Hold on Tight -The Inner West Takes Off

Welcome to my first blog for 2014 and hoping that all your holidays were safe and relaxing for you and your families. Where to begin with the outlook for property this year... I can tell you without hesitation that it is set to be a bumper year. The recent ANZ Property Industry Confidence Survey concurs, reporting in January that ‘housing remains at the early stages of a solid cyclical upturn’.

Even better is the outlook for property prices for one area in particular - the inner west, however as many agents will tell you, property in our neck of the woods is a tightly held commodity. Owners are holding fast to their properties for a variety of reasons. One of these reasons which just keeps coming up is the shortage of anything else to ‘buy up into’ when owners are looking to upgrade for lack of space due mostly to growing families.

The solution? Many are reverting to that time-consuming, red-tape ridden exercise of renovating or extending their property. That’s right, they’re applying to council, getting architects in, designing, deciding, and then dreading the six months plus when their home will become someone else’s workplace.

On the whole, one thing becomes very clear as we look at the inner west market going into the first quarter of the year; many are looking to buy larger properties and at the same time, no one wants to move out of the inner west once they’re in. There’s clearly no other area with as much to offer in terms of schools, parks, recreational areas and public transport.

The light rail has made the market even more attractive and many residents could be forgiven for thinking that they are now sitting on, or living within, a goldmine, with median property prices in some inner west suburbs doubling in less than a year. As reported by realestate.com.au, Dulwich Hill is now classed as a ‘high demand’ market, with many homeowners catapulted into the status of millionaires -as far as their assets are concerned.

 And the message is clear if you’re looking at joining the fortunate property ranks within the inner west -get in fast. Some residents have reported homes on the market for no more than a week before they are snapped up.

 If you are upgrading your property or have recently renovated or extended, be sure to get in a property valuer not just for insurance purposes, but because it makes sense to stay aware of the dramatic property price increases that you will likely enjoy.

https://www.facebook.com/Century21Synergy?ref=hl

Dulwich HIll Village Fair - Special Event Road Closure - Sunday December 2013

Resident Notification - From Marrickville Council. Dear Resident This is to inform you that Marrickville Council will be presenting Dulwich Hill Village Fair On Sunday 1 December 2013 from 10:00am to 4:00 pm. This event will take place in Marrickville Road (between New Centerbury Road And Durham Street), part of Seaview Street (between Marrickville Road and The Seaview Street Car Park)and Durham Lane (From Durham Street To the Loftus Street Car Park). The Roads will be closed from 3:00am to Midnight and there is to be NO PARKING IN SPECIFIED PARTS OF MARRICKVILLE ROAD AND SEAVIEW STREET at this time. Residents with driveways will be able to get assisted vehicle access in and out of the festival site, however for the safety of the public we request that you leave your vehicle out of the event zone during the key period of 9:00am-4:30pm. We request your full cooperation with respect to SPECIAL EVENT PARKING RESTRICTIONS for this annual one-day event.We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and hope you will join us to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the Dulwich Hill Community at this year's Dulwich Hill Village fair. For Further enquiries please contact Council's events coordinator, Simone Parrott, on 02-93352281. -END- Excerpts taken from Resident Notifications issued by Caroline McLeod, Acting Manager Culture and recreation Marrickville Council.

Charles Tarbey on Property Empire 22 November 2013

Clearance rates steady. More property on the market - higher prices 

(vendors want higher prices)

Overrall 67.4% per cent for the week.

68.3 %last week

Sydney 76.3%

Melbourne 69%

Adelaide 51.9%

Canberra 52.7

Summary : Very good market place to be in

Homes Advertised for sale

Down 5.6%

Down last week, Down the week before that only slightly.

Amount of Property come on the market has dropped.

Rise in competitions lates december and early new year.

Listing NZ - two weeks ago peak,

Auckland listing numbers going backwards, which mean their market will start moving again.

Residential rent price movement

12.77 % Sydney Average Chart has been flatlining.

7.06% Vic

18.25 % Perth

12.69% Average

People need to pay attention to that

tenants are moving out and tenants are buying property

Residential Vacancy Rates.

2.44 % sydney (best performing capital city)

3.32 % Melbourne

6.23% Perth

Vacancy rates

4% vacancy rates overall

Final Note:

Perth should be concerning most investors, good market but lots of

 tenant buying the property of their landlord.

#TakeFive : Take Five minutes to learn more about #MariaDeMarco and her visions for King Street Theatre, Newtown.

