A publication of THE GLEBESOCIETY INC POBox 100 GLEBE2037 www.glebesociety.org.au Glebe Society Bulletin ISSN 1836-599X 1/2011 February/March 2011 operation wouldbeestablished inLucky7 February andthataCommunity Postal Agency stating thatGlebePostOffice wouldcloseon4 to Tanya Plibersekon Tuesday 1February in Glebehasfailedsofar. Australia Postwrote The resolvetogetfullpostalservicesrestored financially andphilosophically. wholehearted supporttothecampaign,both was unacceptable. The GlebeSocietygaveits and SenatorConroythattheproposedclosure as one,sentastrongmessageto Australia Post present andgavefullsupport. The community, Police fromLeichhardt Area Command were to SenatorConroywhenParliamentresumed. Tanya Plibersekinorderthatshehandthem with nearly5,000signatureswerehandedto Member Tanya Plibersek. At therally, petitions of CommerceSofiLidgren,andtheFederal Burgmann, PresidentoftheGlebeChamber Mayor CloverMoore,CouncillorMeredith included theStateMember ,Lord close to600residentsinattendance.Speakers a result,wehadverysuccessfulrallywith and gettingsignaturesforthepetition. As outside thePostOfficetalkingtoresidents posters inshops. An armyofvolunteersstood informed bydistributionof3,500flyersand to DeborahCameron. The communitywas West Courier,andon ABC Radio,thanks Opinion piecebyElizabethFarrelly, theInner in the Office’. This wasprecededbymediacoverage on Thursday 20Januaryto‘SaveGlebePost The majorpublicactionwastoholdarally Manager of Australia Post. with allofourelectedmembersandtheState were campaigning.Meetingsalsoheld happened tobeoverseasfortheentiretimewe elected membersandSenatorConroy. He of letterswrittento Australia PostBoard,our and businessowners. What ensuedwasaflurry members oftheGlebeSociety, otherresidents people decidedtotakeaction. They included On thefollowingMonday, someconcerned knew abouttheintendedclosure. the SundayTelegraph. This wasthefirstwe (CEPU) BranchSecretarygaveastatementto Communications ElectricalPlumbingUnion any intentionofinformingthecommunity. The Glebe PostOffice. AustraliaPostneverhad announcement thattheywereplanningtoclose action. No, Australia Postdidnotmakean that rousedtheGlebecommunityintounified Something happenedon19December2010 Vale GlebePostOffice Pack yourpicnicbasketand potteralongtothe MorningHerald,includingan at Wentworth Park,5pm27February. Seeenclosed flyer fordetails. Underneath theArchescommunity picnic answers. to askthehardquestionsforwhichweseek Chair Australia PostBoard.Itisimportant to Ahmed Fahour, CEOandDavidMortimer, Members canstillwritetoSenatorConroyand Australia PostCorporation Act. include legalchallengeandinvestigationof campaign. Furtheroptionsforactionmay mounting aunited,strategicandprofessional The Glebecommunityshoweditsstrengthin meet theneedsoflocalcommunity. only offer stampsandenvelopes anddoesnot services maybeintroduced. This facilitywill the samestatement,itwasnotedthatadditional Convenience Storeat179GlebePointRoad.In Photo: Phil Young and rallyorganiserJanWilson. Verity Firth,RobynKemmis, Tanya Plibersek Speakers attheRally. Fromleft:CloverMoore, the candidatepanelforresponse. collated duringashortbreakandpresentedto write downtheirquestionswhichwillbe The audiencewillhavetheopportunityto provided beforehandbytheGlebeSociety. themselves andaddressashortlistoftopics Candidates willbeinvitedtointroduce three majorcandidateswillbepresent. hall onFriday, 11 March,7.00-8.30pm. The Candidates' eventintheGlebePublicSchool The GlebeSocietywillsponsora'Meetthe contest fortheStateseatofBalmain. in whatislikelytobeacloseandinteresting Hear whatthemajorcandidateshavetosay Meet theCandidates For POGA (PostOfficeGlebe Action) Friday11March - LizSimpson-Booker - Jan Wilson

Glebe Post Office The history The demise Max Solling’s speech at the rally There it stands in its newly painted livery, no longer swathed in overhead On 21 July 1990 a newspaper adver- power lines and with a freshly paved tisement offered a choice piece of real footpath. There it stands as a symbol estate in St Johns Road, Glebe. It was of civic pride, with its paired ionic Glebe Post Office which was sold to columns and its cool loggia. There Wah Shing Industrial Australia Pty it stands, as architect James Barnet Limited for $1,360,000 on 19 Decem- Some watched the rally from a distance. intended, ready to play its role as an es- ber 1990. The vendor was the newly Photo: Bruce Davis sential service in the community. created Australian Postal Corporation, with its sole shareholder the Austral- They’ve left behind no learnin’ - Purpose-built, spruced up and ready for ian Government under instruction from but they’ve carried off our tin. business for another 100 years... P J Keating, that true believer from Having sold off our Post Office, the And then along comes Australia Post Bankstown. What on earth was happen- Australian Postal Corporation’s hand- in Rampant 7-Eleven Slash-and-burn/ ing? Selling off our Post Office? Isn’t somely paid executives are telling us Frankly-Scarlett-I-don’t-give-a-Damn anything sacrosanct? But this was small we’re not economically viable, they’re mode. time compared with flogging off the going to close down the service and we Sydney GPO. should trek off to that dingy little thing The Glebe community remains affront- What was out of control was a new at Broadway. ed by the lack of consultation over the closure of its beloved and essential Post ideology called economic rationalism, The old style PMG Department post Office; it remains affronted by Australia a doctrine which says that economies, office had everything to do with public Post’s uncompromising stand at the markets and money offer the only reli- service and not-for-profit. The post expense of community; and it remains able means of setting values on any- 1989 corporatised, economic rational- affronted by Australia Post’s refusal to thing, and which set out to destroy our ist P J Keating model is a very different recognise its role as a service provider. public and social institutions to make it breed and it speaks a new language so. Make no mistake economic ration- where the profit motive looms large. Even more disturbing is that our com- alism has a dark side, but whatever we Welcome to the world of Gordon Gecko munity pain will doubtless be experi- create we can change to better serve our enced by many other towns and villages purposes. where CEOs receive obscene salaries in a society where the gulf between rich around Australia over the next few years I can’t think of a more critical social and poor is widening. So what does the as Australia Post continues to ply its institution and amenity at the very heart future hold for the post office? Frankly mantra of self-sustainability, guaranteed of the than Glebe Post Office. things look pretty bleak. The Australian by clever innovations such as dump bins There are compelling reasons why this Postal Corporation’s new CEO, who filled with fluffy toys. crucial amenity must remain. Glebe has comes from NAB, lamented in 2010 Meanwhile, unlucky Glebians will be always housed people right across the they only made $103 million profit, a assessing the new arrangements at the economic spectrum and it is this diver- 60% fall on the previous year. Isn’t that Lucky7 Convenience store and also at sity that gives the place a soul. There shocking. We all know nobody is more Broadway (a queue of 30 people snak- are always customers in the Post Office adept at retrenching staff and closing ing out the door, at