COMMUNITYWINTER EDITION 2021 - Our Journeys Our Stories - Georges River Council
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GEORGES
GEORGES RIVER
RIVER COUNCIL
COUNCIL
COMMUNITY WINTER EDITION 2021
Our Journeys
Our Stories
我们的历程 | 我们的故事
Exploring the Chinese
migration history of the
Georges River area.
WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AU
f iy
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
framework necessary for open and transparent governance
on subsidies, donations, and community grants to ensure
sound decision-making.
Openness with the community on the financial challenges and
the proposed solutions has been the priority. The willingness
of the community to engage on this topic has been highly
valuable to assist Council in its decision making.
Our City Strategy and Innovation Directorate has taken hold of
projects and actions that will transform our city over the coming
decade. We will be focusing on placemaking, innovation,
economic development and strategic partnership building.
Since inception in late 2018, the team has produced numerous
This year marks the fifth year of the Georges River Council. key strategies for Council, such as the Kogarah Investment
Attraction Strategy, Hurstville ‘Heart of the City’ Place Strategy,
I am proud to say that as the inaugural Mayor of Georges 2050 Vision, Innovation Strategy, ongoing work on Council’s
River, I have the privilege to work with extraordinary and brand, image and reputation and Night Time Economy Study.
talented Council staff who displayed the visionary leadership to
shape the growth of this beautiful part of Sydney since 2016. They actively seek grant funding opportunities from the
NSW Government, such as $4.75 million of grant funding
The amalgamation of two organisations whilst maintaining from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program for Hurstville
everyday services is an extraordinarily complex task. Revitalisation Project, bringing more greenery, street furniture,
public art and open space upgrades to Kogarah and Hurstville.
It requires the involvement of the entire organisation and the
support of the community. On 24 May, the team won Planning Institute Australia National
Awards - Planning Excellence 2021for its ChillOUT Hubs in
Georges River Council has embraced the fresh start that the Hurstville, Kogarah and Mortdale. These smart, open-air spaces
amalgamation presented, building the foundations for a solid offer our community free places to meet, work and relax.
and sustainable organisation that delivers outstanding results
to our community. I particularly would like to congratulate the team, and our partners
Street Furniture Australia, UNSW and University of Sydney.
Since amalgamation, we have launched new customer
service centres offering flexible, multi-use community spaces Looking ahead, the team is developing a city-wide marketing
and designing, harmonising and improving services to deliver campaign to encourage residents, visitors and investors
benefits to our residents and businesses. to discover the unique offerings of Georges River, driving
increased visitation and investment.
We have demonstrated impressive resilience, professionalism
and flexibility during this change and continue to deliver In addition to our innovation activities we launched the
excellent services to our community. Georges River Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040
('LSPS 2040'). We were awarded a commendation for
I thank our Council staff, under the leadership of General ‘Great community collaboration’ at the 2020 Greater Sydney
Manager Gail Connolly. They do a fantastic job across the Planning Awards for outstanding leadership and excellence
whole range of our activities. With this strong team, we work in community collaboration. LSPS 2040 will guide land use
towards our goal of being the best performing council in New planning and deliver significant infrastructure for the Georges
South Wales. River area over the next 20 years.
Georges River Council has embraced the fresh start that Over the past five years, Council has delivered key capital works
the merger of the former Hurstville City and Kogarah City projects worth over $224 million. Flagship projects include:
Councils presented, building the foundations for a financially
sustainable and robust organisation that delivers outstanding • adventure playgrounds at Jubilee, Meade, Kempt Field
results to our community and city. and Oatley Parks
Council has been provided with a clear, strategic direction • Kogarah streetscape CBD upgrades
that has enabled us to deliver more extensive capital • Gannons Park Master Plan works
programs, improved services, greater transparency, capacity • synthetic fields at Peakhurst Park, Poulton Park and in the
and consistency in evidence-based decision-making. near future at the Penshurst Park Sporting Hub
• completion of the Norm O’Neill Cricket Centre sporting
Our focus has been on expanding services across the complex and Oatley West Childcare centre
whole area and harmonising services and developing the
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
• the Carss Park Foreshore Naturalisation Project
CONTENTS
• sports field irrigation, drainage and resurfacing upgrades
such as Oatley, Beverly Hills, Olds Parks and Harold
Fraser Oval 4. YOUR COUNCIL
• sports amenities upgrades such as those at Harold Misinformation and how to identify credible sources
Fraser Oval, Gannons Park, Renown Park, Charles Pirie Waste calendar changes
Reserve and Peakhurst Park as well as the San Souci 5. Household Chemical CleanOut
Pool and the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre upgrades
A-Z Guide
to name just a few.
