Monday 21 August – Sunday 27 August

TWiSK #379

Prophet transforms Theatre Works
20-year Celebration for Christ Church Mission
Matt Taylor rembers when he was young @ Memo
Berta Brozgul – solo piano @ All Saints
Simon and Garfunkel Story @ National

Bike lane vote prompts councillor walkout
Research rates Council below average
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Scroll down for Council storiesOppenheimer – 70 mm Film Presentation @ Astor

Monday 21 August – Thursday 24 August, 7.30 pm
Big screen, big story, long movie. The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Tix
How To Save A Tree @ Gasworks
Tuesday 22 August – Saturday 26 August
Four upbeat, uplifting and defiantly unapologetic stories of local protest.
Melbourne Writers’ Theatre have curated four new stories:.
Extinction Rebellion’s ongoing fight to save the planet is celebrated in ‘The Time is Now’, a wonderfully original short play by Megan J. Riedl.
Jennie Baines and her Salvation Army tambourine return to fiery life in ‘Jennie Baines vs the World’ by Bruce Shearer.
In ‘Waiting Game’, written by Louise Hopewell, trailblazing nun Sister Brigid Arthur fights to free an asylum seeker with help from a famous visiting tourist.
And in ‘Good Trouble’, Gregory Vines relives one of the more humorous moments from the Save Albert Park protest archives. $40 – $49
www.gasworks.org.au
21 Graham St, Albert Park

20-year Anniversary Celebration Dinner @ Christ Church Mission
Tuesday 22 August, 6.30 pm
Locals are invited to a very special sitting of the Little Mission; ‘Open House’ dinner.
Meet the dedicated volunteers who prepare and serve a free 3-course meal at the Community Centre each week. They will be your hosts for the evening.
On the menu: soup, bread, main course, and dessert.
Ingredients are sourced from Foodbank, SecondBite and a local eatery. $50
Bookings 
communitycentre@ccm.org.au or on (03) 9534 9250
14 Acland Street
Prophet @ Theatre Works
Wednesday 23 August – Saturday 2 September
Step into an epic, dystopian world. Seven figures. Seven stories. One prophet.
A man returns to his broken city from a devastating war. He brings home a vision of the end of the world. Amidst the banalities of everyday existence, events converge on a violent act of betrayal.
Award-winning writer Jodi Gallagher returns to the stage with Prophet transforming into an immersive world unlike you’ve ever seen. Against a breathtaking soundscape of a city in crisis, the audience are invited to move through this landscape with the performers – a city both alien and familiar – and be in and around the events as they unfold.
Prophet explores lovers, mothers, fathers and sons, grappling with eternal questions of faith, trust and hope in the end times.
90 minutes, no interval $45/$35
Tix 
Theatre Works have given us one double pass for readers
Email TWiSK before midnight Tuesday 22 August to go in the draw to win
Enter with subject line Prophet Tix

Matt Taylor Celebrates 50 Years of “I Remember When I Was Young” @ Memo
Thursday 24 August, 7 pm
“Well, I remember when I was young
The world had just begun and I was happy
I used to wonder about the earth
And how it moved around the sun so snappy.”
Yes it a mere 50 years since these words boomed out of the tranny from 3XY. Join front man of the acclaimed band Chain, Matt Taylor for a little time travelling.. $40/30
Tix
“Hybrid Figures”: New Works By Richard Birmingham @ Brightspace
Exhibition: 24 August – 9 September
Opening: Thursday 24 August, 6 pm – 8 pm
Richard Birmingham, a founding member of Roar Studios, has worked and exhibited in Melbourne over a period of 35 years.
Info
3 Martin Street
Access is limited

Fanny Lumsden @ Memo
Friday 25 August, 7 pm
Join ARIA + 8 x Golden Guitar award winning singer-songwriter Fanny Lumsden and her band The Prawn Stars as they hit the road celebrating her 4th studio album Hey?Dawn.? $75 – $48
Tix

