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Soon! Redfern Mural of First Female Aussie Rugby League Player Maggie Moloney

Esteemed street artist Sharon Billinge will create a mural of Maggie Moloney, the country’s first female rugby league player, a former resident of Redfern.

Maggie used to live at the corner of James and Morehead streets and worked in the tailoring department of David Jones on Marlborough Street.

Her mural, which will be 4 metres x 3.5 metres in size, will decorate the back of the St Vincent de Paul site along Cleveland Street. It will join the mural of Taleena Simon of the Sydney Roosters.

According to the City of Sydney, this latest creative project is for the “increased visibility and understanding of the history, stories, and character of the city.” It’s also a recognition of the contribution of the First Nations community in Redfern as the pioneers of women’s rugby.

Rugby-australia — Photo Credit: Katherine Heines/Facebook

Who is Maggie Moloney?

In September 1921, a 15-year-old girl led the Metropolitan 21 to victory at the first women’s match that took place during a shortened NSWRL men’s season. She was none other than the younger sister of Souths player Mick Moloney, Maggie.

Maggie wowed a crowd of over 20,000 spectators at the Agricultural Ground, with the press describing her blistering performance “like a radiant racehorse.” She also impressed the people when she clinched a win during a splint race, the pre-game entertainment.

Her win came at a time when rugby was deemed too “rough for girls” but about 50 female rugby players fought for a chance to show that they could also play the game. The men’s rugby league in Australia was nearing two decades by then and the decision to have the girls play became a public debate.

Meanwhile, Moloney’s mural unveiling was supposed to coincide with the 100th year of the women’s rugby league in 2021 but plans were pushed back due to the pandemic crisis.

Joans of Marc | Providing a Space for the Wine Industry’s Marginalised

Photo credit: joansofmarc / Instagram

Joans of Marc, a wine delivery business run by two women, promotes diversity whilst sharing part of the profit to charities like Mudgin-Gal, an Aboriginal women’s centre in Redfern.

Alysha Moscatt and Lucy Kendall have been making wine in West Gippsland under the label AlleVare, apart from working with other nearby vineyards. However, the duo noticed how underrepresented women are – which make up more than a third of the wine industry – in wine events.

In an industry that traditionally features male winemakers, Joans of Marc aims to make a difference by expanding the wine industry representation and encouraging retailers and wine event organisers to reach out to these underrepresented talents.

“When the gate-keepers actively and willingly open the doors to human beings who haven’t been well-represented in our industry (POC, women, queer folks and other minorities for instance) we stand a chance of diversifying who drinks, pours and makes it,” their social media post said.

“Diversity isn’t just a question of warm fuzzies (which we’re into in case anyone was asking), it’s also about helping our industry mature into all that it can be. We want winemaking to celebrate and actively seek out talent across the human spectrum.”

In establishing the business, Alysha and Lucy got a little help from fellow winemakers Clare Burder (Eminence Wines) and Tessa Brown (Vignerons Schmölzer and Brown). For each release, Joans of Marc sells a new 6-pack set of wines created by women and underrepresented groups and a portion of the proceeds go to a selected charity.

Established in 2020, Joans of Marc partly owes its name to a French heroine named Joan of Arc and partly to a French term, Marc, which is what is left of the grapes after the juice is pressed off to create wine.

Photo credit: Mudgin-Gal Women’s Centre / mudgin-gal.org.au

One of their releases featured wines curated by Women and Revolution which includes a selection of wines created by women but bear a man’s name on each label. The aim is to change the assumption that comes with the label and to focus on the “unseen women” who also deserve to get their fair share of the credit.

The pack includes wines from Europe: 2017 Serge Dagueneau & Filles La Centenaire, 2018 Breuer-Mehrlein-Lundén Riesling Venture Trocken, 2018 Matías I Torres / Victoria Torres Pecis Negramoll Piezas N1, 2019 Gianfranco Alessandria Barbera d’Alba, 2020 Piero Gatti Moscato and 2020 Domaine Collotte Aligoté.

