ISSUE 177 WINTER 2017

THE NORTH & WEST MELBOURNE NEWS IS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTRE

‘Abbotsford St Estate Renewal’ to grow public housing

Public Housing Renewal Program, North Melbourne, sketch plan ‘for discussion’ Graphic: David Lock Associates

Katrina Kincade-Sharkey gram is part of the Victorian Government’s DHHS called a public meeting in the grounds notification and there was no appointed per- $2.7 billion in support for social housing and of the estate during April to deliver formal ex- sonal contact with their landlord (the DHHS homelessness and to renew existing houses planation of this major lifestyle change for its Director of Housing) or with the department’s he Department of Health and Human on public housing estates across metropolitan tenants. In leaflets distributed to the 60 or so manager, stakeholder engagement, Lisa Taylor, Services’ communication difficulties Melbourne and in regional centres of Victoria.” people in attendance — several of whom were although she did attend the meeting with sev- Thave devastated many of its North Mel- This advice continues: “The renewal will interested neighbours from adjacent streets eral departmental staff, including a number of bourne residents, with tenants facing re-hous- result in a 10 per cent increase of social hous- — DHHS says it is “… developing our plans foreign language translators. ing in potentially unfamiliar regions. ing homes at each renewal estate.” to renew the Abbotsford Street site … and we That meeting was the first of three planned Several dozen of the several hundred DHHS That generalised, fairly curt notification to want to work together with residents, local ‘consultations with residents’ to assess their residents housed in 16 blocks of apartments the 108 letterboxed apartments provided no services and council to decide how to create a specific housing requirements, allegedly be- within the Abbotsford, Haines, Curzon and ability for residents to appeal proposals for new, integrated neighbourhood”. fore any architectural plans are drafted for the Molesworth streets triangle received initial redevelopment. It was their first notification of The leaflet continues, noting the site “… site. Residents in attendance were asked to redevelopment notification about their homes a major life change, delivered to many people consists of older public housing buildings that report their specific requirements at the next on a single typewritten sheet inserted within who reportedly panicked. are rundown and have high maintenance costs. meeting, but not given a date or location for their quarterly housing newsletter delivered Those English-language letters were The site includes multi-storey ‘walk-ups’ — that event. mid-March. received by a housing community of pre- buildings commonly constructed in the early DHHS plans to begin work on its Abbots- It said the blocks would be replaced within dominantly disabled, aged and newly settled 1960s without lifts, making them inaccessible ford Street Renewal by the end of 2017, leav- the near future with “… vibrant, better-con- residents, many of whom could not read or to people with mobility issues, families with ing little time for this desired ‘consultation and nected, mixed-tenure neighbourhoods where understand the details. Certainly included were small children and elderly Victorians”. planning’, given the physical and emotional people can live in housing that is safe and se- single paragraphs in several languages telling Further: “We [DHHS] want to improve and states of many residents. cure, and meets modern standards”. readers where they could access translations of grow social housing at this estate because it is DHHS simultaneously wrote to each of its the circular, but no specific translations about close to transport, education and work oppor- Local residents’ concerns tenants on that block, but gave no specific their future homes were included on the notifi- tunities, as well as support services.” Neighbouring property owners and residents timelines for their individual tenancies, al- cation sheets. Fortunately, the gardens info meet was held were notified of DHHS public–private rede- though it has said Abbotsford Street Estate will Many worried tenants suspect restricted on a sunny autumn day, with DHHS providing velopment proposals in late May at a meeting be completely rebuilt by 2020. future access to critical medical, educational make-up artists to paint young children’s faces, that several attendees said they’d only learnt In questions and answers for the community and social services for themselves and/or their while several translators were on hand to speak of from community centres. Despite DHHS released to the media on 17 March, DHHS families in the wake of this ‘estate renewal’. with parents in their birth languages. says: “The Public Housing Renewal Pro- Following its March letterbox circular But tenants were given no new address Continued on Page 5

COMMUNITY 3 • THE CENTRE 10, 20 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 11 • EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY 14 • SPORT & HEALTH 16 • TRAVEL & FOOD 18 • HISTORY 19 2 NOTICEBOARD NOTICEBOARD North andNorth West and Melbourne West Melbourne News News WINTER WINTER 2017 2017

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Please deliver contributions, letters and feedback to: News from Errol’s Angels North and West Melbourne News Pam Every 58 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 9328 1126 Copy deadline for Spring 2017 edition: The North and West Melbourne News is a quarterly publication produced by Wednesday 9 August volunteers from North and West Melbourne Advertisers: Wednesday 2 August and the inner city. It is now in its 39th year Publication date: Wednesday 6 September of production. Readers’ contributions are welcomed. Where relevant the News may Provisional dates for December edition Errol’s Angels at the Port Melbourne Community Carnival seek alternative opinions in the interests Copy deadline 1 November, publication 29 November Photos: Marais Duckworth of balance. Contributors’ opinions are their www.northandwestmelbournenews.com Itʼs been a busy year so far for Errolʼs Angels Community Choir own, however, and the News takes no with two performances in Term 1. responsibility for them. We reserve the right We kicked off with an appearance at the vibrant Port to edit or omit articles and advertisements Melbourne Community Carnival in March. Under the direc- considered unsuitable or when space is Subscriptions to the News torship of Maryanne Clements, the Angels performed a well- limited. For just $20 you can become a News subscriber and receive received mix of songs from around the world specially chosen paper copies of four editions of the News through the post! for their maritime theme. Articles should be submitted by email to To apply to become a subscriber please email More recently, the choir presented a Musical Soirée, hosted [email protected]. Please use [email protected] or phone The Centre on 9328 1126. by Panagiota Kagkali, proprietor of Lulu Cafe & Gallery at minimal formatting and do not embed 506 Queensberry Street. In this beautiful, intimate local venue, graphics in documents. Photographs should more than 65 patrons enjoyed drinks and nibbles along with the be sent separately as JPEGs. singing. SHORT STORY COMPETITION We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7.00pm to 9.00pm Finance The News congratulates North Melbourne at the Maternal and Child Health Centre at 505 Abbotsford The News is a non-profit organisation resident Julie Bateman, winner of our Street, North Melbourne. New members are always welcome — working as a program of The Centre. no auditions necessary. Just phone The Centre on 9328 1126. Funding is by way of a limited quota of Short Story Competition! advertising, sponsorships, subscriptions Julie will receive a cash prize of $500. and occasional donations. Read her winning story, The Suitcase, Events at North Melbourne Library News subscriptions on page 12. Shadow puppet workshop If you would like to receive the North and A fun, hands-on workshop. Learn West Melbourne News by mail, the rate how to create a shadow puppet, and is $20 for four copies sent anywhere play on the special shadow board. in Australia or pro rata for part of the Melbourne Osteoporosis Support Group Strictly for children 10 years and calendar year. The News is distributed free celebrates its 20th year over. For safety reasons, children throughout North and West Melbourne. under 10 will not be allowed to participate. Further copies are available from The AVOIDING THE PAIN OF BROKEN BONES Wedneday 5 July, 11.00am to 12.00 noon Centre and the North Melbourne Library. Free, bookings required The Melbourne Osteoporosis Support Group celebrated Book via Eventbrite link on website or on 9658 9700 Advertisement sizes and rates its 20th birthday in April. This group meets bi-monthly at Little Golden Books 60 mm W x 92 mm H $75 plus GST 1.30pm on the fourth floor of Ross House, 247 Flinders Did you have one? Do you still have it? Relive the golden age 124 mm W x 92 mm H $150 plus GST Lane, Melbourne, to support people who have osteopo- with Little Golden Books. Join in our golden talk and trivia. If 188 mm W x 92 mm H $225 plus GST rosis and inform them of the help that is available to them. you fancy a show-and-tell for adults, bring your favourite Little 252 mm W x 92 mm H $300 plus GST Interesting speakers address our meetings and mem- Golden Books along to the North Melbourne Library and relive A charge of 25 per cent may be added for bers receive a newsletter six times a year with information the golden memories. advertisements that require designing. about research and helpful hints to avoid broken bones. Wednesday 5 July, 6.30pm to 7.30pm For more information phone 9329 1627 or Printed material and DVDs on bone health can be Free, bookings required email [email protected]. borrowed from our library and meetings conclude with Book via Eventbrite link on website or on 9658 9700 Community announcements are published afternoon tea. Minutes of each meeting are circulated with free of charge. the newsletter. North Melbourne Book Group 2017 Strong bones are important to carry you around; Third Monday of every month, 6.00pm, North Melbourne Library Volunteers weak bones tend to fracture, causing pain. One in two 19 June Do Not Say We Have Nothing Madeleine Thien The News welcomes new volunteers. If you women and one in four men will break a bone due to 17 July The Good People Hannah Kent have skills in writing, drawing, photography, osteoporosis. 21 Aug Ghost Empire Richard Fidler archiving, subediting and proofreading, For more information about the group, contact the 18 Sept His Bloody Project Graeme Macrae Burnet computer technology or design and layout, president, Beryl, on 9885 2839 or check out our website, 16 Oct The Sympathizer Viet Thanh Nguyen please consider joining the team. www.melbosg.org.au. We are also on Facebook. Enquiries to: 9658 9700 — www.melbournelibraryservice.com.au New members are always welcome. North Melbourne Library, 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne Publisher: Michael Halls Editor: Position vacant Advertising Coordinator: Janet Graham Section Editors: Arts & Entertainment: Columbia Winterton Community: Siobhan Cooney-O’Donoghue Education & Technology: Dan Tuturas and Get moving and Ian Truong have some fun. History: Cecilia Robinson Noticeboard: Janet Graham Our gentle Active Hearts Politics & Environment: Brianna Faye Lugg class is a great way for Sport & Health: Victor McMillan and Katrina mature adults to stay Kincade-Sharkey VACANCIES ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE mobile. The Centre: Janet Graham Travel & Food: Suzie Luddon OF THE CENTRE P Production team: Janet Graham, Tuesdays 12pm - 1pm. Emma McCashney, Dan Tuturas and The Centre is seeking expressions of interest for two to three vacancies on the management committee for the three-year period October 2017 49-53 Buncle Street, Jim Weatherill. Peter Alsen provided North Melbourne 3051 professional assistance with layout. to September 2020. One vacancy is available to commence immediately. Phone: 9320 4700 To be eligible for nomination you must fi rst join the association (no fee).

Printed by Express Print Information on the role is available from the Returning Offi cer, Michael J. 5 Jones Road, Morwell 3844 Halls, at The Centre in person, by emailing [email protected] or Circulation 7000 by telephoning 9328 1126. WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 3

community Hotham Gardens — ahead of the trend

John H. Smith wellbeing of the residents. Her work captured the spirit of her mentor, Edna Walling, whose vision was to use the landscape to develop a “The gardens at Hotham Gardens are amaz- unity between house and garden. ing,” said Neil Cole. “It blew me away when Mann’s achievement depended on her flair I found the place. I am going to really enjoy for blending plants and colour. Uncommonly living here.” I was talking to our newest resi- for her time, she made use of Australian flo- dent at Hotham Gardens. ra as well as exotics. Hotham Gardens was Hotham Gardens, which was begun in created as an urban forest using exceptional 1959, was a creative innovation. It replaced Australian trees and a variety of exotic plants substandard housing that existed on the two- and-a-half-acre site on the north side of Arden long before the modern greening of the urban Street, North Melbourne, between Curzon and environment came into vogue. Abbotsford streets. The Housing Commission The sensitive planning of the gardens an- of Victoria reclaimed the land, found new ticipated present-day concerns for community homes for the 208 residents and demolished health and wellbeing, our connection with approximately 73 houses. nature and the health and sustainability of the But there was more to it than slum clear- environment. With cities working out how to ance. Anne Reynolds, who worked for archi- green themselves, and climate change making tect John Mockridge and Associates, said of Photo of scale model of proposed Hotham Gardens, from The Age, 10.2.1959. From left: Mr us more aware of the importance of trees and A.V. Jennings, Master Builders’ Association; Roy Grounds, Architects’ Association; Mr V.J. the project: “It was an experiment in a totally plants, 60-year-old Hotham Gardens remains Bradley, Housing Commission Chair; and Horace Petty, Minister for Housing different way of doing things that emerged ahead of the trend. Photo: Fairfax Syndication from architectural firms that collaborated to The modern relevance of Hotham Gardens design decorations erected on the city intersec- Melbourne Professor of Architecture Hugh three-bedroom units were included in each is due to the project’s visionary architecture tions during the Olympic Games.” O’Neill said the development was “very well- block of 18. The four towers in each block sit and landscape gardening implemented in 1959. The collaborative relationships that gave This innovative marriage of building and birth to a new kind of innovation in design known when it was done, because of its unique at different angles to each other, reducing the and landscaping at Hotham Gardens came to design and its landscaping”. number of walls in common. Each block has garden is being recognised in the striking of a include the State Government, the City Coun- The vision that drove Hotham Gardens was off-street parking and garages. special plaque to be erected on the site. cil, the Architects’ Association and the Master to create ‘own-your-own’ homes catering for But the second feature that really sets Hotham Gardens deserves to be celebrated Builders’ Association. The land was bought by a mixed population. The design has a Euro- Hotham Gardens apart is the landscape gar- as a significant and valued heritage site in the Master Builders’ (Association) Slum Clear- pean flavour thanks to ideas local architects dening. Brilliant landscape architect Beryl North Melbourne. And it is a very good place ance Ltd and the rehousing project followed. gathered from seeing the rebuilding of Euro- Mann designed gardens that added to the to live. At Hotham Gardens, what is old is new Hotham Gardens attracted a lot of attention. pean cities after World War II. One, two and amenity of the properties and enhanced the again. 4 COMMUNITY North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017

VERY IMPRESSIVE 27/04/17 Michael is gone I find myself almost starting Last question on WWTBA Millionaire? Ques- “If you get everything you want the minute to fall apart. He’s been in my life for so long tion won $100,000. you want it, what’s the point of living?” that it’s difficult to understand WHY he could/ The Wicked Girls, Alex Marwood. Finn the Human, Adventure Time. By far one can be gone. LUV, 2012, DVD, Morgan Freeman. of my currently favourite shows. Another The Brass Teapot, 2012, DVD. would have to be Abandoned on SBS. Tues- days 10.10pm. 13/04/17 Gerald Ridsdale should be released from pris- 14/03/17 on. Then anyone who wants to should be al- Why is it that when the media/government talk 26/04/17 8.51 lowed to put in an application to chop a bit off about it, all they mention is power loss and not I’ve oddly never been to a Comic-Con before. of him. Just my own opinion of an opportunist the extremely bent hi-tension power pylons? Anyone on this apparently social network abusive priest who is now said to have abused One of the few other times I’ve seen power (Facebook) want to come with me to Mel- a potential 100 children. pylons so seriously damaged was after that Ca- bourne’s on Saturday? Wearing my recently Plus the only reason RBA governor Philip nadian ice storm in the late ’80s or early ’90s, acquired Frank suit (Donnie Darko for those Lowe was smiling was because he had enjoyed one that featured in the films of those suicide who are not in the know) with my own Sha- a particularly yummy lunch. girls, and there’s another I don’t remember. manistic variants. Ask Darryl??

