Monday 25 May – Sunday 31 May

#216

Reconciliation Week @ TWiSK

Don’t let COVID-19 reduce your resolve to seek reconciliation with our first nations people during National Reconciliation Week 27 May – 3 June.
The theme this year is aptly “In This Together”
Take a few moments This Week in St Kilda to acknowledge the the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung and pay your respect to their Elders, both past, present and emerging.
You might enjoy reading Yalukit Willam: The River People of Port Phillip for an interesting snapshot of local history.
Pictured above: Judith ‘Aunty Jacko’ Jackson, a Gunggari woman and Elder.

Creative project for kids and kids at heart

Entries close Monday 1 June by email
Win one of two family day passes to Luna Park (valued $150 each)
Draw a picture, write a poem, take a photo, make a short movie, tell a story.
Topic: “My ‘iso’ in St Kilda”
Two age categories: Under 12 and 13 + including grown ups
More info and entry form

Arts Rescue Grants closing 8 June @ Port Phillip
Grants, art acquisition and funding for virtual exhibitions are part of the $180K available to local artists and creative businesses from Council.
That’s $30K more than reported last week, with the extra cash for acquisitions to the Council art collection.
Grants are up to and between $4,000 and $8,000 depending on the category.
You better hurry, applications close 8 June.
More info

Budget blues @ Council
Last Monday, Council held a second community budget Q&A session. It repeated much of the previous briefing but included some very interesting new information and the welcome participation of Port Phillip CEO Peter Smith.
New economic modelling was presented that painted a bleak picture for the upcoming June Quarter, with local domestic product set to fall by 24% (compared to 17% statewide), with local jobs down 14% and resident employment down 13%. Ouch.
Link to the full 1 hour plus Q&A session

Voluntary pay freeze for senior staff @ Port Phillip

From the budget Q&A 18 May
During the Q&A, Mr Smith revealed that all senior council officers had agreed to forgo their next scheduled pay increase.
TWiSK was curious about this, so we asked Council who was included and how much would be saved. Here is their answer in full.
“The freeze applies to all senior officers and senior executive officers whose remuneration is not covered within the Enterprise Agreement. There are roughly 60 people impacted and the saving is roughly $200,000”.
Listen to an audio excerpt of Peter explaining the executive pay freeze

TWiSK budget bite #1
Last week we promised more details of proposed cuts to the Public Toilet Plan.
Here are the implications for St Kilda …

Even longer wait for public toilet @ Fitzroy Street

If proposed budget cuts go ahead, the long-promised* public toilet in Fitzroy Street will be shelved until 22/23 at the earliest. The $240K previously set aside for the ‘portable/temporary amenity’ on Fitzroy is to be ditched as part of a $16M COVID-19 budget saving plan.
Another planned toilet in Edwards Park (Port Melbourne) has also been cut.
But even after the cuts, Council will still spend $740K on public toilets 20/21, including $250K each for facilities at Sandbar Café and Waterfront Place.
Elsewhere in St Kilda, toilet funds will still flow for relief from the disgusting Exeloo in Shakespeare Grove, with $160K to provide temporary facilities until new public toilets are available in the redeveloped The Vineyard.
*Residents with long memories may recall that a new public toilet was first promised by Council in 2007.
That’s a long while to hold on!
See Port Phillip website for more info – it’s a sad glimpse into the past

Next week’s budget bite topic …
$630K being cut from Public Space Security Improvements
by deferring lower priority sites to 2021/22.
We ask what projects are getting priority, which are being deferred, and why?
Watch this space
Happy to hear your concerns
List of budget cuts | List of service cuts

Economic stimulus and business forum @ love my place

Online Tuesday 2 June, 2 pm – 4 pm.
Hear from Government and industry experts in an interactive session about stimulating local business.
Speakers include:
Bernadene Voss, Mayor of the City of Port Phillip
Senator the Hon Jane Hume, on behalf of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
Barbara Cullen, Director of Small Business Victoria
Felicia Mariani, CEO of Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)
Paul Guerra, CEO of Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)
Steve Bentley, Vice President of MainStreet Australia
Peter Smith, CEO of the City of Port Phillip
Register

Here’s a question on notice from TWiSK for the business forum:
Port Phillip, and St Kilda in particular, has taken a profound and massive hit with the perfect storm of restrictions in hospo, tourism, recreation and arts. What options are open to Council to support or stimulate these sectors? And particularly for Port Phillip CEO Peter Smith, does he believe the Council has the expertise needed to provide the necessary leadership to help the hard hit sectors recover and thrive?

Climate Emergency Community Forum #3 @ Zoom
Wednesday 27 May, 5 pm
Council is hosting free online interactive sessions during May presented by the Sustainability Team with the Port Phillip Emergency Climate Action Network (PECAN).
Session 3: Where to from here?

Meet Your Neighbours: Wildlife Stories & Trivia, @ EcoCentre Zoom
Thursday 28 May, 6 pm – 7.30 pm.
Meet your local wildlife neighbours, living in your local trees, beaches, and everywhere in between. Then, get your thinking caps on for a wildlife trivia contest!
Register

Horns of Leroy @ Memo Live Stream
Saturday 30 May, 7.30 pm
Sashay in your own lounge with a New Orleans ISO party! Melbourne’s Horns of Leroy and soul songstress Thando will do some fun party covers and classic New Orleans material. $15
Tix

Golden Years: Bowie tribute @ Memo live stream
Sunday 31 May, 7.30 pm
Celebrating the breadth of Bowie’s musical styles with an incredible band. Live concerts sold out last year. $12
Tix

Ultimate Abba party @ Memo Live Stream
Saturday 6 June , 7.30 pm
Join BABBA in your pjs to be dancing queens in your own covid Waterloo. $12 These live shows go exactly the hour.
Buy your link

FYI and pleasure

Lounge Room sessions @ Facebook
Great local acts online
Bravo to the Riverboats Music Festival for curating an amazing cast of local performers in their lounge room shows over the past month or so.
As a collection, its an amazing menu of homegrown crooners and troubadours.
The recordings are basic, but better for it.
TWiSK highlights: Freya Josephine Hollick, Henry Wagons and Mick Thomas.

The other side …

International gigs @ Palais
March / April 2021
Travel restrictions has put a hold on international acts for an indefinite period. But brave promoters are planning tours for next year, including some headline gigs at the Palais.
Patti Smith and Her Band
Sunday 28 March and Monday 29 March
George Benson
Wednesday 31 March and Thursday 1 April
The Gipsy Kings
Saturday 3 April
Worth the wait.
Tix and info

Explore Gasworks Arts Park @ Smartify
Gasworks Arts Park has partnered with Smartify to enable you to explore the arts from home.
App users can check out the Kitty Calvert exhibition currently at Gasworks and there’s more to come.
Kitty Calvert Exhibit