelift.

Victoria, Coogee

Jurgis, Coogee

The paving could be smoother, more intricate and more interesting. At the moment it’s just concrete.

It looks a bit shabby. The shopfronts could be maintained a little bit better.

It needs a few more shops; clothing markets would be nice. There’s like Woolworths and one shop.

Coogee’s a nice place with a lot of people and a lovely beach, so a nightclub would be nice.

Yvonne, Coogee

Having lived in the UK and been in those beautiful seaside areas, keep it in a beachychic feel. We don’t want to look like Bondi.

We need to keep it a good standard. Late at night it can feel a bit dangerous.

Jez, South Coogee I would try to decrease the levels of traffic; that would be the main thing; it’s obviously pretty busy.

And it needs some wider pavements. It doesn’t need any more cafes.

April 2015 | The Beast 29

Meriton isn't being very nice to these guys.

Breakfast At Tiffany’s Could Be A Thing Of The Past Words Marcus Braid Picture Grant Brooks

U

ncertainty and concern are building over the future of businesses in Bondi Junction’s Tiffany Plaza.

Meriton, Australia's largest property developer, owns the plaza and has lodged a development application (DA) with Waverley Council to transform part of the plaza into apartments and a childcare centre.

George Nunn, owner of Bondi Hair Crew, located inside Tiffany Plaza, said he approached Council to view the DA and was surprised by what he saw.

“They weren’t supposed to let us stumble on this,” he said. “This was like a secret apparently.

“We knew about the [development of the] building upstairs but we didn’t know

30 The Beast | April 2015

about all the shops going, and the serviced apartments downstairs.

“It wasn’t until I found out by accident. I went to the council to have a look at the plans upstairs and they gave me the plans for downstairs by accident.

“Maybe they are sneaking that proposal in. I don’t know what they’re doing.”

Retailers have formed a group, the Tiffany Plaza Commercial Committee, and are desperate to find out whether their businesses will remain viable in the future.

“We won’t get compensated; we’ll lose everything and we’ll have six months to vacate the place if the proposal goes through,” Mr Nunn said.

“We sent [Meriton] an email demanding a meeting, and

McDonald’s also had a meeting scheduled with them, but they pulled out of the meeting at the last minute. It’s a really slow process and we’re not getting any answers.

“We’ve formed a little community in here. There are a lot of businesses that are going to suffer.”

Accoring to Meriton, a decision about the future of the Tiffany Plaza is yet to be made.

“I’m afraid there is no update at this stage that I can share with you, beyond what we have already told our retailers: we haven’t made any decisions at this stage that will affect them,” Lisa Thomas from Meriton’s Media and Communications team said.

“If and when we know more, we will communicate any decisions to them straight away. Meriton will always act in accordance with the retailer’s lease and the Retail Leases Act.” But Mr Nunn, who signed a five-year lease last year, pointed out that only one DA has been submitted. The DA is believed to be a $2.3 million transformation of the plaza, resulting in the removal of retail space to make room for 13 serviced studio apartments and a childcare centre.

“I just want to know what’s going on,” Mr Nunn said. “Are they going to let me out of my lease? I don’t want to suffer. I spent too much renovating this shop last year, building it up over the year and working seven days a week.”

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts confirmed the DA had been submitted, as well as a petition against the development.

“This is really between the shops and Meriton,” she said.

“We have got to accept any DA that is submitted and we will assess it.

“Whether [Meriton] should have consulted with their tenants, that would have been a nice thing to do, but it’s not a requirement.”

Bits & Pieces From Around The Beaches...

Words Marcus Braid Picture Sean Anderson

SHARE THE COOGEE LOVE Barzura loves Coogee and they want to share the Coogee love with a photo competition. To enter, submit a photo of Coogee or Barzura on the Barzura Facebook page at www.facebook. com/Barzura or on Instagram with the hashtag #BarzuraHeartsCoogee. Barzura’s favourite entry will win a weekend in Coogee, staying at a great local hotel with a champagne breakfast and dinner at Barzura.

Winning entries must provide a high resolution copy of their image. The competition closes on April 30, so get snapping! Visit www.barzura.com.au.

EGG HUNT IN CENTENNIAL PARK Bookings are now open for one of Sydney’s most popular Easter activities, The Great CP Egg Hunt, which returns to Centennial Park over the Easter long weekend on April 4 and 5. Back for its fifth year, kids will be able to pick up their trail map, follow the clues, complete the challenges and claim their prize from one of the furry Easter friends. More than 1,000 children participated last year, with

the parklands becoming a sea of bunny ears and laughter. Visit www.centennialparklands.com.au.

WAVERLEY COMMEMORATES CENTENERY Local students are invited to enter Waverley Council’s Anzac Centenary schools competition, ‘Waverley Remembers World War I’. The competition invites students from primary and secondary schools to research and write about the life of a serviceman or woman who is listed on the Waverley Park Memorial Cenotaph and served in the Great War. The judging panel will consider entries against a range of criteria and the winners will be announced at an Anzac Sunday service on April 19 at Waverley Park. For details, please visit the Waverley Library’s local studies webpage at waverley.nsw.gov.au/anzac.

PLENTY OF WAYS TO HAVE FUN WAYS Youth Services’ afterschool program is laden with exciting activities for children and teens. There are acting lessons every Friday from 5.30-7pm for $10, parkour lessons every Wednesday from 4.30-6.30pm

A beautiful blonde girl eyes the surf at Bondi.

for $10, a free pizza and gaming night on Thursdays from 4-7pm, free basketball and soccer every Friday from 3.30-5pm, and guitar lessons on Thursdays from 4-6pm for $10. WAYS also offers free homework help with friendly tutors on Wednesdays from 3.30-6pm and has a fully equipped music studio available for all to use. Contact 9365 2500 or visit www.ways.org.au.

RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM TURNS ONE The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick has just celebrated its first birthday. The Ronald McDonald Family Room provides respite from the hospital environment for families with children undergoing treatment by giving them a place to take a much-needed break, have a cuppa, a shower, check their emails or enjoy a home-cooked meal.

The day was celebrated with a morning tea attended by Ronald McDonald House Randwick staff and board members, Sydney Children’s Hospital staff, and Family Room ambassadors. For more information about the Family Room, visit www.rmhc.org.au.

April 2015 | The Beast 33

Autumn Carnival Converges On Randwick Words Marcus Braid

T Skin cells in trauma.

Get A Skin Check Words Daniel Hutton Picture Mel Anoma

W

ith summer now a thing of the past and our collective golden tans slowly beginning to fade, there is no better time to book in for a quick skin cancer check-up to make sure that any suspicious looking spots are nothing more malicious.

Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world. On average, 30 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma every day and more than 1,200 will die from the disease each year.

While primary prevention methods such as wearing sun cream, covering up and staying out of the sun in the hottest parts of the day are all paramount in the fight against melanoma, secondary prevention methods, namely getting a skin check, can still save your life.

One Eastern Suburbs resident who is doing more than his fair share to promote melanoma awareness is Bondi’s Scott Maggs, a.k.a. Jimmy Niggles.

Niggles lost his close mate Wes Bonny to melanoma five years ago and he has since dedicated a large part of his life to helping prevent the deadly disease.

34 The Beast | April 2015

Through his charity Beard Season, Niggles has amassed a following of over 50,000 Instagram users, and while splendid facial hair is the focus of most of the imagery, the clear message is to get a skin check.

The good news is that that message is being heard and people are acting upon it.

Niggles regularly receives correspondence from followers who have stopped potentially deadly melanomas in their tracks. For others given the all clear, it’s hard to put a price on the peace of mind they receive.

Niggles has recently returned from the UK where he was launching an exhibition called ‘Beard’, a collaboration with British photographer Brock Elbank featuring 60 of the world’s best beards, designed to raise further awareness about melanoma prevention.

If you’re looking for a reputable skin cancer clinic in the Eastern Suburbs, try Bondi Skin Cancer Clinic on Ebley Street in Bondi Junction (call 9387 1171) or Coogee Skin Cancer Clinic on Malabar Road in South Coogee (call 8999 7480).

he eyes of the horse racing world will converge on Royal Randwick this April, with several prestigious race days set to take place throughout Sydney’s Autumn Carnival.

The Championships Day 1, held on Saturday, April 4, promises to be a hugely popular event on the Easter long weekend. Known as the day when Sydney’s ‘social set’ comes out to play, it is one of Australia’s biggest international race days and features four Group 1 races as a part of The Championship race series.

A week later on April 11, Day 2 of The Championships, the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day, will take place at Royal Randwick. This day will carry a decidedly regal feel as it hosts the world’s richest 2000-metre turf race. The Myer Fashions on the Field will also run a ladies-only competition on the day featuring the Longines Elegance Award.

The grand finale of Sydney's Autumn Carnival, Schweppes Stakes Day, will then hit Randwick on April 18.

The best way to experience these premier race days is from the exciting new gourmet food precinct, Little Sydney. You can mix and mingle in glamorous marquees by China Doll, Chiswick and Icebergs, plus all Little Sydney ticket holders can enjoy premium Johnnie Walker cocktails and live music from the Gazebo bar.

Visit www.theraces.com.au for more information about tickets and race times.

WHAT’S ON AT THE BBC MONDAY PARMY $12 FREE POOL + GAMES TUESDAY FISH & CHIPS $12 TRIVIA + BINGO WEDNESDAY BANGERS & MASH $12 POKER THURSDAY BURGERS $12 FREE LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY MEMBERS DRAW: 6PM $1000 JACKPOT ANZAC DAY: 25/04 2UP, 10AM CEREMONY, LIVE MUSIC, DIGGERS MENU WARNERS AVE . BONDI NSW 2026 FOR INFORMATION: WWW.BONDIBOWLINGCLUB.COM

Not looking for a tree change.

Flood Of Angst Over Junction Fig Trees Words Marcus Braid Picture Grant Brooks

T

he removal of a third fig tree on Allens Parade in Bondi Junction has stirred up local residents, who are upset over the consultation and removal process.

Maria Flood, a resident of Hollywood Avenue adjacent to Allens Parade, said a variety of excuses have been used by Waverley Council to cull the tree.

“There were eight Ficus microcarpa var. hillii trees originally,” she said. “They actually removed the first tree in 2013 and within a couple of days a few residents came back and a second tree was removed.

“Suddenly, we get a letter on October 22 last year. Council then said they had removed a limb to stop the noise but they don’t need to remove the tree, but on January 29 we got a phone call to say that the whole tree was going to be removed.”

Ms Flood said Council had changed its mind and decided suddenly on such action, without any consultation or notification.

“As far as I’m concerned, there was 100 percent opposition to the removal,” she said. “I did a petition with 71 signatures and not one of those residents, apart from me and my neighbour, were notified.”

An urgent motion and petition was put forward to Council, but they have voted that the third fig tree will be removed.

“All I know is that we were supposed to be consulted by Council,” Ms Flood said. “It has not been arranged as of yet in terms of what the tree

36 The Beast | April 2015

is going to be replaced with. It appears that we have lost that battle. We are still trying to save the rest of the trees but, to be honest, it seems to be an uphill battle.”

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said the tree removal had been ongoing since 2013, and that it had been a long and involved process.

“We know that permission was given to take out some of the trees,” she said. “The first thing I asked our officers was to look at the process.

Our process was really good. Advertising [about the tree removal] took place, as per our tree policy. We had arborists and structural engineers.

I’m convinced Council followed the correct procedures.”

Cr Betts, who said it was very hard to remove a tree in Waverley, called on Ms Flood to challenge Council’s policy on trees.

“If she was not happy with the process as such, what she should have done is gone to look at our tree policy, which was on exhibition for a long time during the time that the trees were being removed,” Cr Betts said. “I’m really surprised that was the time they didn’t say the process was wrong.”

In response, Ms Flood complained that the community voice had been neglected.

“One person who doesn’t even live in the area is being listened to and being accommodated, but the people who live here and the majority of people that it’s impacting on are just not being heard,” she said.

Saturday 4 & 11 April 2015

Little Sydney is racing’s newest and most sought after pop up food event held at The Championships across two consecutive Saturdays, 4 and 11 April, at the world renowned Royal Randwick.

Offering extraordinary food and wine, Little Sydney promises a gourmet experience designed by celebrity chefs from China Doll, Chiswick and Icebergs. Plus, guests can mix and mingle in a lively central enclave by Gazebo serving premium Johnnie Walker cocktails.

This is the social event of the season, so book today to experience the thrill of world-class racing within glamorous marquees moments from the track.

Limited tickets remaining, reserve your place at theraces.com.au/littlesydney #LittleSydney

More Bits & Pieces From Around The Beaches...

Words Marcus Braid Picture Nick Bourdo

WHISKY JERX POP-UP BAR LAUNCHED A new pop-up bar called Whisky Jerx launched recently on Oxford Street in Paddington and will be open until April 19. It’s a bar inspired by the fun rock aesthetic of the Wayne’s World movies, where specialised sodas and quick-fire cocktails are the focus.

The Whisky Jerx pop-up bar will be open in the basement of The Unicorn from 4pm-midnight, Wednesday-Sunday, with the party continuing upstairs until 3am. The venue is out of the lockout zone, so you can party on. Visit www.whiskyjerx.com.

HELP IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S LITERACY Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said she’s delighted Waverley Library is the first in NSW to be part of the Dads Read program.

She’s inviting local dads, granddads, uncles and big brothers to join the program. Former Sydney Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello is an official ambassador of the Waverley Library initiative. The program, which

targets 0-5 year old children, is based on the idea that reading to children 10 minutes a day improves their literacy. To be part of the Dads Read program, book at www.eventbrite.com.au, call 9386 7777 or log on to www.dadsread.org.au.

