Category: News

Coles West End at the West End markets has just undergone a revamp.

Ice under the veggies, self-serve nuts and pulses, an olive and a fish display and lots of timber shelving in the fruit and bakery all conspire to appeal to the healthy, fresh vibe that we West Enders love.

Manager Mark Van Den Boogaard with all the staff unveiled the new look at Coles Marketplace at 7:30 on Wednesday morning. The veggie and the deli staff have the most dramatic changes in their area though the layout of the supermarket as a whole has changed to accommodate the focus on fresh food close to the entrance with the toilet and laundry gear at the far end.

Mark thinks that the olive and the fish bar will mean the most to the West End customers, giving them a market-like experience in keeping with the area.

Acutely aware that lots of West Enders view the major supermarket chains as a predatory  competitor to small business and minimize the amount of shopping that they do there to support the locally owned business, I asked Mark about the local purchasing policies of Coles.

He quoted the official press release, showcasing Maleney Dairies as a local provider. “We want to promote as much local food as possible.” Given that Maleney is a couple of hours drive away, I thought, I’d check … there are no metropolitan fresh food producers that Mark buys from.

Mark is aware that some people are angry that Coles has driven the price of milk down to $1 a litre, driving many farms off the land. “The reason that we have suppliers like Maleney Dairy, is so that those customers have a choice,” he said.

Mark has not heard any criticism of the increasing appearance of Coles brand products on the shelves and feels the criticisms of supermarket trading practices are beyond his capacity to change. They are clearly beyond his authority to comment on, as well.

They are also beyond the scope of a short news report. Suffice to say that you can run into prominent figures in the local traders and community associations, national figures fighting for the rights of farmers and organic food suppliers in the aisles of West End Coles any day of the week.

Mark and the team have put in the effort to present their food in a manner in keeping with what they see as the ethos of the area. As long as we keep shopping there, they know they are onto a winning formula.

We hang the man and flog the woman
Who steals the goose from off the common
Yet we let the greater criminal loose
Who steals the commons from the goose

The fight by the rich to take the common assets of the people and control them for personal gain is as old as money itself.

High profile examples in Australia include the gift to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corporation of the Sydney Showgrounds. Clive Palmer’s current request to turn the Bimblebox Nature Reserve into the vast China First coal mine represents a similar challenge in our own time.

Not all examples of the encroachment of private ownership onto public land are so visible, though. The alienation of the public from riverbanks, for example, happens gradually and steadily. What is, in law, a public asset becomes inaccessible and enjoyable only to a few.

The recent victory by Gully Watch over an attempt to have the river end of Sankey St closed and passed into private title is one victory against this general encroachment. Well done to the team that fought that battle and to Helen Abrahams who lobbied so effectively on behalf of the residents.

In some cases, private owners simply want to keep the public away from public land near their property so that they can enjoy exclusive access to the natural assets which they believe that they should have privileged access to.

This certainly seems to be the case at the end of Boundary St where some “unallocated public land” (read The Commons) is to be closed off because of complaints by neighbours that it was being enjoyed by the public.

Newman forbid!

Disclosure of interest: I am the publisher of Westender and a resident of Riviera Apartments at 5 Dudley St (known to the locals as Rancho Relaxo)

Westender is interested to explore community views and the legal basis of this enclosure. Obviously we all want to ensure that the public have access to a public asset. The question appears to be is that best served by having it open, or closed?

We welcome your views and expertise.

Here is the letter I sent to my neighbours asking for their support.

Hello neighbour,

In addition to our citizenship, our humanity and many hopes and fears, you and I share the commonwealth of this nation. Some of this is managed and provided by the government – roads, running water, well managed parks, sewage, fire and police services. Many things, though, are simply ours to enjoy: the sea, the air, the river that runs past our homes. This common wealth is part of the environment that nurtures and supports us. We must cooperate to preserve these common assets.

There are two blocks of land, known officially as no.s 1 and 3 Dudley St which are part of this common wealth and that you and I, as neighbours, share.

