TWiSK #330
Palais forecourt works setback by drain discovery
Midnight Oil @ Palais tix on sale Monday 10 am
50 year party @ St Kilda Library
New opera by Elena Kats-Chernin @ Theatre Works
Childcare sale backflip
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‘Discovered drain’ prolongs Palais forecourt project
TWiSK EXCLUSIVE
Prime location a construction site until May next year
Discovery of a previously unknown storm water drain will delay completion of the Palais / Luna Park forecourt revitalisation. This will leave the popular area as a construction zone across summer and well into next year.
The Council website now lists May 2023 as the completion date while signage at the site still says works will be completed in Spring this year. Council is yet to inform the community about the delay.
Both the Palais and Luna Park will remain open for business as usual, but the construction site amenity is less than ideal especially for selfies in front of the Luna Park mouth.
Famous forecourt fiasco follows FIFA fail
This is the second major infrastructure fail by Council in recent weeks. It was recently revealed last week that the JL Murphy Reserve in Port Melbourne could not be used in the FIFA Women’s World Cup as planned.
A clearly disappointed Mayor Marcus Pearl told TWiSK the sports ground no longer met FIFA standards after deteriorating due to a combination of use, rain and the way it was managed.
In football terms, this is a shocking ‘own goal’ and a fearsome foul for women’s football.
Read an ABC news story on the FIFA fail by Council
Hear what Mayor Cr Marcus Pearl has to say …
The FIFA foul up is first up in the latest TWiSK interview with the Mayor along with details about the Palais forecourt delays.
Click here to listen
. Meanwhile, Council has performed a spectacular backflip on the proposed sale of childcare centres
Read our reporting after the event listings.
50 Year Anniversary @ St Kilda Library
Wednesday 24 August, 11 am
Celebrate St Kilda Public Library’s extensive past and exciting future with a morning tea and light refreshments. (Pictured) Former Cr and Mayor Ivan Trayling who laid the foundation stone of the St Kilda Library will be speaking.
Info
TWiSK thinks this is a good opportunity for Council to explain it’s plans for the Library.
Read the Library Action Plan
Visible Mending Jeans @ Space2b
Thursday 25 August, 10.30am – 1pm
Sign up for a relaxing and fun workshop on how to give your jeans a second life with talented Japanese sewer Maoko Carroll.
BYO your much loved pair of jeansfor repair. $30
Tix
144 Chapel Street
Much Karma + Luke Harrington @ Espy
Thursday 25 August, 7 pm
Indie alternative rock meets psychedelia, with blues roots, funk grooves and a dash of folk-rock balladry.
Espy gigs
Iphis @ Theatre Works
Friday 26 August – Saturday 3 September, 7.30 pm
Saturday 27 August, 2.30 pm (Matinee)
Elena Kats-Chernin’s (pictured) first opera is a 70-minute chamber work written for 6 singers and 9-piece chamber orchestra.
Tix and info 
Charm of Finches @ George Lane
Friday 26 August, 6.30 pm – 11.00 pm
“Melbourne sister duo Charm of Finches (aka Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes) makes haunted tunes about love, grief and whispering trees; indie folk awash with seamless blood harmonies traversing melancholy and wonder in equal measure.”
TWiSK agrees – sublime sisters.
Tix
Des Cortez Single Launch @ The Espy
Friday 26 August, 7.30pm
Des Cortez is a three-piece indie rock band, with guests Sunday Honey, Willowbank Grove and Goodbye Butterfly. $16
Espy gigs
22nd Davitt Awards @ Sisters in Crime
Saturday 27 August. 6 pm for 6.30 pm
Frock (or suit up) for a gala dinner and presentation of the 22nd Davitt Awards Ceremony for best crime and mystery books.
To set the mood, award-winning ABC journalist and true-crime author Louise Milligan will discuss her life in crime with Sisters in Crime’s Jacqui Horwood.
Please book by Wednesday 24 August
Rising Sun, 2 Raglan St., South Melbourne
Freya Josephine Hollick @ George Lane
Saturday 27 August 27, 6.30 pm – 11 pm
Rare local gig for this country songstress.