RANDWICK RAISES RAINBOW FLAG Randwick City Council raised the Rainbow Flag proudly above its 155-year old Town Hall for the first time last month, sharing in the celebration of the gay and lesbian community as Sydney celebrated the annual Mardi Gras festivities. Randwick Mayor Ted Seng officially flew the flag of support on behalf of Randwick. The Rainbow Flag is seen as an important symbol of pride and endurance for our gay and lesbian community.

BONDI CHEF LAUNCHES BILLINGS & CO GRANOLA The locally owned, locally produced, healthy and delicious Billings & Co Granola makes it that little bit easier to get up for

Lukey, Griffo and Bones taming a Cemmo's beast.

work in the morning. Billings & Co Granola brings the luxury of cafe quality to your breakfast table with a hand-blend of natural ingredients. The brand is now stocked at Nio & Tony's at North Bondi, Parisi’s at Rose Bay and Gourmet Life at Darling Point. Visit www.facebook. com/billingsandcogranola or phone 0451 112 621.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON COUNCIL’S FUTURE Waverley Mayor Sally Betts is encouraging Waverley residents and businesses to get involved in the decision making process in a bid to help the council make the right decision about Waverley’s future. She’s urging residents to read Council’s information pack and either complete the survey or agree to be part of the deliberative poll if contacted by IRIS Research. The state government has invited councils to consider their positions against a set of criteria and asked them to talk to the community about merging with neighbouring councils.

Visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

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Inspiring the next generation of meth cooks.

The Dark Side Of Airbnb Words Dan Hutton Picture Skyler White

W

hile the vast majority of Airbnb users are more than happy to sing its praises and take advantage of its long list of positive attributes, a dark side to the popular bed-sharing business is slowly beginning to emerge.

One local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, had his Bronte property listed on Airbnb while he was looking to sell and living elsewhere.

“A friend recommended we put it up on Airbnb and make a bit of cash while it essentially lay dormant,” the resident said.

“He’d had plenty of success renting out his spare rooms in Clovelly. Given that we were paying a mortgage as well as rent on another place, it seemed like a no-brainer.”

40 The Beast | April 2015

He quickly found a tenant, finance was exchanged and all appeared to be rosy, but when he went to the property to tidy it up for an open house inspection after the tenants were supposed to have vacated, he got a rude surprise.

“Not only had the tenants failed to vacate, drug paraphernalia including what looked like ice pipes and empty baggies littered the dining and coffee tables, a power point had been pulled from the wall and the place was a mess. They’d also been cooking something up in our wine glasses,” he said.

The local resident’s first thought was to contact the local police, but he was told that it was a civil issue and it was beyond their control.

“If you invite someone stay in your house and they refuse to leave or trash the house, there is no legal way of booting them out,” he said.

“It is a civil matter, in which you need to seek to have them evicted by the local council.

“While all their stuff was still in the house, thankfully they were out. It could’ve gotten quite ugly otherwise. I had to move their stuff out of the house and on to the street. I was certainly a bit scared for my safety given the situation, but the police essentially had their hands tied. They said there was nothing they could do.”

Nightmare tenants are not the only issue facing Airbnb users. In September last year, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Randwick Council had sent a letter to one of its residents warning of fines of up to $1.1 million for running an “unauthorised” bed and breakfast.

It seems that the council’s stand on this has softened significantly in the last six months though.

“Generally, a homeowner is able to let out a room of their home providing the principal use of the premises remains that of a dwelling, as defined in Council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP),” a Randwick Council spokesperson said.

“Development approval is required when the property changes use from a dwelling to a serviced apartment where the whole house or apartment is let out for the purpose of providing short term accommodation.

“Should Council consider the use of a premises to be unauthorised, Council officers would generally issue a notice of intention to serve an order upon the property owner, as it would be considered ‘development without consent’.

The fines associated with the order vary depending on the breach.”

Do you think Airbnb needs to be better regulated locally?

Interview and Pictures Marcus Braid

Ilie, North Bondi

CJ, Bondi

Yeah, I think people are milking the system by renting out places, like a two-bedroom place, and making it into a four-bedder, but I guess they can because rather than paying for a hostel, people can get it cheaply.

Ruth, Bondi

Yeah, you don’t know what’s going on. They could be doing all sorts of things in there, like taking drugs.

I wouldn’t personally do it, but obviously some people do it to make a quid.

Dylan, Bondi

I think it’s a fine line between infringing on people’s freedom and liberties, and not disturbing other people.

How do you balance that? I don’t know.

My experience with it was a bit iffy when I went to Japan. I think it’s good if it’s properly managed. They just need to find a way to manage it so that everything is legal.

Dave, Coogee

Airbnb is high profit and high reward. I don’t understand why it needs to be regulated. It’s not a lease, is it? It’s similar to Uber, I suppose.

Stacey, Bondi

I don’t really know because I haven’t experienced it.

It would be a bit weird and I wouldn’t personally rent my house out.

April 2015 | The Beast 41

An Anzac carries a wounded comrade down from the ranges to a dressing station near North Beach.

Anzac Day Centenary Commerated Across The East Words Marcus Braid Picture State Library of NSW

A

nzac Day is a hallowed day on the nation’s calendar, but this year the annual day of commemoration will hold added significance.

To mark 100 years since Australia’s involvement at Gallipoli, the Eastern Suburbs will be commemorating the occasion in several unique ways.

Waverley Council is running a competition for local primary and high school students to honour the Anzac Centenary. Students have been called to research and write about the life of a serviceman or woman who served in the Great War and is listed on the Waverley Park Cenotaph.

“It’s a good opportunity for everyone to learn about the ANZACs, what these amazing people went through and the sacrifices they made to basically keep us safe,” Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said. “We’re very lucky.”

The winners will be announced at Waverley Council’s Anzac commemorative service on Sunday, April 19.

Several Anzac Day services will take place on April 25, with four in the Waverley Council area, a special dawn service with the combined RSL clubs at Coogee Beach, and a separate service at Maroubra RSL. Waverley Cemetery will hold a service from 5.10am, hosted by Bronte RSL. Throughout the day, Friends of Waverley Cemetery will also be holding free guided tours of the cemetery, focusing on the war graves and memorials.

There will be a service at North Bondi War

42 The Beast | April 2015

Memorial from 7am hosted by the North Bondi RSL Sub-branch, as well as a Waverley Councilrun service at Waverley Park at 7.30am and a Bronte Beach service at 10am.

“There’s always four but they’ll just be bigger this year,” Cr Betts said. “I always go to all four, so it’s a pretty busy day.

“The dawn service at Waverley Cemetery is just lovely, there are thousands that go to North Bondi, and you’ve got all the diggers marching from Bondi Junction to Waverley where we hold a ceremony in our park.

“This year what’s interesting about the service at Bronte Surf Club is they’re going to be marching down the road as well, from Bronte House. That’s going to be much bigger than it normally is. It’s a special day and it’s a time where we all need to remember.”

The Coogee Beach sunrise service starts at 5am and will include speeches, hymns and wreath laying. Local cafes and businesses are expected to open early for the occasion.

In addition to the various services, Waverley Library is holding a commemorative exhibition from April 21 to May 31 called 'Women of Empire'.

The exhibition is an evocative display of original Anzac era costumes, and includes compelling stories of sacrifice by women from the World War I era. The exhibition is a tribute to doctors, nurses, masseuses, ambulance drivers, cooks, Red Cross aides and motorcycle messengers.

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Words Marcus Braid Picture Sean Anderson

BONDI WOMAN ENTERS HALL OF FAME Natalie Archer, a Bondi local and founder of Bendelta, has been named in the Australian Businesswomen’s Network 2015 Hall of Fame. The ABN Hall of Fame, which was launched in the lead up to International Women’s Day, honours and celebrates Australian female business owners who have been exemplary in their industries, are trailblazers and demonstrate inspiring and aspiring business journeys. For more information about the 2015 ABN Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.abn.org.au/businesswomens-hall-of-fame/about.

ROYAL HOSPITAL WOMEN THANKED In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation in Randwick hosted a Barbecue Festival Day in early March to thank the amazing hospital staff for their hard work, love and their dedication towards women’s health.

The festival day boasted free gift bags for all the staff, kindly donated by Telstra and Westpac, cupcake stalls, a photobooth and a second-hand baby clothes stall.

It was an appropriate way to thank the staff by honouring the strong, courageous women they provide care for every day.

MOTHER’S DAY FUN RUN AND WALK Why not get active and walk or run for breast cancer research this Mother’s Day. It’s not until Sunday, May 10, but early bird entries for the Mother's Day Classic Fun Run and Walk close on April 8 so we thought we’d better give it a plug. The Mother’s Day Classic started from modest beginnings as a walk in the park and has grown into a major national community event. All proceeds from the Mother's Day Classic are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and supports research into breast cancer prevention and treatment. To register, go to www.mothersdayclassic.com.au.

HELP KIDS WITH A DISABILITY SWIM Little Heroes Swim Academy, an Eastern Suburbs charity, hosted a highly successful inaugural Swim4Kids event early last month.

Over 90 swimmers participated,

"Maybe we should have just stayed in bed this morning."

raising money for the Niclas Kesler Scholarship. The scholarship provides free swim lessons for kids with a disability, whose families cannot afford to pay for them. Registration to Swim4Kids will provide two free lessons for a child that really needs them.

If you would like to help provide free swimming lessons for a child with a disability, you can donate via the Little Heroes website at www.littleheroesswimacademy.org.

SYNTHETIC PLAYING FIELD RECEIVES GREEN LIGHT Waverley Council has joined many schools and councils in voting for the introduction of a synthetic playing surface in the area. This will result in more Waverley children having access to a playing field at Waverley Park next year. The council will introduce a state-of-the-art synthetic field on Waverley Oval 2, providing funding can be allocated to the project in the 2015/16 Council budget. A synthetic field will provide more than 80 hours of availability a week. This would create about 4,000 hours of availability each year, because the ground won’t need to close.

Visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

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April 2015 | The Beast 45

An artist's impression of Randwick City Council's proposed alternative light rail interchange.

Light Rail Interchange Causing Concern Words Marcus Braid Picture Randwick City Council

R

andwick Council has released its proposed alternative light rail interchange location, but worries remain that the state government will fail to heed community feedback.

The alternative option proposed by Council moves the light rail route from High Cross Park to High Street, Randwick. The route protects the park's 90 year-old war memorial, more than 30 trees and existing parking in surrounding streets.

Randwick Mayor Ted Seng said the proposal complements the state government's vision to improve public transport and create a quality customer experience.

"The High Street alternative provides a solution that is better integrated with the Randwick Junction town centre,” he said.

“The terminus and bus drop-off and pickup zones allow users to take advantage of the shopping facilities and the improved public spaces while waiting or moving between the bus and tram.

"The proposal is also surrounded by businesses and the hospital, which provides tram users with a more live and safe experience with greater surveillance."

Council is asking Transport for NSW to consider the alternative proposal, which has been analysed by a council working party. It would see the tram lines end on the eastern side of High Street, merging into one single platform at the top of the street, avoiding the need to cross the Avoca Street intersection or disturb the park space.

However, Labor councillor Tony Bowen believes that if history is any guide, the state government will ignore the proposal.

“This is actually the second time the proposal

46 The Beast | April 2015

has been shopped to the state government,” he said.

“I’m hopeful that we can save High Cross Park, but it will take political will. High Cross Park is the height of Randwick’s heritage.

“We’ve had sand kicked in our face on this. To rub salt into the wound, the government wants to run the line through Centennial Park. No longer is there going to be a stop at the racecourse. It’s going to go into Centennial Park where there are dozens of trees and they’re going to put up a retaining wall.

“Clearly the government doesn’t worry about what Randwick Council thinks. I just don’t think they feel any pressure.”

Greens Councillor Murray Matson noted that Council has never supported an interchange at High Cross Park.

“Our emphasis is on what is feasible,” he said.

“Apart from the caretaker government, there isn’t any real obstruction to the government giving a commitment moving the light rail line from High Cross Park to High Street, Randwick.

“Our main emphasis is on ensuring the government makes a commitment to Council’s ideas and resolutions.”

Council's proposal means there will be one eastbound traffic lane only between Clara and Avoca Streets. Currently Transport for NSW has approval to construct the light rail line through High Street and up to an interchange at High Cross Park.

Council's consultant estimates this new option would save the state government up to $25 million.

Construction of the $2.2 billion light rail project is due to begin later this year, with completion by 2019.

While most of us drive or walk down it almost every day, the history of Anzac Parade is often little known. Originally named Randwick Road, it was renamed Anzac Parade in 1917 to commemorate the route taken by Australian soldiers marching from their barracks, where the University of New South Wales now stands, to the ships at Circular Quay where they were transported to Europe during World War I. 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, and it gives me great pride in partnering with the CoogeeRandwick, Clovelly, Kensington and Malabar RSL sub-branches for a combined Anzac Memorial event on Coogee Beach from 5.00am on 25 April 2015. Members of the public are welcome and invited to a free breakfast at the Coogee Diggers club following the Service.

Maroubra RSL is also hosting special commemorative events on ANZAC Day this year. Information about these events is available on our website.

I strongly encourage everyone to get involved and engage with the ANZAC commemorative events to ensure the ANZAC legacy, and the virtues of duty, courage and sacrifice, are never forgotten.

Lest we forget.

Councillor Ted Seng Mayor of Randwick @randwickmayor

2 April

21 April

25 April

Kids Club (3-5 years)

Talking Tech: Instagram for Beginners

Anzac Day Dawn Service

10:15pm-10:45pm Malabar Library

7-8pm Bowen Library, Maroubra

5-6am, Goldstein Reserve, Coogee. Everyone is invited to the Coogee Diggers Club following the Service.

1300 722 542 council@randwick.nsw.gov.au www.randwick.nsw.gov.au PHOTO: COOGEE BEACH

Dog Death Fuels Fence Request Words Marcus Braid

M I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike...

