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12 Precinct issue 4/2007
Arts & Culture
Sydney photographers capture
A
new exhibition opening
at the Museum of
Sydney is focusing on
the everyday lives of ordinary
citizens, rather than news topics
and celebrities more frequently
observed in mainstream media.
Sydney Now: New Australian
Photojournalism, which opens
December 15, is a portrait in
itself of contemporary Sydney
life featuring the works of 24
acclaimed photographers.
Sydney is one of the
most recognisable cities in
the world, the subject of
considerable international
and national focus in the past
decade. For those overseas,
Sydney often represents
a hedonistic life: harbour,
beaches, sunny climate and
carefree people - an image
reinforced through tourism
campaigns and television
soap operas. However for
those of us who live here, the
reality is somewhat different.
Sydney Now: New Australian
Photojournalism aims to go
beyond stereotypical views to
reveal moments from real life.
The images featured in
Sydney Now have been taken
since the year 2000. The images
Narelle Autio
chosen by curator Inara Walden
represent new work by some
of Sydney’s most exciting
Narelle Autio’s ‘George Street’ shows Sydney is just a taxi ride away from heaven. photojournalists, most of whom
Catch the critters:
Simone Tyson
While the horse racing punters out the starting list to begin the
have taken a forced reprieve in proceedings. The crowd gets
recent weeks, there is still some to christen their own crab, and
hope for those wanting to wager that’s all part of the fun.
on a winner. Crab racing is alive “Number 3 Ocher? Who is
and well at Glebe’s Friend in Hand Ocher? Number 4 Itchy?”. The
Hotel on Wednesday nights. For crowd favourite is number 15,
$3 you can name your own crab ‘Get your top off for the boys’.
and cheap thrills abound. Owners of the crabs come
Eclectic Australian memora- forward and are unceremoniously
bilia adorns the front bar of this hosed with water by the bargirl
well-known local pub. Rowdy and race assistant. Soon
Aussie students in their early everyone in the bar, punter or
twenties mix with young foreign otherwise, is part of an unofficial
tourists moshing to Guns n wet t-shirt competition. Cold
Roses, which blares from the chests are soon forgotten
Dean Sewell
speakers. Bar manager Dominic, though as Dominic starts the
whose top declares ‘I would hordes chanting “bring out the
rather have lobster on my piano crabs, bring out the crabs” and
‘Hot Dogs’ demonstrates Dean Sewell’s witty world view. From Sydney Now: New Australian Photojournalism. than crabs on my organ’, calls the countdown backwards
Precinct issue 4/2007 13
Arts & Culture
moments of the ordinary Leading
ladies light
the way
Cecile Muszynski
“I’m bored of the male point
of view all the time; I would
like to see more balance,”
says Anagha Dwivedi, a film
and documentary producer
and director. “Women see the
world differently. Just take a
camerawoman: she will place
the camera in a certain way
and focus on something totally
different than a man.”
The aim of the World
of Women (WOW) Film
Festival, a two-day short-film
screening exclusively made
by women held recently in
Paddington, is to see the world
through the eyes of women.
Organised by Women
In Film and Television
(WIFT), WOW promotes
and awards blossoming
women filmmakers. “For a
film to compete, the criteria
is that thekey creative people
Steven Siewart
like directors, producers,
screen-writers should be
women,” says festival director
Steven Stewart’s ‘Movie’ shows film buffs enjoying a wet and wild night at Sydney’s Tropfest in 2006. Sil-Nyin Cameron.
“Because in the film
make a living working for media can signify or illustrate a images of vibrant inner city finds wonder in everyday industry women are
outlets and usually cover news, breaking story. suburb Newtown, the contrasting experience, with her depiction of often employed in the
sport, politics and celebrities. Highlights of Sydney Now spaciousness of western Sydney, a small angel climbing into the acting, costumes or make-
Their aim is to tell a story with include Trent Parke’s epic and the redbrick flats that march back seat of a Sydney taxi, and up areas, there is an
pictures, to capture an image, representations of Sydney’s down the streets of Hillsdale her frozen underwater world of under-representation in
or a series of images, that business heart, Dean Sewell’s in the city’s east. Narelle Autio surf-pummelled swimmers. the technical areas,”
Cameron says.
crabs at the pub
Indeed, according to the
2001 figures of the Australian
Film Commission, women
represent only four percent of
the directors of photography,
from 10 begins, culminating were missing was a half time five per cent of the camera
with a horse racing trumpet orange drill. Top marks to my operators and 28 per cent of
which signals the race start. comrades who beat me in the end. the directors. In stark contrast,
Unfortunately great fanfare They probably trained all season 89 per cent of makeup artists
does not budge the slumbering and I lost to the better crab.” are women
Angela Honeywell
crabs. Winter hibernation is Racing of hermit crabs across “There is a lack of models
blamed as beer is poured over a dedicated large round table is for young women in these
the crabs to rouse them awake. an institution at the Friend in areas,” says Cameron.
“It’s coming to the end of Hand. A concept started in Asia, However new digital media
winter and these ones are actually it was brought to the family- Scuttle off. Patrons cheer on their crabs as they ‘race’ to the finish line can have an important role and
going into retirement tomorrow,” run pub by its owners over 10 change the status-quo.
says Dominic. “I think they just years ago, with the peak of its “Digital technology has
know now ‘Oh God here we go popularity in the 1990s. without the funds to back a crab, Peter is keen to make an official changed the situation for
again. Crab racing… we do this Local resident Joey welcomes there are other options to get statement on behalf of the crabs. women,” says Dwivedi.
every week’.” the crab racing as an attraction patrons mingling in the rowdy “There were baseless “The camera has become
Peter from Erskineville is to the area. “I think it’s pretty environment. These include allegations of crab cheating. I’d smaller, you don’t need a
disappointed by the performance positive for residents because a balloon game, a hula hoop like to put the record straight and big team, just a computer to
of his crab ‘Stop Hammertime’. there’s so many people down here, competition, a biscuit eating say that no crabs were genetically edit and create something.