07/04/17 I can pretty much count on one hand the 26/04/17 A Quick Survey: number of times I’ve played computer games; Here’s a thought I’ve been having recently. Blankets or duvet? never really had that much interest in them. The most unfortunate and stupid thing about Duvet myself. Considerably less interest in watching others the Victorian Labor Government doing dumb Sure I was aware of duvets when a teenager, play them (especially like now, on a bus sur- things is that it gives Matthew Guy (extremely the aunties had them. But personally didn’t rounded by private schoolboys playing on their which I’ll be dressed as a mashup of Don- useless ex-planning minister against historic start using them until moving here. Now I can- phones). ald and Melania Trumpet. Teeny tiny dress, architecture) an excuse to be in the media. not imagine going back to only blankets, does So little interest that not once did I watch the five-inch stilettos. With Donald hair and tan. not compute. ABC’s hugely rating show Good Game, which Wheelchair pusher dressed as a nurse?? A great idea I had yesterday for a patch, to sew they foolishly removed (sold to Channel 7) last Went dress shopping today but neither of what onto many shirts and jackets, after seeing the year. And I know I can say ‘foolishly’ as I’m I found was quite right, though I did rather like latest potential terrorist news from Magnificent 20/03/17 well aware how popular it was. Many, many a long one I saw but didn’t buy. Paris: It’s a Sad Day. gamer nerds and nerdettes in my circles are FUN After some four (?) years, the most excellent nuts for the show. The joy of being a hoarder SPICE and original thing to have happened in Mel- A text received from my friend Darryl in re- ENJOYMENT bourne Central in years, the Little Library, is gard to my arts studio space: TOLERANCE gone. Spoke to a man who said he was there 02/03/17 “I’m moving out of Caulfield and into the OR on Friday and shelves were full of books, I think I’ve just seen the first-ever male-to- Ivanhoe flat, plus V’s mum’s place in Black- RACK OFF whereas shelves are now still full of books, but male kiss on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? burn. We will need space at Preston to store they’re multiple copies of only three titles. Winner won $10k. stuff, so you need to move all your stuff out. I Chairs have changed to an ornate rococo and am happy to give you a hard rubbish collection 21/04/17 carpet to a bland blue, door has been removed here in Caulfield and could probably arrange First time I’ve had this text from North Mel- and there are leafy faux roses dangling from 01/03/17 transport of stuff from Preston if required. bourne Library: ceiling. Offal spill on CityLink. Bizarrely looks from Timeframe is everything out by mid-March or “Notice from Melbourne Library Service. The A sad, sad day. Channel 9 footage that said offal has fallen sooner.” following item is now overdue. Please return Then a week later it all changed once again, from an open-topped truck. Not a small load ASAP — The Immortal Iron Fist. The Com- like Alice falling down her rabbit-made en- truck either. Many thoughts flying around my Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. I seem to plete Collection Vol. 2” trance to Wonderland. (Haven’t we all, if being head, like a blowfly trapped in a milk bottle. be a wee bit obsessed by dinosaurs. There are Usually our library texts look more like this: truthful, wished we could holiday there?) hundreds of them here in the apartment in all “Notice from Melbourne Library Service. The new chairs and ceiling hanging roses sizes and they’re one of the first things we go Please pick up reservation from North Mel- stayed, but are gone again now a month later. 22/02/17 for when op-shopping. bourne Library by 03 May 2017 — Night- No idea where the boring books have gone Thought been in head last few hours, it’s now mares & Dreamscapes” (apparently some promotional thing) but the 1.17am. John Clarke is dead. John Clarke is dead. previous greatness of the Little Library has re- Yesterday’s plane crash, an assassination that John Clarke is dead. turned. Plus the sliding door never came back. happened early? Supposed to have been over How can we possibly cope with the pain and 17/04/17 Comfy chairs and roses are gone again also. sea maybe 20 minutes later. To get rid of re- sadness? A world without the wit, humour and Last year I was affected by the loss of Prince tired FBI agent? great intelligence of John Clarke is a particu- and of course by our magnificent Sir David Unknown news for myself and other SK fans: larly sad and foolish one. Bowie but this year every time something John Swithen, 1972, short story. Pseudonym of Anti-Trump rally next Saturday I grew up listening to his magnificence as Fred goes out of its way to remind me that George Stephen King. Seeking a person to push a wheelchair. In Dagg. So much has gone with him. Authorised by D. Lawson, 296 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MELBOURNE

STANDING UP FOR WHAT MATTERS GF1 296 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065. (03) 9417 0759 [email protected] adambandt.com @Adam.Bandt.MP @AdamBandt WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 5 ‘Abbotsford St Estate Renewal’ to grow public housing They have Continued from Front page ity of tenants who were not in attendance. en us no dates for moving out, or for returning Significantly, many of these people battling here, whenever that might be. And if we take claims that all neighbouring properties had language difficulties and professional re-edu- their ‘new’ addresses, wherever they may be, been letterboxed about the meet, several swore cation in their search for work to care for their how do we know there’ll be room for all who paid their they had not received notification. young families are Afghanis, Sikhs, Sudanese, want to come back? That neighbourhood meeting — at DHHS’s Somalis and mainland Chinese. Many were “How do we know there’ll be room for Melrose Street centre — uniformly rejected already socially marginalised by war and tra- us all if half of the places become private?” the “plan for discussion”, which included ditional ethnic bias back home, so desperately Bob’s turmoil is patent. Long-term potential dues public housing buildings close to footpath pe- seek a better future for themselves and their effects on the health of the significant number rimeters, accommodation extending to 10–12 families. of outpatients living on the estate should well Katrina Kincade-Sharkey storeys and vastly less open area between Many both recent and well-established mi- have been considered before these insensitive those buildings. grant settlers on the estate escaped personal, re-housings were planned. Created by David Lock Associates Town political, economic and social persecution that esidents at Abbotsford Street Estate fill Planning & Urban Design, this proposal sug- destroyed their notions of any comfortable three sectors: relatively recently set- gested continuing Wood Street as a treed walk- home life. Rtled new Australians from Africa and way access across the block to Molesworth Now, many speak bitterly of settlement central Asia; middle-aged and elderly locals Street. days when they were encouraged to relax, to who’ve lived there for two generations; and Significantly, there was to be no under- feel comfortable and to view their Abbotsford physically disabled outpatients attending local ground car parking for public or private Street Estate accommodation as their new hospitals and/or critical medical clinics. owners, this deemed “far too costly”, so “car Aussie home. After I had been diagnosed with chronic space will be provided on the buildings’ lower This chronic avoidance of personal notifi- myeloid leukaemia (CML) on returning to floors”, according to a facilitator from KJA. cation has drawn major criticism from social Australia in 2001, my long-term Footscray GP, Further, little consideration had been given and community workers, health profession- Dr Jeff Rubin, referred me to his colleague, to providing space for large families in either als, teachers, local shopkeepers, sympathetic then Dr — now Professor — Andrew Grigg, at the public or private residences, the majority neighbours and residents themselves, but uni- Royal Melbourne Hospital. of units providing only one or two bedrooms, formly all residents interviewed were tentative These two had respected each other’s “ideal for inner-city living”. to identify themselves in fear of departmental dedicated practices since their studies at Response to the multi-storey plan was rejection of any future claims. Melbourne University, so my GP was well uniformly negative, despite the 10 per cent Each resident interviewed said they believed acquainted with Grigg’s participation in in- Face painter Susan from Animals 2U with Nour ternational trials of drug treatment regimes to planned increase in public housing tenancies. any public statement could jeopardise their Photo: Jim Weatherill The presenters told the meeting there were future public housing prospects. relieve blood cancer symptoms and, hopefully, plans for private housing on two-thirds to Rather than mere and certainly expensive one day achieve a CML cure. three-quarters of the block’s area. If developed renovation, this large domestic housing estate Keep people local This writer was lucky: sure, the initial In- thus, it may house as many as 960 residents will be redeveloped to accommodate, at latest But not all Abbotsford Street Estate’s residents docid steps weren’t great, but Grigg consulted on the Abbotsford Street Estate, yet this was estimates, a 50/50 residential cohort, meaning were negative. ‘Matt’, a 35-year-old disabled on several trials with haematology units across “merely a plan for discussion”. half public/half private property owners. pensioner, agreed with renewal: “It’s high the globe. This eventually led to his CML A two-way housing mix would be similar to time they tore down these derelict old blocks patients undergoing several generations of Resettlement woes the bedevilled DHHS project on Racecourse — the windows rattle, the water temperature twice-daily self-injection with world-leading At least 50 per cent of this estate’s tenancy is Road, Ascot Vale, opposite Melbourne Show- doesn’t last, rainwater comes in in storms and chemotherapy imatinib mesylate, marketed long-term, that is 10 years-plus, with many of grounds, where tenant trauma has been signif- they’re old and smelly.” Departmental advisors as Glivec and Dasatinib, which treatments those currently in outpatient attendance at the icant, according to local health professionals, claimed their Phase One Engagement Program achieved remission for many of us. Royal Melbourne, Royal Women’s and Royal Epsom Road shopkeepers and residents them- would do its “utmost to keep people in the It wasn’t all hunky-dory, though: years of Children’s hospitals, as well as Peter MacCal- selves. local area, if they want to remain here”. sleepless nights and wayward temperature sen- lum Cancer Centre and numerous other nearby “Rather than being ‘equal’ residents here DHHS has promised rent subsidies for sitivities were no fun, but I’m still here — all medical facilities. Had they been aware of [at Racecourse Road’s new development], current public housing tenants forced to rent thousand kilos of me — and I have no inten- the April DHHS meeting, it is probable many we’re expecting to be treated like second-class privately until the Abbotsford Renewal is com- tion of passing on for several decades yet. would not have felt able to attend. ‘dogs’,” growled ‘Mario’ (not his real name), pletely habitable. Historically, this subsidy has Fundamental responsibility for this glorious Several local GPs and medical specialists a 69-year-old former bricklayer who lived on lasted for two years, but advisors claim Ab- remission lies primarily with those brilliantly agreed all patients — especially those who Racecourse Road for seven years until redevel- botsford Street Estate Renewal is only at ‘early dedicated medicos, but the inordinate patient may be budget-stressed or otherwise socially opment began. engagement’ timetable. comfort organised by Royal Melbourne Hospi- prejudiced — needed confidence and emo- He was offered an outer-suburban unit Aiming to adequately meet modern living tal social workers and provided by the former tional comfort in their continuing care, with needing bus and train connections to the CBD, standards with this new development, DHHS Department of Human Services (now DHHS) in ‘placing’ me at Abbotsford Street Estate assured housing being critical. Yet until 1 June then a tram to Peter Mac Cancer Centre for has still promised its current tenants that no cannot be under-estimated. there have been no programmed personal dis- treatment of his acute emphysema. He refused more than 25 per cent of their government Accommodated on the ground floor of a unit cussions with residents, especially no individ- the offer. income — that is, disability or aged pensions, block on Abbotsford Street, my days awoke to ual explanations in their native languages with “Now I board in Maidstone with my former or unemployment or new settler allowances — chirping bird calls from eucalypt and poplar the several dozen recently settled Africans. wife, who gave me her spare room, thank God, will be charged for their rent. trees surrounding our public tenancy homes. Consequently there has been no relief from but also with her new bloke and his teenage DHHS rentals at Abbotsford Street Estate Family and friends were tentative at this the emotional distress felt by many about their son, all of which is fine bar my breathing dif- will provide more one and two-bedroom ‘down-market’ residential move, but all soon housing futures. ficulties climbing on buses and trams to the apartments for North Melbourne, which are in saw a relatively efficient redevelopment of the Yes, DHHS provided interpreters for the hospital,” Mario says, gasping for breath. high demand, while also introducing homes journo they’d known. She wasn’t working, information meeting, but that was not followed Abbotsford Street Estate resident ‘Bob’ is for private sale to help address the constantly but she was safe and secure in a double-keyed by individual doorknocks or later appoint- also receiving treatment for late-stage lung growing demand for inner-city housing. The entry apartment that was clean and fully ments for personal explanation with the major- cancer at Peter MacCallum. “But they’ve giv- Abbotsford Triangle is a potential goldmine. equipped. And it was so quiet back then. Nowadays, several years after moving out, I still miss WOOD PHARMACY – NORTH MELBOURNE those birds. It’s hard to imagine such peaceful quiet while living adjacent to a main street, but 67 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 • Ph: 9328 1960 • Fax: 9328 1531 the estate’s blocks were all double-brick and as comfortable as their tenants made them, so it was easy to truly relax. At Wood Pharmacy North Melbourne, we want to help you I now believe relaxation was the factor optimise your use and understanding of your medicines. enabling my varying new chemotherapies to Please ask us about: function. • Your annual Medscheck But the real joy of that home was the other • Weekly medication packing residents. True, this supposed journo didn’t even know the names of most of her co-dwell- • Medication delivery ers, but we all ‘knew’ each as close as family, • MedAdvisor phone app to order repeats from home! rarely passing without fond acknowledgement We also stock popular brands such as: and usually recognising others’ visiting family and friends. • MooGoo skincare Abbotsford Street Estate residents formed • Tilley soaps a true community, so it is vital that each res- • Bioceuticals practitioner-only supplements ident be offered the option of returning after • Organyc women’s hygiene range ‘renewal’. Most of those who live there have • Bioderma and Uriage withstood personal trauma, be that physical, political or economic. They’ve done their time; OPENING HOURS: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 6.30pm, Sat 9am to 2pm, Sun 10am to 2pm — closed on public holidays they’ve well paid their emotional dues. Now it’s time public housing gave back. 6 COMMUNITY North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017 CHALLENGE: selling North and West benefits