Local Ladies Go Coast To Coast Words Marcus Braid Picture Jo Palazzetti

I

t goes without saying that traversing mainland America from coast to coast is a long journey. Make it a race to the finish line and it becomes incredibly tough.

That’s what a group of local ladies who call themselves the Veloroos will do in June when they participate in the Race Across America on their bicycles.

Coogee’s Sarah Matthews said that strategy was a big part of the race for the four-woman team.

“It’s a 5,000-kilometre race and individually everyone is going to find some days that are easier and some days that are harder.

“We’re racing 24/7, day and night, for seven days. We split it into two pairs and do six-hour shifts. In that six hours, riders will alternate and they’ll do 20 minutes each.”

America is a diverse country with contrasting landscapes throughout, a fact that isn’t lost on the group.

“Some of the girls are stronger and heavier, so they’re going to do better on the flatter parts. For example, we ride through the Kansas Plains,

48 The Beast | April 2015

which is about 1,200 kilometres, and I just found it brutal last year and searingly hot and very boring.

“Some people find the Rockies the hardest part; other people find the desert and the plains hard. Sleep deprivation is going to be a huge thing.”

The Veloroos – comprising Ms Matthews, Julie-Anne Hazlett, Nicole Stanners and Natasha Horne – need to raise $100,000 to fund the race. On top of that, the group is raising money for charities The Amy Gillett Foundation and Tour de Cure.

“At the end of the day, we have to come up with $100,000 for the race and however much we raise in terms of sponsorship will be equally donated to charity,” Ms Matthews said.

“The reason we went with the Amy Gillett Foundation is because they’re really heavily pushing the ‘Metre Matters’ thing, which is basically road safety for cyclists.”

The Veloroos are currently on the lookout for a corporate sponsor. For more information or to donate, please visit www.theveloroos.com.

aroubra residents have ramped up their campaign for a fence surrounding Broadarrow Reserve after a dog was killed when it ran onto the road beside the park earlier this month.

Local resident Emily Beale has started a petition calling for Randwick Council to install the fence at the off-leash park.

“Every dog owner that we speak to is in complete agreement with us,” Ms Beale said.

“It’s for the safety of everyone. Broadarrow Reserve backs onto a primary school.

The primary school uses Broadarrow Reserve at times during the day, which is completely unsafe if there isn’t a fenced off area in itself.”

Ms Beale said three dogs were running around Broadarrow Reserve in early February when disaster struck.

“It was two older dogs and a puppy and the older dogs stopped but the puppy didn’t, and it ran straight out onto the road and got killed immediately by a guy who was just driving past, which obviously scared the living shit out of him as well,” she said.

A spokesperson for Randwick Council said an investigation will take place to determine if any action should be taken.

“In considering any request to fence a dog park, Council will look at the impact of the fencing on other users of the park and the cost and maintenance,” the spokesperson said.

Mayor‘s Message This year we mark the Anzac Centenary commemorating Australia’s involvement in Gallipoli. Throughout April and May, Council is holding a number of commemorative events to acknowledge the sacrifice that so many Australians made for our freedom. Our program of events – including Anzac Day services – is available on our website waverley.nsw.gov.au. We are also running a competition for local primary and high school students. The competition calls for students to research the life of a serviceman or woman who served in the Great War and is listed on the Waverley Park Cenotaph. If you are interested in getting your school involved, please contact Sophia Smiley, our Local History Research and Engagement Officer on 9386 7744 or sophia.smiley@waverley.nsw.gov.au.

Our community has seen an incredible amount of growth, even in the past decade where we went from having a little under 58,000 residents to the 70,706 that we have today. As we look to the future, we have a big decision to make together as we assess the State Government’s reform package – Fit for the Future. You would have received our information pack, which outlines all our possible scenarios, and many of you would have given us your feedback.

Thank you to everyone who has had their say – your comments are being reviewed and will be put into a report which will go to Council in April 2015.

Sally Betts, Mayor of Waverley CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE 55 Spring Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 PO Box 9, Bondi Junction NSW 1355 PHONE 9369 8000 WEB waverley.nsw.gov.au

Events Dads Read Saturday 21 March, 10am Waverley Library We invite babies, infants and preschoolers and their dads or male caregivers to join us for our full Dads Read program. Free, but bookings are essential. Visit waverley.nsw.gov.au/library for more information.

Bike Maintenance Workshop Wednesday 1 April, 6–8pm Bondi Junction In this practical course you’ll learn the basics on how to look after your bike. Free, but bookings are essential.

Call Ale Torres on 9369 8045 or email environment@waverley.nsw.gov.au.

Waverley Cemetery Walking Tour Saturday 11 April, 10.30am St Thomas Street, Bronte Join our volunteer guide on a walk through history and visit memorials of men and women who helped shape Australia. The tour takes approximately 1.5–2 hours, the cost is $22 per person.

Bookings must be secured prior to the tour by calling the cemetery office on 9665 4938.

For more event info visit our website waverley.nsw.gov.au

Connect with us:

April 2015 Monday

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TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK Got carried away with Easter and forgot the time? At 3am yesterday, you needed to turn your clock back one hour. Daylight Saving is over and it’s time to spend the next six months getting used to arriving home from work in the dark.

MOVE WELL AT GADEN Move Well is an exercise program specially designed to accommodate older clients. Running from 9.30-10.30am every Tuesday and Thursday at the Gaden Centre, the cost is $5 and bookings are essential. Call Sarah on 9302 3600 to reserve your place.

Wednesday

Thursday

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UNDERCOVER BOOK CLUB This club at Bowen Library is especially for kids in school years K-2. Chat about what you are reading and be the first to borrow their hottest new books.

It’s free but bookings are essential online. Call 9314 4888 for more info.

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ORPHANS AT THE OLD FITZ Orphans is a story of the universal love of a father for his son, and a son's need to live his own life. The play will be on at the Old Fitzroy Theatre in Woolloomooloo from April 14 - May 9.

Bookings can be made at www.oldfitztheatre.com/orphans.

BONDI SINGS Bondi Sings community choir is seeking new members now. Be part of a friendly group of enthusiastic and dedicated singers who meet weekly from 7.30-9pm at Bondi Pavilion. For more info about being part of the choir, email bondisings@gmail.com.

BOOK BABIES Book Babies takes place at Waverley Children’s Library on Mondays during school term.

These sessions aim to introduce your little ones to the joys of language through rhyme, music and story. For more information, visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

CITY2SURF ENTRIES OPEN Entries are now open for this year’s City2Surf, which will be held on August 9. ‘Gold Charity’ entries are perfect for those who would like to make fundraising the focus of the event. Go to www.city2surf.com.au for more information.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY Contrary to some reports, April Fool’s Day has not been moved to April 2. In fact, anything slightly dubious that you hear today is probably not true. For fear of being tricked, it’s best to stay inside and avoid communication completely.

SYDNEY FAMILY SHOW Can’t be bothered heading out to Homebush? Get down to the Entertainment Quarter this Easter holidays instead for the Sydney Family Show, which is on from April 2-12.

This free event will feature fun activities for the whole family.

Visit www.eqmoorepark.com.au.

WALK FOR BOOBIES Why not get active and walk or run for breast cancer research this Mother’s Day? Early bird entries for the Mother's Day Classic Fun Run, which takes place on Sunday, May 10, close today. To register, jump on to www.mothersdayclassic.com.au.

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY Randwick Mayor Ted Seng will be hosting a Citizenship Ceremony at Randwick Town Hall tonight to celebrate 100 Randwick residents becoming ‘New Australians’. The evening event at Randwick Town Hall runs from 6.30-8pm. Visit www.randwick.nsw.gov.au.

WALKING FOR OVER FIFTIES If you love the outdoors and would like to be part of a new over 50s walking group catering to all levels of fitness, join in the fun every Wednesday at Rose Bay. To find out more or to confirm your attendance, call 9391 7182 or email kathryn. brooks@woollahra.nsw.gov.au.

WRITING FOR PLEASURE Using a mixture of skill based exercises and discussion on various writing forms, you can be introduced to the joy of writing and the pleasure that it can bring at the Bowen Library and Margaret Martin Library. Please call 9314 4888 for more information.

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LADIES POOL BUSHCARE This women's only group will meet today to participate in a mixture of aesthetic gardening and bush regeneration. They keep the grounds of Coogee’s McIver's Ladies Pool well manicured while regenerating the surrounding bushland. Call 9399 0708.

SHARE THE COOGEE LOVE Barzura wants to share the Coogee love with a photo competition. To enter, submit a photo of Coogee on the Barzura Facebook page or on Instagram with the hashtag #BarzuraHeartsCoogee. The competition closes on April 30.

For heaps more local events, just visit...

Concretor Jay Rodney Oceanside Ph: 0411 989 565 Painter Brett Dooley Nielson Dooley Ph: 0404 888 089

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 2425 26 LE NOIR Enter the captivating and electrifying world of Le Noir at Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star from March 19 – April 4. Le Noir is a truly unique theatrical experience featuring 22 of the greatest cirque performers. Call 1300 795 267 or visit ticketmaster.com.au.

CENTENNIAL PARK EGG HUNT Bookings are now open for one of Sydney’s most popular Easter activities, The Great CP Egg Hunt, which returns to Centennial Park over the Easter long weekend on April 4 and 5. For more information, please visit www.centennialparklands.com.au.

EASTER SUNDAY Whether you believe in God or the Easter bunny (two marvellous mythical creatures of folklore), today is an important day, not least of all because it is followed by a public holiday when people who own coast houses can rent them out at ridiculously high rates.

NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK National Youth Week is the largest celebration of young people in Australia. It kicks off today and runs until April 19. Thousands of young people aged 12-25 from across Australia are involved. For info on how you can get involved, visit www.youthweek.com.

BONDI FARMERS MARKET Get down to Bondi Beach Public School every Saturday to sample some of the freshest and best produce you could hope to lay your eyes on. There’s a wide range of stallholders to satisfy your every culinary need. Visit www.bondimarkets.com.au.

GORDON’S BAY BUSHCARE Become a bushcare volunteer and work with Randwick Council's bushcare officers. Email bushcare@randwick.nsw.gov.au or call 9399 0708 to get involved.

The volunteers meet at Gordon’s Bay on the second Sunday of every month.

WHISKY JERX POP-UP BAR Whisky Jerx pop-up bar has launched on Oxford Street in Paddington and will run until April 19. It’s a bar inspired by the fun rock aesthetic of the Wayne’s World movies. Visit www.whiskyjerx.com for more information.

LOCAL DERBY IN THE AFL The Sydney Swans take on the GWS Giants at the SCG today.

Visit www.sydneyswans.com.au.

AUTUMN RACING CARNIVAL The grand finale of Sydney's Autumn Racing Carnival, Schweppes Stakes Day, is on today. Visit www.theraces.com.au.

BONDI BLITZ The annual Bondi Blitz festival is an all-ages, drug and alcoholfree music event. Entry is free and it takes place in Dolphin Park (by the Bondi Pavilion) today from 11.30am-5.30pm. Visit www.facebook.com/bondiblitz for more information.

WAYS TO HAVE FUN WAYS Youth Services’ afterschool program is laden with exciting activities for children and teens. There are acting lessons every Friday from 5.30-7pm for $10. WAYS also has a fully equipped music studio. Call 9365 2500 or visit www.ways.org.au.

ANZAC DAY A century ago, when the powers of Europe mobilised for the First World War, Australian troops enthusiastically answered the call. The anniversary of the Gallipoli landing has become a national day of commemoration in Australia.

CITY EAST ENROLMENTS OPEN The autumn term at City East Community College kicks off on May 2 and enrolments are open now. There are hundreds of short courses available at a variety of local community venues. For more information, call 9387 7400 or go to www.cityeastcc.com.au.

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Fencing David Skene Jim’s Fencing Ph: 0415 401 587 Building Design Todd Maguire Design Solutions Ph: 0405 617 428 Rubbish Removal Dave Whiteley Dave's Rubbish Ph: 0401 296 069 Mechanic Jordan Hayman JH Automotive Ph: 0424 144 987 Plumber Matt Scott Surfside Plumbing Ph: 0450 391 734 BBQ Caterer Wardy Wardy & Sons Ph: 0414 293 396 Cleaner Sarah Callan Exec Home Office Ph: 0414 510 275 Plumber Luke Fletcher Pipe Up Plumbing Ph: 0431 638 558 Locksmith Bradley Rope SOS Locksmiths Ph: 0498 767 767 Electrician Adrian Langen Langen Electrical Ph: 0400 006 008 Arborist Jeff Hunt Prompt Trees Ph: 0412 280 338 Handyman Cristian The Handyman Ph: 0467 484 459

...www.thebeast.com.au/events-guide

EUGENE TAN

THE GENIUS BEHIND THE LENS Interview Dan Hutton Photography Andrew Goldie

Where are you originally from? I was born in Perth, I grew up there and stayed there until I was about 21, and then I moved to Sydney.

What were you doing when you first came to Sydney? I was a graphic designer and worked in interactive design, which back then was working with CD-ROMs; this was pre Internet. When the Internet came out, I started moving into web design and rode the dotcom boom. I worked for a big business called Eclipse. They were in Perth and they moved me over to set up an office here in Sydney. They then set up offices everywhere and got quite big. I was with Eclipse for ten years.

Do you miss anything about Western Australia? WA is an amazing place to grow up. It's a beautiful coastline and it's got amazing waves. It's probably the closest to Hawaii, I reckon, down at Margaret River. The water's really blue, but now it's full of sharks. Growing up, everyone did something in the ocean and all my mates had boats. Even from when we were very young, we'd be driving boats to Rottnest Island, water skiing, windsurfing, skurfing, swimming, diving and all that. I miss that. It's pretty quiet over there too and I do miss that aspect of it, as it's quite relaxed. But I remember rocking up in Sydney and going, ‘This is just ridiculously good’, especially these Eastern Suburbs beaches. I mean, I just thought, ‘This exists?’

