TWiSK #402
Three new exhibitions @ Linden
Monument returns @ Red Stitch
Murder most foul tour @ St Kilda Cemetery
John O’Donnell & Josephine Vains @ All Saints
The Chuck Berry Revue @ Espy Basement
Ralph McTell (UK) @ National
In-home aged care services face the axe
Council vote this Wednesday
700 clients impacted
45 jobs could be lost
$1.81M in redundancy costs
Scroll down for full details
Angel Monster @ Theatre Works
Until Saturday 24 February, 7.30 pm
Sex, consent, violence and empowerment crash-tackle together in a full-femme-full-bodied conversation where the agenda is Equality, Ownership and Individuality.
Direct from a smash hit season at Edinburgh Fringe, this is raw, visceral confessional powerful dance from one of Queenslands’s most prolific award-winning dance-theatre artists. Angel Monster is a portrait, a requiem and a call to arms for angels and monsters alike. $45/$35
Tix
Monument @ Red Stitch
Discount previews Tuesday 20 February and Wednesday 21 February only, 6.30 pm
Season Thursday 22 February – Sunday 10 March
After a successful season last year, Emily Sheehan’s play Monument is back at Red Stitch. With an astute and entertaining script, Monument challenges the trivialisation of beauty therapy, exploring the role that makeup and fashion play in how we perceive and receive women in power.
Readers are invited to beat the rush and book preview tickets for just $30
Info and tix
Russell Howard Live @ Palais
Wednesday 21 February and Thursday 22 February, 8 pm
“One of the world’s top comedians” (Sunday Times)?$91
Tix
The Deserters (Delsinki & Brooke Taylor) @ George Lane
Friday 23 February, 7.00 pm – 10.30 pm
Brooke Taylor and Delsinki under the moniker ‘The Deserters’.
Tix
Saxon Sound (UK) @ The Prince
Friday 23 February, 10 pm
“This night will be a Dubplate exhibition.” $35
Tix
Luka Bloom @ Memo
Friday 23 February and Saturday 24 February
Two sold out gigs.
Three new exhibitions @ Linden
From Saturday 24 February – 19 May; Clay Matters until 24 March
Opening event: Friday 23 February, 6 pm – 8.30 pm
Jill Orr > The Promised Land Refigured
An exhibition that reworks the original project created in 2012.
This new series, a sculptural and photographic installation, builds on the original, and explores a new wave of movement by sea. Framed by the impact of Australia’s policy of turning back asylum seekers who arrive by boat,
Aaron Christopher Rees > Mirage
Mirage sees the Linden Atrium spaces immersed in a red spectrum of light through the use of photographic filters.
Clay Matters > Facts Of Matter
A group exhibition co-presented by Linden Projects Space and Climarte.
Info
26 Acland Street
Shells of the Bay @ Shakespeare Grove Platform
Saturday 24 February, 11 am – 1 pm
The EcoCentre invite the vibrant Indian community and others to explore the beauty of the beach and its marine life.
Led by Malvika, the Multicultural Bay Ambassador, you will do a shell survey, exploring the world of molluscs along our shoreline.
Register
40 Jacka Blvd
Dr Rob Vs @ Theatre Works
Saturday 24 February, 2 pm
A new podcast about Australian Theatre recorded live in front of a foyer/cafe audience, this episode is
Dr Rob Vs. Independent Theatre. $10
Tix
Mark Sinton @ George Lane Matinee Sessions
Saturday 24 February, 3 pm – 6 pm
Melbourne-based singer/songwriter Mark Sinton is returning to music after a lengthy sabbatical.
Tix
The Modfathers @ George Lane
Saturday 24 February, 7.30 pm – 11.00 pm
Music that started it all from 1964 to 1984. The Mod & Mod revival. The Jam, Joe Jackson, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Specials and more.
