News Briefs
Shopping with good will
Swapping for a cause was in vogue last Saturday when women converged on a studio in Chippendale to donate their dollars and wardrobe castaways. The event “Swap ‘til you Drop” on Kensington St attracted fashionistas from across the city who brought bags of unwanted skirts, dresses and blouses to raise money for women in developing nations. Hosted jointly by Opportunity International Australia and 10thousandgirl, the fundraiser accepted clothing donations in the morning then put on a high tea at midday while attendees perused through the recycled collection, which was tagged and ready for purchase by token. The March 4 event raised over $1000 and organisers continue to accept donations online, encouraging people to give on International Women’s Day (today).
A show of force
Hundreds of police officers stormed George St on Thursday, March 1 to commemorate 150 years of service. The march began at 10 am in The Rocks and proceeded to Town Hall where a civic reception was held by the City of Sydney. The anniversary was celebrated by 800 men and women in blue. High profile attendees included NSW premier Barry O’Farrell, Governor of NSW Professor Marie Bashir, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher, the NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP. On this day in 1862, independent police units became centralised under the NSW Police Force. Today, the enforcement arm of government boasts almost 16,000 officers and almost 4,000 civilian staff.
Parade partyers not drowned out by rain
For many on Saturday night, Kylie Minogue was worth her weight in rain at the Mardi Gras parade. The March 3 event featured myriad dancers and floats rolling down a “wet” carpet or Oxford St. The constant drizzle failed to deter parade watchers who lined the avenue and spilled out of its venues, donning ponchos and umbrellas. The variety of participants kept the annual event fresh with floats, shuttle buses and motorcycles from the Metropolitan Community Church to Mature-Age Gays and Dykes on Bikes. According to the organiser New Mardi Gras, there were over 135 floats and about 8,500 parade participants. Marriage equality banners were raised high by several groups.
A cleaner neighbourhood and nation
Pyrmont residents took part in the annual Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 4 and filled 20 garbage bags from their neighbourhood. The 39 volunteers included the area’s fire fighters and children who scoured through parkland in an effort to keep them green and litter-free. Participants reported a significant amount of shopping trolleys and plastic crates outside the Fish Market and on the corner of Murray and Pyrmont Streets. Eight residents spent two hours picking up cigarette butts strewn in the garden beds near The Star casino and Coles on Miller St.
