ISSUE 165 JUNE 2014
THE NORTH & WEST MELBOURNE NEWS IS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTRE Open day crowds for Library at the Docks
Raphaelle Race good omen for the future of the Docklands music, songs and storytelling in the children’s which aims to promote the adoption of green area. lounge; and demonstrations for the latest building practices across Australia. The audience ranged widely in age. Parents computers and software. Kerry Clare, director of Clare Designs, ocklands has had its fair share of with excited tots and nonchalant teens, inner- There were even demos of the latest the firm that undertook the Library’s design, flack over the last few years. Initially city professionals, artists and elderly citizens in fantastical gadgets: the Oculus Rift (a said that she wanted to create a new form of Dpegged as a new upmarket shopping, all raced enthusiastically through the doors as tantalising prototype headset for virtual reality community hub. One that encompasses the restaurant and party district, the district has the library was declared open. 3D gaming), and a demonstration of 3D range of popular technology and which could been plagued by disinterest from both tourists The library, more a luxurious professional art printing technology. adapt to changing technological situations. and locals. space, boasts a performance space, a recording The library has been touted as Australia’s The Library at the Docks has teamed Melbourne City Council’s latest response studio, a gaming zone, sound and video editing most sustainable community building. The up with the Docklands Hub—where the to the issue has been the unveiling of a new suites, children’s lounge, gallery, upstairs ping- building was constructed using eco-friendly Centre Connecting People in North and West community-oriented Library at the Docks, pong table, and café. All the comforts an inner- cross-laminated timber and recycled hardwood. Melbourne also has a presence—in order to which opened doors on a surprisingly warm city library-goer could possibly need. It also has rain water collection and recycling provide classes, exhibitions and events, the Saturday at the end of May. In fact, the brand new books are just part of facilities, and 85kw solar panels that will details of which can be found in the What’s On The open day, presided over by Victorian the entertaining, educational and professional supply approximately 30% of the library’s section of this issue of the News. Premier Denis Napthine, Planning Minister attractions on-hand. power. Matthew Guy, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, There were open-day activities for everyone, The building has achieved the enviable six- Discover North and West Melbourne and Rockwiz master-of-ceremonies Brian with a social history exhibition of the star rating from Green Star, a rating system run community impressions of the new library on Nankervis, attracted an enthusiastic crowd—a Docklands in the gallery; cabaret and classical by the Green Building Council of Australia, page 5.
Crowds gather at open day for Library at the Docks Photos: Adam Falloon
COMMUNITY 3, 14 • THE CENTRE 12 • SPRING FLING 13 • YOUTH & EDUCATION 16 • SPORT & HEALTH 17 • POLITICS & ENVIRONMENT 18 • TRAVEL & FOOD 19 • ARTS 21 2 NOTICEBOARD North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014
NOTICEBOARD
Please deliver contributions, letters Talks, workshops and boot camps and feedback to: North and West Melbourne News at your North Melbourne Library! 58 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 Fiona Baranowski Email: [email protected] Telephone: 9328 1126 orth Melbourne Library reopened in January after The North and West Melbourne News Copy deadline for September 2014 edition: a makeover, and most library patrons are loving is a quarterly publication produced by Wednesday 13 August Nthe space. volunteers from North and West Melbourne The kidsʼ area is abuzz with activities that include the and the inner city. It is now in its 36th year Advertisers: Wednesday 6 August usual preschooler programs but with new programs and of production. Readers’ contributions are Publication date: Thursday 11 September special events for older kids too. welcomed. Where relevant the News may Ben is our new kidsʼ team member and he has just seek alternative opinions in the interests Dates for December 2014 edition run a very successful World Comic Day and has plans of balance. Contributors’ opinions are their Copy deadline 5 November, publication 4 December for World Gaming Day. Joining Ben in the kidsʼ team is own, however, and the News takes no www.centre.org.au Michelle. Michelle comes to us from the City Library and responsibility for them. We reserve the right is on loan to us for six months. Michelle is one amazing to edit or omit articles considered unsuitable storyteller. or when space is limited. Heather has taken off to see some fascinating sights across Europe, and replacing her are Alex, Melissa and Finance Kathleen. The News is a non-profit organisation On Thursday 24 July at 6.00pm for 6.30 we have working as a program of The Centre. a special author event featuring former Age journalist Funding is by way of a limited quota of Julie Szego. She will be sharing her intriguing book The advertising, a grant from Melbourne City Tainted Trial of Farah Jama. Council, sponsorships, subscriptions and occasional donations. News subscriptions Get out and about with VNPA! If you would like to receive the North and West Melbourne News by mail, the rate The Victorian National Parks Association has a great is $10 for four copies sent anywhere range of activities, including bushwalking, easy strolls in Australia or pro rata for part of the Author calendar year. The News is distributed free and monthly coach excursions taking you to national Julie Szego throughout North and West Melbourne. parks, farmers’ markets and galleries. Further copies are available from The Upcoming excursions include Shepparton, Anglesea Centre and the North Melbourne Library. and Wilsons Prom. Buses depart from the city. In August (date to be confirmed) we will host Suzanne Advertisement sizes and rates McCourt talking about her exquisite debut novel, The 60 mm W x 92 mm H $70 plus GST Lost Child. In September, Melinda Houston (TV critic) 124 mm W x 92 mm H $140 plus GST will join us to talk about her novel Kat Jumps the Shark. 188 mm W x 92 mm H $210 plus GST These talks are free and include a glass of wine and 252 mm W x 92 mm H $280 plus GST nibbles. A charge of 25 per cent may be added for And if all that isnʼt enough to whet your appetite advertisements that require designing. weʼve got some wonderful writing workshops on the For more information phone 9329 1627 or boil. Marie Alafaci will be offering a four-part series on email [email protected]. writing family stories. Itʼs a boot camp, so come prepared Community announcements are published to achieve results. These workshops will be on Saturday free of charge. afternoons — a lovely way to spend a winter afternoon. Next term Barry Dickins will tutor a weekly writing Volunteers group, and itʼs especially for people who are keen to write The News welcomes new volunteers. If you but donʼt know where to begin or lack confidence in their have skills in writing, drawing, photography, writing ability. We will also be sharing a cup of tea and archiving, subediting and proofreading, some biscuits. computer technology or design and layout, So happy reading and check our website for details: please consider joining the team. www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService/ WhatsOn1/Pages/SpecialEvents.aspx Editor: Raphaelle Race Deputy Editor: Adam Falloon North Melbourne Book Group Production Coordinator: Position vacant Meets third Wednesday of every month at 6.45pm Advertising Coordinator: Janet Graham at North Melbourne Library Section Editors: More information: All welcome — no bookings required Arts & Entertainment: Jennifer Choat Phone 03 9347 5188 or visit www.vnpa.org.au Community: Position vacant 18 June Letʼs Explore Diabetes with Owls David Sedaris History: Michael Roche 16 July Eyrie Tim Winton Noticeboard: Janet Graham 20 Aug The Lowland Jhumpa Lahiri Politics & Environment: Position vacant Melbourne Osteoporosis Support Group 17 Sept Burial Rites Hannah Kent Sport & Health: Yvette Vigor The MOSG offers support and information to assist people 15 Oct The Testament of Mary Colm Tóibín Travel & Food: Position vacant with osteoporosis and their families or carers. It is a member 19 Nov The Narrow Road to the Deep North Richard Flanagan Youth & Education: Daniel Doody of Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria and also has links with 17 Dec The Sense of an Ending Julian Barnes international osteoporosis organisations, from which it receives Production team: Jennifer Choat, Adam research updates. For enquiries phone 9658 9700 Falloon, Janet Graham, Rene Heeps, The group meets at Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, North Melbourne Library, 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne Claire Henry, Ava Macmaster, Raphaelle Melbourne, at 1.30pm on the third Tuesday of February, April, Race, Jim Weatherill and Kris Wilson. Peter June, August, October and December. Members hail from all Alsen provided professional assistance with around the city, including North and West Melbourne, as well as layout. from country Victoria. A small reminder about used stamps! Interesting guest speakers attend meetings and present on a Don’t forget to drop your used variety of health and fitness topics related to osteoporosis. Supported by the City of Melbourne postage stamps into The Centre at On Tuesday 17 June Professor Andrew Briggs will discuss 58 Errol Street. This is another way the latest developments in osteoporosis research. to recycle and also provides much- MOSG will be conducting an Osteoporosis Self-Management needed funds for charities. Course on 29 July, 5 August and 12 August. The annual seminar is scheduled for Saturday 11 October. If you don’t have time to tear them Printed by Express Print For further information about any of these events or about off the envelopes, just bag them up 5 Jones Road, Morwell 3844 joining the group, please ring Beryl on 9885 2839, email and I’ll tear them off for you. Circulation 6300 [email protected] or visit www.melbosg.org.au Marian Mooney JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 3
COMMUNITY
For students and patients—Tina celebrates her people skills
Katrina Kincade-Sharkey
hroughout schooling (from prep to PhD), students’ foundational skills Tof readin’, writin’ and ‘rithmetic are crucial to achieving any semblance of an edu- cation. Yet it is just as important to attain their life skills of humanity, planning and personal care. The Centre’s burgeoning Global Home- work Program delivers a combination of these critical skills to recently arrived and refugee students living or attending school in the North and West Melbourne regions. And it does so with a coterie of dedicated tutors drawn from wide social and work parameters. These in- clude engineering, hospitality, horticulture, media, nursing and a smattering of formal edu- cators from all levels of the teaching system. Several honours tertiary students also tutor their younger cohorts, helping them relate to a predominantly new society, even if they’ve been here since birth. One of the most dedicated and readily understandable tutors was only 15 years old when she first began volunteering for the GHP. Tina Zhou began tutoring primary school stu- dents when she was just a Year 10 highschool student. “I found I enjoyed dealing with younger Medical student, Tina Zhou, shows today’s Global homework kids how to help their study goals Photo: Adam Falloon kids, so I came to the homework club to speak with those enrolled here. I had an interest in dehumanising behaviour,” she laments. young boy who was under so much pressure automatically use calculators, rather than their teaching back then, although I knew I wanted Tina brings that empathy and adept sensi- from his parents about his homework that he own arithmetic awareness. a little more from my work-life so enrolled in tivity to the GHP, where Tuesday’s class is would burst into tears or panic if something “When they get to uni, a lot of these stu- medicine,” she says quietly, her vibrant eyes sectioned into single table-sized groups with went wrong with his tasks. dents then find it very difficult to develop their always diagnosing the world. “Tina went out of her way to address his varying specific needs. true knowledge level, rather than their exam Born in Melbourne with parents from “But the kids who most deserve a friend - be needs and allay his panic and anxiety. prep consciousness. They study for the exam Shanghai, Tina is now just 19, yet already two- it educational or social - are the last to open “The children grew very attached to Tina thirds through her second year of Monash Uni- up, so I try to truly exercise those notions and saved her a place at their table each week. rather than the subject matter itself, so fail to versity’s medicine degree at Clayton campus. of care and compassion to give them a real There was a fuss of excitement whenever she truly appreciate the worth of their literature, Even with an already substantial study-load, chance.” entered the space. their math, biological marvels, or architecture, Tina is loath to miss any Tuesday afternoon GHP coordinator Frances McMillan is also “She became a positive team player. Adding anything in fact that’s not on their list of exam GHP sessions at North Melbourne Library. substantially proud of her tutor’s skills. Tina’s vibrant presence and academic ability questions!” Tina frowns. “At Monash we’re certainly taught people “From the outset I was very impressed with made her a great role model for the children She notes that even though her father has a skills through patient-centred care (PCC) Tina as she took it on her own initiative to and demonstrated her strong qualities of gen- PhD in science, rather than zeroing in on her where the themes are health promotion and approach the program to become a volunteer erosity, compassion and concern for others”, grades, he has always taken more of a moral- doctors’ behaviour and ethical practice. But when she was just in Year 10. Frances concludes. ity-based approach to her education, focusing there are only six days per year at a disability “She was bright and funny yet very serious Tina’s study attitudes are reflected in her centre, so not nearly enough time on site to about the role. She was just what we were community oriented vision. on developing a wise and resilient person. effectively enact those skills. looking for!” “I’ve never done any of those intense exam Thus the grades that most parents care about “Before these PCC sessions I never thought Frances’ praise goes further. “As a tutor, preparation courses—many are a devastating simply came naturally as a product of a per- disability was such a serious situation. Most of Tina was expected to support the children, en- waste of time and money, especially the En- sistent personality. the people I’m seeing are blind and many were courage their problem solving skills and their glish language ones for ESL students. There is Our young lady grins, noting hassles with born with intellectual disabilities like autism, independent learning skills, at the same time a deal of exploitation, especially of new resi- her name. “I’ve always been at the end of as well as several other medical concerns so dents not familiar with local agendas.” addressing their specific literacy and numeracy the roll at school and uni, way down at the they need an incredible amount of support. needs. She carried out this role with patience, Tina says that arguing effectively and be- bottom... everywhere I’ve been registered “And the tags we as a society put on these understanding and gentle, cheeky, youthful coming easy with basic communication is fun- people are grossly dehumanising. Words like good humour. damental to success in all of life’s challenges. throughout my entire life... Zhou, agh!” s-l-o-w or spastic are so painful to them and, “She saw the children as a group but also She warns that preparing for exams doesn’t Given her plans to practice trauma sur- whether or not they acknowledge those insults, as unique individuals. In one instance I recall necessarily build on students’ character. gery—and true care for others—Tina’s certain- they definitely feel them. Yeah, it’s grossly she was keenly aware of and empathetic to a “You see that when their maths classes ALL ly headed for the top.
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Legion and Centre join forces to mark Anzac Day
was encouraged to attend. As Centre director Michael Halls spoke about the Unknown Australian Soldier and his burial in the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial in 1993, passers-by looked on respectfully. Many attendees wore the medals of courageous family members to whom they dedicate this day each year. Others stood close together with bowed heads, reflecting on any personal experience of war, or counting their blessings if this was slight. Legion president, Barry Slocombe, recited the Prayer of Remembrance before wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial. Local member Jennifer Kanis and Legion Karl Hessian, chairperson of The Centre’s president Barry Slocombe at the Anzac Day management committee, read the 1915 poem ceremony In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant-Colonel John Photo: Jim Weatherill McCrae. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Emma McCashney following a thoughtful speech from local member Jennifer Kanis, attendees were invited to return to the Legion of Ex-Servicemen and riday 25 April marked the 99th Women’s headquarters, where they would anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. enjoy the remainder of the afternoon. F In North Melbourne we are lucky to When you walk into the Legion’s building, The Legion and The Centre laid wreaths at the memorial Photo: Jim Weatherill have the Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen it’s like taking a step back in time. The walls Catering was provided by The Centre, with the landing at Gallipoli. The Legion and The are lined with photos, memorabilia, medals and Women within our community, located at platters of sandwiches, scones and cinnamon Centre hope the community will join them 16 Little Errol Street, just behind the town hall. and banners. It would be easy to spend a whole buns enjoyed by all. At 4.00pm the Legion again on Anzac Day next year to remember all Legion members gathered at their day just looking at the collection of history in drew their customary raffle and a few lucky those who have died in the cause of freedom. headquarters this Anzac Day, before walking this much-loved space. down Errol Street together for a ceremony at At the bar there were discussions about the people went home with an extra $25 in their The Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen the North and West Melbourne War Memorial. old seven-ounce beer glasses brought out for pocket. and Women is open every Sunday from This year the Legion joined with The Centre the occasion, with one generation trying to As the day drew to a close there was much 11.00am to 6.00pm. All members of the to make the ceremony a community event explain to another that they are bigger than a discussion about the success of this year’s community are welcome to pop in for a drink that everyone in North and West Melbourne pony but smaller than a pot. ceremony and plans for 2015, the centenary of and a chat.
