Australia’s first Greek Orthodox church, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Surry Hills, is set to welcome worshippers once again after completing a series of restorations.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia will attend the Thyranixia, also known as the reopening ceremony, on Sunday, the 2nd of June 2024.
Constructed in 1898 and consecrated in April 1899, Holy Trinity was not only the first Greek Orthodox church in Australia but also in the Southern Hemisphere, earning its State Heritage Status from the New South Wales Government.
Originally, it served both the Syrian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox communities, under the guidance of Father Seraphim Phocas, who was proficient in Greek and Arabic.
Restoration Efforts
Over the decades, the church’s condition had deteriorated significantly, affected by water damage and severe structural issues caused by major tree root invasions. To address these challenges, the Board of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) along with the Holy Trinity Restoration Committee initiated the 125th Anniversary Restoration Appeal in June 2023. They aimed to return the church to its original splendour.
The comprehensive restoration project, divided into four stages, began in May 2023. It is projected to extend over three years and exceed $1.1 million in total cost.
The ambitious plan encompasses various critical repairs and enhancements, including concrete repairs to the Bell Tower, replacement of side windows, and installation of a disabled access ramp off Bourke Street.
The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, before restorations Photo Credit: Google Maps
Final Stages and Funding
The fourth and final phase of the restoration is scheduled for completion between 2024 and 2025 and is estimated to cost $304,537.00. Funding for this phase is expected to come from cash donations, in-kind contributions, and fundraising activities supported by the Greek community and government sources.
This phase will also see the installation of Honour and Donors Boards, and a marble plaque commemorating the restoration efforts and contributors.
The restoration of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church preserves a significant piece of religious and cultural heritage and revitalises a historic landmark in Sydney’s Surry Hills for future generations.
The first dedicated community housing project for highly vulnerable transgender women will take shape in the inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst as the City of Sydney sells seven properties at a significant discount to a housing cooperative.
The landmark initiative will see Common Equity New South Wales collaborate with All Nations Housing Co-operative to create affordable housing options for transgender women, a group often marginalised and at high risk of homelessness.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressed pride in the Council’s ability to provide safe and affordable housing for this community, emphasising their need to feel confident and accepted in society.
Social worker Aurora Green, who is also transgender, highlighted the difficulties transgender people encounter when seeking housing because of discrepancies in their documentation. She elaborated that despite legal protections against gender-based discrimination, conflicting information in electronic applications often results in rejection, providing minimal safeguarding.
A dedicated housing service would alleviate these hurdles and foster community and understanding.
Under the council’s excess land program, unused or underutilised properties are identified and sold to organisations working to provide housing for those in need. The proceeds from these sales will be channelled back into the city’s affordable and diverse housing fund, supporting future housing projects and addressing Sydney’s homelessness crisis and tight rental market.
In addition to the Darlinghurst project, the Council is also selling two properties in the upscale Potts Point neighbourhood to the B Miles Women’s Foundation, catering to women with complex needs. This comprehensive approach underscores the city’s commitment to providing inclusive and equitable housing solutions for all vulnerable groups.
Most employees at the $40-billion online design and publishing platform Canva plan to use the proceeds they earned from selling shares to buy property or pay down mortgages, rather than invest in new start-ups, an online survey reveals.
A poll of 119 current and former staff found just 3 percent intend to start their own company with the cash windfall. The top response, from 53 percent of those surveyed on the anonymous workplace forum Blind, was to purchase a home or pay off an existing mortgage.
Photo credit: Anna A/Google Maps
With the design unicorn headquartered in the expensive suburb of Surry Hills, the soaring cost of housing appears to be the main draw for employees cashing in a portion of their equity. The current (May 2023 – April 2024) median house price in Surry Hills is a lofty $2.23 million according to realestate.com.au.
Photo credit: Erick T/Google Maps
Whilst Canva allowed staff to sell up to 20 percent of their shareholdings – a typical limit to keep them motivated before a public listing – the opportunity to get a foot on Sydney’s property ladder has proven irresistible. One respondent commented that whilst they would love to start a business, the funds wouldn’t stretch far enough in an overheated market for tech investment and talent.
Photo credit: Vu Long Tran/Google Maps
Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht acknowledged the company’s share sale was a “net positive” for the start-up ecosystem, even if much of the proceeds get ploughed into real estate rather than new ventures. “It’s definitely money being distributed and money breeds more opportunities,” he told a financial magazine.
But in Surry Hills where the median house price tops $2.2 million, entrepreneurial dreams may have to be put on hold for Canva’s workforce. Securing housing appears the priority for now.
What do the vibrant streets of Surry Hills and the intricate stitches of fashion’s past have in common? This suburb not only clothes the city but also tells the tale of New South Wales’ rich rag trade history, a narrative woven with the threads of innovation, migration, and transformation.