“I lost out to one of my good so many eyes on the street.” and whistling comp. With recent enhanced or have ever taken That’s very liberating, a
mates. What I really think we For those wanting sport drug taking confessions in sport, performance enhancing drugs.” big step for women.”
14 Precinct issue 4/2007
Heritage & Conservation
Scientist who loves
what others fear
Emily Laurence
T
he word “shark” is the dorsal fins on a group of just the Grey Nurse.
enough to make many of three heading into Cape Town.” “The field offers plenty
us avoid the beach. The These days, Dr Otway is to study,” Dr Otway says.
movie Jaws springs to mind, perhaps best known for his “I like that it challenges my
especially when you realise involvement in the test tube perceptions. At this stage there
you’ve swum out just a bit too breeding program of Grey is enough we don’t know about
far at the beach. Nurse sharks, announced by sharks to satisfy many careers
“It’s hysteria. Even Spielberg NSW Fisheries just over a in terms of information.”
says he never should have year ago. He is particularly intrigued
made Jaws,” says Dr Nick According to Dr Otway, by a shark’s similar reproductive
NSW Fisheries
Otway, a NSW Fisheries the Grey Nurse is diminishing traits to human beings: the way
Research Scientist. rapidly due to a rare cannibalistic some sharks have umbilical
“Sharks are beautiful trait where the shark pups eat cords and the ability of other
to watch. They literally fly each other in the uterus, known sharks to give live birth. Baby news ... Dr Otway performs an ultrasound on a Grey Nurse Shark
through the water. They can as intra-uterine cannibalism. “They are diverse and have
turn on a five cent piece. They But despite this, Dr Otway diverse habitats. It makes for recalls the incident as if he were he gets out on the boat for
are so agile and capable in their says they have coped incredibly interesting study,” says Dr bitten by a mosquito. tracking studies.
own environment.” well for some 70 million years. Otway. Of shark anatomy, he “Once you start dealing with Although Nick Otway has
For Dr Otway, no other The breeding program is says, “they are ancient and this larger animals, even placid ones, been involved in numerous
marine creature inspires and expected to take 10 years and hasn’t changed greatly.” it is difficult simply because of projects involving sharks, he
challenges him quite so much - is still in the early stages of As can be expected, Dr their capabilities,” he says. says he doesn’t have a career
sharks are a life long fascination collecting biological data. Otway concedes that working As for dipping his toes in the highlight just yet.
and passion dating back “Procedures and research are with sharks does not always water of late, Dr Otway says “I can’t put my finger on one,
to childhood. not possible without researching go swimmingly. his current research is mostly give me a couple of years.”
“I was 11 years old and I was the basic information at the Although he’s never had a conducted at his computer. “My specialisation is the
on a cruise with my parents,” outset. You need to use stepping close call with a large shark, he Although he says he used to various aspects of ecology
says Dr Otway. “I kept looking stones to make leaps ahead,” he did have an altercation several dive “a hell of a lot.” and biology – the details are
out over the side of the cruise, says. years ago with a small Bronze “I still love being a field fascinating. That’s what keeps
watching. I wanted to see sharks. However, Dr Otway says Whaler. This resulted in a few ecologist – it’s very enjoyable,” me there; that’s what keeps
I ended up seeing several. I saw he’s interested in all sharks, not stitches to his hand, although he he says of the occasions when me going.”
A celebration of diverse Lebanese history in
Julie Shingleton
“Back in the early 1900s, it known for also being the Many settled in Redfern, park to meet each other, exchange owners would still come back
was the rhythmic pounding of first home of many Lebanese which, as a result was renamed news and where newcomers to Redfern to purchase stock
butchers tenderising lamb in their migrants to Australia from the Little Lebanon. The NSW would find work,” Convy says. from the warehouses and
jiruns that could be heard while 1880s onwards. Governor Marie Bashir lived If Lebanese newcomers could attend religious observance
walking down Cooper Street in Nowadays, very few traces at her grandmother’s home in not find jobs with the wholesalers, obligations and social events,”
Redfern,” says Paul Convy from of the famous warehouses Redfern while attending Sydney because of discriminatory says Freda Backes, President
the Australian Lebanese Historic on Elizabeth Street set up in Girls High School. practices barring Syrians from of the Australian Lebanese
Society (ALHS), speaking on the early 1900s by Lebanese “When they first arrived many forms of employment in Historic Society.
the inaugural Redfern Lebanese entrepreneurs remain, apart in Sydney, many Lebanese the early 1900s, the wholesalers “Churches were the attraction
Legacy walk organised for from Stanton Melick’s, as most immigrants hotbedded around would nevertheless supply them for Lebanese migrants who later
History Week 2007. were demolished to make space Redfern while seeking with haberdasheries, linen and moved to different suburbs such
On the 19th of September, for housing developments in employment. Great Buckingham goods that could be hawked. as Harris Park, Thornleigh or
the ALHS took its first group the late 1950s. Street in the 1920s saw many of Many of those hawkers headed Punchbowl.”
of visitors on a journey across Those prosperous wholesalers its houses filled with boarders,” for rural Australia and set up Even when the businesses in
100 years of Lebanese migration employed many waves of says Paul Convy. Today, an successful businesses in most Redfern changed, the members
to Sydney, walking around the Lebanese migrants, or Assyrians, iron gate shaped as a cedar, NSW country towns. of the Lebanese community kept
area of Redfern which used to be before the formation of the the symbol for Lebanon, still “I remember when we used go coming back to Little Lebanon
called Little Lebanon, namely modern state of Lebanon in 1943. stands half way down the street, for drives with the kids through to get married or buried until
Elizabeth, Great Buckingham, Most Lebanese migrants came reminding this leafy gentrified the country, we would keep them the 1970s when they built their
Cleveland, Walker and to Australia to make a better life street of those earlier occupants. busy by asking them to spot the churches in other suburbs.