Yacht Rock Revival @ Espy
Friday, 25 August 2023 8:00 PM
The ultimate Yacht Rock band experience. $38
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

Jurassic Park – 30th Anniversary @ Astor
Saturday 26 August, 2 pm & 7.30 pm
Take a trip back to Jurassic Park. Commemorating 30 years on the Astor SuperScreen via our dazzling 4K laser projector!
Tix

Snarski v Snarski @ George Lane Matinee Sessions
Saturday 26 August, 3 pm – 6 pm
Almost sold out
Tix

Temulawak 2023 @ National
Saturday 26 August @ 3.00pm
This comedy-themed musical drama aims to gather the young Indonesian generation and remind them of their heritage through a personal reflection. $36/$31
Tix

Gretta Ziller @ George Lane
Saturday 26 August, 7.30 pm – 11 pm
Gretta Ziller’s sound may bear the hallmarks of classic Americana music but its essence is far more diverse
Tix
St Kilda Road bike lanes community opening @ M-pavilion
Sunday 27 August, 11 am
Port Phillip Bicycle Users Group invite you to celebrate getting protected bike lanes on St Kilda Road. There will be some refreshments, or BYO picnic.
After the ribbon cutting there will be a ride down to the Junction and back.
M-pavilion, opposite the NGV.
Silent Divas | Film Concert @ Astor
Sunday 27 August, 2 pm
Assunta Spina with live score by Maria Moles.
This film concert is part of Silent Divas, a program of film screenings with live musical accompaniment celebrating the brightest stars of the Italian silent cinema’s golden age. Silent Divas is presented by the Italian Cultural Institute Melbourne.
Tix

The Simon and Garfunkel Story @ National
Sunday 27 August, 3 pm
The fascinating tale of how two young boys from Queens, New York went on to become the world’s most successful music duo of all time. The show features 1960s projected images and film footage and is accompanied by a full band performing all of their hits including Mrs Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, The Boxer, The Sound of Silence, and many more. $90
Tix and info 
Berta Brozgul – solo piano @ All Saints’ East St Kilda
Sunday 27 August, 3 pm
“Fantasies for solo piano” with Berta Brozgul, versatile and exciting performer as soloist, chamber musician and accompanist. The recipient of many awards during her piano studies in Melbourne and Salzburg, she has performed throughout Australia and with the Queensland and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.
Program:
W. A. Mozart (1756–1791), Fantasia in C minor, K. 475
Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915), Piano Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp minor, Op. 19 (Sonata-Fantasy)
Robert Schumann (1810–1856), Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17
Tickets ($25/$20) at the door (No EFTPOS) or on Trybooking
2 Chapel Street (opp. Astor Theatre)

Dan Warner & The Night Parrots @ George Lane
Sunday 27 August, 4 pm – 8 pm
Almost sold out
Tix

Kid James Trio @ Espy
Sunday 27 August, 6 pm
Free
Info

Don’t miss

Monument @ Redstitch
Wednesday 16 August – Sunday 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 
Cygnets @ Theatre Works Explosives Factory
Wednesday 16 August – Saturday 26 August, 7.30 pm
Exploring age old themes of violence, death, grief, and sex, Cygnets explores the lifes of twin sisters Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra to “to uncover the unexplored lives of these siblings in this meditation on family, desire and the inescapable power of memory.” $45/$35
Tix
No wheelchair access

