Lloyd Rees Bandstand – the case of the icon misnomer

The case of the icon misnomer

In this uneasy time of 'post truth' and 'alternative facts', there are many daily events and media generated opinions that are testing our capacity to make judgments, creating uncertainty about what to believe - what is real, what is perhaps a 'little white lie', and what is just plain wrong.

The fabric of our society is being bombarded by information overload, and tested by an excess of disproportional influence by loud minorities with vested interests in questionable outcomes – and I expect that some readers might label me in that category!

Recently the fabric of the so-called Lloyd Rees Bandstand in Lane Cove Plaza was in need of repair, and questions were asked by In The Cove about its heritage status based on facts that need to be clarified or questioned. 'The Lloyd Rees Bandstand or Rotunda is a Lane Cove icon. You may or may not be aware that the heritage status and location with the Lane Cove Plaza has been hotly debated over the years. This leads to the question – why is the bandstand not on the Lane Cove Heritage List?

In 2008 there was an outcry when the bandstand was not included in the Lane Cove Plaza redevelopment plans. In 2009 the Lane Cove Council tabled a Heritage Report prepared by Dickson Rothschild Heritage Report (May 2009) which noted that the bandstand is regarded as historically, aesthetically and socially significant for Lane Cove.' IN THE COVE - JAN 30, 2017

Lloyd Rees in front of the Bandstand.

'If you describe something or someone as an icon, you mean (that it or) they are important as a symbol of a particular thing' (Collins Dictionary definition).

The late Lloyd Rees is an iconic figure of Australian art who made a financial contribution towards a water feature to be part of the original Lane Cove Plaza plans designed by the late Harry Howard, an iconic landscape architect. His intention was for this to be created by the late Robert Woodward, an iconic Australian sculptor who designed many splendid water features (El Alamein fountain and Darling Harbour spiral among them). Unfortunately the Council of the day canned the idea as a public safety risk and so the Lloyd Rees funds were redirected to the Harry Howard conceived 'bandstand' (with some design input from another local architect).

Lloyd Rees Bandstand has, I believe, received the iconic label by default. Many in the Lane Cove community (myself included) regard this structure as more of a carbuncle than icon! The bandstand is significantly altered from its original concept, has very poor acoustic qualities, has dated and clunky construction

Ripped fabric on the current Lloyd Rees Bandstand.

details with fragile fabric, and has been unfortunately raised by some to what many would see as an undeserving status of heritage significance.

The time has come, approaching the 50th anniversary of Lane Cove Plaza in 2023, to replace the dated and languishing bandstand. A new ‘iconic’ performance structure should incorporate updated technology and materials in a form that is less demanding of maintenance, is more complementary to the current Lane Cove Plaza context and performance needs, and more visually appealing - and perhaps better suited for occasional kids’ play that happens in the predominant periods between events.

I am confident that Lloyd Rees would be very supportive of having his name and legacy realigned with such an iconic gesture, and would expect that there are many readers who would agree.

Jon Johannsen is Founding Principal of Architects Johannsen & Associates, and a Lane Cove resident.

Buy a coffee from Jack & Co

at Northwood Road, Longueville on a Tuesday and they will donate 20c from every cup to assist the Rotary Club of Lane Cove raise money for Shelterbox Australia.

It’s the things we don’t do that make our sheets so comfortable.

We don’t use chemical coatings We don’t use chlorine bleaches We don’t use synthetic fibres Thanks to the things we don’t do, our sheets breathe and are super absorbent, which makes them a lot more comfortable to sleep between and good for you too!

Organic cotton sheet sets from $59 | organic cotton towels $24 Eco flannelette cotton sheet sets from $49, in store from early April

earth friendly bed & bath

Lane Cove Birdwood Lane - Opposite McGrath Real Estate 0411 612 632 Crows Nest 21 Willoughby Rd 0431 857 947 www.ecodownunder.com.au

What’s the story behind your favourite recipe?

