More on Dee Why If you’re a dog parent living on the Northern Beaches, you’re in for a treat. On the Northern Beaches, we’re blessed with many fabulous dog-friendly walks, right on our doorstep. There are also some beautiful dog-friendly beaches and if you’re more in the mood to relax and enjoy a coffee or a bite, we’ve listed a couple of great dog-friendly spots for you to try. Northern Beaches Dog Walks Let us inspire you to get out and explore with your furry best friend. Starting off with Red Hill Reserve. It’s a beautiful dog-friendly area that offers a range of walking trails for you and your fluff to explore. The walking trails are surrounded by native flora and fauna, providing a peaceful and serene environment for you and your dog to enjoy. Dogs are allowed in Red Hill Reserve on a leash. Make sure to bring your own water and poop bags as there are no facilities available in the reserve. Next up is the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail: This 8.4km loop walk is mostly flat and offers beautiful views of the lagoon and surrounding bushland. Dogs are allowed on a leash, and there are plenty of spots along the trail to take a break and soak in the views - and even a few cafes where you can sit outside and enjoy a coffee or grab something to eat to replenish your energy. The Long Reef Coastal Walk: This beautiful walk offers breathtaking views of the ocean and coastline. It's an easy walk and is suitable for all fitness levels. Dogs are allowed on a leash, and there are plenty of spots along the way to stop and take in the views. If your dog is up for a good play with some buddies we recommend checking out the off-lead dog park off the golf course! The Freshwater to Curl Curl Coastal Walk is one we’d highly recommend! This stunning walk offers spectacular views of the ocean and coastline. It's an easy walk that stretches for about two kilometres and is suitable for all fitness levels. The entire walk is dog-friendly, and if your dog is up for a good play with some buddies we recommend checking out the off-lead dog park and the doggy beach where dogs are allowed to swim*. Gusto by the Beach is a wonderful dog-friendly spot with outdoor seating, enjoy a nice breakky and a coffee with stunning ocean views to really start your morning off right! Manly locals know that Manly Lagoon to Hinkler Park is also a fantastic dog-friendly walk in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Manly Lagoon is surrounded by a walking and cycling track. Dogs are allowed on a leash everywhere and there are even parts where dogs are allowed off lead. Hinkler Park is a well-known fully fenced dog park where dogs are allowed off-lead. Dogs are allowed to dip their paws in the water on the edges of Hinkler Park as well as the doggie beach at the start of the walk*. Stop by The Corner at Queensie to grab a nice coffee on-the-go. Clontarf Beach or “Sandy Bay dog area” is another great spot to explore if you have a social, water-loving pooch. We’d recommend visiting at low-tide, because the beach area almost disappears at high-tide. The beach and parts of the lawn are officially part of the “off-leash” dog area. In between Sandy Bay and Clontarf Reserve you’ll find the Sandy Bear. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, even if they’re sandy! Offering breakfast and lunch daily, the menu features all of the classics with a fresh and healthy focus befitting its beachy vibe. *be mindful, the water in the lagoons can be polluted, especially after lots of rainfall.

