The new High Ropes attraction at St Ives Showground is now open and promises to be a highlight for families right across the North Shore. More on St Ives The high ropes adventure course will be installed by TreeTops Adventure Holdings, which has a track record in high ropes installations in 13 sites across Australia. The adventure park at the Showground will feature eight high ropes courses offering fun-filled and exhilarating challenges for children aged from 3 years through to adventure-seeking adults. Visitors will be offered a 2.5 hour session where they can choose from the eight different courses, starting from a two metre height and soaring all the way up to a 15 metre high challenge. Over one kilometre of cables will span the designed area and aerial activities include ziplines, wobbly wooden obstacles, tight ropes and nets – all suspended between each platform to create a maze of activities for a unique outdoor experience. Under the agreement with TreeTop Adventure Holdings, the high ropes course will be installed in a way that will protect trees in the area. Construction of the adventure course will begin this week and subject to the lockdown ending, is expected to welcome its first visitors by Christmas. Up to 180 people will be able to access the course at one time within a COVID-safe plan that will be implemented for all visitors. Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the high ropes adventure course was the latest in a series of new initiatives for the Showground. “Families have been enthralled by the new regional playground and this latest attraction will make the Showground a great day out for everyone.” Keep an eye out for more details! Source: www.krg.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-and-media/Latest-news/High-ropes-adventure-coming-to-St-Ives-Showground

Operating since 1970, Hummerstons Gourmet Meats have been providing high-quality meat, game and small-goods to the lower North Shore for over 40 years. More on Lane Cove Winner of the Australian Meat Industry Council’s top butcher shop award in 2005/2006 Hummerstons enjoys a reputation as one of the finest meat and smallgoods retailers in Sydney. Noted for their charity work with local community organisations Hummerstons also supports the Breast Cancer Foundation, Drought Relief, the Heart Foundation, the Spastic Centre and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Hummerstons was also honoured to provide meat for His Holiness Benedict XVI during the Pope’s visit to Sydney to attend the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations at Barangaroo. With a team of nine, including proprietors Mark McKinnon and Steve Hack, Hummerstons make all their sausages fresh on the premises (including gluten-free and preservative-free ranges) and source their meat from quality Australian suppliers. These include Meat Standards Australia (MSA) graded beef from Gympie in QLD; organic chicken from Young; lamb from Junee; pork from the Murray Valley; and veal from Victoria. Hummerstons offer a free delivery service between Roseville and Balmain (especially helpful during NSW Lockdown restrictions), and provide a vacuum-packing service to ensure your meats store longer whilst remaining fresh. Steve Hack, Hummerstons’ master butcher, who grew up in Lane Cove and learned his trade on the premises, gave us some recommendations for recipe ideas and products available in the store. And Steve’s top tip: “don’t use the fan-forced option while cooking meat”. “Coming to the end of the winter, slow cooking is still popular especially because everyone is at home. Cape Grim beef ribs, Cowra lamb shanks, and veal osso bucco have been very popular this winter; put them in the slow cooker or the oven for 4 hours and dinner is done. “Traditional legs of lamb are a great way to feed the family and with the leftovers make a tasty shepherds’ pie. To make it easier we stock the ready-made, heat & serve kitchen curries: choose chicken, beef or lamb, simmer for 20 mins and serve with rice. Pastabilities’ ravioli, fresh pasta, lasagne and ragu. Also Patchett’s pies. “With all sausages made in the shop we offer a great range of traditional cuts for the home chef and BBQ enthusiast. Also boneless marinated chickens, fillet mignons, Peking duck breast, gourmet pastries, parmesan-infused pork loin roast, butterflied spatchcock, stir fries, to name a few. “With our focus on sourcing quality tender produce and excellent service, we can cut, slice, or dice to order. Take advantage of our call-and-collect or delivery service to the local area. Don’t forget the kids with chicken schnitzel, marinated drumettes, sausage rolls, sliced ham and kebabs. We support the local community with “Buy your dog a bone” - with all money donated to local charities.” Hummerston’s Gourmet Meats FB: www.facebook.com/HummerstonsGourmetMeats/ Insta: @hummerstonsmeats PH: 02 9427 1983 Email: Link Website: www.hummerstons.com.au Photos: Alec Smart

Follow this Scents-ible advice and your home will be smelling scent-sational in no time. Do you have a friend whose house always seems to smell amazing, despite the 3 kids, 2 dogs and hustling husband?! We’ve got some simple hints on how to achieve it and neutralise pungent pongs - check out the hacks below to keep your space smelling sensational. Use Vinegar Vinegar is great for cleaning and deodorizing the kitchen. Simmer white vinegar on a stove awhile. When cooled, pour vinegar into a sealed plastic container and puncture the lid with multiple holes. Place the container in the corner of a whiffy room and it will slowly absorb unpleasant odours. Don’t Waste Lemons Pop spent lemons in a big stock pot full of water and simmer low and slow for a few hours. Not only is the smell amazing, it’s a great way to repurpose the waste! Refrigerator Refresher Clean shelves and