Village News

Mickie Quick built the Annandale troll (but never named it)

Mickie Quick and his proof press

A few weeks back, a young reader named Oscar asked whether the troll under the bridge could be lit up. We took the idea to the artist who designed it and he loved it. So we sat down with Mickie Quick, the man behind the 2009 build for a Channel Ten show (Guerrilla Gardeners), to talk DIY magic, the area and what helps spark his creativity.

Read the interview here (4min)

Highroyd is up for grabs

The Witches’ House is up for sale

Highroyd, the grand Gothic mansion at 262 Johnston St, hit the market again last week with a guide of $8m. A significant reduction from its guide back in October last year ($9.75m). It is one of three surviving Witches' Houses built by John Young in 1886, its current owners spent two decades restoring it, earning a National Trust Heritage Commendation in 2009. Six bedrooms, an observation spire with harbour views, an indoor pool and rear access off Piper Lane. Looks amazing, definitely worth a sticky beak (listing), there is an inspection this Sat @12:45 and the auction is on the 8th of August.

Annandale's top tradies list

Last week's poll turned up a solid little black book of local tradies, spanning sparkies, plumbers, chippies and window specialists. A couple of names came up twice, so you know they’re good:

Brad from Flat Out Electrical
Chris from Inner West Electrical
Joe Franco (plumber)

Not everyone was singing though, and a local reckoned over-quoting is rife in Annandale and finding a fair price is a constant battle. I think we're onto something with this list though, I've put it in full in Letters at the bottom of the email.

Readers weigh in on tradies

Rat baits spotted in Chapman Lane

A local has reported rat baits laid in Chapman Lane, behind Annandale St, raising concern about kookaburras that hunt in the area. Secondary poisoning, where a bird or pet eats a poisoned rodent, can be fatal and the poster urged whoever placed the baits to remove them. If you spot baits in a laneway or public space, you can report it to the council. For rats at home, conservation groups recommend looking into alternatives to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, which major retailers have already pulled from shelves. (Source: Annandale 2038 FB Group)

Booth St has a new mural

A seafood mural now wraps the side of Afishonado on Booth St, all deep blue with fish, prawns, oysters and lemon slices. The artist is Sam or ‘Smackas’, a local who grew up on Trafalgar St. You can’t miss it; looks brilliant. (Source: Annandale 2038 FB Group)

Local Business Spotlight

Twenty Years of Pelvic Health Expertise, Now in Annandale

Janette O'Toole has spent over twenty years in pelvic floor and women's health, including three years as a Lead Physiotherapist at King's College Hospital in London. Now she's on Johnston Street in Annandale. Pelvic pain, men's bladder and bowel health, postnatal recovery and menopause are more common than people think, and respond well to the right help. You don't have to put up with them. Janette is currently offering 20% off your first visit, so if this sounds familiar, it's worth booking in here

Council Watch

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

Address	Description	DA Number
25 Kentville Ave	Alterations and additions to an existing detached dwelling	DA/2026/0598

Real Estate

Ben’s Wrap

Ben Southwell · sponsored

Cobden Hayson

After sixteen weeks, the market is finally showing something it hasn't for a while... consistency. Auction clearance rates have settled into the 30-35% range, suggesting we may have found a floor. Buyers are beginning to re-emerge, but they're doing so cautiously. There's a little more confidence than there was a month ago, although nobody seems in a hurry.

Perhaps that's because life around us is finding its rhythm again too. White Bay has quickly become one of Sydney's newest entertainment precincts, and last weekend's Ministry of Sound festival certainly put it on the map. Rumour has it there'll be a noticeable number of local parents dusting off the old Doc Martens this weekend for another trip down memory lane and a well-earned boogie. What's on - Click Here.

The headlines will always chase the next boom or bust. Here in Annandale, things simply feel a little more settled, and that's not such a bad place to be.

Get in touch with Ben →

Letters to the Troll

The tradies Annandale swears by

Named twice

"Local plumber Joe Franco recently did work for me. He was punctual, professional, friendly and very reasonably priced."

"Joe Franco for handyman and small plumbing jobs - honest, reasonable pricing, reliable and friendly."

"Electrician - Inner West Electrical Solutions (Chris)."

"Chris Inner West Electrical."

"I definitely recommend Flat Out Electrical !"

"Brad from Flat Out Electical."

Inner West Window Specialists - sash windows and carpentry "I had some old sash windows refurbished and better quality glass installed. Inner West Window Specialists were excellent. There was an awful lot of carpentry work involved, but they were extremely prompt, efficient and professional, and the work is of excellent quality. Plus they cleaned up beautifully after they'd finished."

MIRK - building and landscaping "Michael and his son Otto from MIRK inside outside building company. Petersham local absolutely lovely to deal with, fix our internal creaky stairs with such care. Fair and transparent pricing. They also did our front and back structural landscaping which was super professional. I wouldn't hesitate to hire them again."

Nail It Building - builder "James from Nail It Building. Reliable, knowledgeable and very good builder. He completed a reno for us, we recommend him to our family and friends. Plus he lives local so he's proud of our suburb and the work he does within it. Always showed up when he said he would."