The tale begins in the 1860s, with the hum of Isaac Singer’s sewing machines setting the rhythm for prosperity.
As Sydney grew, so did the demand for fashionable attire, and Surry Hills, with its strategic location next to the bustling Central Station, quickly became the centre stage for clothing production.
The Ballarat House/ Singer Sewing Machines Photo Credit: City of Sydney archives
The neighbourhood thrived as tailors, seamstresses, and designers clustered in its streets, turning bolts of fabric into the latest fashions. Ready-made clothing became a staple of Australian wardrobes, reflecting both the growing economic prosperity and the evolving social landscape.
Surry Hills’ factories buzzed from dawn till dusk, filled with the sounds of stitching and steaming, as garments were pieced together and pressed, ready to be shipped to shops nationwide. This thriving hub was not only a place of work but also a lively community where fashion was both a means of living and a passion.
The Golden Era of Surry Hills
The early 20th century saw Surry Hills buzzing with activity as electric machines from 1914 onwards, and the establishment of David Jones’ 8-storey garment factory in 1915, with an extension in 1935 boosted local production. The streets of Surry Hills were lined with factories and workshops where men’s and women’s fashions took shape, filling wardrobes and fueling the local economy.
By the 1940s, Surry Hills significantly contributed to Sydney’s identity, with half of the city’s women employed in the manufacturing industry, specifically in sewing, stitching, and designing. These workers were the backbone of the local economy. Many were skilled artisans who had learned their craft through apprenticeships that were as demanding as they were rewarding.
View showing pedestrians and terrace houses were factory workers lived. Photo Credit: City of Sydney archives
The close-knit nature of the community and the constant demand for new, innovative designs created a dynamic environment where creativity flourished. Garments produced here set trends that reverberated through the alleys of Surry Hills to the world’s fashion capitals. Despite the hard work, there was a sense of pride and accomplishment in being at the forefront of fashion manufacturing.
Post-World War II brought a new chapter to Surry Hills with waves of migrants arriving in Australia.
These newcomers quickly established small factories and workshops, becoming entrepreneurs and employers, leveraging their skills and cultural knowledge to introduce European-inspired designs, which appealed to the Australian market’s growing desire for sophistication and variety.
The Decline of a Manufacturing Giant
The once-thriving factories saw a steep decline as cheaper imports flooded the market and local production dwindled, marking the end of an era for Surry Hills’ bustling rag trade.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The threads began to loosen when tariffs were slashed in 1973, aiming to streamline national industry but inadvertently exposing local manufacturers to fierce international competition.
The prevailing environment made it possible for overseas manufacturers to undercut prices, making it difficult for local factories to compete. Many businesses were forced to close, others downscaled, and the once-vibrant streets of Surry Hills began to quiet.
As manufacturing jobs disappeared, the social landscape of the area shifted. The community of skilled workers that had defined the suburb for decades began to disperse, sparking a significant economic and cultural shift, with long-term implications for the local economy and the identity of Surry Hills.
Surry Hills Today
Despite the decline in traditional manufacturing, the spirit of Surry Hills’ textile past lives on in its architecture and cultural fabric.
These buildings have been repurposed to preserve the physical remnants of Surry Hills’ manufacturing past whilst injecting a new vibrancy into the area. The new spaces attract a diverse new generation of creatives and entrepreneurs. These repurposed buildings bridge past and present, offering spaces that honour their industrial origins while fostering contemporary innovation.
Legacy Amidst Ashes
A devastating fire at the former R.C. Henderson Ladies Hat factory along 11-13 Randle Street — once a symbol of Surry Hills’ manufacturing might—serves as another poignant reminder of the area’s transformative journey.
Developers Hanave have submitted an amended development application (D/2023/1170) for the site to the City of Sydney. This application aims to reconstruct the former heritage building, preserving its original brick facade and architectural details.
The redevelopment project was initially approved in 2018 to transform the Randle Street site into a hotel, with a deferred commencement approval granted in 2020. However, no construction had started when the fire occurred in May 2023.
As plans to convert these heritage sites into modern hubs progress, Surry Hills continues to weave its historical threads into the fabric of Sydney’s future.
Editor’s Note: Some significant historical details appearing in this article were sourced from an article on The Conversation by Peter McNeil, Distinguished Professor of Design History, UTS, University of Technology Sydney. You can read the original article hereand click to listen to ABC Radio interviewing Prof McNeil.
The music company behind one of Sydney’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties, the annual NYE In The Park festival, has gone into liquidation following court action by creditors over unpaid debts.
Based on the notice published by Australian Securities & Investments Commission, ITP Music, the operator of the festival was issued a winding-up order by the Supreme Court on March 27 after logistics firm Kennards Hire took legal action in February over an unpaid bill.