drawers with baking soda diluted in warm water, then wipe with diluted white vinegar. To prevent future odors, soak a few cotton balls in vanilla extract and place on a small tray at the back, or an open box of baking soda (replace when they dry out). Garbage Bin Stench Reducer After scrubbing clean a pungent garbage bin, before you put in a new garbage bag neutralise future stenches by scattering kitty litter crystals with either a few lemon/orange peels, a handful of baking soda, or used coffee grounds. Beware, baking soda corrodes steel, so for metal trash cans pour soda powder into a paper coffee filter and tie it up with a rubber band. Dishy Dish Washer If your dishwasher is funky, remove and rinse the filter, then pour two cups distilled white vinegar into the machine (not the detergent holder). Run machine awhile through a hot water cycle, but pause it midway and leave to stand for 30mins so the vinegar has time to dissolve and neutralise odorous food scraps. Then turn back on and complete cycle. Invest in Good Candles You can never replicate the aroma of a good candle - burn time is longer and with natural, high-quality ingredients the candles have more impact. Palm Beach Collection have just released an exclusive, premium, small-batch range: Sandalwood, Hemp or Rooftop Gardens

There's a star man! And it's Johnny Romeo, celebrated Australian Painter, leading the neo-experessionist pop movement. Johnny Romeo is an internationally acclaimed Australian painter and also the artistic genius behind the cover of this issue of 2204. Considered Australia’s leading Pop artist, Romeo is spearheading the global Neo-Expressionist Pop movement with his electrifying collision of rock’n’roll swagger, comic book aesthetics and street art. Described by GQ Magazine Australia as ‘part punk, part pop’, Romeo’s Kitsch Pop works are explosive sugar rushes of technicolour imagery and urban grittiness that are turning heads worldwide. Armed with tongue-in-cheek humour and razor-sharp social commentary, Johnny Romeo is today renowned as a world-leading culture jammer. His works explore the influence celebrity icons and brand-name heroes have on our contemporary identity. Romeo approaches his art-making practice like a television, broadcasting colourful Postmodern visions that re-contextualise and seek to make sense of the daily cacophony of images, ads and memes we are bombarded with in our Pop-obsessed culture. Johnny Romeo took some time out for Neighbourhood Media to answer questions we know you all want to ask. Johnny, you are considered one of Australia's leading pop painters, how did your interest in this style commence? I was heavily influenced by graffiti, comics and cartoons as a kid growing up in the inner city. My love for music and skating also gave me a fascinating insight into alternative cultures like punk rock and hip hop. I also discovered artists like Picasso and Warhol in my youth. My life-long interest in pop art grew out of this exciting blend of interests and influences. When did you know you were an artist? Probably when I was 7 years old. At the time I was hit by a car while chasing a ball down a busy road. I broke my leg and was bed-ridden for months. As a kid I was very accident-prone because I was so fearless. While I was in bed recovering, I reflected and realized I needed to find less dangerous ways to seek thrills. Art seemed like the safest option. Did your school teachers recognise your skills at an early age? Yes, but then again everybody is so talented when they can be creative in a carefree and uninhibited manner and approach the world with a childlike wonder. I guess my teachers recognized something in me but more than anything, they recognized my drive and determination to want to be an artist. When did you know it was time to take your talent to the next level? I knew it was time to lift my game and take it to the next level straight out of art school… even though at the time I wasn’t­­­ exactly sure what that next level would be. Life as a university student gives you knowledge, but hope feeds the desire and drive to be better. I was fearless and relentless in my pursuit to up the ante and push my artmaking practice to new heights. Hope drove me! Can you share with us the story behind the piece that we have featured on the cover? (Johnny Romeo, Cosmic Jive, 2020, acrylic and oil on canvas 122cm x 122cm) As a Pop artist and culture jammer, I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to fuse together snippets of Pop culture. ‘Cosmic Jive’ was inspired by rock ’n’ roll’s immortal Star Man, David Bowie, visiting Russia in the 1970’s. Visually, I was attracted to the idea of jamming the intergalactic androgyny of Bowie’s ‘Ziggy Stardust’ with the imperial Russian swagger of Tsar Nicholas II to re-envision Bowie as a celestial Tsar. I worked on the painting during the peak of the Corona pandemic when all dancefloors were shut, so I wanted to create a vibrant alternate universe where David Bowie was a benevolent boogie overlord holding court over his cosmic dance floor. Is social media an important medium for artists in this day and age? Absolutely, it connects everybody and everything. As an artist if you’re not on social media you’re definitely out of touch. Having your work and practice seen and followed is important now more than ever. Life is so fast-paced and social media allows everybody the opportunity to engage Pop culture at the touch of a button. Most excitingly, social media offers people the ability to be active participants and creators of Pop culture, to create memes or viral content that become part of the very fabric of the Pop consciousness. Where do you draw your inspiration from? Everything Pop culture has to offer. From TV shows and comic books to street art and historical curiosities, to viral internet phenomena and music