6. BUSINESS
Since the amalgamation, Council has built and fostered a Setting up solid information management in your
solid ethical and governance framework and culture. A range small business
of processes and structures have been adopted, including the 7. Teach Ted
establishment of:
8. The Reconnect Project
• more than 80 Council and Corporate Policies, which 10. COMMUNITY
guide our decision making Vale Alan Garside
• a clear delegations framework, which clarifies decisions 11. 2021 It's a Mood - Chess Day
and accountability
12. What's happening at your library
• risk and safety frameworks, which act to mitigate liability,
business interruption and maintain service continuity 14. ART AND CULTURE
• a robust reporting culture, to ensure Council is meeting 14. Our Journey | Our Stories
legislative and statutory reporting obligations 16. Striving for Gold: Olympians of St George
• Council’s code of conduct and extensive education and 17. Table tennis tables add vibrancy to local parks
training, having regard to corporate values and ethical 18. Insid the Hurstville Museum & Gallery collection
conduct 19. Dragon's Lair Gallery
• policy frameworks having regard to legislation governing
ethical conduct including public interest disclosures, fraud 20. LOCAL HISTORY
and corruption prevention and information privacy The Battle of Crete
• procurement and contract management frameworks, 22. What's in a name: Mortdale
systems and training to strengthen integrity, accountability 23. WHAT'S ON
and value for money
• regular oversight, management reporting and adherence
to the audit program adopted by the Audit, Risk and
Improvement Committee established in 2016
Georges River Council acknowledges
2021/22 will be a critical year in securing the immediate and the traditional custodians of the land
long-term financial future for Georges River Council. in which the Georges River Local
Government Area is situated - the
Looking forward, we will continue to advocate for much-
needed infrastructure and services from the NSW Biddegal people of the Eora nation.
Government such as transport, housing and amenities for
our growing community with Georges River 2050 Leading for
Change Vision. Be involved in important projects that shape the
YOUR future of the Georges River area. Your feedback
matters! Register via Council’s
With four aspirations: accessible, green, diverse and
innovative, this Vision sets the direction for the entire city. It is
SAY website at yoursay.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
our commitment to lead the city towards an ambitious future –
a city that unlocks opportunities. To subscribe, visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
and sign up via the eNewsletter form located at the
bottom of the home page.
Kevin Greene
Mayor, Georges River Council Information and events in this publication are current at the time of printing.
Subsequent changes may occur. Georges River Council does not guarantee
that this publication is without flaw or wholly appropriate for your purposes.
It and its employees expressly disclaim any liability, for any loss or damage,
whether direct or consequential, suffered by any person as the result of or
arising from reliance on any information contained in the publication.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 3
YOUR COUNCIL
Misinformation and how to indentify
credible sources
Georges River Libraries has recently appointed a new • Do your own research to independently verify if someone
position of Librarian Information Services. This role will focus is who they claim to be by calling back on a verified
on supporting the community through an environment of phone number.
rapidly changing information with an emphasis on promoting
• Be suspicious of emails and messages asking for your
health, legal, government and research information and
personal information, even if they seem to be from a
services.
trusted source.
New librarian Louise will be bringing her many years of • Don't share personal information online with someone
experience working in public libraries to this role as well as you've never met in person including limiting personal
her rigorous research, analytical skills and online expertise. information shared on social media.
To start off her new role and to promote Scam Awareness
• Use tools such as anti-virus software to help you check
Week this August, Louise wanted to share her top 5 tips to
and protect your online security.
protect you against scams.
• Subscribe to the Scamwatch eNewsletter to stay up to
You can find more information about scams and sign up to the date on the latest scams.
scam watch eNewsletter by visiting www.scamwatch.gov.au
If you would like to know more about the information
environment, please contact Louise on library@
georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Waste calendar changes
Council will be updating the process for residents to receive their annual waste
service calendars.
Commencing in January 2022, residents will only receive a printed waste
calendar by contacting our customer service team on mail@georgesriver.nsw.
gov.au or at 02 9330 6400. Residents can also see their waste collection dates
at any time by visiting Council’s website and entering the home address in the
waste service search function. Visit the waste pages of Councils website for more
information.
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
A-Z Guide
Council have created an easy-to-use recycling guide on
our website. The A-Z Recycling guide contains information
on how to dispose of over 150 difficult waste items such as
chemicals, electronic waste, and bulky household items.
We always encourage the community to reduce, reuse and
recycle, so if you don’t know how to dispose of a certain
item, visit this link to find a solution
www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/Services/Waste/
A-Z-Recycling-Guide
Household
Chemical CleanOut
Council‘s next Household Chemical CleanOut event will
be held on Sunday 19 September 2021, 9am - 3:30pm at
Mortdale Depot (100 Roberts Avenue, Mortdale).
Make sure to only bring accepted chemical waste. Below you
can view the items that are accepted and unaccepted.
Accepted Waste Unaccepted Waste
Acids, alkali materials, car Domestic bin waste
batteries, motor oils,
fuels and fluids
Fire extinguishers and gas Tech waste or e-waste
bottles
Hobby chemicals, pool Furniture or household
chemicals, paints and appliances
solvents.
Fluorescent tubes Commercial waste
Herbicides, pesticides and Asbestos
poisons
Keep up to date with the latest information on this event and
future events by visiting Councils ‘What’s On’ and Chemical
CleanOut pages. If you need to dispose of any waste that is
not accepted at this event, visit the A-Z Recycling Guide on
Council’s website for more information.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 5
BUSINESS
Setting up solid information
management in your small
business
by Mark Atkins, Intraversed Pty Ltd
If you’ve never thought about information 2. Define your key language.
Create a glossary of terms for your business’s functions
management (IM) because your business – e.g., product, contract, asset – and categorise them by
is small, then it’s time to reconsider. Setting function – e.g., HR, Sales, Finance.
certain structures in place now could enable Write clear and context-relevant definitions of these
growth for your business in the future. terms. Review with your team, ensuring the definitions
work for everyone.
