Blog Review:
Baja Cantina, on the blog Not Quite Nigella
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Locals want police HQ to stay in Glebe
by Marie Sansom, The Glebe
"GLEBE locals are opposing plans to move Leichhardt police command’s headquarters out of their suburb, one of the district’s worst crime trouble spots. NSW Police has made several offers to buy land from Leichhardt Council to build a larger, modern local command centre with more parking space. ... Police aim to move by 2010 and are still searching for sites."
Read the full article from The Glebe here.
"GLEBE locals are opposing plans to move Leichhardt police command’s headquarters out of their suburb, one of the district’s worst crime trouble spots. NSW Police has made several offers to buy land from Leichhardt Council to build a larger, modern local command centre with more parking space. ... Police aim to move by 2010 and are still searching for sites."
Read the full article from The Glebe here.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Now it’s over, let’s get back to business
by Marie Sansom, The Glebe
"GLEBE Point Rd business owners are pinning their hopes on Christmas trading to claw back some of the money they’ve lost from the roadworks. The $15 million upgrade, which is now largely finished, started in November last year and many businesses have suffered a 50-to-80 per cent drop in trade because of it. Road closures stopped deliveries and made the suburb a no-go area with taxi drivers.
Some shopkeepers suggested Sydney Council pay them a Christmas bonus to compensate.
Beverleigh Greentree, from Mags of Glebe has festooned her shop with tinsel, mirror balls and colour.
“I’ve tried to make the shop bright and happy,” Ms Greentree said.
She hopes the upgrade will be worth it in the long run.
“But we’ve lost a lot of money. Some days I didn’t take anything,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot to get Glebe back on the map because the road has been blocked totally for six months.”
Newsagent Miki Liu hopes things will improve now the roadworks are almost finished.
“Probably business will come back, hopefully things will get back to normal,” Ms Liu said."Maybe it will get better by Christmas.”
British Sweet Shop owner Andy Adams leased a Camperdown storage unit to get his stock during the roadworks.
“You just couldn’t park. Suppliers refused to come here,” Mr Adams said.
His trade plummeted by 50 per cent and he had to cut opening hours, but he’s hopeful Glebe has turned a corner.
“The street fair was good for business and letting people know that Glebe has reopened again. It was just the pain and suffering each of us had to go through.
“It seemed to go on and on. I don’t think they put enough men on the job.”
A Sydney Council spokesman said there was only minor work left: removing overhead power lines, footpath repair, tree planting and parking signs. It was finished ahead of schedule with the official date being April next year. “It will create a strong and clear identity for Glebe Point Rd, reinforcing its role as the local high street ... an environment in which local businesses can flourish,” he said."
Read the full article from The Glebe here.
"GLEBE Point Rd business owners are pinning their hopes on Christmas trading to claw back some of the money they’ve lost from the roadworks. The $15 million upgrade, which is now largely finished, started in November last year and many businesses have suffered a 50-to-80 per cent drop in trade because of it. Road closures stopped deliveries and made the suburb a no-go area with taxi drivers.
Some shopkeepers suggested Sydney Council pay them a Christmas bonus to compensate.
Beverleigh Greentree, from Mags of Glebe has festooned her shop with tinsel, mirror balls and colour.
“I’ve tried to make the shop bright and happy,” Ms Greentree said.
She hopes the upgrade will be worth it in the long run.
“But we’ve lost a lot of money. Some days I didn’t take anything,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot to get Glebe back on the map because the road has been blocked totally for six months.”
Newsagent Miki Liu hopes things will improve now the roadworks are almost finished.
“Probably business will come back, hopefully things will get back to normal,” Ms Liu said."Maybe it will get better by Christmas.”
British Sweet Shop owner Andy Adams leased a Camperdown storage unit to get his stock during the roadworks.
“You just couldn’t park. Suppliers refused to come here,” Mr Adams said.
His trade plummeted by 50 per cent and he had to cut opening hours, but he’s hopeful Glebe has turned a corner.
“The street fair was good for business and letting people know that Glebe has reopened again. It was just the pain and suffering each of us had to go through.
“It seemed to go on and on. I don’t think they put enough men on the job.”
A Sydney Council spokesman said there was only minor work left: removing overhead power lines, footpath repair, tree planting and parking signs. It was finished ahead of schedule with the official date being April next year. “It will create a strong and clear identity for Glebe Point Rd, reinforcing its role as the local high street ... an environment in which local businesses can flourish,” he said."
Read the full article from The Glebe here.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sydney planning to become “fresh food city”
by Isobel Drake, Australian Food News
Sydney could be transformed into a fresh food city under a City of Sydney plan to increase the number of community gardens, employ a dedicated garden officer and expand the successful Friday Farmers Market at Cook + Phillip Park.The proposal was discussed at a meeting of Council last night, Monday 24 November.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the idea is part of the City’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision to develop local village hubs focusing community, business, retail and cultural assets in a cluster connected with the local community. “Producing food locally and consuming local produce is an essential part of sustainability,” she suggested. “People are increasingly recognising that locally and ethically produced food is good for the environment, has a reduced carbon footprint, and has social and educational benefits.”
The plan includes:
* Expanding the existing 10 community gardens in the City of Sydney to 13 with new gardens to be designed and developed in Glebe/Forest Lodge, Ultimo/Pyrmont and a Kid’s Community Garden.
* Employing a dedicated Community Gardens and Volunteer Coordinator to develop the community gardens program, including web-based resources and a volunteering program.
* Investigating expanding the successful Friday Farmers Market in Cook + Phillip Park to other areas to encourage sustainability in the production and sale of food by reducing “food miles”.
* Developing a new ‘fair trade’ award category as part of the City of Sydney Business Awards to recognise those premises which source products from ethical and fair labour.