• Some of us have used this space to develop a community garden so that all of us might enjoy shade, free food and access to heirloom seeds.
• Some of us have used this space to park our cars.
• Twice in the last six months, ex-residents of number 5 Dudley St have used this space to celebrate a 21^st birthday and a graduation.

Apparently these uses of the common land have offended some of you.

• Someone has been pulling plants out of the community garden.
• Someone else has registered an official complaint and caused the land to be locked up so that it will be no longer commonly accessible.

This makes us a poorer community.

There are many things that neighbours may not like about each other.

• Renovations that wake us all every morning at 6:30am for 6 months
• The Labrador that poos every day in the most inappropriate places.
• Fertile tom cats that spray, fight and kill wildlife
• The boat shed wedding parties that broadcast bad music

Unpleasant as these things are, we take them in our stride as part of the awkwardness of being members of the human family. We respect each other’s right to be annoying. More bureaucracy controlling more aspects of our daily lives does not help us get along.

I will be fighting this closure of the commons. I invite you to join me in maintaining this public asset and working together to make it wonderful.

Geoff Ebbs.

As my wife and I enter the newly opened Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant ‘Sing Sing’ in West End we are greeted by Loan, a member of the family who runs it.

She grew up in West End and spent the first fifteen years of her life here, attending both West End State School and Brisbane State High School.

Loan’s family migrated to West End from Vietnam in the late 1980s and still has close ties with the community. This is why they decided to relocate Sing Sing to Hardgrave Road, where the old Kim Thanh Restaurant was, when the opportunity presented itself this year.

Their new location in West End is nicely renovated and has a lovely, bright and open interior — making it feel very spacious and pleasant.

Sing Sing Restaurant has been in operation for 25 years and has a well-established reputation in Annerley, known for its dedication to authentic Vietnamese and Chinese food and friendly customer service.

Sing Sing is still a family business and have the same staff from their old location in Annerley, with her mother and a brother as chefs, and her many siblings working at the front of the house.

The first dish that was served was their Prawn and Meat Rice Paper Rolls with Hoisin sauce on the side. It might sound like an odd combination, meat and prawns, but their individual texture compliments each other wonderfully. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients and the crispiness of the vegetables inside, making this dish the perfect entree to start with and share. The hoisin sauce is freshly made there and blends beautifully with the ingredients of the rice paper roll.

As a second entree we were served their Signature Beef Noodle Soup, which is a Vietnamese national dish. It is slow-cooked for twenty hours and prepared by Loan’s mother. The recipe is a family secret — a dish her mother has been making for the last twenty years. You can smell that it is packed with many different and exciting herbs and spices which creates a very interesting and delicious aroma.

The first taste of this soup is very discreet the first few seconds, but suddenly the flavours explode in your mouth. Each spoon of soup has a wonderful and unique taste. The noodles gives it that extra, light texture. As the beef that has been cooking with the soup for all those hours, it has become very tender and has a very delicious and enticing flavour after absorbing the deliciousness of the soup.

It is a dish best enjoyed between two people if you order it as an entree, as the serving is quiet large. Yet easily consumed if you are very hungry, as it is so very delicious. The soup is served with bean sprouts, sliced chilli, basil leaves and hoisin sauce on the side. The chilli will make it a bit spicy, but mixed with basil the soup will take your taste buds on yet another amazing journey of new flavours.

Our main course was Vietnamese Pork Spare Ribs with Egg and Rice. Served on a bed of rice and sliced cucumber and tomatoes, topped with a fried egg, and with a nuoc cham sauce on the side to bring out the flavours. Another combination yours truly is not accustomed to, but found to be absolutely perfect. Each ingredient compliments each other.

What truly amazed me was the taste of the pork spare ribs. The seasoning was again discreet, but so very tasty and delicious. And it was the first time I have had the pleasure to eat such tender pork spare ribs. A simple, yet very tasty meal that is very filling.

My belt buckle was ready to burst, but I had to try their Deep Fried Ice Cream, as that was yet another dish I have never had before. How this is done absolutely amazes me. It has a thick and crispy shell which blends very well with the ice cream inside. Served on a bed of thickened cream with a beautiful decoration and topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream. The perfect desert to end a perfect meal.