Next week:
Monday 28 August – Sunday 3 September

The Giants Q&A with Bob Brown @ Pride
Monday 28 August, 6.45 pm – 10 pm
The documentary is a poetic and cinematic portrait of Bob Brown intertwined with the story of the giant, ancient trees of the Tasmanian wilderness.
Q&A moderated by journalist James Norman, with environmental activist and founder of the Australian Greens party, Bob Brown, his husband, sheep farmer and LGBTIQ+ advocate Paul Thomas, along with filmmakers, Laurence Billiet and wife Rachel Antony.
All profits going towards the Rooftop Terrace Pavilion campaign. $45/$25
Tix 
79-81 Fitzroy Street
Maoko Mend & Meetup Sewing Circles @ Space2b
Thursday 31 August, 10.30 am – 12 noon
Fortnightly on Thursdays until 21 December
Come and join Japanese sewer Maoko Carroll who will be running a regular sewing circle at Space2b Social Design. Spend some time with like minded people, learn how to mend your garments and feel connected with the community. $10 Donation
Info
144 Chapel St St Kilda
Shaya [live] @ Alex
Thu 31st Aug 2023, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Shaya is an Israeli-Moroccan Singer-Songwriter who has been performing around the world for the past 6 years, documenting her journey with her original songs. $20
Tix
Benefit for Bedders @ Memo
Friday 1 September, 7 pm
Benefit for Bedders is a huge one night only comedy spectacular for writer, producer, comedian and media personality, Steve “Bedders” Bedwell, currently dealing with the effects of early onset dementia.
Hosted by Dave O’Neil and Bev Killick and featuring Steve Vizard, Tom Gleeson, Scared Weird Little Guys, Bob Franklin, Richard Stubbs, Elliot Goblet, Tania Lacy, Hung Le, Brad Oakes, Ethel Chop, Sean Choolburra, Jeff Green, and Colin Lane (Lano & Woodley fame). $65/$60
Tix
Impromptunes @ Alex
Friday 1 September, 8 pm
An epic celebration as Impromptunes hits their 400th show milestone.
It’s a completely wild idea. The performers take a title from the audience, and seconds later they perform that musical for the first, last and only time. $39-$29
Tix
Mini Market: books, plants & much more @ Christ Church
Saturday 2 September, 9.30 am – 2 pm
Would you like to join our other stallholders and have a stall with us on the first Saturday of any month in 2023?
Contact Robyn on 0408 536 241
14 Acland Street
arty, Bob Brown, his husband, sheep farmer and LGBTIQ+ advocate Paul Thomas, along with filmmakers, Laurence Billiet and wife Rachel Antony.
All profits going towards the Rooftop Terrace Pavilion campaign. $45/$25
Tix 
79-81 Fitzroy Street
Benefit for Bedders @ Memo
Friday 1 September, 7 pm
Benefit for Bedders is a huge one night only comedy spectacular for writer, producer, comedian and media personality, Steve “Bedders” Bedwell, currently dealing with the effects of early onset dementia.
Hosted by Dave O’Neil and Bev Killick and featuring Steve Vizard, Tom Gleeson, Scared Weird Little Guys, Bob Franklin, Richard Stubbs, Elliot Goblet, Tania Lacy, Hung Le, Brad Oakes, Ethel Chop, Sean Choolburra, Jeff Green, and Colin Lane (Lano & Woodley fame). $65/$60
Tix
Davitt Awards Ceremony @ Rising Sun Hotel
Saturday 2 September, 6 for 6.30 pm.
Six Davitt Awards will be presented at a gala dinner by Walkley-award winning investigative journalist, and true-crime author, Debi Marshall: Best Adult Novel; Best Young Adult Novel; Best Children’s Novel; Best Non-fiction Book; Best Debut Book (any category); and Readers’ Choice (as voted the 600+ members of Sisters in Crime Australia). Prior to the awards presentation, Debi will be in conversation with true crime author and podcaster, Emily Webb.
Details and bookings 
The Rising Sun Hotel 2 Raglan St., South Melbourne

Songs from the Canyon @ National
Saturday 2 September @ 8pm
In the 1960s and 70s, the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Laurel Canyon hosted a music revolution unlike any other.
Featuring performances from Husky Gawenda, Dan Kelly, Charm of Finches, Hannah Cameron, Stephen Grady and Dan Challis. $89/$70
Tix | YouTube

Grand Wazoo @ Memo
Saturday 2 September, 7 pm
The mighty 13-piece Grand WaZoo – Kings of Soul return with a rollicking Soul Music Extravaganza – featuring timeless music from the 60s-70s golden era of soul. $60/55+bf
Tix

Later in September

Caroline de Costa in conversation @ Readings
Thursday 7 September, 6 pm
Carmel Shute, Secretary of Sisters in Crime, and Caroline de Costa will be in conversation to launch Buried Secrets, the fourth novel in Caroline’s Cass Diamond police procedural series set in Cairns. Cass is once again in search of a ruthless killer. Free
Bookings are essential 
112 Acland Street

Acland Street Fathers Day Car and Bike Show is coming ..

