Councillor defends right to ask questions BY PETER HACKNEY Ms Vithoulkas told City News that after she Lynda’s fight for City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas placed her Question on Notice, CEO Monica hris Peken has defended her right to ask questions, after Barone asked her to withdraw it. animal rights C claiming the City’s CEO asked her to withdraw “I refused because it was a valid question,” said BY PETER HACKNEY Lynda Stoner can remember the exact moment Photo: a Question on Notice directed to Sydney Lord Ms Vithoulkas. that led her to become one of Australia’s leading Mayor Clover Moore. A City of Sydney spokesperson confirmed that animal rights activists. Questions on Notice are posed in writing at “the CEO cannot request Councillors withdraw “It was nearly 40 years ago and I was visiting least a week before Council meetings, to give a question” – however the spokesperson claimed my parents’ place in South Australia. The TV was respondents time to research their answers. Ms Ms Vithoulkas was not asked to remove her showing footage of harp seal pups being battered Vithoulkas’s question to Ms Moore concerned question. and skinned alive. I just couldn’t get it out of my Kings Cross cheesemonger Claudia Bowman’s “The CEO informed Councillor Vithoulkas head. involvement in the upcoming Local Government that Council had no involvement in the events “When I got back to Melbourne, where I was living NSW (LGNSW) Conference. planned as part of the LGNSW Conference. at the time, I bought a copy of Peter Singer’s book Ms Bowman, who ran unsuccessfully on Ms In light of that, the CEO sought clarification Animal Liberation and read the first three chapters Moore’s election ticket last year, was scheduled to on whether [she] wanted to proceed with her in the back of the cab before I even got home. That host an ‘Artisan Cheese and Wine Appreciation question,” said the spokesperson. was it, I stopped eating meat straight away.” Course/Tasting’ on October 3 as part of the Ms Vithoulkas insisted she was indeed asked Lynda had just started working on Cop Shop, Lynda Stoner conference. to remove the question, and questioned why the the hottest new show on Australian TV. She was “Ms Bowman is a member of the Clover CEO was involving herself in the matter at all. already known for her work on The Young Doctors go off on a tangent.” Moore Independent Team political party,” wrote “I have been advised by the CEO that all and The Paul Hogan Show but Cop Shop propelled Last year, ALNSW exposed the horrific practices Ms Vithoulkas in her Question on Notice. Questions on Notice are answered by the Office her to new heights as one of the country’s most of Hawkesbury Valley Abattoir. Shocking footage “Which other [cheesemongers] were of the Lord Mayor,” said Ms Vithoulkas. “So why famous actors – not to mention the sex symbol of a taken by the group aired on ABC-TV’s Lateline and approached/invited to provide an activity in the did the CEO contact a Councillor to even discuss generation. led to new laws requiring animal welfare officers at LGNSW 2013 Partners Program?” she asked. a Question on Notice that was put to the Lord “It was funny because I was being sent to do TV every NSW abattoir. “Who made the decision to award the business Mayor?” interviews to promote Cop Shop but all I wanted to Now the general public has a chance to help the opportunity to … a member of the Clover Moore A spokesperson for the Lord Mayor said: “The talk about was animal rights,” she recalls. organisation continue such work, with the annual political party?” City’s CEO acts independently and was not After Cop Shop, roles on The Flying Doctors, ALNSW fundraiser scheduled for World Animal Day (Friday, October 4) in the Grand Hall at Sydney given any instruction in relation to this Question Prisoner and Chances followed, but the nation’s Boy’s High School. on Notice.” favourite blonde bombshell had much more to offer. Dubbed ‘Animals and Art’, this year’s event will The spokesperson said all activities at the In an eloquent yet relatable way, Lynda educated feature master didgeridoo player Russell Dawson, LGNSW Conference were arranged by LGNSW countless Australians on the horrors of factory readings by poet and novelist David Brooks, – a statement backed by the organisation itself farming and abattoirs via her media appearances, paintings by Animal Liberation founder Christine and by Ms Bowman, who forwarded an email and was ultimately offered a role as a lobbyist at Animal Liberation NSW (ALNSW). Townend, composer/conductor Kerry Woodward, trail about the matter to City News. Today, Lynda is the organisation’s CEO – a pianist Simon Marlow and much more. The trail showed that an official from LGNSW position that encompasses everything from directing Says Lynda: “This is a great chance for us to raise contacted Ms Bowman in March, seeking a quote campaigns to answering phones. some much-needed funds and host a fabulous night from McIntosh & Bowman Cheesemongers on “You never know where the day will take you,” she