Sydney’s city centre is set for a new playlist with 39 projects to benefit from more than $1 million in funding through the Play the City (Sydney) NSW Round Two Grants.
The funding is part of the CBD Revitalisation program to help reactivate the Sydney CBD by supporting individuals, venues and arts organisations to present live performances to help rebuild visitor numbers following the pandemic.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the program would play an important part in revitalising our city by encouraging people back to the city was critical to our COVID recovery.
“Getting the arts and entertainment industry back up and running will not only provide our economy with a much needed boost it will give Sydney its soul back,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Reviving this vital industry will help create jobs and get our city humming again ensuring we keep more businesses in business and people in jobs.”
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said Play the City (Sydney) will bring the beat back to the centre of Sydney through live performance throughout 2021.
“Restoring Sydney city’s cultural life and supporting businesses hit hard by the pandemic is a priority for the NSW Government, and Play the City (Sydney) is one initiative in a range of measures that will support live performance and encourage audiences back to the CBD over the coming months,” Mr Harwin said.
“Through 39 projects, this funding will support over 900 artists and the broader live music and performance scene, including diverse and inclusive Australian music events spanning Sydney venues such as the Oxford Art Factory, Darling Square and TAFE NSW Eora, which will be activated by emerging contemporary musicians, Neo Pop performances, album launches, and of course live music.
“After a tough year for our arts and cultural sector and businesses in Sydney’s CBD, this inspiring initiative will boost jobs and activate spaces all across the city over the coming months.”
The Play the City (Sydney) funding program is supporting a program of activities, events and performances that activate the Sydney CBD, and provides an opportunity for audiences to experience artists presenting new work and live performance events.
A full list of recipients is available here. For further information on arts, screen and cultural funding, including targeted support opportunities, visit the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.
Month: March 2021
Newcastle Food Month just one week from kick off
From Plate Dates to Secret Gin events, posh pop ups to seafood festivals, natural wine masterclasses to night noodle markets and so much more, its only one week until the inaugural Newcastle Food Month kicks off in the heart of the Hunter.
Showcasing New South Wales’ second largest city’s vibrant food scene, the month long program is brimming with events expected to attract foodies from all over the state.
And the signature event, Newcastle’s premiere of the posh Parisienne Pop Up, Le Diner en Blanc will steal the show on Saturday 10th April. The secret location will be revealed en route to the anticipated 1000 strong contingent who will converge on one of the city’s scenic outdoor spaces at once, donning all white from clothing to table wear, and this sophisticated white party. What’s more there are still a few tickets available simply jump onto newcastle.dinerenblanc.com, enter your email address, validate and register for Phase 3. But don’t delay, ticket sales close on 4 April.
The best way to eat your way through the city this April is to hop on a ‘Plate Date’. 60-plus local restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes have all designed a Newcastle Food Month dish and paired it with a beverage for only $25. Start your day with hotcakes and coffee for two at Edmonds & Co or finish it with Beetroot cured Kingfish and a glass of Thomas Wines Semillon at Nagisa. At $25 you’d be mad not to make it a Plate Date in Newcastle this April.
Head to newcastlefoodmonth.com.au for full program details and bookings.
Wests Newcastle partners with #1 Best Selling Author The Healthy Chef to bring healthy dining options to its venues
No stranger to doing things a little differently and always being responsive to consumer trends and member preferences, Wests Newcastle with its five clubs, three gyms and three hotels in the Hunter region, as well as the nib Newcastle Knights, has announced an exciting partnership which will see healthy dining options on the table.
That’s where Teresa Cutter comes in. Teresa is a classically trained chef, nutritionist, best-selling author, accredited fitness trainer and media personality. Known by many as ‘The Healthy Chef’, Teresa’s primary goal is to get people cooking, eating and thinking healthier.
Having admired what Teresa Cutter does, Wests approached Teresa to assist with creating healthy eating options at each of their outlets for day-to-day dining.
This March will see the official launch of this synergistic partnership, with new healthy options added to each club’s menus all designed by Teresa Cutter. From her famous World’s Healthiest Chocolate Cake to wholesome breakfast smoothies, to plant-based Bolognese and beyond, Teresa has made her mark on the clubs’ offering. Seasonally changing Healthy Chef meal options will be available at all Wests Clubs bistros and a selection of cakes, healthy hot ‘Naked Chocolate’, teas and smoothies will be available in all club patisseries year-round. Members will now be able to choose between the club’s traditional menus, or try a healthy alternative.
For Teresa Cutter “it’s about celebrating the elegance and power of pure and wholesome ingredients, and educating people on how to prepare, eat and think more healthily.” she comments of the opportunity.
