2042 Newtown

I've shopped in Newtown, been entertained in Newtown, eaten in Newtown and have been inspired by a street photography course, where I spent a day capturing images of the people in Newtown. What better place then, to begin another 'New Year' of my photo journey than in the vibrant, eclectic and diverse mix of this suburb. 

My hope is that 2017 might be the year when Max and I start to get back into our photography groove and spend more time exploring the wonderful place that is our city!

Did you know that the Enmore Theatre is not in Enmore at all, it's in Newtown! It's a place I've enjoyed going to many times over the years and I recently saw TLC perform here. I will be back again in March to see the Specials - such a great live music venue!

... And when I'm in the mood for a film that's a little less mainstream, the Dendy is my cinema of choice. It's an independent cinema where a range of arthouse films is shown - always a pleasant diversion.

Blind date with a book.

Interesting fact: 1869 - Newtown library was the first free public library in NSW

Dining Out 

Time with friends

Hipster Style - the symbolic meaning of the beard trend 

       (an opinion of course)

Head Over Heels

Aboriginal communities have been significant inhabitants of Newtown since the first Cadigal (Gadigal) peoples walked this land.  The Newtown Project  provides an interesting overview of Aboriginal presence in the Newtown area.

Art

... and kitsch

Front of House  

When Ronald is still in the Christmas spirt and Santa has just had enough! (Well he was rather busy)

Rustic Charm

Community Support

The residents of Newtown have been historically known for their activism - fighting for the rights of workers, Aboriginal people and women. Alongside these struggles, the rights of LGBTI people have been championed since the 1970s and much success has been achieved. However, in our current political climate there has been a shift in the way our LGBTI friends and family are being made to feel and this became clear as I walked around the suburb. A number of 'safe space' rainbow stickers were visible on various store fronts to indicate that these were welcoming and safe places for members of the LGBTI community. My first thought was fabulous! Here are businesses that reach out to everyone. But then I thought about what these safe spaces really signify. What do these signs and stickers say about our society? 

As the campaign for marriage equality looms large in Australia my hope is that sanity will prevail and voices will be heard. Equality is the key word here - because why would anyone think that someone else deserves less?

2107 Avalon

Avalon, a beachside suburb in Guringai country, is the place where a revitalised pair decided to re-engage with a 'suburbs' photography project that had been abandoned for two years! Max and I could not have chosen a more glorious day or a more beautiful location to spend our time, other than the place named after the legendary 'earthly paradise'!

Keeping cool at the Rock Pool

A shimmering line of bluebottles in the sand indicates Sydney is starting to warm up for the summer.
After what seems to have been an extra long winter all I can say is… at last! 

Community service - ensuring the safety of beach goers and encouraging swimming between the flags.

School holidays!

                                                      Rocky                                                          Rustic                                                          Rusty                                            

Lunch is such an easy tradition to enjoy with such lovely company and in such delightful surrounds.

In a haze and splash of summery blues, Avalon treated us to the perfect day out and the perfect way back in to our project.

Where to next Max?

2017 Zetland

Zetland, is the last suburb in our alphabet of Sydney (that said, it continues to be a project in no particular order); it is also the first suburb that Maxine and I have photographed this year! Lunch was planned at the Grounds of Alexandria and with Zetland conveniently placed as the neighbouring suburb it was lovely to be zipping through its 39 streets on a sunny day. In this place, which at one time was thought to be the smallest suburb in Australia, we found the dintinct style of the old and across the road the brand spanking new! We were lucky to fall into conversation with a local resident who grew up in Zetland. She told us of the changes she's observed in the small suburb to which she has recently returned to look after her father. The Victoria Park area has seen the bulk of this change. From swamp - to race course - to car manufacturing plant - to naval stores depot - to the purpose-built modern towers of gentrification. This part of Zetland is quietly going about it's way with families and young professionals Planning to create a new and vibrant culture.

The Zetland Hotel @ Green Square

On Elizabeth Street

Zetland... Under Construction

A Reflection of Nature

Car Industry-  Old and New

Coco and...

Local Resident

Zetland is the archaic spelling of Shetland and was named after the Earl of Zetland.  It has changed from swampy marshes that sit in the land of the Eora people to soaring architectural structures that dominate the skyline. And here upon a wall, in a quiet unassuming spot, is this curious young woman who keeps sole watch as this place takes on a whole new lease of life.

snap it {admire}

What's not to admire in a daughter who has been so diligent in revising for exams this week. Her work ethic is incredible and one that is beyond her fourteen years. She even took these notes to the Sydney FC match on Saturday. Why you may ask... well, to do a bit of revision at half time of course! 

Link with snap it {admire} at Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love

snap it {splash}

Two mums thought they'd teach four daughters a thing or two about skimming stones! The girls realised we were too skilled and decided to make a bigger splash by hurling rocks! 

Link with snap it {splash} at Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love

Making a splash at Lake Burrendong, NSW 

snap it {three}

This week, on a three day trip to the beautiful Hunter Valley, I saw lots of 'three'! 

Link to snap it {three} at Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love

Vine leaves segmented into three sections...

a triplet of barrels...

 a trio of brilliant red poppies...

 three seats along a shady sandstone wall on an 1830's verandah...

and finally three o'clock was just chiming on the Dalwood House sundial... just in time!