last report) and the and among the most regular users are down branches than our trading banks. search for new tenants for the Old Glebe the old and the disadvantaged, and with They are beholden only to their share- Post Office has begun. The matter is new residential developments at Harold holders; staff or customers don’t get a with a local estate agent - our Hands Off Park and elsewhere, the populations in look in. Our new CEO told the Senate sign has been taken down, but is in safe Glebe and surrounding neighbourhoods estimates in October 2010 there will keeping for another issue, another fight. will increase significantly. be 1,000 retrenchments in the coming For the record Glebe has had a continu- financial year; we can only guess the Jan Wilson and the team of feisty ous postal service since 18 June 1852, number of post offices to go. Glebians who gathered around her deserve our admiration and thanks for 159 years ago, when John Clissold be- It’s up to the federal Government, Aus- a vigorous, sustained and multifaceted came its first postmaster. This building tralia Post’s sole shareholder, to tell the protest campaign. Our thanks go opened on 8 January 1886, 125 years Corporation to pull its head in. ago. The proposed closure is the last also to all those individuals in the straw, an outrage which surely would Any organisation’s culture, Richard community who rose so magnificently have stirred Henry Lawson to break into Sennett tells us in The Culture of the to the occasion with letter-writing and verse, in A Word to Texas Jack. New Capitalism, depends on how or- rallying. dinary people make sense of an institu- Vale Glebe Post Office An’ when they go, as like as not, we tion, not the explanation that those at find we’re taken in, the top decree. - Liz Simpson-Booker 2 Glebe Society Bulletin Matters 115 Hereford Street Forest impact of the building transformed by Members are probably aware the Pace- more appropriate finishes to harmonise way was sold to the developer Mirvac Lodge with adjoining buildings. This is just on Friday, 10 December. Naturally This large lot, which contains a circa one of the many ways in which the we expect Mirvac will wish to discuss 1860 stone cottage, has been subdivid- Society works for, and achieves, a better any proposal with the residents. We ed. The proposal is for a new dwelling, result for all of us. had successful discussions with this with a carport at the front and hence company about their development in a deeper setback than is normal. This Plan on Exhibition Lombard Street some years ago. See the report on the first meeting with Mirvac contravenes the Development Control We have been waiting for this for a long below. Plan, and also has an adverse impact time. It is four years since discussions on the Conservation Area and adjacent began. Now is your opportunity to have - Neil Macindoe heritage item, so the Glebe Society has a say. The Plan will be on exhibition objected. until 4 April at Glebe Library and on the Harold Park meeting Leichhardt Park Aquatic Council website. The Society met with with Mirvac Council officers to discuss its likely Centre turns 50 impact on Glebe on 15 February. As mentioned above, the developer Mir- vac bought Harold Park from the Pace- I attended these celebrations, which in- Awnings on Glebe Point way before Christmas. At the meet- cluded Eamon Sullivan cutting an enor- ing with Council Planners during the mous cake, on 28 November. Although Road Rezoning exhibition, the planners said I now swim at Victoria Park, I know the Members who attended the Glebe they would ask Mirvac to have discus- Leichhardt pool is very popular with Coroner's Court will recall that the case sions with the Society. In the meantime, Society member John Gray contacted some members and I continue to take a being discussed was the death of a man Gary Flowers, CEO of Mirvac, who he special interest, as the transformation of in Balgowlah who was sheltering from knows, and this no doubt hurried things the pool to its present character was a a storm under a shop awning when it along. We also forwarded information particular project of mine when I served collapsed (Bulletin 7/2010, page 2). my first term as Councillor. about the Society and copies of the One result is that the Society drew the resolutions from the Public Meeting so Margaret Telfer Building attention of the City to some awnings Mirvac would be aware of the commu- in Glebe Point Road that appeared to nity's concerns. 71 Arundel Street be insecure. Some of these have since been replaced, but where they have not Liz Simpson-Booker, Lesley Lynch and In the first Bulletin of the year there are the City has now sought court orders Neil Macindoe represented the Soci- often more planning items than usual and the case should be heard soon. ety at the meeting on 21 January, and because of the length of time since Adrian Checchin (Senior Development the last full report. This item is fairly Harold Park Manager) and Stuart Penklis (Harold typical, as it is the third attempt by Park Project Manager) represented Vodaphone to install a telephone tower The rezoning of Harold Park to Mixed Mirvac. on this building, which is owned by the Use was approved by the City on Mon- The meeting took place shortly after although sepa- day, 7 February. Unfortunately I was the flooding of the Brisbane River in rated from the main site by Parramatta unable to attend because of an opera- Queensland. In recent years Mirvac, Road. For some unexplained reason tion, and no substitute could be found. which is a residential developer and also Vodaphone considers this to be a better The main change is that, in response to has a large commercial portfolio, has site than anywhere on the main site, concern expressed at the Public Meeting undertaken large scale projects along although it is close to heritage items and convened by the Glebe Society, and also the River which, until the floods, was to the University's own kindergarten, in meetings with Council officers, the enjoying a renaissance. As the Harold Laurel Tree House. We have pointed amount of retail space has been reduced Park site is part of the floodplain of all this out and hope the University will by 50%, which means reduced traffic Johnstons Creek, and is also bisected by find a more suitable site. impact and reduced impact on other re- a heritage-listed culvert from the Ross tailers. The RTA has also accepted the Street-Wigram Road catchment, we spe- Hellenic Herald Building, primacy of access from The Crescent. cifically asked Mirvac to review flood 1-9 Glebe Point Road This means that we can expect the next mitigation and stormwater management stage, a Development Application, fairly for the site. As mentioned in previous Bulletins, this soon. There was also discussion of the Tram- building was for many years an eyesore However, to this point we have not been sheds. Some of Mirvac's projects have which the Society fought hard to have able to secure any reduction in height or included major heritage buildings, and remodelled (Bulletin 2/2010, page 5 and density. These will be among a number their portfolio includes the Broadway Bulletin 6/2010, page 4). Please have of outstanding matters we will con- Centre, part of which is heritage listed. a look at it now. The objectionable lift tinue to pursue in discussions with the They were adamant that they see them- shaft has been greatly reduced, and the developer. Continued on next page ...