1) When did your theatre first opened for business? How long have you been in the Inner West?

#KINGSTREETTHEATRE officially opened in April 2012. The #theatre has had 2 previous incarnations before we took over spanning at least 20 years. First as the EDGE THEATRE and then as THE NEWTOWN THEATRE.

2) What is your vision for King Street Theatre?

As our motto says, ‘NURTURING ALL ARTS TO LIVE RATHER THAN JUST SURVIVE’. We want it be a cultural hub for all things artistic including Drama, Musical, Cabaret, Pocket Opera, Chamber Music, Comedy, Dance, Street Art, Illusion, Grand Guignol, Erotica and the more unique subversions of Burlesque. We would also love to build on our parent company that runs KST, EMU PRODUCTIONS previous work, to continue to create and produce new works where all creatives are paid. Essentially a full time professional performing arts company.

3) What was it like when you first started your business in St Peters , Inner West?

Hard for all businesses as you start to build a profile to let people know we are there and the history of the place had not necessarily created that for us as a theatre for ALL arts. Still after 19 months we are constantly having to let people know we are here and available for hire.

4) What inspired you to get into the theatre arts?

Wow, that is a very loaded question which would take forever to answer. Both Markus Weber (Artistic & Managing Director of KST & EMU PRODUCTIONS) and myself have trained as actors in our youth and have being working as professionals since graduating from acting school. So, it is something that we have just done all our lives. We both have resumes that highlights work in 4 continents and over 60 years with a combine total of over 300 productions, that we can remember and want to mention. Not just as actors but as directors, writers, singers, producers, trainers, lyricists, creators, translators to mention just a few professions but now as owners of KST. That has to be the highlight to be able to do what we want to but also to help other artists with their dreams.

5) What are your plans for King Street Theatre in 2014 ? What can we expect from your programming next year?

We are hoping to establish a children/youth program including workshops and performances during the school holidays, as well as producing our own plays. We have our usual stable mates who are becoming our regular features during the year. They include, SHORT & SWEET FESTIVAL, SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL, PLAYBACK THEATRE & CRASH TEST DRAMA.

6) Please highlight any special features or benefits of the King Street Theatre.

The main benefits is of KING STREET THEATRE is that Markus and myself understand theatre, performance and the arts. You can trust that we know what it is like to produce a play/show and we will do everything in our power to make it happen smoothly. Special features is the new equipment we have installed that never existed in the space until KST was born. We have two spaces for performance, both with their own light/ sound rig. And of course our dedicated staff .

7) Will you be conducting any classes and lessons at the King street theatre for aspiring writers, actors, and singers.

Refer to question 5’s answer, but we hope to establish some school holidays acting workshops in 2014. Our theatre is also the training ground for interns who want to learn about every aspect of theatre. From staging, lighting, sound, management, finances and FOH, our interns either spend 3 – 6 months in our theatre doing experiencing life running a small private theatre in a Sydney.

Foyer Stage, King Street Theatre
seats 60.

9)What is your favourite play and favourite playwright? Why?

My favourite play and playwright? Depending my mood but there are many for different reasons but the one that popped into my head after first reading this question was WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? . I studied it at school and then studying it at uni in as an actor, it was just a complete an utter mind altering experience. I won’t say the Edward Albee is my favourite playwright because I find him a challenge. I like JOANNE MURRAY SMITH’s themes and the fact that she writes great stuff for female actors and more importantly she is Australian. I like more Australian playwrights than international writers because I believe in having an Australian voice represented in the arts worldwide. Another reason for JOANNA MURRAY SMITH, her work translates to any culture.

10)How do clients contact you should they wish to apply for a course?

Our Facebook page is probably the most up to date information of current events at KST. Go to our website to subscribe to our monthly newsletter.


EMU PRODUCTIONS ( Theatre & Music P/L)

KING STREET THEATRE

644 KING STREET & CNR BRAY ST

(1st floor above the SOUTH END CAFÉ; entrance is on BRAY ST)

NEWTOWN NSW, 2042

0423 082 015

www.kingstreettheatre.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/pages/King-Street-Theatre/186639454714654?ref=hl

twitter: @kingsttheatre

#takefive: Take five minutes to learn more about #LaurentVilloing Culinary artist and Paris Cooking school owner.

