Paradise, Purgatory and Hellhole

The Powerhouse Museum presents Paradise, Purgatory and Hellhole: a history of Pyrmont and Ultimo, an exhibition that explores the complex history of one of Sydney’s most diverse areas opening on Saturday 19 March, 2005.
The Ultimo and Pyrmont quarries of the 1860s known as Paradise, Purgatory and Hellhole provided Sydney with its hallmark sandstone. This is just one of the many diverse faces of these suburbs showcased in this exhibition that highlights Ultimo and Pyrmont’s rich social history.
Since European settlement the Pyrmont Peninsula has continued to experience immense physical and social change. The area once served as a major centre for the distribution of Australian wool, milk, flour and was also the site for the nation’s largest sugar refinery.
Ultimo Power Station was the supplier of power for Sydney’s lights and trams. Harris Street provided a major transport route for industry goods and with the founding of Sydney technical college in the 1880s Ultimo later established itself as an important area of learning.
Through a collection of texts, images, objects and oral stories the exhibition takes visitors on an historical journey evoking memories of grit, smoke, noise and above all the diversity and sense of community that has helped the area evolve into the developed urban environment that it is today. No suburban area of Sydney has contributed as much to the economy and life of the city as Pyrmont and Ultimo, the exhibition allows the visitor to relive the history of this fascinating area through the eyes of local people. Powerhouse Museum Curator, Anni Turnbull has worked closely with local residents to gather first-hand experiences of living and working in the area.
“One resident’s childhood memories are based on smell; from the sweet smell of the sugar refinery to the heady stench of the power station.
“When developers set their sites on Macarthur Street Park, residents were prepared for a fight. Narelle Thirkettle, a local for three decades was part of a resident action group that used tea and scones to fight the developers.” Said Anni Turnbull.
Paradise, Purgatory and Hellhole: a history of Pyrmont and Ultimo will open at the Powerhouse Museum on March 19 and runs until October 2004. The exhibition is part of a program of events celebrating the Museum’s 125th Anniversary.

Opens: March 19 2005-October 2005 Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW Phone: (02) 9217 0111 Infoline: (02) 9217 0444 www.powerhousemuseum.com
Hours: 10am to 5pm every day
Admission: $10 adult, $5 child, $6 concession and $25 family. Members, children under 5 years, Australian Senior Card holders and pensioners are free.

Community landmark opens doors to public

Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium held their successful annual Open Day on 24 October 2004 with over 150 people in attendance. “Many comments were made about the beauty of the gardens and the appreciation the public had for the Open Day,” said David Adams, Family Services Manager of Northern Suburbs. Opened in 1933, Northern Suburbs covers 40 acres of North Shore bushland adjacent to Lane Cove River Recreational Park, includes tranquil rose gardens and cultivated bushland, and boasts one of the largest varieties of plant-life in Sydney. Throughout its 70 years of operation some of Australia’s most influential people have memorials in the grounds. Prime Minister Sir Joseph Cook and author May Gibbs are just two of the many iconic Australians with memorials here. In the past year, Northern Suburbs has undergone renovations. This landmark location is cherished by Sydneysiders because of its beautiful architecture combined with its important heritage. Visit www.northernsuburbscrem.com.au

Belinda Green turns the spotlight onVitamin D

Over 50’s take note. Belinda Green, Brand Ambassador for Boots Healthcare, is leading a new crusade to boost awareness of Vitamin D – an essential vitamin that is vital for physical health but appears to be little understood. In a recent survey commissioned by Boots Healthcare, over 84% of all respondents admitted they knew little or nothing about Vitamin D’s importance, yet over half the over 50’s surveyed were concerned about the strength and health of their bones. It is commonly known that calcium is vital for strong bones and preventing osteoporosis as well as other bone deterioration conditions. But Vitamin D, which helps calcium absorption, is also important – and essential for maintaining muscle strength as well. If you don’t have enough Vitamin D your muscles are likely to be weaker and your bones will receive far less calcium. For people with low Vitamin D levels a safe and Halal approved Vitamin D supplement called Ostelin is available through pharmacies without a prescription. Ostelin provides 1000IU of Vitamin D in every capsule, the highest dose available in Australia without a prescription. As with any medication it is important to always read the label and use only as directed. Ostelin is available through pharmacies without a prescription for RRP$14.65.