MoWaNa is a community-based service, run out of the Mind Cafe, supporting people facing emotional or suicidal distress and creating ‘safe spaces’ right across the Northern Beaches. In recent years, our community has faced some hard challenges, so it’s no wonder mental health has come to the forefront of conversations. Lockdowns and long periods of isolation have seen a large increase in declining mental health and the current cost of living crisis hasn’t helped to steady emotions. These factors, compounded with the usual challenges of everyday life has made the need for in-person communication and support all the more greater. The impacts our mental health plays on our overall well-being are fortunately better understood now than in bygone eras, despite this, there has been little to no increases in funding or resources. The overwhelming strain on the mental health system has direct impacts within our communities and it is often those you would least suspect who are suffering the most. This means it’s more important than ever for us to come together as a community to support those less fortunate, or those that may be struggling with mental health issues. MoWaNa Thankfully, Sydney’s Northern Beaches has MoWaNa. Standing for Mona Vale, Warriewood and Narrabeen, MoWaNa is a community-led Safe Space group offering peer support for those experiencing emotional or suicidal distress. They have taken up residence at The Mind Cafe in Narrabeen. Co-designed by Roses in the Ocean, MoWaNa is part of their National Community-led Safe Space Project, developing spaces for people to meet, share and support each other throughout Australia. MoWaNa President Melani Kypri candidly shared her story of attempted suicide and struggles with mental health with the Northern Beaches Advocate, saying: “From my experience being in hospital and the recovery period, I thought we’ve got to do better. People that are feeling mentally stressed out, they need peace and quiet, they need calmness around them,” With that, the idea of MoWaNa was founded. The Mind Cafe, owner Guy Morel, also told the publication, “This issue is really close to my heart. The purpose and values behind this café align with what MoWaNa is about.” MoWaNa offers a person-led non-clinical approach to support, whereby people with Lived Experience are actively involved in all aspects of the Community-led Safe Space. The organisation is staffed by Peer CARE Companions (PCC) who have either had their own lived experience of suicide, have supported someone else in crisis, or who have been bereaved by suicide. It is important to remember, that community is more than just the street or suburb that you live in, community also means being able to seek out and offer support. MoWaNa operates from 5.00pm to 9.00pm, Friday to Sunday, at The Mind Cafe (1346 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen). All are welcome to attend. If you need immediate help, call 000.

By Alec Smart iGUANEYE – pronounced Ig-Wun-Eye – are minimalist shoes consisting of a moulded insulated sole with a comfortable lining, which allow your feet to breathe and move freely as though you were barefoot. Neighbourhood Media put a pair through their paces. When I first took custody of a pair of iGUANEYE shoes I didn’t know what to expect. Actually ‘shoes’ is almost a misnomer, because they’re a pair of close-fitting soles with almost no uppers – meaning no laces to tie, no ‘wearing them in’ until they’re comfortable, no muscle cramps, no foot odours, no blisters. ​​They’re also unisex in design, come in three main types in a range of colours, and much more versatile and safer than other open-toed footwear, such as sandals, crocs and thongs. Admittedly, they take a bit of getting used to. Firstly, they fit anatomically, comfortably cupping your heel and enclosing your big toe, which seems to defy both gravity and logic. Secondly, looking down they resemble ‘flats’ or ‘pumps’ worn by ballerinas, yet the nearest I’ve been to the ballet is a stroll around Sydney Opera House. And my wide feet will never gracefully ‘pointe’ on their tippy-toes to enable a pirouette. iGUANEYE were brave in agreeing to let me road-test a pair of their ‘Freshoes’, one of three varieties available in Australia, including Jungle Lights and Jungle Lux. As aforementioned, I have wide feet. Like a duck. Some time ago, after I fractured a metatarsal in my left foot, an X-ray revealed I had a sixth knuckle on the side. I assume the right foot is the same, because, although it wasn't X-rayed, it matches the left in width. After a childhood of enduring painful cramped feet from shoes the correct length but narrowly constrictive, the stitching tearing prematurely in surrender, I learned to wear shoes up to two sizes larger than my foot length. I also walk a little