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."
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
You can take a street upmarket …
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."
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