RWA REDFERN WATERLOO UPDATE DECEMBER 2010
Driving housing and employment
A message from our
CEO
Training in bloom
Indigenous food in
Italy
NCIE receives
$500,000 boost
Better business
opportunities
REDFERN WATERLOO
Business Advice Service
Revitalising The
Block
Family Violence
Taskforce Forum
Redfern East
Development
Q & A with
Rabbitohs’ Dave Tyrrell
Souths Cares
continues to shine
Supporting local
elders
End of an era
A new home for
SSYS
Heritage showcase
at ATP
Capturing the past
Eveleigh Farmers’
Market
Koori graduate
makes his mark
Yaama students
have recipe for success
More than just a
market
Community Groups
Supported by Eveleigh Markets in 2010
The Cupcake
Princess of Eveleigh Market
Fun day out for
the whole family
New local
community gardens
Supporting victims
of domestic violence
Flying high at
Book Week
Asian Moon Festival
Knockout footy
performance
Playground in the
Park
Find out the
latest from the Redfern Waterloo Authority:
Season’s Greetings
The NSW
Government has announced the establishment of the Sydney Metropolitan
Development Authority (SMDA) to
drive housing and employment opportunities in specific area serviced by public
transport and infrastructure, and to build economies of urban centres.
The SMDA
will assume RWA’s functions and use it as a model to benefit all of Sydney. As
a priority, SMDA will focus on areas currently administered by RWA including
North Eveleigh and Australian Technology Park.
CEO of the RWA, Roy Wakelin-King, will perform the
role of Acting CEO of the SMDA and will sit on the interim Board.
Mr Wakelin-King has advised that the work of the
RWA will continue as per the current plans, saying, “There have been many
exciting developments in the Redfern-Waterloo community through urban renewal
and the delivery of important human services and these will not stop.
“These include the upgrade to Redfern Station, the
development of North Eveleigh, the implementation of the Built Environment Plan
2, the Aboriginal Employment Program and Human Services Reform.”
Minister for Planning Tony Kelly who announced the
changes said: “It [SMDA] will undertake work much like the RWA has done in
relation to the redevelopment of Redfern RSL where 84 units are being built
right now, next to Redfern Station.
“Sydney will need 770,000 more homes and 760,000
jobs by 2036. These will need to be near transport and services. The SMDA will
help plan and deliver that.”
The plans for the SMDA to better integrate land-use
and transport planning, creating a more sustainable, affordable and liveable
city are currently being developed.
The work on important initiatives in the
Redfern-Waterloo area will continue.
Photo: Redfern-Waterloo will be a priority for the
SMDA
2010 has
been a year of significant development in the Redfern-Waterloo area. The
opening of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, the new media facility
at the Australian Technology Park and the Community Health Centre on Redfern
Street all represent the realisation of the fantastic opportunities that are
occurring in this area. These events demonstrate the capacity and vibrancy of
the Redfern-Waterloo area and its community.
However, the work in Redfern-Waterloo continues in
bringing about positive and lasting urban renewal. There remains much to be
done and I am looking forward to continuing this work with the community in
2011.
As was announced by the NSW Government in September
2010, the Sydney Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA) will soon be
established. The purpose of the SMDA is to drive housing and employment
opportunities in specific area serviced by public transport and infrastructure,
and to build economies of urban centres.
As advised by the Government, the Redfern-Waterloo
area will be one the first precincts of the SMDA. The work of the RWA will
therefore continue in this important area of Sydney and the SMDA will look to
build on the great work done by the RWA accordingly.
Key priorities will continue to be the
implementation of the Built Environment Plan Stage 2, North Eveleigh and
Redfern Station. The ongoing work for Human Services will continue with a focus
being on creating sustainable pathways for human service delivery.
Training and education also continues to be a
priority with Yaama Dhiyaan and Koori Job Ready courses equipping young
Indigenous people with the skills they need to work in the hospitality and
construction industries. Over 50 graduates have completed a course through
RWA’s Education and Training Program this year.