awkwardly, both pigeon-toed and bouncey, because I have mild scoliosis. This used to see me mocked in school, with kids imitating my strange gait as they followed me across the playground. Performance review So, how did the iGUANEYES perform? As substitutes for thongs or Crocs, I couldn’t fault them. Easy to slip on and pad around the house or stroll around the neighbourhood. One time I had to hurriedly bolt outside and move the vehicle from a time-lapsed parking zone. No problem driving either. Being taken for a beach walk by a friend’s dog, which subsequently plunged into the sea and needed to be coaxed back before it set out for New Zealand, was all taken in stride. However, the iGUANEYES didn’t take to cycling, detaching from my heel and flapping each revolution of the pedals. That was street cycling, so mountain biking is off the curriculum. Nevertheless, when scrambling up rocks along the seashore or strolling around suburbia they performed admirably, comfortably absorbing my bouncing gait. Overall review: I’m putting my foot down for a thumbs up! Background on iGUANEYE shoes They were designed by Oliver Taco, company founder, who asked the question: How far can you strip back the shoe and still have comfort and protection? Taco was inspired by early Amazonians who dipped their feet in liquid rubber for protection from the elements, enabling them to move faster through their forested environs. iGUANEYES are made sustainably, in Porto, north Portugal, with each shoe hand-pressed in the factory. The removable cork inner soles of the Freshoe and Jungle Lux shoes are also sustainably harvested (keeping alive an historic Portuguese industry that has for centuries provided corks for wine bottles). iGUANEYE explains: “The trees are not cut down or damaged when the cork is harvested, and they can be harvested every 9 years for the lifetime of the tree (roughly 270 years!). These forests are a unique habitat in the Iberian Peninsula and the refuge of various endangered species. Cork is also easily recyclable. This makes the cork in iGUANEYE shoes sustainable.” iGUANEYE have pledged to donate 10% of their profits to Amazon Watch and Children’s Ground charities, the former protecting Amazonian rainforests and its Indigenous peoples, the latter working with Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders to challenge poverty and develop communities through cultural and economic initiatives. iGUANEYE Australia Web: https://iguaneye.com.au/ Insta: www.instagram.com/iguaneye_australia/ FB: www.facebook.com/iguaneyeaustralia/ YouTube: Link

More on Newtown By ALEC SMART The site under construction. Photo: Alec Smart ReStreet property developers have recently acquired a prime piece of real estate in Darlinghurst, on the edge of Kings Cross and adjacent to Darlinghurst Fire Station, and they’re collaborating with Dallad Construction to bring it to life. We caught up with Alistair Jones, Dallad Construction Director, to find out more. There’s something intriguing taking place behind the black hoarding encircling number 1 Kings Cross Rd in Darlinghurst. For the geographically unfamiliar, it’s at the Victoria Rd/William St interface, in front of The Elan Building, at the peak of the hill before it rolls east down to Rushcutters Bay. Still unsure? Most people would instantly place it if they were told to look for the internationally-famous illuminated scarlet sign at the top of William St, advertising the world’s most famous cola drink (two words, both starting with C). When facing the coke-red coloured sign, tilt your gaze south (anti-clockwise), and pause mid-way between the historic 1911-built Darlinghurst Fire Station to the right (which, curiously, resembles a Medieval tournament helmet worn by jousting knights), and the aforementioned glowing red sign to the left. There you’ll see a raised semicircular platform, accessed by stairs and paved like a chequers board for the neighbourhood pigeons playing avian chess. So, what is taking place behind the black hoarding - which bears the bold white lettering “re.street. Reimagine. Redevelop. Rebuild.” - an upgrade or a rebuild? “A complete new attached building,” Alistair Jones revealed, “completed by way of approved DA [Development Application]. ReStreet purchased the site 6 months ago and have engaged Dallad to build the new structure...” When the construction is complete, what will the premises be utilised for? “Bettys Burgers,” he replied. “We expect the business to be operating mid-year…” Artist's impression of the new premises at 1 Kings Cross Rd Darlinghurst Betty’s Burgers Betty’s Burgers – aka Betty’s Burgers and Concrete Co. - is a nationwide chain of licensed, 1950s-style, premium hamburger restaurants with 46 stores across Australia – 12 in the Sydney metropolitan area. After posting $83.2 