SSH May 2021
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READ SSH ONLINE SOUTHSYDNEYHERALD.COM.AU FREE PRINTED EDITION EVERY MONTH TO 10,000+ REGULAR READERS Number Two Hundred and Three ~ May 2021 Circulation 10,000 ~ First Published 2002 ALEXANDRIA | BEACONSFIELD | CHIPPENDALE | DARLINGTON | ERSKINEVILLE | EVELEIGH | GLEBE | NEWTOWN | PADDINGTON | POTTS POINT | REDFERN | ROSEBERY | SURRY HILLS | ULTIMO | WATERLOO | WOOLLOOMOOLOO | ZETLAND New mural celebrates local connections ART Billinge’s grant application was who currently works at the National based on her trying to find ways Centre of Indigenous Excellence; MARJORIE LEWIS-JONES of connecting to community, Dame Marie Bashir former that wouldn’t be face-to-face and Chancellor of Sydney University DARLINGTON: Annandale-based would therefore be Covid-safe. and Governor of New South Wales; artist Sharon Billinge has been “It was serendipitous to get a and students from The Settlement collaborating with Darlington contact for a person at Sydney Neighbourhood Centre, which and Redfern locals to create Uni who had a huge history of the provides a range of programs for a vibrant new mural to be area,” Billinge says. “That was it children, young people and families. completed in early May. then, it all opened up like a box.” Billinge ran a workshop with Billinge got to know Aunty some students from The Settlement It’s her most satisfying project Beryl Van-Oploo and the women to design personal symbols to to date, she says, partly due to its who’ve lived for 20 years in the be included in the work. “serendipitous nature” but also house where the new mural is “A large part of my practice is because of all the hurdles she’s now situated. She also met one of trying to give people ownership had to overcome – like working their neighbours, an Indigenous of public space,” she explains. through Covid, finding a new artist* who helped her with “As part of that, I wanted to wall when the first site became scaffolding and other storage – be able to give these kids at The untenable, getting the development “another beautiful part of the Settlement the chance to walk application approved, battling days project, just to get to know him”. past part of the neighbourhood of torrential rain when she should The final design of Darlington and say, ‘That’s my idea. That’s Work in progress for Darlington Incorporated – a new mural on Wilson Street by artist Sharon Billinge. have been painting, and suffering Incorporated pays tribute to what I did. And someone thought Photo: Lord Mayor Clover Moore via Facebook a death in her family while racing the range of youth support it was important enough to put to complete the mural on time. and education available in the there.’ So, there’ll be lots of those from The Settlement featured. true boss of their house. In 2020, Covid threw Billinge a suburb including The Settlement symbols hidden in the mural.” Working on the mural has been At 8am each morning a small curve ball. Like many artists whose Neighbourhood Centre, Sydney Much of Billinge’s work is female- a great experience for Billinge rainbow has appeared on the wall work is community based and University and Yaama Dhiyaan based and disrupts the “vacuous, because the Darlington community above Aunty Beryl’s head. Is it a involves face-to-face contact, many hospitality training college, staring-off-into-space, female faces” is so genuine, vocal and inquisitive. sign that the mural was meant to of her projects were put on hold. previously located across the found in many murals. Her aim is In these last few weeks, as be, and that it will be called “Aunty At this critical point, she road from the mural site. to put character back into women’s Billinge has been putting the Beryl’s mural” from here on in? received funding for the mural It does this by featuring three portraits – showing women “in finishing touches on the mural, Let’s see. S project from the Sydney City main portraits. Aunty Beryl Van- possession of themselves” and the weather has been perfect. Council Creative Fellowships Fund, Oploo who set up the hospitality not subject to the male gaze. For the women who let her use The launch of Darlington Incorporated established last year to help keep courses that operated out of Yaama Aunty Beryl and Dame Marie their wall she has incorporated is at 372 Wilson Street, Darlington, arts and creative professionals Dhiyann and which specialised in Bashir embody such self- an image of their beloved on May 8 at 1pm along with an art working during the pandemic. Indigenous culture and cuisine, and assurance as do the three girls westie terrier, Billy, who is the exhibition by *Mark Trewhella. I truly love was missing and I suffered for it,” she said. “When Everyone can sing! the marvellous Mary