This Week in St Kilda #312
Local election debates start
Comedy Festival One-woman cabaret @ TW
BIG KITTY’s second coming @ Classic
The Jack Earle Big Band @ Memo
Rapid transit replaces constipation over toilets
Win tix to The Human Voice @ Theatre Works
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Ally Morgan: Not Today @ Theatre Works
Tuesday 19 April extended to Saturday 30 April
Life as a twenty-something in a world on fire – Ally Morgan’s celebrated one-woman cabaret comes to the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Previews $27.50, Concession $34.50, Adult $42.50 +bf
Bookings 
The Big Kitty – one more time @ Classic Cinema
Wednesday 20 April,7 pm
After a glittering sold out Australian Premiere, the producers are excited to announce a second Q & A screening. Made in Melbourne, this noir homage made on a shoestring has captivated the festival set in Europe. It’s funny too!
Trailer | Tix 
Lucille Martin > Right Fire @ Linden
From Thursday 21 April – 22 May
Right Fire is large format photographic works by contemporary artist Lucille Martin. In 2018-21, she spent several days with Elders and Indigenous fire practitioners photographing cultural burn practice to emphasise the significance of learning about Indigenous fire knowledge.
Info
The Linden Projects Space is not wheelchair accessible.
Young Henrys @ Espy
Thursday 21 April, 8.30 pm
Emerging bands free in the basement, this week is: Clean Cut Society With support from Sesh Lamb.
The Jack Earle Big Band @ Memo
Friday 22 April, 7.30 pm
The Jack Earle Big Band returns with special guest vocalist Matt Hetherington, delivering a myriad of world premier performances of original compositions and the toe-tapping standards. $45/35/30
Tix
Having the Crime of Their Lives @ Sisters in Crime’s 30th Birthday Party!
Saturday 23 April, 6 pm
Bring out the pearls for a fabulous night of felonious talk and food hosted by Sue Turnbull. Hear from Carmel Shute, Angela Savage, Vikki Petraitis, Sulari Gentill, and Emma Viskic. Singing with Jane Clifton. $40.
Bookings essential
Victorian Pride Centre Theatrette, 79-81 Fitzroy Street
World’s Greatest Freakshow Live @ Espy
Saturday 23 April, 6.30 pm
Showcasing a variety of acts that include: The Great Gamsby, Sparkarella, Samora Squid and Elle Diablo. Wierd. $50
Tix
St Kilda RSL ANZAC Service and March @ Alfred Square
Sunday 24 April, 11 am – 12.30 pm
Local ANZAC event organised by the local RSL.
Your Fest Art Bus and more @ Sol Green
Saturday 23 April, 11 am – 6 pm
A day for the community in South Melbourne and surroundings to connect and get creative through free live music, arts and dance workshops, festival activities and food! Great for kids.
Tix
Hoteliers, Publicans and Vignerons Walking Tour @ St Kilda Cemetery
Sunday 24 April, 2 pm
Explore the fascinating stories of the lives of local hoteliers, publicans and vignerons with Claire Barton. $15 includes afternoon tea
Bookings required. Email info@foskc.org
ring 0451831102 or go to https://foskc.org
Meet at the Dandenong Road Gates at 2.00pm
Vaccination certificate and face mask required.
Emotionworks Cut Opera Trilogy Concert Series II @West Beach Pavilion
Sunday 24 April, 2 pm – 5 pm.
An afternoon of fun opera fusion, great voices and grooves with a concert of three mini versions of our favourites – “Hoffmann Ooh La La”, “La Beatles Boheme” and “Rigoletto and the Rockin Cowboys”. $45 / $38 Conc, $25 Under 25’s
Tix
This will be an outdoor, Covid safe event, under a marquee
Borne Local Market @ Elwood Reserve
Sunday 24 April, 10 am – 4 pm
Monthly craft market with music, stalls and gourmet foods.
Info
The Songs of Ella & Louis with Tamara & Paul @ Ember Lounge (Memo)
Sunday 24 April, 3.30 pm
Jazz vocalist Tamara Kuldin and trumpet player/vocalist Paul Coyle celebrate the magic of Ella & Louis in a very special tribute, ‘Cheek to Cheek’ honouring the First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald and all-star virtuoso Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong, $40/$30
Tix
Final weeks for Ferris Wheel @ Catani Garden
Season ends Monday 25 April
Daily Noon – 9.30 pm; weekends 10 am – 9.30 pm
Port Phillip residents can still save up to 30%, simply show proof of address
Eg. drivers license or utility bill at the ticket box to receive the discount.
Info 
Candidates debate climate change and energy @ St Kilda Town Hall
Tuesday 26 April, 7 pm
Local enviro lobby PECAN have invited local candidates Josh Burns, Steph Hodgins-May and Collen Harkin to discuss Climate Change and Energy issues in front of a live audience. (So far only Burns and Hodgins-May have accepted)
Moderated by April Seymore from the Port Phillip EcoCentre, the event will also hear from Prof Kathryn Bowen, University Melbourne, a contributor to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Book your free ticket
The event will be livestreamed
All issues candidate forum @ Memo
Thursday 5 May, 7 pm
unChain have organised a public forum with the main candidates for Macnamara to discuss the issues beyond climate change and energy. Chaired by John Daley, ex CEO of the Grattan Institute, Josh Burns ALP, Collen Harkin (Liberal) and Steph Hodgins-May (Greens) will answer your question and discuss the big themes. Free
Info
Note: All three speakers have confirmed their participation.
