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Indigenous Leaders Split Over Planned Redfern Post Office Aboriginal Cultural Hub

Photo Credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

A plan to convert the Redfern Post Office into a local Aboriginal knowledge and culture hub has been met with differing opinions from indigenous leaders.

The City of Sydney has concluded its round of consultations with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to determine the best use for the Redfern Post Office.

Council envisions the heritage-listed building as a cultural hub that will be a major component of the Eora Journey – City of Sydney’s series of long-term projects aimed to “celebrate the living cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

The building, purchased by Council in 2018, was chosen with the assistance of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory panel who inspected the property and provided advice on its potential uses to the benefit of the community.

Apparently, the site is ideal for the planned use as it is situated in the heart of Redfern which was at the centre of Indigenous activism for rights and self-determination in the 1970s.

Ground floor plan | Photo Credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

First floor plan | Photo Credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

The Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, however, has chosen not to participate in any of the planned cultural hub’s future activities, specifically because of its history of racial segregation in the early 1900s. The Land Council Chief Executive Officer Nathan Moran also said that they were not consulted regarding the proposal.

Councillor Yvonne Weldon, who was recently named 2022 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, has also expressed the same sentiment and called on the Council to find a more appropriate site for the proposal.

Meanwhile, Archibald Prize winner, Blak Douglas, has a different take on the matter and chooses to look beyond the site’s past. The indigenous artist said he’d likely agree to display his work in it if ever he receives an invitation.

Built in 1992, the Redfern Post Office is situated at 113 Redfern Street. Designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office under James Barnet, one corner of the two-storey building features a four-and-a-half-storey clock tower.

Inside Redfern Post Office — Photo Credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

The building was acquired by the City of Sydney in November 2018 for $5.3 million. A year later, tenants vacated the building and minor works to improve accessibility at the site commenced.

Council said that they have received a number of suggestions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and will continue to work with them to ensure that they get the best possible opportunities for use of the site.

Sydney Unveils Precinct Activation Grants to Boost Redfern Street Party

Some $3 million have been set aside as funds for Precinct Activation Grants to boost the Redfern Street Party and 13 other programs, in an effort to revive participation in activities previously affected by Covid lockdowns.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that these grants were designed to also help local businesses forge long-term relationships with the community. The programs were developed following consultations with stakeholders, local business chambers, and the Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel.

In February, over 40 programs applied for the grants and 14 were chosen to receive the funding. Some of these programs include the following:

Redfern Street Party – A celebration of all things Redfern including a community engagement program, festival and month-long exhibition program – $288,172
Art in the Heart of Haymarket – Combining the contemporary and traditional Asian cultures of Chinatown, this public art activation in Haymarket will unite the community and audiences – $300,000 and $3,132 value-in-kind
The Hollywood Precinct – A 6-week activation in Darlinghurst and Surry Hills involving local bars and restaurants to showcase art, music and culture – $292,000
Secrets on Stanley Street – Stanley Street in Darlinghurst will host a festival of food, drinks and music over six weekends – $100,000
Quay Quarter Live – Monthly growers and producers markets at Circular Quay and quarterly art and music events, including digital art and light installations throughout the year – $294,905 and $6,400 value-in-kind
Kensington Street Festival – A festival activating Kensington Street in Chippendale with cultural and creative programming to coincide with Sydney Festival – $100,000
Neon Playground by Chinatown – A 2-month activation featuring contemporary art, light installations and music – $300,000 and $2,900 value-in-kind
Sound Out the Street – Six months of Friday night programming of music, sound installations and workshops in Erskineville, culminating with a 3-day festival – $299,300 and $5,068 value-in-kind

These activities are set to take place from 1 June 2022 to 30 June 2023. Additional fees and applicable services for the event hire will also be waived for these programs.

Redfern Street Party — Photo Credit: Saowanee Sapphet/Facebook

“The past two years have been incredibly challenging for all of us, particularly our city centre as venues were capped, people began working from home and domestic and international travel ground to a halt,” the mayor said.

“But we’re starting to see the city buzz once again, and our new precinct activation program will help drive that recovery further.

“This innovative grant program was designed to encourage businesses, creatives and communities to collaborate and bring cultural activity to precincts and local neighbourhoods.

“That means we’ll not only see great events taking place right across the city, we’ll also see neighbouring businesses and communities working together, building relationships and capacity to ensure such events and collaboration continue long term.

“From Circular Quay to Surry Hills, Redfern to Haymarket, we have so many wonderful events in the works that will give you a chance to support local businesses and rediscover all the city has to offer.”

Hijinx Hotel, the World’s First Challenge Room Hotel, to Open in Alexandria

If you enjoy challenge rooms or escape rooms, you’re going to love the Hijinx Hotel in Alexandria. It will be the world’s first hotel with 15 immersive challenge rooms for people who are up to the task of figuring a way out of a difficult situation!