Katrina Kincade-Sharkey founder in July 2007. BECOME A MEMBER OF YOUR LOCAL TRADERS GROUP The Precinct Association now encourages traders to leverage off each other, this both THE NORTH & WEST MELBOURNE PRECINCT rofessional, cost-effective, stylish: those educating customers on the benefits of this mantras have drawn businesses — and precinct, and keeping business with local ser- ASSOCIATION! Ptheir client bases — to this region vices. through most of Victoria’s modern history. NWMPA’s seven-member committee meets Applications are now open for membership of the North & West Melbourne Precinct Yet communicating North and West Mel- every six weeks in rotation at each member’s Association (NWMPA) for the 2017–18 financial year. Be an active contributor to the bourne’s market provision nowadays is an ex- business premises. Their next meeting is future of your local business area and benefit from member-focused marketing campaigns. pensive effort for any trader, especially against scheduled for 7.30am on Thursday 15 June at the profusion of good, bad and oh-so-indiffer- architect Neville Page’s practice, Greenway ent promotions splattered across our mass me- Hirst Page Pty Ltd, first floor, 464 Victoria Cost: $60 per year Fling Street Festival, Errol Street Open Air dia. Advertising is the blood of public commu- Street, North Melbourne. Christmas Party and two new events to be nications; it’ll draw yours with gleeful gusto. North & West Melbourne Precinct Associ- What you get: introduced to the area in 2017–18. - High-quality business profile listing on Experts agree the only way to raise the mar- ation’s annual general meeting will be held - Opportunities to join the NWMPA Man- the NWMPA website, including images, ket awareness of any trading precinct is for at 6.00pm on Monday 31 July, venue to be agement Committee. map pin-point and click-through to your shopkeepers, professionals and traders of all advised. business website. sorts who run businesses in the region to get Recent improvements proposed by NWMPA Plus a number of new benefits! - Access to four newly structured Business together to SELL ONE MESSAGE. And the and adopted by the City of Melbourne include - The first 50 members to join with a paid Networking events during the year featur- easiest message to sell is LOCATION. provision of extra public toilets adjacent to membership for 2017–18 will be able to ing speakers from a variety of business, We all know the individual styles of Collins North Melbourne Town Hall, corner Queens- book in a free professional photography marketing and commercial backgrounds. Street, of Chapel and Brunswick, of Sydney berry and Errol, as well as the suggestion session through the NWMPA and will be - Opportunity to post event listings and Road and the Trak Village. Whatever their by trader Louisa Chalmer to develop a com- provided with four high-quality, profes- business promotions on the NWMPA web- pluses or traffic hassles, they each record prehensive marketing and physical planning sional photos to keep. These photos will site at no additional cost. massive foot traffic and capital turnover. North strategy for the local area. Ms Chalmer is one also be owned by the NWMPA and used to - Exclusive access to specialised demo- and West Melbourne have it all; we just need promote your business on our website and of the owners of Clever Polly’s restaurant and graphic reports and tourism data for Mel- social media channels. to communicate that essence to the wider pop- wine bar. bourne. - Free membership of the North West ulation. Mr Halls explains: “Our aim is to help busi- - First access to communications and busi- Any communication must be led by com- nesses expand, to survive well by promoting ness development opportunities from local Business Network — a new and interactive mon themes of ease of access, variety of and expanding North and West Melbourne as council. business resource and support platform produce and expert professionalism, and then a business area, simultaneously expanding our - Ongoing social media campaign specif- operated locally in North Melbourne, to be delivered in a handy, easy-welcoming manner. client base. This strategy is for the business ically for your business, via the growing launched in July 2017. North and West Melbourne are overlaid with period 2017 through 2021. NWMPA channels. - Increased exposure for your business genuine heritage style, this region encompass- “The Precinct Association won another plus - Increased opportunity for your business through the NWMPA’s new, dedicated pres- ing a plethora of world-leading technocrats, for local traders in having brighter lighting or event to be featured in direct City of ence within the North and West Melbourne designers, medicos, teachers and many others, installed along Victoria and Errol streets, that Melbourne print and online marketing cam- News. each caring for this community’s welfare, both being just one forerunner to its marketing strat- paigns, therefore reaching over 500,000 professionally and personally. egy for current and future members in terms of potential customers/clients. You can secure your membership for the North & West Melbourne Precinct Associ- this local area’s attractiveness and tradeability. - Opportunities to participate in a number 2017–18 financial year by emailing us: ation (NWMPA) has several dozen members, “The Precinct Association will now consult of local events, including the annual Spring [email protected] but a potential body of hundreds. Its current a top urban planner to develop a vision for the membership mainly provides business and pro- area, then a tangible, yet readily achievable, fessional services, as well as hospitality, but plan for that vision,” he stresses, enthusiasti- North & West Melbourne Precinct Association (NWMPA) Members 2017 also comprises information technologists, re- cally. tail and tourism advisors and communicators. “In the meantime we’ll continue with our A1 Used Computer Systems, Multiply Accountants & Advisors, Tutors and knowledge sector professionals are four-seasons promotions, advertising in both 630 Queensberry Street – 9326 6261 649 Spencer Street – 9093 4888 also members. Docklands News and North and West Mel- Alexkarbon Real Estate, Nick Theodossi Prestige Cars, NWMPA’s constitution welcomes anyone bourne News, our Spring Fling jaunt, the next 122 Errol Street – 9326 8883 185 Arden Street – 9373 7777 trading as a business within the precincts of development stage of Northside Winter Festi- North and West Melbourne’s postcodes. val and our end-of-year Christmas Festival,” Allen Kong Architect Pty Ltd, North Melbourne Books, “We’re also allowed to admit as members he says, barely drawing a breath. 464 Victoria Street – 9328 2320 546 Queensberry Street – 9041 4216 business people who live locally but trade Local branding and marketing is a massive Andrew Harris Optometry, North Melbourne Football Club, elsewhere,” says Michael Halls, NWMPA vice undertaking, but experts agree that done to- 56 Errol Street – 9329 9372 204–206 Arden Street – 9320 2400 president and director of The Centre – Con- gether it will locate, promote and trade North Bakers Delight – North Melbourne, North Melbourne Podiatry, necting Community in North & West Mel- and West Melbourne to a far wider, regular 29 Errol Street – 9329 0467 283 Victoria Street – 9329 6618 market base. bourne, which produces this newspaper. Bubbleblue, Pitcher Partners, Further information will be provided by The Centre’s primary concern is the so- 1–3 Provost Street – 0404 882 404 Level 19, 15 William Street – 8610 5000 cio-economic welfare of its local participants NWMPA secretary Ms Loan Nguyen, owner/ Butcher Shop Cafe, Pocket Cafe, 29 Melrose Street – 9041 4441 and their surroundings, these factors linking manager of North Melbourne Podiatry, 283 72 Hawke Street – 9939 4326 almost exactly with those of the Precinct Victoria Street, West Melbourne, telephone Rotary Club of North Melbourne, Association, of which The Centre was a joint 0420 840 924. City North Physiotherapy Clinic, PO Box 304, North Melbourne 3051 59 Errol Street – 9328 3733 Select Right, 7 Purcell Street Clever Polly’s, Strang Systems Pty Ltd, 313 Victoria Street – 9077 9294 94 Errol Street – 9329 6111 Contours Travel, Synergetics, 490 Spencer Street – 9328 4800 287 Victoria Street – 1300 135 391 The Centre, 58 Errol Street – 9328 1126 Northside Winter Festival Dolcetti Cakes, The Comic’s Lounge, 223 Victoria Street – 9328 1688 North and West Melbourne are getting a new festival! Celebrating everything unique about the 26 Errol Street – 9348 9488 Electron Workshop, precinct, with an enchanting twist. The Courthouse Hotel, 31 Arden Street – 9270 5850 86–90 Errol Street – 9329 5394 Ferguson Plarre, The Eco Laundry Room, 27 Errol Street – 9329 3588 The Northside Winter Festival will bring the 37 Melrose Street – 1300 326 880 historic streets of North and West Melbourne Greenway Hirst Page Pty Ltd, The Paw Principality, to life for 10 days this July–August with 1st Floor, 464 Victoria Street – 9329 2611 60 Errol Street – 1300 225 202 an exciting line-up of live music, walking Guild of Objects, TAS Australia tours, pop-up cinemas, theatre, comedy, retail 690 Queensberry Street markets, special dining experiences and local Vega Associates, 25/16 Courtney Street Joseph Louis Realty Pty Ltd, trader events. This event is being produced 496 Queensberry Street – 9329 5050 W.B. Simpson, 30 Errol Street – 9328 1213 by the North & West Melbourne Precinct Association Inc. MBG Education Pty Ltd, Wayne Lynch Master Jeweller, 123 Chetwynd Street – 1300 137 389 93 Errol Street – 9328 5500 Melbourne Natural Medicine Clinic, Willows and Wine, 315 Victoria Street – 0411 686 080 What: Northside Winter Festival 49 Chetwynd Street – 9686 2566 When: 27 July – 5 August Melbourne North Service Centre, Where: Errol Street, Victoria Street, Queensberry Street and inside various local venues 175 Arden Street – 9328 4237 WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 7 Residents About Integrated Development (RAID@3051)

Marg Leser and the area surrounding the Queen Victoria 3051 population plus an additional 15,000 to Market. 20,000 people. ● In Dr Woodcock’s view the design presents Much more public open space must be found esidents About Integrated Development as a concentrator rather than a distributor of for the current and future population of 3051. (RAID) considers that future planning traffic and, with the significant population needs to include not only physical in- growth projected for Melbourne, has the Haines and Shiel Street develop- R potential to create demand for the shelved ments frastructure but also enhancement of transport, heritage building and streetscapes. The pro- East West Link. There have been a number of developments active planning of community infrastructure This contentious project is likely to have a approved or commenced in the Haines and must include spaces for active and passive significant impact on 3051 through increased Shiel Street precinct opposite our sole public recreation, education, community services, traffic volume and movement and a reduction playground at Gardiner Reserve. landscaping and affordable housing. in the visual amenity of the area. Health may The 13-level 43-unit development at RAID@3051 Inc continues to represent the also be affected by increased noise, loss of 104–110 Haines Street is in construction and views of the local community by informing open space and diminished air quality caused the six-storey 22-unit development at 1 Shiel integrated long-term and sustained planning by diesel and other emissions. Street is now complete. Twenty-seven apart- for urban renewal in North Melbourne and ments are proposed for 114–116 Haines Street. surrounding areas. RAID is a non-partisan in- Update on the Woolworths site The status of the two 10-storey towers on the corporated local organisation that is committed The Woolworths triangular site bounded by corner of Macaulay Road and Haines Street to open, transparent governance. Macaulay Road, Vaughan Terrace and Canning remains unclear. RAID’s experience over several years has Street has been re-branded as Arden Gardens. The new developers of the Woods Motors reinforced the contribution that residents can It will consist of two towers containing ap- site at 3–15 Shiel Street are seeking to radi- make to policy development and implementa- proximately 300 apartments, a supermarket cally amend the previously approved 64-unit tion affecting the 3051 postcode. We welcome and other shops. The Hickory Group has been development to accommodate 124 units in residents’ involvement in a range of roles. appointed as builders for the site and construc- a 12-storey podium and tower. This would tion has now commenced. appear to be allowed under the proposed plan- Construction of stage 1 is scheduled for Annual general meeting ning panel amendments, but would not have completion by the end of 2018. Members of RAID@3051’s AGM on 5 April at the North been allowed under the original Arden–Macau- the RAID committee met with the Hickory Melbourne Recreation Centre was well sup- lay Structure Plan setbacks. ported by RAID members and the community. Group and raised concerns about the construc- The amendment is currently before the Plan- Committee members elected at the AGM tion process including construction noise, traf- ning Minister and as such is “seriously consid- were: Peter Hogg (chair), Marg Leser (deputy fic management into and surrounding the site, ered”. It is in effect the operative height control. chair), Tess Demediuk (secretary/treasurer), parking arrangements for workers’ vehicles RAID wrote to the minister to urge prompt Lorna Hannan and Angela Williams. Annual and safe access to the 402 bus stop adjacent to rejection of the planning panel amendments membership remains $1 and the initial joining the site in Canning Street. to prevent this project from proceeding in its fee is also $1. In addition to reports from the The Hickory Group representatives advised current form, but we were unsuccessful. Why chairman and treasurer two guest speakers that they are keen to liaise with the community the planning panel made the decision to allow presented. and to keep people informed as the develop- 12-storey developments along Shiel Street with Councillor Nicholas Reece, chair of the ment progresses. They have provided an email City of Melbourne’s planning portfolio, address for individuals in the community to minimal setbacks is a matter of conjecture. stated he was interested in ongoing dialogue subscribe to if they wish to receive updates or The largely intact low-rise 19th-century with the community. He referred to Victorian raise issues: [email protected] streetscape on the north side of Shiel Street Government decisions impacting the City of The permitted hours of construction site will be juxtaposed with high-rise on the south. Melbourne and its residents. He provided an work within the City of Melbourne are Monday This would seem to be contrary to generally overview of Amendment C190, which will to Friday from 7.00am to 7.00pm and Saturday accepted good urban design and planning. implement new land use and development from 8.00am to 3.00pm. Any work outside The Macaulay Road/Haines Street devel- controls. these hours requires an out-of-hours permit to opment, the Woods Motors site in Shiel Street Amendment C190 is currently seeking be issued. Workers are permitted to be on site and Arden Gardens all adopt a ‘podium and approval from the Minister for Planning. In- prior to this time, however must not undertake tower’ model of urban development, which is formation and updates can be found at www. any building work. Any issues can be reported now likely to become the dominant develop- participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ardenmacau- to the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658. ment model in Arden–Macaulay. As an urban layc190. design approach it leaves much to be desired. Other matters raised with Councillor Reece Draft Arden Vision and Framework RAID believes we can do much better than included the contentious Victorian Govern- The Arden Urban Renewal Precinct will have repeat the mistakes of Docklands and South- ment decision on Residential Zones and the a significant impact on 3051. It involves a bank but the tower-and-podium model is the implications of the recently released Victo- 56-hectare base for 34,000 jobs and 15,000 most profitable. Unfortunately we can expect rian Better Apartments Design Standards. residents and will include the new Arden Met- to see more of it. RAID had lobbied that these should include ro station. More information is available at minimum standards in respect of size, storage, www.ardenmacaulay.vic.gov.au. Who is RAID@3051? light, ventilation, open space and accessibility, One of RAID’s principal goals is to advo- RAID@3051 Inc is a community group thus resulting in improved design, cate for the urban infrastructure required to formed in 2011 to respond to the proposed sustainability and livability of apartments. meet the needs of current and future popu- Woolworths development in the residential Dr Ian Woodcock, chair of the Inner Mel- lations. There is a substantial backlog in all area bounded by Macaulay Road, Vaughan bourne Planning Alliance (IMPA), of which forms of infrastructure across the country and Terrace and Canning Street, North Melbourne. RAID was a foundation member, is also a the Melbourne Metro is a pivotal project for RAID is concerned about the impact of in- planning and urban design academic with a the future bigger, denser Melbourne of the creased density, population and traffic on the specialist interest in Melbourne’s public trans- 2020s and beyond. already overstretched community infrastruc- port. He presented on the important topic of The method in which the Arden Urban Re- ture. the Western Distributor and its potential im- newal Precinct, around the new Arden station, RAID is seeking immediate traffic-calming pact on postcode 3051. is implemented is critical to the future of North measures to make the area safer for pedestri- Key points, which generated discussion and West Melbourne, Kensington and E-Gate. ans. We are also urging the City of Melbourne from the floor, included: RAID contributed to the initial community and state planning bodies to lock in a range of ● The Western Distributor has been re-brand- consultations on the Draft Arden Vision & open spaces in all future developments. ed as the West Gate Tunnel Project. Framework in October 2016. We continue to lobby the City of Melbourne ● It is now a significantly bigger project than The State Government owns large parcels for Gardiner Reserve to be enlarged and for the what was originally projected in both size of land in the precinct, so has the opportunity immediate provision of a community hub in and estimated cost. to develop this well. However, the initial signs the Hotham Hill area and in all new precincts. ● The most recent design appears not to are not reassuring. Sketches of the precinct RAID endeavours to work constructively with link directly to the docks. The planned show buildings of 12 and 15 storeys, poten- all involved in 3051. ground-level and elevated roads near the tially resulting in 30 storeys if history is any RAID is strongly committed to stakeholder E-Gate site may impact on future urban de- guide. Furthermore, it is clear that the intention engagement. velopment of this area, and the project will is to use Arden Oval as the primary open space potentially compete with the Regional Rail for the precinct. Connect to RAID@3051 Link and Melbourne Metro. North Melbourne Football Club has submit- For further information about RAID or to be- ● The lack of design clarity does not enable ted a major redevelopment plan to the Victori- come a member and receive our e-newsletter, surety as to where the traffic will decant into an Planning Authority, which can be viewed at contact us by email to [email protected], North and West Melbourne, but Dr Wood- www.nmfc.com.au/news/2017-05-09/norths- access our website at www.3051-integrated. cock considered it would probably have bold-plan. The oval cannot be relied on to ser- com or follow us on Facebook by searching significant impact on 3051, Dudley Street vice the active recreation needs of the current 3051 RAID. 8 COMMUNITY North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017

on 22 and 23 May, local people who attended ● We don’t need shops and cafes on the site; the E-Gate site and will destroy potential complained about the lack of, or late distribu- there are already many within easy walking connections between West Melbourne, tion of, written information. distance. E-Gate and Docklands. They also expressed concern that selling off The government’s commitment to increase If it goes ahead, the WGTP is likely to bring North and West part of the land to private developers was an social housing on the estates by 10 per cent more traffic into North and West Melbourne Melbourne attempt by the government to make a profit at seems tokenistic when housing for the disad- and the CBD. the expense of public housing tenants and the vantaged is in such short supply and the need In a further slight, Transurban has given citi- Association estate’s amenity. The sketch plan tabled at the for it increasing rapidly as Melbourne’s popu- zens only five weeks to respond to 10,000 pag- meetings showed much denser site coverage lation swells. es of EES (Environmental Effects Statement) than the current layout as well as buildings up documents. Submissions on the EES are due The Association’s 2017 AGM to 10–12 storeys high. West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) The NWMA annual general meeting for the by 5.00pm on 10 July. There was wide agreement with the follow- In another instance of perfunctory communi- financial year 2016 took place in April this It is vitally important to make submissions so ing feedback: cations, some residents were letterboxed about year. Running through his tabled report, the that community voices are heard. Lodge them ● We support and welcome social housing. a ‘pop-up’ display of WGTP plans after it had chair, Kevin Chamberlin, commented that in at www.planning.vic.gov.au/west-gate-tunnel- ● We don’t need more private housing in an taken place! Nonetheless many did visit the in- the Association’s 50th year it was pleasing to project-hearing and request to make an oral area already saturated with new develop- formation booth outside North Melbourne Post see the membership growing and that younger submission at the panel hearing if you wish. ments. Office on 18 April to learn more about the pro- people were joining. You can view the EES documents at www. ● The proposed building heights are unaccept- ject (formerly known as Western Distributor). The committee was elected unopposed and westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/eesdocu- able in this residential and historic part of If approved, the elevated extension of comprises: Kevin Chamberlin (chair), Jane ments/ or read hard copies at North Melbourne North Melbourne. Wurundjeri Way will have a devastating effect Poynter (secretary), Michael Horscroft (treasur- Library. ● High-rise buildings do not promote commu- on West Melbourne for the following reasons: er), Janet Graham (assistant secretary) and Bill ● It will be noisy. WGTP modelling shows Cook, Cecilia Gason, Sue Scarfe and Geraldine nity connectedness. NWMA’s 50th birthday that traffic noise will (just) meet the Suter (ordinary committee members). ● What fosters a safe environment is a mix of To celebrate this milestone the Association is residents, including the elderly and especial- VicRoads standard of 63 dB(A). On this planning at least one event this year, including Abbotsford Street Estate ‘renewal’ ly families. basis no sound barrier is planned. something for the Spring Fling. If any readers As part of the State Government’s $185 mil- ● The estate should therefore contain fewer ● The road will be 10 metres high, which is have suggestions for a suitable event, please lion plan to redevelop nine public housing sites single-bedroom dwellings and more with higher than the Regional Rail Link tracks, let us know. across Melbourne, it is proposing to demolish three or four bedrooms. and within 100 metres of residences. and rebuild the North Melbourne estate on the ● All current residents must be guaranteed ● It will increase pollution, with thousands of Contact details for NWMA land bounded by Abbotsford, Haines, Curzon accommodation in the new estate. trucks using the road every day and night. Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the third and Molesworth streets. (See cover story in ● There should be much more open space of ● It will destroy visual amenity, just when the Tuesday of the month at the Bastow Institute this edition.) varying types to cater for children’s play and City of Melbourne has launched plans to in Queensberry Street. Email info@nwma. There has been much criticism by the ball games (kick-to-kick), informal social beautify Railway Place as part of the West org.au for information or visit our website at estate’s tenants and local residents of the gatherings and community gardening. Melbourne Structure Plan with vehicle re- www.nwma.org.au. At the meeting on 20 June, Department of Health & Human Services’ poor ● Buildings should be no more than four sto- strictions, more plantings and pedestrian and guest speakers from Melbourne City Council’s efforts to contact and engage those affected. reys, to prevent overshadowing and maxim- cycle links to Docklands. Placemaking and Engagement team will be At meetings called for neighbouring residents ise access to sunlight. ● It will compromise future development of presenting. Local community lawyers say reduce homelessness, don’t criminalise