February/March 2011 3 ... continued from previous page selves as residential developers, and they Sydney Super Yacht Marina were not interested in incorporating any large retailers in the Tramsheds. They see them as providing services for oc- cupants of the site and local residents. They are, however, keen to receive sug- gestions, and the Society will convene a public meeting soon with a specific Super focus on the adaptive reuse of the Sheds. yacht in The Society has been pursuing reduction Rozelle Bay. in the space available for commercial development, and Mirvac seemed happy Photo: to agree to this, although they protested Bruce when Council's Planning Committee, on Davis 7 February, not only cut the commercial A Major Project Assessment was opened 2. The multi-use nature of the proposed space in half but imposed a maximum for exhibition on 2 February and will project. This issue interacts with the size on particular enterprises. This is close on 4 March 2011. Essentially, it is noise problem. It is the potentially large one aspect we will need to watch closely, for the of the land-based number and range of non-maritime because of the potential for commercial component of the Sydney Super Yacht activities that might occur that could lead development to generate traffic, espe- Marina. The redevelopment consists to the noise problems. The maritime ac- cially in conflict with pedestrian access primarily of two two-storey buildings and tivities, ship chandleries and brokerages to the Tramsheds and Open Space. a four-storey car park. The purpose is for example, seem to be very appropri- In general it is clear that Mirvac has to provide maritime facilities as well as ate. While the current directors assured not yet fully developed their ideas for mixed-use facilities. It is a $31 million us that they do not expect to embark on a the site. We raised a number of the key project. large number of other activities, it would issues from the Public Meeting, but it seem prudent to have this built into a The proposed development can be didn't take long to see that Mirvac was control. mainly concerned not to have conflict viewed in hard copy at Glebe Library or with the City, and hence we may have at Leichhardt Council, or online at the The overall appearance of the develop- difficulty persuading them we have a NSW planning website (Google NSW ment is much more attractive than the better plan. Planning /Major Projects/Super Yacht much larger dry-boat store that is ap- Marina). The detailed project descrip- proved to sit behind and to the side of the Mirvac is keen to begin the project, and tion, online, is contained in the folder Sydney Super Yacht Marina. In reality, wants to see the 35% Open Space estab- titled ‘Environmental Assessment’. the planned buildings are likely to reduce lished quickly to avoid a dustbowl ef- the ugly impact of the yet to be built dry A preliminary meeting of the Bays and fect. Nevertheless, there is quite a lot of boat storage. excavation and levelling to be done, and Foreshores Sub-committee, chaired by the project is large and complex. Like Bob Armstrong (acting for Tony Lar- However, both ventures contribute to the all such projects, the construction phase kum), has been held to commence Glebe uncertainties of outcome associated with will affect our lives for quite a few years. Society action on this issue. Following the uncoordinated development of the This being the case, once a Development this, several Glebe Society members met Bays. with the principal officers of the Sydney Application is approved it would be to Traffic in the area is going to be a prob- Super Yacht Marina. A number of issues our benefit if Mirvac starts quickly, does lem due more to the new Cruise Pas- were clarified in the ensuing discussion. all the work and does not go broke. We senger Terminal than to the Super Yacht also need to ensure that Council keeps Following a preliminary examination Marina. its end of the bargain, especially regard- of the documentation, and the discus- Next steps: ing Open Space and The Hill. However, sion, the biggest issue seems to be Noise we also want to ensure that the DA Control. The community consultation process reflects the community's views as much The main points of concern appear at has been totally inadequate and poorly as possible. this stage to be: directed. There are on-going discussions There are many issues that need further with the officials regarding either a public 1. Noise. The noise modelling per- discussion, and we have agreed to meeting at Benledi or a display at the Ma- formed for the assessment shows an further meetings, with the next on 25 rina with the operators of the Super Yacht expected breaching of the standard February, involving more Working Party Marina agreeing to meet with groups of a allowances for parts of Glebe. Glebe members. dozen or so residents at a time. has the closest residences to be noise af- The Acting President presented Mirvac fected. The noise can be constrained, eg Tony Larkum, Convenor of the Bays and with copies of public resolutions and by live bands not performing outdoors at Foreshores Sub-committee, will coor- other representative documents prepared night. This issue will need to be exam- dinate and prepare a response from the by Liz, and a copy of Bernard and Kate ined carefully and suggestions made for Glebe Society. Glebe Society members Smith's book, The Architectural Char- operational constraints imposed by the are encouraged to also submit individual acter of Glebe. The Mirvac people were Government. The bottom line on noise submissions. suitably impressed. control is that there should be no outside - Bob Armstrong - Neil Macindoe music after 7pm. 4 Glebe Society Bulletin A cruise around the Bays Precinct (part 2) Glebe Island to Rozelle Bay via Barangaroo John Brooks is convenor of the Blackwattle Cove Coalition. This is an edited version of the second part of his commentary during our cruise around the Bays Precinct on the steam tug Waratah on 31 October last year. Some of the issues about which John spoke have since moved on – see Bob Armstrong’s report on the planned expansion of the Super Yacht Marina (page 4) and Lesley Lynch’s comment on the Community Reference Group (CRG) report (page 6).