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Robbie Cottrill his final year 12 at St Kevin’s before studying rid of-school inspectors. Bill did not survive curriculum in Victoria (1990–93), chair and Arts at Melbourne University. the Kennett government, but has since held deputy chair of committees appointed to A studentship meant he was obliged to highly responsible positions in government devise an Australian national curriculum. ill Hannan is an unusual man who teach for three years after his degree, which departments. Nowadays Bill feels disappointed in the has held an awe-inspiring variety of he did at Koo Wee Rup Higher Elementary Around 1960, Bill and Lorna started to education system. He says good things Bsuccessful roles. Pages are needed to School. Travel followed, to “everywhere pursue their interest in theatre at Emerald Hill, are happening in practice but they are not do justice to his achievements. He has been but England”. His Irish heritage ensured his South Melbourne. From 1972 to 1976 Bill supported by government, and no-one seems teacher, unionist, editor, art critic, bureaucrat, dislike of England, the automatic destination was involved with the Pram Factory, working to have any power or inclination to change and writer — a true ‘man for all seasons’. of Australians. with actors like Max Gillies, Evelyn Krape things. For 55 years Bill has been married to Lorna Bill was granted a scholarship to visit Italy and Bruce Spence. He directed Barry Oakley’s Bill has many sides to him. He passionately Hannan, another unusual and wonderful where he studied Italian and Etruscology (the play about Menzies, Beware of Imitations, and believes in equal opportunity, is a strong person. Together they have created a rich story study of Italic Antiquities). He became an the very successful Hills Family Show. advocate for state education, and reads Italian translator in Europe and even studied A play and film about smoking, Dags with Shakespeare’s sonnets and Homer’s The of political activism, social experimentation, at the Sorbonne in Paris — a wonderful Fags, was written in conjunction with the Iliad for pleasure. Asked about his greatest and loving, creative family life. achievement for an Aussie boy from working- Anti-Cancer Council. Bill and Lorna also achievements, he is most proud of his writing, class origins. He returned to Australia in 1959. wrote short vignettes on the topic of women his contribution to the teaching profession, and At home, Bill reconnected with his friend not seeking medical attention when worried his family. Lorna, and the relationship deepened. They about breast cancer. He and Lorna sponsored the very successful married and had four daughters, moving into Bill has published many books in a variety chef and restaurateur Stefano to come to Shiel Street, North Melbourne and living there of fields, mainly education. He and Lorna have Australia as a teenager to attend Sydney Road for forty-nine years. written on the art of Greece and France, where Community School. They walked the Camino From 1960 to 1972, Bill taught at Moreland they lived for several years. At one time he de Santiago twice in the 1990s before it High School, after which he and friend Gil worked as art critic for The Observer and The became fashionable. Freeman created the Sydney Road Community Bulletin, and he once translated Moliere’s play Bill and Lorna have experimented with School. Some of the Sydney Road classes The Reluctant Doctor. He co-authored a text different living styles, practising income were taught in his backyard. for teaching French and one of his books, The sharing, and communal living. The former Bill feels he has always had modern and Best of Times, is the history of the expansion involved several families pooling their radical teaching ideas and been a strong of secondary teaching in Victoria. It makes incomes and taking what was needed from the advocate of open tertiary entrance. He was fascinating reading, especially for those who communal purse. considered, in his words, “a troublemaker were teaching at that time. Bill’s other interests are cooking (especially in the field of assessment and certification”. Books written in later life — Schooldays, Cretan cuisine) and contributing to the Hotham Always a political activist, he was once Days of 2012 and These Ithakas (all written History Project. His publication Pride of blacklisted from teaching. in one sentence) — are tender tributes to his Hotham profiles George Raymond Johnson, In 1963 Bill became editor of The family. He and Lorna went overseas in the the designer of North Melbourne Town Hall. Secondary Teacher, the VSTA magazine, 1970s to give their daughters an enduring Bill has a large star-studded cast of friends experience of different cultures and family life. from all walks of life and is a much loved and Bill Hannan Photo: source supplied and executive member of the Victorian Secondary Teachers’ Association, where he Following his teaching career, Bill admired member of the local community and Bill spent his early life in Prahran. A clever advocated for better working conditions and worked in education policy and curriculum beyond. boy, he won educational scholarships and took the employment of properly trained, qualified development as chair of the Victorian State Many people helped me in the writing of teachers. He was also instrumental in getting Board of Education (1986–90), director of this article, and I thank them very much. Community responds to new Docklands Library
Thanapat and Mark How did you hear about the library? Thanapat: We share a place next door, it’s pretty easy. Do you think it will generate a community in the area? Mark: Yeah I came on the first day and it was pretty packed, I thought there’d be nobody here but there were actually a lot of people.
Adam What effect do you think the new library Iolanthe and mum think it will work? What do you think of the new library? will have on the community? How did you hear about this library? Well I hope so; it’s certainly why I came. I It seems like a cool space. I love libraries so I think will encourage people to read more We heard about the library through the docu- can really see how it will all work. I hope I will definitely go and check it out at least. I and get involved in different initiatives. mentary on the sustainability of the building. people come. already have a card for Melbourne Libraries Things like the performance areas sound The library was built to encourage a com- so I don’t even need to sign up! great because they bring people in. munity atmosphere in Docklands, do you
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Daniel Doody stimulation at the Jean McKendry Neighbour- hood Centre. Though the building itself dates back to orth Melbourne is a suburb rich in 1971, the origins of the group go back to the diversity and culture. In a building late 40s early 50s, when men needed a place Nin a quiet street, the Jean McKendry to socialise and gather. They started off at the Neighbourhood Centre mirrors this kaleido- North Melbourne Library, stayed for a few scope of citizens, bringing people from all years and then moved to North Melbourne walks of life together. Town Hall before finding their permanent Named after the recipient of the 2008 Pre- place in Melrose Street. The building was mier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year, officially opened by Melbourne’s lord mayor, Alwynne Rowlands, in September 1971. it is a place for elderly groups to socialise and The neighbourhood house is a magnet for meet new people as well as attending classes many cultures: the all-male Horn of Africa such as art and tai chi. Elderly Association, consisting of 60 members, Ms McKendry has been a driving force come to socialise and enjoy light recreational bringing the elderly community together since activities such as playing pool and card games. the neighbourhood centre was founded in 1971. Committee member Adem Osman said it’s a The neighbourhood centre caters particu- place of “tranquillity”. There is a sense of calm larly for seniors in the area, offering the inter- and peace among the group; politics and deep Jean McKendry with Daniel Doody Photo: Daniel Doody action needed to tackle the loneliness that can discussions are firmly off the agenda. As Mr be an issue for many seniors. Osman says, “they are too old to worry about John, one of the helpers, says they usually ents, this evening visit is their first meal of the While people may find physical activity such nonsense”. serve between 200 and 300 people on just one day. more difficult with advancing years, their The centre’s kitchen is used by St Vincent de evening, with the food donated by a company On Mondays, the Melrose Art Group meets minds are often as active as they ever were. Paul to prepare meals for the homeless, which called Tasty Trucks. They serve soup, sand- at the Elderly Citizens Club. Their artworks Fortunately, for seniors in the North Mel- are taken out every night in soup vans around wiches and hot and cold drinks, and sometimes are displayed at exhibitions around Melbourne bourne area, there is no shortage of social Melbourne’s suburbs. supply blankets as well. For many of the cli- throughout the year. Change of face for Inner Melbourne Community Legal Service
Adam Falloon Carlton, Docklands and the CBD.” advantage to call up or drop in and see us.” come out and give education to the commu- As a generalist legal service IMCL offers The IMCL receives Commonwealth and nity” says Ms. Golding. These educational advice and assistance on a wide range of legal State funding and also grants from the City programs open regularly, and sessions are run ince 1978 the North Melbourne Legal matters, including, but not limited to, family of Melbourne, the Victorian Law Foundation through local organisations, such as North Service has provided free legal services, law, criminal law and civil matters such as and the Legal Services Board. It comprises 5 Melbourne Language and Learning and Uni- Sadvice and referrals for people who live, debts and infringements. full-time staff and 2 part-time staff along with versity High. The organisation continues to offer the same a raft of volunteers. work or study in the inner Melbourne suburbs. Inner Melbourne Community Legal is located services it has provided for 36 years, namely Pro bono support is provided by a number of Despite having always offered services to at 2/508 Queensberry Street. legal service to financially disadvantaged private legal partners and independent lawyers these areas, the name North Melbourne Legal T: (03) 9328 1885 people. who volunteer their time. Each week they also Service has meant that people in other loca- Website: www.imcl.org.au tions are not aware that they had access to Ms. Golding was keen to stress that “people have up to 20 student volunteers who assist those services. should always remember to contact us even if with administration and services support. In December 2013, the organization under- they are not eligible. We can help in a range of The IMCL also provides community support went significant rebranding and became the matters. We can offer general advice, or if we through a number of partnerships and outreach Inner Melbourne Community Legal (IMCL). can’t do it we can try and find someone who programs. The IMCL has also relocated to a new lo- can. Even if we can’t provide legal assistance The Royal Women’s Hospital Outreach we can provide information.” Program allows patients of the hospital to seek cation on Queensberry Street because the old Office hours: The Queensberry Street location is a short legal assistance through their social work de- upstairs office on Victoria Street had limited Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm accessibility. A large part of the move was to walk from the 57 tram line and improves ac- partment. address this issue and the new location affords cessibility to clientele with disabilities. The Other outreach programs include work Clinic Times the organisation improved accessibility with a new central location opposite the town hall and with CASA house (Centre Against Sexual disability ramp and improved facilities. library is a welcome change for many people. Assault), Ozanam Community Centre, and General drop-in clinic “We rebranded to more accurately reflect Ms. Golding spoke about the recent changes WIRE (Women’s Information and Referral Tuesdays 9:30am the clients that we serve,” says acting principal and the opportunity it’s given them to reorgan- Exchange). Criminal drop-in clinic Tanja Golding about the need for the change ise and restructure the organisation. Apart from their main legal service and out- Tuesdays 6:00pm (fortnightly) and what it means for the organisation. “It’s been an exciting time. I think the staff reach program, IMCL offers continuing com- “We provide legal advice or assistance to have really been excited about the change and munity education on legal matters on a range Family Law drop in clinic clients who live, work, study or access partner the move.” of topics such as legal rights and responsibili- Wednesdays 6:00pm (fortnightly) services within a geographical catchment. “The staff are very approachable and caring ties, as well as other issues that affect teenag- Debt and Infringement Clinic That catchment includes North Melbourne but and we encourage everyone who is experienc- ers such as sexting or family violence. Friday 12:30pm (by appointment only) it also includes West Melbourne, Parkville, ing a legal problem and financial or social dis- “We don’t just offer advice but we also
North Melbourne Rotary Club For membership and Friends of Rotary call George Zindilis on 0418 398 255
Start your day as our guest for breakfast Meet at the Mercure Hotel Corner Flemington Road and Harker Street, North Melbourne Fridays @ 7.30am for 7.45 The (very) new front desk at IMCL Photo: Adam Falloon JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 7 Local Rotary Club’s Agua Pura has drinking water flowing in the remote high Andes
Pauline Nunan Since then, similar situations have followed, as Ted and Agua Pura volunteers have delivered over 50 filters to other schools in n a sunny April morning in 2013, Ted Peru. Dziadkiewicz, a member of the Rotary For almost a year now, the Agua Pura OClub of North Melbourne, stood in Project has been growing steadily. front of a small audience in a Peruvian school Agua Pura is the outcome of Contours located near the village of Pisac, in the high Travel (Ted’s tour operator agency in West Andes. Melbourne) teaming up with the Rotary Club He was excited and anxious to see the of North Melbourne and the Rotary Club teachers’ and children’s faces. Finally, the day of Cusco. Agua Pura aims to provide safe had arrived and it was time to deliver Agua drinking water to schools in very remote Pura’s first water filters. places around the Sacred Valley and Cusco. After setting up the simple device and Even though these areas are surrounded by demonstrating the procedure to the curious streams, their water is very dirty, as it flows students, the reaction was not the expected one down from the mountains, carrying lots of at all. bacteria as it goes along. Ted remembers, “we had the dirty water As a result, many locals suffer from cholera coming through and the clean water coming and other diseases. out, and none of the children would take it!” “The water filters provide easy access to Happily, it only took one “cheeky little boy” clean drinking water”, Ted explains. to put his cup out and drink it. The Agua Pura project (through the Rotary Clean water at last for Sacred Valley community, Peru Photo: Heather Buchanan “Then it was like flies to a honeypot Club of North Melbourne) is asking for situation. The kids just pushed and shoved to donations of $50 per filter, certificates are There is still a long way to go, as the aim is online at www.aguapuracommunityproject. get their turn to push on the tap, and they did issued and large donations (10 or more filters) to reach 500 water filters. More information com/ or visit Ted at his business premises at taste the difference.” are acknowledged with special certificates. can be seen, and donations may be made 287 Victoria Street, West Melbourne.