million in revenue in the 2021 financial year (up from $68.9 million in 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic limiting in-store dining), Betty’s Burgers is set to expand to at least 150 stores across Australia. Their menus offer a range of classic burgers, fries, salads, desserts and freshly-made ice cream thickshakes, with vegan and gluten-free options available too. Betty’s Burgers has been linked to Beatrice ‘Betty’ Wallace – who, in 1978, started selling American-inspired beef burgers from a food van on Noosa Heads Main Beach in Queensland for $1 each – under the name ‘Sunshine Coast Snacks and Things’, later ‘Betty’s Beach Burgers’. However, the similarly-named ‘Betty’s Burgers and Concrete Co’ was actually inspired by the grandmother of hospitality magnate and founder David Hales, Betty Anderson. Coincidentally, they also opened their flagship store in Noosa Heads, at 50 Hastings St, opposite Noosa Heads Main Beach, in Dec 2014. The franchise is owned by Retail Zoo, the parent company of the Boost Juice, Cibo Espresso and Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill outlets. In 2019, Managing Director Troy McDonagh told QSR Media the reason for their expansion and continued success. “I put it down to three key ingredients: People, Product, and Place… I think those three things really resonate with our guests.” Place: “We try to bring that Noosa beach shack vibe. There’s a nostalgic sentiment that transforms you when you’re on holidays… so, we tried to bring those nostalgic elements into our restaurants and our design.” People: “What we try to create a genuineness to our approach to hospitality. So, the teams that we hire and the people that work within the brand have to capture the essence of what we’re trying to do. It’s almost a resort-style feel and you’ve got a team of people that are really capturing that vibe and energy.” Product: “We really try to keep the product simple and fresh. We strive for high quality; where possible, we produce the products in-restaurant so there’s a real artisan, unique, handcrafted approach to our burgers, fries, and shakes.” ReStreet, the guiding force behind the design of Betty’s Burgers’ new Sydney outlet, describe themselves as “A collation of driven professionals, with hunger for success, a passion for building and delivering developments that redefine the boundaries. ReStreet’s harmonious design responds to the neighbourhood character. It focuses on craftsmanship, sustainability and integrity.” As for the premises at 1 Kings Cross Rd, ReStreet reveal: “The new architecturally-designed restaurant will showcase over 300m2 of commercial retail space, with 3 street frontages across Victoria Street, Kings Cross Road and Craigend Street. “The DA plans now under construction are to expand the restaurant with indoor and external seating with 35m frontage and 6.3m ceiling height. The highly exposed and elevated position will showcase expansive city views and become one of William Streets iconic locations.” The notorious 'Stones Against The Sky' artwork. Photo: supplied Stones Against Art However, perhaps only a minor distraction, in the foreground of the construction project, smack-bang in the middle of the raised, chequered platform of 1 Kings Cross Rd, is the infamous 'Stones Against the Sky' sculpture by Ken Unsworth. Erected 1998 and arguably Australia’s ugliest piece of public art, it features what looks like seven eyeballs skewered on cocktail sticks. Originally coloured russet brown, which earned it the unkind but deserved moniker ‘Poo on Sticks’, it’s now painted black and less likely to put you off your premium burgers. I asked Alistair Jones, “Can Dallad be prevailed upon to win the hearts and minds of the general public by replacing Ken Unsworth's wretched ‘Stones Against The Sky’ statue - aka ‘Poo On Sticks’ - with something more aesthetically pleasing?” However, carefully avoiding wading into a cultural firestorm, he only replied cryptically, “The previous site has been a major eyesore and the work being undertaken is state of the art, fully designed and will be a major upgrade of the area for the community.” ReStreet Web: https://restreet.com.au/ Dallad Web: https://dallad.com.au/ Betty’s Burgers Web: https://www.bettysburgers.com.au/ =======================