Proceeds from the sale of this wine pack will be donated to Mudgin-Gal Women’s Centre in Redfern. Mudgin-Gal meaning ‘Women’s Place’ is an Aboriginal organisation established in1992 and run and staffed by Aboriginal women. Mudgin-Gal Women’s Centre provides shelter to vulnerable women as well as skills-based programs particularly to women who aspire to be leaders in their own communities.

Health Survey Covering Key Sectors of Waterloo and Redfern Underway

The University of New South Wales is running a study on the health needs of residents to help plan and deliver vital health services for selected sectors of the Waterloo or Redfern community.

In line with this study, the experts, led by Dr Christopher Standen, are taking a survey to gather data on what the residents may need.

Information provided will be stored in UNSW’s platform for at least 25 years.

“We will keep your information private. We will not tell anybody your name or where you live. No one will know it was you who took part. We will write about what we find out. If you want, we will send you a summary,” Dr Standen and his team said.

The survey is open to Waterloo or Redfern social housing dwellers who are aged over 18 and are proficient in the English language.

JOIN THE STUDY

Dr Standen is an expert on urban development, health equity, and health impact assessment.In 2020, he also conducted a study on the Waterloo housing estate redevelopment for the Healthy Urban Environments (HUE) Collaboratory, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and older adult residents, whom have been identified as potentially more at risk.

Meanwhile, survey participants $25 EFTPOS or Visa gift card if they complete the task, which will likely take 20 minutes. Participants, however, are under no obligation to commit to completing the survey and may opt out if they want to.

Indulge In Seafood And Tapas At This Redfern Wine Bar

Are you up for some fresh seafood, delicious tapas, with the perfect wine pairing? Check out La Salut, a wine bar located at the corner of Cleveland and Walker Street in Redfern!

Read: Itacate Is The Newest Destination For Authentic Mexican Food In Redfern

At La Salut, you will be spoilt for choice with their extensive range of dishes, from mussels and chips, cracker topped Cantabrian anchovies, to tomato and manchego custard, and skewers cooked over a flat grill.

The menu draws inspiration from dishes of Catalonia in Spain, where executive chef and co-owner Scott McComas-Williams spent years working as a chef.

La Salut diners — Photo credit: Bar La Salut/Facebook

When it comes to wines, expect a large drinks list representing the different regions of Spain along with a decent selection of drops from Australia. The recently opened bar has15 types of vermouth and over 200 bottles of carefully curated wines.

La Salut toast — Photo credit: Bar La Salut/Facebook

La Salut features a central wooden bar in its 40-seat venue, reminiscent of cosy, hole-in-the-wall type of places commonly found in Barcelona.

La Salut tapas — Photo credit: Bar La Salut/Facebook

La Salut was brought to Redfern by the same folks behind Love, Tilly Devine and hospitality group Thepeople_.

Taking inspiration from Spanish architecture, the interior of La Salut features plenty of arches and curves, much like those found in the works of famous Spanish modernist architects Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Antoni Gaudi.

“Absolutely brilliant! From the amazing, interesting and delicious food on offer, to the extensive list of delicious wines and beverages, and the exceptionally friendly, knowledgable staff, La Salut is destined to be a Sydney institution. The setting is gorgeous, it’s a beautiful and warm place to enjoy a long lunch or intimate dinner. We loved it, I have no doubt whoever’s reading this will love it to, get in there!”
-Jake Howard

La Salut is open Wednesday to Sunday from the 5th of January 2022. Walk-ins are allowed but they do recommend bookings so you can secure a seat. Check out their website here.

Book a Table

Community Groups Mobilise Campaign to Build Carriageworks to South Eveleigh Bridge

Various community groups have mobilised a petition to build a bridge between Carriageworks and South Eveleigh that will provide better connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians.

Spearheaded by Friends of Erskineville, REDWatch, and the Alexandria Residents Action Group, the joint campaign by people who work and go to school in Redfern, Alexandria, Chippendale, Darlington, Erskineville, and Waterloo is calling on Transport for NSW to include and prioritise a new bridge as its reviews the plans to redevelop North Eveleigh.