across the spectrum, I am fully immersed in and inspired by the Pop drenched reality in which we all live. What is your message to viewers about consumerism, celebrity fetish and pop culture? To put it in a nutshell, Pop Culture becomes us. It engulfs us and to a certain degree dominates our thoughts, our actions and ultimately our lives. We are influenced, controlled, and driven by pop culture and our memories of it. As a painter, exploring Pop culture’s unending impact on us is a constant motivation for me to make art. I’m interested in the dichotomy between consciously accepting and unconsciously denying our obsession with Pop Culture. What's next for Johnny Romeo? My next show KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER opens at Graphite Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana USA on the 4th of July weekend. The show runs from 3rd July – 2nd August 2021. As one of the top names in Pop art today, Romeo’s works are highly sought-after globally, and are held in prominent Australian and international public and private collections. He has collaborated on many illustrious projects with the likes of leading US snowboarding company Gilson Boards, craft beer alchemists Zeroday Brewing Company, world-famous punk band Blink 182 and Lexus Australia. Neighbourhood Media were especially delighted to have this opportunity to share his art and story with our community on 2204. Website: ww.johnnyromeo.net Instagram: @johnnyromeoart

At King St Metalsmith, traditional craftsmanship meets modern design in bespoke jewellery creations rich with sentiment and individuality. More on Newtown First opening in 2022, King St Metalsmiths is the brainchild of Gillian Kilgour and Vince Bonaddio, who have over 50 years of combined experience in the jewellery industry. They have worked with some of the biggest names in jewellery, and now bring their wealth of knowledge to their open-plan workshop at 522 King St, Newtown. There is a small gallery space with examples of their ranges of styles and materials, however the space is an open-plan jewellers’ workshop, where clients can come to discuss their ideas, view works in progress and even watch them on the bench. Gillian and Vince are both passionate artisans, committed to quality design, craftsmanship and service. Their work utilises new technologies as well as traditional metalworking techniques. They specialise in coloured gemstones, unique wedding rings, small scale wearable sculptures, as well as repairs. They also stock pieces by local jewellers. One of the most interesting and popular offerings is the recycling and remodelling aspect of the business, where the client brings in old pieces of unwanted and unworn jewellery. From them, Gillian and Vince design new treasures that will be loved and worn, keeping the sentimentality of the story behind the old pieces. With the cost of gold being so high, it’s the perfect way to have a custom-made piece for yourself or your loved one, using gold or silver you already have. Through sketching and 3d modelling during the design phase, you will be able to visualise exactly what the piece looks like, and make any changes you would like, before the piece is created in your choice of metal. While the workshop is currently closed due to the pandemic, Gillian and Vince are still able to work online with you to design your perfect piece. King St Metalsmiths FB: https://www.facebook.com/kingstmetalsmiths/ Website: www.kingstmetalsmiths.com.au Email: Link Phone: 0411591448

Your guide to the best theatre, food, entertainment and live music happening in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and other nearby neighbourhoods. More on Surry Hills 🦅 The Birds 📍 Belvoir St Theatre (25 Belvoir St) 📅 May 16 - June 7 What happens when nature turns on us? The Birds is a gripping new adaptation brought thrillingly to life by acclaimed actor Paula Arundell. This bold one-woman performance transforms du Maurier's classic gothic horror story, The Birds, into an intense theatrical experience, exploring a world where the weather shifts, familiar creatures become menacing, and survival hangs by a thread. Details: belvoir.com.au/productions/the-birds 🖼️ John Perkins Exhibition 📍 Palangi Gallery (59 Flinders St) 📅 May 21 - 28 A compelling exhibition by artist John Perkins, Bold Tonal Impressions explores colour, mood and movement through layered, expressive works. Rich tonal shifts and textured compositions create a sense of atmosphere and emotion, inviting viewers into a contemplative visual experience where abstraction and feeling intersect. Details: gallery.palangi.com.au/exhibition/bold-tonal-impressions 🏳️‍🌈 ACON’s Deadly Trivia Night 📍 The Beresford (354 Bourke St) 📅 May 28 | 6 - 9:30pm Bring your crew for a night of brains, banter and big laughs. This is a celebration of community, connection and culture. Get ready for clever questions, playful games, great prizes and plenty of camp fun. Open to everyone (18+), it’s the perfect chance to test your knowledge, team up with friends and enjoy a night that’s as entertaining as it is inclusive. Details: aconhealth.org.au/aconsdeadlytrivia 👩🏻‍⚕️ SAVIOR 📍 Downstairs at Belvoir St Theatre 📅 May 16 - June 14 Presented by Griffin Theatre Company, SAVIOR is a sharp new satire inspired by playwright Happy Feraren’s time working in international aid. After a devastating typhoon, a young project officer lands her dream role—only to be swept into the messy reality of corporate humanitarianism, where good intentions, ego and politics collide. Smart, funny and unflinching, it takes a clear-eyed look at what it really means to “do good.” Details: griffintheatre.com.au/whats-on/savior 🛍️ The Surry Hills Vintage Market 📍 Collins St & Foveaux St 📅 June 6, July 4, August 1 Step into a treasure trove of pre-loved style at the Surry Hills Vintage