Its not everyday Century 21 Synergy gets to meet a Culinary artist that has cook and design the menu for Her Majesty the Queen of England and her family. We are lucky to secure an exclusive interview with Laurent Villoing. Along side his tv appearances, laurent Villoing has been busy teach and managing his cooking school "Paris International Cooking School."

1) When did Paris International Cooking school opened for business? 

Paris International Cooking School was established in 1988 in London. In 1990, we started teaching cooking in Sydney Australia. 

How long have you been in the Inner West? I have opened the cooking school in it's current location in January 2000 (same years as the Sydney Olympic Games !)

Paris International Cooking School, #Stanmore.

2)What was it like when you first started your business in Stanmore/Inner West? The area has undergone some changes with many businesses changing hands in the last 15 years. However it has retained its unique disposition and the core of its demographic has pretty much remained the same. The businesses that remained, I am certain that they have now established themselves and have contributed greatly to Parramatta Road.

Paris International Cooking School, #Stanmore.

3) Do you attract any particular demographic of clientele at your cooking school ? (Are they professionals looking to pick up new skills or cuisine styles or are they foodie looking to try new things? Are they mostly locals who live in Stanmore? 

Our cooking school is open to home cooks (both male and female), we do occasionally welcome some professional chefs who is looking to learn special skills.

4) What would you say is your cooking school's speciality ?

The cooking school cater to students with different needs. Right now lots of people want to learn about pastry art, macaron making in particular, so those are our current strong teaching point at the cooking school.

Macarons & Macaroons At Paris
International Cooking School

Kitche inside Paris International
Cooking School, #Stanmore.

5) What inspired you to get into the culinary arts? 

Probably my mum's cooking, when I was a kid I enjoyed every day a selection of great food cooked with love by my mum.

Please highlight any special achievements of your own and/or your cooking school (Sydney or international)

Our cooking school was awarded a Young People's Award by the Governor of New South Wales Professor Marie Bashir for teaching young kids to cook during school holiday, we were also awarded the NSW Specialised Small Business Awards and has been nominated for many local awards.

Paris International Cooking School, #Stanmore.

6)For people who loves food but don't know where to start, which lessons or courses can you recommend for a beginner looking to learn more about french food?

Beginners cook should start with our Knife Skill Workshop (6 hours week-end class) and then maybe consider our 8 weeks Basic of Cooking class (once a week).

7) Its often hard for a professional with family responsibilities to fit cooking into the week , do you have any tips for people who love food but is time poor? Do you offer classes after hours? 

If one is short of time for cooking, always prepare more than a single meal, keep leftover and make  it as a second meal of them later. We do indeed offer daytime, evening and week-end classes (including late classes from 10.30 PM to 1 AM). you can see our cooking school timetable on our website here: www.picssyd.com.au/

8)Being an incredibly accomplished culinary artist, how do you cope with pressure when you have to cook for VIPs ? 

One step at the time and being well organised will get you out of tricky situation. 

Planned in advance (my navy training is of great help to me on a daily routine for organisational skill).

Do you have any hobbies/interests or any other business you pursue away from cooking? 

When I do not teach cooking I also manage a small business printing postcards, you can see our postcards business here: http://postcard.pics-sydney.com.au - we currently have more than 1500different postcard for sale on that website. Other hobby of mine is swimming and going dancing.

9)What is your favourite dish to cook for yourself? Care to share your recipe with our readers? 

Pretty simple but delicious recipe called "Chicken Dijonnaise". I  would it any day, time and any where.

10)How do clients contact you should they wish to apply for a course? All Contacts provided below;

School Website address: www.picssyd.com.au
Email address: cooking@pics-sydny.com.au
Postcard website: http://postcard.pics-sydney.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/picssyd
School address: 216 Parramatta Road, Stanmore 2048

Tel: (02) 9518 1066

How to get to the school

Congratulatory Notes from Top Raisers.

Well done to everyone that contributed and participated. As of Sunday 3rd November 2013, Sylvania BMW Top Raisers finished in the top 5 Fundraisers for the Sydney to Gong Bike Ride 2013. Thank you to all that participated and helped to make such a huge difference to people who need it most.

Top Raisers Bike Riders at the Gong Ride 2013.

Special Mentions go to; 

Anthony Rodriquez - Not only is dealer principal of Sylvania BMW a proud and generous sponsor to this important cause, Rodriquez had not ridden a bike in twenty years. He had his first practice the morning before, with clip in shoes. He completed the short course in just under three hours. A feat in itself.

