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Transformed Hotel on Henderson Road Has a New Italian Restaurant

Photo credit: Facebook / Camelia Grove Hotel

After being sold in 2021, this 150-year-old pub on Henderson Road, Alexandria underwent a renovation and reopened with a new pizzeria headed by one of Sydney’s renowned Italian chefs.

Since acquiring the Camelia Grove Hotel from its long-time owner Adella Wright-Young, Public Hospitality Group made sure that the pub will not only get a makeover but will come with a fresh offering.

The hotel has recently reopened with a new restaurant and bar offering handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. At the helm is Public Hospitality Group’s Italian chef Alessandro Pavoni along with his protegee, Michelin-trained chef Giuseppe Fuzio, who is taking care of the Italian-inspired food offerings.

Transformed Hotel on Henderson Road Has a New Italian Restaurant — Photo credit: Facebook / Camelia Grove Hotel

Fuzio is particularly proud of his dough bases which are left to rest for about three days, which makes his pizzas lighter.

The pizza offering is divided into Stone Baked Pizza Rossa and Bianca. Some of the pizzas on tomato base options include Margherita (tomato, mozzarella and basil), Diavola (mozzarella, spicy salami, capsicum and basil), and Prosciutto (pama prosciutto, burrata, rocket and stracciatella).

Whilst the white base offerings include Funghi (mozzarella, mixed mushrooms, smoked provola, pork sausage and truffle oil), Caprese (buffalo, fresh tomato, bresaola and basil) and Pistachio (pistachio cream. buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomato, mortadella and stracciatella).

Meanwhile, House Pasta options include Gnocchi made with wagyu ragu, slow-cooked beef and parmesan cheese; and Busiate pesto with basil pesto, pine nuts and cacioricotta.

Photo credit: Facebook / Camelia Grove Hotel

Google reviews:

“The woodfire bread is better than Totti’s. By a country mile. I eat here very regularly, and the food never disappoints. Please bring back the Amatriciana pasta. That was my favourite. Staff are very friendly and really look after you. Wine list is lit, with many good options. Courtyards are cute.” – S. DeBeers

“Alexandria’s 150-year old pub @Cameliagrove serves the best pizza and pasta. The modern Italiano bistro also includes live music and welcomes furry friends. 🐕 We also had the opportunity to try the latest edition Fiotente spritz. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for the summer holidays.” J. Truong

“Awesome place for food and drinks. The newly renovated building is very nice with a great atmosphere for outdoor dining. The woodfire pizza is very tasty. 100% recommend.” – K. Chan

Camelia Grove Hotel |146 Henderson Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia

Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern Celebrates 50 Years Of Serving The Community

Did you know that Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern, the oldest Aboriginal medical service in Australia, recently celebrated 50 years of service to the aboriginal community?

Read: ‘Build a Bridge’ Launched in Response to Plans for Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct

When it opened in July 1971, AMS Redfern became the first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in the country, and was instrumental in providing the foundation for many other Aboriginal community organisations that provide a similar health care model for Aboriginal people.

Photo credit: Briggs Jourdan/Google Maps

During those years, the Aboriginal community in Sydney was the largest in Australia, but they were deprived of health services, due to the neglect and racism they experienced at the time. A Koori person who needed medical help only had two options, which are to visit a general practitioner or attend the outpatients department in a public hospital.

Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern — Members of AMS Redfern (Photo credit: Aboriginal Medical Service Cooperative Ltd/Facebook)

The lack of appropriate health care for the Koori community led to the opening of the co-operative, staffed by rostered volunteer doctors, nursing sisters, and Shirley Smith as field officer.

AMS Redfern began with a free shop front located at Regent Street in Redfern, but later moved to Turner St, on land donated by the Sisters of Mercy.

The Government offered minimal financial support to the group, providing a mere $13,000 in its first submission and $14,000 in the second submission. This scenario lasted for the next 15 years, but the co-op was eager to continue their mission, and decided to start different kinds of programs.

This includes the fruit and vegetable run, which later turned into a comprehensive nutrition program and a breakfast for kids program, through a caravan borrowed from the Wayside Chapel in Newtown.

Today, in its 51st year in service, AMS Redfern continues their commitment to the community, which is to be the voice for health and wellbeing through patient advocacy and self determination for now and into the future.

Read: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern Handed Over to NSWALC

Award-winning journalist Karla Grant hosted the anniversary gala and dinner held at the ICC Darling Harbour in November 2022. Performers such as The Donovan Band, Jarrod Hickling, The Brolga Dance Academy, and Kebi Kub Dancers also graced the celebration.