* Allocating grants for new community garden partnerships as part of the City’s annual $4.5M grants and sponsorship program.
“Community gardens are not just about the production of food. There are environmental benefits and also important social benefits for participants to bring members of the community together for a common purpose,” Ms Moore concluded.
You can take a street upmarket …
by Joseph Palmer for The Heckler Column,
The Sydney Morning Herald
"THE upgrade and makeover of Glebe Point Road in Glebe has been a slow work-in-progress, that has dragged on for more than 15 months, despite claims the project is now three months ahead of schedule.
The grandiose vision to transform the battered old road into something like Oxford Street in Paddington - after decades of neglect - will soon be a reality.
The barriers and fences recently came down, but strolling along the road I wondered if it had all been worthwhile.
Some time ago I recall that the good burghers of Glebe were told that there were too many tacky shops on the road peddling inexpensive wares and merchandise, shops such as the discount store, which were competing with big retailers at the nearby Broadway mall.
A makeover to revitalise the road was urgently needed to attract the kind of upmarket boutiques and concept stores that line Oxford Street, and no cost would be spared.
The visionary project has involved the removal of old power poles and "once in a century" drainage improvements. Even the old tram lines were dug out. But now the character of the old road has gone and many empty shops display "for lease" signs. It is sad to see.
Using the road during the upgrade was a nightmare - like tackling an obstacle course, and to be avoided at all costs.
Many owners complained about losing trade, just as shops in the city had been affected by street upgrades before the Olympics. But they were told they should be grateful as their revenue would increase dramatically when everything was finished. Many could not wait that long and closed.
Gone are long established businesses such as one of Sydney's first and largest health food supermarkets. It had been there for more than 35 years.
Other businesses took advantage of the upgrade and moved in, including a fast-food chicken outlet, although somehow I don't think it was part of the vision for an upmarket shopping strip. Maccas might be next.
The flower pots hanging from the new poles are nice, and hopefully the council will one day install CCTVs, something that shop owners have wanted for years to deter the street crime that infests the road at night.
But for all the losses, at least the discount store continues to peddle its wares."
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A tradition lost on Sydney Harbour
by Dugald Jellie, The Sydney Morning Herald
"AT NOON today a pilot launch will ease from the grey-weathered wharf at Watsons Bay and round the Heads for the last time, to bring in the final blunt-bowed car carrier to Sydney. It will be the end of a nautical history that is as old as the city itself.
Harbour pilots are stopping operations at Watsons Bay, ending an association they have had, in fair weather or foul, since before even 1813, when this little nook was named after one of their own. Robert Watson was the Watson of Watsons Bay, appointed by Governor Macquarie as the colony's first harbourmaster and pilot.
"It's a sad day," says Ross Janssen, a cutter-master, as he ferries a pilot from the jetty, five nautical miles out to sea to board an incoming vessel.
"It's a tradition lost. We've had pilotage running out of here since when they rowed them off the beach in whale boats. But with the downturn in shipping, it's no longer viable."
Sydney Ports said the service would move to Millers Point, and probably next year to a new centre at Botany Bay. The last car ship is to leave Glebe Island tonight. ..."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
"AT NOON today a pilot launch will ease from the grey-weathered wharf at Watsons Bay and round the Heads for the last time, to bring in the final blunt-bowed car carrier to Sydney. It will be the end of a nautical history that is as old as the city itself.
Harbour pilots are stopping operations at Watsons Bay, ending an association they have had, in fair weather or foul, since before even 1813, when this little nook was named after one of their own. Robert Watson was the Watson of Watsons Bay, appointed by Governor Macquarie as the colony's first harbourmaster and pilot.
"It's a sad day," says Ross Janssen, a cutter-master, as he ferries a pilot from the jetty, five nautical miles out to sea to board an incoming vessel.
"It's a tradition lost. We've had pilotage running out of here since when they rowed them off the beach in whale boats. But with the downturn in shipping, it's no longer viable."
Sydney Ports said the service would move to Millers Point, and probably next year to a new centre at Botany Bay. The last car ship is to leave Glebe Island tonight. ..."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Glebe Street Fair
"The fair on Glebe's main drag has grown but stayed bohemian.
JUDY McCUMSTIE speaks highly of the Spruikers' Box. "It's an opportunity to come along and argue or read a poem. This seems very Glebe," says the organiser of the Glebe Street Fair.
The first Glebe Street Fair was held in 1983. It was the Glebe Food Fair then - a series of stalls from local restaurants between Parramatta and St Johns roads.
"At that point Glebe Point Road was a vibrant, bustling, multicultural area that had established itself as an eat street," McCumstie says. "Every end of the world was represented in a cafe or restaurant somewhere on Glebe Point Road."
At some point during the next seven years, the name changed and the road closed. Performers were given stages. Stalls extended beyond the restaurants. "It has reflected the stylistic changes you see over the inner city in terms of culture," McCumstie says.
"[In] 1990, that was the gothic stage. Everyone was dressed in black. It was like a spin-off in bohemian thinking from Sydney University, spreading down Glebe Point Road."
Stallholders were pallid, in McCumstie's memory - they sold Dr Martens and reflected the crowd. Then the colour came and things changed again. "Everyone was doing their hair with different colours and . . . mohawks any Roman centurion would be jealous of."
This year, the fair's 25th anniversary, things change once more. There is a circus theme, with performances by Circus Solarus and Mojo JuJu and the Snake Oil Merchants, stalls from country NSW and as far as Queensland, a Santa Claus and a dog parade. "We've got some absolutely fabulous variety in the stalls coming this year," McCumstie says. "My concept of this is that it's a whole kilometre of Christmas presents end-to-end.
"And food as well - that's one thing that has continued from the past."
