And why on earth is there a Binishell located at Ku-Ring-Gai High School? BY ALEC SMART More on St Ives, more on Turramurra In primary school, did you ever make a mask by inflating a balloon and coating it in strips of paper mâché? When the sticky paper dried, you deflated the balloon and you were left with a firm, hollow shell upon which you could cut holes for your eyes and mouth, glue carpet on top for hair, and add additional paper and glue to sculpt the nose and ears. Finally, you popped it over your head to wear for costume parties. A space-age design adopted by the NSW Dept Education in the 1970s. Photo: Alec Smart Now imagine adapting the same method for a building. Place a giant inflatable circular bag (known as a Pneumoform) on a concrete slab foundation, cover it with a flexible frame of reinforced steel rods connected by springs, then slowly pour wet concrete over the top. Then, as the concrete begins to harden, slowly inflate the bag to create a dome. Once the concrete has set (around an hour or two later), deflate the bag and you’re left with a solid shell. Then the interior is ready for modification: add windows, doorway(s), ceiling supports, carpet for the floor and, if needed, subdividing walls for interior rooms. Believe it or not, there is a word for this type of pneumatically-formed building: Binishell. Inventor of Binishells Binishells were named after their inventor, the innovative and progressive Italian architect Dr Dante Bini, who pioneered automated building techniques out of frustration with traditional slow, labour-intensive and costly concrete formwork. Dr Bini was inspired after he played a tennis game on a court protected by an inflatable covering that was covered in a dense layer of snow. In the mid 20th century Binishells often graced the illustrations of science fiction stories and appeared in the TV cartoon series The Jetsons. Ku-ring-gai High School connection The students and people associated with Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School are familiar with Binishells. One of these incredible, futuristic-looking structures exists in North Turramurra – inside the grounds of the school - in use since 1975 as a gymnasium and theatre. The Binishell in the grounds of Ku-ring-gai High School, Nth Turramurra. Photo: Alec Smart Between 1974 - 77, ten Binishells were built in Sydney metropolitan schools, another four in Newcastle and the Lower Hunter region, commissioned by the NSW Department of Public Works for urgently-needed gyms, libraries and assembly halls. Their installation was supervised by the inventor himself. Dr Bini arrived in Australia in 1974 and remained for six years to oversee the projects and train local building workers in their construction. Two designs were utilised – single or twin shells. The initial domes were 18 metres in diameter, expanding later to 36 metres, and the first one appeared in Narrabeen Public School for a library and administration building. One of the first of the larger 36-metre wide Binishells, in Fairvale High School, Fairfield, collapsed during severe weather conditions in Jan 1975, just three months after it was elevated, but its replacement still stands. The Binishell at Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School was constructed in 1975. This reporter remembers the excitement surrounding its installation and scepticism regarding its strength and longevity. National Heritage Listing for the Binishell In an Oct 2019 Facebook post, Ku-ring-gai High School revealed “Our Binishell has been recommended for National Heritage listing! “Named the Margaret Preston Hall, after Australian painter and printmaker Margaret Preston. Regarded as one of Australia's leading modernists of the early 20th century. The Binishell was lifted and shaped by air pressure in the mid-1970s, one of the first 36-metre Binishells to be constructed in schools around the state. “Our Binishell has been home to magnificent art shows, marvellous musical concerts, sports events and hundreds of school assemblies. We hope to have many more memorable events to look forward to in this unique space.” Ku-ring-gai High's Binishell is used as a gymnasium and theatre. Photo: Alec Smart Futuristic dome's future and past Over 1500 Binishells were constructed between 1970-1990 in 23 countries around the world, ranging in size from 12 to 40 metres in diameter. Binishells are still in production under the guidance