Independent November 7

or family member to another friend or similar destinations. Stepping out to stability family member - couchsurfing - for a long Unhappy But Leichhardt Council said that period of time,” she said. BY MICHAEL KOZIOL Housing NSW, the social housing provider was incorrect, and that any books There could scarcely be a greater breach under the NSW Department of Family The partnership with Callagher aims to ending for redress the difficulty clients have previously not sold at Balmain are passed of faith than the sexual abuse Danielle* and Community Services. It also has had in securing their own housing. over to Leichhardt. suffered as a child at the hands of a state- arrangements with a number of community tired tomes Danielle lived at a Stepping Out property The Independent confirmed with sanctioned youth worker. housing providers. BY MICHAEL KOZIOL in Petersham while going through the the St Vincent de Paul society and It is a memory the 30-year old is Once they have completed the program, Library books, as it turns out, understandably not keen to revisit. program. She has since moved into private live on borrowed time. But what the Salvation Army that ex-library some women will seek public housing, while accommodation in the inner west and, books are accepted in reasonable “It was somebody who was given that others want to move into private rental. happens to the books that a having completed training as a meditation condition. Salvos Stores CEO authority who actually then completely Last Wednesday, Stepping Out entered a librarian decides are no longer violated that trust by using that position to teacher, is studying a masters degree in Neville Barrett said his organisation partnership with Callagher Estate Agents to worth stocking? gain access to young people,” she says. counselling and psychotherapy. routinely works with libraries, and assist in that regard. When a concerned resident The pain was unrelenting; a barrier She also volunteers with the program, Callagher will also serve as a pro “rescued” ten boxes of disposed that books are accepted as long Danielle found hard to overcome. sharing her story with other women and bono advisor on issues such as tenancy books from garbage bins behind as the donor has the authority to “I kept coming up against this roadblock facilitating workshops and meditation. Leichhardt Library, he contacted donate them. management and property maintenance. Does she imagine things would have where I’d get to a certain point in my work the Inner West Independent. However, there is a question of “Stepping Out is a great program and turned out differently if she hadn’t found or my study and then I’d just hit a wall.” Jefferson Lee said he was told capacity. A Council spokesperson In 2009, Danielle was in a vulnerable we look forward to working with them to help through Stepping Out? achieve good housing outcomes for the by a library employee that books said charities could not possibly place, having to also confront the death of “I feel like I probably would have still are placed on a sale table, and if women and children that use their service,” accommodate the 1.7 million books her father and a close friend. She was living made it, because human beings are always they are not sold, are dumped for said Callagher Managing Director Cary disposed of by public libraries in in the inner west but her housing situation trying to find the next thing,” Danielle said. incineration. Mr Lee also claims he Giezekamp. 2011/12, for example. was untenable. “But I think it gave me the opportunity to was told that charities such as the Ms Porteous said entering the private “I knew I had to leave.” develop myself to the point where I could St Vincent de Paul society do not “The library is happy to donate market could be “daunting”, particularly for At a community centre she discovered a actually give back to other people rather stock ex-library books. books to not for profit groups women with no rental history and who may flyer for Stepping Out Housing, a support than just being stuck in the rut I was stuck The Independent could not wanting to redistribute the books,” program for women who have been victims not be familiar with the application process. in before.” verify this conversation, but a the spokesperson said. “If the * Not her real name of childhood sexual abuse and are homeless “They’ll often be moving from one friend spokesperson for Leichhardt Salvation Army wishes to take or at risk of homelessness. Council said its libraries “make ex-library books they are more than Stepping Out describes itself as an every effort to find new homes for welcome to do so.” intensive six to 12 month program that The Gap books in a useable condition”. includes peer support, career development Some books are not resold or and personal empowerment. It ultimately given away because they contain aims to help its clients lead secure, Mind Photo: outdated medical, government or independent and stable lives. technical