Market, a much-loved inner-city staple held at Shannon Reserve. Since 1981, this bustling monthly market has been a go-to for vintage fashion, antiques, handmade pieces and one-off finds, all curated by local makers, collectors and creatives. Details: instagram.com/surryhillsmarkets 🧚 Happily Ever After? (A Cabaret) 📍 Low 302 (302 Crown St) 📅 June 10 | 7pm L&D Projects invites you to embrace your inner child with Happily Ever After? (A Cabaret) - a whimsical, one-night-only cabaret. Hosted by Alex Gonzalez, the evening brings together some of the best independent theatre talent for a playful, fairytale-inspired journey filled with music, storytelling and imagination. Details: low302.com.au/whatson 🎄 Christmas in July 📍 Phylli’s at Forrester’s 📅 July 1 - 31 (Lunch & Dinner) Christmas in July returns with a cosy shared feast of seasonal favourites, from shared starters to hearty roast mains and classic trimmings. Perfect for groups, catch-ups and EOFY get-togethers, it’s all about warming winter hospitality in a lively pub setting. $89pp for the set menu. Details: forresters.com.au/christmas-in-july 🎩 Dom’s Broadway Basement 📍 Low 302 (302 Crown St) 📅 July 29 | 6:30pm A night of live music, connection and late-night energy brings together a curated lineup of artists for an intimate, up-close performance experience. Expect raw vocals, fresh sounds and standout sets in a buzzing atmosphere designed for discovery and good times. Even better, entry is free. Details: low302.com.au/whatson Weekly Local Events 🎨 $15 Burger Day 📍 Harry’s (40-44 Wentwoth Ave) 📅 Wednesday The Harry’s Burger Day tradition lives on! Dig into a juicy Harry’s Cheeseburger, with fries, for only $15. You read that right, only $15. It’s the kind of midweek ritual that Surry Hills locals deserve - quick, satisfying and best paired with a cold drink. Details: hotelharry.com.au 🎨 Casual Art Classes 📍 Tap Gallery (259 Riley St) 📅 Monday at 7pm | Friday at 7pm Tap into your creative side at TAP Gallery’s relaxed, twice weekly, artist-led classes in the heart of Surry Hills. The Monday night drawing sessions (7pm) and Friday evening painting classes (7pm) with live models, are open to all skill levels. Friday sessions require advance booking which allow for individual setup. This is a space to build confidence, learn new techniques and create something uniquely your own in a warm and welcoming environment. TAP Gallery is volunteer-run and always welcomes those keen to get involved behind the scenes. Details: tapgallery.org.au/services/ 🥂 Champagne & Cabaret 📍 Two80 Cabaret (280 Cleveland St) 📅 Thursday, 6 - 9pm Friday nights, redefined. Indulge in a decadent dinner while world-class burlesque unfolds around you - tease, glamour, and electric energy in every act. Sip, savour, and surrender to the spectacle. This is the perfect blend of dining and entertainment, designed to leave you wanting more. Limited seats available, advanced bookings advised. Details: two80.com.au/events 🎤 Karaoke Thursdays 📍 Goros Bar (84-86 Mary St) 📅 Thursday from 8pm Warm up your vocal chords and step up for fast-paced sing-offs, cheeky challenges and the chance to win great prizes. Whether you're a seasoned performer or simply in it for the fun, it's the perfect excuse to gather your crew, grab the mic and belt out your favourite anthem. Details: goros.com.au/karaoke-showdown Events in Nearby Neighbourhoods 🎓 The Athena School Open Day 📍 28 Oxford St, Newtown 📅 May 20: 10am - 12pm You're invited to experience a morning of fun and discovery at the Athena School’s upcoming Open Day. Kids can enjoy pony rides, meet friendly farm animals and get creative with face painting, while parents explore the school grounds and learn more about the Athena community. Tea, coffee and light snacks will be available. Details: athena.nsw.edu.au/upcoming-events ⚖️ Continuity by Bess Wohl 📍 New Theatre (546 King St, Newtown) 📅 May 26 - June 20 On a melting New Mexico film set, a chaotic eco-thriller spirals out of control. As a crew races for the final shot, art, climate and catastrophe collide in this sharp, hilarious film-within-a-play about performance, panic and a planet on the brink. Details: newtheatre.org.au/continuity ⚖️ Legally Blonde The Musical 📍 Seymour Centre 📅 June 2 - 4 Presented by International Grammar School Sydney, Legally Blonde is a vibrant, feel-good story about determination, self-belief and staying true to yourself. Packed with catchy songs, dynamic dance numbers and plenty of fun. A fantastic experience for families and community members. This production celebrates the talent, creativity and dedication of IGS students, while offering families a glimpse into the vibrant learning the school has to offer. Details: seymourcentre.com/event/igs-legally-blonde-the-musical/ 🎥 Sydney Film Festival 📍 The Ritz Cinema 📅 June 3 - 14 The Sydney Film Festival returns to The Ritz Randwick this June, bringing a curated selection of over 200 films across 13 venues citywide. From red carpet premieres to breakthrough international cinema, catch some of the year’s most anticipated films on the big screen first. Details: ritzcinemas.com.au/events/sydney-film-festival-2026 🌟 Stargazing in the Park 📍 Centennial Parklands 📅 June 8, 12 & 13 | July 10 & 15 Experience Astronomy in the Park, a relaxed evening under the stars. Learn to navigate the night sky with expert guidance, explore constellations and planets through telescopes, and discover the stories behind what you’re seeing above. A simple, awe-inspiring way to reconnect with the universe right in the heart of the city. Details: centennialparklands.com.au/whatson/astronomy-in-the-park 🩰 Engine (Sydney Dance Company) 📍 Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House 📅 June 24 - July 12 Bringing together three visionary choreographers, Rafael Bonachela, Melanie Lane and Fran Diaz, Engine