John Mangan and Dan Stubbs House drop-in centre in North Melbourne, was Activities Local Law are against the spirit of nise that “people with special circumstances referred to Inner Melbourne Community Legal the law, contravene the Victorian Charter of are disproportionately, and often irrevocably, (IMCL) service in Queensberry Street, who Rights and Responsibilities and undermine caught up in the system. In a just society, the teve was doing it tough. He had been in helped him handle his fines. recent council and state measures that will help response to people with special circumstances crisis accommodation in the inner city The legal service helps over 200 people significantly in reducing homelessness in the should not be to issue them with an infringe- Sfor a number of weeks when he picked each year who are homeless, or in danger of long term. ment notice”. up a fistful of parking fines. There were only homelessness. A significant proportion of As the council has acknowledged, it is not IMCL proposes improving services and af- two-hour parking bays in the vicinity and he those people have problems with infringe- illegal to be homeless. However, the amending fordable housing options for Victorians, rather wasn’t able to get a permit. Being homeless, ments. law will make it an offence for a person to than putting the homeless on an ‘infringements it was one more stress he didn’t need while Based on its extensive experience of the ‘camp’ in any public place. Given that the term roundabout’ which will drain community re- trying to sort things out. impact of infringements on people experienc- ‘camp’ is undefined and open to broad inter- sources while being unlikely to stop people He’s one of hundreds of Melburnians who ing homelessness, the service has made a sub- pretation, this effectively includes — whether with limited choices sleeping rough. could be affected by new laws designed to mission to the City of Melbourne opposing the intended or not — homeless people sleeping In the case of Steve, the legal service and reduce the number of people sleeping rough. changes to the sleeping-rough laws. rough, and may make criminals of them. Ozanam assisted him in securing permanent “If you’re sleeping rough, you have no The service is particularly concerned that IMCL’s submission notes that when the accommodation. IMCL agrees with Steve, that money,” Steve says. “So how are you going to criminalising homelessness will further Infringements Act was introduced 11 years the focus should be on solving the problems pay the fines? A lot of these people have got a entrench disadvantage, and tie up both the ago the Victorian attorney-general, Rob Hulls, of homeless people, rather than adding to their mental illness or substance or alcohol issues, authorities and the rough sleepers in lengthy, detailed that the law endeavours “to filter peo- woes with onerous fines. so fines are just going to be on top of having expensive processes that in many cases are ple out of the system who cannot understand no money and having no home.” unlikely to see the fines paid. or control their offending behaviour”. The You can view IMCL’s submission on their Steve, who was getting help at Ozanam In fact, the proposed amendments to the legislative framework, he said, ought to recog- website, www.imcl.org.au.

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Photo: Ralph Alphonso, courtesy Inner Melbourne Community Legal WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News COMMUNITY 9 NMLL students put their learning to good use

Cliff Rundle The word ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. On ANZAC Day, which is on the 25th of April each year, we orth Melbourne Language and Learn- remember the brave men and women who have ing (NMLL) assists students to devel- served our country in times of war. The Last Nop their communication skills, inclu- Post is sounded on a bugle to remind us of sive of reading, writing, listening and speaking, the many soldiers who died in World War I at and offers complementary activities and events Gallipoli in Turkey. On ANZAC Day a parade to increase their understanding of and engage- is held in cities. We wear badges and wave ment in Melbourne and Australian society. Australian flags. Flowers and wreaths are laid The education and activities provide path- at the war memorials. In Australia this day is a ways to education and/or volunteering and/or public holiday. employment, whatever is most suitable for the Youmei student. The employment pathway has an exciting This is the second time I learnt about ANZAC development because we have recently com- Day. Before that I only knew that ANZAC Day menced a project, funded by the Victorian is a day to celebrate the Australian Army and Multicultural Commission, to assist interested it is a public holiday, but today my teacher women from culturally and linguistically gave me more information. This day from the diverse (CALD) backgrounds to establish a things I have learned, I know what ANZAC microbusiness. Day is and why Australians and New Zealand- By this article’s printing the first round of ers remember this day. My country, Vietnam, students will have commenced the program. has one such day to commemorate the millions There will be a second intake in 2018. Check of soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. I am Photo: courtesy North Melbourne Language and Learning our website and Facebook page for more de- sure other countries around the world also days each week from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm at individualised one-on-one support including tails. have similar days, and these days are not just level 2. My English class has two teachers, two assistance to prepare for an interview, or pro- In the last edition NMLL staff described the days to remember the past but also to remind volunteers and about 16 students. Term one vide spoken English practice, writing advice learning programs and the community con- us of all our thoughts and actions to bring started in February. and more. Currently there are about 24 volun- nections, events and activities. In this edition peace to humanity. I’m so happy and I love all my classmates and teers, all trained, supported and supervised by we have asked Certificate 2 and 3 students to Phuong Le my teacher. our community development team. share some of their writings. In addition to Regards, The volunteers make an enormous contri- sharing these with NWMN readers, the letters Level 2 students write and read authentic texts Tuyet bution to the success of NMLL and to the stu- will also be used by the preliminary and Cer- from the community to develop their literacy dents’ engagement in Australian society. The tificate 1 English students. skills. Here are some sample letters written to a friend about NMLL. LETTER 4 volunteers also value the experience and the Dear Sue, personal learning. There aren’t any vacancies LETTER 1 It was good to catch up. I’m learning English at the moment but if you are interested check in North Melbourne NMLL. I go three days the NMLL website for information about the Promoting student engagement 1st May 2017 each week. The class starts at 9.30 until 3.00. role, the application process and the commit- through active learning Alfred St, North Melbourne ment required. All NMLL students are adults. While people Dear friend, The students and the teachers they are very learn in different ways, adults learn best from It was great to see you again last week as you friendly. I’m very happy with them. Finally, if you are interested in connecting active rather than passive learning, by apply- walked home from class. It’s been too long Regards, or learning more, please get in touch. Call ing their learning to real-life situations, for since we talked. Rahma 9326 7447, email [email protected] or example. I’m interested in enrolling in NMLL myself. call into the ground floor of 33 Alfred Street, On this occasion, students from the Certifi- I need to improve my English language. Can North Melbourne. cate 3 class watched videos, read information you tell me a bit about your class? Volunteers texts and had a discussion about Anzac Day. Regards, NMLL is supported by a team of wonderful They were then asked to reflect on the materi- Sue and generous volunteers. Some help as as- als, to write a paragraph and do an oral presen- sistant teachers in the classroom, providing Cliff Rundle is the general manager of North tation. Here is a sample of the students’ writing LETTER 2 intensive support as necessary. Others provide Melbourne Language and Learning. Dear Sue, Today I learnt about ANZAC Day in Australia. It was good to catch up. I go to school three Every year on the 25th of April Australia and days each week. We have four terms and we New Zealand celebrate the first major battle start at 9.30 and finish at 3.00 o’clock. fought by Australian and New Zealand forces You need to enrol at the office and have an Local ceremony honours at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It is interview. We have tutors and nice teachers. a day to remember the courage of the soldiers Regards, in this battle and one of the nation’s biggest Marwan wartime nurses public holidays. It is a special day so all fami- lies can go to watch the march in their town or LETTER 3 Nurses Vera Torney and Margaret Anderson the parade held in cities. People wear badges, Dear Sue, Michael J. Halls were presented with bravery awards for shield- wave Australian flags, and lay flowers and It was good to catch up. I would like to tell you ing patients with their own bodies in another wreaths of red poppies at the war memorial. a bit about my class. I enrolled in NMLL in the he Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen World War II incident when the ship Empire Hai Nguyen office and had interview. I’m learning three and Women North and West Melbourne Star came under enemy fire. TSub-branch, together with The Centre, presented the annual ANZAC ceremony on Sunday 23 April at the Hawke and King streets reserve memorial. This year we used the ‘vacant chair’ cere- monial format because the local flagpole was Kinesiology . Coaching . Speaker not functioning. The Australian flag, draped North Melbourne over a vacant chair, symbolised our absent Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed or stressed? war dead and others who served and died to Do you desperately want to make changes in your life, preserve our way of life. More than 35 local but don’t know where to start? residents reflected on those Australian values Then Kinesiology could be for you! and attributes that we hold dear. A short welcome and address by the director Kinesiology Coaching can assist with: of The Centre this year focused on the role of - Stress Relief – Emotional, Physical or Spiritual women on the home front and their attempts - Goals – Health, Work/Business, Sport, Relationships to be engaged in the First and Second World - Chronic Fatigue / Adrenal Fatigue / Autoimmune Wars. Both periods contributed to a change in - Digestive Issues the role of women in society. The address used - Pain Relief nursing as an example of the role played by - Insomnia / Sleep Disorders women who served overseas and at home. - Allergies, Skin Disorders & Food Sensitivities One such nurse was Vivian Bullwinkel, who - And Much More… survived despite being wounded and pretend- ing to be dead after the sinking of the SS Vyner HEALTH INSURANCE REBATES AVAILABLE [email protected] Wreaths were laid at the North and West Brooke when 22 captured nurses were shot in CALL TODAY - 0401 384 903 FB: @ilanak.kinesiology Melbourne cenotaph to commemorate shallow water on a Banka Island beach. Anzac Day Photo: Carolynne Venn 10 THE CENTRE North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017

the centre Spanish Language Fiesta returns to North Melbourne

Tatiana Echeverri

nce again George Johnson Lane came alive with Hispanic tradition. Saturday O8 April celebrated Melbourne’s second annual Spanish Language Fiesta. People of all ages moved through North Melbourne’s iconic laneways to enjoy Latin-themed activities including storytelling, arts and craft, cinema, music and delicious street food. Entering the festival through George John- son Lane let you admire stalls displaying clothes and jewellery and others featuring native instruments, paper fans, puppets and masks. It was impossible to move past this area without stopping at the face-painting station where faces were adorned with colours and glitter. The fiesta was a corridor of literature with the Spanish language book swap and North Melbourne Library’s popular storytelling ac- tivity for children. Behind the library, the Le- gion Room hosted a pop-up Spanish cinema, transporting viewers into Spain, Mexico and Colombia. There was also a Spanish introduc- tory language class. This year’s fiesta featured a 10-metre lan- guage wall where visitors shared quotes in Spanish and other languages, enriching the area’s multilingualism. There was also a fiesta photo booth and stalls showcasing the local Hispanic community. Little Errol Street hosted some exquisite cuisine and talented Latin bands. Music, dance and entertainment complemented the Spanish and Latin American street food. With La Rumba Latina dancers Photo: Jim Weatherill everything from arepas, paella and Cuban sandwiches to an Argentinian barbecue, it was difficult to choose between all the yummy options. The Spanish Language Fiesta was a fantastic opportunity to experience the excitement of Spanish and Latin American culture and to celebrate its place in Melbourne’s multicultural community. Thank you to The Centre, our partner organisation, the volunteers, stallholders, food trucks, attendees and sponsors for being part of the second annual Spanish Language Fiesta. We hope you had a great time and look forward to seeing you next year at the Spanish Jewellery and craft on show in George A crowd gathers at the stage Festival attendees writing on the language wall Language Fiesta 2018! Johnson Lane Photo: Jim Weatherill Photo: Tatiana Echeverri Photo: Jim Weatherill Fundraising can be fun!

Frances McMillan ing activity which kept their children happily engaged for a long time and gave them a really great gift to take home with them. It fostered ome Away From Homework Club very lively conversations about aspects of is still finding the fun in fundraising Spanish-based cultures, their celebrations and as we continue to create imaginative religious practices and spread awareness of H diversity in our vibrant community. ways to bring in the money needed to keep our vital program going. Spanish-speaking children in particular got At the Spanish Language Fiesta, put on by a thrill from sharing their culture and language The Centre in April, we ran a stall and had with others while working alongside each other. a wonderful time making puppets with the The activity raised $50 towards our fund- children who came along. For a gold coin raising campaign and certainly let everybody donation, each child was given a plain calico learn more about Home Away From Home- cut-out puppet that they could decorate as a work Club and this very valuable program for sugar skull doll like those used by the Mex- the families of North and West Melbourne and icans on the Day of the Dead, or as a Frida surrounding suburbs. Khalo–style doll, or as any creation of their If you missed the opportunity to donate to own imagination. Home Away From Homework Club, please As the sun shone down on George Johnson visit our website, www.centre.org.au/home- Lane it was a joy to have the children work workclub, and support us in our Top Tutors for with us and our volunteers. Like busy little Top Kids campaign, or you can call in at The bees they took extreme care in selecting their Centre to make your donation. Any donation bits and pieces and the desired colours and would be greatly appreciated! meticulously drew and decorated absolutely beautiful puppets. Frances McMillan is the coordinator of Home The parents all agreed that it was an inspir- Away From Homework Club. Spanish-themed puppets made by children at the fiesta Photo: Louise Cindric WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 11