A new initiative from FoodFaith, who manages the community garden in Hughes Park, aims to celebrate cultural and faith diversity through gathering and sharing special recipes and their stories. This month another two Lane Cove locals - Lincoln Gomes and Carol Selva Rajah - share a recipe with TVO readers and describe what it means to them. These recipes will also be included as part of FoodFaith’s initiative called Recipes: Re-discovering Our Roots and will be posted on its website at www.foodfaith.com.au So why not get inspired and try out a new recipe from a different faith and culture in April!

LINCOLN GOMES is a FoodFaith community gardener who treasures this recipe from his Grandmother. CAROL SELVA RAJAH is a food writer and Asian chef who has been educating Australians for two decades through her cookbooks, school and courses.

Bread and butter pudding

INGREDIENTS

• 550ml of room temperature full cream milk • ½ cup of sugar • 3 eggs • ½ cup sultanas, soaked in very hot water for 30 minutes • 1 ½ tsp vanilla essence • 2 slices wholemeal or white bread, buttered on both sides • 2 tbsp whole fruit strawberry jam • ½ tsp nutmeg • ½ tsp cinnamon

Tau Yew Bak

INGREDIENTS

(or Pork in Soy Sauce)

• 1 tbspn rice bran oil • 1 kg pork ribs and 1kg pork neck, sliced and cubed The Village • 6 cloves garlic, chopped

Observer is on the • 2 tbspn black bean paste lookout for local chefs • ¼ cup sweet caramelised soy sauce to contribute to our • 2 tbspn chilli paste monthly food column, • 2 cm ginger, sliced • 2 star anise, pounded or broken into piecesso this is a great chance • 1 tbspn Chinese black vinegar or red wine vinegar for you to be • 2 to 3 cups stock from bacon bones discovered! • 2 tbspn shaved palm sugar or 1 tbspn raw sugar • Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

METHOD

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees. Mix milk, sugar and eggs with a beater and add vanilla essence. Butter both sides and spread jam on the top of wholemeal or white bread. Pour off the hot water from the sultanas and lay them in the bottom of a small, rectangular ovenproof dish (just large enough to accommodate the two slices of bread). Place the bread on top, cutting a corner of one piece. To the side with the missing edge, gently pour in milk and egg mixture, allowing the bread to rise above the mixture. Add nutmeg and cinnamon to the top and bake for 50 minutes, surrounding the small oven dish in a larger one filled with water, to about half way up the outside. Blanch cubed meat in boiling water to remove the strong meaty flavours. Drain well, then rub with some soy sauce. Heat oil, sauté garlic and black bean paste until aromatic. Add pork ribs and fry on medium heat until golden brown - do not allow meat to stick to the pot. Add stock and cook for at least 20 minutes on low heat. Add soy sauce, chilli paste, ginger, star anise, wine vinegar and stock. Cook on medium heat to simmer until pork is almost falling off the bone. Add palm sugar and balance with salt and pepper and/or chilli paste and ginger and sugar. The meat can be reduced down to a thick flavourful dish. It should taste hot, sweet, sour and salty.Serve hot with steamed white rice and crisp slices of cucumber.

THE RECIPE’S ROOTS

THE RECIPE’S ROOTS

“When I was a kid, we used to eat this pudding at most family gatherings, but I didn't learn to cook it until after my Grandmother had passed away.

“Growing up, my Grandmother would cook most things from scratch, the old fashioned way. From memory, we only ate it on special occasions.

“The taste is hard to describe, since it's meshed with old memories and other smells that I recall when I eat it, but suffice to say, if you gave it to me in a blind tasting, I'd be able to tell which was my Grandmother's.”

"I learnt this recipe from my Chinese nanny who cooked for the household. She brought the recipe from China, but her version was simply cooked in water - no chilli and not cooked for as long. Once in Malaysia, the nanny started using Malaysian ingredients like chilli and wine vinegar with a clearer oil and better meat.