Cooper Streets. for themselves, some escaping Just across the road is Redfern Lebanese family names on the St George’s Orthodox
While Redfern is largely religious persecution under the Park. “Redfern Park was the awnings of shops in the villages Cathedral, situated at the corner
known culturally as an Ottoman empire, great famines or recreational area for the Lebanese we passed,” Convy recalls. of Walker and Cooper Streets,
Aboriginal area, it is lesser to reunite with their families. community; they all came to the “The Lebanese rural business holds memories of many
Precinct issue 4/2007 15
Heritage & Conservation
Barracks now on heritage list
Tess Bennett
T
he Hyde Park Barracks convict history. The Barracks, Barracks for National Heritage
have recently been built between 1817 and 1819, listing is the excellent condition
included in the National was originally used as a of the original building itself.
Heritage List, ensuring that residence for convicts working “The nice thing is just how
the reminder of Sydney’s on government projects until its much of it remains,” Mr Manera
colourful and violent past is closure in 1848. says. “Physical evidence of this
guaranteed to remain intact for “Over 160,000 convicts were history is very rare.”
future generations. sent to Australia between 1788 The central dormitory, eastern
The Federal Government has and 1868. They became both wall, home, office and solitary
nominated the Barracks along the backbone of our economy confinement cells are still intact,
with 10 other convict sites for and future prosperity, and the helping to explain how the
consideration for the World heart and soul of our collective convict system worked.
Heritage List. If successful, egalitarian character. “In New South Wales, Hyde
Hyde Park Barracks will receive “It’s something about which Park Barracks represents the
international recognition as we are very proud nowadays, systematic control of convicts
a heritage site alongside the with an increasing number and their labour, signifying a
Sydney Opera House and Uluru. of Australians able to trace belief in the permanence of the
Minister for the Environment back to their convict roots,” colony of New South Wales,”
and Water Resources Malcolm Mr. Turnbull says. Mr Turnbull says.
Turnbull announced in August, Imperial transportation of The Barracks also has
Jenni Carter
that the site’s inclusion on people around the world is a architectural significance.
the National Heritage list will major part of global modern Designed by convict architect
legally protect it under common- history. “The mass transport Francis Greenway, the original
wealth law. of convicts to Australia is very three-storey building was part of Convict heritage: the elegant simplicity of Hyde Park Barracks
“The legal protection of significant,” Mr Manera says. Governor Macquarie’s ambitious
these sites guarantees that future “Convicts and transportation building vision for Sydney. It is archeological dig in 1981. The submission to the United
generations will be able to are such an important part associated with other Sydney “It is one of the few museums Nations Educational Scientific and
appreciate first-hand where the of how we Australians know landmarks, including the Mint, that explains what museums Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
lives of many forbearers began ourselves. The Hyde Park St James Church, St Mary’s do. There are very few others consists of 11 convict sites. In
in Australia,” Mr Turnbull says. Barracks are a huge piece of Cathedral (demolished to make that involve archaeology,” NSW, these are Old Government
Curator of Hyde Park physical evidence. We need way for Sydney Hospital), Rum Mr.Manera says. House, Hyde Park Barracks,
Barracks Brad Manera says the these symbols to understand Hospital and Hyde Park. Brad Manera says that the Cockatoo Island Convict Site,
Barracks serve a vital purpose where we’ve been.” The site was also home to the National Heritage listing was a Old Great North Road Precinct,
for reminding us about our Also qualifying Hyde Park largest government sponsored necessary step before the World Kingston and Arthur Vale
Heritage nomination. This is Historic area (Norfolk Island).
Redfern
just another development in The other sites are Port Arthur
the Barrack’s interesting and Historic Site, Cascades
occasionally chequered history. Female Factory Historic Site
Over time the building has (Hobart), Darlington Probation
evolved. Originally used as a Station (Maria Island), Coal
Lebanese weddings, funerals convict barracks, it has since Mines Historic site (via
and family reunions. been a benevolent asylum, Premadeyna), Brickendon and
One such family reunion immigration depot, courts WoolmersEstates (near Longford)
occurred during the walk, when and legal offices and finally and Freemantle Prison in
visitor Gregory Sachs, whose a museum. Western Australia.
maternal grandmother was born Mr Manera says that it has Together these sites
into a Lebanese family bumped had a number of uses like many provide a record of Australia’s
into Richard Yared, who was large colonial buildings in NSW. convict history.
also visiting the Cathedral that “There are no financial The National Heritage List
day. They stood amongst rows benefits for National Heritage demonstrates the government’s
Julie Shingleton
of church benches engraved with listed buildings, however it adds commitment to the protection
Lebanese family names such as to the museum’s credibility when and promotion of our unique
Mellick, Dounami, Malouf and it comes to grants,” he says. heritage and protects 69
Mansour, recounting stories Taste of culture: Lebanese restaurants on Elizabeth Street The National Heritage Australian sites.
about common relatives. listing is expected to encourage The nomination is to be
Lebanese immigrants in the captain of the Australian Heritage Centre and the NSW more visitors to the Hyde submitted to UNESCO next
Australia played an important role Wallabies Rugby Union team Department of Planning is due Park Barracks. month. The application will be
in the growth and development in 1953-54 and Lord Mayor of for release in 2008, which will Most of the museum’s reviewed in February in Geneva,
of NSW, in both the economic Sydney in 1972; and Alexander shed more light on the migration visitors are from overseas. and a final decision will be made
and political spheres. Alam, one of the longest- story of Lebanese Immigrants in “Interest in Australian history by October 2008.