is a bold and fearless dance program. Bonachela premieres The Journey Itself Is Home, Lane returns with the vibrant Love Lock, and Diaz presents the hypnotic The Mass Ornament, exploring collective movement in its Australian debut. Details: sydneydancecompany.com/performance/engine/ 😇 Haydn’s Creation 📍 Sydney Opera House Concert Hall 📅 July 4 | 1pm Haydn’s Creation oratorio depicts the creation story in luminous musical colours. It’s the perfect work for the 120 voices of our Symphony Chorus and the theatrical instincts of our three soloists, taking on the roles of archangels and the first humans. Voice, energy, joy? This music has all three in abundance. Details below or call 02 9874 6200. Details: sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/events/haydns-creation/ 🎷 SYJO Big Band & Spectra Jazz Orchestra 📍 The Lounge (The Concourse, Chatswood) 📅 July 16 | 7:30pm A double bill of bold, big band energy lands at The Concourse as the Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra Big Band and Spectra Jazz Orchestra take the stage. Expect adventurous Australian compositions, fresh interpretations of standards and standout emerging talent, with works by Judy Bailey, Ellen Kirkwood and Katie Bombardieri. Details: theconcourse.com.au/

Blending Taiwanese hospitality, playful pan-Asian dining and cocktails, Linla brings a new shared-table experience to Bourke Street in Surry Hills. More on Surry Hills Housed in the former home of much-loved Surry Hills neighbourhood bar Dead Ringer, Linla is built around a simple ritual: raising a glass together. In Taiwanese dialect, “Linla” captures the sound and feeling shared between friends when they toast – a moment of celebration, presence and connection that shapes the spirit of the venue. Blending Taiwanese hospitality with pan-Asian social dining, dishes on the menu include Night-Market Crispy Chicken, served to your table with a paper bag & spices so you can mix up your own level of flavour; Pork and Prawn Wontons in a deliciously creamy tom yum beurre blanc, XOXO Calamari Fettuccine with XO sauce; and Sticky Rice Arancini with Taiwanese sausage and house made salted radish. Playful desserts include a fun take on the nostalgic Aussie classic fairy bread, with a Fairy Bread Bao stuffed full of vanilla ice cream. House cocktails are designed for easy drinking while maintaining technical depth and layered flavour, and include MI-Bubble, a playful reimagining of bubble tea through a cocktail lens. Behind the concept is Taiwanese-born, Sydney-based restaurateur and mixologist Charles Chang, founder of neighbouring Japanese fusion venue Moku and a former Top 100 finalist in the Diageo World Class Competition. Moku chef Ha Chuen Wai will also bring his highly regarded omakase experience to 413 Bourke Street, finding a new permanent home in the private dining room adjacent to Linla. Here, Wai’s acclaimed “I leave it up to you” dining journey invites guests to place their trust in the chef, with an intimate, multi-course tasting menu built around the freshest seasonal ingredients. Linla 413 Bourke St, Surry Hills linla.com.au

The iconic Darlinghurst LGBTQIA+ venue, Stonewall Hotel, has officially closed, marking the end of an era in Sydney’s queer nightlife history. More on Surry Hills The end of an era on Oxford Street as the beloved Stonewall closes its doors for the final time. The Surry Hills and Darlinghurst community has said goodbye to one of its most iconic nightlife institutions, with The Stonewall Hotel officially closing its doors after entering into administration. The closure marks a significant moment for Darlinghurst’s historic LGBTQIA+ strip, long defined by venues like Stonewall that have helped shape Sydney’s queer nightlife culture. First opening in 1997, Stonewall spent almost three decades at the heart of Oxford Street’s late-night scene. Known for its multi-level dancefloors, drag performances and inclusive atmosphere, the venue became a rite of passage for generations of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. Its closure reflects the continued evolution of Oxford Street. The precinct has undergone significant change in recent years, with the loss of long-standing institutions signalling a broader shift in the local hospitality and entertainment landscape. For many, Stonewall will be remembered as more than a venue — it was a cultural landmark and a defining part of Sydney’s nightlife history. While the Oxford Street chapter has come to a close, it’s not necessarily a final farewell: the Stonewall name continues in Newtown, with the brand recently expanding to 157 King Street, carrying forward its legacy of DJs, drag and dancefloor energy in a new neighbourhood setting. Visit Stonewall Newtown 157 King St, Newtown (02) 9181 2273

St John’s Community Services CEO Eva Stringelman shares why recovery, connection and community are central to lasting change in inner-city Sydney. By Lucy Pearson More on Surry Hills Eva Stringelman is the new CEO of St John’s Community Services in Darlinghurst, a long-standing organisation supporting vulnerable communities in inner-city Sydney. Best known for its Rough Edges community centre, the Banksia Women program and Urban Insight, SJCS focuses on connection, dignity and long-term recovery. Under Eva’s leadership, the organisation continues to prioritise “healing spaces” over transactional services — supporting women beyond crisis and fostering community for lasting change. We spoke with Eva about her new role. What drew you to the role at St John’s Community Services? I first encountered SJCS about a year before this opportunity came up and was struck by its deep connection to the local community, especially through Rough Edges. When I started thinking about my next step, it felt like a natural fit. I really wanted to be part of this team and