Tix
Ralph McTell (UK) @ National
Saturday 24 February, 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm
Ralph McTell will be armed with his guitar and the much-loved songs from his illustrious career that spans over six decades. $77/$76
Tix
Murder most foul and other misadventures @ St Kilda Cemetery
Sunday 25 February, 1.45 pm for 2.00 pm start
A fascinating tour tracing misadventures including workplace accidents, suicide and killing of a policeman. $5 members, $15 non-members
RSVP to Geoff at gkp@netspace.net.au or phone 0448 740 195
Sturdy footwear needed.
John O’Donnell (piano) & Josephine Vains (cello) @ All Saints
Sunday 25 February, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Gabriel Fauré, Sonata No. 2 in G minor, op. 117
Johannes Brahms, Sonata in D, op. 78
Full price: $25 / Concession: $20
Tix at door or www.trybooking.com/COZTF
The Chuck Berry Revue @ Espy Basement
Sunday 25 February, 6 pm
A homage to the music of Chuck Berry, fronted by passionate showman Rick ‘Hoey’ Bell. This rocking quartet digs deep into the Berry songbook revealing many sides of the musical legend from jazzy blues, country & Tin Pan Alley pop to Latin grooves & Chess label 12 bar blues. Free
Next week
Monday 26 February – Sunday 3 March
St Kilda Blues Festival
Three days of free music in local venues
Friday 1 March – Sunday 3 March
Click here for complete gig list
Street parade with Hoodo Mayhem
Acland Street Saturday 6.30 pm | Fitzroy Street Sunday 3.30 pm
Dry Land @ Theatre Works Explosives Factory
Wednesday 28 February – Saturday 9 March, 7.30 pm
Dry Land by Ruby Rae Spiegel is an unflinching play about reproductive rights, the resilience and intimacy of young women, and what happens in a girls’ change room after a high school swimming pool has closed.
Amy is a striking teenager with rough edges and harsh eyeliner. On the precipice of adulthood and with dreams of being a writer, Amy has the chance to make a future for herself beyond her infamous reputation at high school. But when she faces an unplanned pregnancy, Amy must seek help from her teammate Ester, an awkward but talented swimmer with as many secrets as Amy.
Tix
Every Lovely Terrible Thing @ Theatre Works
Thursday 29 February – Saturday 16 March, 7.30 pm (some matinees)
A universal tale of love, courage and intergenerational trauma, this darkly comedic new Australian play boldly examines why families stay together – and what happens when they can’t.
Step inside the tumultuous world of the Colemans as they prepare to take on their greatest adversary yet: Themselves.
Tix
Neil Murray & his band @ Memo
Friday 1 March, 7 pm
Maverick song man Neil Murray was a founding member of the pioneering Warumpi Band, which in the 1980’s penetrated mainstream Australia with the iconic anthems My Island Home and Blackfella Whitefella. $50/$39
Tix
The Sound of Music @ National
Saturday 2 March – Sunday 18 March, 7.30 pm and some matinees
Inclusive theatre enthusiasts present one of the most beloved musicals of all time! $68
Tix
Musical Theatre Rave: Broadway @ The Prince
Saturday 2 March, 8 pm
Live performers will take you from the heart-wrenching ballads of “Les Misérables” to the high-energy beats of “Mamma Mia”, with show-stopping numbers in between.
Join in the excitement with our lip-sync battles, or dance the night away as our DJ spins the best of Broadway. $32
Tix
Clean up Community Event @ Marine Reserve near St Kilda Skate Park
Sunday 3 March, 9 am – 10.30 am
Help keep our city beautiful and prevent litter reaching the bay.