Notable Lebanese members of serving members of the NSW Australia and their contribution tends to run in fads,” Mr Manera “If we are accepted that
the community include Governor Legislative Council. to NSW heritage, which began says. “We tend to neglect our would be marvellous. If not, we
Marie Bashir; her husband Sir An ALHS study in partnership in suburbs such as Redfern. own history until someone else will reapply in 12 months,” Mr
Nicholas Shehadie who was with the NSW Migration sees it as significant.” Manera says.
16 Precinct issue 4/2007
Heritage & Conservation
Shant Fabricatorian
T
here are surely few
images more redolent
of fading Imperial glory
than the sight of idly decaying
industrial machinery.
The hammerhead crane on
Garden Island is an enduring
reminder of those days when
manufacturing was seen as the
path to prosperity. It stood as
the largest crane in the Southern
Hemisphere in 1951 and it
continues to occupy a place in
Australian naval history.
Despite its significance, the
survival of the Garden Island
crane is not assured. Along with
the old railway engineering
Shant Fabricatorian
workshops at Eveleigh and the
Ku-ring-gai Blue Gum High
Forest, the Garden Island crane
is at serious risk of destruction.
Clearing in the Blue Gum
High Forest, which houses many Taking seven years to build, the Garden Island Hammerhead Crane at Woolloomooloo, was the largest crane in the southern hemisphere in 1951.
Our heritage at risk
of Sydney’s largest and most
imposing trees, has reduced
it to around one per cent of its
original size, and no solution
has been implemented to assure
the survival of the crane or the
Eveleigh railway workshop. Trust’s Deputy-Director of industry was to Newcastle,” have the highest protection, Gum high forest in Sydney”.
Stepping in to prevent the Conservation in NSW, Graham he says. unlike here,” she says. In April, the NSW Scientific
destruction of these icons is Quint, the nominations are He claims the State The main threat for the crane Committee listed the Forest
the new program, Our Heritage entirely deserving and the result Government wants residential lies in its inactivity. Standing as critically endangered.
At Risk. The program is an of a long-term struggle. estates built on the Eveleigh unused for over a decade, The Forest Group has
extension of the National Trust of “Eveleigh has been something land and a similar fate could increasing degradation has experienced some success, but
Australia’s Endangered Species we’ve been trying to save for await the Garden Island crane. made demolition a more likely according to Ms Lock, it is vital
advocacy program which 30 years. The Smithsonian Built to lift heavy machinery option. The desired outcome is that there is no further incursion
aims to reduce threats facing Institution [in Washington] has such as warship engines and adaptation, recommissioning the of development into the area.
heritage sights. said it’s one of the world’s most boilers, it remains the largest crane for lower load capacities. The Ku-ring-gai Council has
Our Heritage At Risk aims significant industrial sites.” dockside crane in Australia. Like the crane, threat to the endorsed the National Trust’s
to focus community and media For Mr Quint, the protection The National Trust’s Executive survival of the Blue Gum High decision to nominate the forest
interest on the threats facing of these locations is about Director, Tina Jackson, says the Forest in Ku-ring-gai is acute. for Our Heritage at Risk.
heritage sites in the hope of preserving our institutional crane represents a unique piece According to Neroll Lock, of the Nominations for the Our
bringing about change. memory. of Australia’s industrial history. Blue Gum High Forest Group, Heritage at Risk list were
To outsiders, the choice of “The suburb of Eveleigh “There are only 15 of these the conservation of the forest submitted to a national judging
the nominated sites may seem is based on the railways, in a cranes left in the world and would represent “the survival of panel who will decide on a
curious, but for the National similar manner to what the steel those that are in Scotland the largest remaining part of Blue national top 10.
Everyone finding their place in history
Arsito Hidayatullah
This year’s 12th annual History of History Week in 2007 at the workshops, and exhibitions. to the public. Individuals were past. It is also amazing to know
Week was the biggest one yet, community level,” she says. Ms Donovan says the invited to explore the heritage of these huge book collections are
according to Event Coordinator As an initiative from the widespread number of historical sites such as the Anzac in the library,” she says.
Celia Donovan. History Council NSW, History communities involved in this Memorial, St Mary’s Cathedral, While some eager historians
The theme, Find Your Place Week aimed to showcase the year’s History Week made it the Reserve Bank of Australia, embraced the events, others just
in History, reflected a growing diverse history being produced bigger than previous years. the Hyde Park Barracks, the happened upon them as they
interest in Australians exploring by individuals and organisations “History Week is 50 percent Mint, the Sydney Eye Hospital, visited Sydney landmarks.
their personal histories. across NSW, inviting people to larger than in 2006. Participation the State Library and the “We just planned to look
Ms Donovan says the get involved in recognising the is growing and the event is Botanical Gardens. around at the Opera House. We
study of family history has role of history in cultural life. getting bigger,” she says. Adriana Schmidt visited didn’t know about the History
become the single biggest Across NSW from September For this year’s festival, a the State Library as part of Week program. Yet, I think
area of interest for amateur 15-23, there were 270 events number of important historical the festivities. it’s a great opportunity and an
historians in New South Wales. held for History Week, which buildings on and around “It is always interesting to advantage for us to be here,” says
“Workshops on this are a big part ranged from open-days, lectures, Macquarie Street opened up know what’s happened in the Neil Staunton, who attended.