GLEBE STREET FAIR Sunday, 10am-5pm, Glebe Point Road, Glebe, glebestreetfair.com, free."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
JUDY McCUMSTIE speaks highly of the Spruikers' Box. "It's an opportunity to come along and argue or read a poem. This seems very Glebe," says the organiser of the Glebe Street Fair.
The first Glebe Street Fair was held in 1983. It was the Glebe Food Fair then - a series of stalls from local restaurants between Parramatta and St Johns roads.
"At that point Glebe Point Road was a vibrant, bustling, multicultural area that had established itself as an eat street," McCumstie says. "Every end of the world was represented in a cafe or restaurant somewhere on Glebe Point Road."
At some point during the next seven years, the name changed and the road closed. Performers were given stages. Stalls extended beyond the restaurants. "It has reflected the stylistic changes you see over the inner city in terms of culture," McCumstie says.
"[In] 1990, that was the gothic stage. Everyone was dressed in black. It was like a spin-off in bohemian thinking from Sydney University, spreading down Glebe Point Road."
Stallholders were pallid, in McCumstie's memory - they sold Dr Martens and reflected the crowd. Then the colour came and things changed again. "Everyone was doing their hair with different colours and . . . mohawks any Roman centurion would be jealous of."
This year, the fair's 25th anniversary, things change once more. There is a circus theme, with performances by Circus Solarus and Mojo JuJu and the Snake Oil Merchants, stalls from country NSW and as far as Queensland, a Santa Claus and a dog parade. "We've got some absolutely fabulous variety in the stalls coming this year," McCumstie says. "My concept of this is that it's a whole kilometre of Christmas presents end-to-end.
"And food as well - that's one thing that has continued from the past."
GLEBE STREET FAIR Sunday, 10am-5pm, Glebe Point Road, Glebe, glebestreetfair.com, free."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
New Glebe artwork commemorates school’s 150th anniversary
"Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP will unveil a new public artwork on the fence of Glebe Public School on Monday 3 November as part of the school's 150th anniversary.
The artwork, Skippedy Skip by renowned public artist Nuha Saad, is a colourful and inspiring work of art and a centerpiece of the City's upgrade of Glebe Point Road.
"The colours of the fence symbolise the diversity of the residents of Glebe and add a vibrancy and vitality to the street," Ms Moore said.
"The artist has made the school fence as colourful and eclectic as Glebe itself, a true tribute to the area's rich and diverse heritage.
"Glebe has changed over 150 years, but Glebe Public School has always focused on what we all want from our education system - to give children the best chance to discover their talents and interests and realise their full promise in life," Ms Moore said.
Artist Nuha Saad said her artwork is based on wooden picket fences found throughout the Glebe area.
"The school fence acts as a link to Glebe's vibrant contemporary culture and its architectural and social history and combines aspects of Glebe's Victorian architectural past with a contemporary art aesthetic," Ms Saad said.
The Glebe Point Road upgrade also includes a new civic space at the corner of Glebe Point Road and Parramatta Road and restoration of the historic Jubilee Fountain. Drinking water will be restored to the fountain which was installed in 1909 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Glebe Municipality.
The City is also helping mark the school's 150th anniversary with banners on Glebe Point Road's new Smart poles."
From City of Sydney Press Release.
The artwork, Skippedy Skip by renowned public artist Nuha Saad, is a colourful and inspiring work of art and a centerpiece of the City's upgrade of Glebe Point Road.
"The colours of the fence symbolise the diversity of the residents of Glebe and add a vibrancy and vitality to the street," Ms Moore said.
"The artist has made the school fence as colourful and eclectic as Glebe itself, a true tribute to the area's rich and diverse heritage.
"Glebe has changed over 150 years, but Glebe Public School has always focused on what we all want from our education system - to give children the best chance to discover their talents and interests and realise their full promise in life," Ms Moore said.
Artist Nuha Saad said her artwork is based on wooden picket fences found throughout the Glebe area.
"The school fence acts as a link to Glebe's vibrant contemporary culture and its architectural and social history and combines aspects of Glebe's Victorian architectural past with a contemporary art aesthetic," Ms Saad said.
The Glebe Point Road upgrade also includes a new civic space at the corner of Glebe Point Road and Parramatta Road and restoration of the historic Jubilee Fountain. Drinking water will be restored to the fountain which was installed in 1909 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Glebe Municipality.
The City is also helping mark the school's 150th anniversary with banners on Glebe Point Road's new Smart poles."
From City of Sydney Press Release.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Revealed: Sydney's Open secret
by Cameron Houston, Jason Dowling and Sherrill Nixon, The Sydney Morning Herald
"SYDNEY has launched a secret bid to pinch the jewel in Melbourne's major events calendar - the Australian Open.
Its audacious pitch for the Grand Slam tennis tournament includes a plan to build a multi-million-dollar stadium at Glebe Island when the harbour site - now filled with cars - is closed to stevedores.
But it will be up against stiff competition from overseas, with Shanghai, Dubai and Abu Dhabi all mounting campaigns to host a Grand Slam event when Melbourne's contract expires in 2016.
The Australian Open is one of several major events NSW hopes to steal as it reinvigorates its focus on tourism, after a series of damning reports found it was losing visitors and attractions to other states.
The State Government has poured millions of dollars into rebuilding "Brand Sydney" - including the formation of the $85 million Events NSW body - after it was blasted for becoming complacent after the Olympics.
Events NSW's chief executive, Geoff Parmenter, confirmed Sydney's interest in the event, which is worth more than $100 million to Victoria's economy. ..."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
"SYDNEY has launched a secret bid to pinch the jewel in Melbourne's major events calendar - the Australian Open.
Its audacious pitch for the Grand Slam tennis tournament includes a plan to build a multi-million-dollar stadium at Glebe Island when the harbour site - now filled with cars - is closed to stevedores.