A world of difference
Carole Lander issues. In my team we are doing research into the medical aspects, but our main aim is to normalise short stature for the family and their ost people have heard of Peter relatives.” Dinklage—Golden Globe winner This is the only place in Melbourne that Mand star of HBO’s series Game of specialises in bone dysplasia and although it Thrones. He is also a dwarf. is based in a children’s hospital, adults with The World Health Organization’s definition dwarfism also attend for treatment. of a dwarf is someone who will never grow With regard to limb lengthening, Professor taller than 1.45 metres. Parents who give birth Savarirayan explains that “techniques for leg to a child like this understandably experience lengthening were originally developed for cor- great concern. How will they cope in a world rection of limb length discrepancy. Recently, that is designed for taller people? Will they similar surgical techniques have been modified gain employment? for use in symmetric lengthening of limbs for The most common form of dwarfism is people with dwarfism. achondroplasia, and an estimated one in “This new application has generated both 20,000 children is born with it. One of these widespread interest and controversy among is Angelo Olmi, who works in the organic healthcare providers, persons of short stature section of the Queen Victoria Market where he and their families. It is not an operation offered has no trouble reaching the counter or till be- to people living with dwarfism in Australia.” cause he has undergone surgery to extend the This controversy extends to other medical length of his limbs. He is now 1.54-metres tall. proposals related to dwarfism. For instance, “When I was 14, I decided I wanted to have an American company has developed a new the surgery for a better quality of life and to investigational drug that may decrease some of the complications seen in children with achon- make things easier for me—like driving a car, droplasia. This new medication acts on grow- having the possibility to do almost any job”, ing children and may be useful in decreasing Olmi, now 27, says. or stopping the abnormal signals that cause Born and raised in Italy, his average-size their bone growth problems. parents brought him up to do all the things The Royal Children’s Hospital has been other kids do. It was a brave decision to un- selected as one of the eight centres worldwide dergo the surgery because it took five years to to trial the six-month growth study. lengthen his legs and arms. There has been speculation in the media that Olmi’s parents did not have to pay for any this drug is going to be used as a ‘cure’ for of it, thanks to the Italian healthcare system. achondroplasia. This is not the case. It may, To do this, each bone is dissected and an rather, become another option to decrease pain iron rod is screwed into both ends to hold it in and discomfort in children and possibly de- place. Gradually, new bone grows in the dis- crease the need for surgical procedures. sected area, and muscles and tendons follow Olmi wishes them well in their research, suit. Olmi took a lot of medication to over- happy that his own decision has enabled him come the pain, but doesn’t regret it at all. to do almost everything without waiting for At the Royal Children’s Hospital, a team someone else or something else to do it for of geneticists and social workers are on hand him. to advise and treat people born with dwarf- “I have travelled widely for study and work ism. Departmental head, Professor Ravi [he has a languages degree] and I am more Savarirayan MD, is a skeletal dysplasia spe- independent, I am free-standing!” cialist. Professor Savarirayan says that, “a child Little People Big Lives is Carole Lander’s born with dwarfism will be short and look book about dwarfism. Information and pur- a bit different but there may be no medical chase details at www.checkword.com.au Angelo Olmi has undergone limb-extension surgery Photo: Carole Lander 8 COMMUNITY North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014 From Sicily to Melbourne, with much love
Brett Quine Saxon stock, the visits alone spoke volumes endure the ignorant racist comments of American births, and when Joanne did finally arrive in about the sincere respect felt toward Vincenza. and Australian soldiers in Melbourne during World 1955, it was too late for her father to witness. From her birth on 11 November 1926 in the War 2, yet Vincenza gave them as much in return, He died only three weeks before, aged only 29. deeply devoted daughter who still village of Vizzini, in Sicily, Italy, Vincenza then sometimes hurling a few rocks at them. Yet while many religious souls of lesser speaks of her mother as a very real was toughened by the iron fisted rule of fascist Perhaps it was this strength of character as substance may easily have thought God had A and vocal physical entity, despite dictator Benito ‘Il Duce’ (the leader) Mussolini. much as her beauty which caught the attention abandoned them, Vincenza remained staunch her passing several weeks before, can offer Aside from a few months out of power, of the man she married, John, soon after in her conviction to the church and to her only two words to best summarise a truly Mussolini ruled from 1922 until his death in 1943 leaving St Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic community in the place she came to call her remarkable woman’s life: “very sad”. and believed that all boys should know fighting school in about Year 10, to be wed at St Mary’s. own village, North Melbourne. After weeks of reflection on an obituary in was a part of life and all girls should grow to But their bliss was shattered by a series of still Vincenza volunteered much of her time to the local press for Vincenza Manenti, 87—a give birth as often as possible. He started the close friend, confidante and matriarch to Opera Nazionale Balilla, an Italian Fascist youth almost every World War 2 era migrant female organisation, the same year Vincenza was born. Italian in North and West Melbourne—her Wearing black shirts from the age of only child, Joanne, gives a succinct appraisal four and other uniforms as they aged, the of her mother’s life. Balilla were also organised outside of Italy, “She had a very sad life,” Joanne says as instructed by Mussolini, and held regular straight faced as we sit at the family dining meetings in one of the two countries they were table, then soon explains she was the only one given the option to migrate to as tensions grew of several children to survive birth. in pre-war Europe: Australia or America. Yet several stillborn babies were not the first And so it was that Vincenza came to be or perhaps even most gut-wrenching tragedies pictured on the Port Melbourne docks where to befall Vincenza. they arrived in Australia, in 1936, wearing a Despite a series of personal blows which uniform, as did her brother Libero, seen to her would render most other women crippled left, and friend John Napoli (whose father ran a with grief, Vincenza set aside self pity as she pharmacy on the corner of Howard and Victoria struggled on to enrich and offer kind counsel Sts). to all those who knew her. Only her devotion Vincenza’s brother Libero had drowned in to God; to her daughter Joanne, and perhaps a boating accident on the Maribyrnong River, the North Melbourne Football Club, could unable to swim, when a dinghy capsized and ever sidetrack her life’s seeming purpose as a when the police came to the family home to pass constant comforter. on the bad news, her mother Giovanna Riggio, As a neighbour to her home, the most unable to speak English, could not understand immaculate and best presented residence on them. It was up to Vincenza to tell her. the block, for several weeks I witnessed a daily “She said that when she told her mother, it just stream of Vincenza’s female peers visit Joanne took something from her mother’s spirit,” Joanne to offer condolences and tributes to a woman said. “The look on her mother’s face was just who had obviously given them a great deal. sheer terror and from then on my mother felt a A tradition familiar but almost entirely lost to sense of guilt about telling her that awful news.” Vincenza and her brother Libero (left), and their friend John Napoli earlier Australian migrants of Irish and Anglo- The family at first lived in Peel St, and had to at Port Melbourne Docks Photo: Joanne Manenti help other Italian migrants while also readily taking up committed fan status for what must have at first seemed a peculiar sport: footy. She would sit before the television to watch a game with a North Melbourne shawl across her knees and shout: “Chewy on ya boot!” For many years from the 1980s, Vincenza was a pillar of strength for the North Melbourne Italian Club, at times the president but always available to assist others with language and financial barriers, and loved to walk along Errol Street, where her funeral cortege took her for one final salute. “She basically never moved out of North Melbourne,” Joanne said. Joanne herself can still almost hear Vincenza’s voice telling her off. “If I could hear her from the grave, she would be up there right now telling me off because the front garden is a bit of a mess at the moment,” Joanne says with an upward glance. The next day a gardener was hard at Vincenza and John on their wedding day Photo: Joanne Manenti work, doing just as Vincenza had instructed.
the we’re open monday through cobblers saturday! last the cobblers last - the best shoe repairs in north melbourne! we repair shoes, 256 victoria street boots and bags, north melbourne vic 3051 and also cut keys! t | 03 9329 0292 w | www.thecobblerslast.com.au e | [email protected] JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 9 Lessons in Life - unravelling the mysteries
Carole Lander nication style, he has invited readers to look we would be reassured by the fact that every- more closely at status anxiety, religion, travel, one has these experiences at some time in life. architecture, sex and work. The motivation for the special labels at the elbourne has a new school—The De Botton’s most recent books, The News: NGV is to make art relevant for people who School of Life—dedicated to ex- a User’s Manual and Art as Therapy, were tend to come out of galleries and museums Mploring life’s big issues: How can launched in Melbourne at the end of March. asking, “what was all that about?” we fulfil our potential? Can work be inspiring? The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) now De Botton recalls a time when, as a young Why does community matter? Should relation- has its own ‘Art as Therapy’ tour. man, he read an interview with American artist ships last a lifetime? John Armstrong, philosopher and art theorist Mark Rothko. Having stood in front of Rot- Alain de Botton, founder of the School of at Melbourne University, collaborated with de hko’s paintings in the Tate Gallery and pon- Life in London, has recently opened a new Botton to produce both Art as Therapy and the dered their meaning, de Botton was delighted branch of the school at 669 Bourke Street (the information labels for certain artworks in the to read an explanation. Spencer Street end). NGV that make up this special tour. Rothko had said: “My paintings allow the The venue is, to all intents and purposes, a Armstrong and de Botton have recategorised sadness inside me to meet the sadness inside café and bookshop with a welcoming ambi- certain works in the NGV and prepared labels you.” Since then he has been on a mission to The School of Life ence. There are two rooms, one used for class- that appear beside the normal ones listing de- unravel the mysteries of art, travel, work, and 669 Bourke Street, Melbourne es and the other as a quiet area. Salads and tails of the work (artist’s name, acquisition date so on to the general public. Phone (03) 9077 8724 cakes are prepared by Streat, a nearby social etc). The Art as Therapy label re-examines the Like his compatriots, Stephen Fry and Jamie www.theschooloflife.com.au enterprise that provides homeless youth with artwork in relation to some of the concerns and Oliver, Alain de Botton is constantly reinvent- Art as Therapy hospitality training. assumptions experienced in everyday life. ing himself and not just for money; he seems NGV International De Botton, who has visited Melbourne six As an example, David Hockney’s The Sec- to genuinely want to improve people’s lives. Free times to promote his books, is a philosopher ond Marriage (1963) portrays an unhappy We are lucky that he chose Melbourne for Closes 28 September 2014 with a difference; some have labelled him a married couple. Its label does not invite us this new School of Life and, until 28 Sep- ‘popularised philosopher’. If this is a criticism, to become gloomy like the couple; rather, it tember, that we can take the Art as Therapy This is a self-guided tour but The School it has never stopped him producing many best- reminds us that tension and difficulty are par tour at the NGV. And of course, all of Alain of Life also run tours sellers that explore aspects of daily life. for the course in life. If we were to look at this de Botton’s books are available in our city’s Visit www.theschooloflife.com.au With his enquiring mind and easy commu- painting at a time when we were feeling sad, bookstores.
North Melbourne Learning Champions
Michael Roche women and three men and they come from rived residents understandably want to rush one. For the Learning Champions, it has been Somalia, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. into employment to make ends meet. a positive experience. NMLL calls them its Learning Champions. Learning Champion Awil Hussein, from “We learn as well,” says Amel, “and every orth Melbourne Language and Learn- NMLL is currently offering the Learning Somalia, says people need direction in how to day is a new challenge, how to talk to people. ing (NMLL) has found a new way to Champions a series of workshops and sem- prepare for employment. Some people are very isolated so it’s wonder- Ntap into the needs of our community. inars on local employment and training ser- “Some people need encouragement to take ful to connect with the community.” NMLL launched the Community Learning vices, consultation methods and community on a course and think about getting a job later Champions Project early this year, based on a development. on.” community development model in the United NMLL has been aware for some time that According to Georgia, it’s about encour- Kingdom. According to social worker and many local residents do not even know about aging people to see the long-term benefits of coordinator, Georgia Jacobs, the project is the the courses, what they are for, or that such learning for employment and career advance- first of its kind in Australia. training is available. ment. For over 25 years the NMLL has supported “They are starting from zero,” says Learning The Learning Champions will meet com- the learning needs of a diverse population who Champion Amel Digge, from Eritrea. The tra- munity members in formal settings such as a mostly live in the local area’s public housing ditional ways of advertising through brochures weekly mothers’ group. Other times it’s more estates. Those who learn have come from 26 and flyers do not work either. Amel explains: subtle, such as a casual conversation with different language backgrounds. NMLL offers “Those who can read often don’t have time someone in a park or at the swimming pool. courses in English and digital literacy. and others can’t read, so word of mouth is The project is about more than just educa- The Community Learning Champions Proj- better.” tion and employment. The Learning Champi- ect is based on a simple philosophy: Tehiya talks more about the barriers to ons have also played a role in linking commu- If you’re interested in the needs of your learning. “It is difficult for women,” she nity members together with some unexpected community, go out and talk to people. Most says, “they can’t go out during the day, they social dividends. importantly, you need to listen to them. are child-rearing or working, they can’t stop “A walking group has started on a Sunday It sounds easy, but how does an organisation to learn.” Having acquired this information, afternoon,” says Awil. People go for a walk, Learning Champions Tehiya Umer and Amel go about such a task? NMLL is now offering English and computer have a chit-chat, and get out of the high-rise Suliman stand next to Georgia Jacobs, the NMLL has recruited 10 volunteers who do courses on a Monday night. buildings for an hour or so. They socialise and Community Learning Champions Project exactly that—they go out to the community to The Learning Champions provide advice on it’s also good for health and fitness.” Coordinator listen and talk to its members. They are seven education and employment. Many newly-ar- The benefits of the project are felt by every- Photo: Jim Weatherill 10 COMMUNITY North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014 The Centre’s Munashe Zishiri on the Simukai Trust
Munashe Zishiri
imukai Trust is a small Zimbabwe-based charity the provides remote communities Swith access to water resources as a means of stimulating enterprise and investment. The Simukai Trust is the inaugural project of the Tsungai Women’s Burial Society, a vil- lage-based organisation formed eleven years ago by women living in the Save River Basin in Mashonaland East. The burial society’s main purpose is to support the bereaved, and organise the burial of victims of HIV and AIDS. Through severe hardship, the Tsungai Burial Society has provided hope and a sense of empowerment, keeping families together and preserving the dignity of the community overall. Now, the Tsungai Burial Society is at the heart of a so- cial and economic revival in the area. Members of the Tsungai Women’s Burial Society walk to the site of a new borehole Photo: Sekai Nzenza -Shand Through donations from the Australian em- bassy in Zimbabwe, as well as Melbournians Other projects include the refurbishment of at all. Their achievements have shown our with the Simukai Trust will aid me in my goal based locally, the Simukai Trust has managed a run-down local primary school, and a plan to younger generation what happens when a com- to be useful during my placement with The to change the lives of those in the community build a high school. This reduces the risk faced munity is brought together to work towards a Centre. by installing boreholes to give access to clean by children who often face long treks to get to common goal. From simple beginnings, help- drinking water and for irrigation purposes for school, treks which become even more danger- ing families in just times of grief, the Tsungai Munashe Zishiri is currently studying at the community garden. ous during the rainy season with the Save river Burial Society has become involved in all Victoria University where he is completing a One such project called the Nyati Project, flooding. aspects of the community. Masters in International Community Develop- funded by the Australian embassy, has allowed The Simukai Trust developed as a result As a volunteer at the Simukai Trust, I value ment. Munashe will be working with The Cen- local villagers to properly irrigate their crops, of the local female-only burial society. These the wisdom of elders from our community. tre for the next 2 months. If you wish to contact rather than depending on rainfall. This pro- women for the most part are not formally edu- One of my aims is to learn from everyone him you can do so by calling The Centre on 03 vides not only economic but social momentum cated, with most having grown up in colonial during my work in the Morning Tea program. 9328 1126 or by dropping in to 58 Errol Street, for the community. times, but this does not hinder their progress The experience I gained from volunteering North Melbourne.