Use language consistently, adhering to these definitions.
Small businesses aren’t subject to the same level of risk as This avoids confusion when you need to implement or
large organisations due to IM problems. But the same IM upgrade IT systems and reporting.
principles can be applied to effective ends.
3. Establish a register of key information artefacts.
Information is anything you create from running your Register all your reports, contracts, and other important
business, so managing your information when you’re small artefacts.
doesn’t take much work.
Artefacts need to be kept up-to-date and retired when
This includes all the important factors when running your they’re superseded. Ensure your register includes where
business e.g., financial, inventory, and maintenance they are stored and who:
reports; regulatory and legal (including HR paperwork & • created them;
policy manuals). • is responsible for checking validity;
• to contact about errors in the artefact’s content;
There are three foundations to solid IM:
Believe me, we’ve worked in many big businesses who
1. Build a culture that values information. would have saved millions of dollars if they’d implemented
Without this, it’ll be hard to get compliance with the these three foundations early on!
processes you establish.
Mark Atkins is a member of Georges River Business and a
regular contributor. Register for free on Council's website.
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Teach Ted
'Imagine a world where every parent
knows the best possible way to prepare
their child for challenging experiences,
no matter where they live or who they are
being treated by. Imagine too that all care
practitioners, not just paediatric specialists,
have the tools and knowledge to deliver the
most awesome, child-friendly treatment
to kids.'
Georges River locals, Sarah Cummings and business
partner Sare Christensen, are the Co-Founders of Teach
Ted – a childhood educational project that helps children
with medical conditions feel confident when facing hospital
admissions and medical procedures.
Both Sarah and Sare drew on their professional and
personal experiences to create Teach Ted.
Both women will tell you that this business started from
an eagerness to help parents and children overcome
emotional challenges. They aimed to do this through the art
of storytelling little Ted’s visits to hospital. This idea has now
evolved to a fruitful partnership with peak medical facilities
including Sydney Westmead Hospital and Royal Flying
Doctors Service.
The story of Ted empowers a child to tell their feelings
through the character. One of the results of this is the time
spend on a child's blood test is drastically reduced by half Sarah Cummings
with the use of this book.
Sarah Cummings is ambitious and states 'Our goal is to have
Ted’s story on every single Royal Flying Doctor’s planes and
clinic throughout the nation.' Every time you buy a Teach Ted book or toy you’ll be helping
them provide free resources to those in need. For every
Local families and businesses have the opportunity to three they sell in their shop, they give one to our donation
support this mission by sponsoring Teach Ted’s books and partners.
resources to be donated.
Sales also help them to continue to develop free educational
Ted and his friends take children into a fun, imaginary world resources. It also helps conduct research into other ways
of research-based storybooks and apps. By understanding to improve the experience of children going to hospital or
what might happen and why, children can face new undergoing medical treatment.
challenges with reduced anxiety and have their unspoken
questions answered. If you would like to help, go to www.teachted.com.au.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 7
BUSINESS
The Reconnect Project
Annette Mayne began The Reconnect store. The difference is, being a registered charity means that
the income we generate from offering a repair service then
Project with an environmentally positive funds the social mission, Annette said.
vision and a purpose for connecting people.
The Reconnect Project works with caseworkers, women’s
The Reconnect Project combines the desire to stop usable refuges, homelessness agencies, refugee and asylum
items from going into landfill and provide a device for seeker support services as well as youth outreach programs.
people in need. With her background in Communications In their first 12 months of operation, they have provided
and extensive experience with businesses, Councils and 252 phones, 23 tablets and 26 laptops to people in need.
charities, Annette began The Reconnect Project in 2019 and This includes working with Caseworkers at 21 organisations
founded their workshop in Penshurst. including Parramatta Mission, The Wayside Chapel, the
Women & Girls Emergency Centre and the YWCA.
'I’ve worked in waste and recycling projects for almost 20
years. In 2018, I started looking into the issue for electronic The difference a device can make to a person’s life in such
waste, particularly for mobile devices and the statistics circumstances could mean they are contactable by support
around mobile phones shocked me. In late 2019 I pitched services, have a lifeline for domestic violence help, or have
the idea for The Reconnect Project at a social enterprise access for a young person to complete their studies or apply
crowdfunding event in Parramatta and set up the business for work. It could also mean a connection to the world and
as a not-for-profit, Annette said. their family.
Then in March 2020, it really took off. Covid-19 restrictions The Reconnect Project is a worthy cause with extensive
and social isolation highlighted the need for people to have outreach. Authorised donation stations are also located in
access to mobile devices. Within a week, I had requests for Castle Hill, Marrickville, Paramatta, Windsor, or Zetland.
just over 400 devices from Caseworkers at social service But Annette has said the Georges River community has
agencies - women's refuges, homelessness agencies, played an important part of the work she does.
refugee support services - all asking for help for their clients.
It's just exploded from there.'