Sing Sing is one of those restaurants that not only offer interesting dishes in regards to combination of ingredients and authenticity, but more importantly, their flavours are truly unique and wonderful, leaving you with the desire to want more. And if you find yourself a bit clueless with what to get, as we were, then their wonderful staff will gladly give you some suggestions to suit your palette perfectly.

On Saturday 21st Sing Sing will host Lion Dancers from the Hock Chong School, one of the oldest Kung Fu establishments in Brisbane, to celebrate the 2013 Lantern Festival. Be sure to make a booking in advance by calling 3844 4954.

• Mains meals ranging from $9.9 to $21.90. The meals we enjoyed were Prawn and Meat Paper Rice Paper Rolls $9.90, Signature Beef Noodle Soup $9.90 and Vietnamese Pork Spare Ribs with Egg and Rice $12.50.
• It is a licensed venue with beers starting at $4. Their drinks are priced for their customers enjoyment. BYO wine only with a $2 corkage per person.
• They offer free karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights.
• If you are keen to learn how to cook Vietnamese food, they also offer cooking classes.
• Parking is located at the rear of the building.

Visit their website here to view their full menu: www.singsingrestaurant.com.au
Receive updates on events and specials here: www.facebook.com/pages/Sing-Sing-Chinese-Vietnamese-Restaurant/146739942034158
Located at: 93 Hardgrave Road, West End, 4101.
Phone: 3844 4954

Disclosure: Sing Sing is not affiliated with the restaurant located at their old location in Annerley.

The 10th anniversary of Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance was yet another smashing success at Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday evening last week.

I had been invited by Micah Projects to attend the evening to get a glimpse of what this unique event is truly all about.

It is getting close to 6 pm that evening while I help Katie Bennett set up her photo booth before everyone arrives to eagerly have their photos taken throughout the evening.

After helping out Katie with the photo booth I have a chat with Majella Heraghty from Micah Projects.

She tells me that it is important to think of the Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance not as a fundraiser, but a social inclusion event.

“Micah Project’s relies on donations, grants and full priced tickets sales to ensure the night is accessible to everyone.”

“This allows for the provision of heavily subsidised tickets for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”

It is still not 6 pm yet, but Lynette Vardy is already eagerly waiting for the doors to open.

She tells me that she has been to every Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance since it was first launched ten years ago.

“Every time I come I have great time.”

The highlight of the night is undoubtedly the dancing Lynette Vardy adds.

Right after 6 pm is when you really notice the popularity of Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance. The foyer of the Plaza Ballroom is full of eager attendees excited to enjoy a night filled with fun and laughter.

Dominic whom has been to Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance since 2010 is back to have yet another amazing evening.

When asked what is so special with the event he replies, “having fun meeting different people and having a good night.”

Robyn Evans and Patty is attending for their first time and they are both excited and looking forward to the evening.

After observing the crowd for a bit in the foyer it was time to head inside the Plaza Ballroom as the big event was about to kick off.

While people were still entering the Plaza Ballroom to find their seats they put on some music before the food was served to keep everyone entertained, which filled the dance floor instantly.

Everyone seemed now to have gotten inside and the eager dancers were asked to find their table as the food would be served while a few welcome speeches were given.

David had again been given the responsibility to be the MC for the night and pulled it of wonderfully.

Uncle Des Sandy welcomed everyone with a lovely speech and introduced Aaron Ruska who did an amazing performance on his didgeridoo.

After the speeches had been given, the dinner eaten and the deserts enjoyed, it was time to loosen those belts and hit the dance floor to music performed by Savvy.

As part of the evening they later arranged the dance floor in four corners, each indicated with balloons in different colours. During this game they play music while people are dancing, and when the music stops you have to be quick and pick which corner you want to be part of. Then a colour is randomly drawn to exclude dancers until there are only two left, who will be the winners of the competition.

Rest of the night Savvy continued to play music and everyone is danced and mingled with each other. Yet another successful Moonlight Magic Dinner dance, leaving everyone with fond memories of this great event.

It is not until you attend the Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance you understand how important this event is and appreciate the positive impact it will have on those attending.

