- providing community leadership
- facilitating the development, improvement and coordination of local communities
- informing the local community of the council's activities.
Our Cultural Plan (pdf 1.74Mb) sets out how we intend to honour these commitments. Council's Public Art Policy is also available here. (pdf 322.27kb)
Cultural Heritage
Randwick City has a rich cultural heritage - the poet Henry Kendall, who often swam at Coogee beach, published his poem Coogee in 1868, while local 'impressionist' painters of the Heidelberg School, such as Tom Roberts, Charles Condor and Arthur Streeton, all painted famous landscapes of Coogee Beach in the late 1800s. This was celebrated in the sculpture - The Impressionists' Seat created by sculpture Eileen Slarke in 2009. She also created the sculpture of the 1912 Olympic medallist Mina Wylie in 2001, which is located at Wylie's Baths. Wylie's Bath was immortalised in Jeffrey Smart's Wylie's series of paintings.
In 1969, international artist Christo came to Australia and made the world's largest sculpture when he wrapped up the northern cliffs of Little Bay in 90,000 square metres of erosion control fabric. Although controversial at the time, the project is considered a triumph as it heralded a new era in Australian contemporary art.
Today, Randwick City is home to a vibrant creative community with a broad cross section of arts and cultural practitioners, including musicians, film makers, painters, sculptors, actors, performers, writers and composers.
We also have a strong community consultation program, as well as programs for the diverse groups within our area. We provide grants and awards that help to foster a sense of belonging.
Projects like community gardening, public place management and community buses all help to create a vibrant network for residents and visitors.
Our Community Facilities Study and Plan (pdf 953kb) identifies the current and proposed council community centres that serve the community. The drafting of a new Plan is currently underway. This document will contain updated information about the Council's community facilities. It will also more accurately reflect potential future funding opportunities. The draft Plan will be placed on public exhibition later in the year.
Community safety is everyone's responsibility. Council has developed a document, A Safer Randwick City (pdf 11.1MB), that addresses crime prevention and community safety issues, within a strategic framework, for this important aspect of community life.
Our community centre Plans of Management guide the management and use of the centres for a variety of leisure and cultural activities in our city.
Randwick Arts and Cultural Program 2012
Ignite - a series of stimulating talks on fascinating topics
The history of Australian film - Bruce Dennett
Tuesday 7 February 10am to 11.30am
Maroubra Senior Citizens
Alma road, Maroubra
FREE, morning tea provided.
Australia can justifiably claim to have made the world's first feature film. During the silent era Australia had a thriving film industry and many Australians went on to impressive careers in Hollywood. An examination of the history of Australian film also offers insights into the Australian national character and each film can be seen as a document that offers rare insights into our past.
The Georges Méliès Project - featuring composer Phillip Johnston
and the Australian Transparent Quartet
Saturday 12 May 8pm to 9.30pm (doors open at 6pm, delicious food available)
Randwick Town Hall
Avoca Street, Randwick
Tickets $15 ($13 conc.)
Bookings: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix
Don't miss this rare opportunity to be immersed in the magical world of Georges Méliès and Phillip Johnston. Phillip has been a leader in the field of original music for silent films for close to 20 years and will lead a quartet described as "sly, quirky and eccentric", performing live to the equally eccentric films of Georges Méliès (recently featured in the Martin Scorsese film Hugo).
The Australian Transparent Quartet features the talents of some of Australia's best instrumentalists: Daryl Pratt on vibraphone, Matt MacMahon on piano and Cameron Undy on bass, as well as Phillip himself on soprano saxophone. The Georges Méliès Project toured to sell out dates in New York and was premiered in Sydney at the Opera House. He is here on home turf to revisit the magic and delight that is The Georges Méliès Project. Don't miss this one!
All that Jazz Randwick - Vintage Clothing Fair
Saturday 23 June 10am to 5pm and Sunday 24 June 10am to 4pm
Randwick Town Hall
Avoca Street, Randwick
Free admission, free entertainment.