This shinny classic Mustang in Acland Court is a sure sign that Fathers Day is just around the corner.
This year is the 10th Anniversary of the Father’s Day Car Bike Show were Acland St, Shakespeare Grove, O’Donnell Gardens will be transformed with classic cars, free face painting , free giveaways, carnival rides, Luna Park, awards for cars bikes, drag car fire ups and a huge movie car display.
Acland Street Fathers Day Car and Bike Show. Free
Sunday 3 September
10 am – 6 pm

Local and independent coverage
of Council news and decisions
Bike path rejection prompts Councillor walkout
Thirty vocal locals heard at Council
Deal done before any submissions were heard

A behind the scenes discussion by councillors to withdraw support for the controversial Shrine to Sea bike path on Kerferd Road prompted an extraordinary walkout by Councillors Tim Baxter and Robbie Ngaguy.
Earlier this year, the State Government ‘separated’ (AKA cut) the bike lanes from their $13M project that will link the new Shrine Metro station to Beaconsfield Parade with a landscaped boulevard.
The axing of the bike lanes was prompted by a concerted campaign by some residents who bitterly opposed the lanes claiming they would cause traffic chaos and create ‘rat runs’ in other local streets.
Advocacy zombie inflames opponents
The issue re-emerged last week like a policy zombie, when the Council meeting agenda included a draft advocacy paper on the Shrine to Sea that included the separated bike lanes.
This prompted both sides of the issue to fervently rally support in the public gallery at Wednesday’s meeting, with about 30 people rising to express support or otherwise in the public question time.
Passionate speaker after passionate speaker spoke for and against the bike lanes.
Many of those opposed to the bike lanes were surprised and agitated by advocacy support after such a negative reaction in the past. Supporters of the bike lanes emphasised the importance of making riding safer with more protected bike lanes.
Mayor’s motion prompts walkout
Mayor Cunsolo moved a conciliatory motion, that amongst some window dressing about consultation, specifically deleted Council support for the Bike Lane from Beaconsfield Parade to Moray Street – Kerferd and Albert Road / Albert Road Service Road.
This motion was discussed by councillors before the meeting and Crs Baxter and Ngaguy were aware that it would pass – making their opposition and the public submissions seem rendundant. This prompted them to deliver provocative and emotional remarks before leaving the meeting in protest.
Cr Ngaguy: House of delusions
Cr Ngaguy started his protest by quoting poet A E Housman, “The house of delusions is cheap to build but drafty to live in, and ready at any instant to fall.”
Arms folded and resolute, he said this motion ‘almost gaslights the community because it pretends that as a council, we are committed to better bike infrastructure when that is not the case.’
‘I’ve been shocked by how conservative this council has become. I don’t know what to do but to leave the meeting in protest,‘ he said before picking up his laptop and leaving.
(Listen at 1.54 on webcast page)
Cr Baxter: “The fix was in, a deal was made before the meeting”
A clearly frustrated Cr Baxter slammed the Mayor’s motion as a ‘kill the bike lane’ proposal.
He said there was overwhelming evidence that separated bike lanes had real benefits for all road users.
‘The evidence is there, they are a better, fairer way to use road space,’ he said.
He pointed to long standing Council policies that support better cycling infrastructure.
‘But the truth is that this is the most anti-bike council in Port Phillip’s history.
‘We are lying to our community. This motion says all the right things, but does none of them,’ he said before walking out.
(Listen at 1.57 )
The Mayor’s motion was carried:
FOR: Crs Bond, Sirakoff, Pearl and Cunsolo AGAINST: Cr Martin
While they were out ….
Ironically perhaps, the next agenda item was discussion about Council’s Integrated Transport Policy Review.
Crs Martin and Cunsolo proposed motion that strengthened policy support for separated bike lanes.
That motion was lost: FOR: Crs Cunsolo and Martin AGAINST: Crs Bond, Sirakoff and Pearl.
If Cr Baxter and Ngaguy had been in the room, the result may have been different.

