Maroubra Archives - Page 11 of 14

Kobie Dee: Gomeroi Rapper from Maroubra Aims to Take His Music Up On a Larger Scale

Kobie Dee, a Gomeroi rapper based in Maroubra, just launched his debut EP, “Gratitude Over Pity,” after years of hard work and he’s aiming to take his music up on a larger scale to help more people in the community.

The 24-year-old talent started dabbling in music and music writing at 10 years old, drawing inspiration from Tupac, Kendrick, J. Cole, and Easy-E. The musician comes from a Bidjigal community in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, which is popular not only for its white-sand beaches and surf culture but also for its rap scene.

With his background, Kobie Dee grew up hearing stories of heartbreak and empowerment that reflected in his own music. In an interview with GQ, the rapper said that he’s using his music to bring awareness and tell stories of people dealing and overcoming struggles.

After his rehabilitation from drugs and drinking, Kobie Dee worked on his debut album ” to self reflect on what I do have in my life.” Taking charge of his life, the rapper has also been active at various detention centre and cultural programs, where he speaks to young people about making a better future for themselves.

In April 2021, Kobie Dee staged the South East Block Party in Maroubra, along with Randwick City Council, to showcase young talents and promote mental health awareness. The drug and alcohol-free event was live-streamed at juvenile facilities.

Because of his work and influence in the youth sector, this Maroubra native was named an ambassador for NSW programs like Weave Youth and Just Reinvest NSW. Apart from his music, Kobie Dee also launched a “Know Role Models” podcast to highlight the work of First Nations people in Sydney who can inspire the next generation.

Kobie Dee said that he is driven to take his music to a “larger scale” one day and it seems he’s off to a great start based on his recent recognition in the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class 2022, with his profile featured in New York and Los Angeles.

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Follow Kobie Dee on Instagram and learn about the artist on his official site.

Maroubra Road Corridor Study Stage 1 Consultation Opens

Public consultation is open for Stage 1 of the Maroubra Road Corridor Study, which aims to identify transport connectivity problems and improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Council is encouraging locals to contribute their ideas on how to improve the area and from these inputs, concept plans will be developed to prioritise the following goals:

Improve safety at intersections for all road users
Improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Create stronger links for active transport, including pedestrian and cycle connections
Create spaces for people, such as new street furniture
Consider changes to parking whilst minimising parking loss

Have Your Say

Whilst the consultation is ongoing, development of design options, site investigations, traffic surveys, and modelling will also be underway so Council can present the Draft Corridor Study Report at the Randwick Traffic Committee meeting in April 2022.

Following the technical endorsement, Stage 2 of the consultations will be underway to finalise the concept plans by the middle of 2022.

“I have lived in Maroubra for 20years cycling to work and to the shops every day, but I never cycle on Maroubra Road because I feel very unsafe,” a resident contributed. “I always have to find back routes to avoid it. My children do music classes at the school on Maroubra Road in North Maroubra, but I can’t let them ride their bikes to class because it isn’t safe. It would be a great help if there was a bike path all the way down to the Eastgardens end of the road.”

“The wide empty stretch between Bunnerong Road and Anzac Parade is crying out for medium to tall trees particularly given the oversized new development near Eastgardens, the area desperately needs more greenery to look inviting to humans and birds alike and to cool down the hard surfaces,” another resident said. “It would be good if all traffic lights, not just those at central intersections would automatically switch to green for pedestrians in line with cars going the same way. Some improvement was made at the beginning of COVID but this should be rolled out widely.”

“I use Maroubra Road regularly as both a motorist and cyclist. Firstly as a motorist, if you come from Hinkler Street and want to turn right onto Maroubra Road then this is quite a dangerous maneuver. It is very hard to see cars coming from the right as parked cars obscure your view and if you nose the car out so you can see you almost get swiped. Given there are effectively 4 lanes of traffic and depending on the time of day, it can take some time to get a clear gap to turn (or even go straight ahead across Maroubra Road).

“As a cyclist, there is no cycle lane between Bunnerong Road and Anzac Parade. It is not safe to ride down the side of the parked cars and risk getting a door opened on you, so you have no choice but to take a lane and then get honked at by cars who are angry. So anything that can be done to make it safer would be appreciated! Thank you!”

Have Your Say

The Maroubra Road Corridor Study will be up for public consultation until 15 December 2021.