'Being able to find like-minded people
Her humble team of three include tech whizz, Gokhan who support the ethos of The Reconnect
Tufan, and content producer and fellow upcycler, Anna Project has been the best part of the
Hope, along with generous volunteers from
the community.
community here. It’s about finding ways
to keep technology in working condition
There are an estimated 23 million mobile phones across and helping people in need. I have some
Australia sitting idly in drawers unused. A combination of
phasing out the old and a desire for the latest model of fabulous volunteers helping with repairs,
phones, laptops and tablets has meant that e-waste remains and it’s great to be part of a community
a growing issue. Australia’s e-waste is growing at three that is actively providing positive
times the rate of any other waste stream.
outcomes.'
That is where Annette and The Reconnect Project step
in. Their Repair Workshop is located right in the heart of
Penshurst. There you can hand in your old devices to At it's May meeting, Georges River Council committed
receive a complete overhaul before they are passed on to to establishing collection boxes at the Customer Service
someone in need. Centres in support of The Reconnect Project.
In early 2021, I opened a repair shopfront in Penshurst. Anyone You can visit The Reconnect Project Repair Workshop at 8
can come and have their mobile phone, tablet, laptop or any The Strand, Penshurst (directly opposite the train station) or
other electrical or electronic device repaired by The Reconnect head to their website at www.thereconnectproject.com.au
Project's Repair Shop. It operates just like any other repair
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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Annette Mayne
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 9
COMMUNITY
Alan Garside
Vale Alan Garside
In May, the Georges River community lost Alan said on the day that he felt honoured to meet with
both Mark and Mayor Greene and for being gifted with a
a Socceroo legend and member of the new Australian jersey. He also shared his love for living
community, Alan Garside. on Wattle Street in Peakhurst for many years and that
it was the best part of his life and the best place he has
Georges River Council Mayor Kevin Greene was lucky ever lived.
enough to meet with the former footballer earlier this year
at Mortdale’s Ferndale Nursing Home with fellow former Mayor Greene expressed his deep condolences for Alan’s
Australian footballer, Mark Bosnich. Alan was a local of family and is saddened by loss of a valuable member to
the Georges River area and a wonderful member of the the Georges River community.
community.
'Alan Garside was a wonderful man with a remarkable
Alan met with Mark and Mayor Greene to be presented record in the soccer community, Mayor Greene said.
with a brand-new Socceroo jersey. After playing his last
international game (called a ‘test match’ back then), Alan 'His goal scoring feats in the early 1950s are astonishing
swapped jerseys with the South African team as a token and it is easy to see why he represented Australia for four
of appreciation. However, Alan always feared that he years straight.
would never have an Australian jersey again.
Georges River feels privileged to have had this
Alan was able to have his dream fulfilled when he was outstanding man as part of our community.’
presented with this new jersey. His former player number
‘9’ and name were also printed on the back.
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2021 It’s a Mood - Chess Day
Kogarah Town Square
Young, old, experienced and novice. Our local St George Leagues Club, Chess Club Captain,
That was the calibre of our 2021 It’s A Mood Charles Zworestine took out the top prize with medals and
trophies awarded to other age groups and categories.
Chess Day participants.
Big thanks to our event sponsor Home Instead Inner
Over 70 people from our local community and surrounds South West for helping the day become a success. Given
joined in the Georges River Council Chess Day held on the great achievement of the event, it is hoped the Chess
Saturday 24 April 2021. Day will become an annual feature on the Georges River
Council event calendar.
The day saw Kogarah Town Square come alive with a 6
round, Swiss style tournament, large chess board for kids
and social tables for passers-by. The event was bubbling
with tension, concentration and laughs and was a great
example of community participation across ages and
diverse backgrounds.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 11COMMUNITY
Author Gary Lonesborough
What’s
Our Homegrown Living program focuses on sustainable
and natural ideas for living, as well as topics to keep you,
your family and your home healthy. Over winter we have
happening at
organised a range of workshops that will get you creating
edible and medicinal gardens and upcycling old kitchenware
to use in your garden.
your library?
If art and craft is more your thing, come along to one of our
Get Crafty classes. There we will get you making macramé
pot hangers, creating a unique bullet journal to track your
past, organise the present and plan for your future, or
construct some unique sculptures using books.
For Pride Month this year we are very excited to have
Indigenous author Gary Lonesborough who will have an
When was the last time you visited your in-conversation about his young adult book, The Boy from
the Mish. Or come to our Drag Queen Story Time with
local library? If you haven’t been to a Charisma Belle.
library in years then you will be pleasantly
surprised to find a vibrant community hub Starting in June, we have a series of six online fiction writing
workshops with Keith Whelan. Each month Keith will focus
that provides opportunities to learn new on a different aspect of writing whether that is creating
skills and encourage lifelong learning. We characters, developing dialogue or setting the scene that
will motivate and inspire you to put that pen to paper.
support literacy from birth and develop
programs and services to support a range For more information and to book into these events please
of formal and informal learning across go to /www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/Community/What-s-On
................................................................................................
generations. And just as importantly, we
provide social spaces where people can The library runs a range of programs for babies to seniors at
meet and connect with others, offering all our branches. From book clubs, to knitting groups, code
club and English classes. We have you covered! To find
opportunities for social and cultural something that suits your interests visit our library website
participation. at georgesriver.spydus.com and click on ‘Programs and
Events’ for further information.