Freya is a TWiSK favourite.
Tix
An evening with Bloom @ Memo
Saturday 27 August, 7.30 pm
Voice contestant Bloom backed by a classy band will present a handpicked selection of songs of all the artists she has covered over the years, as well as a sneak peek of her upcoming original EP. With guest Caitlin – winner of The Voice Generation’s. $50 / $30
Tix
Bag o’ Nails @ Bowlo
Saturday 27 August, 8 pm
As the poster says, Blues-rock, Rock, Blues and Rock-Blues. Free
66 Fitzroy Street
Il Mago di Oz @ Palais
Saturday 27 August & Tuesday 30 August
Discover composer Pierangelo Valtinoni’s quirky and wondrous new Italian opera version of the Wizard of Oz, Il Mago di Oz.
This Australian premiere will introduce Victorian Opera’s Emerging Artists and a specially trained children’s chorus. $39 +
Tix
Threads of Light Art Exhibition by Karen Hopkins @ Space2b
Closes Saturday 27 August
Space2b showcases artworks from Karen Hopkins’ recent solo show at Motsalvat Long Gallery.
Info
144 Chapel St, St Kilda
Sunday & Monday: Closed, Tues – Fri 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier @ Memo
Sunday 28 August, 3.30 pm
Classy, powerful, heartfelt. With Gabriella Cohen $55 / $35
Tix
Spoken Word Sunday @ Neighbours Cafe
Sunday 28 August, 2 pm – 4 pm
Celebrate Australian Poetry Month at Neighbours Café with an afternoon of readings by Melbourne poets including Allan Lake, Andrew Bock, Anthony Breslin, Claire Gaskin, Gayelene Carbis, Lyndon Walker and Marian Webb. Free
Tix
42 Chapel Street, St. Kilda
Alex Howroyd ‘Sidewinder’ @ The Ruby Carter Jazz Lounge
Sunday 28 August, 3.30 pm
Sidewinder is a group of Melbourne’s finest studio and jazz musicians who play some of the best music recorded on the Blue Note record label. Sidewinder honours the tradition of compositions and arrangements for 3 horns and a 3-piece rhythm section to create a full “big band” sound. $40
Tix
The Detonators (25th Anniversary) @ George Lane
Sunday 28 August, 4 pm – 8 pm
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of one of Melbourne’s longest running rock’n’roll, blues and R&B bands – The Detonators!
Tix
Sunday Blues | The Hornstars @ Espy
Sunday 28 August, 6 pm
The Hornstars sound is big and brassy with a wide range of influences: Jazz, soul, blues, reggae.
Espy gigs
Impossible Dance photography @ Pride Centre
Opened on 18 August
Impossible Dance features a collection of black and white photographs by Matto Lucas that celebrate, canonise and represent queer communities in a pre-COVID world of nightlife, art and entertainment.
Free no bookings required
Info
This is the first exhibition programmed by the Victorian Pride Centre’s Visual Arts Working Group, which is comprised of arts professionals from LGBTIQ+ communities.
Soon in September
Weekly Tai Chi Classes with Thai Do @ West Beach Pavilion
Saturdays during September 10 am – 11 am
Learn the art of Tai-Chi in four taster sessions with Thai Do. Slow down, breathe, increase flexibility and strength and move through meditation through a form of gentle exercises.
Free: register here
West Beach Pavilion 330A Beaconsfield Pde, St Kilda West
Book Launch: The Last Hurrah @ Readings
Thursday 1 September, 6.30 pm
Internationally awarded writer and filmmaker Frank Howson will be at Readings to launch his recently published memoir.
Born and bred in St Kilda, Howson is a successful filmmaker, author, artist and playwright.
The Last Hurrah is the story of his extraordinary and expansive career.
Howson will be in conversation with director Roberto Chuter.
Free but bookings are essential 
Inclusion Rocks @ The Local Taphouse
Thursday 1 September, 6.30 pm – 9 pm
A concert featuring The CandleSnakes and other all ability musicians. There will be dancing. $10
Tix
184 Carlisle Street
Maggie Diaz Photography Prize for Women @ Brightspace
Thursday 1 September – Saturday 10 September
Opening & Prize Announcement: Thursday 1 September, 6.30 pm – 9 pm
Maggie Diaz competition honours the American born photographer, Maggie Diaz.