From Funlab, the team behind recreational sites like Strike, Holey Moley, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, and B Lucky and Sons, Hijinx Hotel was not built to accommodate guests but to give them a unique experience. Guests will have no need to pack a suitcase but they will need to sharpen their mental and physical agility to play in the rooms.

The challenge rooms are grouped in sets with five different interactive areas, which the guests are expected to complete in the allotted time. Each room may accommodate a party of six.

While there are no ocean views at this hotel, the rooms carry interesting themes that include a throwback to well-loved childhood games like The Floor is Lava, Twister, Tetris, or Pinball. Another room is like a tribute to the Titanic and some rooms are designed like a bowl of cereals, giant blocks of letters, or a giant piano. Everything looks chaotic but all in the name of fun!

When guests arrive at Hijinx Hotel, they will be greeted by the concierge and staff at the hotel lobby and will be given their room keys. Before or after they start with the challenge, they may also sit down and unwind at the hotel bars, which are also designed with familiar elements from “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” or “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

Guests may also warm up or cool down with a game of golf at Holey Moley, which is also inside the hotel. The hotel will also cater to group events for a party of 30 people. The challenge rooms are ideally suited for guests as young as 5 years old.

Hijinx Hotel will officially open on 17 June 2022. Bookings are now accepted online.

The Toll House Health & Wellness Centre in Moore Park Now Open

Following years of planning and redevelopment, The Toll House Health & Wellness Centre has finally opened its doors to fitness buffs in Moore Park.

On 4 May 2022, Suellen Fitzgerald, the Chief Executive at Greater Sydney Parklands, led the official ribbon cutting of The Toll House Health & Wellness Centre, where some invited guests also tried the various fitness classes.

This project has been in the works since 2018, after the approval of the Moore Park Master Plan 2040. Over $4 million was invested into the heritage site’s restoration years after it has been unused space.

What to Expect in the New Fitness Centre

The fitness classes at The Toll House are managed by ClubLinks. Though the health and wellness centre is on a heritage site, its gym facilities inside are state-of-the-art.

Members have options to try Reformer Pilates, yoga, spin, HIIT, boxing and mobility.

The new fitness site also provides:

a boutique environment
Allied Health – physiotherapy and exercise physiology
state of the art gym facilities
small group training classes
personal training
tailored fitness programming

Brief History of The Toll House

The Toll House is the lone surviving metropolitan toll house in New South Wales. Constructed in 1860, this building was used as a toll house until 1890, when road use collection declined.

The Toll House in 1962
Photo Credit: Centennial Parklands

Its Victorian gothic-style architecture and sandstone form have been retained all these decades, when The Toll House was transformed into the clubhouse for Moore Park Golf until the 1920s.

Over the years, The Toll House had many different uses, including as office space for the NSW Public Works until 1999.

It was listed in the NSW Heritage Listing in 2000.

The Settlement In Redfern Marks 130th Year With Special Fundraising Event

The Settlement in Redfern, the oldest neighbourhood centre in NSW, will be celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2022 with a special fundraising event.

Read: Here’s What’s New At The Woolpack Hotel In Redfern

It will be an evening full of learning, wisdom, and stories, with cultural performances, guest speakers, and a Q&A panel discussion. Guests can also have fun through live music, drinks and canapes, and silent auctions and raffles.

The Settlement marked its 130th anniversary in 2021, however, plans were postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Hosted by the Settlement Youth Leaders, all ticket proceeds and silent auction items will directly go into supporting The Settlement’s Children and Youth Programs and help the foundation to reinvigorate the Edward Street Fair community celebration at the end of 2022.

About the Settlement

The Settlement is known for its long-standing ties to the Sydney University. It was founded by the Sydney University Women’s Society in 1891.

It’s a long established trusted service that has been in the community for 130 years. It is not only a safe place for children, but also for young people, families and the community as a whole, providing essential services for children, youth and their families in the Redfern and Waterloo community.

redfern — Photo credit: https://www.thesettlement.org.au/

The concept was based on the Settlement Movement founded by Samuel and Henrietta Barnett in London, U.K in 1884, which believes that the conditions of the poor would not improve until educated people were prepared to live and work among them; to befriend them, assist them and learn from them; abandoning the security and comfort of their leafy neighbourhoods.

Save the Date

What	The Settlement Anniversary Fundraiser
Where	Women’s College, Sybil Centre, The University of Sydney
When	May 19, 2022, 5:15-7:30 p.m.

Today, the organisation provides support in the form of space for community events, a food bank (an important support for many during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns) and internet access. It also runs activity programs for children and teenagers.