Residents About Integrated Development — RAiD@3051
Marg Leser proposal by Woolworths to build a large-scale framework, inconsistencies in air-quality CBD by over 300 per cent. supermarket, bottle shop and two residential predictions, the impact on ecosystems towers (16 and 10 storeys) on the corner including Moonee Ponds Creek and increases Annual general meeting AiD is an incorporated association of Canning Street, Vaughan Terrace and in local traffic. On 26 March RAiD held its second AGM, comprising a group of North Macaulay Road. at which comprehensive chair and financial RMelbourne residents who focus The scale and impact of this proposed 1 Shiel Street reports were presented. on integrating new developments so that development were unsuccessfully appealed Last year RAiD lodged an objection to an Membership fees and donations to the they work to enhance the North Melbourne last year at VCAT by the City of Melbourne, application for a six-storey development at VCAT appeal totalled just under $10,000, streetscape and community infrastructure. RAiD and other concerned groups and 1 Shiel Street. The council approved this but a fantastic amount that is wholly thanks to Residents need to work together and individuals. the applicant recently applied for a revised our generous members and donors. RAiD lobby all levels of government to ensure Woolworths has since put the site up for sale 10-storey proposal. RAiD has again objected. commenced the financial year post-AGM with North Melbourne does not become another with building specifications identical to those approximately $300 in the bank. Docklands. approved by VCAT. Sale conditions include New residential zones The committee members elected at the We know that change will occur in a 20-year lease to Woolworths for its large In response to the new residential zones AGM were: Tess Demediuk (secretary), Lorna building stock as development occurs. We supermarket and bottle shop. Expressions of introduced by the Planning Minister, RAiD Hannan, Peter Hogg (chair), Peter Keogh have therefore devised a set of key principles interest closed on 16 April and we await the attended meetings with council planners and (treasurer), Marg Leser and Peter Topping. that encourage good planning that takes outcome. lodged a submission outlining the importance The RAiD annual membership remains $1 into account streetscapes, building density, of zoning much of North Melbourne as a (and the initial joining fee is also $1). environmental impacts, traffic management, East-West Link Neighbourhood Residential Zone, which transport and social planning for community RAiD presented at the East-West Link imposes limits on height and density. RAiD objectives for 2014 infrastructure to meet changing demographics. panel hearing in April. We were particularly This zoning would preserve our historic • continue to monitor the Woolworths RAiD@3051 was formed in 2011 when concerned about the negative cost–benefit landmarks and streetscapes while allowing development local residents came together to respond to a analysis, the inadequate urban design the integration of limited compatible new • assess the implications of Future Melbourne development. and actions by the City of Melbourne with RAiD strongly opposes the initial respect to the Municipal Strategic Statement recommendation by council officers to apply and related structure plans an across-the-board General Residential Zone. • monitor how the City of Melbourne deals This zoning has the potential to increase with other large-scale developments building heights and density, which would • liaise with other community action groups severely impact on built form and community • continue to work constructively with the City infrastructure. of Melbourne on planning and development matters. North Melbourne is currently zoned Residential 1, whose purpose most closely Keep up to date on the Woolworths proposal resembles that of the new Neighbourhood and other planning issues by becoming a Residential Zone. RAiD@3051 member. Forward your contact details to raid3051@ IMPA gmail.com RAiD@3051 is a founding member of the Access the RAiD website at www.3051- Inner Melbourne Planning Alliance (IMPA), integrated.com a non-partisan, not-for-profit association that Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ brings together community and professional pages/3051-RAID or Twitter @Raid3051 bodies and committed individuals from across inner Melbourne, to engage with government and developers on proposed changes that will radically transform the shape of the city. When completed, the new urban renewal Marg Leser is a committee member of Location of planned six-storey development at 1 Shiel Street Photo: Marg Leser areas alone will increase the size of the current RAiD@3051. JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 11
each night. Food is prepared at the Jean because their later removal was never agreed McKendry Neighbourhood Centre in to and, in the Association’s opinion, was Melrose Street. Three vans visit rooming incorrect. These conditions apply mainly in the houses and make street stops at the corner R1Z areas of West Melbourne and the southern of Macaulay and Boundary roads (Clayton parts of North Melbourne. North and West Reserve), Hanover, Flinders Street Station • The NRZ’s purpose “to limit opportunities” and Queen Victoria Market. equates to the MSS objective to “support The food consists of soup, sandwiches, limited residential development” in North Melbourne fruit, tea, coffee and cordial and is donated and West Melbourne’s R1Z areas. by Foodbank, SecondBite, FareShare, Tasty • Mandatory controls bring certainty to Trucks, Brumby’s Bakeries and Bakers planning and protect stable and heritage areas. Association Delight; food is also purchased. The entire NRZ has a default mandatory height limit of program is volunteer based and school 8 metres and subdivision controls that can groups are also involved. Blankets have been vary this to suit specific areas, to 9 metres donated by 300blankets.com. for example. GRZ has discretionary controls, which have consistently proved ineffective at restricting inappropriate development. Spring Fling Festival • Other inner-city councils have North and West Melbourne Association HAG Forum 2013 The HAG stall at the 2013 Spring Fling overwhelmingly adopted NRZ for the majority The Association’s annual general meeting On 1 May a third HAG Forum was held at included promotional bags with materials from of their R1Z areas, notably Port Phillip, Yarra was held on 20 May (after deadline). While the North Melbourne Town Hall Arts House various organisations involved and a set of and Moonee Valley. planning issues still dominate, NWMA on Health and Homelessness, discussing the multiple-answer quiz questions to engage the • North and West Melbourne have already members are active in many other endeavours many complex health issues, both mental public and promote awareness. supported among the highest population that have a lower profile. Excerpts from the and physical, that arise from the lack of a growth rates in Victoria, without 2013 annual report describing two of these safe, secure place to call home. Discussion commensurate increases in infrastructure. follow. points included: Updates on recent events • The six-week consultation period was • the key barriers affecting access to health inadequate, especially given that the new services for the most disadvantaged in our New residential zones zones had been known about for at least a Carlton Police Community Consultative community The Planning Minister has introduced three year. By presenting its recommendations as a Committee (PCCC) • how homelessness is ‘bad for your health’ new residential zones to replace the existing fait accompli, rather than inviting community The PCCC continues to meet every two • research on the health of ‘rough sleepers’ residential zones across Victoria. Councils can input from the start, CoM compelled residents months, attended by representatives • local health solutions in the community. choose among the three new zones. The zone to respond in an adversarial rather than of organisations from Carlton, North The six keynote speakers, chaired by that currently most affects us in North and consultative way. Melbourne, Kensington and Parkville. Beth Wilson AM, former health services West Melbourne is Residential 1 Zone. The Individual councillors and members of commissioner, were: Adam Bandt, Federal new zones are: parliament also attend. MP for Melbourne; Jennifer Kanis, State MP 1. Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) Regional Rail Link (RRL) All participants have an opportunity for Melbourne; Spike Chippalone, Council to A zone creating tight mandatory height limits, Work continues on the noise barrier along to report on their issues at each meeting. Homeless Persons consumer; Guy Johnson, most likely to apply in heritage residential Railway Place, with foundation works and Another regular agenda item is the crime and RMIT University; Theresa Swanborough, areas. installation of post extensions and Corten traffic report. Bicycle thefts are increasing, in RDNS Homeless Persons Program; and John 2. General Residential Zone (GRZ) steel panels. part because of the poor-quality locks some Blewonski, VincentCare Victoria. A zone allowing some development but with On 6 May residents had a very productive owners use. Bicycles that are not claimed are discretionary height limits. site meeting with CoM’s Urban Landscapes eventually given to charitable groups who 3. Residential Growth Zone (RGZ) tree planning team. The team has responded carry out repairs and pass them on to those Street Count A zone allowing significant development, also to residents’ concerns by identifying trees who cannot afford a new bike. The forum followed earlier meetings of the with discretionary height limits. that impede and absorb diesel emissions. Crime has also increased around the use of HAG committee where a City of Melbourne All councils must replace the existing As part of CoM’s urban greening strategy, credit cards. The introduction of Pay Wave is officer discussed the findings of their Street residential zones with the new ones by 30 and to beautify this neglected part of the city, a significant and growing contributor. Count of the previous five years. Always held June, otherwise the General Residential Zone they plan to supplement the greenery contained An ongoing problem is the use of on a night in the first week of June, an average will apply to all residential land by default. in the RRL’s wall design by planting as many skateboards. This is where the PCCC shows of 100–110 ‘rough sleepers’ proved to be trees and as much vegetation as possible in this its worth, because input can be received and fairly consistent. A proportion of this homeless City of Melbourne (CoM) personnel gave a challenging location. This will mitigate the considered from youth groups, the council population had been homeless for over eight presentation on the proposed application of visual and health impacts of the RRL. and other interested parties, all around the one years. the new zones at the NWMA meeting on 15 table. The City of Melbourne intended to complete April. Submissions were due on 25 April. The Another problem more intractable is noise. their ‘rough sleeping’ study with emphasis Association’s response, in summary, made the The police can issue infringement notices on on a qualitative approach. That is, 26 council following points: behalf of the EPA, but enforcement is complex representatives would engage with 40 • CoM’s original proposal to rezone all and individual cases can take up much police homeless people every week for three months, Residential 1 zones (R1Z) to GRZ under the time without a satisfactory resolution. documenting what was happening for them. new scheme was unacceptable. • The default CoM rezoning should be NRZ for all current R1Z areas with a Heritage Homelessness Action Group St Vincent de Paul Soup Vans Overlay (HO), NRZ being the closest match to The Homelessness Action Group (HAG) is A representative of St Vincent de Paul’s Soup R1Z + HO. NWMA meetings and contact a North and West Melbourne–based group Vans attended another meeting and reported • All R1Z + HO areas in North Melbourne Association meetings are held at 7.30pm on of diverse participants comprising service on the logistics and numbers of people being identified as stable in the MSS should be the third Tuesday of the month in the Dewey providers and residents. The HAG’s aim is supported by soup vans across Melbourne. rezoned NRZ. Common Room, Bastow Institute, 601 to present a human face to homelessness and In the North Melbourne/Fitzroy area, the • NRZ should also include R1Z + HO areas Queensberry Street, North Melbourne (enter increase community acceptance and awareness Matthew Talbot soup vans operate seven not identified as stable in the new MSS but off Union Street). Submissions and minutes of its complexities. nights a week with 300 people being fed identified as such in the previous MSS, are on the website at www.nwma.org.au.
Sunday Worship 10am in the church hall, 4 Elm St, North Melbourne Some highlights for 2014 Blessed: the Beatitudes of Jesus, Sunday Worship June–September A Festival of Psalms with Eucharist, Sunday 17 August Reading Groups May–July: “ Theopolitical imagination: the liturgy as a political act in an age of global consumerism” Later in the year: “Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire” For further details: [email protected] 9326 8245 www.marktheevangelist.unitingchurch.org.au 12 THE CENTRE North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014
THE CENTRE
Introduction to Health Studies editing job search documents, and using Elements. Time: Thursday 7pm – 9pm email and the internet for job seeking. Time: Tuesday 10am – 12pm Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Time: Thursday 9.30am – 3pm Cost: $125 / $55 concession* Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands Cost: $125 / $100 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne International Computer Drivers Licence COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Certificate IV in Frontline Management (ICDL) (BSB40812) / Diploma of Management Time: Wednesday 1pm – 3pm The Centre’s Volunteer Program (BSB51107) Cost: $125 / $105 concession* We have a wide range of opportunities for Time: Wednesday 6pm – 9pm Venue: Online everyone, for example: Cost: $1220 / $350 concession* • Spring Fling 19 October 2014 Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne I-Gadgets for the E-Challenged • Writing and editing NWM News Bring your own iPad or iPhone to class to • Tutoring Certificate IV in Training and learn what all these apps and downloads • Business administration Assessment (TAE40110) mean. Time: Must enter into a regular Time: Monday 6pm – 9pm Time: Wednesday 6pm – 7.30pm commitment Cost: $1500 / $350 concession* (4 sessions) Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Dates: 21 July to 27 October Cost: $85 / $55 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Drop-in Morning Teas Time: First Tuesday monthly Upgrade to TAE40110 from old HEALTH AND WELLBEING 10.30am – 12pm BSZ40198 and TAA40104 Cost: $3 per session One-day workshop Yoga Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Wednesday 9am – 4pm Time: Monday 6pm – 7.30pm Cost: $450 Cost: $165 / $125 concession* Centre Adventures (Bus Trips) Date: 24 September Venue: 5 Blackwood St, North Melb July–September Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Third Tuesday monthly Introduction to Health Studies 9.30am – 4pm Certificate III in Education Support Time: Thursday 7pm – 8.30pm Cost: $33 / $23 concession* (CHC30213) Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Meeting Point: 58 Errol St, North Time: Wednesday 9.30am – 3.30pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Melbourne Cost: $1225 / $250 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Pilates: Discovery Walks – Art, Architecture and Introduction to Pilates History Walking Group NEW Introduction to Teachers Aide Work For those new to Pilates Time: Wednesday 10am – 11am Time: Wednesday 9am – 3.30pm Time: Thursday 5.30 – 6.30pm Cost: Free Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Beginners Plus Meeting Point: 58 Errol St, North Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne A basic class for those with a little Melbourne experience Introduction to Special Needs: for pre- Time: Thursday 5.30 – 6.30pm Errol’s Angels Community Choir service educators, teachers, parents Time: Thursday 7pm – 9pm and allied health professionals General Class Membership: $140 / $90 concession* Time: Wednesday 8.30am – 1pm Time: Tuesday 6pm – 7pm Venue: Maternal & Child Health Centre, (one session) Tuesday 7pm – 8pm 505 Abbotsford St, North Melbourne Cost: $105 Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Intermediate Global Homework Program Time: Thursday 7.30 – 8.30pm Primary (Grades 4 and 5) Thinking Outside the Box: for pre- Intermediate Plus Time: Wednesday 3.30 – 5.30pm service educators, teachers, parents A more challenging class Transition (Grade 6) and allied health professionals Time: Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm Time: Monday 3.30 – 5.30pm Time: Wednesday 4pm – 7pm Secondary (Grades 7–12) (one session) Antenatal Pilates Time: Tuesday 4pm – 6pm Cost: $105 A class specifically designed to strengthen Cost: $33 / $23 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne and stretch muscles you will use to Venue: North Melbourne Library support your baby as it grows and to cope Introduction to Mental Health NEW with labour Sociable: problem-solving studio and Introduces the knowledge and skills Time: Thursday 7.30 – 8.30pm social skill development level 1 for required by support workers and case Cost: $185 / $135 concession* children 5–8 workers who work with people with mental Venue: 5 Blackwood St, North Melb Time: Wednesday 4.15 – 5.15pm illness. (6 sessions) Time: Wednesday 9am – 3.30pm ART AND CRAFT Cost: $115 / $100 concession* Cost: $237 / $188 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Exploring Calligraphy Time: Tuesday 7.30 – 9.30pm Curious Club: problem-solving studio Introduction to Special Needs NEW (8 sessions) and social skill development level 2 for Explores the policy and processes for Cost: $115 / $100 concession* children 9–14 accommodating the needs of people with Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Wednesday 5.30 – 6.30pm disabilities in an inclusive environment. (6 sessions) Time: Wednesday 9am – 3.30pm Craft, Create and Communicate DOCKLANDS PROGRAMS Cost: $115 / $100 concession* (one session) Time: Tuesday 1pm – 3pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $250 Cost: $85 / $55 concession* Photoshop and Your Photography Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Thursday 1pm – 3pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne PLIESEing Drama: arts-inspired Cost: $125 / $55 concession* workshop for children 4–5 Art Heroes (Primary – Grades 4–6) Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands COMPUTER CLASSES Time: Thursday 5.30 – 6.30pm Time: Monday 3.45 – 5.15pm (6 sessions) Computer: First Steps Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Art, Craft, Create Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Thursday 1pm – 3pm Cost: $115 / $100 concession* Introduction to basic computer skills. Class Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne includes email, word processing and Cost: $85 / $55 concession* Art Warriors (Preschool – Grade 4) Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands internet. EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS Time: Friday 9am – 11am Times: Monday 3.45 – 5.15pm Tuesday 3.45 – 5.15pm Art Warriors (Preschool – Grade 4) DEVELOPMENT Cost: $115 / $85 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Time: Thursday 3.45 – 5.15pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Food Handling Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands Time: Monday 9am – 4pm Computer: One Step Further Cost: $125 / $105 concession* Improve your skills to make the best use Pilates: Date: 22 September of your computer. This class will take you Introduction to Pilates Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne one step closer to understanding and Time: Thursday 5.30 – 6.30pm managing your computer. Intermediate Project Management for Beginners Time: Friday 11am – 1pm Time: Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm Addresses the management of projects: Cost: $115 / $85 concession* ACCREDITIED PROGRAMS Cost: $185 / $135 concession* includes developing, administering, Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Certificate II in General Education for Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands monitoring, finalising and reviewing the project. Computer: INTEL Easy Steps Adults Certificate II in Printing and Graphic Feldenkrais Time: Wednesday 9am – 3.30pm Improve your skills in using Microsoft Arts (Desktop Publishing) Time: Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm Cost: $184 / $100 concession* Office and other services online. Certificate II in Information, Digital Cost: $75 Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Wednesday 1pm – 3pm Media and Technology Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands Cost: $115 / $85 concession* Job Readiness Program Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Certificate IV in Allied Health Beginners Singing NEW The Workout Program (Job Readiness) Assistance Time: Thursday 7pm – 9pm provides skills in resume and letter writing Photoshop and Your Photography Certificate IV in Project Management Membership: $140 / $90 concession* and preparation for job interviews. A Gain new skills in taking, editing and Practice Venue: 80 Harbour Esp, Docklands computer component covers creating and uploading photographs using Photoshop * subject to conditions JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News SPRING FLING 13 Spring Fling 2014 — the countdown begins!