But it will be up against stiff competition from overseas, with Shanghai, Dubai and Abu Dhabi all mounting campaigns to host a Grand Slam event when Melbourne's contract expires in 2016.
The Australian Open is one of several major events NSW hopes to steal as it reinvigorates its focus on tourism, after a series of damning reports found it was losing visitors and attractions to other states.
The State Government has poured millions of dollars into rebuilding "Brand Sydney" - including the formation of the $85 million Events NSW body - after it was blasted for becoming complacent after the Olympics.
Events NSW's chief executive, Geoff Parmenter, confirmed Sydney's interest in the event, which is worth more than $100 million to Victoria's economy. ..."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Chris Rock turns Roxbury Hotel pub air blue with F-word
From The Daily Telegraph
"IN A REACTION worthy of Gordon Ramsay, stunned crowds at a Sydney pub were "rocked" by the random arrival of comedian Chris Rock on Friday night, dropping more than a few expletives in their excitement over the surprise gig.
Arriving at the Roxbury Hotel, Glebe stage unannounced, sans fanfare, the visiting US superstar had jaws dropping, then sides splitting during the random stand-up act. According to Confidential spies, the 25-minute routine featured the "f" word more times than a Ramsay cooking episode - playing fun with everything from Barack Obama to Australia's origins as a convict country. Ahead of his first tour of Australia, Rock, known for his no-limits, confrontational style, was accompanied by an entourage of seven and the star was dressed smartly in a black trench coat.
Roxbury Hotel staffer Chris Strickland said he thought the venue was being "punked" when Aussie promoter Artie Lang called on the night to arrange the secret slot. The Saturday Night Live star did not explain his motives for the impromptu, preview gig, but it proved a cheap thrill for the lucky 100 in the pub on the night. With tickets to his State Theatre shows, which opened last night, costing fans $120 per person, the Roxbury show had set the unwitting pub punters back just their measly $15 entry fee. He plays to another sell-out Sydney audience again tonight, before flying south to Melbourne for two gigs starting on Sunday."
Friday, July 11, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Demand on CBD fringe strong
By Carolyn Cummins, The Sydney Morning Herald
"WITH the redevelopment of the southern end of the central business district, fringe areas such as Glebe are benefiting from new infrastructure and expanded commercial offerings such as the Broadway shopping centre and the planned $2 billion Fraser Property project.
The accelerated development of residential buildings in the area has led to a rise in commercial values of about 30 per cent over the past two years to $6000 per square metre, while leasing rates have grown 25 per cent to $550 sqm. The vacancy rate is about 5 per cent.
Property developers say that, with many of the historic buildings in the suburb transformed to residential apartments and spare land becoming scarce, commercial property is proving to be in strong demand, especially on Glebe Point Road.
One such site is the former Valhalla cinema and another is the Glebe Post Office.
Portfolio Realty is offering 252 sqm of office space in the Glebe Post Office for rental at $280 a square metre, while the former Valhalla complex has been transformed into a commercial office complex, with 42 work studios, while retaining the existing shops and lobby.
The Valhalla studios have been developed by W Property.
David Brown, principal of the selling agent DB Property, said there has been strong demand from small service companies keen to buy and lease space in these types of buildings. ..."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
"WITH the redevelopment of the southern end of the central business district, fringe areas such as Glebe are benefiting from new infrastructure and expanded commercial offerings such as the Broadway shopping centre and the planned $2 billion Fraser Property project.
The accelerated development of residential buildings in the area has led to a rise in commercial values of about 30 per cent over the past two years to $6000 per square metre, while leasing rates have grown 25 per cent to $550 sqm. The vacancy rate is about 5 per cent.
Property developers say that, with many of the historic buildings in the suburb transformed to residential apartments and spare land becoming scarce, commercial property is proving to be in strong demand, especially on Glebe Point Road.
One such site is the former Valhalla cinema and another is the Glebe Post Office.
Portfolio Realty is offering 252 sqm of office space in the Glebe Post Office for rental at $280 a square metre, while the former Valhalla complex has been transformed into a commercial office complex, with 42 work studios, while retaining the existing shops and lobby.
The Valhalla studios have been developed by W Property.
David Brown, principal of the selling agent DB Property, said there has been strong demand from small service companies keen to buy and lease space in these types of buildings. ..."
Read the full article from The Sydney Morning Herald here.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Greyhound trainer guilty of cruelty
"The trainer of a greyhound that died after being left in a car has pleaded guilty to four charges, including animal cruelty.
Terry Darragh left his $10,000 greyhound in his station wagon in January after failing to stop when he collided with a bus at Glebe in Sydney's inner west.
He falsely reported the car missing the next day.
The dog died from organ failure three days after being left in the car.
The 37-year-old later admitted lying to police.
Solicitor Ben Goh asked the magistrate to dismiss the charges against Terry Darragh because he suffers from a mental illness.
The magistrate told the court he was satisfied the accused was mentally ill, but said the charges were too serious to be dismissed.
He will be sentenced in July."
Read the article from ABC News here.
Terry Darragh left his $10,000 greyhound in his station wagon in January after failing to stop when he collided with a bus at Glebe in Sydney's inner west.
He falsely reported the car missing the next day.
The dog died from organ failure three days after being left in the car.
The 37-year-old later admitted lying to police.
Solicitor Ben Goh asked the magistrate to dismiss the charges against Terry Darragh because he suffers from a mental illness.
The magistrate told the court he was satisfied the accused was mentally ill, but said the charges were too serious to be dismissed.
He will be sentenced in July."
Read the article from ABC News here.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ladettes? No these girls are thugs
By Lauren Williams, Daily Telegraph
"IT'S Friday, 11.30pm on Glebe Point Rd. As university students sip coffees at outside tables after late classes, a steady stream of rowdy young girls begins to pass by. Heading from Broadway, they gather at the corner of Cowper St and Glebe Point Rd.