According to reports, residents have been asking for a cyclist and pedestrian bridge for decades. In 2008, the Planning and Environment conducted an assessment but the plan was withdrawn and shelved in the same year as well.

Calls to build a bridge have been reignited after Mirvac bought the Redfern tech precinct, the Australian Technology Park, in 2015 with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and thousands of its employees as the anchor tenant. Mirvac was open to building a bridge as the new owner of the property.

Andrew Chuter of the Friends of Erskineville said that they launched the petition for the Carriageworks to South Eveleigh bridge to reiterate the growing need for the bridge since more people are walking and cycling to work or school. Whilst there are cycleways in the corridors between Redfern to Erskineville, they said that another bridge will allow them to get to their destinations between Darlington and Alexandria without having to go the way around the other routes.

The construction of the Waterloo Metro station, which will be completed in 2024, will also bring in thousands of students every day who will save at least 15 minutes of their commute if there was a pedestrian bridge in the area.

To date, the petition has gained nearly 600 signatures. Sydney councillors support the initiative as well.

Transport for NSW said that its “investigating the feasibility” of a cyclist and pedestrian bridge but has no additional information to share as of press time. Meanwhile, Friends of Erskineville met with Mirvac to discuss the bridge.

Mudgin-Gal Ends 16 Days of Activitism With Redfern Festival Celebrating Aboriginal Women

Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women’s Centre is capping off its 16 Days of Activism campaign with a festival celebrating the beautiful stories of survival and triumph of Aboriginal women. The inaugural event will take place at the Redfern Community Centre.

The non-ticketed event, which will also be live-streamed on Facebook, will take place on 15 December 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm. Top female Indigenous artists like Marlene Cummins, Zippora Anu-Corser, and Christine Anu will be performing at the event whilst Larissa Behrendt, a renowned Indigenous academic, lawyer, filmmaker, and author will share her inspiring message centering on the richness of Indigenous culture and the incredible women behind this movement.

“The festival is open to anyone who wants to acknowledge our culture, and join in the celebrations of Indigenous families and community. The festival is about empowering Indigenous women and inspire self-belief,” Ashlee Donohue, the CEO of Mudgin-Gal said.

The healing ceremony begins. In this picture, we have Kerry Johnson, Bronwyn Penrith and Calita Murry | Photo Credit: Supplied

“It is important to acknowledge that domestic violence is not a traditional aspect of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultures, and that violence against our women cannot be understood without recognising the impacts of colonisation and racism and the continuation of that impact today,” Donohue added.

The circle of healing – remembering our women in silence | Photo Credit: Supplied

Mudgin-Gal, which means “women’s place,” ran the 16 Days of Activism campaign to raise awareness on gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes such as misidentification of Aboriginal women as predominant aggressors, and advocate for improved legal system and services to end domestic violence deaths in Aboriginal communities.

Unknown to a lot of people, Aboriginal women, especially in the rural or remote areas, are 45 times more likely to experience domestic violence compared to other Australians. An Aboriginal woman is 35 times likely to be hospitalised due to family violence compared to a white woman. An Aboriginal woman is also five percent more likely to suffer through violence with her current partner.

Yet open discussions on domestic violence in Aboriginal communities are considered taboo even if it could help a lot of women.

With Mudgin-gal, women have a safe haven where they can connect with other Aboriginal women, seek a referral to accommodation, legal or court support services, or discuss issues that may be affecting them or someone they love.

“You don’t have to be in crisis to contact us — we are here, even just for a yarn,” the group said.

“Mudgin-gal is the only women’s centre in metropolitan Sydney that is 100% run by and for Aboriginal women for the past 29 years. We do not have criteria, we do our very best to advocate, refer and be there for any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman who walks through our door, providing a culturally safe space and service,” said Donohue.

Bronwyn Penrith Chairperson places possum skin around Ashlee Donohue CEO – as part of the healing ceremony | Photo Credit: Supplied

“We help the women who come to us with referral to accommodation, legal or court support services, or to discuss issues that may be affecting them or someone they love.”

The center provides services like women’s access, family support, day support workers, and domestic violence support workers.