walls. The design and layout for the works going on at present are to do with CPT were presented for the second time strengthening wharf piling. The facility [in October] with the ‘concession’ of will be used to transfer fuel oil for ship- public access on ‘non-ship days’, but ping from storage tanks into barges that with access by a stairway from Bal- will ferry it to the ship being refuelled. main. This attracted much criticism The CRG wants this site to become a because: headland park. John Brooks • steps do not allow easy access for Then across to the Barangaroo site Photo: Bruce cycles or disabled; and to Goat Island Davis • there is no provision for any cafes or We are now heading towards the top of North along the eastern side of Glebe other food service outlets, other than White Bay and looking at the other side Island a kiosk that will operate for cruise of Glebe Island. Immediately on our left is the edge of Glebe Island that will You are now looking at one of the most passengers; and not be developed as additional wharf- desirable pieces of real estate in Sydney. • provision for long-term car parking age. Further in are the bulk storage The car ferry facility has been moved for 180 vehicles is located on prime wharves that are the remaining key to Port Kembla and this area has no waterfront land, and that area will cargo operations in Sydney Harbour. specific use and is now used mainly for be taken up by temporary terminal Glebe Island Wharf 7 handles sugar ship maintenance (the former HMAS ‘tents’ on the odd occasions when and gypsum that go to factories in the Adelaide has been berthed there for there are two cruise ships in port. inner west of Sydney and also bulk salt. ages). There is no provision for public trans- Glebe Island Wharf 8 is the main bulk The first task given to the Community port to the CPT. cement port for deliveries to Blackwat- Reference Group (CRG) was to advise tle Bay, Alexandria and Erskineville. Balmain residents’ groups are still pro- on the best location for the Cruise Pas- Thus moving the Hansons and HyMix testing about the CPT being located in senger Terminal (CPT) which, we were concrete batch plants out of Blackwattle White Bay. Others support the location told, had to be moved from Baranga- Bay to somewhere near this wharf has but with the above criticisms. At the roo. This site was our first choice. It many advantages and is under discus- last meeting [in 2010], we asked why has better traffic access potential, and sion – it just needs money. The Sydney a separate public access road could not the residents of neither Balmain nor Harbour Maritime Forum estimates that be constructed behind Wharves 3 & 4. Pyrmont had any objections. But we all these bulk cargo activities keep up to The answer was ‘security’ to which our were told that we had to provide for 7,500 trucks off our highways. response was ‘nonsense’. two ships on occasions and they could At the head of the bay is the disused not be berthed end-to-end here on this The Environmental Assessment men- White Bay Power Station that is being side of Glebe Island, and the 30 metre tions the use of the CPT for private considered as a potential community security exclusion zone would not allow functions of up to 2,500 people. We centre/cultural precinct/heritage centre ships to pass through the Glebe Island raised the question of noise, particularly Bridge when a second ship was berthed for residents across the water in Pyr- Continued on next page ... there. (This exclusion zone does appear mont. That appeared not to have been to be very flexible in Circular Quay.) considered. What’s coming soon So we said, ‘Why not locate the berths Bailey’s refuelling depot either side of Glebe Island so that one Sunday 20 February, 11am - 3pm – terminal could service both ships?’ The Just before Balmain point is the site for Love Your Park . See page 9. response was that the harbour there was Bailey’s refuelling depot. It has been Sunday 27 February, 5-8pm – Un- too shallow. So the only remaining op- approved, with the details of the lease derneath the Arches picnic at Went- tion was in White Bay. to 2020 still being negotiated. The worth Park. See page 9 and green Cruise Passenger Terminal (CPT) flyer. White Bay Wharf 5 is the area desig- Friday 11 March, 7 – 8.30pm – Meet nated for the CPT. This has caused the the Candidates, Glebe Public School. greatest amount of argument, particu- Saturday 2 April – starting at larly amongst Balmain residents. 10 - 10.30 am from the Glebe Library Architects’ drawing of the proposed garden – Waterfront Tour. See page 9 terminal [went on public exhibition last and blue flyer. year]. The plan leaves the travelling Sunday 10 April, 10am and 12 noon crane supports in place and suspends Dianne Gray on watch. from Rozelle Bay – Waratah Cruises. a wavy roof between them with glass Photo: Bruce Davis See page 9 and blue flyer.