Reports indicate that another creditor had previously sued the music festival operator in December 2023 over a $14,000 debt.
Photo credit: NYE In The Park/Facebook
The liquidation is a major blow for Sydney’s live music scene, which has struggled to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. NYE In The Park was one of the city’s premiere annual festivals, held each New Year’s Eve since 2017 in Victoria Park in Sydney. At its peak, the festival featured a massive line-up of local and international music acts.
Photo credit: NYE In The Park/Facebook
However, the party is now over for the troubled event. Its website has gone offline and social media pages lie dormant. Vincent Pirina of Acton Chase Group has been appointed liquidator to investigate the company’s assets and liabilities.
A spokesman for the liquidators said it was still very early in the liquidation process, but the liquidator had made contact with the company’s directors and would be investigating the financial affairs of the company.
Whilst the details remain unclear, it seems likely that the 2024 edition of NYE In The Park will be cancelled as the operator dissolves its business. Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will be a little quieter this year as a result.
The liquidation continues a troubling trend for Australia’s music festival industry following the COVID-19 disruptions. A string of popular festivals have cancelled, gone broke or been acquired by larger players as they struggle with rising costs and patchy attendance.
The alc-eze supplement brand will unveil its latest 3-pack and 6-pack formats during an exclusive pop-up event in Surry Hills, promising attendees a night free from hangovers, complete with a money-back guarantee if they’re not satisfied.
From 25 to 28 April 2024, The Nocturne bar in Surry Hills will transform into the alc-eze Hangover-Free Bar.
Guests who purchase their first drink will receive a complimentary dose of the alc-eze hangover supplement. Should any patron still experience a hangover the next morning, alc-eze has committed to refunding their drink tab up to $50.
alc-eze’s product includes a potent mix of ingredients like nashi pear, known to reduce hangover symptoms by 80%, alongside damiana, kudzu, huang-qin, B vitamins, milk thistle, and molybdenum. These components work together to enhance the body’s ability to process alcohol more effectively, aiming to prevent the discomfort associated with typical hangover symptoms.
Highlights
Launch Event: Hangover-Free Bar pop-up in Surry Hills, 25-28 April
New Products: Portable 3-pack and 6-pack alc-eze options
Money-Back Guarantee: Up to $50 if patrons experience a hangover
Retail Expansion: Broader distribution in liquor and convenience stores
Key Ingredients: Nashi pear, damiana, kudzu, and more for effective hangover prevention
Photo Credit: alc-eze
The introduction of the 3-pack and 6-pack formats of alc-eze responds to consumer demand for more portable options following the success of their 30 and 60-tablet bottles. These new packs are priced at $9.99 and $14.99 respectively and are now available at top Australian pharmacy chains.
alc-eze is planning to expand its distribution to more liquor stores, bars and convenience stores across Australia, to make the brand more visible and accessible to consumers, allowing them to enjoy celebrations without the fear of hangovers.
Despite the potential to create hundreds of jobs, the developer behind the $60m redevelopment on Elizabeth St in Surry Hills claims that lack of commercial interest has hampered progress.
The substantial redevelopment plan, approved in September 2023, aims to transform vacant buildings into a 10-storey commercial hub in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The proposed site, located just meters from public transport on Elizabeth St in Surry Hills, is set to include 6,300 square meters of new commercial office space alongside ground-floor retail.
This development would convert five separate terrace buildings into modern office spaces reaching 50 meters in height, significantly changing the area’s landscape.
The $60-million project, spearheaded by the development company Stasia, is projected to generate between 200 and 300 construction jobs and an additional 800 to 1,200 operational jobs once completed. This job influx is anticipated to revitalise the local economy and enhance the area’s unique character through increased activity and service demand.
Photo Credit: Stasia
Commercial Interest and Challenges
While initial documents from the City of Sydney suggested that the development would attract major creative firms, Matthew Harris, a Stasia project developer, reported that commercial interest has been disappointing.
Mr Harris highlighted the challenges of securing commercial tenants without significant precommitments, indicating that the market’s dynamics have shifted unfavourably over the years.
The redevelopment is expected to have a broader positive impact on the community by activating the precinct. The plan includes the creation of a new laneway and significant architectural contributions by Candalepas, enhancing pedestrian connectivity between Foster Lane and Reservoir Street. These changes will foster a vibrant, transient working population and stimulate further commercial growth.
Surry Hills welcomes a serene escape with the arrival of Capybara Bathing, a unique sauna spa that invites visitors to unwind and ease their mind from the buzzling city life.
Found on Commonwealth Street, Capybara Bathing offers a space where phones are encouraged to be put on DND, or better yet on airplane mode, allowing customers to distress themselves upon entry.
Co-owner Natalie Cheung envisioned Capybara Bathing as a retreat from urban chaos, where people can experience a slow-paced life rather than their normal busy one.