contacted me about a lesson I immediately LOCALS “Ninety per cent of our members felt the excitement in my heart, are socially disadvantaged or and that one lesson has made ANDREW COLLIS socially isolated and have lived such a difference to me. Mary experiences of trauma, violence, is an inspiration. She always WITH One Voice (WOV) Redfern- abuse, poverty and homelessness.” believes in me and gives me Waterloo launched in 2019. Last In 2020, WOV Redfern-Waterloo the courage to keep practising month, after a 12-month Covid- maintained connection among to improve my singing.” induced hiatus, the community members via Zoom catch-up WOV Redfern-Waterloo choir resumed in-person weekly sessions and a weekly live is grateful for the ongoing rehearsals at Redfern Town stream of songs by conductor Mary, Bettina and Andrew enjoy rehearsals at Redfern Town Hall. Photo: Andrew Collis sponsorship of Launch Recruitment Hall. A joyous occasion. Mary Kiani. Thanks to a grant and the support of key donor from the City of Sydney and to people’s health outcomes embarrassed to sing, but the choir Rebecca Wallace and her team. Choir co-ordinator Robin assistance from Counterpoint and wellbeing and we want has enabled me to learn how to The choir rehearses at Redfern Miles said: “Pre-Covid, we Community Services, choir our members to stay well and sing. I am getting better as each Town Hall on Monday nights, had an average of 35 people members were offered counselling, connected,” Ms Miles said. week goes on, even the online from 5.30 to 7pm. S attending our rehearsals each IT support and singing lessons Choir member Michael said: support has been great for me.” week – from the local community, (remote and face-to-face). “For many years I believed I Fellow member Diane really Enquiries welcome. Contact Robin Miles: the inner city and inner west “Social interaction and singing couldn’t hold a note. That now missed singing each Monday [email protected] – and a membership of 75. have clear positive benefits has changed for me. Before, I was night. “I felt as though something www.facebook.com/WOVRedfern To read these online-only stories and much more, go to: Celina aids bushfire survivors Mia marks a milestone Lofty lifts off southsydneyherald.com.au 2 NEWS MAY 2021 ISSN 2652-4538 PUBLISHER TANYA PLIBERSEK MP South Sydney Uniting Church Raglan Street, Waterloo. Federal Member for Sydney Reuse, recycle – care for community The views expressed in this newspaper are those of the author and the article and are not necessarily the LOCALS views of the Uniting Church. MELINDA KEARNS NEWS [email protected] Phone Lyn 0400 008 338 WATERLOO: At the base of the YOUTH SURVEY Turanga building at 1 Phillip ADVERTISING [email protected] St, a busy bustle of community Young people are affected by decisions in every service takes place every Friday MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 3288 part of government. Labor wants young people to morning under the helpful eye of Redfern NSW 2016 volunteers Naomi, Di and Anne. have a real say in Australia’s future. LETTERS Please send letters and emails to: The Waterloo Recycling The South Sydney Herald. We want to hear about your priorities and the Workshop, serving the local Email: [email protected] Supply sender name and suburb. solutions you want to see. That’s why we have community since 2008, is run by Size: 150 words or less. Counterpoint Community Services created an online space dedicated to these We may edit for legal or other reasons. (with thanks to Housing NSW for important conversations. Scan the QR code FOUNDING EDITOR use of the garage) and provides Trevor Davies (25.5.1956 – 14.6.2011) below to be taken to our survey. At the end of a range of valuable services. All shelving and fixtures Brian purchased some new things for his flat. MANAGING EDITOR the survey there will be an opportunity to sign-up Photo: Melinda Kearns Marjorie Lewis-Jones were built from recycled timber ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR to continue the conversation with key Labor by John English, who had a Andrew Collis policy makers. mission to fix and repurpose The Workshop also serves as NEWS EDITOR things for the community, giving a place of social outreach, so Lyn Turnbull furniture new life by crafting that the people who live in the ASSISTANT EDITOR Louisa Dyce a new leg for a table or a chair surrounding buildings can meet ARTS & FESTIVALS when it was required rather than and socialise safely. Naomi, Di Anna North sending the item to the tip. and Anne know the locals who BOOKS Catherine DeMayo The space has grown since visit them regularly and show EDUCATION it began, with Naomi sharing interest in their lives, offering Melinda Kearns the same belief in fixing and help and a sense of community.