of Dr Bini’s son, Nicoló Bini, who has reinforced their structural engineering and modified them for international building compliance regulations. His construction company website, Binishells.com, also asserts, “The safety features characteristic of Binishells also make them ideal shelters in the event of natural calamities.” Several of the original 14 Binishells erected in NSW educational institutions no longer exist. The Pittwater High School Binishell collapsed in Aug 1986 (although an investigation found the concrete never cured properly). Others have also since been demolished, including Randwick Girls High, Georges River College in Peakhurst (June 2014), Hunter Sports High School in Gateshead (Jan 2016), Richmond High School (Dec 2018), Hunter School of the Performing Arts (Dec 2018), and Killarney Heights Public School (Feb 2019). The first Binishell, a 12 metres wide, six metres high dome, was constructed in 14 July 1964, in countryside near the village of Crespellano on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy. It stood for 20 years and was used as an office but was eventually demolished because council edicts insisted the area was zoned for multi-storey residential dwellings only. In 1967, Dr Bini demonstrated to the Americans the remarkable speed in which he constructed his shells by erecting a 15-metre high dome within a few hours in the grounds of Columbia University, New York. In 1969, Dr Bini constructed a Binishell for the home of Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni in Gallura on the north-eastern tip of Sardinia island. Only 7 of the original 14 Binishells built in NSW schools still exist. Photo: Alec Smart ======================

Looking for a mid-week tipple that’s not going to break the bank? Check out some of the best weekly specials & happy hours in Cronulla has to offer. More on Cronulla Fior Shop 2, 752-756 Kingsway, Gymea Aperitivo Hour | 4-5pm Everyday This is a truly drool-worthy Happy Hour. Head down to one of Cronulla’s newer additions, Fior, between 4 and 5 pm every day and dig into a huge array of snacks and drinks at very attractive prices. Some of the edible showstoppers include Pumpkin & Taleggio Arancini ($4.5 ea) and Sydney Rock Oysters for only $2 each! Quench your thirst with a $14 Fior Spritz, $8 Red or White House Wine, or $7 Sunday Road Pale Ale.  Cronulla RSL 38 Gerrale St, Cronulla Amazing Weekend + Members Happy Hours! Cronullarsl.com.au/activities Not only does Cronulla RSL boast one of the best locations in all of the Shire, they have some incredible specials available over the weekend, and even more specials available to their members! Head in for one of the best happy hours in Cronulla - Fiver Friday with $5 Canadian Club, Vodka and Market Hall Prosecco available between 6-9pm. The Deck celebrates all weekend with Happy Hours running on Friday 6-9pm, Saturday 6-8pm and Sunday 2-5pm. For Members, every day is Happy Hour (from 4-6pm) with $5.80 House Beers and Wines available.  Queen Margherita of Savoy Shop 9/2-8 Surf Rd, Cronulla $99 Bottomless Sundays qmos.com.au Looking for an excellent Sunday Session destination? It doesn’t get much better than $99 Bottomless Sundays at Queen Margherita of Savoy. Every Sunday, you can head in for 90 minutes and eat and drink all you want for only $99. Start off with an Antipasto selection, then dig into their huge range of pizzetta’s and finish with a beautiful Sicilian Cannoli. There’s a range of Spirtz’s and Wines on offer, as well as a Classic Italian Lager.  Northies Cnr Kingsway and Elouera Rd Northies.com.au If you’re looking to bag a bargain for dinner during the week - Northies should be your go-to destination. Not only do these guys dish up generous servings of some incredible pub-grub, but their weekly specials have to be seen (and tasted) to be believed.  Monday All Day: $17 Burger Tuesday All Day: Half-Price Pizza  Wednesday from 5 pm: Two for 1 Pizza & Pub Classics Thursday All Day: Rump $22, Scotch $29, Surf n’ Turf $49 Sunday 12 pm-3 pm: Kids Eat Free Worked up a thirst? Happy Hour is on daily from 4:30-6:30 pm with a range of drinks on offer from $6.50. Gymea Bowls Club 661-669 Kingsway, Gymea $16 Schnitty on Monday/Tuesday gymeabowls.com.au/ Are you a Schnitty fan? Then this one’s for you! Pop into the Gymea Hotel on any given Monday or Tuesday, and dig into a $16 Schnitty served with a side of Crispy Chips, Salad and of course, Gravy!