Emma McCashney It is important to note that the festival’s The Centre is, however, committed to workshops, stalls and street food that we’ve success is a result of the strong community its much-loved Spring Fling Festival and seen in the past will still be a big feature; support it receives. delivering this to the community every year however, the festival site is developing and ight months on from the last Spring A challenge for The Centre in producing on the third Sunday in October. The positive will probably look quite different this year. Fling Street Festival and the planning Spring Fling is being a not-for-profit impact of the festival on so many community There is also going to be a stronger focus begins again for this year’s event on organisation that runs many additional members is remarkable. on local music on the stages and involvement E Sunday 19 October. activities throughout the year. The Centre’s Spring Fling is different from many other from a greater variety of community groups to Over the past two years we have seen huge primary role in the community is to provide festivals in that it focuses most of its resources make the day vibrant and exciting. progress with the festival’s program and its a safe and welcoming environment for all on delivering interactive and educational The Centre and the Spring Fling team are ability to draw large crowds to Errol Street in really looking forward to the next few months North Melbourne. Spring Fling encourages residents, newcomers and those seeking activities. We’ve had everything from cooking assistance. demonstrations and circus performances as we get to the busiest stage of the planning involvement from all residents and business process. We’re open to suggestions and input We are fortunate that we are also able to to DIY bike basket decorating and pottery owners within the North and West Melbourne from all members of the community, so if you provide opportunities for skills development, workshops. precinct and we appreciate how important this have a great idea for an activity or something education and wellbeing through a long list The aspect of Spring Fling that makes iconic festival has become to our community. you would like to see at the festival we of courses that take place in various North it unique among street festivals is that all When the annual tradition began 37 years encourage you to get in touch. Melbourne and Docklands locations. attendees can be actively involved and ago, it was a small gathering of 30 people The countdown to October begins! for a community fair at the North Melbourne The Centre has also been producing this potentially learn something, regardless of age, Town Hall. Now, looking at the statistics from community newspaper for over 35 years, culture or economic status. Emma McCashney is Spring Fling Festival the 2013 Spring Fling, we can proudly report which its volunteers deliver to the letterboxes With the success of the past two years coordinator. You can contact the Spring Fling that this once-small gathering had grown to a of more than 5500 local residents and in particular, we are set for a bigger and team at The Centre by calling 9328 1126 or crowd of approximately 16,000. businesses each quarter. better Spring Fling in 2014. The interactive emailing [email protected]
Emma McCashney Phil Bodey Jeanine Howton Sam Jackson Ruby Spokes Christian Mangantulao Festival Coordinator Operations and Logistics Volunteer Coordinator Marketing and Sponsorships Artistic Coordinator Design Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator
The Global Homework Program
These stories were written by students in The The Thunderstorm of the End of the Global Homework Program as challenges World By Dylan and activities for when they have completed The fearsome frightening dark clouds their homework tasks. The stories and other roam the sky. challenges are put into a box and at the end of No planes are allowed to fly. each term a raffle is drawn. We have had lots of The scorching bright light of the happy winners. buildings dropping…lightning. The sound cracks so loud that you go deaf and the lightning strikes. The sound sounds like the biggest Life in the Future atom bomb mankind has ever heard. By Alec In the end all there is, is rubble and Life in the future will be amazing! destruction. There will be flying cars, magic wands Flying broomsticks and so much more! The way you will get around will be with flying cars, jetpacks, UFO’s and A Day in the Life of my Pet more! By Callum You can play with EVERYTHING and What my cats do in the day is they have a you will have a robot butler. couple of adventures or they just sleep or And that’s what it will be like in the chase mice. future. My cats are very happy with what they The Ant Disaster Adam Falloon do. At night my cats go in their cat run and see lots of foxes and try to chase them The Most Dangerous Thing I Have A Day in the Life of my Pet. early in the morning. (but they always get away before the cats Ever Done By Bakri By Noah Sometimes they get crazy, like really get them) The most dangerous thing I have ever I have two cats called Jackson and Sanza. crazy playful. My cats are awesome and they are done was when I was a baby. One day Jackson is 1 ½ years old and he is a In the afternoon I’m not too sure what the nocturnal. when I was in Egypt I saw an ant on the domestic short hair cat. cats do but they definitely sleep. They always have fun at night because floor and I ate it but my dad came and Sanza is 10 months old and she is a short/ In the evening they nag and nag for food. all they do in the day is SLEEP. took it out of my mouth. long hair cross. They also get cheeky. They jump on the My cats always jump on the table when That was a close call. In the morning the 2 cats purr but only bench and eat the food. we are eating. 14 COMMUNITY North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014
COMMUNITY Anniversary of infamous diamond jewellery heist North Melbourne, 1934
herself regularly regaled by customers about the exciting incident. The stories have been told ever since she bought the shop from the McMaster family in 1986. “I’ve had this shop on my own for ten years now, so I know it has a long history. I know about that incident through customers whose parents had told them about that story.” “There must have been a thousand people in Errol St that afternoon!” She remarked wryly. “Leslie McMaster [Peter B. Mcmaster’s son] was the shop attendant that day, he was born with a club foot. He was still here up un- til he passed.” The man had asked McMaster to show him three trays of diamond rings. As Mr McMaster turned around to his assistant to ask her to re- trieve a fourth tray, the thief grabbed the three trays and ran out onto the street. Peter B. McMaster The trays consisted of mostly cluster-type Leslie McMaster outside shop Photo: Photographer unknown Photo: Photographer unknown diamond rings, a ladies’ ring that boasts a large Mr McMaster pulled out the pistol he carried, come back. So we get a lot of modelling and central gemstone that is surrounded by a ring shooting four bullets down the street after the restoration, for people coming in and they’ve of tiny stones. fleeing thief. often still got the little McMaster’s box! Raphaelle Race The three trays together were valued at Clutching the tray, and dropping a number “So we still have modern jewellery but we around £1000 in 1934, during one of the worse of rings as he ran, the thief then jumped into try and have as much of the old-fashioned ser- ighty years and one week ago (give or economic depressions of the 20th century. a getaway car with two other men already vices as possible. It’s a passion and it’s such a take some small change) a daring heist Unemployment was high, and earnings were inside. good feeling that everyone who comes through Erattled North Melbourne’s otherwise plunging. It was no wonder the theft was a According to The Advertiser, the shots fired here leaves happy. It’s always a special occa- peaceful Errol Street. news splash, with £1000 being the equivalent had apparently only ‘narrowly missed’ Mr sion.” The theft of three trays of diamond jewellery of approximately $82,000 in 2014. C. Binks, a business broker, and a Mr L. A. Does anyone know if the felons were ever from P. B. McMaster and Son was the talk of The thief was reported to be a well-dressed Roach, an Errol Street newsagent. apprehended? Send a letter into the News if the town, and was reported as far away as the gentleman, according to the Adelaide’s Adver- No bystanders were hurt however, and a you know! Adelaide Advertiser. tiser, who wore a grey overcoat and hat, and number of them even picked up the stray rings The theft is remembered to this day, as brown woollen gloves. and returned them to Leslie McMaster. long-time local and McMaster’s watch and The thief was closely followed by Mr Mc- “The incident happened when there wasn’t jewellery shop owner, Lucy Figliuzzi finds Master, who was hindered by his club foot. an alarm system. There weren’t any silent alarms so people like jewellers, bankers, they all carried guns. And I think that continued up until the early ‘70s. “We have had snatch and grabs and just even February they smashed the window. Nat- urally now we’re alarmed and it’s a little bit different…. But back then having a revolver was the way of protecting what you had.” Mr McMaster returned to his shop after the thieves had disappeared and called the police. The police arrived a few minutes later, but by then the men had escaped. “My parents used to have a milk bar in North Melbourne in the 60s” Lucy says proud- ly. “I’m really proud of having the business. Although it’s not in my family, I did take it… still wanting it to be like a family jeweller. “We’ve had people from three or four gen- erations coming to get their jewellery repaired. P. B. McMaster and Son made watches as And even if they’ve left the area, they’ll still well as jewellery
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The Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and Women North and West Melbourne sub branch
Michael Roche nity singing, talent quests and performances by popular radio and vaudeville artists. The first Cabaret Ball of the sub branch small dwelling hiding in Little Er- was held in the 6th Battalion Drill Hall, City rol Street behind the Town Hall is a of Melbourne Regiment, on 23 October 1959. Astorehouse of information on North At the next ball to be held, the Legion Jour- and West Melbourne’s military history. It’s nal reported that “The Belle of the Ball was the local branch of the Australian Legion of Mrs. Iris O’Neill and Mrs. Mary Nicholls was Ex-Servicemen and Women. On a Sunday judged Matron of the Ball. Several of the la- afternoon it’s also a comfortable and relaxing dies dancing, who wore beautiful frocks, were venue for a beverage or two. The smiling sub- ineligible for judging because they were not branch President Barry Slocombe will be hap- wearing gloves.” py to take your order. For All Who Serve shows the North and The Australian Legion’s origins began in West sub branch dealing with the issues of New South Wales in 1942 and two years later the day. In November 1950 the sub branch was firmly established in Victoria. Although discussed what its response should be to a the Returned Services League (RSL) had been letter from the Victorian Council Against Nazi representing returned soldiers since 1916, the Immigration. The inclination of the sub branch Australian Legion differed in two important was to support the movement. respects. In April 1953 the state council of the Aus- Unlike the RSL, The Australian Legion tralian Legion expelled a North and West included women. This distinction between Melbourne sub branch member, Vic Little, for the two organisations continued for several being a Communist. The sub branch protested decades, as the RSL did not welcome female against this decision, stating Little had always members until 1982. enhanced and promoted the aims and objec- The Australian Legion also included anyone tives of the Australian Legion. who had served in the military forces, wheth- The North and West sub branch supported er based here or overseas. So for instance, its members and provided them with what we military personnel at home who had provided would call today a social network. Margaret training and instruction to soldiers could be- remembers members travelling together in come members. The RSL, however, only rep- furniture vans to country picnics, and regular resented returned soldiers who had served in Australia Day weekends in Mortlake near War- overseas war zones. rnambool. Ted Lynes’s history of the Australian Le- Margaret’s husband Bobby Richards has gion’s Victorian Branch, For All Who Serve, fond memories too. He was the sub branch highlights the importance of Legion in sup- president for 25 years (1980–2005). Bobby is porting ex-service personnel, a service which turning 80 this year and the Anzac Day March continues to this day. These organisations give is now a little out of reach. members an opportunity to mix with people of “My old legs won’t carry me anymore,” similar experience and background. They offer says Bobby. social entertainment and interaction. They also According to Bobby, the construction of help those who served overseas re-integrate Legion’s headquarters in Little Errol Street into civilian life. began in 1947, and it was largely constructed For All Who Serve notes how actively the by volunteers. North and West Melbourne branch has en- In the 1980s the headquarters were renovat- gaged members in social entertainment. Its ed and installed with new floors, air condition- first ever social event was a dance at the North ing and internal timber cladding. Sub-branch President Barry Slocomb standing with the North and West Melbourne Legion Banner Photo: Jim Weatherill Melbourne Town Hall on 25 September 1946. The main bar area is like a museum of our Margaret Richards, secretary of the sub military past with photographs and memorabil- On a grey and wet Sunday afternoon, Barry of mouth and wanted to check it out. They felt branch between 1995 and 2005, remembers ia covering every wall. These days it is used as is serving beers. welcomed and were genuinely impressed. the dances well. According to Margaret, they a meeting place for a group of retired railway There is easy listening music on the radio Although its dancing days may be over, on continued once a month and were put on well employees on the first Thursday of the month. and football on the big screen. There is a plat- a Sunday afternoon you can still soak up a into the 1990s. The Legion space is also open to the general ter of cheese, cold meats and biscuits to share. slice of local history over a cool beverage, and “I remember years ago ladies travelling in public on a Sunday, although it is not quite as Three members stand by the bar. chat with members of the Australian Legion of taxies as far away as Frankston to come to our busy as days gone by. Membership had begun “This is as busy as it gets” laughs Barry. Ex-Servicemen and Women. dances” says Margaret. to decline in the 1990s. By late afternoon more people have filed The Legion Journal of August 1952 de- “The kids don’t want to join,” says Bobby. through the doors, including a group of three The Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen and scribed the Sunday night concerts held by the The members of our local Kensington RSL locals, who dropped by after lunching at the Women is located at 16 Little Errol Street sub branch in the North Melbourne Town Hall have also noticed a similar decline in member- Lithuanian Club. North Melbourne. It is open to the general as “excellent”. The program included commu- ships over recent years. They had heard about the bar through word public on Sunday 11 am – 5 pm.
North & West Melbourne Who are we? We cordially invite you to An active community is a Association Inc. We are a group of people who live or join the Association and: progressive community work in North and West Melbourne, a • share your community concerns Whether you have lived or worked here community that is very much part of the Working together for the future with us for many years or have just moved to inner-city life of Melbourne. of our community • attend meetings North or West Melbourne, one thing What are our aims? • join an interest-based group you probably enjoy is the livable quality • attend our quarterly social functions of the built environment. They include: • expand your community contacts The North & West Melbourne • promoting a sense of community Association has worked for more than in our eclectic, culturally diverse and, if you wish, help us to: 30 years to maintain the amenity and neighbourhood • monitor City of Melbourne Council enhance the wellbeing of residents, • protecting and enhancing the built agendas and minutes workers and visitors. and natural environment of the area • represent the Association on • enabling community contacts. committees and delegations Please contact us if you would like • prepare submissions on strategic to share your skills. You don’t need What do we do? issues to be an expert, just keen to be Email: [email protected] The NWMA represents its members by • monitor planning permit applications involved and be part of the team! Post: PO Box 102 canvassing their views, concerns and • promote sustainable transport and North Melbourne Vic 3051 proposals on issues of community manage traffi c issues interest to local, state and federal • support our internal processes, Supported by the City of Melbourne Web: www.nwma.org.au governments. including website management. Community Services Grants Program 16 YOUTH & EDUCATION North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014
YOUTH & EDUCATION Ordinary men, Sudoku The players are required to fill in the 9 x 9 that each row, column and mini-grid contains square grid by using the numbers one to nine. one of each number. extraordinary gift The numbers should be arranged in such a way
Claudio Palmeri ence would be enough, but no, once again they took off to World War II, they left their young families to help those that were being invaded. e live in the lucky country, a place I think of the kids left behind: my grandfa- where we all accept and respect ther, watching his teacher get shot and seeing Weach other’s beliefs and values, but his friend being blown up by a grenade. this Anzac Day it dawned on me that this is not There was the fear that every car that back- the case for many nations in the world. fired could be gunshots. There was a stench in This was definitely not the case in 1914 and the air of gunpowder and dead people and still 1935 in Europe. people went out every day for food and water, My great-grandfather’s war medals hang not knowing if they, or someone they knew, with pride on my maternal grandfather’s wall. was going to be shot or killed. My paternal great-grandfather’s sword and What makes people like this? Is it their medals hang on the wall as well. There are so sense of adventure or their sense of obligation? many times I have walked past them without Was it a particular generation? really thinking of the sacrifices they made for I think of my father, who put his life on hold a better world. to go to the Gulf war, only to come back and have to begin a new life. Unlike the war games How many times have I seen my father’s we play today, he was living the game. Only navy uniform and noticed how small it was, this game had no pause button. but never thought about what it had experi- But let’s not forget the children, my grand- enced? parents who, at the very tender ages of 4 and 8, How do you thank them, honor them, two had their lives ripped from under them. School men l never met, yet have heard so much stopped, friends died, the smell of death sur- about? rounded them and in all of this misery they How do I thank my father? How do I thank went on to love their fellow men and women, my grandfathers, who told me of their experi- and contribute to their country in different ences as children in a war without their father? ways. My way of honoring them is by telling you To say I am proud of the people in my fam- some of their story. ily is an understatement, to say I am proud of My great-grandfathers on both sides, Fillipo the strangers who went to war, that I never got and Giorgio, both fought in the early 1900s, to meet, is an understatement. one in Ethiopia the other in Eritrea. They were Young men and women put their lives on the the typical boys of their time: young and look- line, and continue to do so, for the free country ing for adventure. They would only find death Toddler Years we live in today. For this I say we should never and sadness, memories that would haunt them forget, always remember and pass their stories for many years to come. down through the generations to ensure they Shetu Mitra My experience as a mother when my son was Now you would think that one such experi- are appreciated forever. two years old is summed up in this ABC poem:
ABC poetry is a short form of poetry that is Toddler Years normally written to show feelings. It contains Pampered by all five lines. You may begin your poem with any Questions galore letter of the alphabet. The next three lines must Rebelling against rules follow sequence. The last line can begin with Sudden mood swings any letter of the alphabet. Toddler years are a learning experience. The Flex: new building for modern learning
Robyn Phelan This year, the ground floor is populated The Flex or a classroom? classes. Some spaces are open, others are by grades 4 and 5, whilst upstairs is home by Mija and Dusty closed. This is The Flex, first opened in 2012. to all grade 3 classes. Two articulate grade 4 The building on the south side of North The Flex is an excellent place to work. You he Flex is North Melbourne Primary students, Mija and Dusty, adore being in The Melbourne Primary School definitely catches get to work with students and teachers who School’s most recent building addition. Flex and have written convincingly of the one’s eye. This wonder of a building is not are not just in your own class. Therefore, T How we teach must reflect how our benefits of this collaborative learning space. for a lonely single class, it’s for a variety of you get to learn from different teachers and students learn. It must also reflect the world students who have different skills. With a our students will move into. This is a world variety of completely different workspaces, that is rapidly changing, connecting, adapting you change classroom each term as well as and evolving. having the colossal open space in the middle The 21st century is an age of collaboration. of The Flex. If we look at UNESCO’s publication Hang on. We know what you’re thinking. Learning: The Treasure Within, ‘The four Too many children in one space is way too pillars of education’, collaboration is a key noisy. Well, that’s not exactly true, so let’s get element of each of the four pillars. These are: this straight. If you came in during any session learning to know, learning to do, learning to except for inquiry (that’s always a bit loud live together, and learning to be (www.unesco. because kids are collaborating, sharing ideas org/delors/fourpil.htm). and working together), you could hear a needle To meet these educational aims, North drop. It really is that quiet. Melbourne Primary School utilised the Yet another reason why The Flex is a good federal government’s Building the Education learning space is that you can have groups Revolution funds to establish a flexible learning at the right learning level with a range of centre. The Flex was completed in 2012. different teachers. So, for example, say your This two-storey building features various reading was well above average, then you working areas, affectionately known as the would go to an extension group. If your triangle, wet space, theatrette, the corner numeracy was below average you would and the tutorial room. These flexible spaces work in a group that provided you with help facilitate traditional teaching alongside open, where you needed it. collaborative and project-based learning for Now you can see why The Flex is an teachers and students in a stimulating shared outstanding working space and why we environment. Mija and Dusty in front of The Flex Photo: Robyn Phelan students love to learn and work in The Flex. JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News YOUTH & EDUCATION 17
SPORT & HEALTH Top Arts 2014 Winter yoga poses Carol Lander closer inspection I found she had used teabags, all slightly different in their shade of brown. release your clasped hands and slowly bring Rosalie Gascoyne would have been delighted. Janine Barron & Chris Addison your body back to the earth. Also, be sure keep election for Top Arts at the National There are no students in the exhibition from Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is considered your head facing forward until you’re all the the North or West of Melbourne this year but e are always affected by the chang- a great honour among Victoria’s Year 12 way down. S the range of schools represented is broad and es in our environment, including the students. This year is the twentieth anniversary Then grasp your knees in toward your chest from all three sectors – government, Catholic seasonal ones. In winter, our health and the exhibition has a new title – StArt Up – W for a squeeze, and roll your knees slowly from and independent. is affected but we can balance our bodies and to recognize the role it’s had starting career of side to side for a mini-massage of your lower While I have referred to several famous minds with exercise, food, sleep and daily rou- many of Victoria’s artists. spine. It’s the perfect counter-pose to give your artists who could have inspired and informed tines. Yoga is not meant to hurt or strain you, It was refreshing to see the works displayed lower back some love. Do this for 30 seconds these students in their art, each of them de- so act out these exercises carefully on carpet in a new venue this year – the Studio at the Ian to a minute, and then release on an exhalation serve high praise for their individuality and for or a mat. Potter Centre: NGV Australia in Federation being selected for StArt Up: Top Arts 2014. while rolling your spine, one vertebra at a Square. Top Arts always contains excellent time, onto the floor. Bridge Pose examples of work in many genres and media. StArt Up: Top Arts 2014 will be on display at Bridge is an effective way to open your chest The Studio is on the ground floor, behind Plow Pose the NGV Studio, Flinders Street, Federation and calm your mind, sending fresh blood to the gallery shop, and this year its sweeping Plow is considered therapeutic for sinusitis, Square from 11 April – 20 July 2014. StArt your head and leaving you feeling revitalized entrance is filled with a sculptural work made but this pose might feel uncomfortable if your Up: Top Arts 2014 is open daily 10am – 5 pm. and refreshed. from paper. back or hamstrings are really tight. If so, you Admission is free. To begin, lie on your back with your knees Once through this, Claire Kopietz’s short can always bend your knees and place them bent and your feet hip-distance apart on the video, reminiscent of William Kentridge’s floor. Check the distance between your shoul- next to your ears for an easier variation. work, greets you with its quirky animations, ders and feet by reaching for your heels, your Begin lying flat on your back on a mat or inspired by the death of both her grandfathers fingertips should just touch the back of your rug. Place your arms by your sides, palms last year. facing down. Press firmly into your palms, Around the corner in the first of the two feet. Now begin to push your pelvis up and for- bend your knees, and bring both legs over your gallery spaces is Tess Saunders’s pyramid of head. cans, which makes reference to Andy Warhol’s ward, your knees should be directly over your heels. Keep your arms extended on either side If you can, straighten your knees and touch paintings of Campbell’s soup tins. your toes to the ground. Interlace your fingers The works in this gallery provide a com- of your body with palms facing down. and then gently rock your weight side-to-side prehensive display of multimedia, including There should be no serious tension or strain a little, so you can bring your shoulder blades painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, in your glutes when you’re lifting up your hips closer together. installation, 3D imaging and a digitally-pro- toward the ceiling. Be sure to keep your thighs Keep your head and neck still. Think about duced graphic novel. strong and engaged in order to get those hips bringing your hips over your shoulders, and Self-images and works exploring identity even higher. lengthening your spine as much as possible. have always been common in Top Arts and Make sure you don’t look around when this year is no exception. Given the ages of you’re in bridge. Your chin should be slightly Stay here for 10 slow and deep breaths, then the artists, it is not surprising to find them lifted away from your chest while keeping your slowly bend your knees and shift your hips questioning their place in the contemporary gaze forward and slightly up toward the ceil- back down to the floor, hugging your knees world and its preoccupation with social media. ing. Hold the pose for 10 slow deep breaths. into your chest. Stay here for a minute or so, Several of the works draw from Asian To come down gracefully from bridge pose, letting your neck and spine adjust. cultures, such as Aaron Orellana who produced some exquisite drawings while on holiday in Cambodia, and Darcy Whitworth whose work was inspired by her six-month exchange in Japan. Not surprisingly for our times, there are many digital works and fewer paintings. How- ever, it was delightful to see the large number of students demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship. Linocuts are labour-intensive, yet Taylah Ransome’s animal print and Liam Barr’s self-portrait both show a great level of skill. June Uili’s Sina and the tuna draws on Sa- moan mythology and is a prime example of the time and commitment required throughout the VCE year. Her delicate method involved covering sheets of paper with plaster before incising her intricate patterns to create an or- ange and white serpent. One of my favourite pieces was A sense of unity by Suzy Saylak. From a distance the work looked like it was made of tiny pieces of wood arranged in an abstract design, but on Janine Barron, studio owner and yoga teacher in ‘bridge pose’ Photo: Chris Addison
HEALING PATHWAYS Experts in TAROT READINGS, REIKI HEALINGS AND MASSAGE Come, visit our oasis in North Melbourne, to browse, chat or when you need a positive and truthful perspective
Choose your healing pathways either individually or as a package: Tarot for mental healing, Reiki for emotional healing, Massage for physical healing Crystals and books, music and incense, gifts and gift certifi cates Lomi Lomi and Balinese traditional massage Neck and shoulder massage on a chair or table Tantric sessions for couples / Intimacy coaching
Tarot courses available including 6 week course on how to read the cards fl uently www.tarotreadingsmelbourne.com.au Like us under Healing Pathways in FACEBOOK HENʼs Nights or corporate functions available, corporate rates 0431 616 001 476a Victoria Street, North Melbourne Hugh Lee, yoga teacher in ‘plow pose’ Photo: Chris Addison 18 SPORT & HEALTH North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014 Tips and tricks: your winter survival guide
Yvette Vigor Boost your immune system health, it is vital for a healthy immune system, Rest Fortunately, if your immune system is strong, and plays a role in preventing seasonal affec- Sleep is the most important activity you can you can reduce the chances of your body suc- tive disorders (SAD). undertake when we are sick. At the first sign of n winter do you find you need more hours cumbing to the flu. Unfortunately for the southern part of Aus- fatigue, aching muscles, swollen glands, sinus in the day to get out of bed, to dry your Increase immune-boosting nutrients such headache/congestion or a sore throat – stay washing, to slow cook dinner and just to as protein, pre and pro-biotics, essential fatty tralia, the UV is at its lowest during winter, I home, keep warm and hydrated for at least 2-3 move? acids (such as good quality oils and nuts), vi- and vitamin D levels in fish and eggs aren’t days. Fortunately we can not only reduce our anx- tamins A, Bs, C, D, E, and minerals (selenium, enough to help. You need sun exposure 2-3 When we feel prepared, we feel like we can ieties about the cold winter weather, we can zinc, iron and copper). hours a week on your face, hands and arms, take on the world, or in this case survive win- help prevent the dreaded flu and winter blues. Vitamin D and 3-6 times this amount is required if you ter. Prepare yourself and you no longer have to Stress Vitamin D is not only essential for bone have naturally dark skin. survive winter, but can enjoy it. Stress in any form can significantly weaken our immune system. It is vital for you discover what helps you reduce/manage your stress levels and include it in your everyday routine. Seasonal foods high in immune-boosting nutrients Loneliness can be very stressful, howev- er just a few close friends can help cushion Green vegetables Vegetables Animal products Pre & probiotics the stress of negative events. If need be, try joining a local community group to meet new Brussel Sprouts Carrot Eggs Fermented foods friends. Sugar and caffeine can suppress and stress Kale Beetroot Sardines Miso the immune system. Avoid sweets and alcohol, and cut out all sugar when recovering from the Spinach Sweet potato Salmon Sauerkraut flu. Caffeine also causes you to excrete many nutrients that fight off illness. Silver beet Capsicum Kim chi
Physical Activity Fennel Kefir As the sky darkens earlier each day, it’s harder to do exercise. Actually this is the best time to Fruit Parsnip Other Unsweetened yogurt keep active. Not only does physical activity increase our circulation and keep us warm, it Kiwi Fruit Avocado Almonds Onion helps promote happy hormones. However, you should choose bed over stren- Pineapple Horseradish Ginger Garlic uous activity if you are experiencing any signs of a cold or flu, as your body requires all the Strawberries Herbs Bananas energy it can get to fight off the virus.
POLITICS & ENVIRONMENT June gardening tips for a winter wonderland
Phoebe LaGerche-Wijsman • Feed them now with good quality orchid food • Keep your fingers crossed! I also have a few climbing roses which are or me, winter in my garden is all about best pruned in June/July, and a lovely crimson cleaning and clearing, which means Bougainvillea. Bougainvilleas flower on new Fpulling out vegetables that have died, wood, so now is a great time to clip them back so and pruning things into shape. you get a flood of flowers in spring and summer. Since a lot of my garden is in pots, it’s also the In the past I have had the odd intruder jump time of year to pull everything out, reassess the fence, so instead of stringing up razor and then re-design the garden for spring. wire, which has some legality issues, I planted At this time of year, my potted hydrangeas prickly plants along my fences. need to be clipped back and re-potted. It is also a great time to check your front I find that some of my potted plants have be- boundary and clip everything back to your come aquaphobic (the soil repels water) over fence line so that your plants aren’t inhibiting summer, so I like to get a new bag of potting pedestrian access on the footpath. mix and combine with it the old, incorporating Note: when pruning things that have grown a little bit of the worm castings from my worm over your fence, it is the law that you only prune farm, and re-pot them. to ‘your own’ fence line. You may not like the Winter is also the time for your orchids to same plants as your neighbours, but you’re not start blooming. Make sure to bring them out allowed to prune inside their fence line. In my last article, I spoke of the vegetable of the shade and into the winter sun. This way disasters in my garden over summer. their bulbous bases get some direct sunlight, Well things didn’t really improve over au- which encourages them to produce more flow- tumn. We didn’t get a single tomato, but we er spikes in the future. did get some lovely eggplants, a few radishes Orchids are a newfound interest for me, and lots of coriander and parsley. having been a florist in the past I have always The parsley has self-seeded, which is nice, loved them as cut flowers, but my interest but what should you plant now? grew during my time as a writer on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia where I interviewed a Things to prune and plant in winter: passionate young orchid grower called Daniel. • Garlic, broad beans, shallots, onions, Daniel’s enthusiasm for orchids was conta- spinach and leeks gious, and while I find it tricky to get orchids • Herbs such as dill, mint, rosemary, to flower, I love a gardening challenge! thyme and coriander Here are a few tips for growing orchids and • Prune your roses encouraging them to flower: • Winter is a great time to replant and • Make sure to keep the snails away re-pot plants that are dormant (leafless) • Incorporate some shells into the orchid mix, over winter, it’s also the best time to as the calcium from the shells helps produce transplant trees and shrubs strong flower stems Orchids are difficult to grow, but are beautifully colourful in winter Photo: Wikipedia Commons JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News TRAVEL & FOOD 19
TRAVEL & FOOD Canadians Lawn Bowling Down Under Tour
Rosemary Walsh joined in with enthusiasm. When bowling finished, the socialising commenced, and both the Canadians and the n Sunday 9 March 2014, the City of City bowlers soon learned that they shared Melbourne Bowls Club hosted a group the same concept of what constitutes ‘a Oof fourteen bowlers and their tour good time.’ Plentiful drinks, a lovely dinner coordinator from Vancouver to a fun-filled (Australian lamb cooked with bush herbs and day of bowls, excellent Aussie ‘tucker’ and spices, and the meal finished off with Aussie some musical entertainment by local group lamingtons), and then the music and dancing. Brave that had toes tapping in no time and the The visitors even instructed their waiting majority up on to the dance floor. bus driver to return to their accommodation The visitors arrived at around 12.30pm without them, choosing to stay a little longer in their colourful red Canadian uniforms to enjoy the fun, eventually walking back. specially designed for the tour, and the Everyone from both groups felt a little sad event kicked off at 1.00pm with local City when the day was over and they had to say of Melbourne Councillor Richard Foster goodbye to newly made friends. officially welcoming the guests and rolling the An email note received at the end of the first bowl of the day. day from tour coordinator Maryalice Golinksy City of Melbourne Councillor, Richard Foster, officially welcoming the guests and rolling the Two ten-end matches were played during said, “Thank you so very much for making to- first bowl of the day Photo: Maryalice Golinksy the afternoon, with City bowlers filling in day, Sunday March 9th, such a wonderful fun numbers for the visitors’ teams. Many had day packed full of laughter and memories.” tion is open to make this happen for you when touched a lot of hearts today who felt your difficulty adjusting to the quirks of the City’s “The group was blown away that your club you come to Canada.” hospitality and how it reflects on our Mel- artificial green (the grass green having recently of 60+ people would knock themselves out to “Maybe I’ll organize a group to come next bourne experience … You welcomed us with been replanted), but all were good sports and make us feel like honoured guests. The invita- year. What do you think? … just know that you smiles, but touched our hearts!”