February/March 2011 5 ...continued from previous page etc. Again all that is needed is money The Bays Community Consultation or a local Peggy Guggenheim. On 5 February the Minister for Plan- strong. We can only hope that the next One suggestion was to move the Sydney ning, Tony Kelly, belatedly released Government of NSW will be more Heritage Fleet here as it could have his response to the community strategic and imaginative and respon- relevance to a heritage centre. But that consultation on the future of the Bays sive to the public good in its approach would mean moving the Fleet from land Precinct (Report on Outcomes, to the Bays Precinct and planning. owned by NSW Maritime and trans- Stage 1 Consultation Process). And perhaps they will respond to our ferring responsibility to Sydney Ports recommendation for a formal com- Corporation, and that appears to be a The report was slipped out without munity input into the next stage of sticking point. fanfare. It is too late to be of any significance in the life of this Gov- consultation on the Bays Precinct. Go further inland and we get to the ernment. And most depressingly, its - Lesley Lynch Rozelle rail marshalling yard that was proposed planning principles for the going to be set aside as a depot for See the Glebe Society Website for Bays Precinct are bland and weak the now-defunct Metro system. This further information and comments on where they most need to be tight and area has great potential for residential the Government’s response.. development built over the rail yards and linking Rozelle and Annandale and ‘’ helped keep producing revenue for the State. Turn around and head out of White developers at bay Bay along the Balmain foreshore I first heard the termgentrification of one of Sydney’s most valued heritage (‘Grunge gives way to gentrification in areas. We are now moving along the Balmain foreshore past White Bay Wharves 3, 4 streets of Newtown’ and ‘Locals lament It is simplistic to suggest that gentrifica- and 5. White Bay 3 takes imported veg- suburb that once was’, January 15-16) in tion is wholly damaging to low-income etable oils that go to Marrickville and the 1980s, when it was used as a term of residents and such suggestions play into Mascot for margarine and cooking oil abuse by Department of Planning types the hands of governments and develop- manufacture. White Bay 4 is used for who were irritated by newly arrived ers bent on destroying the character and the import of specialised lubricating oils middle-class residents of Glebe deter- amenity of inner city areas for private that are unloaded to special oil barges mined to not let the government destroy profit. that are then towed up-river to Silver- the character and amenity of their suburb. Alan Robertson Aranda (ACT) (Letter water. At other times these wharves are It was the so-called gentry who fore- to the Editor, SMH, 17 January) used for vessel repair, construction (new stalled the planned degradation of the Iron Cove Bridge, Port Botany subma- area and, ironically, the rapid and com- Attention all rine cable), and vessel lay-up (tempo- plete removal of the older, working-class rary berthing). residents by the town planning laws that mangrove lovers Back into Rozelle Bay, through Glebe the government of the day proposed. One wonders how many people are lov- Island Bridge along where the luxury Members of the Glebe Society, particu- ingly watching the growth of the man- yachts are moored larly Tony Strachan and Peru Perumal, groves on the western side of Whites were responsible for the Whitlam Creek on Rozelle Bay. Despite the This area was to accommodate visiting notice that says that they were planted government’s acquisition of the Glebe super yachts for the Olympic Games in in 2008, they were in fact planted by 2000, but later became a permanent fix- Estate from the Anglican church and popular demand in November, 2006. ture. It is to be expanded as it is a much its preservation as a huge inner-city Subsequently many of them died and better earner than the Heritage Fleet residential area for low-income earners. I have been infilling up to the present and is seen to be a better fit with the Another Glebe Society member, Albert time with fresh saplings. As a result proposed Dry Boat Storage facility. The Mispel, devoted almost every waking the area is now covered with several practice of mooring large vessels using hour to subverting the Askin govern- healthy bushes. However, not every bow (or stern) anchor lines protruding ment’s plans to force an expressway one is careful about maintaining them into Rozelle Bay causes a lot of angst through the middle of Glebe. This road and I suspect that dogs are the main for rowers who have difficulty seeing would have displaced 25 per cent of the problem. Over the New Year (2010/11) them in early mornings or heading west suburb’s residents, cut the suburb in half celebrations, I discovered several size- able branches torn off and left on the in the evenings. and destroyed many heritage buildings. ground around one of the bushes. For- If Hansons/HyMix were moved out Glebe Society members conceived the tunately, that bush had enough branches of Blackwattle Bay there is still some idea of the waterfront walkway around to survive, but if this happened to some doubt that the Glebe Island Bridge could the suburb and the Bicentennial Park at of the younger saplings that would be be closed and opened on a schedule for Glebe Point and worked tirelessly for the death knell – as can be seen for the luxury yachts, although that is what many years towards their realisation. several leafless stumps. happens with the Spit Bridge. Opening Many other members have volunteered So please, no dogs in the area and if on demand would be expensive, but if their time and skills for more than 40 you see dogs there please warn their you own one of these floating gin- years to stave off threats of inappropriate owners! palaces you may be prepared to accept a development that would have damaged user-pays arrangement. - Tony Larkum the character, amenity and social mix 6 Glebe Society Bulletin Glebe Society Members Lyn Collingwood and John Spruce wrote this obituary which was published in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Timelines on Thursday 20 January. Immigrant patriarch wrestled a new life from fertile soil Frank Galluzzo was the patriarch of whom he first met in childhood in Syd- Glebe’s oldest retail business and a ney. The Arena family lived in Wool- member of the second generation to run loomooloo and helped Italians when the fruit and vegetable market at 187 they landed at the wharves. Melina’s Glebe Point Road. His father started it father later owned a barber’s shop on in the 1930s and his sons now continue Glebe Point Road. the business. Frank recalled the poverty of Calabria, Francesco Giovanni Galluzzo was born where his house had a dirt floor and a on June 25, 1926, at Martone in Calab- special treat was the cheese rind brought ria in the southern region of Italy When home by his grandmother who worked Frank was six months old, his father, for a well-off employer. In contrast Melina and Frank Galluzzo Salvatore, left for Australia, seeking were the best meatballs he ever tasted, at a better life. He soon found work at the Arenas’ home after his ship docked This letter was published in the the Arena grocery in Mitchell Street, in Australia. Herald on 22-23 February... Glebe, which was the largest fruit shop Galluzzo wrestled at Glebe’s Police in Sydney. Later he decided to go into Boys Club, played rugby league for Avocado wizard business for himself, as Galluzzo’s Fruit Forest Lodge CYO and followed the Ever since I first moved in to Glebe, Market (now Galluzzo & Sons). Balmain Tigers. in the mid-1980s, I’d never buy an Salvatore rented the premises where Melina Galluzzo died in 2005 and had avocado from anywhere but Galluzzo’s. the shop still operates and in 1934 sent a huge funeral, as did Frank last month Frank Galluzzo (Timelines, January word for his wife, Caterina, and young from St James Catholic Church, Glebe. 