information. Those that Director Rochelle Porteous, who is also cannot be rehoused are recycled a Leichhardt Councillor, said the program rather than dumped or burnt, the was about “enabling women to recover, to spokesperson said. reengage with the community, to move into At Balmain Library at the employment and study” and “building their weekend, a staff member said skill set so that they’re able to be strong and books are never thrown away but effective in their local community”. are given to nursing homes and On borrowed time: books chucked. Stepping Out leases property from Rochelle Porteous, Trang Dao and Cary Giezekamp and Lara Goodridge, a violinist from the White Bay Can you feel acclaimed string quartet, FourPlay. The the beat? It’s duo’s sultry set features classic French access improved songs of the 20th century, along with a Published fortnightly and distributed to residents in French version of Dobson’s hit “Even BY SEAN O’GRADY and the need to prioritise ridgey didge Leichhardt, Lilyfield, Balmain, Annandale and Rozelle. When I’m Sleeping”. Leichhardt Council has commercial operations will Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677. Published by BY SOPHIA MORRIS Award winning drumming group, welcomed a plan from still necessitate the limitation the Alternative Media Group of Australia. While every effort What do you get when you cross TaikOz, will close the festival with one Sydney Ports to increase of public access. is made to ensure accuracy of content, The Independent a didgeridoo with a trombone? A of their signature dramatic performances public access to wharves four The announcement comes takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions. didgeribone, of course. And it will showcasing the Japanese drumming and five at White Bay. following years of agitation be in action with its inventor, Charlie ABN 48 135 222 169 style of wadaiko. The group will also be The plan announced by from Council to open the McMahon, at the Earthbeat world Group Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons run drumming workshops throughout Ports CEO Grant Gillifan precinct up to the public. music festival on Sunday in Leichhardt’s Group Manager: Chris Peken the day, giving the public a chance to promises local residents Leichardt Mayor Darcy Pioneers Memorial Park. play the Japanese taiko drums used in Group Editor: Marcus Braid access to the precinct on Byrne said in a statement: The festival, which began in 2011, Independent Editor: Michael Koziol TaikOz performances. non-shipping days, while “The harbour is a resource is now a biannual event as part of the The Sunset Series events are “family Editors: Peter Hackney and Adam Hunt continuing to affirm the for all Sydneysiders to enjoy, Leichhardt Council’s Sunset Series. This friendly, designed to get the residents of Contributors: Paul Gregoire, Virat Nehru, Tom Neale, commitment of the NSW and with this improved year, Earthbeat will feature Australian Leichhardt outside and engaging with Sean O’Grady, Sophia Morris, Joshua Tassell and Jonathan Government to “maintaining access there will be more acts whose music is influenced and each other”, said event organiser Costa Mimo White Bay for long term opportunity to get onto our inspired by Australia’s multicultural Atzemis. Arts Editor: Leigh Livingstone commercial shipping”. waterfront.” identity. Attendees are encouraged to bring a Arts Listings: Jeremy Bridie With approximately 180 Council voted Starting at the tender age of three, picnic or purchase food from Norton Live Music Editor: Chelsea Deeley days on which the precinct unanimously to approve the Mr McMahon has been playing the Street’s nearby outlets. Dining Editor: Jackie McMillan is not being used for cruise proposal. didgeridoo for almost 60 years. His Earthbeat takes place Sunday, Advertising Managers: David Sullivan,Toni Martelli, liners, pedestrians will be Kath Hacking, Chair of music combines the ancient instrument November 10, in Pioneers Memorial Robert Tuitama and Debra O’Kane able to walk the full length the Friends of White Bay with modern techniques to create a Park. Design: Joanna Grace of the Overseas Cruise community organisation, unique hybrid sound, and his band Publisher’s Assistant: Deeksha Chopra Terminal. Moreover, an said the announcement Gondwana will headline the Earthbeat additional public access point comes after years of usband Distribution Manager: Danish Ali festival. H will be established at Booth consistent requests for access In addition to the didgeribone, Mr Cover Photo: Jess Husband - Charlie McMahon St and the terminal itself. from a community “short of McMahon will be playing the forked open space”. Jess Photo: Email: [email protected] A spokesperson for didgeridoo, which he calls “the love Sydney Ports said that She said that the didg” because two people are needed to Advertising: [email protected] with council support, a community were “promised play the instrument.

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