First there's three. Aged somewhere between 12 and 16, they're dressed in hoodies, tight jeans and flashing Nikes.
Then there's the whistle, and during the next 15 minutes three more groups of three or four join them.
Somewhere ahead there's the sound of an altercation and one of the girls shouts out behind her: "Shut the f . . . up before you get shot, you dumb slut".
Residents and business owners say assaults, robberies and vandalism are out of control in Glebe, claiming an underage group of delinquents - known to locals as "The Glebe Gang" are terrorising the area.
They say a hardcore group of girls is now trumping the boys, with police admitting they have concerns about a group of young female repeat offenders.
The problem is so bad, Domino's Pizza in Glebe has declared six streets as a "no-go zone." ..."
Read the full article from the Daily Telegraph here.
"IT'S Friday, 11.30pm on Glebe Point Rd. As university students sip coffees at outside tables after late classes, a steady stream of rowdy young girls begins to pass by. Heading from Broadway, they gather at the corner of Cowper St and Glebe Point Rd.
First there's three. Aged somewhere between 12 and 16, they're dressed in hoodies, tight jeans and flashing Nikes.
Then there's the whistle, and during the next 15 minutes three more groups of three or four join them.
Somewhere ahead there's the sound of an altercation and one of the girls shouts out behind her: "Shut the f . . . up before you get shot, you dumb slut".
Residents and business owners say assaults, robberies and vandalism are out of control in Glebe, claiming an underage group of delinquents - known to locals as "The Glebe Gang" are terrorising the area.
They say a hardcore group of girls is now trumping the boys, with police admitting they have concerns about a group of young female repeat offenders.
The problem is so bad, Domino's Pizza in Glebe has declared six streets as a "no-go zone." ..."
Read the full article from the Daily Telegraph here.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Death of Harold Park looms
"IT has been Sydney's home of harness racing since 1902 but Harold Park could be up for sale as soon as August.
More than 100 years of tradition is likely to end after the NSW Harness Racing Club yesterday confirmed that an independent report supported the sale of Harold Park.
The sport is struggling to compete in the gambling market and must sell Harold Park - reported to be worth upwards of $150 million - and relocate to new facilities at Menangle Park to survive.
"The independent report, sanctioned by the NSWHRC and Harness Racing NSW, has come back with overwhelming support to sell Harold Park," NSWHRC chairman Rex Horne said.
"The future prosperity of harness racing in NSW rests largely on the decision to sell Harold Park." ... "
Read the full article from the Daily Telegraph here.
More than 100 years of tradition is likely to end after the NSW Harness Racing Club yesterday confirmed that an independent report supported the sale of Harold Park.
The sport is struggling to compete in the gambling market and must sell Harold Park - reported to be worth upwards of $150 million - and relocate to new facilities at Menangle Park to survive.
"The independent report, sanctioned by the NSWHRC and Harness Racing NSW, has come back with overwhelming support to sell Harold Park," NSWHRC chairman Rex Horne said.
"The future prosperity of harness racing in NSW rests largely on the decision to sell Harold Park." ... "
Read the full article from the Daily Telegraph here.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
New inner-city housing project for Glebe
"The New South Wales Government and the City of Sydney Council have announced they will jointly develop 700 new homes in the inner Sydney suburb of Glebe.
NSW Housing Minister Matt Brown says the houses will be a mixture of public and private home units covering a 3.6-hectare site.
He says some of the units will be set aside for essential workers.
"We really are wanting to have a mix that is public housing, social housing where we have key workers, nurses, police, and the like, so they don't have to travel long distances from the suburbs to work in the city," he said.
The Sydney Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the $260 million project, saying Sydney businesses cannot afford low-income workers to be priced out of Sydney.
The chamber's executive director, Patricia Forsythe, said in a statement that future housing needs will be increasingly meet by brownfield developments.
"It's pleasing to see a commitment from [State] Government and city council to rejuvenating key sites in close proximity to the CBD," she said."
Read the article from ABC News here.
Also see the article in the Sydney Morning Herald here.
NSW Housing Minister Matt Brown says the houses will be a mixture of public and private home units covering a 3.6-hectare site.
He says some of the units will be set aside for essential workers.
"We really are wanting to have a mix that is public housing, social housing where we have key workers, nurses, police, and the like, so they don't have to travel long distances from the suburbs to work in the city," he said.
The Sydney Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the $260 million project, saying Sydney businesses cannot afford low-income workers to be priced out of Sydney.
The chamber's executive director, Patricia Forsythe, said in a statement that future housing needs will be increasingly meet by brownfield developments.
"It's pleasing to see a commitment from [State] Government and city council to rejuvenating key sites in close proximity to the CBD," she said."
Read the article from ABC News here.
Also see the article in the Sydney Morning Herald here.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Glebe Morgue buys forklift to move obese
"Sydney's Glebe Morgue has been forced to buy a forklift truck to cope with obese corpses.
The proportion of obese patients requiring coronial autopsies has doubled from 15 per cent in 1986 to 30 per cent, according to a study by forensic pathologist Professor Roger Byard.
The proportion of morbidly obese corpses has increased from one to five per cent.
Glebe Morgue forensic pathologist Matthew Orde said the larger bodies were putting workers at risk of injury because they were difficult to lift, move and store.
He told The Sun-Herald that putrefaction - the degradation of soft tissue - was speeded up in morbidly obese patients, making handling difficult.
"A fat person will go off more quickly than a skinny person," Dr Orde said. ..."
Read the full review from the Sun-Herald here.
The proportion of obese patients requiring coronial autopsies has doubled from 15 per cent in 1986 to 30 per cent, according to a study by forensic pathologist Professor Roger Byard.
