Moore Park Archives - Redfern News

Moore Park Blood Centre Saves 22,700 Lives in First Year at AFL Ground

The blood donor centre at Sydney Swans HQ in Moore Park has collected nearly 7,600 blood and plasma donations in its inaugural year, saving more than 22,700 lives and becoming the top-performing new facility in Australia.

The centre recently marked its first anniversary, celebrating a year of significant community impact. Opened in 2023, it is the first blood donor centre in the southern hemisphere to be located within an elite sports precinct.

Impressive Performance

Despite its small size, the Moore Park centre has outperformed other new facilities across the country. With only six chairs, it can accommodate up to 22,000 donations annually, potentially saving 66,000 lives.

Moore Park Donor Centre — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

The Sydney Swans have been strong supporters of the initiative. The club currently leads the AFL Blood Drive leaderboard with 78 donations, including a recent contribution from former player Brett Kirk.

Lifeblood reports that while Australia has over half a million active donors, the demand for blood products is rising. The organisation needs approximately 33,000 donations every week to meet the growing need for treatments of various life-threatening conditions.

In addition to saving lives, donors at the Moore Park centre have enjoyed nearly 10,000 party pies and sausage rolls, along with almost 3,000 chocolate milks and iced coffees during their visits.

How to Donate

To book a donation at the Sydney Swans HQ centre or any Lifeblood donor centre, interested individuals can call 13 14 95 or book online at Lifeblood.com.au. The DonateBlood app is also available for convenient scheduling.

Published 23-July-2024

Fire Truck Adorned in Indigenous Artwork for Reconciliation Week

Photo Credit: Fire and Rescue NSW

A Redfern Station fire truck has been transformed into a vibrant canvas honouring Indigenous culture during Reconciliation Week. The distinctive artwork is a collaboration between First Nations FRNSW firefighters Muliyan Waters, Shawn Orcher, and Brodee Mate.

The reimagined fire engine will make its public debut tomorrow, June 1st, at the Sydney Swans Fan Day in Moore Park. Firefighters aim to use the truck’s eye-catching design to engage with the community and share important winter fire safety messages about smoke alarms and kitchen hazards.

“Gadigal is the country on which Redfern Fire Station responds and the community with which the crew engages, and each component of this piece reflects an aspect of our service,” explained Senior Firefighter Orcher.

He highlighted how the central circle represents the station as a meeting place, while the outer circles signify the four different staff shifts. The red and orange hues symbolise fire and FRNSW’s passionate commitment to the community.

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell joined Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib to inspect the newly decorated truck as it reentered active duty.

“The terrific, colourful artwork can’t help but start positive conversations as the crews go about their work,” Commissioner Fewtrell stated.

Minister Dib praised the artwork’s intricate details carrying cultural significance, like the emu and kangaroo footprints representing the journeys of female and male firefighters, respectively.

“The variation of colours used for the crew represents Redfern being an eclectic melting pot of culture of all different races, Indigenous and non-Indigenous,” he explained.

As it rolls through the streets in the coming days, the vibrant fire truck artwork will undoubtedly turn heads and spark important discussions about Indigenous reconciliation.

Published 31-May-2024

Hollywood Actor Mark Wahlberg Joins Fight To Save Moore Park Golf Club From Downsizing

Photo Credit: Facebook/ Moore Park Golf Club

Moore Park Golf Club, a cherished Sydney institution with a history of over a century, has found an unexpected champion in its battle against downsizing plans: Hollywood superstar Mark Wahlberg.

Whilst in Sydney filming the Amazon crime series “Play Dirty,” Mr Wahlberg, renowned for roles in films like “Shooter,” has voiced his opposition to the controversial plans to halve Moore Park Golf Club’s size from 18 holes to 9.

Mr Wahlberg, a non-Australian citizen, made a heartfelt plea to the people of Sydney in a video message released on the 30th of March 2024, urging them to join the fight to preserve Moore Park Golf Club. Standing on the picturesque green course, he spoke passionately about the club’s role as a source of joy and relaxation for generations.

Photo Credit: Facebook/ Moore Park Golf Club

“It’s been here for more than 100 years, and it’s been giving people hundreds and hundreds of years of pleasure and joy. Just people being able to come out and get a nice healthy walk, spend quality time together with family and friends,” the actor said.

This decision, a component of a larger urban development strategy, has ignited a significant wave of community discontent, drawing the actor and a growing number of dissenters into the fight.