Maroubra Tutor Installs Street Libraries Across Sydney’s East

Did you know that you can find FREE books, magazines, and even games at a street library in Maroubra? It’s one of a handful of street libraries installed by Maroubra tutor and business owner, Harry Mavrolefteros, to help make learning materials more accessible to those who need them.

Mr Mavrolefteros is the owner of First Education, a tutoring facility for K to Year 12 students, and he decided to put up these street libraries at various sites in Eastern Sydney because of the pandemic lockdowns.

The passionate tutor stocks up the street libraries with free textbooks on Maths, English, and Science, which he has either bought out of pocket or received through donations. Mr Mavrolefteros said this is his way of letting the students and their parents know that support is available, as they cope with a unique learning experience amidst a public health crisis.

Some of the donations have also included “hardcore” Greek books that still appealed to readers. Mr Mavrolefteros, who is of Greek heritage, realised that no matter what books he adds to the library, it would be grabbed by a bookwork in a matter of days.

The locations of his street libraries are:

SUBURB	STREET
Maroubra	below the First Education tutoring site at the corner of Anzac Parade and Boyce Road
Earlwood	next to the Earlwood Post Office on Homer Street
Bondi	on the corner of Bondi Road and Penkivil Street
Mascot	on Botany Road near the corner with King Street

Mr Mavrolefteros established First Education in October 2010, above the Maroubra optometry shop of his parents. Aside from Maths, English, and Science, there are also debating classes and study sessions to prepare Year 12 kids for their final year in high school. The tutor believes that learning is a privilege, especially if the students find the right mentor.

Meanwhile, Street Library is a worldwide movement to encourage literacy and foster positive community engagement. In Australia, the Street Library movement aims to establish 5,000 street libraries by December 2021. As of November, the group has over 3,000 sites across the country.

Learn How to Build or Support Street Libraries

Jaggar Phillips, 10-Year-Old Maroubra Surfer, Nabs Billabong Sponsorship

A 10-year-old surfing prodigy from Maroubra has received a sponsorship from Billabong, one of Australia’s longest-running apparel brands for surf and beach lovers. Jaggar Phillips impressed the Billabong team after they saw his videos during the brand’s “Surfing 30 Days in September” challenge.

Jagger was able to complete the challenge with much success as he raised $2,200 for remote surf communities, where access to sanitation and medical care, including child and women’s health care, is challenging.

As friends of the family reposted Jagger’s videos to gather support, Billabong apparently had their eye on the young talent.

The company’s representatives got in touch with the boy and his father, Mark Phillips, and asked if they would like a sponsorship. Whilst Jagger has had experience joining surfing competitions, he has mostly ridden the water for fun and enjoyment.

Jagger is off to complete the 2021 Woolworths Surfer Groms Comps National Series for the first time as a Billabong endorser. The event will run from September to December 2021 across New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland.

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A post shared by JAGGAR PHILLIPS JP (@jaggar_phillips)

Jagger has been surfing since he was two years old and a link to Billabong has always been part of his dreams.

He was able to join Billabong’s 30-day surfing challenge last month as NSW schools shifted to Zoom sessions, allowing him to take his surfboard on the waters of Maroubra in between his online classes every single day.

“Thanks heaps, Billabong, for the sponsor! I’m so stoked!” Jagger said in another video.

Proud Maroubra Resident Dylan Parker Taking Public Service to New Heights

Maroubra resident Dylan Parker is now at the helm of Randwick City, taking over from Danny Said. The new leader plans to rejuvenate the area and revive the city’s nightlife as he works to reopen establishments and community groups safely.

Mr Parker, who started his career as a public servant in 2017, worked in the government for nearly a decade. He assisted public housing tenants and was training to become an educator before public service became his calling.

The son of a nurse and a small business owner in Maroubra, Mr Parker is also a volunteer lifesaver. He promised to carry on the legacy of Mr Said, who served as Randwick’s mayor for two years.

Mr Parker’s key objectives as the new mayor include enriching the cultural life of the community and preserving the green spaces with various park and walking tracks improvements.

Photo Credit: RCCPhoto Credit: RCCPhoto Credit: RCC

“Randwick has remained resilient throughout a really tough period. Over the next term I look forward to ensuring our sporting groups, cafes, restaurants and community groups can reopen safely,” Mr Dylan Parker said.

“I want to rejuvenate our area and bring energy to our nightlife. I will also work to protect our green spaces and demand real, affordable housing for our area.”

Meanwhile, Mr Said remarked that “the Council is in safe hands” with Mr Parker at the helm.