The proportion of morbidly obese corpses has increased from one to five per cent.
Glebe Morgue forensic pathologist Matthew Orde said the larger bodies were putting workers at risk of injury because they were difficult to lift, move and store.
He told The Sun-Herald that putrefaction - the degradation of soft tissue - was speeded up in morbidly obese patients, making handling difficult.
"A fat person will go off more quickly than a skinny person," Dr Orde said. ..."
Read the full review from the Sun-Herald here.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Comrades in arms to stand together
by Suzanne McFadden, The New Zealand Herald
"A Kiwi digger - tall, bronzed and standing at arms - is about to stand shoulder to shoulder with his fellow Anzac comrade once again. Dressed in the lemon squeezer hat and woolen puttees of a First World War Anzac soldier, the 4.2m-high statue stands in a Sydney foundry, waiting to be placed at the foot of Sydney's Anzac Bridge next to the Aussie Digger, who's been on guard since 2000. The two effigies of men at war will be an enduring testimony to the shared sacrifice of the Anzac soldiers. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark will unveil the Kiwi Digger in a ceremony at the western end of the bridge on April 27.
The iconic New Zealand soldier has been sculpted by Alan Somerville, a distinguished New Zealand artist now living in Sydney, who also made the Australian statue.
Neither statue was based on any particular soldier - Somerville teaches life drawing so he created each soldier's face from his memory. They share a similar stance, but there a few differences between the two men.
"The Aussie Digger has a slouch hat, and the Kiwi has a lemon squeezer. And I tease the Aussies and say the Kiwi Digger is 2 inches taller," Somerville says. "You've got to stand on our own two feet as a Kiwi over here."
Somerville says he has had "amazing responses" to the Aussie Digger statue, whose feet stand in sand from the beaches of Gallipoli where the Anzacs first landed on April 25, 1915.
"People who don't know anything about sculpture say they can see the emotion in him. It was a very straight up and down stance, but I wanted to get something in the attitude. I guess the face has a feeling of remembrance, of contemplation," he says.
Creating the Kiwi Digger was a nine-month mission, from creating the full armature around which the sculpture was built, to four months in the foundry where it was cast into bronze. Somerville was kicking himself for throwing away the original frame of the Australian version, and having to start again from scratch.
Somerville has his own connection to Anzac Day. As a young man who loved to draw, he worked on a farm in the Maniototo in partnership with a WW2 returned serviceman, Nigel McGregor.
"We never missed an Anzac Day commemoration. He fought through the Middle East and Italy, and it was there he fell in love with art. He was a wonderful man, and he gave me a great start," says Somerville, who moved to Australia 20 years ago.
"In a way, now that I have both passports I feel like a true Anzac."
Last year, Somerville made a life-size bronze of the famous Kiwi stallion Sir Tristram that stands in Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud; his next project is an AFL player for the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Kiwi Digger was a joint project commissioned in June last year by Helen Clark and New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma. The New Zealand Government contributed $386,000 towards the statue, which will be unveiled in front of Anzac veterans in the Sunday ceremony.
"The twin soldier statues in the heart of Australia's largest city remind us of our close relationship and of the proud traditions we share. It will be a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by ANZAC servicemen and women over more than 100 years," Helen Clark says.
Read the full article from The New Zealand Herald here.
"A Kiwi digger - tall, bronzed and standing at arms - is about to stand shoulder to shoulder with his fellow Anzac comrade once again. Dressed in the lemon squeezer hat and woolen puttees of a First World War Anzac soldier, the 4.2m-high statue stands in a Sydney foundry, waiting to be placed at the foot of Sydney's Anzac Bridge next to the Aussie Digger, who's been on guard since 2000. The two effigies of men at war will be an enduring testimony to the shared sacrifice of the Anzac soldiers. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark will unveil the Kiwi Digger in a ceremony at the western end of the bridge on April 27.
The iconic New Zealand soldier has been sculpted by Alan Somerville, a distinguished New Zealand artist now living in Sydney, who also made the Australian statue.
Neither statue was based on any particular soldier - Somerville teaches life drawing so he created each soldier's face from his memory. They share a similar stance, but there a few differences between the two men.
"The Aussie Digger has a slouch hat, and the Kiwi has a lemon squeezer. And I tease the Aussies and say the Kiwi Digger is 2 inches taller," Somerville says. "You've got to stand on our own two feet as a Kiwi over here."
Somerville says he has had "amazing responses" to the Aussie Digger statue, whose feet stand in sand from the beaches of Gallipoli where the Anzacs first landed on April 25, 1915.
"People who don't know anything about sculpture say they can see the emotion in him. It was a very straight up and down stance, but I wanted to get something in the attitude. I guess the face has a feeling of remembrance, of contemplation," he says.
Creating the Kiwi Digger was a nine-month mission, from creating the full armature around which the sculpture was built, to four months in the foundry where it was cast into bronze. Somerville was kicking himself for throwing away the original frame of the Australian version, and having to start again from scratch.
Somerville has his own connection to Anzac Day. As a young man who loved to draw, he worked on a farm in the Maniototo in partnership with a WW2 returned serviceman, Nigel McGregor.
"We never missed an Anzac Day commemoration. He fought through the Middle East and Italy, and it was there he fell in love with art. He was a wonderful man, and he gave me a great start," says Somerville, who moved to Australia 20 years ago.
"In a way, now that I have both passports I feel like a true Anzac."
Last year, Somerville made a life-size bronze of the famous Kiwi stallion Sir Tristram that stands in Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud; his next project is an AFL player for the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Kiwi Digger was a joint project commissioned in June last year by Helen Clark and New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma. The New Zealand Government contributed $386,000 towards the statue, which will be unveiled in front of Anzac veterans in the Sunday ceremony.