Enjoying market day: Port Vila to Victoria
Nancy Lane If you need a coconut to drink at midnight, fruits and vegetables. milk, wrapped in banana leaf and baked in or peanuts to nibble at 3.00am, you can leave There are constantly new foods to discover. an underground oven) and tuluk (the Vanuatu the money for your purchase or wake the These include several types of nuts not version of the Mexican tamale: flavoured or those of us who truly enjoy our vendor if you need change. available in Australia, such as namambe mince enclosed in laplap). All are wrapped in a weekly shopping excursions to the When not in use as a market on the (Pacific chestnut), nangai (cannarium) and banana leaf to take away. FQueen Victoria Markets, we can’t weekend, the building doubles as a church for navele. And this leads to the fifth difference, the imagine any place better. But here in Vanuatu, local religious services. The naus (June plum) can be eaten either packaging. Root vegetables are packed and where I am working for two months as an A second difference is that the vendors are ripe or green, with flesh similar to guava, and sold in woven palm leaf bags. Nuts come Australian business volunteer, it’s been easy to not migrants – neither Greeks nor Italians, the pomelo or pamplemousse tastes like a large threaded on thin stalks. Peanuts are always acclimate to the Port Vila central market. Chinese nor Vietnamese – but natives of sweet grapefruit. Some of the other fruits only sold in their shells – those in small plastic bags As they say in Thailand, ‘Same same, but Vanuatu, or ni-Van. They are almost all seem to have local names. are roasted; those in net bags are sun dried, different.’ women. This leads to the fourth difference, the food and those still on their stalks bound with twine The Queen Vic and Port Vila markets have The ‘mamas’, as they are called, all grow court. Several mamas sell lunch or dinner are fresh. If you want a plastic bag to put much that is the same: open air sheds, piles the fresh fruits, vegetables and greens near meals at very reasonable prices (under $5) things in, mamas sell these as well. of fresh fruits and vegetables and colourful their homes. They bring to market whatever is and have a table where you can sit with other I will always like the Queen Vic market vendors. The same food court; the same piles in season and in excess of their family needs. customers to eat. best, but the Port Vila central market comes a of garbage out the back. They are all dressed in bright, colourful island Other mamas sell take away food: fried very, very close second. But there are some wonderful differences dresses, similar to Hawaiian muumuus, which fish, chicken wings, simboro (manioc, banana, that make the Port Vila market unusual. add an indefinable charm to the market. taro or yam cooked in island cabbage leaves Nancy Lane teaches introductory health One difference is the opening hours: not A third difference is that you never quite with coconut milk), laplap (the same varieties courses at The Centre: Connecting Community quite 24/7, but rather 24/5.5. The markets open know what fruits and vegetables you’ll find or of vegetable grated, mixed with coconut in North and West Melbourne. very early Monday morning when the vendors at which stall you’ll find them. It all depends and their products come in on local buses from on what’s in season, and who has brought what. their villages around the island. There is usually no problem finding oranges, They stay until Saturday lunchtime, or until island cabbage (more like a green than a their fruit and vegies are sold out, whichever cabbage), bok choy, paw paw, bananas, taro, comes first, and sleep at night on mats behind yam and manioc (cassava), but you have to their market stalls. play detective and search stall by stall for other Errol Street Medical General Practice, Specialists & Allied Health Centre General Practitioners: Dr Emerson Tantoo, Dr Zahra Mokhayer, Dr Ming Wu and Dr David Chiang Specialist Services: General Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Psychologist, Dietitian, Dermatologist available for skin checks; cosmetic and anti-ageing injections also available Onsite Pathology, Nursing and Vaccination Services
OPENING HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8.30am to 6pm, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm Level 1, 65–67 Errol Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 03 9329 7011 Proud Sponsor of CyclingMoMo (not-for-profi t organisation for medical research) Exotic foods on display at Port Vila central markets, Vanuatu Photo: Nancy Lane 20 TRAVEL & FOOD North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014 Soup A visit to old word family style
of the Katrina Kincade-Sharkey crumbed and toppedwith a tomato, mozzarella Calabrese, formaggio and di Marco to tantalise and basil sause; or alla arrabbiata—sautéed the taste buds, delivering true pleasure. in brandy, topped with mild chilli, shallots, Amiconi continually aims for the top: and it miconi Hatton Restaurant’s image cheese and Napoli sauce. has not failed to deliver any time I’ve dined Evening reflects traditional North and West And then there’s the chicken fillet there. AMelbourne: It’s a quiet reputation, one of peace and serenity operating on old world, Kashka Lantis family style – and it feeds that family/client base well with good, bloody good food. Sited in double-storey, solid rick at 359 ‘Beautiful Soup, so rich and green, Victoria Street a few doors east of Errol, it Waiting in a hot tureen! wears the name of the original owners Guy Who for such dainties would not stoop? and Paula Amiconi, who sold it to their chef Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!’ Michele Cardamone some 30 years ago. (The Mock Turtle’s song ‘Soup of the Evening’ And what a three-decade anniversary its from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) owners are now celebrating: currently staffed with seven chefs under the masterful eyes of partners Joe Musso, Vincenzo Alfonso and Cardamone, their cucina Italiana is prima di hilly winter nights are not very popular qualita, or superbly fine quality, to local patrons. with Australia’s sun-loving residents, Yes there are premises of permanence: staff Chowever they do bring something that have worked together for extensive periods, almost makes up for the cold – the opportunity with Vince even training as Joe’s apprentice. to enjoy a big bowl of steaming hot soup. These three know each other’s style, The old wives’ tale that chicken soup helps selectivity of meats and fish, and demanding a cold actually holds some truth. Studies have seasonal attitudes to vegetables and fruit. shown that soup not only rehydrates you, but Seating 65 dinners for lunch Monday to also has the potential to ‘accelerate mucosal Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday, the clearance’ (it helps reduce the sniffles). average cost per person for a two-course The history of soup is probably as old as meal is also $65, but that always includes the the history of cooking. The act of combining freshest vegetables with mains. It may also various ingredients in a large pot in order to include the five-course da Vinci banquet at $59 create a filling and easily digested warming per person, or (almost!) a wider menu from meal was an inevitable cooking technique. Michelangelo’s banquet at $69 per person. We can eat soup canned, dehydrated and As an admitted fan of their tastes, one more recently microwave-ready, but the best recommends fasting before tackling a banquet, version is the one made at home. because two courses definitely need quiet There is simply nothing better in the dead consumption time. of winter than tucking into a hearty homemade Late of Republica di Pesa, these operators soup accompanied by a thick slice of crusty are proud of their heritage. They will excite bread. It’s reassuring; it’s comfort food and has your tastebuds to varying styles of bread, been heralded for its curative properties since ciabatta, bruschetta, minestoni and/or antipasta ancient times. del Giorno for starters, followed by the softest, So arm yourself with a home-made stock: most mouth-watering pasta. These include Next time you finish a roast chicken, take linguini con gamberi e pistachio – linguini time to simmer the carcass in a pan of water. tossed with tiger prawns, pistachio, rocket Add a chopped carrot and onion, a stick lettuce, fresh tomato, chilli and garlic; and of celery (optional), a bay leaf and other risotto con pesto and fungi—Arborio rice seasoning to taste. After bringing this to the tossed with homemade pesto, fresh mushrooms boil, skim the top and then let it gently simmer and parmesan cheese… truly luscious! for up to 5 hours. Seafoods ‘from the seas and rivers’ include The longer you simmer any home-made Amiconi’s famous deep fried calamari fritti (or stock, the richer the final flavour will be. Stock rings); mussels alla pescatore—mussels tossed freezes too, for future delicious soups. in wine, tomato, garlic, shallots and basil; Why not make a soup this winter for family polpe alla griglia – baby octopus marinated or friends? Remember this winter not because and grilled with balsamic vinegar, chilli, garlic of the long chilly nights but because of your and olive oil; as well as gamberi con aglio— warm and hearty soups. A Middle Eastern prawns tossed in wine, garlic, mild chilli and a favourite called shorbat adas is a tasty red light cream sauce. lentil soup: Rib eye steaks with a selection of scrumptious sauces are to die for. The finest Ingredients: veals are prepared al limone (with lemon); ai 6 cups chicken stock funghi (with mushroom); alla parmigiana— Amiconi sits on the corner of Victoria and Errol Streets, North Melbourne Photo: Adam Falloon 1 ½ cups small red lentils 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 large onion, chopped 1 tablespoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper General Practice ½ cup chopped cilantro (coriander, optional) Premier Health Squeezed lemon juice to taste Osteopathy Partners Method: Massage 1. Bring chicken stock and lentils to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat, then reduce Pilates heat to medium-low, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Yoga 2. Heat olive oil in a fry pan over medium Dr Margaret McDowell heat and stir in garlic and onion. Cook until Psychology the onion until it has softened and turned translucent, which takes about 3 minutes. Dental Ground fl oor, 491–495 King Street 3. Remove onion from heat and add it to the lentils. Season with cumin and cayenne Prosthetics West Melbourne and continue simmering until the lentils are (corner Rosslyn Street) tender, about 10 minutes www.premierhealthpartners.com.au 4. Carefully puree the soup in a standing NEW PATIENTS blender or with a stick blender until smooth. 9329 7077 Stir in cilantro and lemon juice before WELCOME serving. JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News TRAVEL & FOOD 21 Queenscliff, jewel of the Bellarine
Kashka Lantis activities, including angling, swimming, surfing, yachting, bowling, cricket, golfing, tennis and croquet. To entertain picnic lovers Following on from our March issue article the Queenscliff Band often played on the about Geelong we explore another gem of the beach front, and during December and January Bellarine Peninsula. a large carnival was held in Princess Park. ince permanent settlement began in As a manageable day trip from Melbourne 1836, Queenscliff has undergone a or a perfect short break, the Queenscliff of Snumber of changes, though it still today holds just as much charm and holiday remains one of the best examples of a heritage magic as it did over 100 years ago. If history is town in Victoria. one of your passions you will thoroughly enjoy Starting out as a thriving fishing village, it the grand old buildings of this heritage town. soon developed into an important cargo port Take a Saturday afternoon guided walk with servicing the busy steamship trade of Port one of the knowledgeable volunteers from the Phillip Bay. Visitor Information Centre or purchase their In the second half of the 19th century, its self-guided tour booklet. A good starting point Photo: Kashka Lantis strategic location made it an ideal command for setting the scene is a visit to the Historical centre for an extensive range of coastal forts. Museum in Hesse Street. This collection of as the Ozone and the Queenscliff Hotels, both These coordinated fortifications provided one varied and interesting artefacts gives visitors a boasting lookout towers over 100 years old. For more information to help plan of the most heavily defended harbours in the very good introduction to the heritage of this On the opposite side of the street a reserve your trip: British Empire. gem of the Bellarine. leads down to Princess Park, where picnic- Visitor Information During this period Queenscliff also became Also on Hesse Street is the majestic Grand lovers enjoy the sea air and a boutique market www.queenscliff.org Vue, the largest of the hotels built during the a popular tourist destination, with visitors is held on the last Sunday of the month starting Historical Museum arriving from Melbourne on paddle-steamers, 1880s economic boom. From its impressive in 28th September 2014. www.queenscliffe-history.org including the famous PS Ozone. exterior to its atmospheric interiors, the From the park it is a short walk to the In 1879, a branch railway was built linking original colonnaded hallway, main staircase Queenscliffe Maritime Museum, which Fort Queenscliff Queenscliff with Geelong, making the trek and beautiful dining room are a must on your explores the seafaring history of Queenscliff www.fortqueenscliff.com.au from Melbourne much quicker and easier, list of things to see. and southern Port Phillip. After immersing Queenscliffe Maritime Museum and cementing this area as a favourite holiday After exploring the quaint buildings and yourself in this fascinating collection you www.maritimequeenscliffe.org.au destination. During the summer months ‘The shops of Hesse Street, follow King Street may be in need of some refreshment, which Queen of Watering Places’ attracted over to the corner of Gellibrand Street, where is easily found at the nearby attractive Marina 20,000 visitors, who were in search of the Victoria’s Defence Heritage can be explored at precinct. (Please note: the spelling ‘Queenscliff’ milder weather, the picturesque surroundings the Fort Queenscliff Museum. The old Fort has To finish your tour of the delights of denotes the town, while the spelling and the splendid hotels and homely guest been fully restored. Queenscliff, take the stairs (or the lift) to the top ‘Queenscliffe’ denotes the Borough that houses. Continuing down Gellibrand Street, you will of the harbour observation tower, where you includes Port Lonsdale) Queenscliff boasted extensive outdoor pass more beautiful historic buildings, such can enjoy stunning 360 degree views out to sea.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Campaign’s rebirth = republication gold
Katrina Kincade-Sharkey of when they thought of the Reef – that and the impose a moratorium on drilling and mining. Bjelke-Petersen) made no reply. We had fact that the Reef itself had been built by the “We drew attention,” Wright remembered, expected nothing; we got nothing.” coral polyps.” “to the deep concerns, not only of Australians “The press was now demanding that the state nvironmental campaigns were In their preface, publishers Susan Hawthorne but of overseas conservation bodies (with government clarify its position,’ but drillers seemingly purer ‘in the old days’ of and Renate Klein describe Wright’s motivation. which we had been in correspondence) were confident, rigs were ordered and – despite Ethe 1960s and 70s. Even the 80s and “What is so special about the Great Barrier that such action should be ‘immediate and PM Fraser’s statements several months earlier early 90s were innocent, when environmental Reef? Both of us live near the Reef and have effective.’” – the Commonwealth Government was silent.” saviours appealed to a community’s mind, seen its underwater beauty. For many people Metropolitan media were also now morals and momentum. perhaps a single dive or a holiday in which demanding the state government clarify its These battles need reawakening, as polluters they snorkelled the shallow coastline … is position on oil drilling at Repulse Bay. again discover and develop tactics to ignore sufficient to make them treasure the Reef… One Brisbane paper’s editorial said the site the need to preserve our resources and the This is what Judith Wright meant when she was a few miles offshore near the gateway to old lauded campaigns that worked to protect said, ‘the Great Barrier Reef is still the closest the Whitsunday Passage, in the heart of tourist lifestyles, society, leisure and our planet. most people will come to Eden’.” territory, and one of the world’s great unspoiled Australia’s environmental soul was Wright’s already well-established regions of beauty. awakened to maintain the Great Barrier Reef environmental awareness was heightened on Jacobs was joined by several major by the avid awareness of the 60s generation. September 4 1969 when Brisbane’s Couri- international colleagues, as well as recently Predominantly academics, those specialist er Mail published a map showing offshore appointed Australian Council of Trade ‘caretakers’ were joined by political strategists, areas along most of the state’s Pacific Ocean Unions President Bob Hawke, who used sociologists, writers, artists and other coastline already under title to oil prospectors. the Amalgamated Engineering Union’s ‘greenies’ in the fight to preserve our precious These included Tennaco Australia Ltd and government submission to prohibit mining or surroundings for themselves and future Signal (Australia) Petroleum Co; Australian Oil oil drilling on the Reef. generations. and Gas Corporation Ltd; Exoil No Liability “The union black ban on drilling was At the absolute forefront of local and Transoil No Liability, as well as Corbelt spectacular and unprecedented”, Wright’s diary environmental consciousness was last century’s Reef Ltd; California Asiatic Oil Company and doyenne of Australian poetry and the astute Texaco Overseas Petroleum Co; Gulf Interstate continues, “probably no trade union decision author Judith Wright (1915-2000). Her works Overseas Ltd; Ampol Exploration (Qland) anywhere in the world has been more generally have bred knowledge and respect in the minds Pty Ltd; Shell Development (Australia) Pty popular. The Trades Hall in Brisbane reported of several generations of students. Ltd and Pacific American Oil; Amalgamated that not one of the letters and phone calls that Spinifex Press has just published the third Petroleum, Phillips Australia Oil Co and poured in after the announcement had been edition of Wright’s brilliant tome, The Coral Sunray DX Oil Co. anything but congratulatory.” Battleground, in paperback and ebook. It is As Wright explained in her brilliant volume, Yet Wright’s novel is still urgently current. available through major hardcopy booksellers “If the Queensland government had hoped The chief culprit in the deterioration of for $29.95 and online through www. that their election win would allow them to go offshore marine systems, apart from oil, spinifexpress.com.au. ahead unheeded with oil drilling programmes, is myriad forms of pollution that pour into The volume vividly documents the campaign they were quickly corrected. We set to work “’We are entirely unconvinced,’ we wrote, streams, rivers, estuaries and coastal seas. to save the Great Barrier Reef from mining and with more letters to the press, demanding ‘that the present controls, either by state or Farms and cities, towns and industry – all oil drilling. Commonwealth action.” Commonwealth, to safeguard the Reef, or that are polluters. Tourist islands and offshore “It was the living coral of the Reef, so Her group wrote to the Commonwealth the penalties now in operation are sufficient to shipping all add their quota. And in Australia, spectacularly beautiful in its shapes and Government and the media, appealing for repair damage, even if any way were known of including Queensland – indeed, especially colours, so photogenically displayed in tourist action and using the Australian Conservation doing this.” Queensland – there is very little control over posters and advertisements, that people thought Foundation’s urgent recommendation to “As was becoming usual, the Premier (Joh such pollution. 22 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014