20), grumpy old man, with a wicked Francesco to join him. They arrived sense of humour, was my avocado The Galluzzo shop won the 2011 Sydney aboard the Otranto in October 1934. wizard. I’d pick one from the tray, give Morning Herald Good Food Shopping Young Frank had a tumour in his thigh it to him and he’d squeeze it ever so Guide’s award for best greengrocer in and almost the first thing he did in his gently and say, ‘Tomorrow, 2pm’. He Sydney. new country was spend several months never failed. He’s been an iconic figure in Camperdown Children’s Hospital. Galluzzo is survived by brother Tony in Glebe, loved and admired by many Then, in 1935, he was enrolled at Glebe and sister Rose, children Catherine, of his faithful customers. The end of Public School. He left school at 15 to Sam, John, Michael, Tony, Joseph and his life was not unexpected but we’ll help in his father’s growing business. Damian, 18 grandchildren and four really miss him. Luckily, through his great-grandchildren. Joseph and Damian sons Joe and Damian, and their young, In 1952 Salvatore bought the property run the fruit shop. Other siblings went energetic assistants, Frank‘s spirit still they had been renting, which included into dentistry, pharmacy and law shines. living quarters for his growing family. In 1949 Frank married Melina Arena, - Lyn Collingwood and John Spruce Richard Ratajczak, Forest Lodge Australia Day Awards 2011 We congratulate the following people cultural organisations, to local govern- For service to the arts as a composer, with Glebe connections who received ment, and to business. concert pianist, educator, mentor of awards in the Australia Day honours: emerging musicians and advocate David Robert Gaunt AM is well known for Australian and international new Lucy Hughes Turnbull AO was Lord to Glebe people as the proprietor of music. Mayor of Sydney in 2003, when Glebe Gleebooks. He was made a Member was transferred from Leichhardt to the of the Order of Australia. His citation Joe Mannix OAM, an Annandale , and was instrumental in is: For service to the arts through the resident and a member of the Glebe the construction of the Blackwattle Bay promotion of literature, particularly as a Society, was awarded the Medal of the foreshore walk and the restoration of supporter of Australian authors, and to Order of Australia. His citation is: For Bellevue. She has been made an Officer the bookselling and publishing indus- service to the community through ad- of the Order of Australia. Her citation tries. vocacy roles with a range of disability is: For distinguished service to the com- and social welfare organisations. Roger Smalley AM, a Glebe resident, munity, particularly through philan- was made a Member of the Order of Also, Professor Ron McCallum AO, thropic contributions to, and fundrais- Australia. He is a composer and pianist the Chair of Radio 2RPH (Radio Print ing support for, a range of medical, and Emeritus Professor at the University Handicapped, which broadcasts from social welfare, educational, youth and of Western Australia. His citation is: Glebe) is Senior Citizen of the Year.

February/March 2011 7 City U3A courses Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Party Stay young in The Glebe Society’s Christmas raffle was drawn during our Christmas Party mind at the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant Many members of the Glebe Society are on 10 December. I was taking the already members of City U3A, the Uni- photos of each of the evening’s raffle versity of the Third Age for the City of winners being drawn by Verity Firth, Sydney LGA, and have been enjoying our local State Member and Minister its courses and activities during the first for Education, and when the 1st prize couple of years of its existence. Ted was drawn—two tickets to the Lord McKeown is the current President of Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Party at the City U3A, following in the footsteps of Phil Young and Katharine Vernon Neil Macindoe. He invites any of our —the winner readers who are not already members, was me, which is not what I expected! event. Perhaps more important, the and who fall into the appropriate cat- Thankfully someone grabbed my guest list is not for A-List celebrities. egory, aged 55 or thereabouts (or older) camera whilst I stood in huge surprise Most of the invitees are those in and retired or semi-retired, to join the and delight when my name was called the community who have offered U3A and to participate in the current and went up to receive my prize. I services to the City of Sydney in program. was excited to say the least. some way, along with the City of Sydney councillors, representatives An application for membership can Each year recently the Glebe Society be downloaded from the website at of community groups and Clover’s has been fortunate to be given two www.cityu3a.org.au, and details of the campaign supporters. Tickets to this courses and activities appear in the cur- tickets to the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s party cannot be bought so they are rent newsletter, also available from the Eve Party. This is no ordinary party. considered to be very valuable by some. website. In summary, these courses and Firstly the location is extraordinary – it We are very grateful to the Lord Mayor activities include: is at the pointy end of the Opera House for offering the two tickets as a means forecourt, right there with the very • My favourite ethnic eating place – of raising money in support of the work second Wednesday of the month best view of the fireworks, the Bridge of the Glebe Society. I can certainly • Guided city and bush walks – third and the illuminated boats that sail past recommend that you buy a few raffle Tuesday of the month during the evening. The entertainment tickets in next year’s Christmas Party • Last Friday book group for the evening was excellent – the cast raffle for a chance to win a great prize. • Yang style Tai Chi of the current hit Jersey Boys appeared It was a fun night and the fireworks • Philosophers’ Café (discussion on stage and were impressive. The were absolutely stunning from this group) sparkling wine flowed all night. vantage point. It was a truly memorable • An introduction to Film Noir experience and Katharine and I • The development of jazz Lord Mayor personally welcomed everyone, probably 800 welcomed in the New Year with a big If you have any questions about City people, as they entered. Given the bang! U3A or its activities, please contact me - Phil Young on 9660 3917. space available, it is not a crowded - Ted McKeown ...and our Christmas party was also a gas About 90 members and friends gathered at the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant at the Flinders’ 1804 map Sydney Fish Market on 15 December for our annual Christmas party. Given this is a Chinese restaurant, this was something of a break from tradition. Members of Australia found themselves sitting at tables designated by the signs of the Chinese zodiac A campaign has been launched to bring and scoffed up a banquet from home to Australia Matthew Flinders’ which turkey and plum pud- 1804 map of Australia. 2014 is the ding were notably absent. bicentenary of the death of Flinders. Needless to say a good time The 1804 Finders map is significant for was had by all, particularly those who won raffle prizes, Australia as a nation. who included Jan and Geoff It is a priceless part of our national her- Davies (2nd prize - two gift itage, it is important that it be returned certificates valued at $155 to Australia and exhibited. each for cooking classes at the Sydney Fish Market School), For more information and to find the and Susan Griffin (3rd prise - a Happy party goers (from left) Lesley online petition Google Flinders peti- voucher for $75 at Claudio’s Seafood), in Lynch, Cr John McInerney, Verity tion. addition to Phil and Katharine (see above). Firth MP, Bruce Davis and Ross Ingram. From Federation of Australian His- Our thanks to the prize donors and Dorothy Photo: Phil Young torical Societies Inc e-bulletin no. 78 Davis and her team who made it possible. 8 Glebe Society Bulletin Coming Glebe events A twilight community picnic National Trust Heritage Festival Underneath the Arches Glebe events at Wentworth Park 5-8pm Sunday 27 February The events below will take place in A community picnic has been early April, forming part of a state organised by the Glebe Society wide National Trust Heritage Festival and Pyrmont/Ultimo Community themed about water and the stories that Associations to celebrate the ‘lib- have flowed from its presence and use. eration’ of the enclosed arches of Saturday 2 April - Glebe’s the heritage-listed viaduct which Historic Waterfront - A Guided crosses Wentworth Park. Tour The City of Sydney has removed The tours will start from the Glebe Li- the from the viaduct and brary garden from 10 am to 10.30 am created more vistas towards and take approximately 3 hours. The Blackwattle Bay. tours cost $25 which includes notes, maps and refreshments. The Wentworth Park Trust has also contributed to the opening up Sunday 10 April - Waratah of the site with new palisade fenc- Steam Tug Inner Harbour ing replacing brick walls. Cruises Since they were opened up the arches have been • First cruise departs at 10am sharp. The picnic is BYO everything used for all sorts of activities, ranging from boxing • Second cruise departs at 12 noon (food, wine, water, rugs, chairs, training to temporary housing. sharp. glasses etc). Photo: Bruce Davis Meet at the Sydney Heritage Fleet This is a free event, but please Shipyard, James Craig Road, Rozelle. RSVP by 24 February to [email protected] or phone 95 186 186. Each cruise will cost $30 and the ac- tual cruising time is 90 to 100 minutes. See the green flyer and be part of the celebration! Please bring your own refreshments.