The 140,000 plus Wests membership base and their guests will be able to make healthier choices when dining at any of the numerous dining outlets across Newcastle and Port Stephens. Coinciding nicely with the reopening of New Lambton’s fully refurbished Bistro area, members can now enjoy a relaxed and healthy dining experience at Wests.
Members will also have access to The Healthy Chef’s Functional Food Range, consisting of organically sourced proteins, superfoods, collagen, teas and nutritional based wholefood products and cookbooks at special member prices, from next month.
Teresa Cutter will have a selection of her best-selling cookbooks available for sale at special Wests Members prices. Wests members will also be able to take advantage of an incredible discount of 20% off the recently launched and ‘must-have’ Healthy Chef App.
Throughout March, April and May when a menu item is ordered from The Healthy Chef selection at any Wests club, including the daily $15 lunch and dinner option available at each Bistro, members will go in the draw to win a Years’ Worth of Wellness. The prize will include a weekly meal from The Healthy Chef selection, valued at $900*.
You’ll love the wellness options available at all clubs seven days a week for both lunch and dinner – from Salmon Burgers to Super Green Pie to the always-on Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese, available in all bistro outlets until the end of May. Or if you find yourself at one of Wests Patisserie’s, be sure to give the World’s Healthiest Chocolate Cake, Healthy Carrot Cake with Yoghurt Frosting or one of Teresa’s famous smoothies a go. The Stress Buster Smoothie, the Super Green Smoothie, Nourish Glow Smoothie and her Naked Chocolat drinks and Beauty Tea will be available year round.
Four deaths in a fortnight – Black deaths in custody a national crisis: Greens
The Greens have again called on the Government to act urgently to end Black deaths in custody, following reports today of yet another death of a First Nations man in custody – the fourth in the past fortnight.
The Aboriginal Legal Service of NSW and ACT today reports that Barkindji man Anzac Sullivan, 37, died during a police pursuit in Broken Hill on Thursday 18 March.
17 April 2021 will mark the 30th anniversary of the handing down of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The report included more than 330 recommendations that, three decades on, have yet to be fully implemented. Since then, around 500 Blak people have been killed in custody – for which not a single individual has been yet held to account.
The Greens today reaffirmed their calls, as a matter of national urgency, for:
- Full implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations
- The Prime Minister to take up the invitation from families of those who have had a loved one die in custody to meet with them, ahead of the 17 April anniversary
- Greater transparency around the reporting of deaths in custody, and
- A ban on lethal choke holds.
Greens Senator for Victoria and DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjamara woman, Lidia Thorpe said:
“On behalf of the Australian Greens, I wish to express our sympathies to Mr Sullivan’s family, friends and community. I know they are hurting today. What they’re experiencing is something that no family or community should ever have to go through.
“As First Nations people, we are sad – and we are angry beyond words. Why does this system continue to kill us off? We know that was the intent from the beginning of the colonial invasion – is this part of the same genocidal agenda?
“Why should our people keep dying in places where they’re meant to be kept safe? The system is deeply racist.
“As recently as last week, this Government said deaths in custody were a ‘tragedy’, and said they were sorry.
“We’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times. Sorry isn’t good enough. Sorry means you don’t do it again. It’s all talk and no action from these people, and these families deserve better.”
An extra $135 million to help Australia’s creative sector rise
The Morrison Government will inject an additional $135 million to support thousands of jobs in the arts and entertainment sector, as it continues to come back from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Government will provide a further $125 million, available until 31 December 2021, into the already successful Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund. This funding will support around 230 projects and up to 90,000 jobs and builds on an original commitment of $75 million. RISE funding is provided to arts businesses and organisations as competitive project grants towards the cost of putting on activities such as festivals, concerts, tours, productions and events.
The Government will also provide a further $10 million to the charity Support Act in 2020-21, to assist with its vital work in providing crisis support to artists and other workers across the creative sector. This is in addition to the $10 million directed to Support Act by the Morrison Government last April.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said RISE is helping to drive the creative economy resurgence, as venues reopen and performances are booked in.
“Our focus has turned to stimulating activity so the work opportunities can flow,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This new funding comes at an important stage in the resurgence of Australia’s arts and entertainment sector. The purpose of the RISE program is to get shows put on, bringing employment to performers, crews and front-of-house staff.”
The Government will also update the RISE program’s guidelines to:
- Make it easier for multiple businesses and organisations to access the program to put on a show, including pre-production support. For example, it is common in the music industry that a promoter works with an artist, their manager, a sound and lighting provider and various other parties in the lead-up to a concert or tour.
- Encourage projects from as low as $25,000.
The Government will consult on the wording of these changes before finalising them.
The boost to the RISE program builds on the Government’s investment of almost $800 million in additional arts and entertainment funding announced in 2020, on top of an investment of around $750 million in annual funding, more than $730 million provided to the Creative and Performing Arts subdivision of industry through JobKeeper, and about $119 million provided in cash flow payments to Creative and Performing Arts organisations.