Precinct issue 4/2007 17
Heritage & Conservation
Tapestry Project weaves tribute
Polly Hemphill
I
t is their ordinariness that makes them extraordinary. around 25 volunteers, who either give their time on a perspective and this project is one way it can be done”.
Their everyday life that inspires us. They do not weekly basis or are more involved, taking ownership By creating this social document it can become
command centre stage nor do they receive accolades of a specific project. Apart from the public grants the a valuable recount of women’s history. Currently
for their work. They are the women in our lives. library receives, it relies largely on donations and more than 100 women have sent in stories,
Whether it is our mother, sister, daughter or friend, fundraising activities to buy books and materials. each approximately 1000 words in length.
the Jesse Street Women’s Library is interested in hearing The Tapestry Project is one of the valuable resources The Project hopes to represent women of all social,
their story as part of the Tapestry Project. the library is using to document the compelling lives cultural, and religious backgrounds. Ms Paviour believes
The Jessie Street Women’s Library was established of women. Originally set up in 1996 by Jan Wood, that for it to be successful there is a need to involve women
in 1989 in honour of Jessie Street, who dedicated her a member of the Jesse Street National Women’s from ethnic communities and Aboriginal backgrounds,
life to improving the status of women in society. Some Library committee and a founding member of SWAN who have not submitted written entries. The library
of the many causes she fought for included equal pay, (School of Women Artists Network), the Tapestry is looking for a way to combine the oral histories of
equality for women, political rights, the plight of Jewish Project is a collection of stories about everyday women these women with the written histories of those women
refugees and the elimination of discrimination for who have inspired someone close to them. already included in the Tapestry Project.
Aborigines. She also founded the United Associations However, the uniqueness lies in the Library’s In addition to publishing the stories on the
of Women in Australia, one of the most politically ordinariness. Lorna Paviour, the volunteer currently in internet, the long-term aim of the Tapestry Project
forceful women’s organisations in Australia. charge of the Project, says, “There is already enough is to create a book to ensure the histories of
The original idea for establishing the library came information about extraordinary people, this is for these women will never be lost.
from Lenore Coltheart and Shirley Jones who, frustrated people from a small stage.” “The project is an ongoing process as long as the
by the limited information available on Australian Kris Clarke, another volunteer at the Jesse Street library is still going,” she says. There is also a hope that
women, decided to create a women’s library. Women’s library, mentions that one of Jan Wood’s similar projects will be initiated internationally that can
The library functions solely on the dedication of original goals was “to put women into historical be woven together to create a worldwide tapestry.
Heritage List: a national controversy
Danielle Nicastri
Heritage experts hope the new maintain sites,” says Elizabeth Architects, says too many
National Heritage Listing is Farrelly, architecture writer for properties are listed and not
not just another bureaucratic The Sydney Morning Herald. supported. He maintains that
exercise, but one that will Economics are at the heart owners need financial assistance
provide real protection and the of criticisms about the National to fulfil heritage requirements.
necessary financial assistance. Heritage List. Brad Manera, “Some buildings which are
The National Heritage curator of Hyde Park Barracks, built with standard materials
List is forcing owners to which was added to the list last are easier to maintain, unlike
maintain heritage sites without month, says it gives heritage sandstone, stone walls and slate
government funding. sites another credibility tick, but roofs. They have more expensive
A second round of funding is needed to maintain finishes and require specialised
nominations for the list is now buildings for the maintenance tradesmen,” he says.
open. Nominated sites are that the listing requires. “Every heritage building
natural, historic or indigenous The Federal Government is requires some sort of major
places, which are historically not obliged to provide funding maintenance, unlike modern
valuable because they represent for the sites on its new National buildings built with brick
critical moments in Australia’s Heritage List and as a result, and corrugated steel,” says
development as a nation. some owners are struggling. Mr Tanner.
Operating parallel to the local John Toogood, Vice President Mr Manera says the key is
and state and territory heritage of the Friends of the Cerberus, tailoring the funds available to
systems, The National Heritage a shipwreck site off the the heritage sites in need.
List offers sites an extra layer of Victorian coast, says he needs “You could always do with
protection. Places on the National $6 million in funding to more, so you have to work
Heritage List can also appear on maintain the site, which has within your budget,” he says.
state or local government lists. been included on the National “If you inherit or own a
However, many architects Heritage List. He says blame has special building of public
and heritage experts say the list been shifted between state and importance, the costs are not in
will provide little protection. federal authorities in the process the realm of ordinary citizens,”
“Being on a heritage list of his negotiations. Mr Tanner says.
does not mean the site will “The state has offered to go Ms Farrelly says responsibility
Clive Collins
be conserved, but it will need into shared funding, though the then rests with the public.
permission to be knocked down, longer it waits, the more the “People are required to pay
in which economic arguments price of steel goes up,” he says. out of the goodness of their heart.
prevail because government and Howard Tanner, from the It is like self-regulation, which is Sydney’s Australia Square has been nominated for the new National
private owners are not willing to Royal Australian Institute of always a disaster,” she says. Heritage List. A $495 million upgrade of the site was completed in 1998.
18 Precinct issue 4/2007
Education & Environment
Uni sports
ride out VSU
for now
Emily Laurence
A
s the saying goes, Recreation Manager at UTS,
“All work and no play said that UTS sport had been
makes Jack a dull relatively unaffected by VSU.
