Monday 24 July – Sunday 30 July

TWiSK #375

Bin collection shambles continues
Highly paid Council managers join bin teams
‘Service improving’ but no timeline to solution

Plus new theatre, music and community events
Port Phillip Community Group can help
you get the $250 power saving bonus 
Closes 31 August

Readers have until 31 August to apply for the latest $250 power saving bonus.
Port Phillip Community Group has special access to help process your application. They have already helped people receive over $57,ooo in bonuses.
Please spread the word to neighbours, so that nobody misses out.
8598 6600 E: info-support@ppcg.org.au
(Note you can also apply directly to the government at this link)

Oppenheimer – 70mm @ Astor
Until Wednesday 26 Jul;y
The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
A three hour epic based on the Pulitzer winning book American Prometheus.
Tix 
Heritage Talk: Enchanted Beneath the Bluff @ St Kilda Library
Tuesday 25 July, 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Isaac Hermann and co-author Heather Arnold, discuss their recently published book Enchanted Beneath the Bluff. The talk will look at the history of the Elwood Swamp and Red Bluff where theosophists Agnes Simmons and Geraldine Minet mined for coal in the 1890’s. Talk introduced by David Brand. Free.
Bookings required
June @ Theatre Works
Wednesday 26 July – Saturday 5 Aug, 7.30 pm
“After spending a year in silence, June invites an audience into her world. At times charming, at others shimmering with rage, she arrives fully formed but alters at will. A gentle and challenging play about moving through the world and finding a voice that fits who you have become.”
Written by Patrick McCarthy, directed by Emily Tomlins, designed by Zoe Rouse and Lisa Mibus, June will be performed by Caroline Lee. From $21
Tix 
Lethal Practice: Murder + Mayhem + Malice in Medicine @ Sisters in Crime
Friday 28 July, 8 pm – 10 pm.
Medicine is usually about healing and helping but the medical world can also offer many opportunities to do harm . . . even kill. The three authors, Anne Buist (Locked Ward), Jacinta Halloran (Dissection), and Sue White (Cut), are all medical doctors. They know the issues firsthand and will tell all to host Toni Jordan.
Book by Thursday 27 July, 2 pm 
Rising Sun Hotel, 2 Raglan St., South Melbourne
No wheelchair access

Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir @ Espy Gershwin Room
Friday 28 July. 8 pm
The grand finale of Sunshine and Disco Faith Choirs three-month residency. Expect to hear songs you can sing along with from the 70’s until now.
Infectious club-ready house and techno vision with a live gospel choir. $55
Tix 

Steve Balbi @ George Lane
Friday 28 July, 7 pm – 11 pm
“The music of singer, composer, performer and producer Steve Balbi mines a kaleidoscope of life at the margins.”
Tix 
Nature’s Sanctuary: A Solo Exhibition @ Space2b
Until Saturday 29 July
A solo exhibition by Cheryle Bannon, a mixed media artist who creates whimsical and soulful artworks that are visual stories of connection with nature.
Info
Open House Melbourne social bike ride @ Port Phillip BUG
Saturday 29 July, 10 am – 1 pm
This social ride will visit two Open House Melbourne venues, the MacKillop Family Services, an1858 former orphanage building, in South Melbourne and the spectacular Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
Easy 10km ride, travelling on road bike lanes and off-road bike paths. They ride together as a group and support less confident riders. BYO bike or hire a Lime bike. Free
Bookings please
Start/Finish: Kerferd Road Pier

Design Fringe > Artist Speakeasy @ Linden Workshop Space
Saturday July 29, 1 pm – 3.30 pm
Linden New Art and Melbourne Fringe invite artists and designers to free professional development sessions.
How to Photograph Your Work > 1pm
Photography expert Chris Bowes on how to capture your work using basic photography techniques. Master your smartphone camera and discover the simple editing apps used to take your photos to the next level.
How to Write About Your Practice > 2:30pm
Linden New Art’s Director Dr Vincent Alessi with a comprehensive how-to and introduction to the strategies for describing your artwork and writing that perfect artist bio.
RSVP 

John Dowler’s Vanity Project + Vonnyguts @ George Lane Matinee Sessions
Saturday 29 July, 3 pm – 6 pm
Australian cult power pop singer-songwriter John Dowler makes his George Lane debut with his current outfit, John Dowler’s Vanity Project.
Tix

Waz e James Band w/ Andrew Pendlebury @ George Lane
Saturday 29 July, 7.30 pm – 11 pm
“Waz e James is often referred to as ‘Australia’s best kept secret’. He is a songwriter and regular performer at many of Australia’s largest festivals.”
Tix