Register
Paul Tabone – Viva Pavarotti! @ Memo
Sunday 3 March, 3 pm
Experience the power and passion of one of the greatest opera singers of all time with a special performance honouring the late Luciano Pavarotti. Featuring special guests, Veneto Club Choir. $45 / $35
Tix
Plan ahead
Mussel & Jazz Festival @ South Melbourne Market
Saturday 9 March and Sunday 10 March
Saturday Jazz
11 am – Noria and the Parisians (2 sets)
1 pm – Jen Salisbury Trio (2 sets)
3 pm – Miss Lizzy & The Night Owls (2 sets)
5 pm – Joys Jambi
6 pm – Elvis
7 pm – The Jackson Combo (2 sets)
Sunday Jazz
11 am – Hoodoo Mayhem (2 sets)
1 pm – The Bluetone Assembly (2 sets)
3 pm – Margie Lou Dyer (2 sets)
5 pm – Steve Sedergreen Trio (2 sets)
7 pm – Adam Rudegeair (2 sets)
Info
MICF The Gala @ Palais
Wednesday 20 March, 8 pm
Comedy Festival Gala always sells out – hurry $193+
Tix
GP Formula 1 @ Albert Park
Thursday 21 March – Sunday 24 March
All the usual zoom zoom and boom boom
Info
In-home aged care exit looms
Council officers recommend ending in-home aged care services
Support to 700 residents could end by September
45 staff redundancies with $1.81M in pay outs
Decision will be made on Wednesday (21 February)
Council is set to vote to exit in-home aged care support services by September this year.
This decision will end services to over 700 residents and result in the loss of 45 jobs (requiring $1.81M in redundancy payments).
Services that will end include domestic assistance, personal care, respite care, individual shopping assistance, property maintenance and home modifications.
These services were provided by Council staff funded by Federal and State grants. They help people to stay in their homes as they age.
From Council to “Village”
The decision to reduce these Council services began in February last year with a review of aged care. This review recommended a so-called Village model of service where a Council Community Connector service links older people into services, supports and programs they need within the “village”.
The Council paperwork is unclear about the staffing of this service, but the well-informed Older Persons Advisory Committee has warned that the proposed single staff member would be insufficient to support over 650 clients with transition.
Consultation ignored alternatives
During the consultation with clients, care staff and others last year, Council offered the Village model as the only an option.
The “stay in” option was never offered or considered in the consultation.
No reply to union offer
TWiSK can reveal that the Australian Services Union (ASU), representing the staff, proposed a range of options and offered to present more information.
They received no reply from Council.
Exit would be disappointing says Josh Burns MP
Local MP Josh Burns told TWiSK that the Federal Government wants providers to remain in service provision and stands ready to assist in maintaining those services.
“If Council decides to exit those services, it’s obviously disappointing but ultimately a matter for Council. Regardless, the Albanese Government will continue to reform aged care services to ensure people are supported to live with dignity and security,” he said.
We need a wheelchair and walking stick lobby says devastated client
St Kilda resident and in-home care recipient Martin Kingham told TWiSK he was devastated by the proposed changes.
‘Living alone after a series of heart attacks and other chronic health problems, the Council services have been a tremendous support,’ he said.
‘I’m not looking forward to having to find private providers, I’ve heard it can take many months,’ he said.
But alarmingly, Martin said he was not surprised by the Council’s exit plans.
‘It’s been an open secret that council was looking to get out of in-home care since I joined over two years ago,’ he said.
‘Staff have told me they were being encouraged to look for other jobs and staff who left were not being replaced,’ he recalled.
Yikes. That’s concerning because it indicates that Council was preparing to exit before the official decision.
Why the hurry? Elections maybe?
Community advocates, including Progressive Port Phillip have questioned the urgency of the decision, especially given the extended 2027 date for the Federal funding change over.
However, support for the change seems to span the political divide in Council.
As reported previously, both Labor Cr Peter Martin and RoPP Cr Christina Sirakoff spoke in support of the change at the last council meeting.
With council elections due this October, are the officers keen to get out of in-home aged care before the councillors change over?
Will this Council’s legacy be the end of aged care services to services to 700 people and axe 45 jobs?
We may find out on Wednesday.
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Greg Day
Happy to chat anytime 0418 345 829
Content suggestions and community questions are always welcome.
gday@archives.gdaystkilda.com.au
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