Marty Walter - After some serious convincing, Walter agreed to do the ride this year, and not having a bike, he purchased a $50 special from ebay and struggled through cramps and fatigue to arrive early in the afternoon. He ended up third highest independent fundraiser on the day and picked up some excellent gifts.

Mark Tsen - The story of the day. After having a near miss and staying on the bike after the chain came off, Tsen was spotted at the bottom of Mckell Avenue, in the National Park. Having played it down, Tsen was left with St John ambulance staff. Twenty kilometres later,  he advanced and rode past most of his team mates. Upon arrival at the final marquee, he had been stretchered off, never to return again that day. It turns out, Tsen had to have surgery to attend some splintered bone fragment in his ankle and only got out on the following Tuesday morning. Mark Tsen has claimed the “hero of the day” category, and ironically, picked up a $50 meat tray from our sponsors, Colins butchery in Illawong.

Feedback about the day is appreciated. Please keep us informed on what worked well and what you wish to be done differently so that next year another amazing Gong Ride can be enjoyed by all. 

For those that are interested, I have listed below, the final standings for the Top Three Independent Fundraisers, and the additional prizes that were awarded on the day.

1st Peter Gourdevelis $2260. Won a BMW Msport for a weekend of his choice.

2nd Mark Goldfeder $2151. Won a BMW Athletics pack.

3rd Marty Walter $2000. Won a bottle of Moet,and a $50 meat tray from Colins Butchery at Illwong.

Keep your eyes on the Gong Ride Web pages to see the more photos being uploaded.  Search by your entrant number to find yourself on the site. The below link is a great video from MS Australia with Angelo and Megan Lofitis that was loaded on to the Gong website. Well done to all for representing the team. 

Special Thank you to Damian Jama.

The day could not have gone more smoothly if not for Damian Jama - Team Secretary of Top Raisers - he is crucial in the organization and coordination of the Top Raisers team , if anyone that did not get a chance to ride this year and wish to participate next year, please contact Damian Jama.

Damian Jama and Angelo Lofitis in Preparation for the M.S. Sydney to Gong Ride.

Overall out of the 750 teams participated in the Gong Ride, Top Raisers ranked 5th! 10,000 individuals participated this year. More than 40 cyclist participated in the Top Raisers’ team in 2013.

Top Raisers Group Photo, 3rd November 2013.

Sylvania BMW Top Raisers Bike riders at the Gong Ride.

A great time was had by all. See you next year!

-END-

M.S. Sydney to the Gong Ride

3rd November 2013 - MS Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride

Director of Century 21 Synergy Angelo Lofitis is passionate about properties. If there was ever a cause he was more passionate about is his community work and charitable contributions. His wife Megan has MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Having witnessed the way MS affects day to day life, Angelo has been inspired to raise vital funds for the 23,000 Australian living with this disease.

Director of Century 21 Synergy,
Dulwich Hill.

Every year MS Society Australia runs one of the largest and most respected community cycling event in Australia. The cycling event named M.S. Sydney to the Gong Ride has been running successfully for 32 years.

Angelo Lofitis founded cycling team Top Raisers with six other friends. Six years on, Lofitis recounts: “In our first year, we only hope to raise $5000, but instead we raised 17k. That was when we decided to call our team Top Raisers”.    

Top Raisers started with the generous support of sponsors such as Water Brothers Plumbing Services, Colin Butchers (sponsored meat tray prizes and meat for the bbq on the day post bike event) and Mortgage Choice - Sutherland. As years passed by, the team grew and sponsors did too.

In 2012 - Sylvania BMW came on as partner sponsors with team naming rights. They have also been most supportive by donating the first and second prizes to team members that finished the bike ride.

In 2013 Rothsay Accounting Services, AME Civil (Adam O’Malley, M: 0405 133 104) and Century 21 Synergy, Strawberry Fields Patisserie (who generously provided food and cake for all the cyclists) came on as a major sponsor for the first time.

In particular, Century 21 Synergy has agreed to donate 5% of profit to MS Australia on every property sold up to November 2013.

Other sponsors include Ashfield Cycle and Location Shots Photography. Ashfield Cycle contributed by helping the gong ride each year with bike service at the lunch spot at the National Park. Meanwhile Location Shots Photography contributed time and talent capturing the excitement of day, and documented many team photos.

Thank you to all honorable sponsors and team members involved for making this day such a huge success and donating so open heartedly.

-END-