Grappling with Greatness: Cream of the Crop is a wrestling-themed art extravaganza featuring 25 incredibly diverse local artists. Cream Of The Crop is a wrestling-themed art show featuring local artists showcasing a range of artworks and talents. From tattoo artists, fine artists, illustrators, photographers, signwriters, typographers and sculptors. There's omething for everyone. More on Surry Hills By Jamie Apps Sydney art lovers, brace yourselves for an exhibition that promises to be anything but typical. Dave Faint, the artist and curator behind the upcoming Cream Of The Crop show, offers an exhilarating peek into his creative process and the inspirations driving this unique wrestling-themed event. For one night only, The Lord Gladstone Hotel & the attached Goodspace Gallery will be transformed into a two-level wrestling arena and art gallery, with professional wrestlers roaming throughout, wrestling-themed cocktails and food. To conclude the exhibition, it'll be time for the pro wrestlers to turn on each other and put on a show before a performance at the front bar from Sydney's reigning punk champs, Grand Final. The Birth of an Idea Faint’s journey towards curating Cream Of The Crop began as a participant in a series of group shows hosted at Goodspace, a venue he praised for its community-driven ethos. "Goodspace is an awesome place for free art shows," he said, emphasising its support for artists by not taking a cut from the exhibits. The idea for a wrestling-themed art show was conceived during a casual conversation with friends. "We were having a few beers, talking about what we think would be fun," Faint recalled. Initially, they considered various themes, including rugby league, before landing on wrestling. "My mate was like, 'Bro, why don't you do it like wrestling?' And I was like, 'Wow, that makes so much sense!'" From that moment forward Faint began reaching out to his artistic friends & family to curate the show’s lineup. And, much to his surprise, everybody he contacted was very eager to be involved - even his Mum will be one of 25 artists from Australia & beyond contributing a piece! Wrestling with Art The decision to centre the show around wrestling offered a versatile and dynamic theme. "Wrestling gives people a focus but not like a laser focus," Faint explained. He wanted the theme to be broad enough to allow for diverse artistic interpretations but focused enough to spur inspiration. This approach has led to an eclectic mix of artworks, ranging from traditional paintings to sculpture to experimental pieces. "I was trying to make it really diverse with who I asked to be in this show," Faint noted. The lineup includes tattoo artists, fine artists, illustrators, photographers, sign writers, typographers, and sculptors. "We've even got a mate in Bangkok who's taking photographs of wrestling over there," he said, highlighting the show's global reach and variety. A Night to Remember The Cream Of The Crop show is designed to be more than just an art exhibition; it’s an immersive experience. "I want this to be the biggest show of the year," Faint stated. "We're gonna have wrestling-themed cocktails, wrestling-themed food, & we’re going to fully deck the whole place out.” In addition to the art, attendees can look forward to live performances by professional wrestlers The Tuckman and Scott Green. Before closing the night out with a concert by the band Grand Final, known for their sports-punk style. Giving Back to the Community The show is also a charitable endeavour, with 20% of the sales going to support Clermont Connect, a regional initiative in Faint’s hometown of Clermont, Queensland. "This is just supporting a small little country town to keep on living and surviving," he said. The initiative aims to create a regional university and retirement village to counteract the economic impact of departing mines. Wrestling and Art: A Lifelong Passion Faint’s passion for wrestling dates back to his childhood. "I've always been a fan of wrestling; it's just the most fun, extravagant kind of performance art," he enthused. He cited the Attitude Era and characters like Mankind and Sting as major influences. "I think anyone that just looks a little bit gnarly, a little bit dark, I've always been drawn to, and you can kind of see that in all my work." Cream Of The Crop promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. So mark your calendars for July 24 at Goodspace Gallery. The night kicks off at 5 PM and promises to be a spectacular blend of visual art, live performances, and community spirit.