Along with the new leadership, Lindsay Shurey was named the Deputy Mayor of Randwick. She started public service in 2012 and led the city in 2017.

Neighbourhood Cellars to Takeover The Feedbag in Maroubra

Neighbourhood Cellars, the family-run liquor shop with several outlets across the Eastern Suburbs, is moving into The Feedbag’s former site, a familiar corner spot on McKeon Street in Maroubra.

The Feedbag owner and chef, Peter Thompson, confirmed that he’s shutting down the burger joint in a few months to take time off and develop a new business concept. However, Thompson is not completely shutting down the option to revive the sought-after “Bra Burger” so patrons of the shop should continue to follow its Instagram account.

An experienced hospitality worker, Thompson opened The Feedbag in 2016 to offer an uncomplicated menu of burgers and beer. He created a laidback space with an inviting and relaxing vibe, attracting a diversified market of beachgoers, professionals, students and parents.

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A post shared by The Feedbag Burger Restaurant (@thefeedbagburgers)

Meanwhile, Neighbourhood Cellars has filed a development application (DA/563/2021) with Randwick City Council to change the use of the retail premise from a cafe to a liquor store, which will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday. The plan also includes changes to the interiors

“The proposed development will involve a fit out of the interior of the ground floor of the building and its fitting out as a retail liquor store,” the development application indicated.

“The end-product will be a retail shop fitted out with perimeter shelving including refrigerated cabinets, some free-standing display units, a counter with a cool room at the rear similar to that found in stores retailing quality packaged liquor.”

Neighbourhood Cellars hopes to “breathe new life” into the shopping strip by offering fine wine choices that could attract new clientele from Maroubra and the surrounding suburbs.

The application, lodged on 13 Sept 2021, is still under preliminary review. Follow Neighbourhood Cellars on Facebook for updates about the new site’s opening.

Solar Start-Up SunDrive, Founded in Maroubra, Sets New World Record

SunDrive, the solar company established by two innovative UNSW graduates at a Maroubra garage, has set a new world record for efficiency which was previously held for years by Longi Green Energy Technology Co, a solar power giant from China.

In a post on Twitter, SunDrive announced a new world record of 25.54 percent efficiency for a commercial-size silicon solar cell. Its claim was tested by the Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamlin, Germany and acknowledged by China’s PV-Tech.

Australian technology making history!🇦🇺☀️

SunDrive has officially set a new world record for a commercial size silicon solar cell.

A proud milestone for the team that worked incredibly hard to achieve this. Stay tuned for what’s next… pic.twitter.com/xf9NtqqZ7I
— SunDrive (@sundrivesolar) September 9, 2021

Cannon-Brookes also confirmed SunDrive’s big news on Twitter.

“This little Aussie startup just set the world record for panel efficiency,” he wrote. “This is a big deal on the world stage – and it came from some super smart people in a small Sydney garage. Copper is the way.”

The next move for SunDrive is to prove that their invention could be mass-produced affordably whilst retaining reliability and efficiency.

Formed by Vince Allen and David Hu in 2015, SunDrive has developed as a more cost-efficient solar cell, using copper instead of silver. The company has since received support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes to upgrade its operations.

“It’s fantastic to see an Australian solar startup at the forefront of producing the next generation of high-efficiency solar cells,” ARENA CEO Darren Miller said after announcing its support for SunDrive.

“Through technological innovations from startups like SunDrive, Australia will remain at the forefront of solar innovation and research and development for years to come.”

“With ARENA’s support, we feel incredibly proud to be in a position to contribute to Australia’s rich heritage of advancing solar cell technology. With this project we have an opportunity in Australia to lead the world in creating the best version of next-generation solar cells,” Allen said.

“Our goal is to use the learnings from this project to bring to life a superior solar technology, creating new local industries which can compete on the global stage.”

Plans Released for the Coral Sea Park Playground Upgrade in Maroubra

Plans for the Coral Sea Park playground upgrade in Maroubra are now under public exhibit. The playground designs were done with inputs from the Maroubra United Soccer Club, as well as various local and school clubs that use the greenfield.

In January 2021, Randwick City Council asked for contributions about the planned upgrades with most suggestions leaning towards the reconfiguration of the existing layout, as well as the construction of a new playing field, which should boost playing hours to more than 2,000 hours a year.