help guide the organisation into its next chapter. Banksia Women focuses on long-term recovery rather than crisis response. Why does that matter? Crisis response is vital — it saves lives. But recovery doesn’t stop once someone leaves a dangerous situation. Across the domestic and family violence sector, long-term healing is still under-resourced. Abuse often involves isolation and shame, and those effects don’t disappear overnight. Even when the immediate danger has passed, many women struggle with confidence, connection and the long tail of legal and financial stress. We believe recovery happens in community. A healthy, supportive environment helps rebuild resilience and self-worth over time. When women thrive, communities thrive too. You talk about creating “healing spaces” rather than transactional services. What does that look like? It’s about intentionality. Our connect groups are carefully designed — from the physical environment to the activities and the people in the room. We prioritise consistency, trust and safety. For a few hours each week, women know they are seen, valued and safe. That includes strict confidentiality and thoughtful programming that builds confidence and connection. Just as important are the small moments outside those sessions — messages, check-ins, invitations. Sometimes, simply knowing someone cares is what helps a person take the next step. How do Rough Edges, Banksia Women and Urban Insight connect under one organisation? At their core, all our programs are about care and connection. Rough Edges offers a welcoming space for people experiencing homelessness or hardship. Banksia Women focuses on long-term recovery for women. Urban Insight grew out of the Rough Edges community, with guides sharing lived experience to educate students. There’s a common thread: creating spaces where people feel they belong and where meaningful transformation can happen. What’s most misunderstood about recovery from domestic violence? That it’s linear. In reality, recovery is complex and ongoing. There are setbacks, court processes, financial challenges and lingering trauma. When someone has been told repeatedly they have no value, rebuilding a sense of self takes time. Long-term support means being there through the ups and downs—not just at the point of crisis. What has shaped your thinking since stepping into the role? The power of consistency. It’s easy to focus on big milestones, but real impact often comes from simply showing up — day after day. At Banksia Women, you see change over time as confidence grows. Rough Edges has been doing this for 30 years — serving meals, offering connection, staying present. That sustained care is what makes the difference. www.sjcs.org.au

The iconic century-old Sydney venue, Hotel Harry has reopened as Harry’s with a stylish new fit-out, elevated dining offering and a renewed focus on nightlife and hospitality in Surry Hills. More on Surry Hills Hotel Harry is back (though you’ll now find it under the simpler name, Harry’s) and the Surry Hills mainstay is stepping into its next chapter with a fresh look and a sharper focus on food. Sitting on the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Goulburn Street since 1912, the venue has long been part of Sydney’s social fabric, and it still has all its original charming features. In 2013, The Point Group took the helm, steering the beloved venue through years of live music, chef pop-ups, and late-night parties and building a reputation as a go-to for both locals and industry insiders. This latest overhaul will further enhance that reputation. A fresh new look The renovation, led by interior stylist Anna Hewett, leans into the building’s heritage while giving it a warmer, more polished feel. Original features remain, but they’re now paired with softer textures and updated finishes that make the space feel more inviting without losing its character. It’s a subtle shift, but an effective one. The layout has also been rethought to offer a bit more variety depending on how you want to spend your time there. Upstairs, there’s a bistro with an open kitchen that’s geared toward a more sit-down dining experience. Downstairs, things stay relaxed, with a public bar and lounge areas that work just as well for a casual drink as they do for a long, lazy lunch. There’s also outdoor seating wrapping around the building, which keeps it connected to the buzz of the neighbourhood. A new menu A big part of the relaunch is the food, which has taken on a much more central role. Culinary Director Joel Bickford and Executive Chef Danny Corbett are behind the new menu, and they’ve built it around a kitchen fitted with some serious equipment: a French rotisserie, a wood-fired Parrilla grill, and a pizza oven imported from Italy. That setup translates into a menu that’s all about fire and flavour. The rotisserie, in particular, is a standout, especially in a banquet-style offering that includes organic chicken or Bangalow pork with all the extras—think roast potatoes, fried Brussels sprouts, and a rich, savoury jus. From the grill, you’ll find dishes like flame-cooked king prawns and a hefty bistecca Fiorentina designed for sharing. Pizza is another key player here, with options that range from classic to more indulgent. One combines mozzarella, potato, guanciale, and rosemary for a rich, comforting bite, while another leans into bold flavours with sausage, ’nduja, pancetta, and vodka sauce. Refreshed drinks Behind the bar, the drinks list keeps things approachable but interesting. There’s a mix of well-made classics and house signatures, including the 1968 Harpoon Cocktail, which brings together gin, citrus, and a touch of bitterness. Upstairs, you’ll find a few more playful options, along with a solid happy hour offering that keeps things accessible. Music, of course, hasn’t gone anywhere. Harry’s has always had strong ties to Sydney’s nightlife scene, and that continues with the addition of the Harpoon Lounge (harkening back to the venue’s previous identity as Harpoon Harry’s). The lounge is a dedicated space for DJs and live sets, kitted out with quality gear, including Technics turntables and restored vintage speakers, making it clear that good sounds are still a priority. All up, Harry’s feels like a thoughtful update rather than a complete reinvention. It keeps the spirit of the original venue intact while adding a bit more polish, a stronger food offering, and a renewed sense of purpose. For a place that’s been around for more than a century, it’s a confident step forward without forgetting where it came from. 40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills www.hotelharry.com.au