The Donovan Band (Photo credit: amsredfern.org.au)

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern honoured some of the staff, for their years of service as well as outstanding achievements during their employment.

Around 800 people came to the event, which included over 70 staff from AMS Redfern.

Redfern’s Clothing Store Sub-Precinct Redevelopment Moves Forward with Search for Partners

The search is on for industry partners, developers, and operators for the redevelopment of the heritage-listed Clothing Store sub-precinct in Redfern, with 600 build-to-rent homes planned.

Entities to be selected for the Clothing Store sub-precinct redevelopment could secure a 99-year ground lease under an arrangement with the state government and the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE). The project entails re-adapting the Clothing Store building as a new public domain for recreation and unwinding whilst integrating several affordable dwellings.

Situated in the railway precinct, the old building was built in 1913 as a facility for producing and storing uniforms for railway workers. It was designed as a warehouse-style building with few partitions, a common area, and a kitchenette on the first level.

In the modern period, the Clothing Store has been used as a community facility for the arts and creatives. Most of the building’s structures are under heritage protection and will have to be preserved with this redevelopment.

Redfern Clothing Store sub-precinct — Photo Credit: TAHE-NSW

“This Government has committed to set aside 30 per cent of all residential stock on our urban renewal precincts for affordable and diverse housing and on this project we’ll deliver triple that target,” Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes in announcing the eTendering process for the project.

“This will provide much-needed secure housing for renters, with 75 per cent of the homes earmarked for build-to-rent housing and 15 per cent as affordable housing for key workers.

“This is another city-shaping precinct that will create 3,000 square metres of new, green public parkland, reimagine the heritage-listed clothing store into a space for the community, and play a critical role in bolstering Sydney’s status as a 24-hour global city.”

The Clothing Store sub-precinct redevelopment is part of the wider Redfern-North Eveleigh plan.

Inventia Moves Lab Facilities to Alexandria to Bring More Jobs

Inventia Life Sciences, a biotech company producing 3D cell culture and technology, is upscaling and moving its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Alexandria.

Through NSW’s Jobs Plus Program, Inventia will expand its 430-sqm facility into a 1,500-sqm hub as it ramps up the commercialisation of its Rastrum 3D bioprinter and biomaterials.

The expansion will allow Inventia to keep pace with the demands in the worldwide market, as well as support 76 direct and 67 indirect FTE jobs by June 2024.

Currently, four leading pharmaceutical companies are using the company’s technology for developing much-needed drugs but the expansion could potentially bring more opportunities and advancements.

“We are delighted by the support we have been given by the NSW Government. As a result of the Jobs Plus grant we have been able to scale up our production capabilities, employ more highly skilled people including biologists, software and mechanical engineers and take this revolutionary technology to the world,” Dr Julio Ribeiro, Inventia’s founder and CEO, said.

“Inventia’s drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting technology is the most advanced and precise 3D printing of its kind in the world. It is well-placed to consolidate Australia as a global leader in this field. These additional funds will help us cement Australia’s position and expand our global presence.”

Inventia is not the only company to benefit from the Job Plus Program as DNEG, one of the world’s leading visual effects (VFX) companies delivering Hollywood box office hits, will also establish its first Australian-based content services studio at Sydney’s Tech Central. The move will create more than 470 highly skilled jobs and 550 indirect jobs.

Also taking part in the program is Sparro, a digital marketing company based in Haymarket, which will deliver 90 direct and 58 indirect FTE jobs.

According to Alister Henskens, the Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, the latest Jobs Plus round will create more than 2,500 jobs across a range of industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, digital technology and MedTech.

Jobs Plus support is provided through a range of initiatives including payroll tax relief, support for infrastructure and subsidised training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation.

W. Short Hotel Group Sells Tudor Hotel Redfern for $17 Million

After seven years of ownership, W. Short Hotel Group has sold the Tudor Hotel Redfern, along 90 Pitt Street, to Universal Hotels for an estimated $17 million.

The sale serves as the latest benchmark for hotel values in the inner-city suburbs, triggering a renewed interest in the hospitality industry. W. Short Hotel Group CEO Martin Short, of the Anderson and Short families, said the decision to sell Tudor Hotel Redfern was a difficult choice but, ultimately, it was the “right next step” for the family business.

Mr Short also believes that Universal Hotels will carry on the great work that the team at Tudor Hotel Redfern has done for the last seven years. Universal Hotels, under the Kospetas family, is the operator of The Oxford Hotel in Darlinghurst, Hotel Downing in the CBD, and the Bat and Ball Hotel in Redfern.