Follow Mudgin-gal on Facebook for more information and updates.

DONATE to the Mudgin-Gal Cause

Itacate Is The Newest Destination For Authentic Mexican Food In Redfern

Photo credit: Itacate & Mexican Deli/Facebook

Mexican cuisine expert and cookbook author Rosa Cienfuegos has opened her second diner in Redfern, Itacate & Mexican Deli, a space that is larger than Tamaleria, her first restaurant located in Dulwich Hill.

Read: The Grounds’ New Events Space, Coffee Roastery To Open In South Eveleigh

Itacate, which is a Nahuatl word for “your share of food” serves all the bestsellers from Tamaleria and if you have been to the place, you surely know how locals are raving about their tacos and Birria, a delicious meaty stew usually served with tortillas and a red spicy sauce.

Rosa Cienfuegos (Photo credit: Itacate/Instagram)

Another menu item that keeps guests coming back is tamales, a small steamed cake of dough made with corn-based dough and filled with chicken and green sauce. For those who haven’t heard of her deli, Ms Cienfuegos started running pop-up events in Marrickville where she would sell her tamales before opening a permanent location in 2018.

Photo credit: Itacate & Mexican Deli/Facebook

In Redfern, guests can look forward to a more extensive menu, which includes breakfast and Comida corrida or “fast food” and since it’s bigger than the original store, expect more seating and longer trading hours with this new restaurant.

Birria (Photo credit: Itacate & Mexican Deli/Facebook)

Ms Cienfuegos also recently came up with new dishes for Itacate, which includes Enchiladas Suizas (corn rolled tortillas filled with chicken, or cactus and potato, topped with mild sauce, cream and melted cheese) and pineapple cheese tarts for dessert.

Other dessert options are Pastel de tres Leches, a sponge cake soaked in milk and topped with whipped cream and strawberries and their Mexican pavlova. And if you want to try an authentic Mexican beverage, don’t leave without trying Jarritos locos, a soft drink mixed with lime, salt, chili powder and decorated with a Mexican lolly.

Beyond the authentic Mexican dishes, this place is worth visiting for their cheese and sauces, such as the oaxaca cheese, which is semisoft, white, artisan cheese made from cow’s milk that goes perfectly with quesadillas.

Itacate & Mexican Deli is open from Tuesday through Saturday and also offers delivery via UberEats. You can find them on Facebook or on Instagram @itacate.redfern for updates.

It’s An Open-Air Party at the Alfresco Disco in South Eveleigh

After months of lockdowns, Sydney is coming alive with a series of pop-up events for everyone. For South Eveleigh, that means an open-air party! Dine, drink, and dance at a one-day-only affair at the Alfresco Disco.

The open-air party will transform Locomotive Street into an all-day food, drink, and entertainment hub, where people can reconnect whilst they enjoy the dishes from the district’s most exciting venues.

Alfresco Disco will take place on Friday, 3 December 2021, in two sessions: from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The bar will be serving drinks all day until 10:00 p.m.

Guests with tickets will be able to sample the Australian-Cantonese dishes from Lucky Kwong, including its specialty, the Hokkien noodles filled with raw hiramasa kingfish or sticky pork. Drink lovers, on the other hand, can rave about the cocktails, beers, and wine served by RE- Bar. Both establishments will provide a special ticketed-only menu.

Food lovers, however, may also grab some light grub at the laneway outlets of Bekya, Eat Fuh, and Fishbowl, whilst they enjoy the vibe and music from an exciting line up of entertainers like Ayebatonye, Tyson Koh, Deepa, Levins vs Joyride, and Original Roman vs Boogie Fingers.

BOOK A TICKET

Alfresco Disco is in conjunction with the NSW Government and Destination NSW’s Open for Lunch initiative, with simultaneous dining and drinking open-air pop-ups across the city. Expect more long lunches outdoors at various venues this summer and beyond.

The Grounds’ New Events Space, Coffee Roastery To Open In South Eveleigh

Photo credit: The Grounds

Sydney’s newest hotspot for all things arts and food culture, South Eveleigh, is preparing for the opening of The Grounds, where patrons can expect not just one but two venues–a coffee roastery and an event space.