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Book Week - August 21 to 27
Old Worlds, New Worlds,
Other Worlds
Dress up in a book-inspired costume and join us to celebrate
Book Week 2021 with a presentation of the Book of the Year
shortlisted titles at Story Time. Vote for your favourite story and
make some craft inspired by this year’s theme: Old Worlds, New
Worlds, Other Worlds!
Bookings essential. For session times and bookings visit
georgesriverlibraries.eventbrite.com
The Georges River Libraries July school holiday program is
perfect for technology buffs and curious minds. Your children can
learn how to code, play with robots, and create artwork using
virtual reality technology. Bookings open Monday 14 June, 2021.
Local Community
Enjoying Extended Trial
Library Opening Hours
The Georges River community is enjoying the new library
opening hours, after Council extended the opening time for three
libraries on a trial basis.
The extension was made following initial community consultation
and Council continues to listen to the community’s feedback.
The initial three-month trial period, which was due to end in
early May, has been extended until 31 July 2021 to measure the
usage of the lengthened opening hours.
Council’s two central libraries continue to operate at their usual
hours, accommodating the needs of the wider community.
Hurstville Library is open 9.00am-8.00pm on weekdays and
10.00am-4.00pm on weekends. Clive James Library Kogarah
is open 9.00am-6.00pm on weekdays, 10.00am-4.00pm on
Saturday and 10.00am-1.00pm on Sunday.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 13ART AND CULTURE
Our Journeys | Our Stories
我们的历程 | 我们的故事
Hurstville Museum & Gallery
24 July – 13 October 2021
悉尼南城好市围博物馆和美术馆
2021年7月24日 — 10月13日
Our Journeys | Our Stories explores
the Chinese migration history of the
Georges River area, interweaving
social and cultural history with the
work of contemporary Chinese-
Australian artists Cindy Yuen-Zhe
Chen, Guo Jian, Lindy Lee, Xiao Lu,
Jason Phu, and Guan Wei.
The exhibition aims to highlight and celebrate the
significance of local Chinese migration from the
19th century through to the 2000s and the ongoing
contribution of the Chinese community to the
Georges River area.
Featuring oral histories and objects from both
cultural institutions and private collections, the
combination of historical material, personal stories
and artistic interpretation reflects on and expresses
a shared cultural heritage.
Hurstville Museum & Gallery has received two
significant grants which have made this exhibition
possible. Create NSW have provided funding to
commission contemporary Chinese-Australian artists
to create works for inclusion in the exhibition. The
National Foundation for Australia-China Relations
has also provided a grant to support the exhibition’s
catalogue, bi-lingual translations and oral history
online platform. Both grants have enabled a
demonstration to strengthen understanding and
Golden headgear for an Emperor (c. 1970s-80s), Opera
performance headpiece, fabric, metal, plastic, metallic mesh,
promote connections between Australia and China.
faux jewels and pearls, tassels. Private collection, Sydney.
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Guan Wei, Georges River, acrylic on board, 175 x 208 x 3.5 cm (1-4 panels) 2021. Tiy Sing stencil template for produce boxes (c. 1910),
Georges River Libraries Local Studies collection.
华人历史文艺展《我们的历程 | 我们的故事
（Our Journeys | Our Stories）》追述了悉尼南
城乔治河地区华人移民史，通过当代澳籍华裔艺
术家关伟、李林迪（Lindy Lee）、肖鲁、符子龙
（Jason Phu）、曾苑慈（Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen）
、郭健等的新创作品体现在澳旅居华裔的社会和文
化历史。
该展旨在体现和弘扬自19世纪至2000年代的漫长岁月里，悉尼
南城乔治河地区华裔移民推动整个悉尼建设和发展所起到的重要作
用，及其长期以来对本地区所作出的贡献。 The Our Journeys | Our Stories exhibition
is supported by the National Foundation for
展藏口述记忆录音和历史物品均来自悉尼各大文化机构和私人 Australia-China Relations.
收藏。所涉及的历史资料、个人历程、艺术创作也都完美地融合在
了一起，彰显五湖四海同根同族的炎黄子孙传承下来的中华文明底
蕴。
好市围博物馆&美术馆因本次主题展览荣获来自州级和联邦级政
府的两项重大支持：新南威尔士州政府创意部（Create NSW）拨
款征集澳籍华裔艺术家参与创作；澳大利亚外交部澳中关系国家基
金会（National Foundation for Australia-China Relations）也为
该展的推行、展录出版、双语译文以及华人口述历史在线平台开发 Our Journeys | Our Stories
等出资辅助。两项拨款均为澳中两国双边互通、交流提供了有力推 is supported by the NSW
动，从而拉近了两国间的距离。 Government through Create NSW.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 15ART AND CULTURE
Stephanie Magiros
Striving for Gold:
Olympians of St George
In the lead up to the Tokyo Summer Olympic INSIDE THE EXHIBITION
Games, Striving for gold portrays Olympians Test your skills
Do you have what it takes to be an Olympian? Find your
of the St George area. Their stories and inner sports star and try your hand at swimming, athletics,
memorabilia provide a personal insight into canoeing and more!
past Olympic Games, reflecting on social
Make your own Olympic pin
and sporting history from the early 1900s to Make a memory of your visit to Striving for gold: Olympians
present day. of St George by creating your own Olympic style pin.
Come to one of our many programs celebrating this Live the dream
exhibition! Step on to the podium and live the dream of an Olympian!