The $5000 prize is open to photographs by all Australian and International women.
In Conversation with winner and judges
Saturday 3 September, 1 pm – 3 pm
In Conversation with the winner and esteemed judging panel, plus Tony Rogers.
www.maggiediazprize.com
www.brightspace.com.au/
8 Martin Street
Wed – Fri 11 am 5 pm; Sat 12 pm – 4 pm
Image: Maggie Diaz, Elephant Joy, Luna Park St Kilda, 1960’s
Before the Melange exhibition launch @ Space2b
Saturday 3 September, 2 pm – 4 pm
Anthony Breslin presents a fundraiser collaboration with Space2b.
A multi-award-winning artist of international renown, Breslin’s works have shown nationally and around the world in over 50 exhibitions. Before the Melange will be an intimate show which pays tribute to the time Breslin spent growing up in St Kilda and forging his career in local studios. $15
Tix
Father’s Day Car and Bike Show @ Acland Street
Sunday 4 September, 10 am – 6 pm
Acland Street, O’Donnell Gardens, and Shakespeare Grove will transform into a classic car and bike family festival.
There will be bands, DJ’s, free face painting, free kids shows, carnival rides, movie cars display, drag car start-ups, and Melbourne’s biggest display of Classic cars and bikes. Free.
State election transport forum @ St Kilda Town Hall
Tuesday 6 September, 6.30 pm – 8 pm
Hear what the major parties have to say about local transport issues and ask questions.
The panel includes three candidates seeking re-election:
David Davis, MLC: Senior Liberal and former transport spokesperson
Nina Taylor, MLC: Current MP seeking to transfer to Albert Park district
Sam Hibbins, MLA Prahran: Greens transport spokesperson
Town hall event with live stream option. Free
Tix and info
Question asked in Parliament
Following our story last week on tram services, Prahran MLA Sam Hibbins submitted a question on notice in the Parliament:
“Mr Hibbins to ask the Minister for Public Transport — When will low floor trams be available along routes 67 and 3/3a?”
The Minister has 30 days to respond.
Royal Czech Ballet presents Swan Lake @ Palais
Saturday 10 September
The Royal Czech Ballet tours Australia for the first time with Swan Lake presented in two acts and follows the original storyline with traditional choreographic revisions by Marius Pepita. $105
Tix
Midnight Oil @ Palais
Monday 12 September and Wednesday 14 September
Tix on sale from Monday 22 August, 10 am via frontiertouring.com/midnightoil
Monday 12 September, Midnight Oil will play their classic album 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 in its entirety on under the banner “One For The Planet”.
Wednesday 14 September, the Oils will play under the banner “One For The Road”. This will see the band performing the entire show (ie: no support) and delivering an extended set that will include classics from every Midnight Oil album and EP across their storied career.
Oh ah, the power and the passion at the Palais!
Tix 
Beach keepers of the Tea Tree @ Elwood Foreshore Reserve
Saturday 17 September, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Join monthly family friendly volunteer fun along the Elwood Foreshore reserve. Learn how to identify local native plants and participate in a variety of conservation activities.
Your efforts will help protect and enhance the biodiversity of the Elwood tea tree foreshore and encourage habitat for small birds such as the Superb Blue Fairy-wren. Free
Register now
Volunteers Call Out @ Melbourne Fringe
Applications Close: Wednesday 31 August
Melbourne Fringe are seeking volunteer superstars for a variety of festival positions including Front of House, Fringe Club Bar, Ticketing, Special Events and Marketing teams.
You’ll need to be available across at least five days in October. The festival will run from 6 – 23 October.
There will be two briefing sessions for volunteers on 27 and 28 September. You must be over 18 years old to volunteer.
Contact Sophia volunteers@melbournefringe.com.au with any questions.