Staycations are an opportunity, not a compromise. There is so much beauty, luxury, and tranquility within easy distance of Sydney - and no passport is required. Neighbourhood Media invites you to explore your own magnificent backyard - beginning with Port Stephens. A mere two and a half hour drive north of Sydney, the picturesque bays and headlands of Port Stephens render it a geographical artwork. The natural surrounds have been well preserved making it a go-to destination for those who want to be one with the Earth and get up close to local wildlife. You can swim with wild dolphins, cruise close to whales, or ride camels along the beach. Port Stephens offers the perfect holiday for those chasing adventure as well as calm: dive the clear waters; surf the waves; trek through undulating green hills; or tackle the giant sand dunes on quad bikes or sand-boards. For the ultimate Port Stephens holiday you need to stay at Bannisters. Bannisters, Port Stephens is a measure of discreet opulence. Surrounded by bushland and facing the limitless blue sea, this modern, stylish hotel is a self-contained paradise. High ceilings, open spaces, and large glass windows allow a flow through of the natural expanse outside. At just three years old, Bannisters is a complete renovation of the iconic Salamander Shores Hotel that once stood on the site. The impressive complex is un-intrusive in the natural environs and offers 29 Paperbark rooms which overlook the kookaburra and koala habitats, 49 Ocean view rooms, 4 Luxury Suites and a magnificent Penthouse with panoramic views of the Bay. You can paddle to the edge of the infinity pool and look out at the deep blue bay. The various food offerings all use delicious, locally sourced produce including the freshest seafood. Indulge yourself with a massage or special treatment at Spa Bannisters. It’s everything you want in a luxury holiday without the hassle of security screening and hours in a cramped seat. And guess what - they’ve even got a few dog-friendly rooms! So start packing… W: Link P: 0249193800

What seemed like an average morning for local photographer and drone enthusiast, Dario Berzosa, become quite extraordinary in a matter of seconds. Bondi local, Dario, spends a lot of his spare time and weekend's out and about honing his photography and drone skills. He has amassed an impressive 21.8k followers on his Instagram (dario.bs), and become well known for his incredible sky scapes, and aerial shots that showcase the natural environment. Image: Dario Berzosa - @dario.bs While sunsets, storms and sunrises are all pretty spectacular, this morning (Saturday, May 13th) turned out to be one to remember! After embarking on his usual morning expedition, and setting up to capture a big storm rolling in - it was then he spotted a water spout around 1.5km out to sea. Image: Dario Berzosa - @dario.bs A waterspout is a phenomenon that occurs over bodies of water (oceans or even lakes) where a rotating column of water is formed beneath cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds. Waterspouts are essentially tornadoes that form over water. They can range in size and intensity, with some being weak and short-lived, while others can be strong and last for several minutes. Check out the footage below:

The pandemic may have knocked it down but community spirit raised it back up. Glebe Markets has been the epicentre of life - at least on Saturdays - for locals and visitors since 1992. When it was forced to close for 6 months last year, stallholders, regular attendees, and residents were all deeply impacted. In September 2020, the markets re-opened a COVID-safe revamp. Gone are the narrow, people-packed paths pumping through the markets like capillaries. The aisles are now wide enough to allow appropriate distancing and an easy flow of traffic. There is constant, rigorous cleaning, and patrons are encouraged to sanitise hands frequently. You might need to be a little less touchy feely than you’re used to but all you favourite stalls are still there. If you’re planning on having a meal and/or a drink (and you definitely are because the food selection is amazing!) you’ll need to order online and pay by card. From what we know, the virus can’t be transmitted through sound, which is a relief because there is a superb line-up of live entertainment at the markets. Order some delicious food, plonk down on the lawn and listen to the chill tones of home-grown talent. Vintage, makers, artisan, antique, crafty, kitschy, unique, rare - it’s all here. Every Saturday, 10am - 4pm Glebe Public School grounds, Cnr Derby Pl and Glebe Point Rd www.glebemarkets.com.au