Have you won bronze, silver or gold?
BABY EXPLORERS
Bring your baby to the Museum & Gallery and enjoy a For more information please contact Hurstville Museum &
guided tour of Striving for gold. Suitable for babies up to the Gallery on (02) 9330 6444 or
age of 12 months. museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Wednesday 14 July 2021, 10.15am-11.30am
$4.00 per adult participant. Babies are free. Programs can be booked online at
Bookings essential. www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/HMG
or visit us at the Museum & Gallery service desk.
FAMILY FUN DAY – ‘MINI OLYMPICS’
Join us for an open day for the whole family, with guided Please note: Payments must be made at the time of
tours, story time, mini-Olympic competitions, modern booking. Events and activities with a cost may incur
interactive games and craft activities. small booking fees and surcharges depending on your
Saturday 3 July 2021, 10.30am-2.00pm payment method. No refunds for cancellations or missed
Free. All welcome. bookings.
REMEMBER WHEN…? Striving for gold: Olympians of St George will run until
Interactive guided tours of the Striving for gold exhibition. 18 July 2021 at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.
$4.00 per adult participant.
Book your group and arrange your guided tour.
Bookings essential.
16 | READ ONLINE AT WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AUGEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Table tennis tables add
vibrancy to local parks
Pole Depot Park tennis table by Keith Stanley.
Georges River Council recently installed Stanley also worked with Jennifer Tyler from the Headspace
Youth Advocate Group (YAG) to design characters for the
two new outdoor table tennis tables at tables. Together, they designed a cockatoo and spider,
Peakhurst Park and Pole Depot Park. both in space helmets playing video games to symbolise
staying connected with friends and family, an artistic eel
Artist, Keith Stanley, was commissioned by Council to paint representing partaking in new hobbies, and a martial artist
bright and colourful designs on both tables to bring a sense turtle, symbolising maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
of fun and creativity to the tables and surrounding park
landscape. Stanley was inspired by the Georges River and The table tennis tables form part of a growing collection of
has included a blue stream of water down the middle of both public artworks that Council has commissioned since the
designs. The artworks feature surreal underwater and solar adoption of the Create Georges River Cultural Strategy
system scenes. Stanley commented that "the design of blue 2019 and Public Art Policy in 2020. Council’s aim for
stream in my artwork represents the Georges River, while installing public art is to revitalise the urban environment
the characters represent space, clarity and insight". with colour, texture, creativity and cultural engagement. The
table tennis tables are a permanent feature and Council
hopes they will bring enjoyment to all in the community.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 17ART AND CULTURE
Inside the
Hurstville
Museum
& Gallery
collection
One of Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s newest additions to our
collection are a set of chairs believed to be connected to Rafael &
Moyia Kowron, founding members of Oatley Flora & Fauna Society
and valued members of the Oatley Amateur Swimming Club.
Rafael and Moyia Kowron moved to West Oatley in the 1950s and
became interested in preserving the natural bushland in the area.
They established the Oatley Flora & Fauna Society in 1955 and
organised community events, including free film nights, to encourage
community engagement and attract new members. They retired from
the committee in the 1960s.
In later years, they were active members of the Oatley Amateur
Swimming Club, which had been founded in 1927. The Annual
General Meeting reports regularly mention both Rafael & Moyia
as committee members elected to posts such as Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer from the 1980s-2000s.
These mid-century chairs were likely used in the clubhouse on
Woonona Parade, during the many social events that took place
after the swimming events each week. Based on the club's journal,
the nicknames painted on the chairs may date to c.1985. The social
secretary of that year, Barry Whitcombe, wrote a list of some of the
members and gave them nicknames and a small explanation. Rafael
is listed as ‘Sticks’, which is painted on the red chair, due to his slim
physique and preference for swimming backstroke. The second chair
refers to Moyia as ‘Dance Queen’, which may be a reference to the
parties held by the club.
The Hurstville Museum & Gallery team would love to hear from
anyone in the community that has any information about these chairs.
Please email museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.
18 | READ ONLINE AT WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AUGEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Sofie Dieu, Beyond reflection, drawing-photo on paper, 2021.
Dragon's Lair Gallery
At Hurstville Museum & Gallery we have an exciting line up Local Art Prize in 2019 with her work The Board (Series 4).
of Dragon’s Lair Gallery exhibitions planned throughout the Trajkovski’s exhibition While you were sleeping includes
winter months, featuring the works of Sofie Dieu, Rebecca works spanning from 2017 to today. Trajkovski painted
Trajkovski and Venessa Possum. These exhibitions will these artworks at home on her kitchen bench while on
showcase each artist’s unique and compelling artistic styles maternity leave and as her son slept. This exhibition will be
through their latest artworks. on display 12 June to 4 July 2021.