For more information about COVID-19 and arts support visit: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.
Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine rollout is underway: indigenous people 55 and over, roll up your sleeves
As of this week around 87,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 or older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1B of the national rollout strategy.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP today made time to attend Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service to receive his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We have done a remarkable job so far in the fight against the COVID-19 virus, we cannot now become complacent,” Minister Wyatt said. “Vaccines are an important tool in our strategy and I urge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to come forward and get vaccinated when they are able to. It will help protect themselves, their family and their community.”
There are 32 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services around the country who will begin providing COVID-19 vaccinations this week. The number of participating services and delivery sites will increase each week; building to around 100 services for around 300 sites in remote, rural and urban communities. People can also get their vaccination from general practices, commonwealth vaccination clinics (previously known as GP-led respiratory clinics). Pharmacies will begin vaccinations later in the rollout.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advised the Australian Government to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccination in Australia based on evidence on who would be most affected if they contracted COVID-19.
“Our people have a higher risk of getting and developing serious outcomes from communicable diseases due to a number of factors including having a high rate of underlying chronic health conditions and in some cases crowded-living conditions, which increases the risk of transmission,” Minister Wyatt said.
“It’s normal to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine. I encourage all of you to listen to your local community controlled health organisation as a trusted source” he added.
The Department of Health also provides evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines on health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines-is-it-true.
One of the reasons Australia has been so successful in preventing COVID-19 in reaching remote and Indigenous communities and causing serious illness, like it has overseas, is the quick response and hard work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, leaders and health services.
Every Australian will have the opportunity to be vaccinated over the coming months and we thank every Australian for their patience. There are more than six million Australians in phase 1B, and not everyone will be able to be vaccinated immediately. No-one will miss out, whether they live in a city or country town or a very remote area.
To see if you are eligible and find your local service to make an appointment, you can use the eligibility checker at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility or you can also contact your health service or general practitioner directly.
The Australian Government continues working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and state and territory governments in all aspects of the National Response to COVID-19, including in the roll-out of the vaccine program to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia.
For more: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/getting-vaccinated-for-covid-19/information-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples-about-covid-19-vaccines
$2.4 million makeover for Kotara unveiled
City of Newcastle has completed a $2.4 million upgrade of Joslin Street, Kotara with a safe and welcoming new public space created at the heart of the renewal.
The upgrade saw the replacement of drainage infrastructure, footpaths and road surfaces, installation of new street furniture and street planting, alongside pedestrian safety improvements including a pedestrian refuge to enable a safer crossing between Rae Crescent and the busy local shopping area.
The public open space at the corner of Joslin Street and Rae Crescent features a playful sandstone stack, stepping logs for children to explore and relax, seating areas, a drinking fountain and a dog drinking bowl.
The space was unveiled by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who encouraged the local community to visit the space and the nearby local businesses.
“When we spoke to the community about upgrading this busy local centre we heard of the desire for a safer, more vibrant space to gather and shop,” the Lord Mayor said.
“With $2.4 million invested to completely overhaul the entire local centre, we’ve delivered a more modern and safe public space for local residents and visitors to Kotara.”
“We’re particularly proud of the new, innovative open space which is a great place to catch up with friends over a coffee or bite to eat from the fantastic local businesses.”
The Lord Mayor said that the local community had significantly shaped the new public spaces by providing the City with invaluable feedback through detailed community consultation.
“Input from the community and local business-owners has been critical in making these improvements to the area, which we hope will benefit the Kotara community both now and into the future.”
Sami Mamalis, owner of Joslin Street’s Schnitty City said the project has improved safety in the area, and that locals are enjoying the new space.
“This is great for Joslin Street, it’s good to see people using the space and it gives our customers and visitors somewhere to sit and enjoy the area.”
Future plans for the space include a collaboration with nearby Kotara South Public School to gather themes and ideas for the decoration of an interactive artwork to be installed in the public open space – bringing a climbable caterpillar sculpture to life with colour and character created by local school children.
“We want the community to interact with the new space and key to this is ensuring that local children from Kotara South Public School will get to see their ideas and designs for the new interactive public art come to life,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Joslin Street upgrade was delivered under the City’s Local Centres program, which is delivering upgrades to suburban centres across the local government area including the recently commenced upgrade of Mitchell Street, Stockton, and upgrades due for delivery later this year at Shortland and at James Street Plaza, Hamilton.
NSW PUMPS-UP THE VOLUME WITH PACKAGE TO SUPPORT ACCOMMODATION, LIVE MUSIC AND EVENTS
Up to 200,000 accommodation vouchers worth $100 each will be available to NSW residents as part of a new $51.5 million economic package designed to encourage people back into the Sydney CBD, re-ignite live music across the State, and support jobs in the accommodation, entertainment and tourism sectors.