The Tudor Hotel has a long history as a community pub. It was originally called The Cricketer’s Rest in the 1860s and was established by Australian cricketer John Louis Kettle, who wanted to take advantage of the site’s proximity to the former Albert Ground, where cricket was the most popular sporting event.

Tudor Hotel Redfern was formerly The Cricketers Rest — The Cricketers Rest in 1949
Photo Credit: Time Agents

However, the private owners of Albert Ground, decided to sell and subdivide their property in 1879, thus ending all sporting events in the precinct. The area was eventually used for public housing. By this time, Mr Kettle has long given up ownership of The Cricketer’s Rest, which was eventually bought and renamed to Tudor Hotel.

Today, the hotel continues to deliver the greatest pub experience in Redfern and it is regarded as one of the best dog-friendly venues in the inner-city suburbs.

For updates about the hotel, visit the official site or follow the Facebook page.

Approved! Waterloo South Rezoning to Pave Way for Affordable Housing

The redevelopment of Waterloo South has been given the green light following a rezoning approval that will see the construction of 3,000 new homes.

This is just the first stage of a $3-billion renewal plan for the 19-hectare Waterloo estate, which has long been discussed between the City of Sydney and the state.

The project, however, will see the demolition of 749 public homes to make way for 847 social housing and 227 affordable housing. Ten percent of these homes will also be prioritised for First Nations housing.

Signs bearing “No Eviction” have been seen around Waterloo as current residents will be forced to leave once the redevelopment starts.

Voluntary Planning Agreement

The City of Sydney and the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) will soon release a draft voluntary planning agreement (VPA) that will be subject to community consultations.

LAHC Chief Executive Simon Newport said that a shortlist of partner consortiums will also be released in the next weeks. Details of the project will be updated on the official site.

The Waterloo South redevelopment is expected to welcome new tenants by 2024.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said the rezoning is expected to breathe new life “into an old social housing estate to support the needs of the growing number of people who call – or want to call – Waterloo home.”

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said that this move will provide a safe and stable dwelling for the vulnerable population.

“The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to help everyone in NSW have a roof over their head and receive the wrap-around services they need to thrive.”

Redevelopment Opposed

“Today’s approval rubber stamps the unacceptable destruction of public housing in Waterloo and will force hundreds of people from the homes and community they’ve lived in for years,” Greens MP Jenny Leong said.

“Solidarity with all Waterloo residents now facing forced relocations. The Greens will always defend public housing and everyone’s right to a safe, secure and affordable home.”

Greek-inspired Restaurant ‘Sofia on Cleveland’ Now Open

Award-winning celebrity chef Justin North has co-launched Greek-inspired restaurant ‘Sofia on Cleveland,’ set within the heritage-listed hotel Bar Cleveland hotel in Redfern.

Read: New Italian Restaurant From the ‘Don Peppino’ Team Opens at Redfern

Chef Justin, who is a collaborator at Sofia on Cleveland, revealed the owners have been planning the restaurant for years, but the pandemic has delayed its opening.

Like any good Middle eastern meal, the servings are generous and designed for sharing. Head chef Nathan Treleaven will show off his skills in creating Southern Mediterranean dishes, such as warm sourdough loaf, char-grilled eggplant salad, and grass-fed beef tartare.

As for mains, there’s a strong focus on grilled dishes, including Shark Bay king prawns served with garlic, chilli, parsley, and lemon butter; wagyu flat iron with king mushrooms; and cauliflower with rocket, parmesan, toasted pine nuts and salsa verde.

Photo credit: Sofia on Cleveland/Facebook

Desserts at Sofia include Ekmek, a baked kataifi pastry with vanilla custard and Chantilly cream, walnut syrup cake with mascarpone, and Visino, a sour cherry preserve with vanilla bean ice cream.

Wash it all down with delicious cocktails, wines, and beers all sourced locally and from Europe. If you’re not into alcoholic drinks, they also have a selection of digestifs, teas, and coffees available.

The name of the restaurant is an ode to owner Sophie Bousgas’ grandmother, who instilled in her a love of cooking.

It was also her grandma who first introduced her to the magic of extra virgin olive oil, which is dubbed as the “heart” of every Mediterranean dish. They use in-house extra virgin olive oil imported from their olive groves in Mani, Greece, which is processed using their local traditional method.

For this new venture, the Bousgas family and Chef Justin enlisted interior designer Tamara Prochnik and builder Heath Dyer to transform the space at Bar Cleveland into a welcoming, vibrant space.

Read: These Popular Fritters Are Now In Redfern

Sofia on Cleveland encourages locals to come and try their vibrant food and homely dining, at Level 2 of Bar Cleveland. Follow them on Facebook for more details.