Dale de la Ray
boy” (and Jill a dull girl for This is because the university
that matter). So it was little stepped in to cover the hole left
wonder that when the Federal in the sporting budget.
Government introduced Ms Brett credits UTS Union’s
Voluntary Student Unionism slick transition to its preparation University of Sydney women’s eight rowing team on its way to gold at the 2007 Uni Games in September.
(VSU) just under two years ago, prior to the implementation
organisers of Uni Games — and of VSU.
advocates of university sport in Staffing underwent a full
general — were left feeling a restructure, with the sports
little worried. office reduced from six full-
According to Don Knapp, time staff to three paid jobs, in
CEO of Australian University addition to redundancies in other
Sport (AUS), while it remains Union areas.
an uncertain time for university Although UTS sports staff
sport, most universities have are working longer hours,
cushioned the impact of VSU – Ms Brett says this has had a
for now. positive effect on facilities
“There’s no immediate and services.
concern that Uni Games will “With the restructure came
disappear, only that participation a fresh new team who came in
will decrease. And we’re not with new exciting ideas and a
really feeling that impact yet,” great deal of enthusiasm for our
Mr Knapp says. work,” she says.
However, Mr Knapp says As for the Uni Games this
VSU has impacted on sports year, UTS students are being
facilities and services to varying provided with exactly the same
degrees throughout Australian subsidies and concessions as
universities, and the full effects when compulsory fees existed.
have not yet been felt. Ms Brett does sense that A member of the University of NSW swimming team competes at the 2007 Uni Games on the Gold Coast.
But universities are preparing sport facilities and services at
for the worst. AUS and the UTS, including future student real shame for students who will
Student union deplores
Australasian Campus Union participation in Uni Games, will miss out. Uni is not just about
Managers’ Association have hinge on continued funding. sitting in classes.”
ordered a comprehensive study “If we can secure university Likewise, Don Knapp feels
to measure the impact of VSU support then we will continue university sport is an essential
on university sport. to provide quality facilities and element of university life. Peta Yoshinaga and Annabel Boyer
“The stimulus for the report services to students,” she says. Regardless of the VSU
was to know what’s going on “Insofar as Australian impact study findings, Knapp is Voluntary Student Unionism has universities as deplorable
so we can adjust and make University Games, we will be confident that university sport made life tougher for students, in terms of their provision
changes,” Mr Knapp says. able to continue the opportunity and the Uni Games are here according to a report recently of student services. They
“There’s definitely less for students to socialise with peers to stay. released by the National Union include Swinburne University,
money in the system for sporting in a safe, friendly environment,” “It’s a strong social sporting of Students (NUS). University of Western Sydney,
activities on campus.” she says. opportunity. “The significant reductions Griffith University and Charles
Whatever the findings of “The benefit of having student “The general question of in the areas of professional staff Darwin University.
the impact study, Mr Knapp union fees in terms of Uni Games sport and uni — whether team assisting student representatives Rose Khalilizadeh, President
maintains that VSU will not be was that there was a constant or individual achievement — is puts student involvement in of the University of Sydney
the demise of the Uni Games. source of income, so there was integral to a holistic approach to quality assurance and consumer Union, isn’t happy about the
This is certainly the case with no pressure about sourcing educational experience. It would protection within universities in effect of VSU.
UTS, which sent a 230-person uniforms and transport, and be devastating for university jeopardy,” says president of the “We have lost $8 million in
team to compete at the Gold subsidising costs for students. to not have sport – it would be NUS, Michael Nguyen. funding since the introduction of
Coast Uni Games in September. “It will be difficult without incomprehensible. It’s not going In a recent ranking, the NUS the VSU,” she says.
Elizabeth Brett, Sport and that support, and that would be a to happen,” Mr Knapp says. categorised some Australian “There have been significant
Precinct issue 4/2007 19
Education & Environment
Old school embraces new cultures
There is more to this enduring Surry
Hills institution than meets the eye, as
Arsito Hidayatullah discovers.
C
hatting happily in a “Mostly their families came
corner of Prince Alfred from Eastern Asia, like China
Park in Sydney’s Surry and Korea. There are a few
Hills, they look like a typical of them who also came from
bunch of cheerful, multicultural the Middle East, Russia and
Australian kids. certain countries in Europe, as
Like many Sydney teenagers, well as from southern America,
they are learning to speak a and occasionally from Africa,”
foreign language at school. she says.
But unlike most Sydney “There are some students
teenagers, they are not learning who had been out of school
French or Latin or Japanese. for years, and a few more had
These students are all tragic experiences in their home
studying English as their second country. It’s more difficult for
language, and many had a them, so we will always try to
complicated life before arriving help,” she says.
Arsito Hidayatullah
in Australia. Diversity is clearly a unique
These are the students of characteristic of the school,
Cleveland Street Intensive which has played a unique role
English High School, a school in the Surry Hills community for
for the children of migrant more than 150 years.
families, refugees and other An educational institution The heritage Cleveland Street High School is now the scene of some innovative learning programs.
non-English speaking residents. since 1856, the school has had
Most days, they can be found several different names and list of graduates including NSW came from different countries. the importance of community
laughing and chatting in their roles. Governor Marie Bashir, the They all have specialist teaching and family support, which
own languages during school It has been a school for NSW Attorney General, John areas and had been trained in is good for the students’
break. infants, for girls and boys, a Hatzistergos and others. English as Second Language or successful learning.”