Forever 80s – The Best of the 80s @ Memo
Saturday 29 July, 7 pm
Billed as Australia’s number one ‘80s touring show, Forever 80s is calling you to put on those leg warmers, get on your dance shoes and relive the soundtrack of the ‘best’ generation. $50/$40
Tix | YouTube 
Views & Thoughts by Peter Ferguson @ Brightspace
Opening: Saturday 29 July, 2-4 pm
Until 11 August
Peter Ferguson, a founding member of Roar Studios in 1982, is known for his distinctive naïve style that incorporates childlike human figures, birds, trees, and buildings in vibrant colours.
Info
8 Martin Street
Wed – Fri (11-5), Sat (12-4)
Bjorn Again – Featuring the Arrival Orchestra @ Palais
Saturday 29 July
Björn Again bring ABBA’s timeless hits back to the stage in a sing-along, dance-along extravaganza. $80
Tix
Free Fun Day @ Victorian Pride Centre
Sunday 30 July, 10am – 3pm
A day of free activities for rainbow families and allies with everything from yoga classes by Ziggy Razuki, a ‘Manicure Bar’ by Sally Hansen, free sausage cart by Woofy’s (including veggie option) and free coffee by The Little Social, to tarot card readings and much more!
Free. No bookings are required
Info 

It Takes Two with Tottie Goldsmith & Nina Ferro @ Memo
Sunday 30 July, 3 pm
These two are having a load of fun and you will too. With Nina’s powerful and spine-tingling voice and Tottie’s engaging and alluring performance, the audience will be treated to some great duets from the 60’s & 70’s through to now. $55/$45
Tix 
Mrs. Wanambi’s Bawutj – High Tide @ Vivien Anderson Gallery
Until Saturday 19 August
Sadly, Mrs. Wanambi passed earlier this year. Her family gave permission for Vivien Anderson to present her final exhibition, an important and finite body of work that builds on her unique visual power, exploring the interplay of the tidal waters around the massive stone monoliths at Gurka’wuy (Trial Bay).
Info
284–290 St Kilda Road
Tuesday – Friday, 11am – 5pm, and Saturdays, 12 – 4pm

Next week
Monday 31 July – Sunday 6 August

RocKwiz Salutes Mushroom 50 @ Palais
Wednesday 2 August. 7.30 pm
Julia Zemiro, Brian Nankervis, Dugald McAndrew, and the RocKwiz OrKestra will bring their unique brand of comedy, kwizzery, and musicality with a host of special guests from the Mushroom stable on the national tour to honour five decades of iconic music. $129
Tix

Bacharach and Beyond @ Memo
Sunday 6 August, 3 pm
Classy afternoon gig presented by Jack Howard & The Ambassadors of Love. $40
Tix

Later in August

inclusion Rocks with The Candle Snakes @ The Local Tap House
Tuesday 8 August, 7 pm – 9.30 pm
Inclusion Rocks is all about giving people with and without disabilities the chance to perform and show the world their passion and love for music. With a special performance from fan favourites The Candlesnakes. $14.55
Tix 

Strawbz @ Espy Gershwin
Friday 11 August, 8 pm
Strawbz with special guests Alisya Rae and Lip Stereo. $22.95
Tix
Poetry Launch: James and Roderick Waller @ Readings St Kilda
Saturday 12 August, 11 am
A father/son celebration of poetry. Join them for the release of James Waller’s Kingdoms of Silence and Roderick Waller’s Toward Another Sun. Free, but bookings are essential
Monument @ Redstitch
Season 16 August – 3 September
“Edith Aldridge is the youngest woman to be elected leader of her country. In a lush presidential suite in a heritage listed hotel, she has just ninety minutes to get ready for the biggest day of her life. Enter Rosie, a 22-year-old makeup artist from the David Jones counter, sent to help Edith get camera ready. In Rosie’s capable hands, this morning will be a breeze. So long as they both stick to the brief.”
Written by Emily Sheehan, directed by Ella Caldwell, featuring Julia Hanna and Sarah Sutherland
Tix 

Making Native Bee Hotels @ Linden
Saturday 26 August, 1 pm – 2.30 pm
Create charming, miniature structures using recycled materials and bamboo, providing native bees with safe homes. Children of all ages are welcome. Free
RSVP 

September

The Exploding Universe of Ed Kuepper @ National
Wednesday 6 September @ 8 pm – 10 pm
The first live band experience of Ed Kuepper’s solo material since 2009. The Exploding Universe will tackle the best of Kuepper’s recent vinyl reissues Electrical Storm and the classic Honey Steel’s Gold (and more). Hurry almost sold out. $67.40
Tix