The Pemulwuy Project for the revitalisation of The
Block is being managed by the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) with a focus on
Indigenous tradition and culture. The redevelopment of The Block represents a
wonderful opportunity for the Aboriginal community, not only here in
Redfern-Waterloo, but more broadly in NSW and Australia. It as an important
symbol for the Aboriginal Community and we wish the AHC the very best for the
successful implementation of this project.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you
and your families all the very best for the Christmas and the New Year and I
look forward to continuing the important work in the Redfern-Waterloo area in
2011.
Roy Wakelin-King
Community News
Indigenous
women are being given the opportunity to learn floristry skills as part of a
free training course held at Flowers by Mercedes in Redfern.
Providing a fun and supportive learning
environment, mentor Mercedes Sarmini has been teaching participants a wide
range of floristry skills such as how to make bouquets and wreaths with a focus
on native flowers.
“This course runs two days a week over 12 weeks,”
explains Ms Sarmini. “All of the flowers and work experience is provided free
of charge through Job Services Australia and it is Centrelink, AusStudy and
ABStudy approved.”
Loretta, a Redfern local, recently completed the
course. She said: “I heard about the course through my case worker. I have
really enjoyed learning the different ways to create flowers and the
arrangements.”
Natasha, another recent graduate, came from the
hospitality industry but was looking for a new and rewarding challenge.
“Floristry is so much more enjoyable and relaxing,” she explains.
Ms Sarmini has been overwhelmed by how quickly the
students have picked up their floristry skills. “The girls are very talented
and particularly love working with native flowers. I hope the course will give
them the confidence to take on employment.”
To enrol or sponsor the program, please call 0414
986 490 or email workshops@flowersbymercedes.com.au .
Photo: Loretta (left) and Natasha (right) learn
floristry skills from Teacher Mercedes Sarmini
Indigenous
produce and cooking tips were showcased by Aunty Beryl, trainer at Yaama
Dhiyaan, at the Terra Madre Slow Food Festival in Turin, Italy.
Aunty Beryl and her team of young hospitality
trainees were excited about sharing the diversity of Indigenous food with a
world-wide audience. There were 5000 other delegates from 130 countries
discussing the principle of food that is good, clean and fair.
During her visit, Aunty Beryl was also given the
special opportunity to visit the Vatican in Rome for the declaration of Mary MacKillop
as a saint.
Photo: Aunty Beryl at the canonisation of Mary
MacKillop in Rome
Redfern’s
National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) has received a substantial financial boost to
support young Aboriginal people.
Through a
strong partnership with the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, Premier and Minister
for Redfern-Waterloo Kristina Keneally visited the centre to hand over the
$500,000 cheque which will go towards supporting Indigenous sporting and
artistic talent through social and cultural activities, workshops and support
groups.
During her visit, Premier Keneally met with the
Flying Boomerangs, 30 of Australia’s most promising Indigenous youth football
players selected through the QANTAS AFL KickStart Camps who were based at the
National Centre of Indigenous Excellence for a week. She also met with NCIE’s
CEO Jason Glanville and Chair Sol Bellear.
“The agreement between the National Centre of
Indigenous Excellence and Redfern-Waterloo Authority is a critical part of the
ongoing urban renewal program in the local area,” said Mr Glanville.
“The
$500,000 contribution from the Redfern-Waterloo Authority will assist in
increasing services for all young people, in particular by providing career
pathways for Aboriginal people across all levels of the Centre’s operations.”
For more information on NCIE please visit
www.ncie.org.au.
Photo: From left: Jason Glanville, CEO, and Sol
Bellear, Board Director, for National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Kristina
Keneally, NSW Premier and Minister for Redfern-Waterloo, AFL’s Michael
O’Loughlin and the AFL Qantas KickStart team
The Redfern-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is setting
the groundwork for future growth with a new constitution and a new name – the
South Sydney Business Chamber (SSBC) – to accurately describe its extended
constituency.
The Chamber has been extended and now covers the
geographical area defined: to the north by Cleveland Street to City Road; to
the south by Gardeners Road; to the west by City Road and the boundary defined
by Newtown Business Precinct Association (including Golden Grove, Wilson and
Burren Streets); and to the east by South Dowling Street.