The State Government stated its plan in 2023 to turn some of the club’s land into a new central park to help the areas around Green Square, Zetland, and Waterloo that are becoming more crowded. Premier Chris Minns defended the choice by saying that cities are growing quickly and need more green areas.

Mr Wahlberg’s action adds a voice for the people against the plans to cut jobs. Critics agree that cities need to grow, but they say that giving up such a famous green area would be a loss for the community.

Premier Minns defended the choice by saying that Sydney has many golf courses, stressing the need to balance development and protecting green spaces. Since the area’s population is expected to grow by 2040, the government says adding more green spaces is necessary to keep the city liveable.

There are currently 13 golf courses in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. However, many people are upset about the potential downsizing due to its historical significance and convenient location.

Published Date 10-April-2024

Moore Park Golf Course Redevelopment Vision Unveiled

Plans to radically transform the Moore Park golf course site over the coming years have been released. A new discussion paper outlines ideas and proposals that stakeholders are considering for the publicly-owned land.

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Central park and reimagined golf facilities

Moore Park — Photo Credit: City of Sydney

The centrepiece of the vision is a 20-hectare central park that would be created after seizing part of the existing 45-hectare course. This would leave a condensed 9-hole golf course and related facilities on the remaining 25 hectares. The paper states that more parkland is needed to serve the nearly 800,000 residents projected to live near the Centennial Parklands by 2041.

Suggestions for the new park put forward in the paper include native meadows, nature play spaces for children, and nighttime wildlife refuge areas. Officials acknowledge the importance of providing green space as Sydney tackles growth in higher-density housing.

Upgrades across entire site

While golf would remain in a reduced capacity, the paper indicates the whole site could see upgrades to attract more visitors.

Night golf, hospitality, entertainment options, and short-form golf are among proposals outlined. Officials note the need to appeal to demographic groups less likely to play traditional golf, like youth, women and families.

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The NSW Planning Minister says the plans aim to improve quality of life in Sydney’s most densely populated suburbs. The public can submit ideas for the Moore Park golf course redevelopment until April 10, 2024.

Final plans will be implemented after 2026 once feedback is assessed over the coming months.

Published 25-February-2024

Moore Park Concert Cap Lifted to Boost Economy and Entertainment

Allianz Stadium, a thriving entertainment and sports hub located in Moore Park, is poised to liberate itself from decades-long constraints, amidst the announcement of the removal of a concert cap.

Premier Chris Minns has increased the allowance from a mere four concerts a year to a substantial 20 per year. This move is projected to inject a significant $120 million annually into the economy of New South Wales, offering a newfound sense of vibrancy to the region’s entertainment sector.

The limitations on concert numbers at Allianz Stadium were put in place after complaints from residents following a Rolling Stones concert more than 20 years ago, citing excessive noise. Despite the curbs, the Moore Park venue continued to host an array of events.

However, Mr Minns likened the previous restrictions to the fictional town depicted in the movie “Footloose,” where rock music and dancing were banned. He affirmed that purchasing property in the bustling heart of Sydney should come with an expectation of living in a thriving metropolis, not a quiet rural town.

“For too long NSW has missed out on world-class acts because of an archaic restriction that killed fun in our city and hurt the economy,” he said.

“Sydney is Australia’s only global city and now it will finally be able to host more global acts on the world stage.”

Whilst the cap has been lifted, a responsible approach remains in place. An 11:00 p.m. noise curfew will continue to be enforced, except during the Mardi Gras after-party event, should it relocate to the Moore Park precinct in the future. This ensures that the interests and quality of life of residents are safeguarded.

The decision to lift the concert cap has garnered praise from various quarters. ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd anticipates more opportunities for international and Australian acts to grace Sydney’s stages. The economic impact is significant, with an expected annual boost of $120 million. Moreover, the move signifies the potential for Sydney to once again become a global hub for renowned artists and entertainers.

Sport Minister Steve Kamper underscores the cost of the previous red tape, asserting that a facility of this magnitude cannot be restricted to just four concerts a year. This move aims to revitalise the city’s visitor economy and support the struggling nightlife industry.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou lauds the decision while urging the government to extend the Metro rail network to Moore Park and confirm plans to overhaul the nearby Entertainment Quarter. These initiatives could further transform the Moore Park precinct into a thriving cultural hub.

Of the 20 major events allowed annually, two will have the flexibility to operate as 10-hour festivals, akin to Wave Aid, running from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This diversity in programming ensures a wide range of entertainment options for Sydney’s diverse population.

Published 26-Jan-2024

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.