When asked the direction co-educational school, and The school has always had TESOL,” she says. Dr Hodge explains that the
to the school office, one of the even a weekend community programs over the years to “We also have a large number students are graded into classes
boys breaks off his conversation language school and evening support the life of the students of bilingual staff who act as according to age and English
in Chinese and replies in very community college. and their families. But only interpreters, translators who give speaking ability, although
fluent English. Over the years, the school since the 1980s has it been an social support for students,” Ms they also learn other subjects
“Oh, you want to go to the has produced many prominent intensive English high school, Jachman says. including science, maths, music
school office? Alright, come, judges, scientists, politicians, with a host of related cultural As school counsellor, Dr and business, in preparation for
follow me,” he says. and sporting identities. support initiatives. Hodge also runs a group for employment or further study.
Dr Glenda Hodge, the school “Many of those students have As well as English, the school family and community members With 250 current students,
counsellor, explains the cultural gone on to be very successful,” also places a strong emphasis called Aupendi. Dr Hodge hopes the program
breakdown of the school. says Dr Hodge, mentioning a on fostering the multicultural The group has weekly will continue to grow.
backgrounds of the students. meetings to help community “The school can actually
Study and other materials members with English and take up to 500 students. So I
post-VSU service cuts
are provided in several of the cultural learning every Monday. can see that the numbers are
students’ home languages, such Members of the group are also growing each year. And if people
as Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, taken on school excursions from write back to their family and
and Indonesian. time to time. relatives in their own countries,
A special initiative called the The school is seen by many they’ll be sending more of their
‘Greeting of the Week’ is also as playing an important role in children here,” she says.
constraints as a result. greater efficiency in the running a vital part of the school’s the educational development of A Vietnamese student, Trinh
“We have had to seek funding of the union. program. Students and staff the city. Duy Anh Vu, agrees that the
from the university, cut down He says that certain positions are required to use a greeting This view is confirmed by Iis learning system in the school is
on programs, and outsource our have been amalgamated and from a different language every Nur Rodliyah, a postgraduate helpful.
catering,” Khalilizadeh says. others scrapped, such as the week. All must respect this Masters of Education student “We learn other useful
The NUS says that as Programs and Activity Officer. agreement to participate in from Indonesia who is studying subjects too besides English.
government policy continues to One of the areas that the cultural diversity. and living in Sydney. Unfortunately, sometimes there
shape universities into income- union is struggling in is replacing Much of the school’s teaching “This school plays an are still a few students who like
driven entities, the rights of equipment that has worn out. staff also have a personal important role in the migrant to disturb the class and make
students, especially paying “There are 40 less understanding of what it means teenagers’ education by noise. I think teachers should
students, are often eroded in the staff members. [VSU] has to learn English as a second providing language skills give more attention on them,”
pursuit of increasing income. forced people to tighten language in a foreign country, and knowledge necessary for he says.
UTS Union’s Ahmad Ramay their belts, but counselling as Karen Jachman, the Head surviving their future. So this is, after all, a typical
says the introduction of voluntary and legal services are still Teacher of Welfare, explains. “The curriculum is well Australian high school — with a
student unionism boils down to there,” Ramay says. “The teachers originally also designed, and it also addresses few cultural differences.
20 Precinct issue 4/2007
Education & Environment
Festival adds fun to
eco-living message
Elsa Evers
G
rey weather and the On the main stage, popular be subsidised by the government
prospect of muddy shoes bands including Rastawookie, so that it can more accessible,”
were not enough to stop composer Elena Kats-Chernin he says.
people flocking to Victoria Park and the Double Yum Funk The music that Davis makes
recently for the inaugural Live Club kept toes tapping and kids as part of the Double Yum
Green festival. bouncing throughout the day. Funk Club – a spontaneous mix
Organised by the City of How committed to the of funk, soul and breakbeat
Sydney Council, the aim of message of sustainable living – could itself be described
the festival was to promote though, were the personalities as ‘organic’.
environmental sustainability in and musicians that performed at “[The Council] chose us
everyday living. the event? because we are organic in many
Energetic bands, organic food “Living green is knowing ways,” he says.
stalls, children’s activities, and what impact you as an individual “All the music that we
workshops all formed part of have on your local area,” play is sampled old funk
the event. explains Chad Davis, still loops. There are no real
Celebrity chef Kylie Kwong panting. Davis (aka DJ Mr Chad) syntherizery sounds and it is
was named ‘Live Green had hardly finished playing a completely spontaneous.”
Ambassador’ and could be set with The Double Yum Funk “None of the guys on stage
found steaming organic and Club as part of the Live Green know what I’m going to play and
biodynamic broccoli in the Live festival when I nabbed him fresh I don’t actually know what I’m
Green Kitchen. off the stage. going to play at the time either,”
City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Davis explains that he he says
Clover Moore, also made an would always choose organic When asked about the
appearance on the main stage if he could afford it, but selection criteria for the live
to describe the ways in which unfortunately the tight budget acts, Live Green publicist Maya
Elsa Evers
the Council is set to “harness of a local musician doesn’t Catsanis replied frankly. “The
Australia’s best and most creative always allow him that luxury. entertainment of Live Green
thinkers to build Sydney as an “Organic food deserves to be was just that: entertainment,” Chad Davis and the Double Yum Funk Club (top); an organic food stall
environmentally sustainable city”. paid for but I think it needs to she says. (centre); a grass installation embodies the ‘Live Green’ concept (above).