arts & entertainment The Other Art Fair: a review

Columbia Winterton ing and manipulation of enigmatic gestures in the work. These artworks presented molecular metaphors and intuitive collisions, allowing the n its sixth year, The Other Art Fair held rise and fall of the elements to wash over you. its Melbourne edition at The Facility in With discerning neutral shades and gradi- Kensington (5 May – 7 May). This event ents, the fluidity in Jones’s work connotes a I certain strength and elegance and invites you seemed thoroughly planned and the set-up was how you might expect a fair to be arranged — to unmoor your own metaphoric and philo- namely aisle upon aisle with artists ‘manning’ sophical narratives. their stalls plus seated areas and a bar. Other highlights included Sylvia McEwan, Featuring almost 100 artists, the amount and whose abstract and figurative works evoked a range of work was monumental, with much space and balance you could somehow get lost original work and many prints available. You in; Rubi Cassidy, whose verdant, idiosyncratic might have visited several times if you wanted landscapes and suburban scenes (often oil on to explore everything carefully. board) made you want to hop into the car and head out for a long drive and stop for roadside One highlight of the fair was the work of honey; and artists Jaimee Paul and Janice Cristina Popovici. The chemistry, energy and Gobey, whose distinctive works wrapped you music in this work immediately demand your in delight. attention and you can almost feel the process The founder and general manager of The behind each painting. Mood and emotion tend Other Art Fair, Ryan Stanier, states on the Cristina Popovici Photo: Columbia Winterton to permeate the work and move throughout. I fair’s blog that it tends to attract artists “with appear a noble concept — but let’s be real. It’s learn how many and which artists do go on to enjoyed the textural element as tactile and was an entrepreneurial flair”. I’m not sure every not primarily a charitable one; it’s a lucrative find representation and at which galleries. A invited to touch the work: smooth swirls and artist has an entrepreneurial flair — or a visual business difficult to ignore. Of further and section titled Facts and Figures on The Other bumpy, sharp waves though nothing coarse. The merchandising flair for that matter. perhaps ironic interest, The School of Life, Art Fair website proposed enlightenment in vivid colours and style of Popovici’s work blur Given that one key purpose of the fair is to known for its apt philosophical appraisals and this regard, but neither facts nor figures of in- between abstract expressionism and modernism. provide exposure for “talented artists strug- The work of Tim Jones was another stand- gling to gain recognition”, a curatorial touch perspectives on a range of topics, presented a terest were forthcoming. out. Through a disciplined yet organic process, might have addressed the somewhat tacky guided tour titled ‘The Point of Art’, no doubt On a positive note, the staff were indeed his evident mastery strikes you in the feather- presentation of some displays which detracted ensuring its entrepreneurial slice of the art pie. warm and there was a sense of excitement and from otherwise beautiful work. Enraptured by the music, lighting and gen- buzz in areas. Another member of the News This raises the question of who should ‘sell’ eral ambience of the fair, one could easily be team who visited the fair commented that it art in the first place. When art is viewed as a seduced into thinking this was a cool event. “dressed and partitioned the historic building consumer-good, you might argue it’s logical While the concept might sound great, I felt very well” and that it was a “professional pro- for craftspeople to sell their own work, as for some artists who watched patrons glance duction”. the baker sells his bread, for example. While at their work, briefly, blankly, champagne in The fair was well worth a visit to experience art may be accepted as a product — though hand, and move on to the next stall. new art and emerging artists’ work. Meeting this is a topic debated by artists and philos- At a farmers’ market you might not think artists you click with is invaluable. If you ophers alike — the spell of commercialism twice when you pass over one stall to buy from managed to block out the noise and chatter that draped its magic over The Other Art Fair another — it’s fruit and veg, it’s not personal that engulfed the space and fuse a concentrated almost mocked the talent, discipline, expertise (hopefully) — but to pass over someone’s art sanctity with a few pieces that ‘spoke’ to you, and passion of the artists. felt like the equivalent of passing over some- then, again, it was worth the visit. And considering that the artists forked out one’s heart; it didn’t feel great. I’m not convinced that art should ever be over $2000 for their stalls alone, as well as Yes, there would be some benefit for the sold in a market of any kind, but perhaps I’m optional costs for framing and business-card artists. Certainly it was an opportunity for net- sentimental, or not up with the times. As The printing, it does make you wonder, or quaver. working, exposure, to make a sale. I’m curious Other Art Fair alludes to by its very name, Tim Jones Photo: Columbia Winterton At face value, The Other Art Fair might to read the stats on those sales, though, and to there are, in fact, other art fairs. A sculptural treat in North Melbourne

Columbia Winterton The formation of the sculptures begins with Man presented an observation on the ungra- a base wood structure, sometimes a fence cious, unpleasant aspects of human nature, post, which is then carved and chiselled into and also a fragility, and offered a gentle vehi- eoff Bonney is an Australian artist shape. Many arms were once chair legs. The cle for honest self-reflection. who has travelled extensively around arms of Bird Man were originally an ornamen- Back to the fun: I also loved that each the globe with his work and recently tal part of a buffet piece and one of Disabled sculpture had its own unique identity and sto- G ry that you could further embellish, if you’re visited North Melbourne’s Anvil Studio to Man’s arms was formerly a babushka doll’s exhibit his latest sculptures. head. that way inclined. Entering the exhibition felt like walking Disabled Man also balanced the prosthetic To sum up, the unequivocal artistry, dex- into a room full of new friends, old acquain- leg of Bonney’s late father, complete with the terity and inventiveness of these sculptures tances, long-lost relatives, and perhaps aspects owner’s sock, on his head. denote certain core values of the artist and of our own humanity that we might prefer In primarily earthy, neutral shades and candid themes, which suggest that fads don’t overlooked. tones, the sculptures were painted in paint dictate Geoff Bonney’s work. Most sculptures stood, facing the entrance, made by the artist himself. Learning this This exhibition was a treasure. on white box stands. You half expected one somehow made the sculptures even more or two to yell out “Hello!” as you appeared. appealing — kind of like the appreciation Finding the secluded gallery itself added an you might have for a cake baked from scratch element of intrigue. Geoff explained that it’s versus a packet-mix. So, without a speck of owned by friends and the studio is used by gloss in sight, the paintwork was a refreshing Anvil Productions, a local theatre company. component and, importantly, it complemented Evenly arranged and filling the white-brick the work and materials used. studio space, most sculptures could be circled Undeniably, there was a sense of fun in Contact for Geoff Bonney: 0439 421 123 Twins inside a painted lady and viewed from multiple angles and, given these sculptures, from Family Man, who jug- Website: www.geoffreybonney.com Photo: Geoff Bonney the average height of about one metre, on their gled two children, one of whom stood on his platforms, you could easily look each sculp- shoulders, to Travelling Man, who expertly Coming up at Anvil Studio (Anvil Productions) ture squarely in the eye. Some taller sculp- held multiple suitcases, some stacked upon his 2A Curran Street, North Melbourne tures were placed on lower platforms, forming head. I found myself recoiling at the name of HERE Dates: a harmonious exhibition. Much brighter than, one sculpture, Sly Man, and promptly made up Anvil Productions invites an audience of 30 11–14 November and 18–21 November, say, a gallery of 50 lux, the lighting worked an excuse for him, to which the artist agreed people per show to this Australian premiere 8.00pm well to supplement the life-filled room. — Sly Man is fun, too. season of an intimate work staged at an 1889 The influences of Picasso and Klee, as well While humour tends to buffer confronting Matinees: as Indigenous Aboriginal carvers and primi- anything painful or uncomfortable, particular- farrier’s, where steel was once forged and 14 & 21 November, 4.00pm tive African sculpture, were evident in much ly about oneself, you could have focused just horses shod. $25 full, $20 concession of Bonney’s work, which hinted at surrealism on the ‘fun’ in these sculptures. But characters Bookings: www.trybooking.com/JGRJ, Website: www.anvilproductions.com.au combining a blend of allegory and metaphor. like Two Faced Man, Money Man and Hit 12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017 The judges of the News Short Story The Legend of Competition were unanimous in their selection of Julie Bateman’s story as the winning entry. Monga Khan Congratulations, Julie! Here is her story. Columbia Winterton

windows. She take off her jacket and shoes lifts up a full-length crimson dress with a low- ou might recognise posters, pasted THE SUITCASE and lies on the bed. She closes her eyes and cut neckline and a split up one side to the knee. across Melbourne, of a sepia portrait listens to the kids playing outside, the voices She pulls it out of the bag and holds it against Yof a man in a turban with the word by Julie Bateman of other campers, the 4x4’s driving past pull- herself running her hands over the silky mate- “AUSSIE” in a contrasting cream, or the post- ing boats the size of small houses. When she rial. She lays it out on the bed, moves around er that simply reads “REAL AUSTRALIANS wakes up the light in the cabin has faded and the cabin closing the curtains, pulls off her SAY WELCOME”. he V-Line bus pulls into Genoa creating her stomach reminds her she hasn’t eaten since jumper and jeans and slips the dress over her This is the work of Adelaide artist Peter a dusty arc in front of the Berlin Café. she bought a dry sausage roll and cappuccino head. The dress is a size too small for her but Drew, who set out to plaster the country in The picture Bec has in her head of T in Cann River. it’s soft and cool against her skin. She doesn’t 1000 of these posters. Initially a crowdfunded romantic little houses on sunny hills and Bec rolls off the bed, puts on her shoes and dare look in the mirror. She starts rummaging poster campaign that received significant sup- people sitting at cafe tables in large piazzas jacket and sets out to find a meal in town. The through the bag again pulling out a midnight port, Drew decided to commission artists and laughing and drinking coffee is now replaced front windows of the pub are open to the street blue short dress, purple velvet pants, boldly writers to develop a book with the remaining by Genoa Victoria where the cafe is no longer and guys in singlets and caps lean out, beers patterned tops, slinky silver shoes, flimsy lace funds. a cafe and the motel looks creepy. Hey Bec, in hand, probably discussing the size of their underwear she’s only ever seen on mannequins From what began as a message of diversity want a night in Psycho-Town? Chas is back. boats and the fish they’ve caught. It’s Friday, in Myer and at the very bottom of the bag a and grew into an effort to “re-write Australian Bec climbs down from the bus, collects her cheap ‘Pot and Parma’ night so that’s what bottle of champagne in bubble wrap. You know folklore and redefine what ‘Aussie’ really purple suitcase which seems heavier than she she orders. Good girl, watching your pennies. what happens when you drink Rebecca! means”, The Legend of Monga Khan, An remembers and wheels it over to the little local She sits at a table for two looking out onto the Bec drinks half the bottle of champagne and Aussie Folk Hero was published late last year bus which will take her down the winding road beer garden. A guy in shorts with a ponytail and launched earlier this year at The Boroughs, to the coast. A very old man sitting in the front is still wearing the red dress. There’s some- and sunglasses is playing guitar and singing thing she must do while she can still stand Brunswick East. seat nods at her and she smiles back. She sits Edited by Royce Kurmelovs, this Van Morrison accompanied by a sad looking upright. She looks at the silver shoes lying on down opposite a man with a tattoo on his leg. pocket-sized book is a collection of creative guy on drums. The pub gradually fills up the bed but the straps look too complicated. She can’t make out if it’s a seahorse or a mer- works offering inspired short stories, poems with large extended families and innumerable She brushes her hair, puts on some lipstick maid. In his shorts and singlet he looks ready and illustrations. children fight over seats then settle into mute and picks up the champagne bottle. She opens for the beach whereas she feels out of place on screen-hypnosis. A young couple walk towards Monga Khan’s records were found in the the cabin door and looks around. All is quiet this unseasonably warm day in jeans and black her table and for a moment she wonders if they National Archives of Australia in Victoria, as except for pub music and voices hanging in jacket but she figures nobody will notice any- have even seen her and are going to sit on her. was his application, in 1916, for an exemption the air. She shivers in the cool slight breeze way. She looks at him to say hello but he looks But the young guy puts his large hand on the from the White Australia policy (to allow trav- but she’s not going to put on her black jacket. away and takes a book out of his backpack. girl’s singletted back and nudges her towards el without the fear of being denied entry upon She sets out for the beach track her bare feet She tries to see what he’s reading. She thinks the beer garden. return). tender on every stone and twig but she’s not a book can tell you a lot about someone. The When Bec’s meal finally arrives she eats a Drew believes that “Australia needs new going back to put on her boring black shoes. old homeless man who sleeps at the bus stop couple of mouthfuls but she no longer feels myths — ones that reflect our multi-ethnic past She takes another swig of the champagne to near her house in Melbourne uses a bible as a hungry. Loud voices, the numerous TVs tuned and future — because without shared narra- give herself the courage to walk along the dark pillow. into prime-time news and her overheated body tives we can’t form shared identities”. overgrown track with its skittering nightlife The bus passes Mangans Lake and after the force her to gulp down her beer and leave. She The Legend of Monga Khan is a collection Gipsy Point turn-off the road becomes narrow hurries back to the campsite revelling in the and whispering tea-trees. She tries not to think of lyrical and pictorial tales that will fascinate. and winding. As the bus rattles round hairpin cooling night air, a full moon and an unpollut- of Blair Witch. As she stumbles along the track bends Bec clings onto the seat in front. Don’t ed sky thick with stars. she concentrates on the sound of the waves Quotes courtesy of Alasdair and Hester panic love, he knows this road like the back of Bec lifts her bag onto the bed and unzips getting louder and louder until the track wid- MacKinnon, The Boroughs. his hand. The bush thickens, tree ferns fill the it to get out her pyjamas. It takes a few sec- ens and opens up and she hobbles over to the space below tall straight gums and the single onds for her to realise that nothing in it looks lookout. notes of bellbirds float through the open win- familiar. An exotic perfume is wafting out of A full ripe moon is hanging low over the dows of the bus. expensive looking clothes of vibrant colours so sea. Bec walks down the wooden steps to the Finally, the last straight stretch into the unlike her K-Mart labels they take her breath beach and bathes her aching feet in the cold township opens up. It’s Easter and Bec dreads away. She stands there with her hand over her water. She turns her face to that Mallacoota the town’s usual tiny population being swollen mouth. She closes the lid firmly and sits down moon, takes a deep breath and shouts over the with campers and fishermen. As the bus drives on the bed. She frantically looks all over the surf Chas I came here to leave you at the place past the pub in the main street the tattooed man bag but there’s no name anywhere then she you loved with all your heart but I lost you puts his head out the window and shouts hey remembers she too had no identification on her along the way and I think you may have to rest mate, over here to a guy in a singlet carrying a bag — who needs it when you’re handling the elsewhere but you’d be happy anywhere you slab of beer on his shoulder. She can now see bag yourself? She tries to recall her travelling could cast your line into the surf and I’m just the book title and it’s about the Iraq war. companions but they’re all a blur. The bag hoping whoever has my suitcase knows what Bec asks the driver to drop her off at the may have gone to the end of the line as far as to do with that biscuit tin and doesn’t mistake caravan park. She can tell Ron the park man- Batemans Bay. The difficulty of finding and your ashes for some new superfood and I won’t ager is glad it’s busy so he only has to mumble returning bags is just starting to sink in. Bec be back here again in fact I’m thinking I might a brief sorry about your loss. She’s sweating babe, you’ve got to get your head out of the save those pennies and go on a cruise that as she pulls her suitcase over to the same cabin clouds. includes that other Genoa so goodbye and I The book is available for $22 at: Chas always booked because of the five min- Bec reopens the bag to see if there are any love you. The Boroughs, 345 Lygon Street, ute walk to the beach track. Inside it’s warm clues inside about the owner but once again She catches her breath and listens. There’s Brunswick East 3057 and stuffy and she slides open all the little she’s distracted by the contents. She tentatively no reply. Online: www.peterdrewarts.com/store/

Greengate Consultants and Holistic Womenʼs Counselling Present The “T” Room

Talk Empower Achieve Your friendly and dedicated local A Personal Development Workshop for Women paediatric speech pathologists. Now at Premier Health Partners. This program is a women’s wellness initiative run by professional women, for busy women, who want to connect with real people in real time, become inspired and motivated to be the “best me” … and have fun enjoying delicious light refreshments. DSS, Medicare and Private Health rebates available. • Do you want to meet new friends? • Gain valuable insight into making healthy choices? Premier Health • Become the role model you always wanted for yourself? Where: Greengate Wellness Centre Partners • Be inspired and challenged to live a better life? 436 William Street, West Melbourne 491–495 King Street West Melbourne 3003 • Enjoy a delicious morning or afternoon tea? When: Thursday mornings – 10am until midday T: 8645 3747 Sunday afternoons – 2pm until 4pm The workshops are held every Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon E: [email protected] commencing early July. Single sessions are $45, or you may choose to How: Bookings are essential. Call Lynne on book for multiple sessions at a discounted price. Concession rates are 0456 683 785 or Sunita on 0413 335 600 available when booking. Every week has a different topic and themed morning or afternoon tea. Email: [email protected] WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13