"The twin soldier statues in the heart of Australia's largest city remind us of our close relationship and of the proud traditions we share. It will be a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by ANZAC servicemen and women over more than 100 years," Helen Clark says.
Read the full article from The New Zealand Herald here.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
A funny quest
The comedy competition with the biggest prize haul - the Roxbury Hotel's Quest for the Best series - is on right now.
By Sarah Norris
"It’s a gruelling process to be the funniest comedian in Sydney. First there’s months of intense competition, a series of heats and then finally the grand final – the big daddy – an event the organisers predict will this year attract around 600 people who will be on the edge of their seat waiting on the jokes and puns of the ten finalists.
But the payoff and rewards are big. Snagging first prize in the Quest For the Best competition sees you handed a massive wad of sweaty cash, $5,000, which in comparison to the usual comedy prize on a usual weekly comedy event, is like winning first prize in Monday night Lotto.
“Most comedy competitions offer cash, though nothing comes even close to getting five grand,” exclaims last year’s winner, 24-year-old Liverpool comic Oliver Phommavanh. “Plus I got to hold a giant novelty cheque – that’s pretty impressive.”
What’s also remarkable is the rise and rise of Quest for the Best in such a short time. The brainchild of Kathryn Benball (she’s also organiser of the Glebe Roxbury Hotel comedy nights, a major supporter of local and up-and-coming comedians) and now in its third year, the event seems to have outgrown its home. “Last year we could have sold at least 600 tickets to the grand final so the pub has agreed that the final night will be held in an external venue. We just can’t hold enough people. It’s been a fantastic success and obviously the pub is through the roof about the whole thing. The first two years we did 400 people.”
So, what does she see as the attraction? “It’s new talent coming through – a lot of people turn up because they are curious to see who will be the next crop of comedians. It’s true a lot of people don’t come until the heats because they don’t want to sit through the bad ones, but some people really love it.”
Read the full article from Time Out here.
By Sarah Norris
"It’s a gruelling process to be the funniest comedian in Sydney. First there’s months of intense competition, a series of heats and then finally the grand final – the big daddy – an event the organisers predict will this year attract around 600 people who will be on the edge of their seat waiting on the jokes and puns of the ten finalists.
But the payoff and rewards are big. Snagging first prize in the Quest For the Best competition sees you handed a massive wad of sweaty cash, $5,000, which in comparison to the usual comedy prize on a usual weekly comedy event, is like winning first prize in Monday night Lotto.
“Most comedy competitions offer cash, though nothing comes even close to getting five grand,” exclaims last year’s winner, 24-year-old Liverpool comic Oliver Phommavanh. “Plus I got to hold a giant novelty cheque – that’s pretty impressive.”
What’s also remarkable is the rise and rise of Quest for the Best in such a short time. The brainchild of Kathryn Benball (she’s also organiser of the Glebe Roxbury Hotel comedy nights, a major supporter of local and up-and-coming comedians) and now in its third year, the event seems to have outgrown its home. “Last year we could have sold at least 600 tickets to the grand final so the pub has agreed that the final night will be held in an external venue. We just can’t hold enough people. It’s been a fantastic success and obviously the pub is through the roof about the whole thing. The first two years we did 400 people.”
So, what does she see as the attraction? “It’s new talent coming through – a lot of people turn up because they are curious to see who will be the next crop of comedians. It’s true a lot of people don’t come until the heats because they don’t want to sit through the bad ones, but some people really love it.”
Read the full article from Time Out here.
Kovco death irresponsible and self-inflicted: jury
"The jury at the inquest into the death of Private Jake Kovco in Iraq two years ago has found the soldier died of an irresponsibly self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The six member jury has taken a day to reach its verdict. The jury was unable to say whether or not the soldier was aware of the possibility his pistol was ready to discharge.
The three men and three women of the jury heard more than seven weeks of evidence.
They were asked to consider six possible verdicts, ranging from the finding that Pte Kovco committed suicide to an open verdict.
Lawyers for three other soldiers, the Commonwealth and the counsel assisting the coroner all recommended the jury find Pte Kovco accidentally shot himself after forgetting that his gun was loaded.
At Glebe Coroners Court in Sydney, Private Kovco's mother Judy shook her head as the verdict was read out. Her lawyer had asked for an open verdict.
Outside the court, Judy Kovco said the jury had returned the wrong verdict, but refused to say any more to reporters. ..."
Read the full article from ABC News here.
The six member jury has taken a day to reach its verdict. The jury was unable to say whether or not the soldier was aware of the possibility his pistol was ready to discharge.
The three men and three women of the jury heard more than seven weeks of evidence.
They were asked to consider six possible verdicts, ranging from the finding that Pte Kovco committed suicide to an open verdict.
Lawyers for three other soldiers, the Commonwealth and the counsel assisting the coroner all recommended the jury find Pte Kovco accidentally shot himself after forgetting that his gun was loaded.
At Glebe Coroners Court in Sydney, Private Kovco's mother Judy shook her head as the verdict was read out. Her lawyer had asked for an open verdict.
Outside the court, Judy Kovco said the jury had returned the wrong verdict, but refused to say any more to reporters. ..."
Read the full article from ABC News here.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
It's party time for Wolverine
"Action ... Hugh Jackman on the Wolverine spin-off set / Simon Bullard
THE streets of Glebe, in Sydney's inner west, were transformed into a carnival for the filming of Hugh Jackman's Hollywood blockbuster, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
During the one-night shoot on Friday, Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, were seen laughing and chatting with extras and crew as they inspected the purpose-built set.
The scenes, shot at Glebe's Federal Park, appeared to be a flashback sequence with extras wearing flares, Afros and long sideburns as they rode the Ferris wheel.