Keen on green: city building aims for 6-star status
Polly Hemphill
Imagine: office buildings the rating can be awarded. in energy consumption by Peter Whittaker, planner with language, setting a standard
with a lower carbon footprint The Green Star system 80 per cent and a greenhouse the City of Sydney Council, says of measurement for green
than a standard house, office evaluates the environmental reduction of 50 per cent from the new rating system, which commercial buildings.
buildings that generate their performance of buildings. It the standard office building. combines the GBCA and AGBR It recognises environmental
own energy and contribute to was developed by the GBCA The construction process ratings, is all about embodied leadership and encourages
the environment rather than to assist the building industry required enormous floor plates energy. “If a substance has a holistic approach to
destroying it. Is it a reality or in its transition to sustainable of 3593 metres, yet the embodied energy it took energy development. The system
merely a utopia? development and is a national workplace6 design still to make it,” he says identifies building life-cycle
The developers of voluntary rating system. includes a central atrium that The new system takes the impacts and raises awareness of
workplace6, a new building in To achieve the ground- allows high levels of natural construction materials into green building benefits.
the Darling Island precinct of breaking rating, one of the light in. There is no point on account, “giving a bigger, To achieve a 6-Star Green
Pyrmont, maintain that it can be prominent features in the any floor that is more than conclusive energy picture Star certified rating, commercial
a reality. 18,000 square metre workplace6 12 metres from the atrium or as it looks at both sides [of buildings must score 75-100.
The six-level building has building is the large water a window. construction] rather than the It is then considered a world
been designed to achieve a saving initiatives. Workplace6 is not the standard one energy rating”. leader in environmentally
6-Star Green Star rating Waste water will be sourced first building in Australia The standard one energy conscious design.
from the Green Building from sewers, treated to potable to achieve a 6-star rating. rating system only relates to Workplace6 is one step
Council Australia (GBCA) standards and then used for Two buildings in Melbourne how the building reduces energy in the grand scheme of
and a 5-star plus 20 per toilet flushing. It could also be are already rated 6-star, but and waste. The two energy commercial building, but it is
cent Australian Greenhouse used for landscape irrigation. workplace6 aims to be the first rating system also looks at a start towards a future where
Building Rating (AGBR). The Energy efficiency in the in New South Wales to establish unsustainable energy materials. all commercial buildings could
council is currently assessing building should be superior, a new standard for green The Green Star rating be rated, leading to a greener,
workplace6 to confirm whether aiming to have a reduction building design. system establishes a common cleaner environment.
Precinct issue 4/2007 21
Education & Environment
Rooftop oases planned for
Sydney’s concrete jungle
Sydney’s skyline may soon resemble a
highrise parkland, thanks to a $48,000
grant and the work of a local design
team. Britta Jorgensen reports.
I
nner-city workers facing the residents, as well as office
daily grind could soon find workers. And with the city’s
an escape from the hustle population estimated to increase
and bustle of Sydney’s CBD, by 70,000 residents and 90,000
with the City of Sydney planning workers by 2030, more green
to green the city’s roofs. spaces are needed for the future.
The Council is contributing a “A green roof gives city
$48,000 grant towards a project residents a really pleasant place
encouraging parks and gardens where they can sit and read, for
on top of office towers and instance,” she says.
apartment buildings. “It also creates more open
The green roofs initiative was space for people in an area
one of the 173 projects awarded where many live without a
a total of $1.6 million in grants backyard. They can go up onto a
by the Council this August, as green roof.”
part of its Grants and Green roofs are also
Sponsorships Program for small contributing to environmental
community projects. sustainability, by including
A Pyrmont community group water tanks, vegetable gardens
is currently putting together a and solar energy panels.
manual for retrofitting a green The City’s Environmental
roof on an existing building. Management Plan identifies
“It’s a reference manual green roofs as one of 53
on how to take the idea from actions to create a more
the concept to development environmentally sustainable
application, to get it through the Sydney in the next 10 years.
local government authority,” “Depending on the type of
says Charles Perry, who put green roof you install, they
forward the proposal. can provide cleaner air, save
The group, Pyrmont Progress water and minimise energy
Incorporated, is made up of consumption. They’re all
architects and economic and sustainable,” says Charles Perry.
environment experts. “We’re also able to introduce
The manual will provide greater biodiversity into a small
technical guidelines and area,” says Marcelle Hoff.
specifications such as roof Green roofs can also insulate
load-bearing capability, the roof of a building, and allow
Sydney City Council
waterproofing, drainage and stormwater runoff to be gathered
water supply. and reused.
“It will be available to “There are a number of
everybody, and so it’s a really valuable benefits apart
very valuable resource,” Mr from it just looking good,” Cr
Perry says. Hoff says. An artist’s impression shows what Sydney’s rooftops may look like when the plan is fully implemented.
The design team is led Any multi-storey building
by Tone Wheeler, an architect with a flat roof, or gently sloping “Obviously we don’t expect City of Sydney spokesperson most environmentally-friendly
and environment advocate at roof, can install a green roof. it will be a cheap exercise,” Josh Mackenzie. community centre.
the Royal Australian Institute “It would be wonderful if we Charles Perry says. Rooftops around the world Construction of the $14
of Architects. could get one on every single flat “One would hope in the have already gone green, million project is to begin
“We’ve got a team of people roof,” says Cr Hoff. longer run that there will be including Chicago, Berlin, in November, and is due for
who are working on it at the Structural engineer Matthew incentives for people to do it, Toronto and Portland. “Sydney’s completion by April next year.
moment,” he says. O’Hearn says buildings would perhaps through subsidies and a bit behind,” he says. The reference manual
City of Sydney councillor require strengthening to with- so forth.” One of the city’s first green should be completed and
Marcelle Hoff said green roofs stand the extra load, costing up The green roof is not a roofs is to be developed in publicly available by the end
will offer a refuge for city to $1,500 per square metre. new concept, according to Surry Hills as part of Sydney’s of November.