Waiting listed for Miles Between the Covers Franklin Literary Award Chris Saliba

Katrina Kincade-Sharkey The Accusation They Cannot Take the Sky is part of an oral Bandi history project that captures the stories of asy- (Serpent’s Tail. $27.99) lum seekers who have experienced Australia’s hilip Salom’s latest novel, Waiting, has harsh detention centre regime. Thirty-five been longlisted for this year’s $60,000 current and former detainees, from nine dif- ferent countries, tell their stories in a series of Miles Franklin Literary Award, to be P interviews. Some stories were pulled at the last delivered in early spring. minute for fear of retaliation. Celebrating North Melbourne’s socio-eco- There are common themes and experiences nomic diversity in tight, sympathetic descrip- that appear in the detainees’ stories. Detention tions, Waiting tells of two local odd couples. centre staff are often cruel and harsh, repeated- Boarding-house shenanigans are long and ly telling asylum seekers that they will never be admitted to Australia; serious complaints well survived by Big and Little, he a hefty are never responded to; day-to-day living is cross-dresser aged 42, and she a small lady in made as humiliating as possible (people are her early 30s about to inherit the Great Ozzie not called by names, but rather immigration Dream, post her ailing mother’s demise. North Melbourne author and poet Philip Salom identity numbers); and generally, people de- Little’s cousin, Angus, is another solitary Photo: Facebook tained feel they are being tortured psycholog- man who designs and builds lakes and ponds osophical, erudite and serious, but never takes ically. Most people seeking asylum who have ex- for council parks. His body is of the earth, with itself too seriously — a fine and difficult bal- perienced detention are depressed, fearful and “grinning muscles” that lift and haul massive ance to achieve.” often losing their minds. They are bewildered rocks, while his lady-friend, Jasmin, has a uni- Now living locally, Philip Salom is a major that they have fled danger in their own country, versity lecturer’s mind and literary soul; she poet and novelist originally from Western coming to what they thought was a country desires life with Angus, whom she personifies Australia. Awarded the Commonwealth Poetry that defended human rights, only to end up in a as the gamekeeper in D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Prize in London, his two previous novels have Kafkaesque nightmare. Chatterley’s Lover. These stories are harrowing for their hope- netted him the Western Australian Premier’s Bandi is the pen name of an anonymous North This novel mirrors gritty, local reality, with lessness and extreme distress, yet they also Book Awards prize, the ACT Book of the Year, Korean writer. The Accusation: Forbidden contain great dignity. They Cannot Take the gloriously evocative imagery: “… bushfire’s and shortlisting for the Australian Literature Stories from Inside North Korea comprises Sky is a vital document of Australia’s mandato- legacy … increasingly now on the darkened Society Gold Medal. eight short stories, each about 30 pages long, ry detention policy. spindles of trees [with their] dramatically written between 1989 and 1995. The man- Salom also won the Christopher Brennan green foliage”. And the word-pictures are uscript was recently smuggled out of North Award for Poetry of sustained quality and truly alive: “A big sulphur-crested cockatoo Korea and is published for the first time. Bandi The Blue Cat distinction and is currently working on another (the word means ‘firefly’) still lives in North screeches like a shovel scraping up sand on a Ursula Dubosarsky book set in North Melbourne. Korea. concrete floor”; “The man-shape of Dazza ap- (Allen & Unwin. $19.99) The writer sticky-beaks on the local world The stories describe many aspects of North pears as usual, and like all large people with passing by through his study window. “I’m Korean life. The wife of a man whose relatives little core-strength he does not sit down but have been denounced by the Party secretly a daydreamer,” he confesses. “I look out the simply lets himself fall into his huge chair.” takes contraceptive pills because she can’t bear window a lot and see lots of the fictional peo- Back with our plot, Angus has a sideline in to think what fate her child might have; a cou- ple in Waiting. North Melbourne has a distinct designing intuitively-constructed houses for ple are dragged off to jail because their young essence and I can honestly say it’s not been till son was scared of a portrait of Karl Marx; a the bushfire zone, this skill potentially useful the time here that I’ve really heard my charac- man who has spent his life faithful to the Party for his about-to-inherit cousin, who may now, suddenly realises he has been duped by social- ters’ voices — their tones, their accents, even finally, have her own home. ism’s promise and becomes so consumed with Yet all four are waiting, eternally it seems, their slurs — not till now. rage he has a heart attack; an elderly woman for something special to happen to them. “Every book I’ve written has been very dif- has a chance meeting with Kim Il-sung (“the The book was also shortlisted for the ferent in style, both the poems and prose,” he Great Leader, Father of Us All”) and is crip- pled with absolute terror. Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction. says. This is hardly surprising since he works This is an extraordinary collection. Bandi’s each volume over at least two to three years. The judges of that award were impressed, stories are lucidly written, with an emphasis The Miles Franklin is awarded to the best of commenting: “At times cerebral, at times on individual characters faced with impossible hilarious, and at times devastating, Waiting is the best Australian writers, so to even make its situations. They are completely absorbing and peopled with misfit characters who have often final cut puts any writer on a literary pedestal. explain the mindset and sufferings of those been maligned by society.” Salom’s work sings. living under a totalitarian regime. Essential They continued in their praise: “Salom takes Published in Glebe, New South Wales, by reading. great risks with language, plot and pacing, Puncher & Wattmann, Waiting is waiting for Columba is a young girl trying to come to and his poet’s flair for expression resonates you at North Melbourne Books, Dymocks and They Cannot Take the Sky grips with a world that is strangely changing, through much of the novel. This book is phil- Readings. It costs $29.95. Edited by Michael Green, André Dao, and perhaps not for the better. The year is Angelica Neville, Dana Affleck and Sienna 1942, the place Sydney, Australia. She hears Merope stories around her, especially from her brassy (Allen & Unwin. $29.99) friend Hilda, that a frightening war is happen- ing overseas. Then the war comes one step Errol Street Medical closer in the person of Ellery, a mysterious General Practice, Specialists & Allied Health Centre young boy from Europe. Ellery is German- Jewish, doesn’t speak English and is a refugee. We welcome our new General Practitioner, Dr William Wong. The book ends on a hazy, dreamy note, with Dr Wong has more than 20 years experience in general practice Columba, Ellery and Hilda running through and hospital medicine. He has worked with the army for 15 years Luna Park in pursuit of a missing cat, the blue cat of the title. and has extensive experience in chronic disease management. In The Blue Cat is an impressionistic story, his spare time, he also assists on orthopaedic and plastic surgeries. told gently in a patchwork fashion. (The text is accompanied by photographs from the era.) OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm Told from a child’s perspective, the reader gets Saturday 9am to 1pm glimpses of the adult world during the up- heaval of wartime — news stories of the Nazis Level 1, 65–67 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 (above the Pharmacy) occupying Paris and the bombing of Darwin, neighbourhood gossip, the gruff comments of 03 9329 7011 Columba’s father. Now you can book your appointments ONLINE! For young readers (10–14) interested in Key “Errol Street Medical Centre” into your search engine trying to imagine what it might have been like living in Australia during the Second World BULK-BILLING FOR CONCESSION CARD HOLDERS War, The Blue Cat provides a moving story to contemplate. 14 EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017

education & technology Staying on track with North Melbourne police

Nick Parissis generous support of the City of Melbourne’s riding, rock climbing, bush walking, visiting said, ‘Absolutely, 100 per cent’.” community grants. a gold mine, and role reversals whereby the The parent added: “Thanks so much to ev- The children were chosen by their teachers kids got to be the police and the police got to eryone involved and to the police for giving n 28 April a group of 20 local grade and spent an adventure-packed three days with be the kids and were given police scenarios to him this extraordinary opportunity. I am sure 5 and 6 students accompanied four local police. The aims of the camp included deal with. we’ll all be reaping the benefits for months, if Opolice officers to the Blue Light Youth boosting self-confidence, promoting team- It was a very rewarding camp for all partic- not years, to come.” Camp in Maldon. work, learning about the police and the conse- ipants including the police. A parent contacted Leading Senior Constable Nick Parissis is the This was part of the Melbourne North Police quences of actions, as well as learning about us shortly after the camp, saying: “When I community liaison officer at Melbourne North Station and Police Community Consultative how to deal with bullying and what to do if asked my child if the camp had been a success, Police Station and secretary of the Melbourne Committee’s Stay on Track Camp for Kids they become aware of a crime. he looked at me incredulously — eyes wide North Police Community Consultative Com- program. The program was funded through the They participated in activities such as bike open in disbelief that I even had to ask — and mittee.

Police and students reverse roles at the camp Photos: Nick Parissis Bike riding was one of many activities that students enjoyed at the Stay on Track Camp The computer geek’s favourite kind of pie

Ian Truong story of how one company came to inspire community in which Google and NASA are users to learn how to code, program or even involved. build a system of their own. If the massive effort required succeeds in he organisation that has the same With the Raspberry Pi designed to keeping the price tag of a fully functioning name as its invention, the Raspberry computerise the Lego Technic set, students Raspberry Pi as low as some edible pies, then Pi Foundation, has shipped millions are able to use it as a unit to control external it will be more likely to attract funding from T devices. This is how groups of high-school Google, which funded dozens of thousands of these devices around the world. While this article was written entirely on one of these tiny students were able to create a Raspberry of Pis for schools in its homeland, the UK. devices, the original purpose of the Raspberry Pi–based tool to support elderly or vision- Later this year, Google will announce a tool Pi was as delectable as its name: to advance impaired people (PA Consulting, 2017). Less for developers to power their projects and vision of an AI (artificial intelligence) tool, in the learning of computer science! And thus advanced students are expected to learn coding with the pre-installed program Scratch. which users will be able to create smart items the foundation was formed as an educational Users with basic skills could use the device or devices of their own with Raspberry Pi’s charity to fulfil the vision of its co-founder, Photo: Ian Truong for data entry and processing, web browsing or computing power and Google’s software. Eben Upton. multimedia purposes. More enthusiastic users Even though there was some criticism of computer science. Since the goal is non-profit, the price has could modify Raspberry Pi to be a retro NES the practicality of Raspberry Pi, as it seemed The fact is that in the past five years been kept as low as US$35, which boosted (Nintendo Entertainment System) console to be too complicated for kids, or even adults, Raspberry Pi has achieved its original goal sales of up to 10 million devices in 2016, four for the nostalgic feel of late 1980s or ’90s and the funding was believed to be ‘gathering of inspiring people of all ages to explore years after the product’s introduction, making games. Inspired by the infinite modification dust’ in schools, there is no denying that a more deeply the world of computing. It is the Raspberry Pi the best-selling computer in UK possibilities of this educational application, device with such great potential and at such a kind of pie that could be shared equally by history. Along with the record sales goes the device owners are now part of a growing low cost could be influential in education or everyone.

53 LITTLE BAILLIE STREET NORTH MELBOURNE 0408 170 769 / 03 9329 0503 [email protected] WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY 15 A new era in inner-city education

Victor McMillan Hayball Architects were recently awarded the Future Project of the Year for the Ferrars Street school (which is currently under con- or a number of decades, the primary fo- struction) at the 2016 World Architecture Fes- cus of Melbourne’s infrastructure needs tival Awards held in Berlin. has been firmly fixed on the outer subur- “The vertical school approach can work F providing it has good design applied to it and ban sprawl. Providing these areas with the nec- essary public services has typically remained innovative thinking in terms of how you de- the top priority for the State Government. liver teaching and learning in those spaces … One of these key government services, pub- it’s promoting a rethinking on how education lic schooling, has been overlooked during this can be delivered and how it can be delivered period across many of Melbourne’s inner-city within dense inner-urban environments,” said suburbs. Outside of independent and private Richard Leonard. schools, inner-city families have often been “You can get a much closer arrangement of bereft of government schooling options. facilities that allow or promote cross-disci- All of this, however, is set to change. plinary teaching and learning, rather than the Under a new policy, the Inner City Schools big spread of schools on many acres of land. I Package, the Andrews Government plans to think that is something that is also overlooked. open new public schools in the inner sanctum It’s one of those little by-products of what a of Melbourne, as well as revitalise existing dense, carefully designed, creative and innova- schools and other previously unused sites. tive inner-urban school can achieve.” Under the plan, an estimated 5000 new The building of these new schools is more student places will be created for inner-city than simply a means to an end. Through new Melbourne residents. design techniques, these schools will pro- Residents in North Melbourne, West Mel- vide prospective students and staff with the The new South Melbourne Primary School currently under construction bourne and the Docklands will fall into the requisite resources needed to run a modern Photo: Hayball Architects catchment areas of a number of future schools classroom. The innovations in technology and community kitchen and community meeting cation options in the inner city will be critical. including a primary and secondary school lo- classroom structure enable the implementation rooms, all located on school grounds, will be In fact, Stage Two of the department’s report cated in Fishermans Bend (Docklands) and a of progressive, 21st-century teaching methods open to public use. found that in the Docklands area “actual en- primary school in North Melbourne. and learning environments. “I think this is again one of the real positives rolments are significantly higher than current/ Although there are some options available “These days there is a diversity of teaching that is coming out of the reconsideration of projected local demand, illustrating the urgen- in surrounding suburbs, there are currently and learning methods and I think that is the big schools in the inner city so that they can really cy to increase provision”. no government secondary schools located in shift from the industrial era, where the infor- provide a community resource and how they The demand for these schools has already either North Melbourne or West Melbourne. In mation was held by the teacher and delivered can provide that focus as a community hub,” reached the point at which new portable class- fact, the only secondary school currently open to the student,” said Leonard. Leonard added. rooms recently had to be added to North Mel- in the suburb of North Melbourne is St Aloy- “It’s much more about promoting students Leonard believes that if the inner-city school bourne Primary School on Errol Street to cope sius, an independent girls-only college. learning in their own ways and using different model is to become a priority, the only way with the influx of student enrolments. Remnants of the Jeff Kennett era, when methods — if you like, the multiple intelli- it will remain viable will be for the school to The exact location of the new North Mel- over 400 government schools were forced into gences of students. assimilate with the local community and vice bourne primary school has not yet been final- closure, still affect the education sector to this “In turn that promotes a diversity of op- versa. This includes enabling the shared use ised. The VSBA (Victorian School Building day. Many areas in Melbourne continue to portunities in terms of learning settings and of sporting facilities, municipal libraries, art Authority) is currently assessing sites in both suffer from insufficient public schools. the need to rethink spaces as not just being a galleries and other collateral available in the the Arden and Macaulay precincts. When de- In order to accommodate the construction of single classroom but also a seamless intercon- inner-city areas. tails of the State Government’s funding for the these facilities in the inner-urban environment, nection of spaces and a variety of opportunities According to a Docklands School Provision project are finalised, the exact timeline for the the introduction of a new direction in educa- with areas to withdraw or areas to have large Review conducted by the Department of Ed- school’s construction will become known. tion design, the ‘vertical school’, is now being groups, small groups, one-on-ones, areas for ucation in 2014, the population aged between embraced. Although popular in many other video conferencing, spaces to do multimedia five and 17 in the City of Melbourne is pro- regions of the world, vertical schools have not, and external spaces.” jected to increase by 15,000 between 2011 and until very recently, been a part of the Austra- Moving away from the traditional ‘cages for 2031, an increase of approximately 300 per lian education psyche. ages’ school structure, the vertical model both cent. A number of new government schools, cur- allows and encourages engagement between The suburbs identified as those projected rently in either the planning or construction different year levels across a spectrum of to experience the most significant growth in phase, are utilising the vertical model design. cross-disciplinary activities. the primary school–aged demographic include Richmond High School, Prahran High School The rethinking of the modern inner-urban Docklands, North Melbourne, Parkville and and South Melbourne Primary School, for school is also moving beyond just the class- Carlton. example, have all adopted this strategy of rooms themselves, as these facilities are now On top of this, statistics published by the high-density education. being designed to become a greater part of the Grattan Institute indicate that in the period Richard Leonard is a director at one of Mel- community infrastructure, outside of school 2016 to 2026 student numbers in Victoria will bourne’s leading architectural firms, Hayball. hours. increase by 19.2 per cent. In order to accom- Leonard is a leader in Australian education The new South Melbourne Primary School modate this rise, the institute recommends the design, having recently worked closely on the and others still in planning have been designed introduction of 220 new schools statewide new vertical South Melbourne Primary School to facilitate community use in a variety of over the next 10 years. different ways. Facilities such as an early (a six-storey building), located in Ferrars If the current Melbourne population projec- Hayball director Richard Leonard Street. learning centre, a maternal child centre, a tions are correct, the need for new public edu- Photo: Hayball Architects