This dish is cooked at Chinese New Year and for altar worship of the people long gone. If there is a family altar, a tiny dish of the pork is also added so the Gods may ingest the food in spirit.

I often ate this dish with my family, especially at Chinese New Year. I am not Chinese, but in a multicultural country one is invited to each of the festivals and food is always laid out for guests. "

A Message from the Mayor of Lane Cove Councillor Deborah Hutchens

With the Easter break just around the corner, I would like to take the opportunity to wish those who are going on holidays a safe journey. For those who will be around Lane Cove, may you enjoy a restful time with family and friends, hopefully with some sunshine after such a wet and wild March.

I would like to thank those in our community who have helped during the unprecedented weather we had last month. In particular our local emergency services and their volunteers - on behalf of Lane Cove, we thank you.

ANZAC Day

I encourage you to join us on Tuesday 25 April at the ANZAC Day Service hosted by Council and the Lane Cove RSL Sub Branch. Please arrive by 7:25am for a 7:30am start. Those members of the community who would like to participate in a short march at the beginning of the ceremony are asked to congregate in Birdwood Lane by 7:10am. The service will conclude around 8:30am.

Neighbour Day

Congratulations to the community groups involved in putting together a fantastic Neighbour Day event at Hughes Park last month. Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy, the Rotary Club of Lane Cove and Foodfaith led the way for other community-minded organisations to put on a free event for the local community. We are fortunate to have such an active group of organisations supporting the Lane Cove community.

New garden plots at Birrahlee Preschool

Last month I was invited along to Birrahlee Preschool and had the pleasure of opening their newly refurbished playground and garden plots. Council contributed towards the newly established garden plots through a Sustainability Small Grant. This new garden will greatly benefit children’s appreciation and learning for planting, nurturing and harvesting vegetables and flowers and will benefit students now and into the future. A magician and sausage sizzle complemented the celebration.

International Women’s Day

Thank you to Moo Baulch, Emma Bird, Kerry Chikarovski, Kellie Rigney, Dr Sabrina Saldanha and Karen Smith who shared their story with us at a very successful International Women’s Day event last month. Everyone was intrigued by the different journeys of each speaker and a wonderful evening was had by all.

Playground upgrade at Lane Cove Occasional Care

It was my pleasure to officially open the upgraded playground at Lane Cove Occasional Care last month. The rain did not dampen the excitement as children and their families celebrated the new layout and equipment which was made possible through funding from Council and the centre’s own fundraising efforts.

Electronic waste collection

Council’s next e-waste collection day is Saturday 22 April. From 8:00am – 4:30pm residents from Lane Cove and Hunter’s Hill councils can drop off items at St Ignatius’ College, Regis Campus, 29 Riverview Street, Riverview. Proof of address via rate notice or driver’s licence is required. For a full list of acceptable items visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/ewaste.

M: 0422 174 730 E: dhutchens@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

As mentioned last month, Council is seeking feedback to help put together its first local Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) which will identify actions to assist people with disability to participate more fully in community life. A community survey is now available on Council’s website along with other ways to have your say. Visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay for details.

Captured Photography

Entries will be open from 10th April for Lane Cove’s annual Captured Photography competition. This year’s theme Love Where You Play, encourages you to capture what it is you enjoy doing out and about in Lane Cove. Full details of the competition, entries and prizes can be found at www.lanecove. nsw.gov.au/captured. Entries close 21 May 2017.

Seniors Safety Program

Council and Lane Cove & North Side Community Services have partnered to help improve the safety of our local senior residents. This includes access to support services and small funding to assist with physical improvements to help make homes safer. This is a wonderful opportunity to make our community safer for seniors and I encourage those interested in finding out more to contact Lane Cove & North Side Community Services.

Council merger update

Council is due in the Supreme Court in early April where it is likely we will learn the outcome of our merger appeal. The latest information will be updated on Council’s website homepage.