More on Glebe By ALEC SMART Historic Glebe Island Bridge, abandoned and neglected for almost three decades, might be brought back into service (like its twin sister Pyrmont Bridge), as part of the Bays West Precinct project. History of the Glebe Island Bridge Glebe Island Bridge, the electric swing bridge spanning Johnstons Bay between Pyrmont and Rozelle, was built to replace the dysfunctional Blackbutts Bridge and opened on 28 June 1903. It was constructed as part of the Five Bridges Route, to facilitate traffic flow between the city and its western and northern suburbs. The other four bridges were Gladesville (1881), Iron Cove (1882), Fig Tree (1885) and Pyrmont, the latter constructed at the same time but opened a year earlier in 1902. Glebe Island Bridge and its more fortunate twin sister, Pyrmont Bridge (still in service), were considered engineering marvels upon their opening and compared with the acclaimed Tower Bridge in London (a hydraulic suspension bridge opened in 1894). Among the world’s first electrically-operated opening bridges, both featured a pivoting midsection that rotated 90 degrees in under a minute to facilitate maritime traffic below. Vehicles were halted by traffic lights and a pair of timber swing-gates on either end of the approach ramps, which interlocked electronically. The bridges’ pivoting centre sections couldn’t open until the gates were closed. They were both designed by esteemed civil engineer Percy Allan. Allan adapted an American truss design, introducing substantial improvements that were not only more cost-effective, they allowed for easier maintenance and repairs without the need for closure. Named in his honour as Allan Truss bridges, 105 were constructed in NSW from 1894 - 1929 (less than 20 exist today, very few still functional). Both bridges adjoined the Pyrmont peninsula, one a route to the city spanning Darling Harbour (known to Aboriginals as Tumbalong – ‘the place to find seafood’), the other crossing Johnstons Bay to Glebe Island. Pyrmont peninsula was known to the Indigenous Aboriginal clans as ‘Pirrama’. Pirrama was renowned for its steady supply of drinking water, a mineral spring that reportedly never ran dry, even in periods of drought. Because of the guaranteed source of drinking water, along with abundant timber and the foundation of 15 quarries to extract the high quality, erosion-resistant sandstone in the region, Europeans were quick to colonise the Pirrama peninsula after their arrival in 1788, displacing the Indigenous occupants. Glebe Island Bridge, having evolved from a route to take animals to their slaughter, was closed to traffic and pedestrians upon the 3 December 1995 opening of the massive cable-stayed Anzac Bridge, which runs parallel alongside. The central section was then pivoted 90 degrees on its access to permit the continuous passage of boats either side. The bridge remains in a permanently open position, allowing free movement to an estimated 200 vessels a day, including dinghies, yachts, small ferries and fishing boats between Rozelle and Blackwattle bays and western Sydney Harbour. Big Move 2, Back from the Dead? After years of neglect and calls for its demolition, the prospect that Glebe Island Bridge may be renovated and reactivated as a pedestrian and cycle crossing was reprised again on 22 March 2021 when The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment (DPIE) released their new strategy for the Bays West Precinct construction. DPIE’s strategy proposal “Big Move 2” recommends “a crossing from Bays West to Pyrmont to create more convenient and direct active transport connections.” This will be achieved “either by [the] reinstated existing bridge or [a] newly constructed bridge … to ensure that walking, cycling and public transport are the primary travel modes.” Action 14 specifies: “TfNSW [Transport for NSW] to undertake necessary maintenance and repair of the Glebe Island Bridge to ensure it remains safe and intact and its heritage features are preserved.” The Bays West Precinct redevelopment involves 77 hectares of land adjoining Sydney Harbour, encompassing Glebe Island, the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station and Rozelle Rail Yards to the north-west, along with 76 hectares of adjacent harbour waterways including White and Rozelle bays. Optimists speculate reactivating Glebe Island Bridge will also lead to an expansion of Sydney’s light rail routes linking Balmain to the Inner West network, with trams crossing the bridge itself. Photos: Alec Smart ======================================

More on Glebe By LISA GOODHAND Garçon is a classic French-inspired bistro with a little je ne sais quoi. Starting as the Tram Sheds Built in 1904, the historic Tram Sheds in Forest Lodge (once called the Rozelle Tram Depot), have seen a lot of foot traffic in their time, and were known as an important hub for people who would meet and socialise on their daily commute through the city. They have since been transformed. In 2016, the Tram Sheds were reopened to locals and visitors, who are now flocking there again, not just to socialise, but to experience the culinary creativity for which it has gained a distinguished reputation. And there, in the beating heart of the Tram Sheds, one restaurant deserves that reputation as the place to visit: Garçon. Garçon is a French-inspired bistro with something for everyone. Diners can choose from an extensive brunch, lunch and crêpe menu, as well as a wide-ranging Spritzer, fine