If you'd enjoyed a cold one at the Carlise Castle Hotel, changes are you may have run into Jac the Aussie Kelpie. Introducing the one and only Jac! This Australian Kelpie has been our resident pub pooch for 8 years. Jac is truly one of the locals and sits amongst the legends at the front bar. She never goes without treats and hand shakes here at the Carlisle Castle. Jac is our ideal patron and NEVER complains as long as she gets her cuddles in. Come say g’day to our favorite girl - she only drinks at the Carlisle Castle!

Meet Jeff the Bull Terrier, and his S MY NAME IS JEFF and I’m a mini Bull Terrier’s living with my two mums and fur-sis Penelope the cat. Contrary to what people have heard about Bull Terriers’, I’m actually a very lazy little potato (apart from the odd zoomie). My ideal day would be a visit to The Vic for some chippies, a lie in the sun at Enmore Park and then a big snooze. When I’m home alone I’ve been known to get creative with my snacking choices; wine glasses, leather wallets (Chanel no less) - nothing is off limits.. Except for Penelope, please keep that furbag with claws WELL away from me.

This unassuming restaurant might prefer to remain humble, but long-term patrons keep singing the praises of Glebe Point Diner, and it's for a reason! Glebe Point Diner is literally the last restaurant on Glebe Point Road before you hit the bay; if you find yourself surrounded by water, you’ve missed it. The restaurant was opened in 2007 and locals tried to keep it a secret, but when the food is this good, word gets out. The vintage styled logo and pared back elements in its interior - basic tables and chairs, tiled floors, slick lines - give it the sense of a classic diner. However, the decor also features lime-coloured retro stools, large crinkle-pleated lamp shades overhead, stripes on the table clothes, circles on the walls, mood lighting - all amounting to an understated elegance. The street-side wall is fully glass, with slide back doors that allow it to be opened up almost completely. A narrow terrace hosts a handful of outside tables with cushioned cane lounge chairs for relaxed al fresco dining and people watching. Inside, to the left of the dining area is a small counter that provides spectator viewing to the open kitchen while you enjoy a coffee or wine. It’s all part of the experience, but decor isn’t what brought you here; you want to sample the Anglo-Euorpean-Aussie infused fare that has received folkloric reviews. The menu is beholden to seasonal produce and, as such, changes frequently, which is why it is usually written on a blackboard. It’s not the kind of place you come to for a light meal, or if you’re vegetarian, alas. They offer a 3-course a la carte dinner for $75pp. The food is hardy with strongly stated flavours: Yellowfin Tuna crudo with finger lime, horseradish and grapefruit dressing (entree); Rangers Valley Wagyu rump with agrodolce salsa, mustard butter and fried onion (main); Chocolate mousse with salted butterscotch, chantilly and almond praline is just one example of a combo from the current menu. They have also created something of an haute cuisine take-away menu which currently includes whole roast Nichols chook 1.6kg with their signature bread sauce and brussels sprouts,( requires 24 hours notice) among other delicious and indulgent menu items. Perfect for those live-streamed theatre shows. Or the footy. Whatever. 407 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe Ph: 9660 2646 glebepointdiner.com.au

More on Newtown The latest spin by My Vinyl Revolution - the bimonthly Newtown Record Fair. Whether you’re from the disco generation, a die-hard rocker or a fan of naughties pop-princesses, vinyls are for everyone – and there’s no better place to get your hands on some old classics or new hits than the Newtown Record Fair  held bimonthly at The Bank Hotel . Read more on Newtown   From the minds of My Vinyl Revolution , Erica Olson and Peter Pasqual, Newtown Record Fair is the ultimate place for music lovers to get together and for you to get your hands on some excellent new and second-hand vinyl.   Having begun in 2017, Newtown Record Fair was originally a small group of local record sellers in the Inner West who “who wanted to bring a fun, occasional record fair experience to Newtown” says organiser Erica Olson.   “Each seller has their own specialist range of records for sale, like  psych, dance, afro, and they encourage their followers to come to the fair each time to check out the vinyl. It has grown over time with record fair goers keen to experience the record vibe, live deejays and open-air courtyard environment.”    Newtown Record Fair typically brings approximately two and half thousand visitors per event with upwards of ten thousand records up for sale each fair. With numbers like these, there is truly something for everyone each time the fair is held and is a day for the whole family.   “Newtown Record Fair is a supportive and inclusive space where we encourage vinyl overs to come and learn, share and experience the record vibe; it is always free entry; dog and kid-friendly.” Said Erica.   A beloved event by locals, Newtown Record Fair has previously included vinyl-related art, magazines, markers products and live music and the team at My Vinyl Revolution are always looking for ways to include new things – “We want to embrace the full spirit of the record fair with these extensions in the near future” Erica told Neighbourhood Media.   Newtown Record Fair is hosted by the Bank Hotel and sponsored by local community radio network 2SER 107.3FM. “Without these communities Newtown Record Fair would not be happening” Erica said. If you missed the most recent Newtown Record Fair held on March 3rd, fear not! The next event will be held on Sunday May 5th between 12-5pm. Dates are also scheduled for July 7th, September 1st and November 3rd. READ MORE ON NEWTOWN

Read more on Newtown Communities all over the world are grappling with how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so we can avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Here in Newtown, a new community group is thinking about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our local area as quickly as possible – and have some fun along the way. The group, called Newtown Climate , was formed in late 2022 by a committed group of local residents who were brought together around their shared goal of a ‘fast, fair and fun’ transition to zero emissions. The group meets every week at a cafe on King St to discuss ideas for the zero emissions transition and – more importantly – to do something about it. On Valentine’s Day, while many people were out having romantic dinners, a dozen Newtown Climate members met up for a tour of Young Henrys algae project. Over a couple of beers Young Henrys co-founder Oscar McMahon showed the group how Young Henrys is using cutting edge technology to capture carbon dioxide produced during the brewing process and use it to grow algae, in partnership with researchers from UTS. The algae is then mixed in with grains and fed to cattle, with an added benefit of reducing the cows' methane emissions. Newtown Climate member Eddy Blaxell said: “It’s incredible to see things like this taking place right here in the heart of our local community. Enterprising locals are working on creative solutions that could help breweries the world over become part of the solution to climate change.” Most of the group are renters, a cohort that is often locked out of climate solutions. Newtown has one of the highest rates of renting in Australia – over 60% - and one of lowest rates of solar panel installations – under 10%. Old houses with poor insulation are hard to heat in winter or to cool in summer, driving up energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. In its submissions to local, state and national government policy processes Newtown Climate regularly calls for better solutions for renters, as well as social housing tenants. The group says everyone will benefit: cheaper bills for tenants, cleaner air for communities, and reduced climate pollution. One of the ideas the group is most excited about is regular car-free days on King St and Enmore Rd. They would like to see these main streets opened up for pedestrians and cyclists every Sunday, based on the ciclovia  model common in South America and Europe…. Newtown Climate has been working with the Committee for Sydney, a local think tank who put out a report late last year highlighting the benefits of car-free days for communities, health and climate. But they haven’t yet found support from local councils or the state government. Amanda Dawkins, Newtown Climate member says, “I am committed to building a community within our local area that has the common purpose of making a difference in whatever way possible. It’s up to each and everyone of us as individuals to do something no matter how small.” Sign up for the Newtown Climate newsletter , or follow them on Twitter and Instagram . READ MORE ON NEWTOWN