Past Georges River Artist in Residence, Sofie Dieu, presents As a Dharug-Dharawal woman, Venessa Possum travels
Water Memory, Tale of a Rippling Mirror, her new body of work throughout her homelands as experiential research to
created during her residency at Carss Park. Dieu was inspired produce a diverse oeuvre of gestural painting, drawing,
by the waterways and the ecosystem of the Georges River to collage, frottage, photography and video as installations.
interpret the work of Japanese scientist, Dr Masaru Emoto. She used her residency to conduct site specific research of
This exhibition will be on display 15 May to 6 June 2021. the Georges River and create works that will be presented
in her exhibition Nangamay dreams. This exhibition will be
For Dieu and Possum, their exhibitions will be an opportunity on display 10 July to 1 August 2021.
to share the work they have created as a part of the Georges
River Artist in Residence program, For Trajkovski, this solo
exhibition was awarded to her for winning the Georges River
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 19LOCAL HISTORY The Battle of Crete (I Mahi Tis Kritis, Μάχη της Κρήτης) Bdr Charles Leaver. AWM photo PO2466.039 20 | READ ONLINE AT WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AU
GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Eighty years ago, on 20 May 1941, Nazi
Germany launched an airborne invasion
of the island of Crete. They expected to be
welcomed by the locals, and to meet little allied
resistance, but they were very wrong.
Along with Greek soldiers and the people of Crete, Australian,
New Zealand, Indian and British troops fiercely defended the
island. The battle lasted thirteen days, but the bonds formed
between the Cretans and the Anzacs were enduring.
A number of men from the Georges River area fought in the
battle. Nearly 300 Australians were killed in action and over
1,000 were wounded; and 3,100 Australians, mostly from
the infantry battalions were taken prisoner of war by the
Germans. Those who were taken prisoner had to endure
great privation for the remainder of the war. The people of
Crete put up strong resistance to German occupation, and
30,000 of them died during the course of the war.
Among those who gave their lives was Kogarah man,
Bombardier Charles James Leaver, of the 2/3rd Field
Regiment, who was killed in action on 27 May 1941, aged 26.
He grew up in Ocean Street, Kogarah, where his mother still
lived. He is remembered on the Athens Memorial at Phaleron
Cemetery.
The wounded included Gunner Ronald Dixon, of Carlton, a
former pupil of Hurstville Central Technical School.
Herbert Doig, 1926
Many local men who served in Greece and Crete are legion,
most of whom had previously fought in North Africa. A number
were taken prisoner of war, including Private Roy Bowmaker
of Lugarno who had previously fought in Libya and Greece;
Corporal Alston Fowler of Hurstville; Private Norman Freeberg
of Penshurst; Private Lionel Paynter, Corporal Frank Collins, Warrant-Officer Herbert Doig, who had been Hurstville
and brothers Sydney and Walter Malcolm of Hurstville. They Council’s Health Inspector before the war, was involved
were to spend four years in a Stalag before liberation in in setting up military sanitation on the island, and was
1945. Driver William Illingworth, a resident of Ramsgate, was mentioned in despatches for his efforts in fighting both
imprisoned and repatriated in 1944. disease and the enemy. On his return to Hurstville in May
1942, he was interviewed by the Propeller newspaper.
Other local men who were involved in the Crete campaign Referring to the hasty reinforcement of the island by allied
were able to escape, with the help of locals who faced the troops, he stated “Some of the men landed there without
danger of savage reprisals from the Nazis. They included even so much as a hat, and they nicknamed the place ‘The
Private Rupert Brooks of Penshurst, Private Keith Thompson Island of Doomed Men’, such was their plight”.
of Kogarah and Alfred Hawkins of Oatley. Driver John
Glossop, of Forest Road had previously been wounded At Rethymno on Crete, where Australian and local forces
in World War One. Following his escape, Captain R J F held back the German paratroopers in May 1941, the local
McIntosh, whose parents lived at Hurstville, retuned to community erected a memorial to commemorate the event.
Australia to marry in 1942. A plaque on the memorial records every major Australian
unit that fought the Germans on the island. In Canberra, the
Corporal Walter Leslie Bowman, another to escape, was Australia Hellenic Memorial, a Doric column representing
awarded the George Medal for gallantry displayed at Tobruk. civilization, is at the top of Anzac Parade, close to the
He was a former resident of Hurstville, whose sister was Mrs Australian War Memorial, and commemorates all who died
Barter, of Barter’s department store in Forest Road. in the Allied campaigns in Greece and Crete in 1941.
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 21LOCAL HISTORY
Street parade, Mort’s Road, 1920, open-air picture show in background
What’s in a name?
Mortdale
The name ‘Mortdale’ commemorates the
innovative businessman Thomas Sutcliffe
Mort, who acquired a large land-holding
in the area in the 1850s. Mort’s land was Headmaster and teachers of Mortdale Public School, 1924
subdivided into small farms and orchards,
straddling either side of ‘Mort’s Road’. An open-air picture show, in the vicinity of present-day
60 Morts Road, brought cinema to Mortdale from 1915
The face of Mortdale transformed with the arrival of W G onwards. Although its days were numbered when the
Judd’s Hurstville Steam Brick Company. Judd’s brickwork glamorous air-conditioned Paramount Theatre opened
was the dominant industry in Mortdale for many years, and in 1929.
its chimneys stood out over the suburb until their demolition
in 1973. The Oatley Senior Campus of Georges River From 1908, Mortdale had its own Fire Station, manned
College now stands on the site of the brickworks. by volunteers who earned half-a-crown for every call-out.