A community arts initiative See the Glebe Society Website, the enclosed blue flyer and next month’s Come and help decorate a park Bulletin for more details. Bookings are essential for both events – RSVP Come and help other local Glebe has been created by local children and by Monday 28 March. Inquiries: residents decorate the M J Dougherty adults alike. Judith Ahlqvist, 9566 4871. Reserve on the corner of Mitchell and Feel free to come and give a hand on Wentworth Streets, Glebe on Sunday 20 the day and share the BBQ lunch which February, 11am - 3pm. will be provided. Seeking volunteer You will have read in Bulletin 9/2010 . - Katharine Vernon Tour Guides.. that the Glebe Society co-sponsored a community arts project known ...for the tour on 2 April - Glebe's as Love Your Park together Historic Waterfront - A Guided with the City of Sydney Coun- Tour. cil. Through this project local This is perhaps your opportunity to residents have come together brush up on some colourful local his- to create and decorate over 100 tory as well as introducing it to many tiles which have now been fired outsiders. We anticipate the majority and are ready for attaching to the will be National Trust members from bare concrete walls of the park. beyond our shores. Written mate- Whilst we hoped to complete rial will be available on the web and this project late last year the final there will be an on-site tutorial on Saturday 26 March from 10am to 12 day’s effort was held over and noon. We anticipate 100 bookings is now taking place on Sunday which will need the services of 8 to 20 February between 11am and 10 Tour Guides.Interested? Contact 3pm. On this day we will be gathering A Glebe resident shows off a tile made for the park. Judith Ahlqvist on 9566 4871 or in the Reserve to help attach the tiles [email protected]. and celebrate the wonderful art that Photo: Phil Young

February/March 2011 9 News and Notes

Thirsty Thursdays An Inside View Members and friends are invited to meet in restaurants in and A series of recent paintings by Glebe Society member Janet around Glebe, on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm, to Venn-Brown is on show in the Historic Houses Trust Mem- eat and talk with other people who live in Glebe. We visit a bers Lounge, The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney until 24 different restaurant each month, varying cuisines. Put these March, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. dates in your diary now. This exhibition showcases paintings from the Clyde Bank On Thursday 3 March we will share a meal at Almustafa commission (not for sale), together with a series of recent Lebanese Restaurant, 23 Glebe Point Road. paintings of interiors of Vaucluse and Elizabeth Bay houses On Thursday 7 April we will eat at Fountain 77, the Italian as well as some Glebe interiors. Most of these works are Restaurant at 77 Glebe Point Road (next door to Otto). Tempera on paper and are priced under $1000. And on Thursday 5 May we will go to Darbar Indian Res- taurant, 134 Glebe Point Road (cnr St Johns Road). An Edwardian Summer Please email me or ring me on 9660 7066 by the Tuesday This Museum of Sydney exhibition, which may be of interest before the dinner to let me know if you are coming, or if you to Glebians, runs until Tuesday 26 April. An entry charge for are likely to be late. - Edwina Doe the exhibition applies. Sydney lawyer and identity Arthur Wigram Allen (1862- Welcome to new members 1941), lived at Toxteth House. He was a tirelessly enthusi- astic photographer, and fascinated by the social and techno- The following people were accepted as members of the Glebe logical changes occurring during his lifetime. His talent for Society at the February Management Committee meeting: amateur photography produced extraordinary pictures that Janice Challinor, Win Childs, Ann Curthoys, John Docker, offer a fresh insight into the Edwardian years in Sydney. Jane Fissenden, Jonathan Gillis, Patricia Loughlan, Alastair and Alison Johnson, Annette Sneddon and Meg Wallace. Sydney Vintage Tramway Festival We look forward to seeing them at future Glebe Society func- 26-27 February 2011 tions. Marking 50 years since the closure of Sydney's tram- ways. Enjoy rides and displays of unique vintage public Players in the Pub transport. Cost: Adult $15, Child $8, Concession $10, Family $46. Here are the next plays in the series of popular moved read- Hours: Saturday 26, 9am to 9pm, Sunday 27, 9am to 5pm. ings at Glebe’s Toxteth Hotel. Presented by members and friends of Sydney’s New Theatre, these are not static readings but theatrical presentations using minimal props and furniture. City of Sydney Councillors 15 March - Mujeres de Arena (Women of Sand) devised by Lord Mayor: Clover Moore MP Humberto Robles, presented by Sydney Action for Juárez Councillors: Contemporary documentary theatre in English and Spanish, Phillip Black with music, on the plight of young women factory workers in the Mexican town of Juárez near the US border. Irene Doutney 19 April - The One Day of the Year by Alan Seymour Chris Harris directed by Rodney Delaney Marcelle Hoff This Anzac Day drama was rejected by the 1959 Adelaide Robert Kok Festival directors who feared it would offend the RSL. The Shayne Mallard author will be attending this reading of his work, now an John McInerney Australian classic. Di Tornai Tuesdays at 7 pm in the upstairs Media Room (enter via For enquiries: Please contact the City of Sydney on Ferry Road stairs) Toxteth Hotel, 345 Glebe Point Road. Free 9265 9333. admission. Two main meals for one on Tuesdays -- orders from 5.30 pm. House sitting Forest Lodge I am a high school teacher recently migrated from Belfast. Public School At present I am looking after David and Fay Mander-Jones’ Home of The Glebe house until mid March. I am interested in further house sit- Society Archives ting in the area. - Orlagh Nogher, 0449 640 479 Phone 9660 3530