Calling Dee Why's best bargain hunters, check out these epic happy hours, specials and deals available at your favourite local food, retail and wellness businesses. Restaurant Specials in Dee Why Looking for some delicious local delicacies that won’t break the bank? Thankfully Dee Why residents are spoilt for choice! Check out some of the best daily specials + happy hours around: The Builders Club - 18-20 Fisher Rd, Dee Why Now, this is a club you definitely want to be a part of, and for only $5 a year (or $10 for 3), your wallet will definitely thank you! The Builders Club run their standard Happy Hour every day, and it’s a long one - 3:30-6:30 pm. Members have a new offer almost every single day of the week to take advantage of: Tuesday -  Hot & Cold Seafood Plate for $24 Wednesday - All meals under $26 Thursday - T-Bone, Rump Steak of Fish Filets, served with your choice of chips/salad or seasonal veg - $24 Friday -  Fish & Chips with a free drink ( house beer, soft drink or glass of house wine) $19.50 Saturday/Sunday -  All meals under $27.50 Check out the full menu or become a member today - https://www.thebuildersclub.com.au/ Valentine Pizza Cafe - 161 Alfred St, Narraweena For the love of flavour! Valentines do not discriminate by days of the week - whenever you buy two pizzas, you get a third free. These guys offer dine-in, takeaway and home delivery. Order online - https://valentinepizza.com.au/ Sea Bar Cafe - 2/20 The Strand, Dee Why Is there anything better than an ice-cold cocktail on a hot summer's day? Yep, when you can drink it while overlooking the beach and It's a bargain! Pop into Sea Bar Cafe anytime  and enjoy a $14 Aperol Spritz, or bring a friend and have two for $20. 4Pines Truck Bar - 9-13 Winbourne Rd, Brookvale If you like your beer fresh, tucking into a pint metres from where the liquid gold was first brewed must sound pretty appealing, right? What if we told you every Monday to Friday, at 4-5 pm, you could get your hands on a house pint for only $7 straight from the source at the 4Pines Truck Bar? We’d say, “see you there”! The offer also extends to their range of house wines & wings. Jump online for more details - https://4pinesbeer.com.au/venues/truckbar-brookvale Beach Burrito - 154-158 Pacific Parade, Dee Why These guys may be home to Dee Why’s BIGGEST Happy Hour ever! Monday to Saturday from 4 till 6 pm, you can get $10 frozen margaritas, cheap tacos, $7 house beer + wine, AND there are even kids eat free deals. PS Download the Beach Burrito XG app for $10 free credit & many more perks! Check out the latest specials - https://www.beachburritocompany.com/dee-why-northern-beaches-nsw/dee-why-2/ Time and Tide Hotel - 30 Campbell Ave, Dee Why If you’re looking for some wallet-friendly entertainment early in the week, Time & Tide offer $1 Pool ALL day Monday & Tuesday. And for the Pool Sharks out there, enter into the Tuesday Night Pool comp! Cash prizes on offer - registration from 6 pm for a 6:30 pm start. The GoodBar - 41 Orchard Rd, Brookvale Thirsty? It’s not often you can find top shelf options on a budget - head into GoodBar Wednesday to Friday, 4-6pm, for the fanciest Happy Hour on the beaches. $10 G&T’s + $10 Jarrah Single Malts. Brookvale Hotel - 511-513 Pittwater Rd, Brookvale There are almost too many specials to list at The Brooky Hotel! They have a different food special almost every day of the week, $5 spirits from 7 pm every Friday and a super cheap Happy Hour on Saturdays - $4 beer/wine from 4-7 pm. If you’re looking to cater to the whole family, head in on a Sunday where Kids can get FREE lunch or dinner. If you know of a restaurant special deal in Dee Why not listed here, please let us know ! Retail Specials in Dee Why Brookvale Nissan Service Centre 32 Mitchell Rd, Brookvale Just bought a car? Head into Brookvale Nissan's Service Centre and bag a bargain - all new customers can enjoy 15% off their first service! Call today and mention the 2099 Magazine to claim - 02 8329 3833 Health & Wellness Specials in Dee Why Turning Pointe Pilates - Suite 4121, 834 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why Looking for a more personalised pilates experience? This one’s for you - Turning Pointe Pilates are offering a free  Group Class. Just call 0149 690 609 and mention the 2099 Magazine to book your spot.