For tickets and more information about The Settlement’s 130th year celebration, visit eventbrite.com.au.

Here’s What’s New At The Woolpack Hotel In Redfern

The Woolpack Hotel in Redfern may have changed hands but its legacy in the neighbourhood continues, as the new owners keep things exciting with an all-new menu and a refreshed identity.

Read: Pop-up Mexican Street Food Restaurant Now Has Permanent Redfern Home

When Aaron Crinis and the Laundy Family acquired the hotel in 2021, they knew they could not change much about the venue. With a history dating back to the late 1800’s, the pub has become a go-to for locals for hundreds of years now.

To keep locals coming but also attract new ones, Mr Crinis decided to give the menu an overhaul by enlisting hospitality guru Jaime Wirth and Toby Wilson of Ricos Tacos to team up with their head chef Alberto Facci.

woolpack redfern — Photo credit: Woolpack Redfern/Facebook

Mr Crinis is the founder of The Good Atelier, a hospitality consultancy that now operates the pub. He’s also behind the Italian eatery Glorietta and Glory Days cafe in North Sydney.

The menu sticks to pub classics, but this time they are given a contemporary twist. For instance, the crowd-favourite potato wedges are served with labneh and fermented chilli instead of the usual sour cream and sweet chilli.

redfern pub — The Woolpack’s popular potato wedges (Woolpack Redfern/Facebook)

Their chicken schnitzel is here to stay and so is the steak, served with gravy or lemon herb butter, chips and salad; They have also introduced salads for those looking for vegan/vegetarian options.

As for drinks, the option is not limited to craft beers because guests can grab organic, sustainable and vegan friendly wines from the Woolpack bottle-shop.

There’s still the old wooden bar but they laid some white tiles to at least tone down the interiors.

If you want to come by, visit them at 229 Chalmers St, Redfern. They are open daily from 10:00 a.m. until late.

Pop-up Mexican Street Food Restaurant Now Has Permanent Redfern Home

Photo Credit: Tacos Muchachos / Facebook

Adios, Surry Hills. Hola, Redfern! Hit pop-up Mexican street food restaurant, Tacos Muchachos, has finally moved to its permanent home at the Hotel Hacienda.

During last year’s lockdown, a Surry Hills cafe, Paddock, was transformed into a pop-up restaurant that opened three nights a week. In launching Tacos Muchachos, owner Daniel Hanssen drew inspiration from the vibe and ambience of the taqueria that he discovered whilst in Arizona. His pop-up venue delivered on its promise of serving authentic Mexican street food – tacos, nachos and burritos – which proved to be a hit among the locals.

Cauli tacos | Photo Credit: Tacos Muchachos / Facebook

When the time came to hand the premises back to the cafe, a new location was sought, but this time, as a permanent home. Tacos Muchachos did find a perfect spot on the ground level of Mexican-themed Hotel Hacienda with plans to launch an open-air dining area at the hotel’s rooftop, soon.

If you didn’t have the chance to visit their pop-up location in Surry Hills, you can now check out their Redfern spot and taste their tortillas, nachos and burritos stuffed with slow-cooked beef, adobo cauliflower or chipotle chicken.

Tacos Al Pastor | Photo Credit: Tacos Muchachos / Facebook

Another must-try special is Quesabirria Tacos which is a cross between tacos and quesadilla served with consomme for dipping. A newly added offering, Tacos Al Pastor, is sure to delight taste buds too.

Drinks-wise, margarita, agua fresca and a selection of beers are on offer as well as Jarritos with choices of lime, cola, mandarin, watermelon or guava flavour.

Tacos Muchachos is located at 179 Cleveland St, Redfern and is open Thursday to Saturday from 5 pm until late.

Flyover Fritterie Makes Big Move to Redfern

Photo Credit: Flyover Fritterie / Facebook

Moving from its laneway digs at the Sydney CBD to Redfern, Flyover Fritterie opens a new flagship store on Regent Street, with an expanded menu of Indian dishes available for both dine-in and takeaway.

Flyover Fritterie bade farewell to its laneway location in late 2021 and moved to a new and bigger space in Redfern. The eatery expanded from a lunch-only and weekends-only takeaway joint to an all-day dining spot.

Photo Credit: Flyover Fritterie / Facebook

Chef and owner Gunjan Aylawadi said that the new location will offer a wider array of dishes inspired by Indian regional cuisine including street foods, seasonal pickles, chutneys and spice blends.

Expect Flyover Fritterie’s signature dishes including Fritters/Pakora made with seasonal vegetables in chickpea flour batter then served with fresh mint and tamarind chutneys along with rotating jaffle toasties and burgers, also served with chutneys.