A file for life!
People in retirement homes can now keep track of all their important information without a computer. LifeFile is a resource that allows you to keep your affairs in perfect order. It was created by Jeff Camp after his father became terminally ill and he had to sort through his affairs and assume the burden of making decisions. LifeFile enables you and your family to keep track of important information such as tax file numbers, health histories, solicitor’s details, memorial requests and more. It allows you to summarise your personal information and requests so that it is easily accessible to those close to you. At just $14.95 (including GST) plus $2.95 postage and handling nothing could be simpler. Call (07) 3901 3399 to order your LifeFile. For your chance to win a LifeFile email info@forpeaceofmind.com.au with your details.

Open day at Rookwood Crematorium

Peace of Mind attended the open day at Rookwood Crematorium on Sunday the 10th of October. It was a great success and enjoyed by all with over 800 people attending. Why, you may ask, would you go to an open day at a crematorium? Well in most cases people just wanted to know what goes on behind the doors. “It’s not morbid”, said one lady I asked, “It’s just that when my mum died, the curtain shut and I never really knew what happened, now I do”. Peace of Mind was there to promote the magazine and field a few questions. Although I think we ate more Krispy Kreme donuts than anything else!
Friends of Rookwood Inc. PO Box 66, Lidcombe NSW 1825 Phone: (02) 9746 8433
Email: friends_of_ rookwood@hotmail.com

Project Hope

The Bay Health Foundation Mission Statement is as follows: "Building a healthier community by raising funds for health projects which provide increased opportunity and added value to the region’s existing services.” Launched in February 2003, the Bay Health Foundation was established for the sole purpose of raising funds to provide equipment, facilities, services, research, education, training and other related projects that enhance the region’s existing health services. The first major project was to provide the region with a very much needed $400 000 Satellite Dialysis Centre. This project was completed and officially opened in July 2004 – within just a year of the campaign launch. Continuous research and discussions with local health authorities and related support groups led to the unanimous agreement that the most urgent current need was for a regional Cancer Centre. The result: Project Hope. A fundraising campaign with all proceeds designated to provide the Western Bay of Plenty with a totally dedicated District Cancer Centre. While the Foundation does not actively seek applications, it encourages and welcomes suggestions as to priorities that could be considered. “In every community there is work to be done. In every heart there is the power to do it.”
The Bay Health Foundation
Western Bay of Plenty Tauranga, New Zealand Phone: +64 7 5711631 www.projecthope.co.nz

Memorials Permit Australia to Weep
Families of the 202 victims who died in the bombings of two nightclubs in Bali have marked the second anniversary of the attacks with emotional ceremonies in Bali and in Australia. The second anniversary of the Bali Bombing has allowed Australia a cathartic opportunity to grieve in a public forum. One of the numerous services held in Australia occurred at sunset at Allambe Memorial Park. Attended by over 200 people, including the local member, Mrs Sally Vickery – wife of honorary consul to the Republic of Indonesia – and a representative from the Premier's Office, the service was a sombre reminder of the immense affect the attack had on us all. Parents and families of some of the eight Queenslanders who lost their lives in the attack were in attendance including: Mrs Christine Hardy, mother of Billy; Mr Geoffrey and Mrs Syamsinar Thwaites, parents of Robert; and the Cearn and Ganes families, amongst others. Some of the attendees travelled from as far away as North Queensland to grieve and pay their respects to the devastated families. Anthony Perl, spokesperson for Allambe Memorial Park says memorials are crucial sites of healing. "We recognise the physical, emotional and psychological importance of having places where people can grieve,” says Mr Perl. “Australians are, in general, reticent in their expression of loss, but given an avenue, a place, where they feel safe and comfortable to grieve, they are able to come to terms with loss. A perfect example is Galipoli. As a nation we identify this beach with our struggle for nationhood and it has become a pilgrimage site.” Her Excellency, the Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce reiterated the importance of memorials last year in her dedication. This monument, “speaks of the triumph of good over evil and of the need to remember and to achieve peace”.

Allambe Memorial Park
Nerang-Broadbeach Rd, Nerang QLD 4211
Phone: (07) 5578 1699 Fax: (07) 5596 1191 E: info@allambe.com.au www.allambegardens.com.au