wine and cocktail list. Interview with Garcon French Bistro Owner, Paul Sadana Neighbourhood Media caught up with Paul Sadana, the owner of Garçon at the Tram Sheds, to find out what on the menu is making it such a popular destination for foodies. Always popular with Garçon diners, Paul reveals, are their delicious range of crêpes, which are prepared in plain view on their custom-made carts. It’s not just a dining experience for guests, but a visual spectacle as you watch your food being made before you. From the savoury selection, one of the more popular dishes is the Smoked Salmon Crêpe, following a traditional French style filled with smoked salmon, spinach, sour cream & avocado. For the sweet tooth in the house, the OREO crêpe, made with chocolate sauce, Oreo bites, whipped cream, brownie bites, vanilla ice cream and M&Ms, is a winner every time! If free-flowing champagne sounds like your style, then Paul suggests Garçon’s weekend brunch menu for only $69. With a 3-course meal and 90 minutes of bottomless champagne, it is certain to get you in the mood for some Christmas shopping! To book a table at Garçon, simply jump online and visit their website for details. You can also drop by (although they do recommend pre-booking on weekends to avoid disappointment). Note: one of the great features of dining at the Tram Sheds is the free 2-hour parking on site. Garçon Tenancy 4, Tramsheds 1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge NSW 2037 Ph: 0414 444 551 / 0450 026 400 Email: info@garcon.com.au W: https://www.garcon.com.au/ INSTA: @garconsydney FB: @garconsydney ==========================================

By Drew Brian Hoy Glebe Town Hall History Glebe was proclaimed as a municipality in 1859, but it was almost twenty years before the council began discussing the need for a town hall of its own. After more than 140 years, Glebe Town Hall remains an impressive landmark on St Johns Road. In the early days of the newly formed council, meetings were held at various locations around the area. The council was the domain of local professionals and businessmen. The first Mayor of Glebe, solicitor George Wigram Allen, held his position for 18 consecutive terms between 1859 and 1877. Other notable Glebe Aldermen during the early years included architects Edmund Blacket and George Allen Mansfield, surveyor Thomas Harwood, chemist William Pinhey, retail trader Michael Chapman, and George Dibbs, who would later become the State Premier of New South Wales between 1891 and 1894. The first record proposing the building of a town hall was noted in the Glebe Council minutes of 4 November 1878. Land was purchased at the St Johns Road site the same year. At a building committee meeting in February 1879, Ambrose Thornley Junior was appointed as architect for the new town hall. Construction commenced the same year with Sandbrook and Son appointed as the builder. Glebe Town Hall was completed in 1880 and was opened by Thomas J Dunn, who was mayor at the time. Former Mayor George Wigram Allen donated the clock that remains as the centrepiece of the front façade. The project was completed at a cost of £4,600 and an additional £500 was spent on furnishing the new building. By 1889, extensions to the hall were planned to add a second smaller hall, meeting room and council chambers. Ambrose Thornley Junior once again carried out the design. The additions were completed in the same Victorian Italianate style as the existing building. Glebe Town Hall was frequently used for local community functions and became an important meeting place during World War I. Like many suburbs around Sydney, Glebe lost a large number of residents to the war. After the war, a roll of honour was installed in the main foyer to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives. In 1948, after the Second World War, Glebe was amalgamated with the City of Sydney and the town hall’s sole use was as a community hall. In 1968 Glebe was transferred to the Municipality of Leichhardt, but in 2003 large parts of Glebe were again returned to the City of Sydney following council boundary changes. As time passed, and following more than a century of service to the suburb, Glebe Town Tall was beginning to show its age. The roof was in need of repairs, and decorative parapets and finials had become damaged. 2008 Restoration of Glebe Town Hall In 2008, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore commissioned an extensive restoration, which was completed in 2013. Architecture firm Tonkin Zulaikha Greer undertook the works. In addition to restoring the aesthetic elements of the building, the works involved reinstating the original ventilation system and installing a rainwater storage system. The stored water is used to maintain the natural habitat garden created on the site for the endangered local Blue Wren. Glebe Town Hall remains a civic venue available for hire from the City of Sydney. The impressive heritage building has been updated to become accessible and sustainable, while at the same time retaining the character and charm of the nineteenth century. Follow on Instagram: @forgottensydney