I'd never been to Sydney. The CEO said to me: ‘You’ve got one week; pack your bags, you're moving to Sydney.’ I was living at home at the time and this was a big leap.

I was 21 or 22 and I rocked up at Bronte in a cab on a six-foot day and I went, ‘Wow, it’s like this every day!’ It was lining up perfectly and I never saw it that good again.

I hired a place on Bronte Marine Drive after I saw a for lease sign

when the cab stopped; I said, ‘I'm taking that.’ I lived right on the beach at Bronte for four years. It was $400 a week, which was huge for me. I surfed Bronte before and after work. In WA, the wind comes in at 10am and you can't surf or do anything for the rest of the day. There's no protection. Here, you surf all day and there's swell all the time, whereas in Perth it doesn't break during summer.

What do you love most about Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs?

The light. It's amazing because the sun comes up over the ocean here. The colours you get in the morning are off the hook. I love the morning vibe down at Bondi, because everyone's up early and they're really motivated to go and better themselves with exercise.

Most of the people I meet down the beach early are great people.

They're beautiful beaches and I love the community around here.

Bondi cops a lot of flak for its tourism and backpackers, but there's a really good young Bondi family community here.

it's more at night when the kids are asleep and you hear guys just going ballistic on the street and smashing every car window, which does happen. That shits me.

If you could pick one other country to live in besides Australia, where would it be? Hawaii; it's epic. I think part of my time will always be spent there. It's just a beautiful climate and a stunning place with spectacular waves.

My wife wants to go there for two months next year. Currently we are spending 5 weeks a year there.

How is it balancing work when you're overseas? It’s extremely hard, because I’m in holiday mode, I’ve still got to do work and I still have to do updates on my website.

It’s a constant juggle and I need to watch the balance between family time, work time and holiday time.

I was 21 or 22 and I rocked up at Bronte in a cab on a sixfoot day and I went, ‘Wow, it’s like this every day!’

When did you get your first SLR camera? I would have been a teenager when I first got an SLR, but before that I had a tiny little camera I used to carry in my pocket and take to school and everywhere. When I was a teenager, like in year nine or ten at school, no one wanted to do photography.

Media class was where the dorky kids ended up. We had a dark room at our school and I used to just wag class and hide in there quite a lot. No one used it – it was my sanctuary.

Is there anything that gets your goat about Bondi? As a surfer, getting mowed down by beginners all the time sometimes rattles you a bit. It's really dangerous. I just can't get my head around the rubbish on the beach either. Who on this planet would still leave rubbish where they've just been and walk away? That just spins me out. Sometimes the pissed larrikins get on my nerves a bit.

It's okay most of the time, but

Did you shoot surfing and the ocean back then? No, I used to document my school life, because we were an all-boys school and there was a lot of testosterone. I used to shoot portraits in black and white and then go to the dark room and just disappear for the afternoon. I wasn't really into school; it just didn't suit my skill set. Most of the day I was dreaming, looking out the window watching wake boarders let loose

April 2015 | The Beast 53

(we had a ski park right next to our school). I was interested in art class and sport. That’s about it.

How many email addresses did the first Aquabumps newsletter go to and was it called Aquabumps back then? Fifty, and no. It was just an email that came from Eugene Tan. Really personal.

When I was a teenager, like in year nine or ten at school, no one wanted to do photography. Media class was where the dorky kids ended up.

When did your first email go out?

Officially, that would have been 1999. It was the year Google started; I remember that. I remember Google coming along and thinking, ‘I dunno if that will take off.’

How has social media affected your business? It's been so interesting. I just want to show my work to as many people. I think everyone pretty much knows that I sell prints now. That's how I make a living. The problem with social media is that everyone's just upside down about it. Facebook came out and it was the be-all and end-all. You had to be there and I put every effort into that. I was just like, ‘I'm just going to build the biggest Facebook page ever.’ My email subscriptions, which were my core, slowed down and Facebook grew like wildfire. Before Instagram, if you said to me that you could take a picture, upload it on your phone and show it to a zillion people on their phones, I'd be like, ‘No way, that's just crazy talk.’ That's a dream; that's what I do. The only problem with social media is that they can move the goal posts, so the key is to own your own list.

You must own your customer. You can't be at the mercy of someone else, whether it be Facebook or Instagram. Social media’s helped build my business and awareness.

We're reaching more people. It's helped internationally to reach more people faster, but I'm trying to bring them all back to the Aquabumps website and newsletter where I have more control.

54 The Beast | April 2015

How many online email subscribers do you have? We're on 47,000 at the moment. There's a count on the home page but it hasn't grown that much lately.

You can do a history on a lot of people, and a lot of them have been on there for over 12 years.

Where's your favourite destination for a surf trip? The Mentawais. I’m going over in June and it’ll be my 16th trip there. I love shooting those waves. To surf there is a bit of a torment though, because you get cut up so much on the reef and it hurts.

Have you copped much grief over the years for taking photos of localised waves and sending them out to thousands of people?

In the early days, like 15 years ago, for sure. People just didn't understand what I was trying to do. I copped a bit of flak at Tamarama.

It’s a small beach. Everyone's very attached to their beaches and their local. You're seen as showing the world and they think everyone's going to rock up at their beach the next day. It just doesn't work that way, even with the big audience I have now.

What time do you get to bed at night and rise in the morning? I go to bed at about nine-thirty or ten o’clock and rise at five-thirty quite consistently. Sometimes in winter it’s a bit later because I have to wait for an hour for the sun to come up. I'm not naturally a morning person, but I think after 16 years I've just forced myself to become a morning person.

You definitely get the gold in the morning. That’s when you see the best colours of the day. People say to me every day, ‘Did it really look like that?’ And I go, ‘Well, get up and have a look out the window and you will see.’ It's not that early.

How do you continue to find the motivation and inspiration to shoot? The new stuff is really hard and I try to break it up with these big sabbaticals to Hawaii and Indonesia. You need to break it up, because shooting the same beach for 16 years can be monotonous and I can go on autopilot. My rule is that if I'm standing in the same place I did yesterday, it's bad. I've got to get out of there. I've got to go to somewhere where I've never

stood and shoot. That's why I’ve chartered helicopters and I've gone under the water. I'm always searching for that new angle.

There are still so many angles I haven’t covered in Bondi, even after 16 years of shooting it daily.

Do you still do helicopter stuff or do you just use drones these days for the aerial shots? Drones – the buzzword. I owned two, and then went off them. I never use them anymore. They are just too much hassle and cause too many problems when shooting around people. I’ve always got to get the edge though. I've got to be in front of everyone else and innovate. Innovation is in my personality. I'm doing something new right now and no one can work out what I'm doing, but I'm getting an unusual angle. I'm not going to tell you what it is, but I was doing it in Hawaii and everyone was looking at me on the beach going, ‘This guy's a lunatic – what is that?!’

Do you think you can continue to find new perspectives to shoot from? Yep. There are a zillion angles, lenses, settings on my camera and depth of fields that I can play with.

You’ve been married for four years and you now have two kids; how did that love blossom?

My wife Deb just rocked up at the gallery and I thought she was a mega babe, and smart and funny.

A friend brought her in to the old gallery at Brighton Boulevard and I was like, ‘How you doing?’ We connected from there - after she purchased a print, of course.

How has fatherhood changed your perspective on life and business?

I'm more balanced, because I'm naturally a workaholic. When I started Aquabumps I was so focused. I was a maniac and I drove everyone nuts with my passion for Aquabumps. There's a bit more balance in my life now. I go home at six o’clock to see my kids no matter what's going on really; I never want to work at night, whereas I used to just work through the night.

Is it true that your missus is the brains behind Aquabumps these days and you're pretty much just a monkey with a camera? Yes, this is true. It is awesome having

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help. Deb was very senior at Harper's Bazaar magazine. She was the sales director, so basically she did all the commercial deals with Harper's Bazaar and she came from an advertising agency background. She knows what things are worth. There was a phase where I was trying to do everything: accounting, answering all the phones, working on the floor, and trying to deal with all the commercial deals, the sponsorships and selling advertising. I thought I was losing my mind. It was awesome when Deb came on, because I don't have to tell her what I want to do and not do. She just knows. She just goes out and gets it, and she's amazing at her job. Everyone's trying to poach her. It's lucky I locked down her down with marriage.

Do you reckon it would be a lot easier to open a gallery now that you've done it here? Yes, but I'd probably do a pop-up first. These galleries cost so much money to set up and to run, with physical bricks and mortar and leases that go for ten years. They kill you if you get it wrong and make a mistake. I like online business. Less risk.

What makes Aquabumps stand out from the other surf photography websites? Brand. Coming from graphic design, I'm a brander, so I build brands. There weren't many other surf photography websites when I started.

First to market is a pretty big competitive advantage. I was the original, and that's a global thing; I could not find anyone else doing what I do. It’s an original idea.

What's Aquabumps worth without Eugene Tan? I don't know what it would be worth. It's very personal to me, the business.

It's basically documenting my life. It's hard to divorce the lines between business and personal.

Are you making me an offer?

I was the original, and that's a global thing; I could not find anyone else doing what I do.

Besides spending time in Hawaii, could you ever see yourself leaving Bondi? I think I will always be around here. I really like it here. I love the winter months.

When it's sunny, there are waves and it's quiet, I love it. All my friends live around here and it’s a stimulating place.

What do you think prevents more photographers from opening galleries? A photographer natively is a wanderer; they want to go exploring and shooting. All the really good guys that I know ask, ‘What's it like running a gallery?’ I just say, ‘You'd absolutely hate it.’ There’s retail for seven days a week and you only close three days a year.

You've got to make sure someone's opening, closing, putting the alarm on, cashing the tills, printing, checking that you’ve got enough stock; all that boring stuff. Most photographers don't want to do it.

It’s just too big a commitment.

Do you have any other big projects going on at the moment? I did an exhibition in Singapore and it went gangbusters. I’m looking at London and New York now. I went there eight months ago to investigate it because we keep on shipping to London and New York constantly every week. I thought I'd better go and see what's going on over there, and see where we're sending all this stuff. It's all corporates. It really is a big market we want to expand on.

Is a move into the London and New York markets likely to happen soon? Yeah, I think the boys are old enough and I'm ready for action. I can take on a lot more.

I think I'm going to attack a bit more now that we’re out of the baby phase.

56 The Beast | April 2015

Besides surfing and photography, what are your other interests? I'm really interested in graphic design, architecture and design interiors, which are all related to my work.

Do you have any role models or people that you look up to in the photography world? Definitely.

Christian Fletcher is a guy in WA and he shoots a lot of landscapes.

He doesn't do much beach stuff, but he is the nicest guy, a fantastic photographer, good at post-production and he has four galleries. He does really well.

Also Peter Eastway is a guy in the Northern Beaches who is technically A1. And I love Ray Collins; he's a good water shooter.

Do you have any advice for youngsters looking to make a career out of photography? You definitely need a new, never seen before angle, technique or style.

You've got to develop a style. I love it when people say, ‘I went to dinner at a person's house and I could tell it was your work.’ I see that as the biggest compliment ever. In a world where there’s a sea of photography, you need to stand out with a specific style. Don't even think about trying to emulate someone else's because you will get nowhere. You need to be known for something. Ray Collins is known for a slab wave at a critical moment in good light. Clark Little does his shore breaks. You need a style. Be persistent. It's not going to happen overnight. People say to me, ‘I've been posting on Instagram heaps but I've only got 20 followers.’ You think that this grows overnight? Keep at it. People are very impatient these days. Don't be too focused on equipment. I think you can still shoot good stuff with gear from five years ago, and it's getting better.

Do you support any charities?

Yes, SurfAid is my main charity, because I love the Mentawais and helping the people there. They're very poor and sick. I'm an ambassador for them. We donate to every school around here too, and to the surf clubs. I think it’s important to support the local community.

When do you think you will retire? I reckon I'll shoot for the rest of my life.

In an ideal world, what does the future hold for Eugene Tan? Better photos, more travel, maybe one more book and lots of time with my kids. I want to have more amazing trips. There are so many things I want to see. A few weeks ago I ticked off something I‘ve wanted to do for about 20 years - I swam out at Waimea Bay on a big day to shoot photos. That was pretty incredible. It was only about 15-foot, but it’s a very steep drop. I really want to continue to do all those bucket list kind of things. It’s a big list.

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Local Sport From Around The Beaches...

Words Marcus Braid Picture Gemma Green

ROOSTERS READY TO MAKE ALLIANZ A FORTRESS The Sydney Roosters will look to justify their tag as one of the competition heavyweights with two high-octane home matches in April. Both home games during the month are on public holidays, with the Chooks taking on the Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium at 4pm on Sunday, April 5, which is Easter Sunday. The tri-colours will then play the traditional Anzac Day match against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Allianz at 4pm on April 25. For ticketing info, visit www.roosters.com.au.

BONDI BLOKE RUNS ACROSS EUROPE Bondi resident Adam Yu has begun an inspiring seven-month mission to run 3,000 kilometres across Europe. Having started in Barcelona, Adam will average 25 kilometres a day, ending the run in Amsterdam in September.

His mission is twofold: to get people talking and thinking about their purpose in life, and to raise money and awareness for Arts Access Australia, the

national peak body for arts and disability. To find out more, check out @thewhyyoucollective on Instagram or search for ‘The Why You Collective’ on Facebook.

AFL ANGELS LOOKING FOR PLAYERS Local women’s AFL team the Randwick Angels are looking for players for the upcoming 2015 season. No experience is necessary as they will provide coaching and all the gear you need to start your new sporting career. If you would like to try a new sport that is a whole lot of fun, the team would like to hear from you. The Angels are part of the Randwick Saints AFL Club, which also fields two teams in the Sydney AFL men’s competition.

Visit www.randwicksaints.com for more information.