Jaffle filled with dosa potatoes and peanut chutney

Bowls options include Coconut Lime Khichri made with masoor daal, basmati rice, coconut and black lime then topped with house tamarind chutney, coconut crunch, onion and potato fritters. Then there’s Mushroom Khichri with puy lentils, rice, quinoa and mushroom plus toppings, as well as Chole Puri made with braised chickpeas and eggplant, and served with samosa fritter and two pieces of whole wheat puri.

Chole Puri / Coconut Lime Khichri | Photo Credit: Flyover Fritterie / Facebook

Must-try Indian sweets include hand-rolled besan ladoo with cardamom, pepper, sea sale and ghee as well as Rose Cardamom Kheer made with rice pudding, saffron and cardamom topped with almonds and rose petals.

To pair with these dishes are specially brewed Chai (ginger cardamom / chocolate/ choice of bonsoy / full cream milk) which are offered in cups and bottles.

Flyover Fritterie is located at 80-88 Regent Street, Redfern and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 8.30 pm and on Tuesday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Flyover Fritterie | 80-88 Regent Street, Redfern

Have Your Say on Proposed Aboriginal Knowledge and Culture Centre in Redfern

Photo Credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

A proposed Aboriginal Knowledge and Culture Centre in Redfern is now up for community feedback and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are invited to weigh in on how the building should be used by the community.

The centre will be located at the former Redfern Post Office, a two-storey building at 119 Redfern Street.

The site is located in the heart of Redfern, which is synonymous with Indigenous activism for civil rights and self-determination.

The acquisition is to provide the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with a culturally safe space where they could practice and share cultures; a need identified by the City’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel.

Aboriginal Knowledge and Culture Centre in Redfern Ground-floor plan — Aboriginal knowledge and culture centre Ground-floor plan Photo Credit: City of Sydney / cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Plans for the premises include two levels of multipurpose community and commercial space. The ground floor will have a new accessible entry and lift, a reception area and two shopfront displays/spaces.

There will also be two rooms – an 87.5-sqm room with floorboards, storage, a service bar with sink and dishwasher; and a 19.5-sqm room with floorboards, a kitchenette and an adjoining verandah.

Meanwhile, the first floor will include a new accessible lift and landing, two new toilets (including an accessible toilet), a 77.4-sqm room with floorboards and an adjoining verandah, a 21-sqm room with floorboard, and a storeroom. The accessibility upgrades are now being undertaken with completion expected by August 2022.

Here is how you can have your say:

Complete the survey here.
Visit a pop-up stall (additional dates to be announced soon)
Comment on or add to a map of the local area.
Register your interest in a workshop here.
Get in touch: Preston Peachey – SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR (Phone: 02 9265 9333; email:sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au)

The consultation period commenced on 7 March 2022 and will run until 9 May 2022.

4 Ways Tech Central May Outstrip Other Sydney CBD Precincts

Interest in leasing opportunities has been growing for Tech Central, the country’s most exciting development for startups, innovative institutions, and commercial or retail businesses. Here are four ways this massive revitalisation project could soon outstrip other precincts in Sydney’s CBD.

1. Tech Central spans six neighbourhoods.

Even at this early stage, industry insiders have seen some movement in companies, businesses, or establishments seeking opportunities to move into Tech Central. Because the precinct covers six neighbourhoods — Redfern, Surry Hills, Haymarket, Ultimo, Eveleigh, and Chippendale — areas that were once under-utilised for such a long period could become stronger markets for many types of businesses.

These neighbourhoods have three major universities and more than a hundred research institutes, filled with millennials who prefer riding e-bikes, that are within walking distance of each other.

2. Atlassian is building its headquarters in Tech Central.

Atlassian is set to build its 40-storey headquarters, with retail amenities and new YHA accommodation space at its base, adjacent to Central Place. Dexus is working with Atlassian to develop the site as the “benchmark in sustainability and smart workplace.”

The development is projected to cost $1.4 billion and will start construction in mid-2022. It is expected to welcome thousands of workers as well as new tenants by 2026.

According to property developers, companies have been asking about space availabilities and what their investments could potentially yield. The completion of the Atlassian will drive new retailers in the precinct.

3. Night-time economy will boom.

Tech Central will expand Sydney’s night-time economy to these six neighbourhoods as there will be opportunities for 24-hour trading with the arrival of the new workforce and residents. In fact, Fortius has already announced its plans to build a gaming centre, which will open as late as 2:00 a.m., at the Central Park Mall in Chippendale.

4. Business opportunities will impact demand for public transport, more recreational spaces.

Local councils of the six neighbourhoods are already finding ways to improve active transport, connectivity, outdoor and recreational spaces. Investors are looking into plans to build mini-golf sites, escape rooms, karting facilities, as well as heaps of food and beverage outlets that will allow the workforce and its residents hours of relaxation and enjoyment.