Dressed casually but sporting the Wolverine mutton-chops and beard, Jackman disappointed bystanders by not getting his metal claws out.
There was also no sign of his co-stars Ryan Reynolds, the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am and Naomi Watt's partner, Liev Schreiber."
Read the full article from the Daily Telegraph here.
THE streets of Glebe, in Sydney's inner west, were transformed into a carnival for the filming of Hugh Jackman's Hollywood blockbuster, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
During the one-night shoot on Friday, Jackman and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, were seen laughing and chatting with extras and crew as they inspected the purpose-built set.
The scenes, shot at Glebe's Federal Park, appeared to be a flashback sequence with extras wearing flares, Afros and long sideburns as they rode the Ferris wheel.
Dressed casually but sporting the Wolverine mutton-chops and beard, Jackman disappointed bystanders by not getting his metal claws out.
There was also no sign of his co-stars Ryan Reynolds, the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am and Naomi Watt's partner, Liev Schreiber."
Read the full article from the Daily Telegraph here.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Nobs and yobs: in Glebe, crime bridges the gulf
"Trouble can follow when rich and poor find themselves living cheek by jowl, writes Jordan Baker.
THE woman stands by the gate of a tiny St Johns Road Housing Department terrace, her breathing laboured but her voice angry as she describes how seven-year-old girls tore apart her dying neighbour's yard.
The families moved there 30 years ago, when she was in her 40s, the house was owned by the church and there were no millionaires across the road. There was petty crime then too, but now young people were running wild.
Most recently, there has been sharp rise in car break-ins. Last week the windows of every car on a nearby street were smashed. The woman would not give her name. "Not here in Glebe, darling; the kids are liable to get me."
St Johns Road embodies the contradiction Glebe has become. On one side there's housing worth millions for the wealthy, who park their expensive cars out the front, send their children to private schools and have weekly cleaners.
On the other is a Department of Housing estate, a mix of elderly people, immigrants and young families. They come from different parts of the world, have different family backgrounds, and often struggle to make ends meet.
Car break-ins are the most common crime. They are on the rise throughout NSW, but have climbed 66 per cent in Glebe since 2004. Last September there were at least 99. One man had his car broken into 17 times in two years. ...
The problem is not unique to Glebe. As gentrification and wealth spread through areas once considered working class, so does the resentment of struggling families who have lived in those suburbs for generations. ..."
Read the full article from the Sydney Morning Herald here.
THE woman stands by the gate of a tiny St Johns Road Housing Department terrace, her breathing laboured but her voice angry as she describes how seven-year-old girls tore apart her dying neighbour's yard.
The families moved there 30 years ago, when she was in her 40s, the house was owned by the church and there were no millionaires across the road. There was petty crime then too, but now young people were running wild.
Most recently, there has been sharp rise in car break-ins. Last week the windows of every car on a nearby street were smashed. The woman would not give her name. "Not here in Glebe, darling; the kids are liable to get me."
St Johns Road embodies the contradiction Glebe has become. On one side there's housing worth millions for the wealthy, who park their expensive cars out the front, send their children to private schools and have weekly cleaners.
On the other is a Department of Housing estate, a mix of elderly people, immigrants and young families. They come from different parts of the world, have different family backgrounds, and often struggle to make ends meet.
Car break-ins are the most common crime. They are on the rise throughout NSW, but have climbed 66 per cent in Glebe since 2004. Last September there were at least 99. One man had his car broken into 17 times in two years. ...
The problem is not unique to Glebe. As gentrification and wealth spread through areas once considered working class, so does the resentment of struggling families who have lived in those suburbs for generations. ..."
Read the full article from the Sydney Morning Herald here.
Sydney temple fire deliberate: police
"Police have confirmed a fire at a heritage-listed Chinese temple in Sydney's inner-west yesterday was suspicious.
Firefighters were called to the Sze Yup temple at Glebe about 1:00am (AEDT) yesterday.
Crew managed to contain the blaze to one room but the damage is estimated at $100,000.
Police also say a quantity of money was stolen from the donation box inside the temple.
The temple, which is more than 100-years-old, is a focal point for next Thursday's Chinese New Year celebrations.
Festival organisers says the celebrations will go ahead as planned."
Read the article from ABC News here.
Firefighters were called to the Sze Yup temple at Glebe about 1:00am (AEDT) yesterday.
Crew managed to contain the blaze to one room but the damage is estimated at $100,000.
Police also say a quantity of money was stolen from the donation box inside the temple.
The temple, which is more than 100-years-old, is a focal point for next Thursday's Chinese New Year celebrations.
Festival organisers says the celebrations will go ahead as planned."
Read the article from ABC News here.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Temple fire won't ruin Chinese NY: organisers
"Organisers of Sydney's Chinese New Year festival say the celebrations will not be affected by a fire at a temple in Sydney's inner-west this morning.
Police believe arsonists are behind the fire at the heritage-listed Sze Yup temple at Glebe.
Firefighters were called to the temple on Edward Street about 1:00am (AEDT) after receiving reports of smoke coming from the building.
The blaze damaged one room but crews managed to stop the fire from spreading to other parts of the temple.
The temple is supposed to be the focal point of next Thursday's Chinese New Year festivities.
The festival's creative director, Gill Minervini, says the celebrations will go ahead as planned."
Read the full article from ABC News here.
Police believe arsonists are behind the fire at the heritage-listed Sze Yup temple at Glebe.
Firefighters were called to the temple on Edward Street about 1:00am (AEDT) after receiving reports of smoke coming from the building.
The blaze damaged one room but crews managed to stop the fire from spreading to other parts of the temple.
The temple is supposed to be the focal point of next Thursday's Chinese New Year festivities.
The festival's creative director, Gill Minervini, says the celebrations will go ahead as planned."
Read the full article from ABC News here.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
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