The Chamber aims to build a more broadly based and
larger organisation offering a wide range of benefits to members and to
represent the needs of business in the area. This includes an Alliance
Partnership with NSW Business Chamber to provide SSBC members with access to
support services, advice and networking benefits at no extra cost to the
business.
“The purpose of the Chamber is to provide a forum
to enable businesses in the area to connect and to exchange and develop views,
perspectives and ideas,” says President Mary-Lynne Pidcock.
“We now have a good executive team but for
continued growth we need sponsorship and funding to meet the objectives of the
strategic plan. We are hoping to employ an Indigenous Executive Assistant in
the near future.”
For more information please visit www.ssbusinesschamber.com.au .
Are you starting a new business or growing an
existing business? Free Business Advice
- Confidential professional advice. Bookings: Redfern-Waterloo Authority
Ph: 02 9202 9100
The
development application for the Pemulwuy Project to redevelop The Block with an
emphasis on Indigenous tradition cultural values and spirituality includes a
proposal for affordable housing and community facilities.
The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) is delivering
the $65 million project and is working with residents and local government
agencies throughout the development process.
Mick Mundine, CEO of the AHC, said this state
significant project will create a brighter future for Redfern and a much
brighter future for the children.
“Our vision is to create a safe and secure
environment which will strengthen the community in the long term and combat the
social disadvantage currently present in The Block.”
Photo: Building better opportunities and facilities
at The Block
Improving service access for culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD) women who are victims of domestic violence was
the focus of a forum run by RWA in October 2010.
Jenny
Huxley, RWA’s Senior Project Manager, organised the forum for Redfern-Waterloo
agencies and service providers around reducing the incidence of family
violence, improving service quality for migrant communities, improving support
for vulnerable people and building community capacity.
Key note speakers included Rukhshana Sarwar and
Stephanie Phan from Migrant Women’s Speak Out and Chris Yuen, Principal
Solicitor from the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre.
A panel discussion involved: Bill Yan from South
Sydney Community Aid; Sian Popp, Redfern Police Domestic Violence Liaison
Officer; Donna Polletti from Redfern Legal Centre’s Yellow Card Program; Tatiya
Hardie from Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme; Susan
Fowler from The Shop Women and Girls Centre; Aggie Hatata from Elsie Women’s
Refuge; Maureen Hill from the Cleveland Centre; and Marie Mooney from Sydney
City Family Relationship Centre.
Photo:
Speakers at the RWA forum to improve services for CALD women who are
victims of domestic violence.
A new Housing NSW development in Walker Street,
Redfern is now ready and has been awarded a 5 Star Green Star Rating.
The new 106
dwellings comprise a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments and townhouses.
The project is designed to reduce energy consumption with 45 per cent of water
demand met by non-potable water.
Some of the design features include maximising
natural light and ventilation, use of native plants, rainwater tanks and grey
water recycling systems, and energy efficient building materials.
The local community was invited to attend a tour of
the new development in November to see the top design features for themselves.
Tenants have now moved in.
Photo: The sustainable redevelopment of Walker
Street, Redfern
SOUTHS CARES
Rabbitohs
player Dave Tyrrell isn’t only a star on the football pitch – he is also
helping to mentor local children through the South Cares Program. We talk to
Dave about how his community work is making a difference – and how eating
lollies helps him prepare for a game.
When did you
get involved with the South Cares Program?
I got involved in 2009 through the Teachers’ Aide
program. We started going out to La Perouse Public School to work with the
teachers and the kids and it’s been a rewarding experience every since.
Can you tell
us more about the Teacher’s Aide Program?
We sit in the classroom with the students and help
them answer the questions the teacher sets for their work. We try and keep the
schoolwork away from football to help the kids concentrate on the work rather
than footy.
What
benefits does the program have for local children?
The kids get to work with us on their school work
and they get to know us away from the footy field or their TV. A lot of kids
see footballers as role models so they look up to us and use us to help them
study and to become better students. We always try to set a good example for
them to follow.
What has
been the highlight of taking part in South Cares?
The highlight is definitely working with the kids.