Inner West Council has voted unanimously to implement 40km/hr speed limits on local Inner West streets within the Inner West Local Government Area. Read more on Newtown Inner West Council and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) worked closely together on this plan to make the Inner West a safer place to walk, cycle and move around. The Council will seek approval and funding from TfNSW to expedite the delivery of the plan.   The adopted report InnerWest@40 , saw 82% of responders support uniformly reduced speeds on all local roads within the Inner West. “Council will also seek to prioritise the roll out of 40km/hr speed limits near aged care homes and childcare centres, along with our schools and hospitals. “We’ve seen the success of the existing 40km/hr speed zone on the Balmain Peninsula and it’s time to bring all our streets into uniform alignment. “In a crash between a car and a pedestrian, there is a 90 per cent chance that a pedestrian will survive at 30km/h, 60 per cent chance at 40km/h and a 10 per cent chance at 50 km/h,” said Councillor Tim Stephens. “The average vehicle speed in the Inner West is already below 40km/hr. It makes sense to adopt uniform and safer speed limits and increase community safety. “We can achieve this with minimal inconvenience to the travelling public. Our study showed that a weekday trip from Birchgrove to Marrickville will only take 16 seconds longer. A weekend journey on the same route was an additional 36 seconds. “It’s a small price to pay for a safer community,” Councillor Tim Stephens said READ MORE ON NEWTOWN

We chat to Brayden Lew who shares details about his beer-making journey and tells us about his new gig at Wildflower Brewing & Blending. Read more on Marrickville After a uni-holiday trip to Germany in his early-twenties, Brayden Lew was inspired to take the leap from teaching to brewing. “In Germany I was introduced to greater concepts of beer,” Brayden said. “I always had an interest in cooking and the more I looked into it, I saw the similarities”.  After learning more about what beer can be, other than the “run-of-the-mill” pub favourites, Brayden was inspired to begin home-brewing upon his return to Australia. Having grown up regionally, Brayden had access to angle-grinders, welders and other equipment that would help transform his two-bedroom flat into a makeshift brewery, to begin his foray into the industry.  “I looked into brewing as an option to study” Brayden told Neighbourhood Media, and while he had seen university courses on brewing in Germany, it wasn’t something he could find in Australia. “I was scouring the internet for blog-posts and publications to help me learn more” as a result took to working in venues to continue learning the trade.  “I did what everyone does when they start home-brewing which is force it on to everyone around you” Brayden jokes. This included friends, family and eventually industry professionals he met at events while working in different venues and breweries around Sydney. Eventually TAFE NSW launched their Certificate III in Food Processing (Brewing) in 2016 and Brayden which Brayden completed in the course’s first year. A representative from TAFE NSW has told Neighbourhood Media that there is currently a surge in demand for brewers, with the food and drink manufacturing industry forecast to grow by almost 4,000 jobs by 2026. While boutique breweries are certainly on the rise in Sydney, there are still very few formal educational pathways for those interested in brewing. “Sits in a strange zone in-between factory production, food handling… it’s very much an artform” Brayden said. “It has creative elements like recipe design, so it can be a difficult thing to structure a course around. What TAFE did very well was bringing together both the theoretical side and the practical…you’re in a classroom but you’re also immediately going into the breweries throughout Sydney and solidifying that information”.  Brayden, who moved to the United Kingdom shortly after finishing his TAFE certificate, noted that many of the graduates with formal degrees from the likes of Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, lacked the physical and practical knowledge of brewing.” You’re constantly climbing in and out of vessels and cleaning. It gets said a lot but you're basically a glorified janitor that has to have knowledge in microbiology”. Brayden reflected that TAFE had equipped him with both the knowledge and practical skills necessary for brewery work.  Now returned to Sydney, Brayden has recently taken up post as the Head Brewer of Wildflower Brewing & Blending which opened in Marrickville in 2016, a full circle moment for Brayden who had previously worked at the Brewer during his TAFE studies.  For those unfamiliar with the local brewery, Wildflower is the brain-child of brothers-in-law Topher Boehm and Chris Allen, who had the revolutionary idea to ferment their ales with a diversity of yeasts and bacteria collected from native flowers throughout NSW. “Most breweries will buy and use traditional brewer’s yeast…whereas our cultures have hundreds of stands of yeast” Brayden explained, adding that this method and by maturing the beer in former wine barrels, helps give Wildflower ales’ their unique flavour.  