LOCAL TOUCH TEAM UNBEATABLE A Queens Park touch football team has staked a claim as the most successful sporting outfit in the Eastern Suburbs this century.

The mighty Grave Diggers won their 14th consecutive title in the

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men's over 30s competition with a spirited 2-1 grand final triumph over the Jets in early March. The premiership was the Diggers' 18th in their 30-year history, with foundation player Julian Eguia the only member of the jubilant outfit to feature in all 18 titles.

BRONTE NIPPERS ACHIEVE BEST RESULT The Bronte Nippers recently placed outright fourth in the NSW Nippers Championships, which represents Bronte’s best ever result. Manly LSC won the day, but it was a highly impressive effort from the Bronte Nippers to compete with other super clubs. The club’s thanks are extended to the Bronte lifeguards who helped with training through the week and running Nippers each Sunday at Bronte in what can be challenging conditions.

When the swell was four to five foot at the state championships, the kids were fearless and won plenty of state titles.

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April 2015 | The Beast 59

The filthy bogans sit in their shit cars gouging this crap, before chucking it on the ground as they drive off.

The Proof Is In The Packaging Words Rupert Truscott-Hughes Picture Kanye Westy

I

know that I am a fairly negative chap at the best of times, and there are many things in this world that I despise, but nothing gets my goat quite as much as littering, particularly here in our beautiful little corner of the planet. And, quite frankly, I blame the westies, because there is no way in the world that those who call the Eastern Suburbs home could possibly be responsible for such abominable behaviour.

To be honest, the proof is often in the pudding, or, more aptly, in the packaging. The vast majority of rubbish that you see dumped at the beach or scattered around the harbour’s bays after a busy day is emblazoned with the branding of the big fast food chains like McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks and Oporto.

Obviously if Eastern Suburbs residents were responsible for leaving behind their refuse, we’d be seeing far more empty Cali Press juice containers, kale chip wrappers and coconut husks piled up in our parklands.

After all, you can’t exactly

60 The Beast | April 2015

follow Pete Evans’ paleo program, subscribe to Sarah Wilson’s sugar-free sect (of sorts), or claim to be part of a fermentation-obsessed kombucha cult if you’re then going to be seen chomping down on the kind of chow that will only allow you to live to 90.

Can you imagine the amount of ‘toxins’ in that trash? Do people not worry about their own ‘wellness’? Are they not concerned about what that poison-ladened processed junk is doing to their ‘chakras’ (I don’t actually even know what that one means)?

Which leads me on to another brief point. You see part of me believes that the original creators of this waste should be held accountable for its proper disposal, at least to some extent.

The aforementioned fast food chains, as well as big soft drink manufacturers like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, have their logos plastered prominently all over the waste, so it wouldn’t be too hard to trace it back to its origins. Even if it was something as simple as funding a few clean-up campaigns

or chipping in for recycling facilities at key public places, it would certainly be a step in the right direction. Surely it could only be positive from a public relations perspective too?

Unfortunately, instead of being proactive, the soft drink lobby in particular has really been taking the piss of late.

Rather than providing support for the state government’s new container disposal scheme, which is a fantastic initiative all round, they’ve done everything in their power (and they wield a significant amount) to ensure that we dwell in the environmental dark ages, and all for the sake of about ten cents a can. Shit, South Australia has been doing it for years and from all accounts it is working a treat, with recycling rates going through the roof there compared to the rest of the country.

At the end of the day, though, for the container disposal scheme to work, us, the citizens of Australia, need to clean up after ourselves, regardless of which side of Anzac Parade we live on.

What would you do if you saw somebody littering at the beach?

Interview and Pictures Marcus Braid

Aideen, Bondi

June, Maroubra

If I was close to them, I’d probably tell them to pick it up. If I see someone purposefully throwing something on the ground, that annoys me.

There’s not that much rubbish at the beach though.

I’m going to clean it up because it’s good for the environment and Planet Earth.

All of the local people here care about the community and pick up their rubbish.

Peter, Maroubra

I don’t see it that often.

This place has cleaned up a lot in the last few years. I’ve caught people littering and I just pick it up in front of them and say, “I’ll pick that up for you mate; don’t worry about it.”

Lima, Maroubra

I would go and help clean it up. Sometimes people litter and they don’t care, but some people care and put it in the rubbish. I’m one of those people.

Tim, Potts Point

Samira, Little Bay

I would clean it up. This is my country, so I want to see it clean. Maroubra is a very clean beach.

If it’s something small, you might look away, but if it was constant you might say something.

Bondi has more litter because there are more people around, and transient people who aren’t locals.

April 2015 | The Beast 61

It's been a while.

Don’t Forget The Dark Days Of The Past Words Bruce Notley-Smith Picture Carl Scully

O

n March 28, the good folk of NSW will be summonsed to a local polling booth, have their names marked off the electoral roll and be handed the little green ballot paper. At this moment they will have the future of the state for the next four years in their hands.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been responding to journalists’ questions about the election campaign and it struck me that many of them were still in school or university four years ago, and they know very little about the politics of NSW pre 2011.

It’s also a concern that many voters may have forgotten just how bad the last mob was. Mob is an apt description, as it was a government run by some seriously shady characters; their factional control ensured all Labor parliamentarians toed the line, lest they lose their candidacy at the next election. Crossing the floor is not an option in the Labor Party; instant expulsion will result, so selfpreservation always wins.

By November 2010, voters were ready to take a baseball bat to the Labor Government and wanted them sacked.

Premier Kristina Keneally shut down parliament three months early to prevent a parliamentary enquiry into her government’s sale of the electricity generators for only 40 percent of their value, causing the directors of the electricity companies to resign en masse.

Then there was the Rozelle Metro, a rail line to service the seat of Balmain, which was under threat from the Greens. Just like eleven of the twelve rail lines Labor promised to build, it was

62 The Beast | April 2015

never going to happen. Mind you, that broken promise ended up costing the government $500 million in compensation. That money could have built 20 primary schools.

The finance minister appointed the Labor Party president Michael Williamson to the board of Sydney Water, effective one day before the election.

Williamson is now in jail for stealing $5 million of Health Services Union members’ money.

And while Eddie Obeid and Ian ‘Macca’ Macdonald were busy with union mates putting the finishing touches to a scheme to rip $300 million from NSW residents, their fellow Labor Party members sat in silence.

If you are 18 years old and now eligible to vote, you weren’t yet born when Labor promised electronic public transport ticketing like the Opal card. Gladys Berejiklian managed to introduce it in just two years.

It is so easy for those vying for election to make promises that they never intend to keep.

I will be happy if the voters of Coogee judge me on my record of keeping the promises I made to them four years ago; the Eastern Suburbs Light Rail project, scrapping of the notorious Part 3A of the Planning Act, extra doctors, nurses, police and teachers.

I’m also pretty proud about making a container deposit scheme a reality, and righting the wrongs of the past by erasing the historical convictions of gay men who were convicted of a criminal offence just for having consensual sex.

Judgement Day approaches. At least I haven’t seen any baseball bats.

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April 2015 | The Beast 63

Please Joko, let them live.

Getting High On Morals Words Elizabeth Major Picture Joko Widodo

W

ith a distinct feeling of nationalism, Australia watches in horror at the torturously drawn out drama of the death penalty in Indonesia. Candlelit vigils, unheard pleas from official desks and even the threat of complaint for excessive force have done nothing for reformed Bali Nine offenders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Their final journey across water to the terrifying island of Nusa Kambangan, a craggy rock pierced by a giant sword, is like a scene from the dark imagination of Robert Louis Stevenson.

Led to the firing squad by men in black balaclavas, one is left to wonder the true meaning behind the practise of the death penalty. What does punitive execution really mean to Indonesians and to Australians?

Divided by culture, economy, living standards, religion, the Indian Ocean and about six hours of in-flight entertainment, the Indonesian archipelago may as well be the edge of the world for most Australians. A yearly trip to Bali to drink Bintangs for breakfast and the ability to order some fried rice in a rudimentary form of their national language seems to make a lot of us feel we are experts in Indonesian culture. But what do we really know about the values that drive a land so ancient that our own natives most probably hailed from there?

To Indonesians, the serious ramifications of drugs are not something removed from everyday life. They have limited rehabilitation facilities, almost no medical assistance for addiction, and for many youths, a cheap drug is more affordable

64 The Beast | April 2015

and appealing than food. Heroin can end the life of a single person, but destroy the lives of a vast interconnected family that makes up much of Indonesian culture.

It is also important to remember that Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stance on the death penalty is not unique. Many countries, including our own idolised hero, the United States, still practise this archaic form of punishment.

Obviously the question is about the right to life.

What gives any human the right to remove the life of another human, regardless of their actions?

Or are some actions worse than others? Where was our morality when the Bali bombers were executed? Many Australians would probably say that that crime was deserving of death, regardless of the martyrdom that those men craved. Would it have been better to afford the Bali Bombers and the Bali Nine lifetimes in prison simply because the Bali Nine wanted it and especially because the Bali Bombers didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t?

So what purpose does the death penalty serve in Indonesia? Is it supposed to be a deterrent? Is it simply a more affordable means of punishment for a developing country? Is it supposed to remove the bad apples of the world, cleansing society of the inherent evil that is among us? And if so, what does our own legal system intend that is so different? Does our objection to the death penalty mean that we champion the reformation of prisoners? Maybe we just need one more tragedy on which to attach our directionless pity. From the heights of utopia, it is easy to forget just how lucky we are.

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April 2015 | The Beast 65

Special banchong price?

Mr Mark Is A Very Lucky Man Words Todd Maguire Picture Damian Marwood

“Y

es Mr Mark, you very lucky man,” Rosita the Balinese maid giggled as Mark finally made it to the breakfast table. “You have beautiful wife and you have handsome boyfriend.”

Poor Mark was extremely confused at the bold statement. Attempting to drink one’s own bodyweight in alcohol the night before didn’t really help. His throbbing skull was a major handicap.

He desperately needed to clear his head and confront this confusion front and centre.

Mark loved a cold beer, especially when catching up with an old mate he hadn’t seen for a while.

He was well aware that too much ale would make you stout and too much stout would make you ail, but quite often he threw caution to the wind.

The two friends knocked back Bintangs and arak like there was no tomorrow. Mark’s wife knew she was well out of her league, so she leisurely sipped on one colourful cocktail after another, listening to the wild stories and hysterical anecdotes of the two boys.

The night rolled on swimmingly as stories ranged from past surfing trips to old party times and even their occasional trip to the fruity Taxi Club in Darlinghurst. It was well past midnight when the party of three drunkenly stumbled back to the bungalow.

The wife ran out of steam and happily went to bed, alone, but the two boys continued on their junket and even managed a nightcap: half a bottle of duty free vodka. In their awful drunken state, the friend was offered the upstairs guest room and stayed for the night.

Poor Mark didn’t even make it back to his room.

He ended up crashing out in the guest room as well,

66 The Beast | April 2015

somewhere between sitting in the small lounge chair and lying face down on the timber floor. The two friends had given it a damn good nudge.

Early the next morning, the friend was up with the screeching roosters. In his drunken haze he remembered he had an important meeting and was running very late. He grabbed his clothes from the floor and bolted downstairs. Wearing only a pair of undies and with his clothes stuffed under his arm, he flew past Rosita in the kitchen like a runaway tram. Rosita smiled at the fast moving friend and snickered to herself. She then snuck a look upstairs to discover Mark passed out in the spare room. He too was only wearing a pair of briefs.

Two hours’ later, Mark surfaced. He was extremely dishevelled as he shared breakfast with his wife. The entire time Rosita was smiling and laughing at him.

“Rosita, please tell me the joke. Why do you laugh so much?” Mark’s head ached as he spoke.

“Mr Mark very lucky man. I see this morning your friend,” the maid in the private Balinese bungalow blushed. “You have beautiful wife and you have very handsome boyfriend.”

Slowly the penny dropped as Rosita explained what she had seen. With her limited English, attempting to explain to her that he didn’t bat for both sides was a tough task, and with the wife’s raucous and well-directed laughter adding to the mix, explaining the misunderstanding was like getting teeth pulled.

The rest of the morning was just plain hard work, but Mark copped it well, fully aware that he could only feel better as the day wore on.

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Subject Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

Location Bondi Photographer Lizzie Vaughan

Subject Sunday silliness Location Sydney Harbour Photographer Poppy Wolanski

Subject The golden hour Location Bondi Photographer Sean Anderson

Subject Australia Day antics Location Bondi Photographer Poppy Wolanski

Subject Ted takes the lead Location Bondi Photographer Amaury TrĂŠguer (FB: Morning Bondi)

The Beast wants your local photographs...

Subject Beautiful Ben Buckler Location Bondi Photographer Sean Anderson

Subject Summer evening swelter Location Bondi Photographer Paul Amestoy Photography

Subject Family Fun Day duckies Location Coogee Photographer Greg Conroy

Subject Fluid H2O Location Bondi Photographer Sean Anderson

Subject Modern meditation Location Bondi Photographer Andrew Worssam

...email them to photos@thebeast.com.au

Red-necked Avocets at Lake Tutchewop, Victoria.

Unmistakeable, Tall, Elegant Shorebirdsâ&#x20AC;Ś Red-necked Avocets Words Keith Hutton Picture David Webb

R

ed-necked Avocets are easily recognised endemic Australian wading birds. They associate in small parties most of the year in suitable wetland habitats, but may aggregate into larger flocks in winter. They are nomadic and dispersive in response to rainfall, with no apparent seasonal or regular movements. Notwithstanding this, birds at some sites move inland in winter and closer to the coast in summer, depending on severity of inland drought or flooding.

They are tall, fairly large shorebirds, about the same size as small ducks, with long pale blue legs and webbed feet.

Adults are elegant, handsome birds. The combination of a long, fine, upturned bill, chestnut head with white, narrow eye rings, and strikingly white and black body and wings, makes them unmistakeable. Sexes are alike and juveniles resemble adults, but are duller, paler around the bill, and brownish buff on their wings.

