News Brief

Town Hall clock’s out

Town Hall’s historic clock will not chime for up to eight weeks while its gears are repaired. The clock will continue to keep time during this period. Made in the 1880s, the clock typically chimes every quarter hour.

Smart lighting on Pitt Street Mall

New energy efficient lighting will be installed along Pitt Street Mall. The LED ‘smart lighting’ will be able to detect surrounding light levels and adjust accordingly, as well as create colourful displays for special events.

Same-sex adoption rights

Lord Mayor Clover Moore, in her role as Member for Sydney, will launch a Private Members Bill in State Parliament to allow equal adoption rights for same sex couples.

Missing macaws

Taronga Zoo reported the theft of two Green-winged Macaws on Thursday May 20. Police say there was no sign of forced entry, but the padlock to the aviary was missing. Police are reviewing CCTV footage.

Safer air for schools

Asthma Foundation NSW is petitioning the State Government to introduce safer gas heaters in schools. They said a substantial proportion of the 51,000 unfluted gas heaters in NSW public schools had unsafe levels of nitrogen dioxide.

Museum offers backstage passes

Australia’s oldest museum, the Australian Museum now offers Behind the Scenes Tours of its collection of over 16 million scientific specimens and cultural artefacts, some never before on display to the general public.

Pub brawl

A 31 year-old man critically injured in a fight outside the Star Hotel, on the corner of Sussex and Goulburn Streets, at 5:30am on Sunday has died in hospital. Paramedics found the man motionless on the ground before taking him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for emergency treatment. Police arrested three men at the scene and took them in for questioning.

Pride of Paddington

Paddington Markets initiator Reverend Peter Holden died last week. Rev Holden led Paddington Methodist Church from the late sixties to the early seventies, and was among the organising staff for the Woodstock music festival. His funeral will be at the Paddington Uniting Church on May 27.

Fire, water, Rocks, aerialists

Fire Water, a free festival of theatre, fire, food and music, will feature at the Rocks over the June long weekend. Performances will tell the tragedy and adventure of the tall ship Sydney Cove and its crew, featuring aerialists, fire sculptures and creative lighting.

Putting community back into politics

…is the topic of Friday’s Talking Heads forum at the Toxteth Hotel, Glebe. The panel will feature Member for Balmain and former Sydney City Deputy Lord Mayor Verity Firth; Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker; and City News’ Publisher Lawrence Gibbons, also President of the Pyrmont Ultimo Chamber of Commerce.

High speed boat mishap

Nine high speed boat passengers on the Harbour were taken to hospital on Saturday. They complained of back and leg pain after a large swell and wash caused the vessel to jump and land heavily. The incident occurred between Obelisk bay and Sydney Heads. Police are making inquiries.