The children enjoy having the players there and we have the opportunity to
encourage them to do their work and to explain to them why doing their school
is important. It’s also good to give back to the community. They put so much
passion and support into us on the field so it’s good to give them something
back. It’s also fun. It keeps your feet on the ground.
What
inspires you both on and off the field?
On the field I try my best to not let anyone down.
We’re all working towards the same goal so we all play for each other. We all
want to play and secure a position in the NRL side. Off the field my
inspiration is the kids we work with and seeing them learn.
How do you
settle your nerves before a game?
I eat jellybeans. I don’t know why it works, but it
does. I love my lollies.
What do you
like doing in your spare time to relax?
I like watching TV and playing on my Xbox. I also
like to get out and have a hit of golf. I find it very relaxing.
What has
been your football highlight so far this year?
The Tigers game at ANZ Stadium was awesome. It went
to golden point extra time and we won after the final siren when Dylan Farrell
scored his third try on debut. It was such a good team performance and it was
great to be a part of it.
What makes
the Redfern-Waterloo area special to you?
It is the home of the Rabbitohs, and at the
Rabbitohs, I feel at home. We are all part of the Rabbitohs family. Our Club is
located there including our training facilities so it is very much home for me
in Sydney.
Where do you
see yourself in 10 years time?
Hopefully I’ll still be playing for the Rabbitohs!
I’m only 22 years of age so hopefully I’ll still be running around in the red
and green in ten years time.
Congratulations
to the whole Rabbitohs squad
who has been awarded the Souths Cares Award for 2010.
Contributing
over 1,200 hours to the community as part of the Souths Cares and NRL one
Community programs throughout 2010, the entire squad won the award this year as
all players contribute to Souths Cares’ programs throughout the year and it was
impossible to single out one or two players for their efforts.
The team was presented with the award at the Red
and Green Ball, the Rabbitohs annual fundraising event for South Cares, held at
the Australian Technology Park in October 2010. Player Issac Luke took out the
prestigious George Piggins Medal for the Club’s best and fairest player in
2010. Luke had a stellar season for the Rabbitohs, leading from the front
throughout the entire season to win the Club’s top gong.
Photo: The annual Red and Green Ball raises funds
for the South Cares Program
PROFILES
Wyanga
Aboriginal Aged Care provides low level care for Aboriginal elders in the local
community. CEO Millie Ingram explains more
about its services and its vision to set up an aged care nursing home
specifically for Aboriginal people.
Millie has
been involved with Wyanga Aged Care for many years, starting on the Board of
Directors, becoming Chair in 2003, and appointed CEO in 2005.
“We provide what is classified as low level care in
our clients own home under Community Aged Care Packages (CACP),” explains
Millie. “This includes such things as arranging home visits, transport,
cleaning, excursions and activities. We also act as advocates if a client has
an issue with telephone and utility companies and Centrelink.”
Wyanga’s vital care is provided to Aboriginal
elders in the inner city area and La Perouse. Wyanga will also assist those
within the metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council boundary on a needs basis.
“Since I started at Wyanga I have seen our client
base increase from 10 to 50. We also have 23 people on home visiting and 10
people on a waiting list for services,” Millie says.
Offering three areas of care – CACP, home visiting
and respite care – Millie has been working hard for the past three years on
obtaining a much-needed culturally appropriate aged care residential facility
for Aboriginal elders in need of high level care.
“There is no aged care facility offering high level
care that caters for the needs of Aboriginal people. Families do not feel
comfortable sending their elders in to mainstream nursing homes because of
their feeling of isolation so they either stay at home or in a hospital unit.
“My vision is to provide a multi-purpose nursing
home and palliative care that is culturally appropriate. We are currently
investigating a suitable site for this and are putting together a management
plan.”
Originally operating out of a poor-quality rented
premises in Redfern, the Indigenous Land Corporation supplied funds for an
administration centre, purchasing and renovating 35 Cope St in Redfern where
the organisation continues to be based. Wyanga receives its funding from the
Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing and the State government through
Ageing Disability and Home Care
“At Wyanga, many of our clients live in high rise
buildings so the services we provide mean they are not socially isolated,”
Millie says.