Per the Council, the Coral Sea Park playground upgrade will include the following changes and additions:

New state-of-the-art synthetic sports field to allow for an additional 2,000 hours of play, with mini-field markings for juniors and able to be played on all year round.
Redesign of the overall park to allow for larger fields to enhance the player experience and meet Football NSW Guidelines.
Upgrading lights to allow for safer play and additional spaces to be floodlit in winter.
New cricket nets, moved to a new location.
Existing half basketball courts will be unaffected and remain in their current location.

Maroubra locals and those who use the facility are enjoined to submit their inputs to the plans by filling out the online survey, which will close on 29 Sept. 2021. Council staff members will review the community feedback before any changes have to begin.

Submit Your Feedback

Coral Sea Park was dedicated to the war heroes of the battle fought in the Coral Seal in May 1942. It is set amidst a quiet residential area minutes away from the beaches. It’s a popular site for rugby, soccer, and cricket players, as well as kids who love to play outdoors in the playground. A section of the park is for off-leash dog exercises.

Maroubra Granted Priority Access to Pfizer for 16 to 49 Following Superspreader Event

Some parts of the Eastern Suburbs have been given priority access to the Pfizer vaccine for eligible individuals between the ages of 16 to 49 years old, following a superspreader event in Maroubra.

Health officials have grown concerned after a Maroubra party with about 60 guests on 14 Aug resulted in 20 positive cases who infected 61 more close contacts. To prevent a COVID-19 hotspot, NSW’s vaccine program has put Maroubra as a priority, as well as these Randwick local government areas: Chifley, Clovelly, Coogee, Kensington, Kingsford, La Perouse-Phillip Bay, Little Bay, Malabar, Matraville, Randwick, South Coogee.

Camden LGA and Bayside LGA are also on priority.

“We know there are several hundred thousand people in these LGAs who are unvaccinated in this age group, and this is a great opportunity for them to come forward and get their jab,” NSW Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce said.

Beginning Monday, 31 Aug 2021, Randwick City Council has urged all eligible residents to book a vaccination slot as a priority pop-up vaccination hub has been set up in Novotel Hotel at the corner of Grand Parade and Princess Street.

NSW has been administering 127,530 doses of Pfizer a week and will have more supplies by October 2021.

Meanwhile, the NSW Police announced the formation of Strike Force Travelstop, which will investigate the superspreader event in Maroubra.

“Each of these people who are going to these functions must understand that they run the risk of either having the virus and transmitting it or getting the virus and taking it home to their families and their communities,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

“There is no time now to be selfish – it’s time to think of the broader community and your families. If you are actually spreading the virus, you could be responsible for peoples’ deaths.”

Aggressive contact tracing has taken place since the event but fines have not yet been issued by the authorities amidst the investigation.

ADCO Wins Tender for Heffron Centre Construction in Maroubra

ADCO, one of Australia’s top construction companies for the past 50 years, has secured the tender for the $58-million Heffron Centre construction in Maroubra.

Following a competitive process, the company was appointed on 3 Aug 2021 as the builder and centre operator of the new state-of-the-art sports facility, which will house the professional rugby league club, South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Following the decision by Randwick Council, work on the Heffron Community High-Performance Centre will begin in late August with an anticipated completion in late 2022.

ADCO is also behind the ongoing Brookvale Oval Redevelopment in the Northern Beaches and the redevelopment of the Concord Oval in Canada Bay.

“The new sporting complex will feature an indoor sports centre, gymnastics centre and new home for the South Sydney Rabbitohs who will move their headquarters and Souths Cares community outreach work from their spiritual home of Redfern into their south-east supporter heartland of Randwick City by the end of 2022,” according to Randwick Mayor Danny Said.

“It is funded by Souths and all three levels of Government and has been seven years in the planning. It will deliver more than 200 jobs during construction and more than 60 ongoing jobs through the operation of the facility.”

Randwick Council also negotiated for Belgravia Health and Leisure Group to manage the Heffron Centre for a 10-year lease. A multi-awarded company, Belgravia currently operates 190 sports facilities around Australia and New Zealand with a pool of 4,000 staff.

According to Mayor Said, Randwick Council is confident of the appointment of the head builder and centre manager, which both extensively demonstrated experience in their fields.

“I’m confident the partnership will provide high quality and well-run community facilities that will deliver for our communities for decades to come.”

Meanwhile, once completed, the Heffron Centre will be operating seven days a week and will have gymnastics programs for all ages and abilities. The indoor sports centre, on the other hand, will be a space for sports various community activities like netball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and futsal.