70 The Beast | April 2015

Avocets in mainland Australia are breeding residents, generally widespread and irregularly distributed in suitable habitat across the south of the country from the central NSW coast to Port Hedland in WA. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re scarce in Arnhem Land and northern Cape York and rarely recorded in Tasmania. They concentrate in southern inland NSW, northern Victoria, southeast SA and inland southern WA to nest, and then disperse and wander following breeding.

They frequent shallow saline or freshwater habitats such as lakes, marshes, tidal mudflats, commercial salt fields and flooded areas. For many years now large numbers have been seen in the Hunter River coastal region north of Sydney and more recently, since 2002, further south in Bicentennial Park.

Red-necked Avocets eat aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans, fish, worms, molluscs and occasionally some seeds and vegetable matter.

They forage actively during the

day. Typically when feeding they wade in shallow water or soft mud, rapidly sweeping their long black bills from side to side in a scything motion like spoonbills, locating prey by touch. They may feed alone or in compact groups, and in deeper water submerge their heads and necks to catch their prey, still using the scything motion. They also pick insects from the water surface, and in water too deep for wading continue to feed, swimming readily and well, packed closely together, upending like dabbling ducks.

Red-necked Avocets are capable of breeding in response to temporarily favourable conditions, and provided that an adequate network of inland and near-coastal wetlands is maintained, their survival will be assured. The national population has not changed in recent times, with no apparent regional variations, and their conservation status in all states and territories in mainland Australia is considered to be secure.

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April 2015 | The Beast 71

Street, Matraville, from Monday to Saturday.

Paints and household chemicals Safely ditch old poison bottles, car batteries and paint cans at a Chemical CleanOut Day. It’s a free government-run disposal service for household chemicals that could cause harm to human health and the environment if not thrown out correctly. The next local CleanOut day is on Saturday, May 2 at Clovelly Beach car park from 9am3.30pm.

Yesterday's hero.

Six Tips To Turn Trash Into Treasure Words Nicola Saltman (Senior Enviro Officer, Waverley Council)

G

ot stuff to dispose of after a declutter? Streamlining before a move, offloading your old table or updating the TV to the latest and greatest?

Before you chuck anything in the bin (or on the sidewalk, for that matter) check out these easy ways to dispose of, reuse or recycle your pre-loved stuff. If more folk find better homes for unwanted items, there'll be less dumped junk around our 'hood.

How good would that be?

Sell, donate or give it away One person’s trash is another’s treasure, right? Your unwanted couch may be a welcome sofa for someone else, especially if they can’t afford much. Call charities and not-for-profits like Vinnies, The Bower or Salvation Army to collect your second-hand goods for those

72 The Beast | April 2015

in need. Have a garage sale or find happy bargain hunters via websites like OzRecycle, Freecycle, Gumtree or eBay (yep, you can even score some cash for waste). Otherwise, donate stuff to Reverse Garbage, Australia’s largest reuse centre in Marrickville.

Electronic goods Drop off your broken toaster or outdated TV at a free e-waste collection day. They’re held twice a year in Waverley. Metals from the electronic goods collected are recycled into new products, cutting down waste and chemicals that go into landfill.

Put the next e-waste drop-off day in your diary: Sunday, May 24, Lyne Park car park, Rose Bay. Randwick Council residents can drop items off at Randwick Recycling Centre, 72 Perry

Batteries Old batteries can leak chemicals if not disposed of properly.

Drop them off at Waverley Council's Customer Service Centre or at Aldi supermarkets.

Car batteries can also be offloaded at a Chemical CleanOut Day, selected car product stores (e.g. Repco) or at Sita’s Rockdale Drop Off Centre.

Whitegoods The Fridge Buyback Program collects old fridges and upright freezers for free - www. fridgebuyback.com.au. If you’ve exhausted other reuse and recycling avenues for unwanted whitegoods, take them to the Randwick Recycling Centre or book a free household clean-up collection (Waverley - 9369 8000; Randwick - 1300 722 542).

Mattresses Each year, around 1.25 million mattresses end up in landfill in Australia. Waverley Council offers free mattress recycling for residents - just call the Resource Recovery Hotline on 9369 8080.

Info and feedback • www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/ residents/waste_and_recycling • www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/ services/rubbish-and-recycling • Call 9369 8000 if you see dumped waste • Send ideas and feedback to environment@waverley.nsw. gov.au

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Delivering More Transport Options ✓ 243 extra weekly train services on Eastern Suburbs line ✓ 3 extra 324 evening peak hour bus services ✓ More peak hour and later ferry services for the Eastern Suburbs ✓ $6.3 million for new Rose Bay Ferry Wharf Phone: 0481 157 154 Mail: PO Box 529, Edgecliff NSW 2027 Email: vaucluse@nsw.liberal.org.au Web: gabrielleupton.com.au Facebook: gabrielleuptonmemberforvaucluse Twitter: @GabrielleUpton Authorised by Tony Nutt, 100 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011.

April 2015 | The Beast 73

businesses and whoever wants to participate and contribute to a great cause.

As a guest I was thrilled to have been able to contribute to a local cause and also managed to have a great day in spite of losing lots of golf balls!

Danny kindly volunteered to lie in a hammock.

Three Things You Should Definitely Do In Fiji Words and Pictures Daniel Resnik Volunteer Work When you’re away on holidays it usually means relaxing, overindulging and not doing too much. That’s usually my agenda anyway, but I recently discovered a holiday with a twist.

Volunteer work is not usually mentioned when discussing holidays to exotic destinations, so whilst staying at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort recently, it came as a surprise to read how much the resort helps the local community through aiding in the building of schools and hospital wards, and assisting other important local ventures.

It surprised me even further that hotel guests can volunteer their time and assist the resort's engineering team with all aspects of the construction phase, from basic labour to more skilled trade work.

When it was suggested we should volunteer some holiday time to participate in this project, I wanted to run and hide, but as soon as we arrived at the little village in the Sigatoka Valley and met some of the local school children and their

74 The Beast | April 2015

teacher at the Conua School, my negativity dissipated.

After spending the morning working on the project we all enjoyed a well-earned lunch (which was packed for us by the resort), before resuming for a few more hours of hard yakka, then returning to the resort via Tavuni Hill Fort, one of Fiji’s most significant cultural sites.

It was a fulfilling day and I look forward to one day seeing the completed project.

Bookings can be made at reception with 24 hours notice and a resort activities attendant hosts both groups and individuals.

Take Part In A Charity Golf Day Another great excuse to go to Fiji is a charity golf day that takes place at the renowned V J Singh designed golf course at the InterContinental Fiji Resort & Spa golf course. This once a year charity event is organised by the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, with all proceeds of the day going to the local hospital.

The event has been staged now for a few years and is supported by all resorts, local

Relax On Cloud 9 Moored on Ro Ro Reef in the Mamanuca Islands, this twolevel floating structure has a bar, an Italian pizza oven and a DJ who cranks up the beats.

Cloud 9 caters for weddings, special functions and for guests who just want to indulge in a day of relaxing.

The water surrounding Cloud 9 is crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkelling in between cocktails and pizzas.

It takes about 45 minutes by boat to get to from Port Denarau, or if you are staying on an island in the Mamanucas, simply ask the activities desk at your resort for a water taxi or boat transfer.

Our group went by speedboat from Castaway Island and it took only 15 minutes.

A return visit is definitely on the cards the next time I’m in Fiji.

How to Get There The Travel Café Bondi www.whitestartravel.com.au (02) 9130 1345 Where to Stay Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort: www.outriggerfiji.com Castaway Island: www.castawayisland.com Cost of Volunteering Cost is AUD$60 for adults and AUD$40 for children aged five to 15. 30 percent of this fee is used to cover expenses with the balance going into a building fund to pay for construction materials.

Cloud 9 AUD$99.50 for adults and AUD$49.50 for kids (3-12yrs)

The early fisherman catches the... fish.

The Best Season In Decades Continues Words and Picture Dan Trotter

M

y parents always joked (or maybe they weren’t joking), “How’s the enemy?” to one another during busy days. Being free spirited, passionate life livers, they were, of course, talking about time, or the lack thereof. As a youngster I always grinned and enjoyed their lighted-hearted way of checking on a schedule.

With the passing of the years, sadly we all come to appreciate the true nature of what they were saying: blink and life changes; fall asleep at the wheel and you can miss some of the most magical moments it throws up; be too eager planning for the future and you can lose track of what’s happening in your life right now.

I’ve been lucky that my parents instilled in me a deep-set compass to live life in the now, to the fullest, and to make the most of every day. I’ve done this almost to a fault; just ask my friends. Standing here today, though, I wish I’d done it more.

And so it is with fishing. For those of us who love it, we can never get enough, and if you have a close friend or family member who loves it too, even better. Make the most of those moments on the water, paint those pictures indelibly in your mind and use them to carry you through the tough times or even just shitty days at work.

On the fishing front, the seasons will start to change soon. If you like to explore and have itchy feet for warmer pastures, head north. Even if you can only get an extra day at the end of the week

76 The Beast | April 2015

to turn it into a long weekend, take it. A six-hour drive will put you on the Coffs Coast, and as far as I’m concerned an hour south or anywhere north is pretty much God’s country for fishermen during the month of April. Want to know more about fishing up there at this time of year? Shoot me an email at dan@fshrmn.com.

Closer to your door, the fishing remains exceptional. With the changing of the seasons it’s time to embrace the multitude of options you have every time you step onto the ocean’s rocks, the wet sand of the beach or the deck of your trusty fishing boat.

The pocket rockets visiting from the north will be in full force with bonito and frigate mackerel on the chew. The bigger tailor will also turn up to mix it with early schools of Australian salmon and the every-present yellowtail kingfish.

Inshore it’s all about XOS Kingfish, snapper, full moon teraglin and deeper water mulloway.

Offshore, as the EAC starts to slow, the number of marlin will begin to thin out and the larger tuna are almost ready to take their place. If deep-water dropping interests you then it could be worth the time and effort to head wide and put your knowledge and tackle to the test in 300 metres of water or more.

Paint those pictures in your mind, cherish the moments with your family and friends and make the most of every day!

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April 2015 | The Beast 77

"Hi, I'm Tom, the most disliked person in Australia..."

Fancy A Flutter?

Words Alasdair McClintock Picture Damien Pleming

T

his month the carnival comes to town. Not the one with clowns and shifty blokes with explorative hands; that's out at Homebush. The one with horses and champagne, fancy dresses and ridiculous hats, and blokes who have no business wearing suits drinking heavily before midday.

If you haven't guessed already, I'm talking about the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

I am not much of a punter, but recently I have grown to enjoy the odd flutter on a Saturday. I find a small pleasure in studying the form, having a beer and watching a few races with mates. If you're willing to lose a few bob, it's just like buying a ticket for a day's entertainment; a pay what you think it's worth scenario. Like a Radiohead album, sort of.

My bets are minimal and rarely exceed fifty cents each-way, thus I never lose much. I never win too much either, but that's no big deal, because I never win anyway (and I am also a firm believer that if you are gambling to actually win money, you should not be gambling).

I would have to be up there as one of the worst gamblers that ever was. I haven't backed a Melbourne Cup winner since Saintly in 1996. 1996!

That's almost twenty years. I haven't even picked the winner in a sweep. Surely, statistically, I'm due mate, as they say, but I'm not holding my breath. I am sadly not exaggerating when I say that I went about a decade without winning a single bet.

78 The Beast | April 2015

Desperate to break my slump, I recently bet on an unbackable favourite at the trots, just to taste that sweet, sweet nectar of victory. Everything was going to plan. It lead at the final turn by a few lengths and was pulling away. I was out of my seat and already celebrating victory. Sure, I only had a buck on it and stood to win about twenty cents, but I was about to make it rain (silver coins) baby!

Then the unthinkable happened.

There appeared to be a malfunction of equipment - or the horse had simply had enough (or something more nefarious perhaps?) - and it was swallowed up by the field and spat out in last position. Last! â&#x20AC;&#x153;What the hell?â&#x20AC;? I hollered to the skies as I fell to my knees. My misery providing great amusement to those around me, I must note.

You would think that would put me off for life, but I am nothing if not persistently stupid. I had another beer and changed my system. Unbelievably, it quite literally paid dividends.

I now put fifty-cent bets on mysterious long shots that I like the name of. It is the method of a simple child, but it has actually turned my luck around and I've won a few races. Go figure.

So if you're going to Randwick this autumn, I highly recommend this new system of mine.

It is foolproof. That is, until it stops working, of course.

CREATIVE WORKSHOP For Adults & Kids - 2 days

$155 includes 2x classes (2 hours per class), booked on separate days to allow artwork to dry and reworked on the following day.

We create canvas paintings, creative dream catchers and a little bit of majik.

April 7-8 Kids: 11am-1pm Adults: 1:30pm-3:30pm April 9-10 Kids: 11am-1pm Adults:1:30pm-3:30pm You are welcome to bring along any small materials to incorporate into your artwork.

All canvas, paints, materials and love are supplied.

Please contact Helen...