“It is really rewarding seeing the clients becoming
involved in Wyanga itself and get so involved with the activities that we run.
I hope to see the program increase.”
Photo: Millie Ingram, CEO of Wyanga Aboriginal Aged
Care
RWA would
like to congratulate Patrick Russell, The Factory Community Coordinator, who
has retired after 10 years of service.
A get together was held in October 2010 at the
Tudor Hotel in Redfern to recognise Patrick’s valued contribution to the
Redfern and Waterloo community.
PROFILES
Celebrating
27 years with South Sydney Youth Services (SSYS), Director Shane Brown tells us how the
organisation continues to help local young people and the exciting plans ahead
including a new premises and arts centre.
“ I was the
sole youth worker for five years when I started at SSYS,” says Shane Brown, now
Director. “My role was hanging around the streets at night to assist young
people.”
Shane has been instrumental in providing a
much-needed support network for young people, children and families over the
last 27 years. Shane’s commitment was recently recognised at a surprise party
where over 130 members of the community attended to celebrate his achievements.
SSYS values working so closely with what Shane
describes as a ‘generous and welcoming community’ and has enjoyed working
closely with other community organisations such as The Factory Youth Service
and The Settlement. Shane is also grateful for the funding SSYS receives from
the federal, state and local government.
“The City of Sydney is funding the building of our
new premises near Waterloo Oval and RWA is leasing a new space to us at North
Eveleigh to run an arts social enterprise which we are really excited about,”
says Shane.
The new SSYS headquarters will have high
environmental standards and will include a roof top garden where young people
can grow their own herbs and vegetables. The arts space will enable the mental
health team to provide therapeutic art classes with the opportunity for local
community artists to exhibit and sell their work.
There is 30 SSYS staff who provide a variety of
services including mental health, Aboriginal counselling, juvenile justice
programs and education programs. SSYS also has a partnership with South Sydney
Community Transport that has generously donated the use of one of its vans for
the street beat program.
“The van runs from 10pm to 3am and can pick up
around 60 young people per night across the South Sydney area including
Redfern, Marrickville and Canterbury,” explains Shane. “This reduces young
people being perpetrators of crime or being victims.”
SSYS started operation in 1975 by a group of local
Aboriginal mothers who were concerned about the welfare of teenagers in the
local area. Since joining, one of Shane’s career highlights is working with 25
young people to get funding and approval from the Council for a new skate park.
It took six years to get the go ahead but over 150 young people now use the
park every day.
It was fantastic to see the young people directly
involved in this project and its design – it was a monumental achievement,
reflects Shane.
Moving forward, Shane’s vision for SSYS is to have
at least half or more Aboriginal members on the SSYS Board. He would also like
to expand on community projects that involve the local community.
But Shane recognises the challenges ahead.
With rising property prices, housing the homeless
and poverty will be a significant hurdle,” he says. “It is a constant challenge
identifying what services are needed and where the money is coming from.
However, with the new premises ready in March 2011
and with the new arts venture, Shane and his team are looking forward to
providing extended services for young people, children and families in the
Redfern-Waterloo community and beyond.
Photo: Director of SSYS Shane Brown at the site of
the new SSYS premises that is currently being built
HERITAGE UPDATE
A 26-tonne heritage pivot crane along with a
locomotive steam crane is on permanent display at Australian Technology Park to
showcase the unique heritage of the Park and to beautify the space for tenants
and visitors to enjoy.
The installation of the pivot crane at Innovation
Plaza involved erecting the crane on to a plinth and was assembled as an
interpretative reconstruction. The heritage steam crane was installed using the
existing rail tracks at the old Eveleigh Rail yards site.
Heritage consultant Dr MacLaren North believes the
pivot crane was installed in the Wheel Shop around 1917 and operated
continuously from that time until its decommissioning in the 1980s. The steam
crane is a rare example of a steam powered locomotive crane. Put into service
in 1950 immediately prior to the demise of steam power on the New South Wales
rail system, it was one of the last two locomotive cranes imported into New
South Wales. The other identical steam crane is on display at the Powerhouse
Museum.