Nine wards & nine councillors from 2024

The panel reviewing Port Phillip’s electoral structure has recommended keeping nine councillors and three different options for single councillor ward boundaries.
This change was required by the State Government and will take effect at the next Council election in October 2024.
Submissions are invited until 9 August
You can have your say by making a submission to the panel in response to their preliminary report.
Read the preliminary report and see boundary maps
TWiSK invites community comment for publication in future weeks.
Rachel’s Farm screenings and Q&A
Not in St Kilda but recommended by concerned locals.
Actress Rachel Ward has produced a film about her personal journey into regenerative farming. Looks classy and interesting.
Tix and locations  | Trailer 
South Melbourne Community Chest Grants
Each year the South Melbourne Community Chest distributes proceeds from their OpShop in Bank Street South Melbourne, financial donations and bequests as grants to a wide variety of community organisations including environmental groups, after school programs, gymnastics, meal programs, and older persons groups and clubs within the City of Port Phillip.
If your group/club needs funding for a project that will benefit the local community and residents of the City of Port Phillip, you are encouraged to apply.
Applications close: 5pm Monday 7 August 2023
More info 
OR send a request to grants@southmelbournecommunitychest.org.au
OR drop into their shop and get an application form from our Shop Manager, Anita, and find a bargain while you’re at it.Dining deals @ Fitzroy Street

Special meal deals for locals
The Fitzroy Street Traders have compiled a yummy list of Fitzroy Street eateries with discount specials.
There’s a menu of about 30 options to dine for!
Highlights include:
Fifth Province
Mondays 20% off all main meals on locals’ night
Babu Ji
Tuesdays $25pp Vegan Night with all you can eat curries and rice
Prince Dining Room
Wednesdays: $79 Never Ending Menu – order as many dishes as you like
Mukka
Thursday 20% off the bill for locals
Full list

Local and independent coverage
of Council news and decisions

All hands-on deck to tackle bin collection
FOGO and recycling sent to landfill
Problems not solved yet

You know there’s a big problem when the Council’s General Manager Operations and Infrastructure is seen lifting bins on the street
(GM Lachlan Johnson pictured at the left in Neville Street last Tuesday 7.30 pm).
Using Council’s own figures, upwards of 4,000 household bin collections failed – and failed more than once.
Ramping up the fails as the weeks dragged on.
And the consequences are not pretty
Bins littered across streets, FOGO and recycling mixed with waste destined for landfills, and no fixed timeline for normal service to resume.
Bins first, penalties later says Mayor
When asked by TWiSK, Mayor Heather Cunsolo said that Citywide’s performance had “been unacceptable and does not meet the expectations of our community or Council”.
She confirmed that Council was calculating the cost the using of Council collectors to remedy collection failures.
But she stopped short of demanding financial penalties from the contractor.
“Our immediate focus is on getting the bins collected. We are reserving all rights under the contract,” she said.
Compensation to waste charge payers not ruled out
Interestingly, Cr Cunsolo did not rule out financial compensation to waste charge payers for the failed services.
“Once services return to an acceptable standard, we will focus on how we address the impacts from the disruption,” she said.
But she did commit to a review “to determine the root causes and provide recommendations.”
In the meantime, please report all failures
Meanwhile, the Mayor urges the community to keep reporting bin failures via the Snap, Send, Solve app or the My Port Phillip portal.
Read the Mayor’s full reply to TWiSK plus CEO statement to Council and GM’s explanation of service change
Mixed vote on new LGBTQ+ policy
Mayor Heather Cunsolo used her casting vote to ratify the draft LGBTIQA+ Action Plan 2023-2026 after it failed to receive majority support at last Wednesday’s Council meeting.
The voting was recorded as:
FOR: Crs Baxter, Crawford, Martin and Cunsolo
AGAINST: Cr Clark
ABSTAINED: Crs Bond, Sirakoff and Pearl.
The Mayor exercised a casting vote, and the MOTION was CARRIED.
Read the LGBTIQA+ Action Plan 2023-2026
Elwood Foreshore Masterplan – coming soon
An Elwood Foreshore Master Plan is due to be considered at an August Council meeting. It’s expected that this plan will map a major multi year program of works. It also must consider significant works being planned by Melbourne Water to duplicate the Head Street Main Drain.
This is a big deal with both big implications for many user groups.
Stay tuned – TWiSK will give voice to community concerns
FYI
Melbourne Water: Elwood Main Drain Duplication Project | 
CoPP: Elwood foreshore: Looking to the future (early overview)Greg Day
Happy to chat anytime 0418 345 829
Content suggestions and community questions are always welcome.
gday@archives.gdaystkilda.com.au
Recent editions
Monday 17 July – Sunday 23 July
Monday 10 July – Sunday 16 July
Monday 3 July – Sunday 9 July
Monday 26 June – Sunday 2 July
This Week in St Kilda respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

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