Following a sold-out national tour and rave five-star reviews, Strut & Fret’s dazzling cabaret-circus spectacle La Ronde is back at The Grand Electric Theatre in Surry Hills. More on Surry Hills From the creators of Blanc de Blanc and Limbo, La Ronde returns to Surry Hills after a whirlwind national tour. Following a chorus of critical acclaim, the high-flying, 5-star hit has returned to The Grand Electric (from 26 March) - and it’s bolder, wilder and more unmissable than ever. Since opening last year, La Ronde has proven irresistible to audiences, playing five cities in under 12 months. Critics right across Australia have showered the production with praise, delivering glowing reviews and five-star accolades at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Producer Jess Copas from Strut & Fret, says the return season promises a thrilling new mix of acts. “The cast of La Ronde tours and rotates constantly and the return line-up for Sydney will include highlights from each of our seasons so far.” Since its inception, La Ronde has showcased more than 15 world-class acts, many performing for Australian audiences for the very first time. This is what people love about Strut & Fret - they never quite know what they’re going to get. What they do know is that it will be mind-blowing, unique, and thoroughly entertaining. This season showcases a cast of seven international headliners pushing the limits of what the body can do, executing extraordinary feats with jaw-dropping skill, wit and sensuality. It’s a dazzling concoction of circus, cabaret and pure physical artistry. La Ronde (Until June 28th) Grand Electric Theatre Tickets: larondetheshow.com/sydney

Frederick Deeming once lived quietly on Riley Street, Darlinghurst, before becoming one of the 19th century’s most infamous killers, and a possible Jack the Ripper suspect. By Elliot Lindsay More on Surry Hills In the early 1880s, along Riley Street in Darlinghurst, Frederick Deeming lived a quiet domestic life. He was a plumber by trade, moving between addresses at 162 and 165 Riley Street, and for a time, he appeared entirely settled. His wife and children lived with him there, and the household seemed ordinary enough to pass without remark. One of his children was even born in that house at 162 Riley Street in 1886. He spoke often of his family, referring to them affectionately, and to neighbours and employers alike, he presented himself as a respectable, if somewhat boastful, working man. There were, of course, small inconsistencies. He talked too much of wealth, of travel, of opportunities that never quite materialised. He possessed jewellery that did not match his means, displaying diamonds with a curious pride. But Sydney in those years was full of men constructing new identities, and Deeming did not stand out enough to warrant suspicion. He worked, he lived among others, and he raised his children in the crowded inner suburbs of the city. And yet, even then, there were signs of another life running alongside the first. In the evenings of 1885 and 1886, Deeming would leave Riley Street behind and ride east toward Woollahra. There, at Ackland’s Hotel on Queen Street — today the Woollahra Hotel — he began an affair with a 21-year-old barmaid named Annie Spain. It followed a familiar pattern. He courted her with confidence, spoke of money and travel, and promised marriage. To Annie, he was a man on the verge of fortune, temporarily anchored in Sydney but destined for greater things. She had no reason to suspect that only a few miles away, in Darlinghurst, he was living as a husband and father. The deception did not last. Annie discovered the truth before any marriage could take place, and when she confronted him, the affair ended abruptly and bitterly. She threw a whisky glass at his head when he entered the bar; he ducked, and it smashed against the wall. The shock of the revelation — so the newspapers later claimed — affected her deeply. Within a few months, in April 1886, she was dead, and though no formal charge could be laid at Deeming’s feet, his conduct was widely blamed for her decline. In retrospect, it stands as a grim early glimpse of the harm he could inflict on those who trusted him. At this point, Frederick Deeming might still have been dismissed as a liar, a womaniser, and a petty criminal. There was little to suggest that he was anything more. However, this man would soon become a household name around the world due to a level of cruelty and evil that was unfathomable to most people. Who was Frederick Bailey Deeming? The answer would not come from Darlinghurst, but from Melbourne. In March 1892, in a small cottage at Windsor, a prospective tenant complained of a foul odour. Investigations led to the lifting of a hearthstone in the fireplace, and beneath it, in a shallow cavity filled with cement, was found the body of a woman. Her skull had been crushed, her throat cut, and her body forced into a confined space under the floor. It was a crime of shocking brutality, but also one that