To compliment the heritage pieces, the Innovation
Plaza upgrade also includes the installation of seating made out of heritage
beams, lighting and planter boxes.
Photo: The Heritage pivot crane at Innovation Plaza
The unique heritage of the old Eveleigh Rail Yards
was captured at a special field day to share and record the history of the site
and to shape RWA’s Eveleigh Heritage Interpretation Plan.
Taking place
at Australian Technology Park on 30 october 2010, members of the rail yard
community generously shared their memories as part of the community
consultation.
Juliet Suich, RWA’s Heritage Coordinator, said: “It
was a really memorable and important day with lots of tales about the history
of the yards being professionally recorded.
“This information will be used for the Heritage
Interpretation Plan to ensure that the history of this unique space is captured
and shared with the community.”
Some of the tales told on the day included working
as apprentices and providing buckets for the workers to clean themselves. The
attendees also reflected on how hot it was working at the site during summer
and the old rail songs that used to be sung.
Dave Matthews, who works as a heritage restorer,
recognises the importance of the day saying, “These workers have some amazing
skills and we need to learn about working on the site before all of this
information is lost.”
Photo: Heritage Field Day participants share their
memories
Every Saturday 8am-1pm. Come Celebrate Summer. An
Undercover Marketplace Visit www.eveleighmarket.com.au for all
details 243 Wilson St Darlingtoin
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
When Chevy Phillips enrolled in the Koori Job Ready
Course, he wouldn’t have predicted that a couple of years later he would be
employed as an apprentice carpenter and nominated as a finalist for Indigenous
Apprentice of the Year.
“It was
always my dream to become a carpenter,” says Chevy. “After completing the Koori
Job Ready Course in 2008, RWA put me forward for an apprenticeship with Cubic
Interiors and I am now in my second year of my carpentry apprenticeship. I have
worked on several building sites such as the Media City building at Australian
Technology Park and the University of NSW.
“I feel pretty proud that I was a finalist for the
Indigenous Apprentice of the Year through the Group Training Association (GTA)
NSW Awards. The event was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in the City in October
and although I didn’t win, it was still good to be nominated.”
Chevy is currently working six days a week in the
CBD on the construction of a new office block with 400 people on site.
“It is really busy but I am learning a lot,”
explains Chevy. “The hardest thing is learning how to set up - the building is
curved so there is a lot of work with lasers and we need to work to very
specific guidelines.”
“My long term goal is to complete a builders degree
and to become a fully trained foreman.”
By the way things are going, Chevy is well on his
way to achieving his dream.
Through the Koori Job Ready Course, 113 of students
have completed their certificate in construction since 2008, equipping them
with the confidence and skills they need to work on a building site.
Photo: Koori Job Ready graduate Chevy Phillips was
nominated for Indigenous Apprentice of the Year
Waterloo
resident Brendan Carr is giving MasterChef a run for its money, showing off his
cooking talents as an apprentice at the Sheraton Hotel, Darling Harbour.
Brendan recently completed a hospitality training
course through Yaama Dhiyaan in Darlington, joining many other graduates who
have found hospitality employment through the course.
“The first day I was pretty nervous but I am now
feeling more confident,” Brendan said on his apprenticeship. “Everyone is
really friendly and it’s a good team environment.
“In my first week I prepared a whole buffet by
myself and have started preparing meals for room service. It has been pretty
stressful but I just kept remembering the chef’s instructions.
“My ambition is to become a fully qualified chef
and to travel the world.”
Brendan finished the Yaama Dhiyaan course in July
2010, starting his traineeship in October 2010.
Matt Pletersky, another recent graduate, has also
found success, undertaking a traineeship at GG’s Café at CarriageWorks. He
started his traineeship in April 2010 and is really enjoying it while also
learning a lot.
Over 140 graduates have completed the Yaama Dhiyaan
training course since 2006.
Photo: Brendan (left) and Matt (right): recent
Yaama Dhiyaan graduates, now apprentice chefs
EVERLEIGH MARKET
Eveleigh Farmers’ Market not only brings fresh local
produce to your doorstep – it’s also
been helping many local communities throughout the year through fundraising and
special events.