out at the same time!” hosting a cheese and wine course. says. “You might have certain things planned but Animals and Art commences 6.30pm Friday, The event has now been dropped from the someone will ring up about an atrocity happening to October 4. Tickets $45. RSVP essential: LGNSW Conference schedule, with organisers cattle out the back of Bourke and the whole day will [email protected] or (02) 9262 3221. Councillor Angela Vithoulkas citing a lack of registrations. Pyrmont Community Concerns raised over Centre open all week ‘Keep It Local’ initiative Published weekly and distributed in the CBD, Pyrmont, BY JONATHAN MIMO classes… now the activities Ultimo, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, East BY PETER HACKNEY completely unprofessional. At worst, The Pyrmont Community help get people together and Sydney, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, The City of Sydney Council’s another misstep for what has to be the Centre will be hosting an it has become a place for the Chippendale and Glebe. Distribution enquiries call 9212 Open Weekend to celebrate its ‘Keep It Local’ push has become a Lord Mayor’s worst year ever.” people,” said Mrs Dardick. 5677. Published by the Alternative Media Group of Australia. refurbishment and new seven- point of contention, with some of the Ms Vithoulkas asked: “Is Ms The Open Weekend will While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, day-a-week operations. City’s own councillors questioning the Schofield being paid to run this The City News takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors From Friday, September begin at 6pm on Friday with initiative’s purpose and independence. website? Is the City paying consultants or omissions. ABN 48 135 222 169 27 to Sunday, September an exhibition of photographs Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla to set up and maintain something the 29 the centre will be abuzz illustrating the theme of ‘Why has alleged the initiative is nothing City doesn’t own?” Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons with activities to mark the I Like Pyrmont’ while the more than an attack on NSW Premier When asked for further clarification, Group Manager: Chris Peken improvements and attract new Pyrmont Sings! and Pyrmont Barry O’Farrell’s attempts to reform the City of Sydney spokesperson Group Editor: Marcus Braid patrons. Players groups entertain the local council boundaries, while both Mr advised City News to direct questions City News Editor: Peter Hackney Friends of Pyrmont crowds. Mandla and Living Sydney Councillor to the Office of the Lord Mayor. Editors: Adam Hunt and Michael Koziol Angela Vithoulkas have raised concerns Convenor Mary Mortimer From 10am to 4pm on A Lord Mayoral spokesperson said: Contributors: Joshua Tassell, Max Chalmers, Madelaine over the ownership of the Keep It Local believes the celebration Saturday, centre activities will “Nell Schofield is employed within the Wong, Mason McCann, Jonathan Mimo and Paul McPhun website. will highlight the centre’s include Pyrmont Sings!, a Office of the Lord Mayor as a Policy Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone On Monday, a City of Sydney importance to the community. Officer on short-term contract. Her role Live Music Editor: Chelsea Deeley pottery display, and quieter spokesperson said: “A keepitlocal.net. “It is the only public space supports the Lord Mayor to deliver Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan pursuits such as a book au website was established by the City [of its kind] in Pyrmont. There the resolutions of Council. The work Advertising Managers: David Sullivan, Toni Martelli, exchange, Scrabble, chess, of Sydney, after a Council resolution in is no school or church hall so includes supporting the Keep It Local Robert Tuitama, Debra O’Kane and Suzette Frater stitching and table tennis. June endorsed a community awareness it is a very important space, website. Design: Joanna Grace The Pyrmont History campaign on proposed NSW and our residents and staff “Nell’s extensive communications Publisher’s Assistant: Deeksha Chopra have been working hard to Group will also host Government changes to planning laws and journalism experience, and Distribution Manager: Danish Ali make it available for different exhibitions of photographs, and local government.” involvement with successful community sections of the community,” artefacts and stories from The spokesperson said the website Cover Photo: Chris Peken - Lynda Stoner campaigns … are ideal qualifications Email: [email protected] she said. Pyrmont’s extraordinary past, cost $14,500 to create and maintain, and that its aim was to inform people for this role.” Advertising: [email protected] The Pyrmont Community while the famous free Pyrmont about the potential impacts of creating Contact: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Centre provides opportunities Community Bank sausage “super-sized councils” and other Ph: 9212 5677 Fax: 9212 5633 for fitness, recreation and sizzle will begin at midday.