In addition to brewing their beers in Marrickville, Wildflower is committed to using local ingredients; We work with organic and responsibly sourced malt, hops and everything we use is from NSW”. Brayden also added that Wildflower is “massively focused on environmental factors as production industries like brewing can be quite consumptive”, noting that Wildflower is also in minimal single-use plastic and chemical usage. Wildflower also builds close connections with other local businesses including the farmers that supply their grain. “We’re committed to working responsibly so we are making something that tastes good but also feels good”.  Regarding his new role Brayden said “everyone wants to make their mark on a new role” adding that he had always admired the work being done at Wildflower since his time as a trainee. “Our business is about quality so the idea between continuing to influence creativity and come up with new ideas for beer and using native ingredients is what I’m really passionate about”. To learn more about Wildflower’s ale production or to test out the goods for yourself, visit the brewery at 11-13 Brompton Street, Marrickville. For cellar door opening hours and to place an order, head to www.wildflowerbeer.com   READ MORE ON MARRICKVILLE

Meet local writer, Ash Mellross, who is in the midst of developing his debut children's book. Growing up Ash Mellross was always an incredibly creative person. For Ash, it didn't matter whether he was painting, drawing, snapping photos or filming short movies — as long as he was creating, he was happy. By Jamie Apps As Ash grew older, the responsibilities of life took over leading him to move to Cronulla and become an emergency room nurse. However, the creative bug never left Ash and once his daughter came along he discovered the perfect outlet for his creative energy — a children's picture book. So, for the past three years, Ash has dedicated all of his free time to his debut book, with the aim of having Pop, Lee And The Tiny Tree ready for Christmas 2022. Chatting to Neighbourhood Media recently, Ash spoke about how this journey all came to fruition. "When I became a parent I started thinking about the parenting must do's, like teaching road safety and following safety instructions. From there, that's where this little idea for the book started to grow," recalled Ash. "Three years ago, I jotted down a few bold headlines about what might be in the story and then it all grew from there." While Ash was spurred on to create his children's book following the arrival of his daughter, he explained that he was also inspired by the books he was reading to her. In particular, Ash said The Gruffalo and The Grufallo's Child by Julia Donaldson were big inspirations for his writing style. "I was captivated by those two books when I read them to Olivia. They are such lovely books which are so well written and use rhyming couplets to make it really fun for both you as a parent & for your child listening." Prior to setting out on this journey to write a children's book, Ash was placing his creative energy into short films for YouTube, which he says he thought were "quite complex". He now realises that short films were much simpler than writing a book. "When I started the kid's book, I hadn't drawn for years and had never focused on character drawings, so that required a lot of focus. Learning to draw these characters has been the longest part of the process," explained Ash. "Creating this kid's book has been a massive journey. There are 32 pictures in the book and the amount of time it takes to get the watercolour into those was much longer than I anticipated." Writing a children's book hasn't only been a learning curve from the creative standpoint though. Throughout this process, Ash has had to learn all of the ins and outs of business, the processes for publishing a book and finally battling with his own emotions. As Ash said, "to create this book it's just me, some paper, pencils and paints. It's very much a solo journey, which can be a bit lonely at times, but I have enjoyed every moment in the process of making the book." For Ash the most exciting part of this entire journey has been sharing it with his daughter. Throughout the entire process, Olivia has sat beside Ash drawing her own characters, writing her own little stories and giving Ash the seal of approval on each page as it is completed. Ash says his next book might have to be a "rescue mission" after the main character was changed from a little girl named Olivia to a boy named Lee. In terms of where parents can purchase the completed book, Ash said it will be available by print-on-demand. The decision to go with this model was influenced by two factors. Firstly, Ash said he did not want the "pressure of being responsible for other people's money without a finished product available". Secondly, Ash looked to one of his colleagues, who had previously written a book, for advice and was told to go with print-on-demand. As for when Pop, Lee And The Tiny Tree will be available, Ash said: "I've set myself the deadline of November so that the book is ready for everybody to do their Christmas shopping." Keep an eye on Ash's YouTube channel by searching Ash Mellross to see when the book is launched.