Apply online now
Mayor’s August interview
Port Phillip Mayor Cr Marcus Pearl discusses the issues of the month with TWiSK
It’s a little longer than most TWiSK interviews (20+ minutes) but it covers a lot of ground, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup disappointment, Palais forecourt setbacks, St Kilda triangle, bike lanes, childcare funding, election advocacy and the forthcoming candidates forum on transport.
TWiSK applauds Cr Pearl for making himself available for so many questions.
Watch the interview now
Back flip on childcare sell off
Back flip on childcare sell offCouncil has dropped plans to sell off three childcare centres pending funding from State and Federal governments.
The decision means Elwood Children’s Centre, Eildon Road Childcare & Kindergarten and The Avenue Children’s Centre & Kindergarten will now be rebuilt or renovated, pending finalisation of funding arrangements.
Mayor Cr Marcus Pearl said Council officers were now discussing options for funding support with the Victorian and Australian Governments for major upgrades to our Council’s childcare centre portfolio.
“While these confidential discussions are still underway, we have released this update for transparency. We can report there have been productive conversations with the Victorian Department of Education and Training about long-term early childhood infrastructure needs across our City, including at those three centres,” he said.
From sale to saved in 10 months
The independent centres have campaigned to keep their services operating since December last year when Councillors voted unanimously to commence the proposal to sell process for the buildings where the centres operate.
“We’re thrilled to have reached a positive outcome after 10 months of campaigning to stop the sale of our beloved centres,” said Elwood Children’s Centre Committee President Claire Byrne.
See the full statement from the parent committees.
Read council’s full statement
Teals enter against Reds and Blues while Greens remain silent
The very marginal Liberal held seat of Caulfield is set to be a very colourful contest in November’s State Election.
In the Blue colours is senior Liberal David Southwick who has held the seat since 2010.
He is opposition spokesperson for a range of topics including CBD Recovery, Jobs and Employment, Events Industry, Business Recovery, Small Business, Business Precincts and Energy and Renewables. He is also Deputy Leaders of the Liberal Party (Victoria).
He held the seat in 2018 by just 200 votes.
Red in the race but campaign low key so far
In the Red colours is Lior Harel, a corporate lawyer currently working as commercial director at Optima Technology, an ASX listed IT outfit helping business reduce emissions from energy use.
While Harel’s campaign has yet to be officially announced, he has started on the hustings with a Shabbat morning at the Caulfield Shule this week.
Red in Teal clothing or a genuine fresh approach?
Now in the mix with Teal colours is former Labor staffer Nomi Kaltman, also a lawyer, journalist and the founder of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance.
Her candidacy is backed by ‘The Voices of Caulfield’ and offshoot of a successful Teal campaign team.
Her background as a Labor member and activist has put noses out of joint in both Labor and Liberal camps. Nomi defended her independence stridently and articulately to Virginia Trioli on ABC Radio Melbourne last week.
She is definitely a force to be reckoned with,
Listen to Nomi Kaltmann on ABC with Virginia Trioli
Greens yet to be seen
The Greens are yet to launch their candidate with insiders not expecting the announcement until mid-September.
Mystery Green for Albert Park
As we reported last week, despite boasting that Albert Park is ripe for a Greens transformation, the Party is yet to announce a candidate for the seat.
In response, local Greens Cr Tim Baxter fired back an email in response.
Here is what he said:
“I believe you reported that the Greens had not selected a candidate for Albert Park. It would be more correct to say that we haven’t announced a candidate for Albert Park.”
Thanks Tim, we appreciate your email but it raised more questions than it answered.
For the record, here is the Green’s website listing their candidates
From potatoes to politics for Georgie?
The Age has reported that South Melbourne Market stallholder Georgina Dragwidge plans to run for Albert Park.
Read The Age report
Invitation to all local candidates
Send us 30 word responses to these questions along with a pic and contact details, and we’ll publish them in full.
Who am I?: Basic bio 30 words
Why?: Motivation for standing 30 words
Why me? Skills, credentials, interests, values 30 words
Why here? Connection to the seat 30 words
Plus contact details and picture.
Email gday@archives.gdaystkilda.com.au
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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Election editorial is authorised by G Day, 31 Alma Road, St Kilda 3182.