suggested careful planning. The house had been rented under an assumed name. Cement had been purchased under the pretext of repairs. Everything pointed to a deliberate and methodical act. The man who had occupied the house had vanished. But not without leaving traces. Witnesses recalled a well-dressed man, fond of jewellery, who had arrived with a woman and then disappeared shortly after Christmas. Laundry records, shipping manifests, and chance encounters began to build a picture. The name he had used was “Williams.” From there, the investigation spread outward, linking fragments of information across cities and continents. In Sydney, detectives recognised the description almost immediately. “Williams,” they realised, was Frederick Deeming — the quiet plumber from Riley Street. As the investigation deepened, the full extent of his crimes began to emerge. In England, at a place called Rainhill, police searched a house he had previously occupied. There, beneath the floor, they made a discovery that surpassed even the horror of Windsor. The bodies of a woman and four children had been buried in the same manner — encased in cement, concealed beneath the house. They had been murdered with similar brutality. It was then that the story of Riley Street took on a far darker meaning. Those children buried in Rainhill were not strangers. They were his children. The same children who had lived with him in Darlinghurst. The same children who had played in the narrow streets off Riley Street, who had been part of an ordinary Sydney household, and whose lives had once seemed as unremarkable as their father’s. And yet, years later, their father had abandoned them and their mother to start a new life in England, marrying another woman in an act of bigamy. When the young, destitute family finally tracked him down and discovered his new life, Deeming cruelly murdered them all including his youngest who was 18 months old. The realisation transformed the entire narrative. The family life on Riley Street was not a stable foundation, but a stage in a longer, more sinister pattern. Deeming did not simply deceive women or abandon relationships; he erased them. When his family became an obstacle—when they stood in the way of new identities and new marriages—he eliminated them with chilling efficiency. The pattern repeated itself. In Melbourne, the victim at Windsor — Emily Mather, a native of Rainhill, England — had been courted, married, and murdered within a matter of weeks. Even after burying her beneath the hearthstone, Deeming moved on, travelling openly and beginning yet another courtship. On a voyage to Sydney, he met a young woman and proposed marriage, presenting himself once again as a man of wealth and opportunity. Only the discovery of the Windsor body prevented her from becoming his next victim. Deeming was eventually tracked across Australia, identified through witness testimony and correspondence, and arrested in Western Australia. His trial in Melbourne drew immense public attention. The evidence against him was overwhelming, linking him not only to the Windsor murder but also to the Rainhill killings in England. Attempts were made to argue that he was insane, that he suffered from fits or hereditary mental illness, but these claims failed to sway the court. He was convicted and sentenced to death. At Melbourne Gaol, he was hanged in May 1892, bringing a formal end to his life and crimes. But even as the case seemed to close, a new and extraordinary idea began to circulate. Some suggested that Frederick Deeming was not merely a murderer, but the murderer — the figure who had terrorised London just a few years earlier. The crimes in Whitechapel, attributed to the unknown killer known as Jack the Ripper, bore certain similarities: brutality, cunning, and the ability to evade capture. Deeming’s movements across continents, his use of aliases, and his apparent lack of remorse made the theory seem, to some, plausible. The suggestion that he might be connected to the Whitechapel murders captured the imagination of the public. Newspapers speculated, lawyers hinted, and the idea took on a life of its own. Others dismissed it, pointing to inconsistencies in dates and locations. Even at the time, the theory was controversial and widely debated. And yet, it refused to disappear entirely. Because if it were true — or even possible — then the implications are extraordinary. It would mean that one of the most infamous killers in history had not only passed through Sydney but had lived quietly in its inner suburbs. That the man who raised a family on Riley Street and who courted a barmaid in the Woollahra Hotel, was Jack the Ripper! There is no definitive answer. History often leaves us with fragments and possibilities rather than certainty. Yet the story of Frederick Deeming — traced from Darlinghurst to Rainhill and Windsor — raises a deeply unsettling question. Was Deeming in any way responsible for the barmaid, Annie Spain’s death? The evidence is limited: she died at just 21 years of age, her funeral was held on 19 April 1886, just three months after she discovered the truth about Deeming. Nothing more is recorded that would conclusively link him to her death. Yet, in light of what is now known about his capacity for violence, the possibility is difficult to ignore. How could a young woman die of a “broken heart” as witnesses have suggested? The timing is striking, particularly as it coincides with the birth of one of Deeming’s children. Did he kill her to keep her quiet? We may never know the truth. But for a time, at least, a man capable of extraordinary brutality lived an apparently ordinary life on Riley Street, Darlinghurst, drank in the local hotels and walked the local streets with the family he would eventually murder. Another strange chapter in the history of Darlinghurst.