Ms Cheung, along with a team of friends including Daegeon Song, Justin Lo, Nicholas Souksamrane, Sebastian Tsang and Rebecca Qin, drew inspiration from global wellness traditions to create a sanctuary that celebrates relaxation and cultural diversity.
The uniqueness of the spa’s name didn’t go unnoticed. According to the team, the name reflects their philosophy of friendliness and wellness inspired by the animal, capybara, itself.
Unlike other relaxation and wellness centers, inclusivity and uniqueness is found within the four-heated walls of Capybara Bathing that pays homage to bathing rituals from Japan, Russia, Morocco, and beyond.
Ms Qin referenced a Northern Asian family tradition of resting on hot benches in public bathhouses after their sauna.
Through these influences, the concept of Capybara Bathing was born, offering heated benches and communal spaces that encourage connection and rejuvenation that everyone deserves.
Local artists and designers contributed to the spa’s ambiance, with ceramic basins crafted by Daegeon Song and staff uniforms designed by Sean Tran of Redfern-based label Shhorn.
The space also features artwork by Sally Anderson and lush plants sourced from High Swan Dive in Newcastle.
Guests can indulge in a 90-minute session that includes time in a hot-stone sauna, steam room, and a large heated magnesium bath. Scrubs are available for purchase, and there’s even a two-person ice plunge and nooks that are specialised for heated bench and ice scrub—a refreshing addition to the spa experience.
Surry Hills residents rejoice! Craving a delicious meal after 9:00 p.m.? Look no further than Bar Conte! The owner of Australia’s first negroni bar has introduced a late-night dining menu, drawing inspiration from his Italian heritage.
Inspired by the Italian lifestyle where late dinners are the norm, Bar Conte will now offer patrons delicious food options from an acclaimed chef until 11:15 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This comes as a welcome change for Mr Lombardi, who, like many others, found himself limited to fast food choices after a late night out or his son’s Sydney FC soccer practice.
“It’s been a struggle for me in Sydney to have dinner late,” says Mr Lombardi. “Even 9pm is too early for me, but so many restaurants close their kitchens before then.”
With the new menu, Bar Conte moves beyond smaller share plates to offer more substantial, satisfying dishes.
Head Chef and co-owner Steven De Vecchi, formerly of Potts Point’s famed Apollo, has crafted a menu featuring over seven pastas, including king prawn and squid ink spaghetti, alongside a showstopping 500g O’Connor rib-eye steak.
“Everything is made to share and comes in generous portions,” explains Mr Lombardi. “It’s high-quality food, but it’s not fine dining—that’s the Italian way.”
Taking a cue from traditional Italian bars, Bar Conte aims to be a one-stop-shop for all your cravings, from morning coffee and pastries to late-night digestives. With plans to extend their late-night dining options to earlier days of the week, Bar Conte promises to be a haven for those seeking a taste of Italy, no matter the hour.
“Sly Groggin’ with Kate Leigh the Gangster Queen,” an event series, is set to captivate audiences with spellbinding intimate performances, plunging them into the heart of the infamous history of Surry Hills.
This immersive experience will run from Saturday, 20 April 2024, until Saturday, 11 May 2024, at Jazzy Cafe Bar on Devonshire Street, a venue steeped in history. The site is the former residence of Kate Leigh, the most notorious gangster queen of Surry Hills. Ms Leigh operated her sly grog business from this location until her later years.
Photo Credit: Jazzy Cafe Bar/Google Maps
“Sly Groggin’ with Kate Leigh the Gangster Queen” promises to transport attendees back to the turbulent 1920s and ’30s of Surry Hills, offering a glimpse into the life of Ms Leigh and her associates, Snowy “Magic Gingers” Mackenzie and Bludger “Banjo Playing” McGurk.
Guests are invited to knock on the door of Ms Leigh’s illegal bar, entering a world where the lines between law and crime blur. The intimate setting of Jazzy Cafe Bar, limited to 20 attendees per session, ensures a personal experience with true stories about Ms Leigh and her cohorts.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The narrative focuses on their exploits during the Depression era, highlighting Surry Hills’ transformation from a destitute neighbourhood to its present-day refined character.
The event is a storytelling session and a social gathering where guests can meet at shared tables. Upon arrival, guests will be served an antipasto plate and desserts will be served during the interval. This format encourages interaction among attendees, making the experience more communal.
Surry Hills’ history as a haven for criminals in the early 20th century, with large Catholic families living in cramped conditions and a proliferation of illegal activities, sets the backdrop for this performance. The series aims to educate and entertain by highlighting a pivotal time in the suburb’s past, making history accessible and engaging through the arts.
For more details, reservations, and inquiries, interested parties can reach out via phone at (02) 8034 4036, email at snazzy@jazzycafebar.com.au, or visit the official site.