An impact that will last for months, as Mal Causer from Micah Projects told me when I visited Campbell’s club few weeks ago.

Photos by Katie Bennett can be found here.

Brisbane is the only city where the newest $2 coin – the first circulating coin with purple stripes – will be able to be swapped for your change directly from the Royal Australian Mint.

The Mint went onsite at Queen Street Mall on Friday, swapping the new $2 coin for old change. Excitement surrounding this coin was high, with keen Brisbanites tweeting to bring the coin swap to Queensland.

In a hotly contested hashtag competition held on Twitter, there were only two tweets separating Brisbane and Adelaide when the competition closed on Monday 26 August.

“People across Australia have been really excited to get their hands on the new purple-striped $2 coin, so we thought it was only fair that they got to choose which Australian capital city would host the coin swap,” said Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid.

“When Brisbane emerged as the victors, we knew that the coin swap had to be held in Queen Street Mall to help keep the royal connection, as the coin celebrates the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II,” said Mr MacDiarmid.

The coin swap is likely to bring a boost to Brisbane tourism, with collectors from across Australia keen to get their hands on this coin.

“After the coin swap location was released, we have been inundated with callers from across the country saying that they’re ready to book a flight to Brisbane to get their hands on this coin,” said Mr MacDiarmid.

“These include collectors from Adelaide and Katoomba, so be sure to get to the coin swap early so they don’t all get swapped straight away!”

While there is no standard limit to how many can be swapped, it will depend on how long the line is at the time. The public should keep an eye on Mint’s Facebook page and Twitter feed for any event updates.

This coin was officially launched in June 2013 by the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as part of the Colourful Change program.

For more information about the coin swap, 2013 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II $2 coloured circulating coin or images of this coin please visit www.ramint.gov.au

The crowd was of an age that in dictated they had probably bopped along to Russell Morris on their transistor radio in 1969, I know I did, but the chatter in the queue was about his recent songs with their historical bent and blues framing.

When the band came out and started playing the straight blues number Black Dog Blues I worried that we were going to be deprived of the intimate interaction that Der Spiegeltent potentially offers an audience.

I need not have worried. Mr Morris is an accomplished comedian, twisting tales of his grandmother, tales from his grandmother, acid trips, Molly Meldrum allusions and the characters from Australian history into a stage show that goes beyond patter. It is not often you get a belly laugh at a music gig but I enjoyed more than one.

I found myself looking forward to his next little spiele as each song drew to a close.

That is not to detract from the music. The band is tight, accomplished and steady. As a blues dilettante I am not qualified to deconstruct the musicality of the first half of the show, but it provided a solid basis for the historical context and the powerful characters that are the subject matter of his more recent material. Morris delivers neat vignettes of Les Darcey and Squizzy Taylor that in one case is an ode and the other a bitter footnote. Other songs deal with the gigantic historical framing of the Depression, the Gold Rush and our convict past.

I would have been perfectly happy with a concert based on this material alone but the duties of a rock legend insist that – to quote Mr Morris – we enter the tardis and follow the time lord back to 1969.

I am the real thing, set the scene, inspiring four women to shed the years and dance as we all did 44 years ago, helping the rest of us take the time journey.

Lead guitarist Peter Robinson has a Mick Ronson like command of the rock format and the big finish and delivers it with an ease and confidence that is too joyful to be described as cynicism but so accomplished that you want to challenge him to take it a little bit further. Bass player Mitch Cairns and drummer John Creech round out a solid and joyful, blues and rock outfit.

A string of hits and an encore later, Russell had us in the palms of his capable hands.

“I know you all want to hear the old stuff but we are a working band and are making a new record so we want you to hear the new stuff as well. This is something Peter and I wrote six weeks ago and we think it will be the break out song on the new album.” In a final tease they then launched into Sweet Sweet Love as the final number.

Satisfied as the tent full of baby boomers were, I’m not sure I was the only person in the room who would quite liked to have heard a new number written six weeks ago and had the opportunity to turn it into the next real big thing.

If it had any of the resonance of the historical numbers from Sharkmouth, I’d be paying my 99c to download it legally.