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Tips for those who aren’t sure what to do after Year 12

Nicole Yaneza don’t have everything figured out, it’s good able life skill. Volunteering is also a good seeking out study pathways into university or to ask a lot of questions to find out what thing to include on your resume, since this TAFE. Even if you don’t intend to continue options for studying and work are available. will reflect that you are a committed indi- studying straight after you finish school, it’s his is for all Year 12 students who Your secondary school counsellor vidual who knows how to put your time and always good to be aware of the options avail- will become your best friend in terms of aren’t sure where to go or what to do effort into something you believe in. able. Some good questions to ask would be once you’ve finished school. Well, researching what options are available after To explore the vast world of volunteer about campus locations, scholarships, school T life at school. They have the best knowl- don’t worry! There are many outlets to help opportunities visit www.govolunteer.com.au you figure it out. edge of how working, travelling or studying and www.volunteer.com.au. partnerships, and clubs and societies. Several Maybe you’re confused about which works. If you don’t have a secondary school open days have booths that are run by the pathway to take or what passion to pursue. course counsellor, you can research free 3. Attend workshops and classes students themselves. Whatever your reason for being unsure course counselling offered by the universities Check out your community’s local centre for Expos, on the other hand, not only fea- what to do after many long years at school, or TAFE institutes you may be considering short courses and paid workshops. Maybe ture the institutions themselves, they also remember that it’s completely fine not to studying at. They can also explain what their you’d consider taking up a new hobby or feature organisations that run travel gap testing a new activity to see if it’s something have everything mapped out yet. There are faculties have to offer. year programs and provide volunteer and that suits your abilities. Trying something many successful people out there who didn’t work opportunities. My personal advice is to have their life plan laid out straight after high 2. Volunteer at local community groups new or upscaling your ability in an area is a approach each booth and ask questions about school and there are many noble professions Do you have a passion for helping other good way to explore whether that endeavour that can still be pursued even if you’re not people? Then volunteer! There are many is something you enjoy, something you’re what they have to offer. Another tip is to take fresh out of Year 12 anymore. local groups that have online information good at or something you may want to learn advantage of the free pens and highlighters Here is a list of things you can do to see on volunteer recruitment. Volunteering your more about. on offer at open days and expos! what you want to pursue in life: time on a worthy cause you believe in will The State Library of Victoria and the As long as you’re doing something pro- gain you a sense of personal satisfaction. National Gallery of Victoria have great ductive with your time you should be all 1. Speak to a course counsellor Find a cause that you are passionate about, options for workshops and classes for teens right, even if you don’t have everything Maximise your secondary school’s course whether it’s animal rights, global warming in Melbourne. Visit www.slv.vic.gov.au/live- 100 per cent planned out yet. Constantly counsellor! They know all the application or teaching kids. There are vast opportunities learn and www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/pro- exposing yourself to new experiences and dates for scholarships, dates of university out there. grams-events/. open days and which universities specialise Using your time on a meaningful cause to learning about future opportunities will help in which courses. Have a list of questions help others will give you good experience in 4. Attend open days and expos you as you begin your new journey into the ready for your next meeting. Even if you interacting with different people — a valu- Open days and expos are a great resource for outside world.

sport & health Meet Dr Jane Habib, Premier Health Partners

Osteopath Paul O’Keefe interviews Premier Health Partners’ of the options for prevention and treatment of illnesses. I think as a GP it’s important to latest addition to the team, general practitioner Dr Jane Habib. have an understanding of the various options available and be able to help patients make informed decisions about their health. It is also important that as a GP I have an understanding Dr O’Keefe: Jane, you recently made the also started growing medicinal herbs and be- of the various complementary medicines and move from Queensland. What are your im- gan studying herbal medicine. supplements patients take so that I can mon- pressions of North Melbourne? Have you After spending 12 years at home raising itor and advise them regarding the efficacy, found any nice cafes or restaurants? my children I decided to return to study, interactions or possible adverse effects of these and naturopathy was an extension of my in- Dr Habib: I am really enjoying Melbourne. I medications. terests. Through my work as a naturopath I have spent a large part of my life in the coun- became interested in Integrative Medicine. try and moved to Melbourne after six years You’re about to become a grandmother for Integrative Medicine combines mainstream in Armidale, New South Wales, and one year the first time. How are you feeling about medical diagnosis and therapies with reliable, travelling and working in Queensland. I am this special occasion? currently taking advantage of the all the things evidence-based complementary therapies and city life offers, like shopping, entertainment focuses on all aspects of a person’s health. I Dr Jane Habib Very excited. Can’t wait! and food. Melbourne is a great place to experi- felt to practise this way I needed to study med- icine and so I continued my studies, becoming ence city life as it’s very easy to travel around there is potential for the collaboration be- a GP in 2007. the city, and it has such a lot to offer in terms tween traditional medical practitioners and of diversity of culture and entertainment op- complementary healthcare practitioners to tions. Do you think these complementary studies have given you a wider range of options to grow? Do you think this has changed the expectation of patients in relation to how Do you have areas of particular interest or draw on when considering the best ways to Dr Paul O’Keefe and Dr Jane Habib are prac- they are managed by their GP? expertise within your practice as a GP? I have found that this background has given titioners at Premier Health Partners, 491–495 Yes, I think patients are much more aware King Street, West Melbourne. I enjoy all aspects of general practice. As a me a very broad understanding of health and country GP I’ve had a lot of experience in the prevention and management of disease. As complex disease management, mental health, a GP I’m focused on diagnosis and treatment geriatrics, women’s health, children’s health, of disease, ensuring that serious medical con- palliative care, minor skin procedures, and of ditions are not missed, and that illnesses are course Integrative Medicine. treated appropriately. However, mainstream What is collaborative health care? medicine is not always the best treatment op- n the collaborative healthcare model, tance of collaborative health care in the form Can you tell me about what led you to tion, and sometimes has little to offer patients, orthodox and allied health professionals of Care Planning in General Practice (formerly study medicine and become a GP? You are for example in the treatment of colds and os- work together in providing the most ef- known as Enhanced Primary Care). With the also a qualified naturopath. How has this teoarthritis. I fective patient care. This approach combines assistance of a practice nurse, your GP is able influenced the way you assess and/or treat In some diseases a combination of main- a multidisciplinary team providing care and a to refer you to a variety of allied healthcare patients? stream medicine and alternative therapies comprehensive evidence base for assessment providers to ensure you receive the most ap- results in the best outcome for patients. In my and treatments. Patients are central to this propriate care. These include osteopaths, phys- As a young mother I was passionate about practice I try to offer safe and individually approach, working with providers to achieve iotherapists and speech therapists, for which ensuring that my children were as healthy and tailored treatments to each patient, including the desired health outcomes. (American Medicare rebates are available. Speak to your happy as possible, and I had been exploring medical, nutritional, emotional wellbeing and Psychiatric Association, 2017) GP for further information. various avenues to achieve this. I realised lifestyle advice. And I’m happy to work with Among different models of integrative how important basic things such as a healthy naturopaths and other alternative practitioners health care, it is the Collaborative Care Model Reference: American Psychiatric Association, diet, healthy environment and lifestyle were to help patients achieve good health. that has the “most evidence” for optimising accessed 15 May 2017: www.psychiatry.org. to ensuring good health, and that it is vitally patient outcomes and satisfaction. (American psychiatrists/practice/professional-interests/ important to consider the health of the whole There is a wealth of alternative and natural Psychiatric Association, 2017) integrated-care/get-trained/about-collabora- person — mind, body, emotions and spirit. I therapies available to patients. Do you think Medicare has also recognised the impor- tive-care WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News SPORT & HEALTH 17 Helping young people through hoops

Victor McMillan each other on a level where they’re doing good things. It’s positive, and creating a community within that instead of being segregated in the very Friday from 4.00pm to 6.00pm, same place,” said Bacash. without fail, Helping Hoops North The North Melbourne program is just one Melbourne is up and running. Operating of many run weekly across Melbourne. Help- E ing Hoops currently has clinics in Richmond, out of the North Melbourne Community Centre on Buncle Street, this free weekly clin- Fitzroy, Werribee, Dandenong, Croxton and ic is always packed. Broadmeadows and has plans to start one in Local kids and teenagers from the Melrose Footscray. On average, eight programs run Street housing estate, ranging anywhere from across Melbourne every week and approxi- six to 17 years old, attend the clinic every mately 350 over the entire year. week to work on their basketball skills. Setting it up initially as a single basketball “We run it all year. Unless I am going on clinic for kids with an intellectual disability in holiday, we are doing it,” said Steve Bacash, Footscray, Adam McKay and a group of vol- head coach and overseer of the program since unteers went on to found the Helping Hoops 2014. organisation in 2009. The program is provided by the Mel- “It became apparent pretty quickly that there bourne-based non-profit basketball charity was a huge demand for this kind of program Helping Hoops, an organisation that offers free out there, a program that included kids, en- basketball clinics, training and events for those gaged them positively and took the focus away in local communities most in need. With reg- a little bit from the competition and focused ular clinics running in a wide variety of loca- more on developing them as people,” said A Helping Hoops basketball clinic in progress at North Melbourne Community Centre tions around Melbourne, the charity primarily McKay. “Once we realised that there was a Photo: Helping Hoops provides programs for disadvantaged young demand and we had a model that serviced that, versus suburb. Deng Adel’s success was because he has these people living in Housing Commission flats, we thought, okay, let’s actually make this a “It would be an inner-city league, where including those from refugee backgrounds. It thing.” values and attributes, and those go beyond kids 15 to 18, living in Commission housing, also runs programs for those with an intellec- Their many different clinics, programs and basketball,” said McKay. get to represent their suburb and play one night tual disability. training sessions cater for a vast variety of bas- The highlight of the Helping Hoops calendar Now in its fourth year, the North Melbourne ketball levels. Whether it’s a program for kids in one stadium. We’ll take stats and everyone is their annual fundraising event, the 24 Hour program is going from strength to strength. with an intellectual disability or a program for will have a uniform to represent. Charity Shootout, which is now entering its With an emphasis on creating an inclusive future star-status players, all participants’ skills “It’s about giving opportunities to guys that sixth year. Scheduled for 1 and 2 July at Albert environment, age, gender and ability are no can be developed according to their level, al- don’t get them. Money is always an issue, and Park College, the event invites participants of barrier to participation. lowing them to progress. it costs a lot of money to go to clubs and pay all ages to shoot as many free throws as they “Basketball is an easy game. All you need “What I’ve learned over the years is that any for uniforms and things like that. They’re also can for charity. good enough to play against each other and is a ball and a ring and anyone can participate, ability level, any situation, whether you have Last year, the event raised a total of approx- have a really high-level competition.” especially with Helping Hoops, where it is not money, whether you don’t have money, you’ve imately $1900. The event was attended by fa- A majority of the participants who attend always competitive. You can isolate all the got a good home environment, you can dunk mous sporting stars such as Peter Siddle, Chris the North Melbourne program and the other drills and help them work on any little thing or you’ve got a disability and you can’t even Goulding, David Barlow and Chris Anstey. programs are kids from an East African back- that will help them. If they’re better they’re reach the hoop, sometimes the game can really It even attracted NBA superstar Kyrie Irving ground, mainly Somalia and South Sudan. better, but if you’re not, you’re not; you can all service everyone in any situation.” back in 2013. Ben Shewry, world-renowned participate,” Bacash said. In November last year, led by Steve Ba- In recent years, the South Sudanese bas- chef and owner of the acclaimed Melbourne The program is far from just symbolic, how- cash, Helping Hoops ran its first ‘Battle of ketball community has flourished, both in restaurant Attica, also attended. Shewry is a ever, as Bacash, along with a number of vol- the Burbs’ tournament in Richmond. Battle of Melbourne and throughout Australia. A large long-time contributor and supporter of Helping unteer coaches, works hard to help participants the Burbs pitted Helping Hoops participants number of South Sudanese players are current- Hoops, both in public and behind the scenes. improve their on-court skills. Helping Hoops against each other in a friendly yet competitive ly making waves in the NBA, NBL, US High believes that instilling the right habits on the three-on-three format, with each team repre- Schools and US Colleges, notably Thon Maker “The 24 Hour Shootout (number 6 for us) court also translates to creating the right habits senting their suburb and program. (NBA), Deng Adel (NCAA) and Majok Majok is a really simple concept. Everyone registers in life, off the court. The teams, each wearing their own cus- (NBL). their own shooting time and they have 15 min- “We are teaching them about life. I mean, tom-made uniforms and representing suburbs “I think it’s great. We always want mem- utes to shoot as many free throws as they can the way they execute their basketball skills is that included Richmond, Fitzroy, Werribee, bers of the community to stand up and really in that 15-minute time and they raise money the way they execute what they do for work. If Prahran and North Melbourne, contended in be those role models and give back as well. for Helping Hoops,” McKay explained. they’re sloppy, that’s going to affect the result both girls’ and boys’ competitions. Someone like Majok Majok here in Melbourne “It’s also sort of a big party, there’s a festi- of what they’re trying to do.” “I think it went great,” said Bacash, enthu- is starting to understand the influence he has val around the event, so for us it sort of ticks The participants work not only on individual siastically. “It can still build to even greater on the community here and it’s exciting to see the box for fundraising but also community skills but also on how to play the game to- things, depending on how I execute it, but I what he is going to do.” building as well, to get our supporters together gether as a team. Well-behaved kids and more think it’s definitely got room for growth. We’ll McKay believes their success lies not only in and we can get to know them a little better and challenging kids are all held to the same stan- have kids coming from Dandenong next time. their athletic ability and skill on the court but vice versa.” dard, as they have to learn to work together I think it can really build and maybe even get also in the strong values they live their life by. and stay on task. some better prizes and some shoe sponsors.” “If you look at Deng Adel — great athlete, For more information on the 24 Hour Char- “The program is really important because it Plans are also underway for the creation of a but he’s also a really nice kid who has a good ity Shootout, visit www.helpinghoops.com. engages all the kids. This is one opportunity regular cross-program Helping Hoops league, work ethic, treats his friends and his family au/24resources/ for them to all come together, get to know each in which participants would get together reg- right, is professional and is on time, so we can You can also visit the Helping Hoops Face- other, hang out and sort of participate with ularly to play ball against each other, suburb look at that and say it’s no coincidence that book page at www.facebook.com/helpinghoops

Jane loves her job and enjoys all aspects of Premier Health General Practice. Her primary interests include Women’s Health, Mental Health, Chronic Partners Disease Prevention and Management, Palliative Care, Integrative Medicine and Education. Family Medical Centre

New Patients Welcome

Dr Margaret McDowell 9329 7077 Dr Alan Underwood Dr Paul O’Keefe (Osteopath) 491–495 King Street West Melbourne We are delighted to welcome to the Dr Jane Habib practice our new GP, Dr Jane Habib. www.premierhealthpartners.com.au General Practitioner 18 TRAVEL & FOOD North and West Melbourne News WINTER 2017

travel & food Reflections from an explorative journey in India: rethinking community development

Nalika Peiris shared bathrooms, overnight bus and train idyllic setting of Goa, we entered the large and challenged and inspired us: bird rescue cou- rides, possible travel and stomach sickness — dense metropolis of Mumbai. Here we visited pled with a social enterprise of creating bird oh dear. I pushed all my fears and concerns to Dharavi, a place like I have never experienced houses; the establishment of a school for hey say “be careful about what you the back and decided to focus on all that this before. Every square inch was used and here children with disabilities by two occupational wish for”. Last year I decided I needed trip was going to bring. I had no expectations lived an industrious and connected community. therapists; and the challenging experience of Tto do something that would shake me other than one of learning and I went with an As we made our way through a maze of standing in a rubbish tip and seeing the com- up, make me uncomfortable and rejuvenate open heart and an open mind. potters, poppadom makers, tailors, soap, metal munities of families who live there and sort the me. And this is what happened. and plastic recyclers and people’s homes, we rubbish. I wasn’t sure what that was, but I knew The ABCD conference was no ordinary noticed the connection between working and So what does this all mean? when I came across it I would know. conference. It demonstrated the principles of living in the same place. Although there are The 10 days moved me. I had to sit in spac- A couple of months later I received an email asset-based community development. ABCD challenges in these communities, they live a es that felt uncomfortable. I realised that my about the CERES Global Trip ‘Rethinking is about our local assets being the building very dignified life with a sense of purpose. frame of reference was very Western, and the Approaches to Community Development in blocks of sustainable development, and en- This was a place where community and busi- power imbalance in the way I work with com- India’. I read the description and everything shrines the following principles: ness thrived. munity was apparent. I experienced the joy of about it appealed to me and I knew that some- 1. Focusing on the strengths of the Later that afternoon we stood in the af- being vulnerable, the importance of sharing how it would meet what I was looking for. community rather than the problems and needs ternoon sun on a dusty road, waiting for the and starting with the strengths in any situation, The itinerary of the trip excited me — 2. Identifying and mobilising individual and sleeper bus that finally arrived at 6.00pm. We and how essential it is to change my language ABCD conference in Goa, half-day tour of community assets all piled in, dusty, tired and hot, and after an and question my motivation and intentions. Dharavi (one of Asia’s largest slums or col- 3. Ensuring it is community driven — 18-hour bus trip, where our beds resembled Most of all, it confirmed that I will always be onies, which is a hub of small-scale industry building communities from the inside out cold-storage display units at a deli, we arrived inspired by community. with an annual turnover of approximately 4. It’s based on relationships. in the beautiful city of Udaipur. I did say at the beginning “be careful about US$665 million), followed by a visit to Swaraj What this taught me was the importance of The days in Udaipur were spent visiting what you wish for”. However, after this trip University in Udaipur. stepping back, letting go, listening and work- Swaraj University and filled with learning to India, I would say it is not about what you This was all going to be done as a group of ing alongside communities, and the impor- about gift culture, and meeting people who, wish for, but what you do with it when it pres- up to 20 total strangers! That in itself was go- tance of trust and respect. recognising their skills and their life’s purpose, ents itself. I consider this as a gift given to me ing to be a challenge as I had not travelled in After the conference, we set off to Mumbai had initiated services, programs or businesses. and I will share it in many different ways to be this way for a very long time — shared rooms, on the overnight train. From the calm and We underwent a range of experiences that able to keep the spirit of this gift alive.