When Women Speak of War @ National Theatre
Thursday 28 April, 8 pm
Coinciding with the close of this year’s Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Festival of Jewish Arts and Music (FOJAM) brings together a world premiere of musicians, writers, performers and storytellers to share new work and reignite songs and stories of the past. $35
Tix
The Human Voice @ Theatre Works
Tuesday 4 May – Saturday 14 May, 7.30 pm
A woman lies dead. A telephone rings. Her last chance to speak to an ex-lover…
Theatre lovers are invited to witness a tour de force performance by renowned actor Jane Montgomery Griffiths. $40 / $32 Concession, $25 Preview and Student
Tix and info
Suitable for ages 14+
TWiSK Tix – reply to win a double pass
We have two double passes for the preview on Tuesday 4 May at 7.30 pm
If you can use these tix, email before Friday noon with the answer to this question:
Who wrote the play?
Tix will be drawn from the correct responses
Note: tix can only be used at the preview.
Constipated process started in 2007
Constipated process started in 2007A Council public toilet was promised in Fitzroy Street on 25 June 2007. Now after years of constipation, the least worst of seven possible locations will go ahead within months.
Reaction from TWiSK readers was swift
“The location is fine and long overdue. Proximity to the school is NO BIG DEAL!” said Phil who lives on Fitzroy St.
“Laughable, is it a council joke for the comedy festival?” sniggered Andrew
“The toilet location is sensible and required. Toilets can be locked by council at night. There are many examples of public toilets nears schools. Alma Park for one,” said local Jo.
“I am saddened by the constant encroachments on parkland. There is already a large new pavilion being built on the school side if the park. And that building should include public toilets for the park users. The public toilet ought to be along the shopping strip,” suggested Clare.
“Terrible location ruining precious green space and encouraging illegal activity. How hard is it to just leave our minimal green space as is?” said Adam.
“This location is terrible – people at night are not going to wait to walk that far off the street. Maybe during the day that will work but not at night. Now they just piss everywhere they can,” wrote Janet, St Kilda West
“To be honest I have no idea what the Council are thinking by putting it there! Yes we need amenities, we also need them cleaned, monitored, fixed otherwise they’ll never get used! If Council planners thought about ‘amenities’ when building the Pride Centre they could have killed 2 birds with one stone! There’s also plenty of empty shops on Fitzroy that could be public amenities,” suggested Claire
“Should be in the Metropol as stipulated in their lease and closed due safety concerns,” says Trevor
“The location of the toilets is terrible. I can name so many other locations. Close to the school is the last place they should be. It’s a no brainer. Who decides these things?? It blows my mind,” wrote Helen.
TWiSK asked Council how the decision was made
Here’s our interpretation of their reply followed by the Mayor’s actual response in full
TWiSK ‘s summary of the process
After nearly 15 years of being told no one wants a public toilet near them, Council was ‘busting’ for a solution. They also wanted to save money, so chose a modular ‘drop-in’ design rather than bespoke (same story in ODonnell Gardens). They were never going to please everyone, but still needed a toilet to avoid embarrassment.
Mayors official response (in full)
“For a number of years, Council tried to respond to the lack of public amenities in the busy Fitzroy Street shopping precinct but was ultimately unable to find a suitable and feasible location.
“Council renewed its search in 2017 through targeted consultation with internal and external stakeholders to understand the issues experienced in Fitzroy Street, gauge sentiment for the provision of public toilets and provide input to the preferred location.
“As a result of this engagement, seven potential locations were identified, though it was noted at the time that none were without their own disadvantages.
“A feasibility assessment into all seven sites in 2018 considered site issues, site gradient, visibility and surveillance, ease of access/proximity to activity areas, location of underground and overhead services and the works that would be required to facilitate construction.
“Following this extensive assessment, the only suitable location satisfying all assessment criteria was in Albert Park at the northern end of Fitzroy Street. As Albert Park is operated by Parks Victoria, we have to negotiate a location and enter into a formal agreement to build a public toilet in this area, which has taken some time.
“The agreed location was proposed by Parks Victoria as their preferred option, and no others within the park boundary would have been accepted. The final agreement is being completed between Parks Victoria and Council.
The approved methodology for this project is a design and construct approach where Council has engaged a contractor with standard public toilets designs that can be modified to complete the project. The concept designs are being finalised and will be made available on our website as soon as they are approved, with construction to start soon after. As they are modular, the toilets will be pre-fabricated offsite to minimise construction activity and disruption at the site.
“Due to privacy considerations for organisations and private owners, we are not releasing information about sites the assessment found to be ultimately unsuitable.”
Meanwhile at The Vineyard / Shakespeare Grove
As reported first by TWiSK last week, the proposed redevelopment of The Vineyard is no longer progressing even though Council made no announcement about this.
TWiSK only picked this up after connecting the dots about new public toilets. Amazingly, fencing is already up around the Shakespeare Street toilets.
Here’s what the Mayor said:
“While a public toilet upgrade was to be included in the Vineyard redevelopment, this redevelopment is no longer progressing.
“We are, however, replacing the existing Exeloo, the subject of many complaints, with new amenities. The new public toilets are also being undertaken as a design and construct project and will have a similar look as those at Fitzroy Street and Waterfront Place.
“All the designs are being finalised and are expected to be delivered between April and June, with fabrication being undertaken off site to minimise site disruption.”
TWiSK say ‘don’t try this at home folks’
After extensive community consultation on The Vineyard, the project has been abandoned and toilet construction is going ahead without even basic designs being displayed.
Try doing that at home and see how far you get!
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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This Week in St Kilda respectfully acknowledges the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung.
We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.
Election authorisation: Gregory John Day, 202/517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000.