The annual
Christmas Banner Competition this year has seen 12 local schools and youth
organisations get into the festive spirit by designing Christmas banners to be
displayedc at Eveleigh Market. The winners are announced on Saturday, 18
December 2010. The winner and people’s choice award winner each receive $1000
with the runner-up receiving $500.
Eveleigh Market has thrown its support behind other
community events too including the Feed Sydney Campaign for OZ Harvest to help
feed the homeless. Over $1,200 was raised. Oz Harvest will be running the
Eveleigh Farmers’ Christmas Market Hamper raffle on Saturday 18 December 2010.
- Darlington
Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School held a cake stall to raise
funds for their respective schools.
- Sydney
City Farm raised awareness of their proposal for a community farm in the
city.
- Inner
City Casket Ball Club raised funds to assist their players with uniforms
and registration fees.
- The
Watershed Bike Library offered a one-off membership for people to promote
the use of bicycles in the area.
- Start
to Life held a stall in November 2010 to raise awareness of their program
to give young Australians a brighter future.
- Crown
Street Primary sold their cookbook to raise funds for the school. The book
combines recipes from the school community and local celebrated chefs.
- WIPE
Kids organisation will be raising funds in December 2010 for a group of
Aboriginal people and children to attend the World Indigenous Peoples
Conference on Education in Peru 2011.
Photo: The Christmas banners from 2009 on display
Photo: Sydney City Farm holds a stall at Eveleigh
Market
Being made redundant in finance eight years ago saw
Carissa Lake, the Cupcake Princess, find her calling in the kitchen. As one of
the first serious cupcake bakers in Sydney, the Cupcake Princess continues to
delight kids and adults with her all natural cupcakes sold at Eveleigh Farmers’
Market every Saturday.
“I worked in finance and managed the testing of
computerised trading systems here and internationally but I was made
redundant,” explains Carissa. “It was when looking through a cookbook that the
idea for The Cupcake Princess was born.”
Following a secret recipe that Carissa says she
“won’t even share with my Grandmother”, Cupcake Princess caters to the demands
of customers’ tastes using natural food colouring and offering gluten, egg and
nut free options.
“It’s a real joy to see the children’s faces light
up at the market when they see the cupcakes – they get so excited. It makes it
really rewarding.”
Carissa runs The Cupcake Princess with her partner
Andre who helps in the kitchen, is the face behind the Eveleigh Market stall,
and is building their cupcake shop on Mitchell Road in Alexandria which is due
to open next year.
Carissa can bake up to 4,000-5,000 cupcakes per
week depending on the time of year and what events are taking place. It’s not
uncommon for Carissa to bake throughout the night.
“I am proud that our cupcakes are not mass produced
– they are all made from scratch, we use free range eggs, and our ingredients
are all sourced in Australia so I know exactly what goes in to them. And I’m
still not sick of eating them!”
Photo: The Cupcake Princess: Alexandria resident
Carissa Lake
EVENTS ROUND-UP
If you haven’t been to the Family and Culture Day at The Block, Redfern, you don’t know what
you are missing!
Family and
Culture Day is a grassroots community oriented event that takes on the last
Saturday of each month. The aim is to bring families back to The Block and to
show off the incredible talent within the Redfern Indigenous community.
For the children there is a jumping castle, face
painting and other entertainment. The Family and Culture Day is held on the
last Saturday of each month so come along and enjoy a fun day out. For more
details, please contact Shane Phillips at Tribal Warrior on 9699 3491.Photo:
Family and Culture Day provides an opportunity for the whole community to get
together for a fun day out
The
community garden in James Street, Redfern and the revitalised Charles Kernan
Reserve Streets in Darlington were officially opened on 30 October 2010.
James Street Reserve Community Garden is one of the
City of Sydney’s network of 15 community gardens where local residents, many
who don’t have gardens, work together, grow plants and meet their neighbours.
The James Street Reserve community garden was initiated by a local group who
continue to manage it, providing new garden beds for growing flowers, fruit and
nut trees. Other community gardens are located in Alexandria, Newtown,
Waterloo, Glebe, Pyrmont, Annandale and Woolloomooloo.