The industrious and connected community of Dharavi Photos: Nalika Peiris/CERES Global Captivating Cairns

Suzie Luddon walking or cycling the coastal trails, then cool the bell and stay longer. But the prospect of around the beautiful northern beaches and up down in the giant lagoon pool set next to the dinner at the night market in Cairns saw us into the hills above Cairns, it wasn’t hard to sea amid parkland, with plenty of barbecue obediently board the boat, which left on time see why. As one former Victorian put it, it’s don’t think climate is high on the list of areas and shaded picnic spots. Or you can minus one traveller who must have decided to like being on holiday every day. things that make Melbourne the world’s relax in one of the many seaside cafes and stay, marooned on this paradise of an island I’m not of a mind to leave this beloved city I most livable city. Or maybe it is, as there’s choose from the plethora of options for getting until the next day. Maybe it was a Melburnian. of Melbourne, but getting away to warmer usually something for everyone in this fair but out on the water. We met a lot of refugees from Victoria climes is a midwinter tonic that I couldn’t do fickle town. However, in winter, Melbourne With ever increasing and disturbing news during our stay, all of whom had moved to without, and to anyone of a similar mind, I makes up its mind. It’s decidedly cold and reports about the ever decreasing and dying Cairns for the sun and change of pace. Driving promise that Cairns won’t disappoint. often wet. barrier reef, we opted for a day on Fitzroy As someone who needs regular doses of Island. A mere hour or so by boat from Cairns, warm healing sunshine, it’s usually around it’s a pleasantly unspoiled gem of an island this time of year that I’m looking for an escape with lots of hidden coves and bays, and to somewhere warm. Northern hemisphere bushwalks to the interior and up to the peak. anyone? Or how about northern Queensland? You can go on a glass-bottomed boat tour I’d vote for Australia as the world’s most around the reef and then snorkel off the beach livable country, for in a three-hour flight from in the invitingly calm and warm water. Melbourne you can be shedding the Gore-Tex Time disappears when you glide in with and donning the lycra in delightfully deco and snorkel and fins and become enchanted by latitudinally blessed Cairns. the coral and sea life just below the surface. Billed as the gateway to the Great Barrier It’s another world, with schools of fish Reef, the Daintree and Port Douglas, I’m not swarming by, impossibly painted in electric sure that Cairns gets the recognition it deserves blue and canary yellow with black stripes, and as a destination in its own right. Base yourself lumbering turtles lingering on the bottom. And here and you can easily access the big hitters, there really is coral that looks like brains, as but you can also enjoy all the city has to offer, we’d been told on the boat tour. from heritage buildings and a vibrant arts We hadn’t had enough when the bell tolled, scene to a happening entertainment precinct signalling that we needed to get back to the and a stunning waterfront that beckons, staking boat. The crew coming over had warned that its claim as the beating heart of town. anyone not back on board by 4.30pm would be Here you can take in the ocean views while left behind. We were sorely tempted to ignore The stunning Cairns waterfront Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland WINTER 2017 North and West Melbourne News HISTORY 19

history Fifty years gone New to the Archives

Bill Hannan agreeable or eccentric, has replaced, or could possibly replace, Horrie McEwan, the butcher of Abbotsford Street. Gallery in Shiel Street few days ago, we calculated that we Horrie managed to know everyone, by the have lived in North Melbourne for simple expedient of calling everyone by the Tara Oldfield olution, it leverages off the long tradition of Amore than half a century. We thought same, barely articulated name. His range of women’s concerted participation in Australian to ourselves, what’s changed in that time? off-colour jests about meat somehow avoided Rules. The street we first moved into had a mas- giving offence. If a mate arrived, he closed the he Victorian Archives Centre Gallery is Since the early 20th century, women’s teams sive gasometer at its end. In those days, most shop and got a beer out of the cool room. home to a new photographic exhibition and competitions have grown out of workplac- people sat down to a Sunday roast after church A North man many years ago once said featuring State Government archival es and rural populations and in Victoria had a — so by the middle of the day the gasometer T to me that he could not bear to live without images alongside current-day street photog- close association with the established clubs. that had started out full had subsided to half its seeing the town hall clock. Fortunately, the raphy around the theme ‘Of Kin and Kind’, This image is from Public Record Office height. The same gasometer gave its name to town hall is on one of North Melbourne’s capturing communities in all their shapes and Victoria’s State Bank collection 1978–1990, North’s Arden Street Oval, which then filled hills and can be seen from almost anywhere sizes. depicting the bank’s loans and legal depart- with barrackers every other Saturday. around here. Multiplying apartment towers One of the archival images on show features ment’s women’s football match at Albert Park, Simpson’s ‘For Sale’ sign on the house that might one day change this but for the moment women playing Australian Rules football. circa 1970s. we eventually bought lay face down and over- it is our landmark and the chief pride of our On 3 February this year, Carlton Football One of the street photographers to submit a grown in the front garden. The agent had only heritage Victorian buildings. The same archi- Club faced off against longstanding rival piece into the exhibition was Rafael Morales. the vaguest idea of how far, if at all, the back- Collingwood in a game with a difference — His photo is titled Wuthering Heights and tect, George Johnson, also did the noble Meat yard extended beyond the lane. The price was the first in the Australian Football League features dozens of people dressed up as Kate Market. so low that we grabbed it, without attempting Women’s (AFLW) competition. While the Bush gathered at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl It has been said at times that North Mel- to bargain the figure down. This surprised the success of the 2017 AFLW season has been to perform her song ‘Wuthering Heights’ in bourne owes its unusually wide and graceful agent. However, he knew, of course, that there applauded by many commentators as a rev- unison, replicating her dance and moves. were no other buyers for it, or indeed for any streets to the droving of cattle from Newmar- house in the street. ket to the Meat Market. A bit far-fetched but a The street was tree-lined and handsome. Its nice story nonetheless. unpopularity was explained, not by its charac- Neither the North Melbourne Town Hall ter, but by the fact that the Housing Commis- nor the Meat Market have quite the presence sion was active in the area. The high-rises of they had 50 years ago. The town hall was more Melrose Street were already going up and the open to the community and the Meat Market timber cottages of Haines Street at the other hosted first butchers, then craftspeople. Once end were set for demolition. the Meat Market stopped having meat, we Our street (Shiel Street) looked threatened. shopped for a time at Reynolds, who had had Already old tenants were moving out of this one of the principal stalls at the market. traditionally working-class suburb and new Meat and greengrocery continued for many owners had started moving in. We were among years to be sold in Errol Street. They too have the very first. It is likely that the building of gone. Today the Queen Victoria Market, which the landmark Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral keeps going seemingly against the odds, and spared our block from demolition. other, newish supermarkets are the sources of The flats, as we called them, were still fresh food. something of a novelty. Public housing, up The big newcomer in those 50 years has until then, was not accustomed to high-rise been coffee. Errol Street now has an abun- development and many people looked askance dance of cafes. Melrose Street, for all its small at these vast concrete and pebble towers. There scale, has three coffee bars. Fifty years ago, was a sense that the poor were being stacked you mostly had your tea or coffee at home. vertically out of some sort of austerity. Perhaps one of the stimuli to coffee drinking In fact, the standard of the Commission came from North’s immigrants. In our early blocks today looks good in comparison to the years in Shiel Street we were one of the few private high-rises going up now. Inside these English-speaking households. The majority old ones, they were relatively spacious. Out- side, the towers were surrounded by plenty of were of Italian, Maltese, Ukrainian or Yugo- open space. slav descent. They too mostly moved on as the Women’s football match at Albert Park, circa 1970s Apartment buildings have now replaced area’s house prices climbed. Photo: PROV’s State Bank collection 1978–1990 much of the Abbotsford Street shopping centre What seems to have changed little is the of 50 years ago. Nevertheless, the area is still graceful pace of local life, which despite the heavy traffic of Flemington and Macaulay characterised by essential shops within walk- Of Kin and Kind was curated by Carly Godden and Elise Bradshaw of Public roads survives in North’s quiet, spacious ing distance. In just a short ride you can get to Record Office Victoria and is now showing at the Victorian Archives Centre, 99 streets. the supermarket, hairdresser or fish and chip Shiel Street, North Melbourne. shop — on the corner of Haines and Abbots- ford — as well as a substantial set of shops Bill Hannan is a member of the Hotham His- Open 10.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) and the in Melrose Street. Butchers and greengrocers tory Project and frequently writes articles on second and last Saturday of every month until August. have gone. And no shopkeeper, however local history for the News. OPTOMETRIST “not just your average travel agent”

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the centre

Errol’s Angels Community Choir and Be- Open (Grades 4–10) Beginners ginners Singing Time: Thursday 3.30 – 5pm Time: Thursday 5.30 – 6.30pm¹ Time: Thursday 7pm – 9pm Cost: Free to City of Hobsons Bay Membership: $167.50 / $103 concession* residents Exercise for Older Adults per term Venue: Hobsons Bay Altona Library Time: Wednesday 10.15 – 11.15am² Venue: Maternal & Child Health Centre, 505 Abbotsford St, North Melbourne Management Studies: Business Commu- General Class for any level nications or Compliance Frameworks or Time: Tuesday 5.30 – 6.30pm¹ Volunteer and Internship Program Understanding Workplace Documents and We have a wide range of opportunities for ev- Processes Wednesday 9.15 – 10.15am² eryone, for example: Time: Wednesday 12.30 – 3.30pm • Spring Fling Festival, third Sunday in Octo- or 6pm – 9pm Intermediate ber annually Cost: $133 / $105 concession* Time: Thursday 7.30 – 8.30pm¹ • Spanish Language Fiesta, second Saturday Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne in April Intermediate Plus • Writing and editing NWM News Financial Literacy Time: Thursday 6.30 – 7.30pm¹ • News distribution Time: Monday 1pm – 3pm • Tutoring or teacher’s aide Cost: Free for those sleeping rough, Mums and Bubs • Office and business administration others $55 • Venue and facilities management Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Wed 11.15am – 12.15pm² • Community development work • Business promotion and development Job Seeker Skills INFORMATION, DIGITAL MEDIA • Other events Time: Monday 1pm – 3pm Time: Must enter into a regular Cost: Free for those sleeping rough AND TECHNOLOGY commitment Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Information, Digital Media and Technology: Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne First Steps Basic Skills Time: Monday 10am – 12 noon EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS Time: Friday 1pm – 2pm One Step Further Cost: Free for those sleeping rough Time: Friday 10am – 12 noon DEVELOPMENT Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $133 / $105 concession* Asthma Management or Anaphylaxis Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Management or First Aid Return to Study and Study Support or Food Handling Time: Friday 1pm – 3pm Time: 9am – 4pm quarterly Cost: $96 / $55 concession* Computer Skills: INTEL® Easy Steps (two sessions with pre-reading) Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Time: Wednesday 1pm – 3pm Cost: $149, $95 Food Handling Cost: $133 / $105 concession* Dates: Once each term subject to demand Self-development Short Courses: Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Human Resources for Small Business Quality Customer Service Drop-in One to One Sessions Conservation and Land Management – Time: Wednesday 6pm – 9pm One-on-one training arranged with instructor Certificate II (two sessions) Time: By appointment, bring your Time: Wednesday 9.30am – 3.30pm Cost: $96 / $55 concession* own device(s) Cost: $1195 / $539 concession* plus Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne $650 additional cost for field trip Cost: First four hours $105 and Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne thereafter $55 per session HEALTH AND WELLBEING Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Core Skills for Work – Vocational Active at Any Age Preparation Introduction to Technology Time: First, second and third Time: Monday 10am – 12 noon Tuesday monthly # Bring your own iPad or iPhone or laptop to Cost: $133 / $105 concession* class to learn. Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne 10am – 12 noon Cost: $40 / $30 concession* Time: Wednesday 10am – 12 noon (four sessions in group setting) Education Support: Teacher’s Aide or Venue: North Melbourne Library Cost: $105 / $55 concession* Certificate III Time: Wednesday 9am – 3.30pm Pilates: Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $1505 / $705 concession* Venues: ¹The Meat Market, Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Blackwood Street, or * subject to conditions ²The Legion, Little Errol Street # subject to staff–student ratios Event Management (behind The Centre) Time: Monthly and term options Cost for Pilates and Exercise for Older available Adults programs: Cost: $65 / $55 concession* $185 / $135 concession* CONTACT THE OFFICE FOR or free internship Mums and Bubs: $22 per class DETAILS ON: Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Absolute Beginners/Rehab Discovery Walks – Art, Architecture and History Walking Group Venue and Facilities Management Time: Tuesday 6.30 – 7.30pm¹ Time: On-the-job training Ready, Steady – Walk Docklands Cost: $65 / $55 concession* Antenatal Pilates Basic Self-Defence or free internship Time: Tuesday 7.30 – 8.30pm¹ Volunteering Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne

ART AND CRAFT Journalism, Media and Printing Time: Monday 1pm – 3pm Art Therapy Cost: $133 / $105 concession* Time: Tuesday 1pm – 3pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $133 / $90 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Train the Trainer Time: Monday 6pm – 9pm Photoshop and Your Photography (three sessions) Time: Tuesday 10am – 12 noon Cost: $475 / $375 concession* Cost: $133 / $105 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne FOUNDATION SKILLS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Career Planning and Advice Centre Adventures (Day Field Trips) Time: By appointment Time: Fourth Tuesday monthly Cost: $96 / $55 concession* 9am – 5pm Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Cost: $40 / $30 concession* # Meet at: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Home Away From Homework Club Primary (Grades 4–6) Drop-in Morning Teas Time: Wednesday 3.30 – 5pm Cost: $4 per session Secondary (Grades 7–12) Time: First Tuesday monthly Time: Tuesday 3.30 – 5pm 10am – 12 noon Cost: $36 / $26 concession* Venue: 58 Errol St, North Melbourne Venue: North Melbourne Library