Posted by Rob Honeycombe on 16 October 2009
A colourful light display on the William Jolly Bridge each night is a nice little way of commemorating our city and state’s 150th birthdays. The images projected are all different – this one’s called “Meccano”.
And don’t get me wrong, this temporary project is creative, I love to celebrate community milestones and I do think we should share some civic pride. But at a reported cost of $1.5million is this really the economic time to be doing this?
I got my rates notice in the mail today, and there’s a request for a $15 donation so we can fix the magnificent City Hall. It’s restoration is a huge project that’s so far had little government support. Council are on their knees to residents to help pay for it.
Yet the state government can cough up $1m toward pretty pictures on the bridge for a few months. Council also found some loose change for the project.
If we’re serious about fixing City Hall, a focal piece of our city’s heritage, then how about we dump unnecessary costs like this for a couple of years?
Tags: Brisbane City Council, Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane history, William Jolly Bridge South Brisbane
Posted in Brisbane CBD, Inner Brisbane events, South Brisbane and South Bank | No Comments »
Posted by Rob Honeycombe on 22 May 2009
It’s not often that I tear-up watching TV. But when the ABC ran its “Choir of Hard Knocks” series it was hard not to.
This was a moving look at a choir put together from homeless Melbournites. People whose lives were full of personal tragedy and challenges from abusive relationships to drugs. What they also shared was raw singing talent and a passion for music. Fronted by the inimitable Jonathan Welch the show led us through the formation of the choir through to their public performances and CD release. Inspirational stuff.
Brisbane now has “The Transformers”, a group of aspiring choralists drawn from our own homeless community in a similar way. Their first performance will be next Wednesday May 27th at City Hall during the “Homeless Connect” event. We’re hoping the group can be an ongoing attraction around the city.
Council hosts “Homeless Connect” events twice a year and draws government and community resources together to offer varied support to Brisbane’s homeless. Along with thousands of clothing and food donations there’s medical, accommodation, legal and even hairdressing teams on hand. BCC estimate we have 350 homeless in Brisbane’s inner city.
Tags: Brisbane City Council, Brisbane City Hall, Choir of Hard Knocks Brisbane, Homeless Connect Brisbane
Posted in Inner Brisbane events | 1 Comment »