10 Glebe Society Bulletin For your diary ...

Sunday 20 February, 11am - 3pm – Love Your Park , corner of Mitchell and Wentworth Streets. See page 9. Sunday 27 February, 5-8pm – Underneath the Arches Picnic at Wentworth Park. See page 9 and green flyer. Thursday 3 March, 7pm – Thirsty Thursday – Almustafa Lebanese Restaurant, 23 Glebe Point Road. Sunday 6 March – Clean up Australia Day. Wednesday 9 March, 7.30pm – Management Committee meeting, 115 Mitchell Street. Friday 11 March, 7 - 8.30pm – Meet the Candidates, Glebe Public School. Tuesday 15 March, 7pm – Players in the Pub, Toxteth Hotel. See page 10. Saturday 26 March, State Election Day and Earth Hour (8.30pm). Saturday 2 April, starting at 10-10.30 am , from the Glebe Library garden – Waterfront Tour. See page 9 and blue flyer. Thursday 7 April, 7pm – Thirsty Thursday – Fountain 77 Italian Restaurant, 77 Glebe Point Road. Sunday 10 April, 10am and 12 noon from James Craig Road, Rozelle – Waratah Cruises. See page 9 and blue flyer. Wednesday 13 April, 7.30pm – Management Committee meeting, 115 Mitchell Street. Tuesday 19 April, 7pm – Players in the Pub, Toxteth Hotel. See page 10. Thursday 5 May, 7pm – Thirsty Thursday - Darbar Indian Restaurant, 134 Glebe Point Road. Contacting The Glebe Society The Glebe Society Inc Mail Established 1969 All correspondence should be addressed to: Management Committee: The Glebe Society Inc Acting President Liz Simpson-Booker 9518 6186 PO Box 100, Glebe NSW 2037 Vice-president Bruce Davis 9660 7873 Immediate Past President Lesley Lynch 9660 5084 Website Correspondence Secretary Vicky Marquis 9552 2592 The Society has a growing Website Minute Secretary Margaret Sheppard 9660 4121 (www.glebesociety.org.au) for the infor- Treasurer Bruce Davis 9660 7873 mation of members and anyone with an Committee Members: interest in Glebe. The Website will only Dorothy Davis 9660 7873, Carole Herriman 9571 9092, flourish if members use the site. Send David Mander Jones 9552 4172, Margaret Sheppard 9660 4121 contributions or comments to webmas- Sub-committee Convenors: [email protected] All sub-committee convenors are ex-officio members of the Management Committee The Bulletin Arts, Culture and Media Sue Ingram 9692 8534 We are glad to publish letters or articles Bays and Foreshores Tony Larkum 9660 7030 on any matters of interest to Glebe, Community Development Robyn Kemmis 9692 9440 any topic raised in the Bulletin, or any The Environment Jan Macindoe 9660 0208 issues relating to the Glebe Society, Heritage tba within the Guidelines published on our Membership Cheryl and Bryan Herden 9660 7371 website. Write to the address above or Planning Neil Macindoe 9660 0208 email [email protected] Transport and Traffic Andrew Craig 9566 1746 Disclaimer Other Contacts: Archivist Lyn Milton 9660 7930 Views expressed in this Bulletin are not Blackwattle Cove Coalition (BCC) Bruce Davis 9669 7873 necessarily those of The Glebe Society Bulletin Editor Edwina Doe 9660 7066 Inc. Event Coordination Dorothy Davis 9660 7873 Bulletin deadline History of Glebe Max Solling 9660 1160 History of the Glebe Society Jeanette Knox 9660 7781 The next edition of the Bulletin will Liaison with CoGG Bruce Davis 9660 7873 be published at the end of March, The Website Phil Young 9692 9583 deadline for contributions is Wednesday 16 March.

February/March 2011 11 In this issue • Vale Glebe Post Office – pages 1-2 • Planning Matters – page 3 • Harold Park – pages 3-4 • Super Yacht Marina – page 4 • Frank Galluzzo – page 7 • Glebe events – page 9

The GLEBE SOCIETY Inc Postage PO Box 100 Glebe 2037 paid

Membership of the Glebe Society Community Contacts Individual member $45 Manager-Neighbourhood Services Centre: Glebe, Forest Joint (2 people, one address) $55 Lodge, Camperdown, Ultimo & Pyrmont: Nick Hespe. Household (more than 2 adults and/or Office: Glebe Library - 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. children, one address) $60 Phone: 9298 3191 Concession (student or pensioner) $20 Email: [email protected] Institution or corporate $110 Sydney City Council Customer Service Download a membership form from our website (www. Telephone (24 hours): 9265 9333 glebesociety.org.au, click on Join), write to the Secretary at email: council@cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au PO Box 100, Glebe, 2037, or email website: www.cityof sydney.nsw.gov.au [email protected]. Dumped Shopping trolleys: Trolley Tracker 1800 641 497 If you have a matter that you would like to discuss with the Management Committee, please contact the Secretary. Waterway Garbage: NSW Maritime response - 9563 8592

12 Glebe Society Bulletin