TWiSK invited all the councillors to offer comments
Here are the replies received by deadline

Cr Andrew Bond
“It was immature of Cr Baxter and Cr Nyaguy to walk out like they did whilst Councillor’s were still debating an item of such importance, and about which our community is so passionate – both for and against.”
“I commend Cr Martin for showing some maturity and remaining in the meeting to represent his community despite also not agreeing with the eventual outcome.”
“Cr Baxter and Cr Nyaguy could learn a lot about community representation from Cr Martin.”
Cr Peter Martin: Hopefully future councils will show a stronger commitment
“I can well understand my colleagues’ disappointment at the lack of support by our current Council for the provision of new safe separated bike lanes in the City of Port Phillip. I echoed the concerns that they expressed on Wednesday evening in my own comments in the Chamber. I have first hand experience of the dangers posed by errant car drivers having spent over a week in the Alfred’s ICU after being “collected” by one in Brighton Rd many years ago, and would not wish a similar experience on anyone. For the first time since I first rode along St Kilda Rd back in the mid-sixties, I now feel relative safe when I ride along the new separated bike paths on either side of St Kilda Rd and look forward to seeing many more separated bike paths appearing on major thoroughfares across Melbourne, with future Councils hopefully showing a stronger commitment to their installation than our current Council.”
Crs Crawford and Clark were not at the meeting.

Also at Council

Unanimous support for Accessibility Action Plan 2023-25
Despite an obvious level of friction amongst councillors, there was unanimous support for a proposed plan on accessibility.
Swimming Trail idea fails to make a ripple
The lukewarm report on Cr Pearls idea for a bay swimming trial prompted him to move that the matter be deferred consideration in the council budget deliberations. In other words, take a number and join the queue.

Council Report Card: Below average

Results of the 2023 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey conducted by independent researchers on behalf of all Councils have been released.
The report found that our ‘Council performs significantly below the Metropolitan group average on most service areas evaluated, and on no services does it rate significantly above the Metropolitan group average.’
Below are the key findings verbatim to give you a flavour of the report.

Overview of findings 

“Perceptions of Council’s overall performance have significantly declined following a period of four years of relative stability from 2019. This decline in overall performance in 2023 mirrors the pattern across the Metropolitan group (and indeed State wide). Where there are comparisons with last year, many individual service areas evaluated have declined, more often than not significantly so.”
Key influences on perceptions of overall performance
“Over the coming year, Council should look to strengthen perceptions of decisions made in the interest of the community, as it has the strongest influence on overall performance Further, perceptions of Council’s performance on community decisions has declined significantly for two consecutive years, with ratings now at a record low. Following this, the more moderately influential but lower rated service areas of informing the community and lobbying should be prioritised as areas for improvement in the year ahead.”
Comparison to state and area grouping
“Council performs significantly below the Metropolitan group average on most service areas evaluated, and on no services does it rate significantly above the Metropolitan group average. Positively, Council rates significantly above the State wide average on sealed local roads, slashing and weed control, and planning and building permits.”
Focus on abating core measure declines
“Council should aim to abate the downward trends in performance ratings for poorly performing, influential ratings that have reached low points, such as community decisions, informing the community and lobbying. Improving these measures will assist in fostering a sense of connectedness with the community and drive perceptions that Council is indeed heading in the right direction, which is also trending down and at an all time low.”
P11
Read the full report on the council website 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 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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