Phone: 0402 199 552 Email: helen@eleni.cc Facebook: I AM ELENI Instagram: eleni_art (or call Bondi Art Lounge Gallery on 0438 725 591) Location: Bondi Art Lounge Gallery 1/151 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach

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April 2015 | The Beast 79

April 2015 Tide Chart Š Commonwealth Of Australia 2015 Bureau Of Meteorology National Tidal Centre =New Moon =First Quarter =Full Moon =Last Quarter

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1 0108 0717 1342 1953

0.61 1.55 0.49 1.47

2 0149 0757 1415 2027

0.55 1.57 0.46 1.53

9 0524 1124 1707 2336

0.50 1.37 0.59 1.64

6 0317 0920 1517 2136

0.43 1.53 0.46 1.69

7 0357 0959 1551 2213

0.44 1.48 0.50 1.69

8 0438 1039 1627 2252

0.47 1.43 0.54 1.67

13 0239 0929 1538 2123

1.59 0.50 1.34 0.66

14 0349 1030 1643 2234

1.63 0.42 1.45 0.57

15 0454 1125 1739 2337

1.70 0.35 1.58 0.46

20 0316 0923 1519 2140

0.23 1.65 0.35 1.94

21 0409 1015 1604 2227

0.27 1.55 0.44 1.89

22 0502 1106 1649 2314

0.34 1.45 0.54 1.80

27 0253 0940 1559 2143

1.47 0.62 1.30 0.80

28 0354 1030 1652 2245

1.45 0.61 1.37 0.75

29 0449 1115 1736 2338

1.46 0.57 1.45 0.68

Hugo styling on a Bondi bubble-up.

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

4 0304 0909 1516 2130

= 0.47 1.58 0.43 1.64

5 0240 0845 1446 2102

0.44 1.56 0.44 1.67

10 0615 0.53 1215 1.31 1755 0.64

11 0028 0715 1315 1854

1.61 0.55 1.28 0.69

12 0129 0821 1425 2006

= 1.58 0.54 1.28 0.70

16 0552 1.76 1215 0.28 1830 1.71

17 0035 0646 1303 1918

0.35 1.78 0.25 1.82

18 0130 0740 1349 2006

0.28 1.77 0.25 1.90

19 0224 0831 1434 2053

= 0.23 1.73 0.29 1.94

23 0556 0.43 1159 1.36 1736 0.64

24 0002 0651 1253 1827

1.70 0.51 1.29 0.73

25 0054 0748 1353 1926

1.60 0.58 1.25 0.79

26 0150 0845 1457 2033

= 1.52 0.62 1.26 0.81

30 0537 1.48 1154 0.54 1815 1.53

3 0228 0833 1446 2059

SATURDAY

0.50 1.58 0.44 1.59

Appropriate equipment.

April Frother: Hugo Odgers Interview Dan Hutton Pictures Franck Gazzola Name Hugo Odgers Nickname H Occupation Student Age 14 Local Break Bondi Board Types A log, a shortboard, an 8’ mid-length and a 5’4” quad fin.

Goofy or Natural Natural How long ago did you start surfing and why? I started surfing when I was seven years old. I’ve always loved the water.

Do other members of your family surf ? Yes. I see you down at the beach a lot; what drives you to wake up early and get out into the water? I love getting up early and hanging out with friends, and just having an epic thing to do in the morning before school.

You seem to spend most of your time on a longboard; have you always been attracted to longboarding? Are you still interested in riding shortboards? Back when I was a little fella I used to ride shortboards more. I tend to follow the mentality where you ride the right board for the right conditions.

Do you have any other passions besides surfing? What do you get up to after school when the surf is flat? If the surf is bad I try to shape and glass, which doesn't always work the best; it often just ends up as one big mess. I also like to slide around the streets on my skatey.

I know you’re only 14, but do you have any idea of what you would like to do with yourself

in the future? Well, I'm more into the creative side of things, so it could and will vary, but hopefully it’s fun and pays the rent.

Where is your next holiday destination? My next holiday destination is Noosa Heads. It’s my favourite surf spot.

If there was one place in the world you would like to visit most, where would it be? My dream place to visit would be Malibu and its seemingly endless peelers.

Any last words? Kooks are way more stressful than school.

And I also want to give a plug to my shaper, Mitch Surman.

Check out Ms. Surfboards on Instagram. He shapes the most epic logs out there.

April 2015 | The Beast 81

At London Fashion Week the street stylers teamed pastels and the palest of pinks with metallic silver horse-bit Gucci loafers and tons of denim. There were also wide-legged trousers of the flared variety that were paired with neat tailored jackets and pretty tops. The cool kids were wearing slouch jeans cut way above the ankle with matching denim tops, loafers and socks.

Milan Fashion Week was all about look-at-me fashion. We saw fashion editors and bloggers fighting for their right to be photographed, outdoing each other in head-to-toe florals and abstract graphic prints.

As I write, Paris Fashion Week is in full swing and it’s full of elegance and a play with proportion. Sticking to a neutral colour palette of navy, cream, khaki, grey and black, many women wore oversized coats, double-breasted jackets with towering heels and longer length tunics over trousers.

On the streets this month I found: Missy from Vaucluse.

Rebecca from Bondi Junction.

It’s That Time Of Year Again Words and Pictures Sharmin Musca, Personal Stylist

T

he time of year when the Internet is deluged with images of beautiful women rocking a dressed-up evening look on a Sunday morning has arrived again. I’m not talking about the morning walk of shame; I’m talking about street style off the runways during fashion month.

Seeing fashion editors and fashion bloggers photographed looking effortlessly chic makes you think it’s a piece of cake to conjure up a different outfit every day for 30 days straight. Admittedly, it’s not rocket science, but wearing an outfit that’s both on trend and true to one’s image is an important part of their remit, and they would have agonised over every piece. Want to know what they came up with?

82 The Beast | April 2015

At New York Fashion Week the weather required nothing short of ski wear. Chic furtrimmed puffer jackets were worn over black tailored suits and cashmere roll-necks. Sporty trousers (a.k.a. the slouchy pant) looked great worn with oversized knits, sweatshirts and crisp white shirts. The sports-luxe vibe prevalent both on and off the runway in New York meant trainers and smart trousers were as common on the front row as stilettos paired with a pencil skirt. In fact, a smart pant with white trainers, a grey boyfriend sweater, tailored coat and tote looked to be the fashion editors’ go to uniform - modern without being overly directional.

Name Missy Occupation Sales Suburb Vaucluse Fave Item This Season A bomber jacket from Glue.

Street Style Missy wears a shirt from Zara, shorts from One Teaspoon, shoes from Zu and an oversized watch from Nixon.

Name Rebecca Occupation Retail sales Suburb Bondi Junction Fave Item This Season Clogs from Funkis.

Street Style Rebecca makes a statement in a print pant and top from Gorman, shoes from The Birkenstock Shop and an Asian jade bangle.

Does sorting out your wardrobe sound too difficult?

Let a personal stylist do it for you. Call Sharmin on 0405 518 155 for a pain-free wardrobe audit and let her create your signature style. Please visit www.personalstylist.net.au.

April 2015 | The Beast 83

Always read the fine print.

Do We Need A Sex Contract?

Words Matty Silver, Sex Therapist Picture Con Tractual

I

am always amazed how common it is for couples to marry or settle down without first discussing what to expect from their relationship.

Often couples don't talk about it because their expectations are based on hidden assumptions formed on hopes and dreams rather than reality.

Two people in a relationship should have a shared understanding about what their plans for the future are, from day-to-day issues such as cooking, cleaning and finances, to how much time they will spend together, lifestyle choices and what recreational activities they will engage in.

I have spoken to couples who found out after they got married that their partner doesn't want children, or, if they do, they haven't discussed what religion they should be brought up in (if any) or what schools they’ll go to, etc. One of my clients said: "When you really love each other everything will work itself out." Unfortunately that's not true; these issues can turn into fights and conflict.

Even when they manage to discuss the above, one issue that is rarely (or sometimes never) talked about is how often they will have sex two, five or ten years down the track.

Most couples believe they have the same sex drive when they get together; for new couples sex usually is the top priority. They can’t take their hands off each other and have sex at any opportunity. That's all very natural, but after a while things cool down, which is not a problem as long as both partners experience the same declining libido.

There is the assumption that we are expected to be faithful when we are in a relationship, but what

84 The Beast | April 2015

about the expectation of having regular sex?

Often fights and conflict can make partners withhold sex, sometimes for months, which may then lead to the other partner looking for sex outside the relationship.

One of my clients hadn't had sex with her husband for about six months because she just didn't feel like it, but she was furious when she found out he had a fling when he attended an interstate conference. She almost divorced him.

Relationship and sex contracts have become popular over the last few years, especially after a sex contract was featured in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

A sex contract is not legally binding, but can be an agreement between couples to help keep their relationship a loving one. It's not easy to talk about sex and therefore agreeing to a ‘contract’ can give a couple who may feel uncomfortable mentioning the subject a place to start. They may have erotic and sexual desires they want to discuss or experiment with, and have never felt comfortable mentioning.

It is vital for couples with problematic libido differences to work out ways to resolve the issue for both partners to be happy within their relationship.

I believe it's very important that the ‘contract’ is ethical, straightforward and preferably fun, but should never be seen as a sexual obligation.

Some people argue that a sex contract will ruin the spontaneity of sex, but we all have jobs, many of us have children and most things need to be planned, so why not sex?

Get in early and save on your 2016 charter The Indies Explorer has teamed up with The Beast to offer a special early bird package for Mentawais season 2016.

Up until the end of May we are offering US $2,000 off the advertised prices on all of our peak season and shoulder season 11-night surf charters to readers of The Beast. Prices include all meals, accommodation, plenty of Bintangs and airport transfers for up to ten people.

Get a few of your buddies together and take advantage of this special early bird offer to experience the trip of a lifetime on this classic vessel.

For rates and availability, please visit our website at www.indiesexplorer.com.

To book your surf charter, please send an email to james@thebeast.com.au.

Album #1 Artist Title Fight Album Hyperview Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating  Stare at your shoes. Don't look up. Enjoy the music.

If you are familiar with Title Fight's old stuff, this album may come as a bit of a surprise. Their progression from punk hardcore to full-on shoegazing is a bit drastic, but I admire a band that isn't afraid to grow and that is exactly what they have done. Sure, they may have grown into a bit of a My Bloody Valentine tribute band as a result, but is that such a bad thing? I have a theory that when bands change direction like this, they'll either break up before the next record or release something amazing. Stay tuned.

Album #2 DVD Review Title A Most Violent Year Genre Crime Drama Reviewer Linda Heller-Salvador Award winning writer-director J. C. Chandor’s (Margin Call, All Is Lost) atmospheric and stylish third film is a smouldering character study with morals. It delves into the murky, gangland-style world of charismatic businessman Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac).

Set in 1981, during a crime-riddled period of New York’s history, Abel is attempting to legitimately expand his domestic heating oil distribution business, but to do so he takes on a massive real estate debt that is due within 30 days.

As the debt payment deadline draws closer, his American dream begins to quickly and violently unravel. His oil-laden trucks are regularly hijacked, his drivers are brutally attacked, his predatory competitors are closing in and unknown forces are threatening his picture-perfect family. Meanwhile, Lawrence (David Oyelowo), the politically hungry assistant district attorney, is breathing down his neck with an ominous indictment over his alleged shonky dealings.

Despite these obstacles Abel continues to conduct his business in a kind and ethical manner, but Anna (Jessica Chastain), his mob-connected wife (who is also his accountant), is used to dealing with problems differently, which makes it difficult for Abel to retain his important moral code.

86 The Beast | April 2015

Artist Grenadiers Album Summer Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating  LOUD NOISES! I'm not sure if anyone knows who Thrice were, but these guys sound a heap like them and they were awesome. Grenadiers may not scale to the same level of ear pounding goodness, but there is still enough here to have you toe tapping, air drumming and nodding your head as you drive down the Pacific Highway on a road trip to anywhere. For this is driving music. Moshing music too, but as hurling myself around a bunch of sweaty blokes with violent tendencies doesn't overly appeal to me, I'll keep it for the open road.

Album #3 Artist Jose Gonzalez Album Vestiges & Claws Reviewer Alasdair McClintock Rating  On more than one occasion I have turned off previous Jose albums because they sounded like the teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off had picked up an acoustic guitar - “Bueller... Bueller... Bueller…” Monotonous, dull and only made popular by a few good covers, they irked me more than they had any right to. For some inexplicable reason this one doesn't. I actually really like it. Maybe it's me, maybe it's Jose, maybe it's a galactic storm dispensing ions throughout the globe that make Jose that little bit nicer to listen to. Who knows? Maybe it's just a good album.

Arts & Entertainment From Around The Beaches...

Words Marcus Braid Picture Amaury Tréguer - Facebook: Morning Bondi

BONDI ABOUT TO BE BLITZED The annual Bondi Blitz festival is fast approaching. Bondi Blitz is an all-ages, drug and alcoholfree music event, and a highlight of National Youth Week. Entry is free and it takes place in Dolphin Park (by the Pavilion) on Sunday, April 19 from 11.30am-5.30pm.

Ten young music acts will play throughout the day entertaining a crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 young people. Blitz will continue its tradition of engaging young people from many different backgrounds in its planning, promotion and performance. Visit www.facebook.com/bondiblitz.

A JAW-DROPPING SPECTACLE Enter the captivating and electrifying world of Le Noir at Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star from March 19. Le Noir is a truly unique theatrical experience featuring 22 of the greatest cirque performers on the planet, all of whom are award-winning athletes and many who are former stars of Cirque du Soleil.

World class acrobats, musicians, specialty acts and comedians

are the centrepiece of the production. Tickets are $69 and you can book at ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 1300 795 267.

COOGEE BAND CREATING EPIC-FOLK Citizen of the World are an ‘epic-folk’ band from Sydney, with most of the band members living in the Coogee area. The group’s new song, ‘Done’, is written, recorded and mixed in their home studio. The video that accompanies the song is an homage to the beautiful surrounding landscape. The hyperlapse video of Coogee is taken from the bedroom of the lead singer. The band is planning a new video featuring Coogee as well as the Sydney CBD for a future release coming in the next few months. Please visit www.citizenoftheworldmusic.com.

THE OBSESSIONS OF JANIS JOPLIN Pearl - The Janis Joplin Story is a jazz, blues, bohemian rock interpretational musical presentation, celebrating a woman who

A blazing ball burns across Bondi's bumpy beach.

exploded onto the music scene and quickly became the queen of rock ‘n’ roll and mother of thrift shop vintage funk. The show pays homage to the legacy of a captivating woman who stunned fans with her extraordinary performances and simultaneously shattered stereotypes, leaving a lifelong impression in the rock ‘n’ roll world. For more info about tour dates, please visit www.pearljanisjoplin.com.au.