Read: Hospitality Group Breathes New Life Into Historic Alexandria Hotel

Due to open in 2022, The Grounds of South Eveleigh promises a state-of-the art coffee roastery where guests can engage in the entire coffee-making process and a grand, open space that is reminiscent of a dreamy French Chateau wedding venue.

Coffee roastery

Photo credit: The Grounds of Alexandria/Facebook

The roastery will offer an immersive experience as coffee lovers will not only get to sip a cup of their favourite brews but also learn how it’s done, right from roasting to brewing.

A passionate team of baristas will lead the behind-the-scenes tours and workshops that will be available for everyone – from the everyday guest with a curiosity for coffee, to the wholesaler sourcing their favourite selections.

In addition to coffee, there will be options for a casual breakfast or lunch, too. The menu draws inspiration from canteens of the former railway workshops where South Eveleigh stands.

Event space

As with The Grounds in Alexandria, there will be plenty of plants and greenery which will soften its modern industrial architecture style. It features high ceilings adorned by the captivating light of industrial chandeliers.

With a seating capacity for up to 350 guests, there’s enough room to invite all your close friends and family to celebrate life’s special moments.

“Time stands still, as you are immersed in the sheer magnificence of The Eveleigh – it’s almost like a scene from a fairytale that takes your imagination somewhere else,” The Grounds stated in its website.

The events place will be open Monday to Sunday with dates to be announced in 2022. If you want to be one of the first to host a celebration in The Grounds of Eveleigh, visit their website to learn more about their event packages once they become available.

New Proposal Unveiled For Redfern Housing Project

Artist’s impression of new proposal for Redfern housing (Photo credit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au)

A proposal for a housing project on Elizabeth St in Redfern has been submitted, but this time, locals can expect more affordable homes instead of the build-to-rent houses originally intended for the site.

Read: Redfern Property Market Shows Double-Digit Rise Amidst Lockdown Restrictions

Highlights

The new EOI proposes a delivery model which incorporates housing for sale and allows for more homes for people in need.
LAHC has shifted to a ‘Build to Sell’ model from the previous ‘build to rent’ proposal.

Changes were made in October 2021 after the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) released a new Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking a development partner to deliver the renewed project. The previous procurement process has been terminated, and all tenderers have been informed.

Updated Proposal

Indicative aerial view of Redfern redevelopment from the south (Photo credit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au)

The subject site, located opposite Redfern oval measures 1.1-ha and in close proximity to the new Waterloo Metro Station.

Based on the new plans released by LAHC, there will be a total of 310 homes which will be a mix of social, affordable and private rental housing. There will be provision for new garden rooftops and outdoor space for residents.

The number of homes were apparently scaled back as the 2018 proposal involved building up to 500 build-to-rent homes.

The proposal also allows for a community facility, new shops, cafes and communal spaces as well as a potential for an improved and expanded public plaza on Kettle Street.

Artist’s impression of laneway (Photo credit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au)

“This new development will inject more vitality into Redfern and will provide safe and modern housing in close walking distance to public transport, shops and other important services,” said LAHC CEO Mick Cassel.

“Around a third of these homes will be for social housing, creating over 700 jobs in Sydney. Our aim is to invigorate and enhance one of Sydney’s central districts with a variety and mix of homes to meet local needs,” Mr Cassel said.

Subject to approvals, construction on the Redfern project is expected to begin in 2024, with works completed by 2026 or 2027.

‘Build to Sell’ Model

Aerial view showing proposed redevelopment site (Photo credit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au)

This development model is called Build to Sell and it achieves LAHC’s key objective of maximising social housing on the site. It’s a more traditional model, whereas LAHC makes its land available for redevelopment and the private or not-for-profit sector funds and manages construction.

The previous proposal was designed to cater for Sydney’s demand for rental housing under a Build to Rent model (BTR).

However, LAHC said proposed planning controls have reduced the yield to a level where a BTR model is not viable and no longer meets the objective of delivering the project at no cost to the government.