Sydney's newest vintage event organised by Randwick City Council and the Way We Wear Fairs. In the 1920', 30's and 40's in Sydney if you wanted to hear good jazz and swing you would head off to Randwick. Those days of jazz and swing will be back again when Randwick City Council & The Way We Wear Fairs return to the Randwick Town Hall with All that Jazz Randwick.
Over twenty dealers selling vintage clothing, jewellery and fashion accessories from all eras but with an emphasis on clothes from the 'all that jazz' era. Delicious food from Katie's Sweetheart Café including Devonshire teas and other homemade treats. Live entertainment and an exhibition of costumes from the Great Gatsby times.
Twilight Concert - Little Pattie
Friday 27 July 7pm to 8pm (doors open at 6pm, delicious food available)
Randwick Town Hall
Avoca Street, Randwick
Tickets $15 ($13 conc.)
Bookings: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix
Local treasure Little Pattie makes a welcome return to the Randwick Town Hall - in lyric mode. Relax and enjoy the seductive sounds of jazz and the mellow songstress herself. Backed by a high profile Quartet drawn from the cream of Sydney's most respected musicians this will surely be a night to relish.
Arrebato Ensemble
Friday 17 August 7pm to 8pm (doors open at 6pm, delicious food available)
Randwick Town Hall
Avoca Street, Randwick
Tickets $15 ($13 conc.)
Bookings: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix
Arrebato Ensemble, led by flamenco guitarist Greg Alfonzetti, is a diverse group of talented musicians who have worked together to develop original music with contemporary flamenco as the compositional and rhythmic driving force. This collaboration has created a passionately moving style of music with an intensely international flavour and appeal to many audiences from the flamenco aficionado to jazz and world music fans and even lovers of fine chamber music. Be enthralled by this remarkable ensemble.
Swing that Jazz featuring The Ozcats
Sunday 16 September 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Randwick Town Hall
Avoca Street Randwick
Tickets $15 ($13 conc.)
Bookings: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix
Relive the charm and elegance of a tea dance and the pure pleasure of smooth swing music played by the best. The sensational 9 peice OzCats led by Lawry Thompson will recreate the music of Bob Crosby's Bobcats. Join us for an afternoon of dancing and revelry. What could be better?
Bach in the Dark
Friday 12 October 7pm to 8pm (doors open at 6pm, delicious food available)
Prince Henry Centre
2 Coast Hospital Road, Little Bay
Tickets $15 ($13 conc.)
Bookings: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix
Rachel Scott is well known for her beautiful renditions of Bach. She studied Cello with David Pereira in Canberra and Robert Cohen in London and has played as a soloist and chamber musician in Europe and the UK. Rachel will be sharing the limelight with well known Duo Agostino, Sydney's principal classical guitar duo. Watch the evening blossom and immerse yourself in this beautiful sonic experience.
Mucho Mambo
Saturday 24 November 7pm to 9pm
Randwick Town Hall
Avoca Street, Randwick
Tickets $15 ($13 conc.)
Bookings: 1300 306 776 or mca-tix
For nine years Sydney's Mucho Mambo have been creating sounds inspired by the supple dance grooves of Cuba's Latin-Jazz orchestras from the 1950s and '60s. A 15 piece congregation skimmed from the cream of the Australian Latin and jazz scene, the music is played with flawless conviction and great panache. Put on your Cha Cha heels for two big sets of funky Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Salsa, Son and Pachanga!
Lexington Place Busking Competition winners were proudly anounced on Saturday 19 November 2011 at the LeX-factor.
First prize went to magician Julian Bull
Second prize to guitarist and singer Clarencia Lie
Third Prize to guitar duo Alex Choy and Danny
Five encouragement awards went to:
Sam Pearson and Nathania Reid guitar and singing duo
The Sideburns - Alex Leal-Smith and Roshan Kumerage
Laura-Victoria Bowman and Ryan Mooney
Kobie and Krew - Kobie Duncan and Tyrone Te Rangi
Congratulations to all participants and particularly to the winners of the LeX-factor 2011.