Its engine was drawn by horses, which cropped a nearby
With the arrival of the Illawarra Railway, the suburb of paddock when they were off-duty. It remains Sydney’s oldest
Mortdale began to take shape. A post office and public operational volunteer fire brigade.
school both opened in 1889. The first Mortdale Station
had to wait until 1897, to be replaced in 1922 by the
current platform.
Did You Know…? Renown Park was
Shops grew up along Morts Road and Pitt Street. Daniel named after the naval battlecruiser HMS
Saltwell’s Hotel in The Avenue opened in 1895, and its
license was transferred in 1930 to the new Mortdale Hotel in
Renown, which brought the Prince of
George Street. Wales to Australia on a visit in 1920.
22 | READ ONLINE AT WWW.GEORGESRIVER.NSW.GOV.AUGEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
What's on
16 JUNE 2021 29 JULY 2021
Artist in residence: Art making National Tree Day - Evatt Park
in Carss Park National Tree Day is a call to action for
105 Carwar Ave, Carss Park all Australians to put their hands in the
10.00am-12.00pm earth and give back to their community.
Join our current artist in residence,
Sandra Winkworth, for a series of free 1 AUGUST 2021
art making classes at Carss Bush Park. National Tree Day - Gannons
Park
19 JUNE 2021 National Tree Day is a call to action for
TechWaste Drop Off all Australians to put their hands in the
100 Roberts Ave, Mortdale earth and give back to their community.
9.00am-12.00pm
Get rid of your tech waste for FREE at 7 AUGUST 2021
the Georges River Council TechWaste TechWaste Drop Off
Drop Off! Currently scheduled 100 Roberts Ave, Mortdale
each Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm 9.00am-3.30pm
(excluding public Holidays) up until the Get rid of your tech waste for FREE at
end of June. Proposed times thereafter the Georges River Council TechWaste
will be on a quarterly basis. Drop Off! Scheduled each quarter at
9.00am to 3.30pm.
25 JUNE 2021
Get Crafty 22 AUGUST 2021
Macramé Pot Hanger - Adults Dragons Vs Roosters
Clive James Library, Kogarah Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
10.00am-12.00pm 2.00pm
Come and join Bec from Becsknots
in Sydney to create your very own
stunning macramé plant hanger.
1 SEPTEMBER 2021
Wattle Walk
Carss Busk Park
3 JULY 2021
9.00am-11.00am
Family fun day – ‘mini Olympics’ Celebrate Wattle Day with a guided
Hurstville Museum & Gallery Wattle Walk through Carss Bush Park.
14 MacMahon St, Hurstville
Join us for an open day for the whole
family.
12 SEPTEMBER 2021
Bushcare Big Day Out
Bald Face Point Reserve, Blakehurst
14 JULY 2021
9.00am-12.00pm
Baby Explorers Join us to celebrate Bushcare Big Day
Hurstville Museum & Gallery Out in 2021 by planting native species
14 MacMahon St, Hurstville at Bald Face Point Reserve.
10.30am-11.00am
Join a tour of the current Main Gallery
exhibition with your baby.
19 SEPTEMBER 2021
Chemical Clean Out
100 Roberts Ave, Mortdale
25 JULY 2021
9.00am to 3.30pm
Dragons Vs Titans Get rid of your chemical waste for
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. FREE at the Georges River Council
2.00pm
COMMUNITY | WINTER EDITION 2021 | 23Blakehurst Hurstville Kogarah Bay Mortdale Peakhurst
Sam Elmir Vince Badalati Stephen Agius Con Hindi Kevin Greene
0410 654 310 0411 745 255 Deputy Mayor 0408 383 783 Mayor
selmir vbadalati 0419 556 023 chindi 9330 6020
@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au sagius @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au kgreene
@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Sandy Grekas Nancy Liu Nick Katris Lou Konjarski Rita Kastanias
0424 617 831 0400 681 188 0419 402 191 0421 188 896 0416 009 695
sgrekas nliu nkatris Lkonjarski rkastanias
@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Kathryn Landsberry Christina Wu Leesha Payor Warren Tegg Colleen Symington
0419 984 934 0400 241 851 0419 616 898 0427 671 666 0409 546 202
klandsberry cwu lpayor wtegg csymington
@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au @georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
Calendar of Council Meetings
In accordance with resolution of Council, all Ordinary Council Meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of each month 28 June 2021
at Georges River Civic Centre, cnr Dora and MacMahon Streets Hurstville, commencing at 7.00pm. Extraordinary Council 26 July 2021
meetings are called when required 23 August 2021
After-hours Customer Service Penshurst Library
available at: 630 Forest Road, Penshurst
Hurstville Library Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Phone: 9330 6400
Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
24 hours, 7 days a week Hurstville Library
www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au Corner Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville
Council Libraries opening hours:
georgesrivercouncil Monday to Friday 9.00am – 8.00pm
f grcouncil Clive James Library Kogarah Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
i Georges River Council Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street,
y mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au Kogarah Oatley Library
& Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm 26 Letitia Street, Oatley
Monday to Friday 11am – 5pm
Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm
Georges River Civic Centre Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville Sunday Closed
Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
Clive James Council Service Centre
Kogarah South Hurstville Library
Clive James Library and Service Centre Corner of Short and Allen Streets,
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street South Hurstville
Saturday Closed
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday 11am – 5pm
Sunday Closed
Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 1.00pm Sunday ClosedYou can also read