The NSW Government’s latest COVID-19 response package will also include $24 million for eligible live music venues, a support package to help the business events industry in Sydney and regional NSW, and a funding boost for tourism marketing.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new package recognised the Sydney CBD and workers in accommodation, live entertainment and tourism industries had been especially hard hit by COVID-19.
“With international, interstate and business travelers virtually non-existent for the past year, the CBD, and in particular the accommodation industry, has done it tough,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This new program will be in addition to our other stimulus measures such as the Dine & Discover scheme, and will provide a boost to accommodation providers in what is a traditionally very quiet period.”
Mr Perrottet said the new funding would boost both the CBD economy and assist the accommodation, entertainment and tourism industries.
“Thousands of businesses in the Sydney CBD lost significant revenue with so many people working from home, when you add in almost no overseas or interstate travel, it’s been a tough 12 months for them,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This scheme will encourage people to explore more of what the Sydney CBD has to offer, and spend a little bit more on the way through, and support local jobs.”
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said supporting the live music and business events industry was vital as NSW continued its economic recovery.
“Everyone has missed live music, the industry is coming out of hibernation, and this package will ensure our much loved venues are there to host the gigs people want to see as they celebrate NSW emerging from the pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“There will also be support for business events and more money to market local tourism attractions as part of the Love NSW platform.
“Our success in containing COVID-19 means we can now focus on assisting these vital industries get back to business.”
The key components of the program are:
- $20 million for up to 200,000 x $100 CBD accommodation vouchers;
- $24 million to Destination NSW for a Live Music Support Package to be administered in partnership with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner;
- $5.5 million for a Business Events Industry Support package to assist businesses in Greater Sydney and across NSW;
- $2 million for a Tourism Industry Marketing Support package through the Love NSW campaign.
The $100 accommodation vouchers will be allocated on a first in, first served basis, and is expected to commence in June during the quieter winter period.
Accommodation providers will need to register for the program and operate within the City of Sydney to participate.
More details on how businesses can register and how people can apply for the accommodation vouchers and their release date will be announced in coming weeks.
More information package will be made available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/tourism-support-package.
200 Years of Greek Independence
Democracy. Aristotle. The Olympics. The delicious dish of Souvlaki, but most importantly my Yia Yia and Papaou. What do all these things have in common?
They originated from Greece! It is important to acknowledge the role our heritage and personal history have in shaping our ways of leadership. My grandparents were outstanding examples of everyday, ordinary leaders—leaders who served their families and communities.
I mention them, for on this day we mark 200 years of Greek Independence.
Two centuries ago, Greece launched their campaign for independence from the Ottoman Empire. What followed was the flourishing of a proud country, spreading its culture throughout the world. Australia’s first group of Greek migrants came in the form of seven prisoners in the early 1800s. Through the gold rush years of the 1850s and then post world war two, thousands of Greek men and women immigrated to Australia.
Today there are nearly 400,000 people of Greek ancestry in Australia. Many of whom resident in my electorate of Reid! Burwood is home of the Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Parish. Established in 1970, it serves the spiritual, educational and social needs of the local Greek community.
Plato once said, courage is knowing what not to fear. The Greeks who have migrated to Australia put aside fear, showing immense courage leaving their homes in search of a better life.
Without the Greek community, Australian society wouldn’t be what it is today.
NDIS INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS SUBJECT TO MASSIVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Morrison Government is allowing corporations with massive conflicts of interest – including one run by former NDIA CEO Robert De Luca – to begin cashing in on planned Independent Assessment changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme before they’ve even been introduced.
Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said today we’ve discovered that on top of being dehumanising and unworkable for disabled people, proposed independent assessment changes were ripe for corruption.
“This is deeply problematic because the individual who assesses your support needs could be working for a company who is owned by the corporation that is providing you with those supports. It is a massive conflict of interest,” Steele-John said.
“It is unacceptable that planners and service providers have been allowed to create subsidiary companies and legal entities that can uniquely position themselves to exploit that government’s planned Independent Assessment changes.
“It is even more concerning that one of the biggest corporations that is cashing in is being run by former NDIA CEO Robert De Luca.
“It is clear from the report this morning that the lines are already blurring between these companies and their parent corporations.
“Job advertisements for independent assessors in subsidiary companies owned by the corporation Mr De Luca runs are popping up all over Australia, months ahead of when the proposed changes are due to be introduced. There has been no transparent and public tender process for these independent assessment contracts.
“The entire thing stinks and should be immediately halted until disabled people, our families, our advocates and peak representative organisations have been properly consulted.”