Multi-Arts Organisation Prefers Creative Precinct for North Eveleigh Redevelopment

Photo credit: Transport for NSW / transport.nsw.gov.au

The proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct redevelopment includes the transformation of the Paint Shop precinct into a housing and commercial hub. A renowned multi-arts organisation, however, is calling for the conversion of the site into a creative precinct instead.

The proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal project seeks to transform the ten-hectare site into a mixed-use precinct including buildings of up to 28 storeys high containing 450 new homes, and commercial and office spaces adjacent to Carriageworks.

Carriageworks, however, suggests that the site be transformed instead into a creative precinct similar to redevelopment projects in other countries, such as the Kings Cross Central in London, where industrial heritage sites are converted into a new community that promotes creativity and innovation.

proposed Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct redevelopment — *Photo credit: Transport for NSW /* transport.nsw.gov.au

Planners, they explained, could instead consider creating a creative quarter for North Eveleigh where built-for-purpose facilities that could cater to film productions, digital businesses and broadcast media would be developed. Whether Carriageworks’ alternative suggestion will be considered or not will be up for the Minister for Planning to decide.

The rezoning proposal for the Paint Shop sub-precinct was exhibited for public comment from 26 July until 25 August 2022. Transport for NSW is in the process of preparing a response to the submissions.

Carriageworks is among Australia’s most acclaimed contemporary multi-arts organisations. The site was built between 1880 and 1889 as part of the Eveleigh Railway Workshops and was redeveloped into a cultural precinct in 2007.

The Carriageworks spaces host premier annual events including Sydney Festival, Sydney Contemporary Art Fair and Sydney Writers’ Festival. Carriageworks is also home to eight resident companies including NSW First Peoples performing arts company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, and Sydney Chamber Opera.

Look! Redfern Mural of Ladies Rugby Pioneer Maggie Moloney Now Completed

Photo Credit: 107 Projects Inc./GoFundMe

Maggie Moloney, one of the pioneering women of the Rugby League, has finally gotten a fitting tribute in her hometown of Redfern after her mural has been completed by street artist Sharon Billinge.

Found at the back wall of Vinnies Redfern along James St, the mural was placed on this site because it was the street where the sportswoman grew up and practiced her skills.

Redfern historian Katherine Haines worked with Ms Billinge for the mural, alongside 107 Projects, which launched the Rugby Girls Street Mural Project initiative to protect the legacy of female Rugby players.

Ms Moloney’s granddaughter, Karen Heard, said that she’s sure her grandmother would say, “What’s all this hooha?” towards her mural. But Billinge said Ms Heard was in tears when she saw the mural for the first time.

“We had family there today from 93 years of age to just 7 months young,” Jo Black, another relative of Ms Moloney, said.

“Aunty Karen represented our family and spoke of our iconic great-grandmother. It was a huge day and I’m honoured and so so proud to be in a family of a strong incredible woman.”

In 1921, Maggie Moloney, then 15 years old, wowed more than 20,000 spectators at the first official women’s rugby match and carried her team, the Metropolitan Blues, to victory against the Sydney Reds.

She was dubbed the “feminine Dally Messenger.” Mr Messenger was one of Australasia’s most accomplished professional rugby players and heavily supported the women’s league.

Ms Haines said that Maggie Moloney’s mural will be an inspiration to many young women who love the sports and could perhaps inspire a Maggie M Medal for NRLW participants, who are presently given a Dally M Medal.

South Dowling St Restaurant Becomes Massive Home, About to Go Under the Hammer

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

What was once a vegan restaurant on South Dowling St in Redfern was turned into a massive, captivating home in a renovation that took several years to complete. The renovated premises is now about to go under the hammer.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

Located at 685-687 South Dowling Street, the 367-sqm property was a former vegan restaurant site that now contains an eight-bed home with five baths, two kitchens, and a four-car parking space.

The former showroom was also converted into a living area large enough for entertaining plenty of guests plus an alfresco terrace to boot.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

Whilst the renovation took three to five years to complete, the end result is nothing short of stunning. The building’s interior features stained glass windows, detailed architraves, pendant lights, timber floorboards, luxurious-looking carpet, and granite countertops.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

The space now boasts 470 sqm of space across four levels. With its massive size, the double-terraced space offers an opportunity to be divided into two residences or simply be used as one large, luxurious abode. With two street frontages, the property offers a prime location, in close proximity to commercial hubs, sporting venues, and parks.

Photo credit: Domain / domain.com.au

This massive Redfern residence goes under the hammer on 29 October 2022 and has an auction guide price of about $3.85 million. The property was last sold in 2005 for $1.203 million.

685-687 S Dowling St, Redfern NSW 2016, Australia