The revitalised Charles Kernan Reserve at the
corner of Abercrombie and Shepherd Streets in Darlington has a community
garden, new grass, seating and a drinking fountain with a dog bowl, new
playground equipment, a nature play area for toddlers, and a basketball and
netball hoop.
Photo: The gardener’s children plant a fruit tree
to mark the official opening of the James Street Community Garden in Redfern
The Staying
Home Leaving violence (SHLv) project has been announced with the Minister of
Community Services Linda Burney invited to a morning tea in September 2010 to
mark the launch at The Shop for Women and Girls in Waterloo.
Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) is a
specialised domestic violence program aimed at preventing women (and their
children) from becoming homeless.
Susan Fowler from The Shop said: “SHLV will enable
women affected by domestic violence to access stable accommodation, maintain support
networks, and secure employment.
“Available to women in the Redfern area and
integrated through key agencies, SHLV also includes risk assessment, safety
planning and upgrading security in the victim’s home, court support, liaison
with police and other services, referrals to legal advice and counselling and
casework to address financial and other issues.”
ABOVE: From left: Minister of Community Services
Linda Burney receives an artwork from The Shop’s Jodie Bromley and Susan Fowler
to mark the launch of SHLV
GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS
An Augusta
helicopter from the 723 Squadron landed at the National Centre of Indigenous
Excellence to the delight of 400 school children as part of National Children’s
Book Week.
‘The event’s focus was to encourage literacy and to
make books accessible to everyone”, explains Sarah Garnett, founder of The
Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library, who instigated the event with Captain Stefan
King, HMAS Albatross Commanding Officer. With the theme “Connecting Communities”,
the Book Week barbeque was held for children in the Redfern-Waterloo and
Alexandria community.
RWA contributed $2,000 to the event.
Local residents were treated to a special lunch to
celebrate the Asian Moon Festival in September 2010. Volunteer Mabel Chang
cooked up some Asian fare with lots of plates being returned empty – a good
sign that everyone enjoyed it!
The lunch was held at Waterloo Neighbourhood Centre
with RWA sponsoring the event along with The Factory, City of Sydney Council,
the Community Relations Commission, and the University of New South Wales
Community Development Project.
Photo: Volunteer
Mabel Chang prepares food for the Asian Moon Festival
The Redfern
All Black’s Women’s team took out the Koori Knockout competition, beating off
some fierce competition from eight other teams.
The Redfern All Black’s gave it their all,
demonstrating true sportsmanship and dedication. The team, made up of 17
Indigenous women aged 16-27 years, received $4,000 in prize money. RWA
contributed $1,350 for their uniforms. RWA’s Rohan Tobler and Wayne Gargan took
part in the men’s Koori Knockout competition and were then selected to play in
the Cairns All Black’s Carnival where they came in the top eight teams.
Photo: Success on the footy pitch: The Redfern All
Black’s Women’s team
Local
families were treated to a day of fun at Playground in the Park run by South
Sydney Community Aid.
RWA contributed $5000 to the event held at Redfern
Park in September where children under the age of five and their families
participated in a variety of fun activities including pony rides, face
painting, clowns, a jumping castle, a puppet show and more! Local resident
Breda who attended with her daughter Sarah said: “We have been to a few now –
they are really great.”
Playground in the Park is hoping to run more of
these events in 2011.
Basketball competition at NCIE
RWA staff joined local basketball talent in the 3
on 3 basketball tournament held at the NCIE.
RWA’s Rohan Tobler, Wayne Dargan, Julie Dodd, Ryan
Jackson and Anthony Constantinidis, plus Sarah Sheedy from My Gateway, made up
the All Stars team to show their support. The competition was a great success
with 16 teams taking part with prizes and a barbeque.
The monthly RWA Email Update informs you of the
latest news, development news and events from around the vibrant
Redfern-Waterloo area. To subscribe, email Natalie.kikken@rwa.nsw.gov.au with the word ‘Subscribe’ in the subject
line.
RWA would like to wish you a safe and happy festive
season and a prosperous New Year.
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