More on Turramurra Dancing is a great way to de-stress and feel good. And a group of local seniors are proving that you’re never too old. DanceMoves Every Wednesday Each Wednesday, they participate in a program called DanceMoves, a stylised dance class specifically designed for seniors. It’s one of the many programs offered by Dance Health Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation offering dance and movement training to seniors in care homes and community centres around Australia. Co-founder Gwen Korebrits says the low-impact fitness program, accompanied by a unique playlist that changes each week, focuses on fall prevention, balance, flexibility and stamina. It incorporates various dance styles, and no technique, talent or dance experience is necessary. “We believe everyone is a dancer regardless of age or ability,” she says. Gwen explains as an exercise form, dance is ideal for senior bodies. The benefits range from improvements in memory, movement, and mental health. “Dance is a medicine; it increases your Cardiovascular and aerobic fitness, produces muscle strength, and encourages balance,” she says. “It improves mood, enhances memory, induces neuroplasticity, and increases self-awareness. And then, of course, there are the social benefits.” Dance Health Alliance classes are open to seniors of all abilities, with movements that can be performed either sitting or standing. Dance Health Alliance for Seniors Turramurra local Alex Young has been attending classes for four years. She is in her 70s, had never danced before, but it didn’t matter. “As the teacher says, there’s no right or wrong” she says. “The classes are fun and friendly, and you just go at your own pace”. Alex says the classes have helped her manage her arthritis and stay healthy. “It’s great exercise for your body and your brain,” she says. “The music really gets you moving, and it’s nice to connect with other people in the class.” The program is $10 a session when paid upfront for the term, or $15 per casual class.

More on Newtown A public space providing emerging artists with an opportunity to showcase their work. Inner West Council’s ArtSeat has been delighting, intriguing and challenging Newtown’s residents and visitors since September 2011. The ArtSeat is a permanent structure in Newtown Square that provides local, emerging and established artists with a space where experimental and non-commercial art can be showcased. The very first artwork in 2011 featured striking photographic images created by new media artist r e a, of the Gamilaraay people. The first for 2021 was by Kieran Butler to mark Mardi Gras. Keiran’s work (pictured), This is but a horizon we are working towards, was a “visual and aural beacon where audiences can meet to feel hope, take care, and be with their community.” They said the artwork “is a reminder that as a community and individuals, LGBTQIA+ people still have a long road ahead to a future where we are able to freely live our truths. “This road moves toward a horizon that is unknown and constantly changing and this constant change is OK. Late last year, Lynne Fairy’s work was installed in December at the ArtSeat. Her work, Snapshot of Australia Street 2010 - 2016 A love letter to Newtown, comprised her poem and photographs by Leigh Howlett, taken in Australia Street Newtown, when they both lived there between 2010 and 2016. “This is a true story of the people and animals that we passed on our daily walk up Australia Street on our way to the station,” Lynne said. Next time you’re in Newtown, make sure you check out the ArtSeat, adjacent to Newtown Town Hall on King Street, opposite the railway station. www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/living-arts/public-art-and-placemaking/current-public-art-projects/newtown-artseat The latest ArtSeat is a commentary on how Sydney perceives its creative community, and asks, “Who is the beating heart of Sydney, the creative-creators or profit-makers?” Creative Space, Creative Capital by Elia Bosshard is an ad-style poster that queries what creative space, and creativity itself, actually is. Elia has used authentic Sydney real estate signage, designed to capture attention like a property ‘for-sale’ sign. “Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to live and work in the world,” she said. “For local artists, it is an ongoing struggle maintaining access to the cultural centre, which paradoxically, thrives on and profits from the arts community.”