Between the Covers Music Reviews
Paul Cook and Lucian Forbes Chris Saliba
Live At Rockpalast, by BLUES PILLS Self Titled, by BAD FAMILY
The second EP by Sweden’s Blues Pills fea- As Luc Dawson’s vocals kick in on the open- tures 4 tracks captured live at Germany’s now ing track, Lilac Mouth, you could easily mis- legendary Rockpalast. take this for an early 90s release, straight out While the EP opens and closes with instru- of Manchester England. mental tracks that perfectly capture the blues/ In fact, Bad Family hail from Melbourne rock essence of the band, it’s when Elin Lars- and, while their influences are obvious (The son’s vocals kick in on the second track, Black Smiths, Stone Roses & Charlatans all come to Smoke, that the band truly hit their stride. mind), they manage to bring their own style to Her vocal style mirrors legendary singers the party. Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks, paired with The cover artwork depicts an aerial shot The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural a modern twist not unlike that of Stonefield of rows of terraced houses, perhaps to set History vocalist Amy Findlay. The band backs her up the mood for the songs on the album. They By Elizabeth Kolbert with a contemporary blues sound incorporat- describe their music as jangle pop, but it has (Bloomsbury. RRP: $29.99) ing nods to Hendrix, Zeppelin and even a bit more depth than that, the simple melodies of Sabbath. could easily be the perfect soundtrack to a Throughout the world’s 4.5 billion year This is more evident on the third track, Little sunny afternoon stroll in suburbia or a dreary history, there have been five mass extinction Sun, where they slow things right down to lay night having missed the last train. events. In this highly readable history, their roots bare, giving guitarist Dorian Sorri- As a possible coming-of-age album, this is science writer for The New Yorker magazine, aux a chance to shine. a great debut and we can look forward to what Elizabeth Kolbert, examines how we are now For those of you lucky enough to catch they have to offer next. heading into a sixth mass extinction. This Blues Pills live late last year when they toured The stand out tracks were Off To Bed and time, however, the extinction is happening with Kadavar, this EP is just a case of preach- Week To Weak & Bleak, titles that aptly sum before our eyes and it is being caused by ing to the converted and simply filler before up the feel of the album. The band is currently human expansion. We are moving into animal their debut full-length release later in the year. touring to promote this release - so go along environments, using their resources and For those of you hearing them for the first and see them live. leaving behind toxic pollution. As we continue time, check out their debut EP Devil Man and to expand and exploit resources, biodiversity get aboard the blues train, next stop Wood- shrinks and atrophies. stock. Kolbert’s engaging style and skill at communicates the science on extinction Drive Home, by Steven Wilson Antiphon, by Midlake in a ‘happily’ digestible form. Her book mixes on-the-ground reportage, history, and The painful thing about aging is that you In 1979, The Buggles posed the hypothesis science, creating a compelling picture of an often notice things are significantly different that video killed the radio star. Radio? Now environment under dangerous pressure. The than they used to be all at once. This is most we have instant access all the time. It used to concentration on individual species and their confronting when you realize that you have be that someone whose brother was in a Pave- reduction to zero, often at the hands of greedy no idea what it is that kids are into these days. ment covers band had a bootleg of Minutemen humans, will make you wring your hands in Easy way to avoid this? Stick to what you and you got a cassette copy. You didn’t fast despair. know. In the present diatribe, I refer to Steven forward the songs, you didn’t put anything on The Sixth Extinction is high-quality popular Wilson’s (of Porcupine Tree fame) record repeat. You played that tape until the magnetic science that excels at communicating some Drive Home. strip started to pale out. You listened to the re- of the toughest environmental issues we face When you have been in the music game as cord start to finish. These days? You can have today. long as Steven Wilson, you obviously have a discography on your desktop by the time you access to a number of skilled session musi- have a shower. cians and sound engineers. The product of And how is this relevant to Midlake? Well, getting all of these individuals into a room can initially their record Antiphon put me off. The make for dry listening. Another problem is that Fleetwood Mac comparisons brought about a some of the lyrics would almost be passable if Pavlovian response to bang on the walls and a younger man delivered them, but are highly secondly because the music didn’t slap me in questionable when coming from the mouth of the face and demand attention. a full-grown adult. The outcome of this is a Once I took them jogging it was a differ- mixed bag that is strictly for the fans. ent story. Their songs summoned images of It contains live versions and alternative edits fox cubs playfully discovering an overgrown that appeal to the aspie collector or a jerk with graveyard before captain freak-out chased a 500gig mp3 player. So, if you want to dis- them down a badger hole and begged to be cover Steve Wilson, try one of his full records. played again. I enjoyed this record not because The Lie If you’re a fan? You probably already have the songs were bangerz, rather because they By Helen Dunmore this. were a fertile playground for an overactive (Hutchinson Publishing Co. RRP: $27.99) imagination when played end to end. It is two years after the First World War and Recent releases are available from Heartland Records, 420/422 Victoria St, North Melbourne, www.heartlandrecords.com.au. Daniel has returned to his home on the Cornish coast. He has taken over the dilapidated house of Mary Pascoe, an elderly friend of Daniel’s mother who bequeathed it to him on her deathbed. Wayne Lynch Master Jeweller Daniel is pretty much alone in this eerie and haunting environment. He lives there, trying to fight off recurring visions of his time in the front lines, where his childhood friend Specialising in Frederick was killed in the mud, filth and horror of the trenches. Frederick becomes a Engagement rings ghost-like apparition in Daniel’s life. Daniel’s one real living friend is Felicia, Frederick’s Wedding rings sister, with whom the returned soldier Commitment rings hopelessly tries to piece his life back together. The Lie is an achievement of imagination Remodelling and research. Having never experienced Repairs the horror of war, Helen Dunmore does an Valuations inspired job of stepping into the shoes of Daniel and bringing his experience to life. The author, who is also a poet, brings a heightened sensibility to this portrait of a deeply damaged 93 Errol Street North Melbourne Phone 03 9328 5500 psyche. www.waynelynchjeweller.com.au Chris Saliba is co-owner of North Melbourne Books and a regular contributor to the News. 15% DISCOUNT on presentation of this ad North Melbourne Books, 546 Queensberry St JUNE 2014 North and West Melbourne News ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 23
June 4, 10.30am – 11.30am and June 11, Layout and Design (InDesign): June 12, 5pm 10am – 11am – 7pm. Free. Practise your English language conversation Introduction to WordPress: June 18, 5pm – skills in a relaxed social setting. For ESL 7pm. Free. speakers. Free. Making Movies With iMovie: June 23, 5pm – 7pm. Free. Library at The Dock Introduction to Photoshop: June 26, 5pm – 107 Victoria Harbour, Promenade 7pm. Free. Big science, big fun! Makerspace Come and have your mind blown at the Big Library at The Dock Makerspace has a wide Science Big Fun Show at Library at The Dock. range of programs and workshops to get you Watch liquid nitrogen bubble, toilet paper fly, making and experimenting with electronics, amazing coloured shadows appear and much, 3D Printing, Craft and Robotics. These pro- much more. This event is for school aged chil- grams are designed for beginners through to dren. Please book places for the adults attend- advanced skill levels. ing along with each child. June 13, 4.30pm. Intro to 3D Printing: June 3 and 17, 5pm – Galleries Standup Nights Free 7pm. Dave Thornton: June 4 – June 7, 8pm Langford120 Rare book week: Library at The Dock tour Intro to Arduino: June 5 and 19, 5pm – 7pm. Tommy Little: June 18 – March 21, 8pm 120 Langford Street, North Melbourne The Library at The Dock is a community hub 3D Printing Drop-in Session: June 10 and 24, Dave Callan: June 19 – March 22, 8pm www.langford120.com.au providing contemporary library and com- 5pm – 7pm. Free. Entry: $15 Monday – Thursday, $30 Friday Exhibitions: June – August 2014 munity facilities. It includes a performance Gaming and Saturday May 31 – June 28 (Opening May 31) space, meeting rooms, activity spaces, editing Melbourne Library Service has developed Works from Mt. Gaspard Studios: and recording studios, thus enabling people and implemented a dedicated gaming strategy ‘The Gathering Room (The Metaphysical to come together to create, explore, connect, to support gaming culture in their libraries. Room in the Landscape Series)’, works by belong, learn and participate. July 18, 11am They offer the latest games and consoles for Wendy Stavrianos Markets and 2pm. Free free to the public, and support independent Works from Mt. Gaspard Studios: ‘ North Melbourne Market game developers and a range of gaming styles. Resonance’, paintings by Craig Gough, Gilded The Lithuanian Club Lies, works by Wilma Tabacco 44 Errol Street, North Melbourne July 5 – August 2 (Opening July 5) www.northmelbournemarket.com Shades of Concealment, works by Wendy A project of Thread Den. Handmade and local- Kelly ly designed, vintage or fair-trade crafts, with Liquescence, works by Susan Raleigh outstanding Melbourne fashion labels right Politic/Pasquinade, sculptures by alongside delicious homemade food. You can Peter Hannaford meet the maker of the item you are purchasing. August 9 – September 6 (Opening August 9) Every item tells a story. Big Garden, installation by Jan Davis When: June 22, 11am – 4pm. Free entry Seeing is believing, believing is seeing: Is see- ing believing?, works by Mark Spencer. Queen Victoria Market Blue works, group exhibition curated by Corner of Victoria Street and Elizabeth Street, Wilma Tabacco Melbourne www.qvm.com.au Gallerysmith The Queen Victoria Market has just launched 170–174 Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne an additional monthly market called NEW www.gallerysmith.com.au Exhibitions: CRAFT in the A Shed on the first Sunday of June 12 – July 19 every month 9am – 4pm. NEW CRAFT will Opening drinks Friday June 13, 6pm – 8pm be Melbourne’s monthly curated art and craft Once Upon a Time, Dadang Christanto market. Featuring only Victorian contemporary Odalisque, Paula do Prado handmade works by more than 80 local mak- July 24 – August 16 ers. Free entry Hand crafts from the North Melbourne Market Photo: courtesy of the North Melbourne Market Opening drinks Friday July 25, 6pm – 8pm SPACE POP 2000, Adam Norton Theatre and Performance Art August 21 – September 27 Arts House Studio skills Their gaming program will allow people to Opening drinks Friday August 22, 6pm – North Melbourne Town Hall, Meat Market and To support Library at the Dock’s profession- experience and learn about the many aspects 8pm Warehouse al recording studio we offer programs and of gaming, including the latest technologies, Expedition, Catherine Nelson www.artshouse.com.au workshops to help you with audio and music game development and design, competitive Drawings, Andrew Seward LIVE WITH IT is a striking cross-arts performance experience, tracking the still pres- production. Learn about the software and hard- play and community. June 10, 11am – July 8, 1pm. Free ent, important issue of HIV/AIDS and those ware that can enable you to produce music, audio mastering and recording techniques, For more information visit www.melbourne. who are profoundly affected by the virus. digital music production, DJ’ing and much vic.gov.au/MelbourneLibraryService Comedy Arts House, Meat Market July 17 – 27. more. June 2, 4.30pm – 6.30pm. Free The Comic’s Lounge Digital skills workshops Victorian Archives Centre 26 Errol Street, North Melbourne Library at The Dock is offering a monthly 99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne www.thecomicslounge.com.au Events digital skills program to help you learn and www.prov.vic.gov.au Mad Mondays with John Burgos and Doug develop your creative skills. Learn how to cut Tour of the Archives – Free one hour guided Chappel: every Monday in June, 8pm Melbourne City Library and edit audio and video, digitally design and tours. Professional Comedians New Material Night: 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne illustrate, create websites, use social media and June 3 and 18 every Tuesday in June, 8pm ESL Conversation Club develop your very own games. Introduction to Bookings via the archives website
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59 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 FOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE PHONE 9328 3733 24 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT North and West Melbourne News JUNE 2014 Gods, Myths and Mortals: Hellenic Museum delivers Greek antiquities to Melbourne
Jennifer Choat sion producer, explains. It will also include new contemporary ex- hibition spaces, which will be equipped with Stationed in the former Royal Mint audiovisual and interactive media. building in central Melbourne, the Education and building new relationships OHellenic Museum will soon play host with local schools is another ongoing focus. to an impressive permanent collection from “We want to inspire young people…there are so Greece’s renowned Benaki Museum in Athens. many connections between contemporary sto- Chronicling the pre-historic to neo-Hellenic ries, art and literature that are based on Greek periods of Greek history, the exhibition will characters and stories.” document the development of Greece’s social “The idea of the hero’s journey is something and cultural identity through an array of nation- that dates back to the invention of ancient al treasures. Greek literature. And modern cinema and tele- The key themes of myths, gods and mortal- vision all borrow heavily from ancient Greek ity will be explored in the exhibition through tragedy or mythology; it’s an insight into story jewellery, manuscripts, tools, figurines and cos- telling and finding hero’s that are most relevant tumes. A first for both museums, the collection to use as the starting point for a dialogue to will be on loan permanently in a unique 10-year excite young minds.” agreement. It will provide over 200 pieces, The Benaki’s fantastic educational resources each carefully selected to embody the different will also be on offer and utilised or adapted for major Greek periods. the Hellenic Museum’s ongoing exhibitions. The collaboration between the Hellenic Substantial planning, preparation and reno- Museum and the Benaki, which is Greece’s vations are taking place to make the museum oldest and largest private museum, is about ready for the Benaki exhibition. Hellenic Museum CEO John Tatoulis says, “Through the collection, audiences are given the connecting Greek culture and treasures with a “It will be quite an undertaking and a signifi- chance to explore the ideas that have contributed to how we live in society, today.” broader audience. cant process,” Tatoulis comments. Photo: Jennifer Choat Hellenic Museum CEO, John Tatoulis, has Due to the building’s heritage listing, specialist been working on the project since taking over architectural consultation is needed to develop his post in 2012. the new exhibition spaces. “The partnership couldn’t have come at Completed in 1872 by the British Royal a better time,” says Tatoulis, “as the Benaki Mint, the building was used for the production is looking to spread its wings into the Greek of gold coins and bronze pennies until 1931 and diaspora and it has recognised Melbourne as a continued to operate until 1972. cultural city of many Greeks and affiliates.” The museum’s founder Spiros Stamoulis was Along with the permanent collection, each an ambitious young man when he arrived in year a second minor exhibition from the Benaki Australia from Greece. Originally an athlete, will be showcased. These exhibitions will be Stamoulis entered into a number of enterprises time or theme specific and will focus on an including a soft drink distribution company aspect of the collection in further detail, such and successful building and manufacturing as ancient Greek jewellery or weaponry. This portfolios. story-led approach is part of the museum’s new Very proud of his Greek heritage, Stamoulis direction. established a Greek radio station and newspa- “It allows for the items to ‘take on another per before approaching the government to use life’,” Tatoulis, a former media, film and televi- Silver gilt belt consisting of articulated elements and a buckle with enamel decoration. Soufli, Thrace, late 18th-early 19th c. Image: Hellenic Museum
the old Royal Mint site to develop a museum Gods, Myths and Mortals: Greek Treasures dedicated to the preservation of Hellenic Across the Millennia will open August 2014. Fragments from the 57 culture. The museum was also dedicated to his For further information see the Hellenic Very Impressive one…But here’s something I’ve thought daughter Nafsika who died unexpectedly at Museum website www.hellenic.org.au of for years, (every time I’ve been here the age of 24 while the family was together in alone, that is legion). Athens. Hellenic Museum No. 1: Be at the Astor Theatre for the Mr Stamoulis’s vision for the museum was 280 Williams Street, Melbourne, Victoria Light Bulb Change. The chandeliers de- realised when it opened to the public in 2007. scend upon pulleys. Britt The Magnifi- Sadly Mr Stamoulis passed away in the same cent told me about it many years ago and year however his family maintains his legacy as Jennifer Choat is the Arts & Entertainment today’s the first time I’ve attended since the major benefactors of the museum. section editor for the News. March 2013. That Saint Michaels, after much community protest, are now doing a HUGELY improved job of ownership.
You may have met Very Impressive in and around North Melbourne. Very has a wealth of knowledge about bits and pieces, some of which he may even try to focus on OPTOMETRIST in his column. Feel free to write in with question about the North and West Mel- bourne area, what you should borrow from the Library, or ask him exactly how impor- tant trees are in the big city. Hours 9–5 Mon–Fri Andrew 10–12.30 Sat Harris After Hours by Appointment ’m trapped in a world of evil noise BSc(Optom), FVCO Contact Lens Practitioner and teenagers on the 57 tram. They I have orange, purple and grey shoes. There are purple shorts and red T-shirts. I’m thinking of things to do in North Mel- 56 Errol Street - North Melbourne - phone 9329 9372 bourne. There’s so many I can think of but strangely most of them don’t exist… Here’s one for my bucket list, I’ve never previously been inclined to actually write V. Impressive cartoon by Ava MacMaster