ORPHANS COMING TO OLD FITZ THEATRE Both hilarious and heartbreaking, Orphans is a story of the universal love of a father for his son, and a son's need to live his own life. In a run-down house in North Philadelphia live two almost-feral orphaned brothers: the reclusive, sensitive Philip, and Treat, a violent pickpocket and thief who steals to provide for his younger brother. The play will be on at the Old Fitzroy Theatre in Woolloomooloo from April 14 to May 9 and tickets are $32 for adults. Bookings can be made at www.oldfitztheatre.com/orphans.

My earliest music memory is... my grandfather playing the piano and me dancing in the lounge room to his unbelievable skills.

Growing up, my parents listened to... a slim music collection. My mum only had two LPs and Dad had about five tapes.

To be honest, it was probably nothing but the Beatles, and that was from my sister’s record collection.

My biggest fan has got to be... my little girl, Ivy. She’s pretty cute. She grew up listening to my songs, so now when they come on she will come running into the room and start dancing.

That’s pretty awesome.

If you come and see me play, you can expect... lots of varying moods, rhythms and sounds, so I guess you can expect to be taken to many different places.

You can catch Felicity at Goodgod Small Club on April 15.

Felicity Groom - A Case In Point Words Scott Tweedie Picture Jade Balfour

W

estern Australian musicians are among the best in the country. Although WA boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a portion of the population seems to stay out of the water (and clear of the sharks), investing their time into creating amazing music.

Felicity Groom is a case in point. Her music is captivating, and her smooth vocals and sharp song-writing skills have landed her on the airwaves of Triple J and seen her release two albums, Gossamer and Hungry Sky, and pen a third, which is yet

88 The Beast | April 2015

to be released. I caught up with Felicity during the month…

My hometown is... sunny and sensational and full of amazing talent - Perth.

The most exciting thing about the local music scene is… everything. You can go out seven nights a week and see bands that are unbelievable in this town. There are so many varying genres and so many incredibly talented people.

I'd like to think that my music is... light.

The best gig I've ever been to was.... Stevie Wonder. I was down the very back of the venue and I decided I wanted to get to the front and get on stage with him. I started hurdling my way to the front (my dad was a 400m hurdler), and when I got there, right up the front, I yelled out to security to ask to go and sing on stage with Stevie as he was asking for people to go up and sing.

They told me he would choose, but he’s blind! I ultimately missed out on getting to sing with him because of the bouncers, then I had to march back to the cheap seats.

My dream gig... would be singing with Stevie Wonder!

I never want to get to the point where... I stop writing.

You can catch Felicity Groom on Wednesday, April 15 at Goodgod Small Club. For more information visit www. facebook.com/felicityjgroom.

So many good things to eat.

Café de France - A Touch of Normandy, In Coogee Words Dining Dave Picture Grant Brooks

F

rench food is not everyone’s cup of cognac. Some see it as a bit pretentious, compared to Mexican or Italian cuisine for example, and it can be a bit heavy with all its creams and cheeses.

But passion and a neighbourhood approach can make this world cuisine far more palatable, and that is exactly what Café de France is doing in Coogee.

Located on quiet Havelock Avenue, just off bustling Arden Street, Café de France is the creation of Rafaele (Raf) Yon, a French-expat who previously owned and operated Le Petit Café (also in Coogee), before selling it in order to open up this larger establishment last July. Describing it as “unpretentious”, “not fancy”

90 The Beast | April 2015

and “not a bistro”, Raf isn’t sitting back; she’s right there on the floor serving tables, which, to me, means a lot in a small café.

Though known mainly as a delicious breakfast and lunch venue, my companions and I arrived on a Friday night for dinner, which is offered from Thursday to Sunday. Unusually, the single room is divided down the middle by the beverage station, which allows for a long, wooden communal table on one side and several smaller tables on the other. The walls are made of white Masonite pegboard that allows for multiple easily changeable hangings and French paintings.

Hailing from the Normandy region of France, Raf has based

the menu on the traditional cuisine of the region. We began with a bottle of incredibly smooth Cotes de Provence rosé that gracefully complemented the three entrees: a fig and goat cheese plate dressed in balsamic vinegar; Parma prosciutto with snow peas and celeriac salad; and garlic prawns with green apple and cucumber sauce. We were incredibly impressed by all three, in terms of both taste and presentation.

Moving on to the mains with great anticipation, Raf brought us out three massive creations: beef eye fillet with béarnaise sauce, watercress and fries; a Normandy veal cutlet with mushrooms, cream and calvados (an apple brandy from Normandy); and homemade gnocchi with prawns, zucchini and seafood bisque. The beef fillet melted after the first bite and the béarnaise sauce was the perfect complement, while the veal on the bone was a tender feast and the soft fluffy texture of the gnocchi married delightfully with the three seared prawns that accompanied it.

For dessert, we tried everything: luscious chocolate mousse; coffee ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce; and crème brûlée. Again, the presentation was on point and the flavours were a delight.

Given that most of us can’t get to Rouen or Caen on a whim, we may have the next best thing just off the beach.

Café de France Address 19 Havelock Avenue, Coogee Phone (02) 9664 4005 Email rafaele.yon@gmail. com Open Mon-Wed 7am-4pm; Thur-Fri 7am-4pm, 6pm10pm; Sat-Sun 7:30am-10pm Prices Breakfast $6-22; Lunch $13-25; Dinner $18-$34 Seats 35 Cards All major cards Licensed Yes

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The Young Guns of Wine - Part 3 Words Alex Russell Picture Sami-Odi Twitter @ozwineguy

W

elcome to part three of my five part series on the Young Guns of Wine Awards (younggunsofwine.com), which highlights some of the best young winemakers coming through the ranks in the Aussie wine industry.

Nick Farr (Farr Rising) Nick’s dad, Gary, made a name for himself at Bannockburn, before starting his own label,

By Farr, in the mid-1990s. Every wine under that label is pretty incredible, with the ‘Sangreal’ Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay my personal favourites.

Nick has pretty big shoes to fill. He got the opportunity to start filling them when some vineyards became available for him to play with, but Gary refused to help out. He learned a lot through this experience and created the Farr Rising label so that he could make his own stuff without having an impact on the

By Farr wines. These days, Nick Farr is doing all of the winemaking at both labels and, from my recent tastings, the wines are just as good as always.

92 The Beast | April 2015

The Farr Rising wines are more approachable, while the

By Farr stuff opens up over time.

Both are great, but for me it’s the By Farr wines that I crave.

They will benefit from a bit of air. The whites that I’ve tried are sensational wines too. The Jasper Hill winery has a great future ahead of it.

Emily McNally (Jasper Hill, Occam’s Razor) Most people who appreciate their wine know of Jasper Hill, the Heathcote winery run by Ron Laughton. The famous ‘Emily’s Paddock’ red is named after his first daughter.

Emily (now married) has followed her dad into winemaking.

She created her own label (also from Heathcote) called Occam’s Razor. She’s also working at Jasper Hill and is credited as the winemaker, along with her dad. The Emily’s Paddock and Georgia’s Paddock reds are the standouts, but there are some interesting drops like a Nebbiolo, a Grenache and a Riesling, along with a Semillon that was produced for a while and a Viognier that I have not had the chance to try.

The reds are rich and dense, showing the depth of flavour that the region can produce.

Fraser McKinley (Sami-Odi) Fraser is the most recent winemaker to win the ‘Young Gun of Wine’ award. His wines come in bottles with interesting shapes, including a wax seal, which is a lovely touch. He only releases a couple of wines each year.

This year, the 2013 ‘DW-OLD’ Syrah is from the Dallwitz Old vineyard, bottled with as little sulphur as possible (described as a ‘homeopathic’ addition) and no filtration, fining or sparging (removal of natural O2 and CO2). It’s a pretty fascinating wine, with all sorts of interesting flavours evident. It will definitely benefit from time, but still looks great now.

The other wine he produces is the ‘Little Wine’ (now up to number 4), which is a blend of wines from three vintages – 2012 (17%), 2013 (44%) and 2014 (39%).

They are super limited, so do jump on his mailing list. You won’t see them in many shops.

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Blissfully Pure Goodness Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls Words and Picture Catherine Noonan

T

his month’s recipe is for Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls, which are a very healthy and nourishing snack for young and old.

I’ve included numerous ingredient options, which should make finding the appropriate ingredients in your pantry and the supermarket a lot easier and far more cost effective.

Cranberries are the star ingredient here. This was an easy decision given that cranberries have many health benefits including their potential to help prevent the following: Urinary tract infections – There is a substance contained in cranberries that is like a natural antibiotic, keeping the bladder free of bacterial build-up.

Heart disease – Photochemicals in cranberries help to keep artery walls and red blood cells from becoming sticky. They also help blood vessels relax and can reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

Cancer – The fibre and Vitamin C in cranberries

94 The Beast | April 2015

helps prevent cancer, while the bioflavonoids help to rectify the damage of free radicals.

Other healthy ingredients include medjool dates, carob powder and the flesh from a fresh young coconut. I actually bought a drinking coconut at the Bondi Farmers Market recently and took it home after drinking it so that I could use the flesh – it’s recycling at its best. And yes, the flesh of open young coconuts does keep, so don’t throw them out; always take them home for later!

Ingredients (makes 20) 2 cups LSA meal, or almond meal 1/2 cup carob, cacao or cocoa powder 1 tsp vanilla powder or essence/ extract Small pinch sea salt Flesh of 1 young coconut 10 medjool dates, pitted 1 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup desiccated coconut, for rolling

Tools Food processor Mixing bowl Small bowl Method 1. In a mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients (the LSA/nut meal, carob powder, vanilla powder and sea salt), stirring to combine. If using vanilla essence/ extract, wait to add with the balance of the ingredients.

2. Transfer the dry mixture to a food processor and add the young coconut flesh.

3. One at a time, add the pitted medjool dates, then the cranberries, and whiz to combine. It should form a slightly sticky dark dough.

4. Roll into approximately 20 small balls, and then roll in coconut.

5. To firm, freeze in an airtight container for at least two hours.

Storage To keep firm and fresh, store in an airtight container in the freezer.

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Across 1. Children’s puppet television series that has run for over 45 years (6,6) 7. 19th century art movement started by Gustave Courbet (7) 8. Roman cloth robe (4) 9. Owned, domesticated animal (3) 10. Expression of grief or pity (4) 11. Infamous WWI battle site (9) 12. According to The Beatles, “All you need is …” (4) 14. Be filled with intense but unexpressed anger (6) 18. Traditional poem or song for young children (7,5) 20. Musical instrument where bars are struck by mallets (9) 21. Eleven in roman numerals (1,1)

Down 1. Very powerful (6, 2, 2, 2) 2. American action film star, Steven … (6) 3. Culinary piece de resistance (4,4) 4. ANZAC legend, … and his donkey (7) 5. Hair style popularised by bogans and worn

by Kostya Tszyu (7) 6. Lasting only for a short time (10) 13. An unpleasantly smooth person; describes some food (4) 15. Legendary Tasmanian actor, … Flynn (5) 16. One of the terrestrial planets (5) 17. Kiwi rugby league five-eighth, Kieran … (5) 19. Homer Simpson alter ego, …

Power (3)

Beast Local Trivia Words Daniel Hutton Picture Matt Barry 1. True or false: In Germany, at age 14, minors can legally consume and possess beer and wine as long as they are in the company of a ‘custodial person’?

2. The famous Italian sauce ‘cibreo’ contains which unusual part of a chicken?

3. Which NRL team has won the most first grade premierships

in the last fifty years?

4. What was the highest rating drama on Australian television in 2014?

5. Who was recently sacked from his role of chief government whip by Tony Abbott?

6.The Golfe de Gascogne is better known to English speakers as what?

Offshore winds whip wobbly waves at Maroubra.

96 The Beast | April 2015

7. Who did Paul McCartney team up with for his most recent international hit song, FourFiveSeconds?

8. Which film won the 2015 Academy Award for Best Picture?

9. Deoxyribonucleic acid is better know by what acronym?

10. On what street would you find the Bondi Icebergs?

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April 2015 | The Beast 97



GEMINI May 21-Jun 21 Rather than handpicking attractive 'friends', try surrounding yourself with uglier people who will make you look hotter.

SCORPIO Oct 24-Nov 22 Challenge yourself. If you only attempt what you know you can achieve, you'll never do anything, because you're not good at anything.

CANCER Jun 22-Jul 23 When in need of a favour from a friend, it's easier just to ask rather than repackaging it as if you're doing them a favour.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23-Dec 22 If you're finding it difficult to get your point across, your point is probably wrong and you should reconsider your position.

LEO Jul 24-Aug 23 The moment you give up hope of ever owning a house around here will be one of the most liberating feelings you will ever experience.

CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 20 That burning sensation in your junk is a micro-organism that came from someone else's junk.

You really should get it checked.

ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 Try blaming yourself more often for the shitty situations you find yourself in, because more often than not it's your fault.

VIRGO Aug 24-Sep 23 Pondering a really difficult situation? Keep in mind that no decision is as hard as deciding which boards to take on a surf trip.

AQUARIUS Jan 21-Feb 19 Avoid using facts in arguments when they clearly don't support your position. Anecdotes and hearsay are much more reliable.

TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 Just because you have a slight discharge doesn't mean you definitely have an STI, but the odds are stacked against you.

LIBRA Sep 24-Oct 23 If anyone ever questions the merits of vaccination, punch them in the face as fast as you can so they can't utter another word.

PISCES Feb 20-Mar 20 Why persist with your subsistence existence here when you could work less and have more money just about anywhere else?

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