Super Property Services - garden, landscaping and carpentry "Super Property Services, great contact to keep and did exactly what we requested. Garden maintenance and landscaping, including carpentry as well."

Good Hands Plumbing - plumber "Plumbers - Good Hands Plumbing (Ryan)."

AB Electrical - electrician "AB Electrical."

"Richard Colley, RC Plumbing"

Other comments "We had a wonderful painter about eight months ago, who I would recommend to anybody. We then had the electricians that the Strata agency recommended, who did a good job, but then wanted to charge me double what they had quoted, and we settled on a price halfway between the two. Which was not necessarily expected."
"I've generally found local tradespeople very reliable and helpful. I try and use them whenever I can."
"We have acquired a dependable sparky, plumber, handyman over the years. In fact several of each. Roofers too."
"Over quoting is rife Annandale I feel having lived in other areas. Finding a quality tradie that isn't over quoting is a constant challenge."
"Tradies seem to come and go. Had great electrician a while ago, but they changed their business model from domestic to commercial. Roofing appears to have a high turnover of personnel, have a great experience with one, then a different person arrives from same company that isn't reliable. We have a plumber we keep calling, but his rates have broken the inflationary sound barrier."

Events

ALL WEEKEND

AnnandaleCulture Return to the Orchard: Merrick Fry – Hunter Baillie Memorial Church. A gallery exhibition of landscape paintings and drawings by artist Merrick Fry. 11:00am–6:00pm. Free entry.

CamperdownCulture Invisible Forest – A Fungi Art Exhibition – Chrissie Cotter Gallery. View a fungi-themed art exhibition of paintings and ceramic sculptures by local artists. 10:00am–4:00pm. Free.

RozelleCulture The Complete Works of Jane Austen - Abridged – Genesian Theatre. A fast-paced stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s six novels in under 90 minutes with a comedy cast. 7:30 pm–10 pm. Tickets from $33.

FRIDAY 24 JUL

StanmoreKids Storytime at Stanmore Library – Stanmore Library. Join a storytime session at Stanmore Library for kids and families. 10:30am–11:00am. Free entry.

White BayMusic Ministry of Sound: Testament 00s – White Bay Power Station. Ministry of Sound’s Testament 00s clubbing night returns to White Bay Power Station for 00s music fans.

LeichhardtMusic Ennaria – Crowbar. Catch an album launch gig for ‘Manifesto’ with xo, Sidney Phillips and DJs including Xaev and Seren Emyr. 8:00pm.

LeichhardtMusic Vi-Nil Records: Indie Sounds – Front Bar @ Crowbar. Catch an album launch for Vi-Nil Records’ latest indie compilation, featuring live sets from local bands. 8:00pm.

SATURDAY 25 JUL

LeichhardtKids Peter and the Wolf Family Cushion Concert – Leichhardt Town Hall. A family-friendly children’s orchestral concert featuring Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. 9:30 am–2:30 pm. Tickets from $20.

MarrickvilleWorkshop Snip & Snap: Stop Motion With Paper Art Workshop! – Monster Mouse Studios. Join a hands-on paper stop-motion workshop where you create characters and film a short video with your phone. 2 pm–4:30 pm. Tickets $25.

CamperdownMusic Trio of Misfortune – The Lady Hampshire. See Ted Digby and Trio of Misfortune perform their single launch, with free entry. 8:00pm. Free.

LeichhardtMusic Live from the Gin Garden Bar – Robert Susz – Gin Garden Bar, Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club. Enjoy live soulful blues music by Robert Susz at Gin Garden Bar from 3–5pm. 3–5pm–17:00. Free Entry.

LeichhardtMusic Khan – Crowbar. A Tool tribute band joins a 10-year anniversary celebration for Khan. 8:00pm.

SUNDAY 26 JUL

PetershamMusic Knock Out Rock Out II with White Knuckle Fever, Los Monaros, King Hits – Petersham Bowling Club. A live rock and roll show featuring White Knuckle Fever, Los Monaros and King Hits, ideal for fans of touring acts. 5 pm–9 pm. Free.

CamperdownWorkshop Bag Charm Workshop – Camperdown Park. Join a DIY bag charm workshop to make your own charm at Camperdown Park. 1 pm–3 pm. Tickets $20.

MONDAY 27 JUL

CamperdownMusic Monday Night Confessions – Church Street Studios. An intimate night of original jazz and improvised music every Monday for listeners who enjoy spontaneous performances. 20:00.

WEDNESDAY 29 JUL

LeichhardtWorkshop Afternoon Wildlife Drawing Course – Wednesdays – Leichhardt MarketPlace Community Room. Join artist Shannon Dwyer for a relaxed wildlife drawing class on Wednesdays. 3:30pm–6:00pm. From $45 per session (five week course).

THURSDAY 30 JUL

CamperdownCommunity Organic Buyers Group Hub: Camperdown – Pocket City Farms. Join the Organic Buyers Group hub to buy, share and save on organic products each week. 5:15pm–6:00pm. $45 annual membership ($10 for low-income residents), $46 per box.

Sincerely,

Mark (resident of Annandale)

Share the Troll, bring back community

We are building a closer Annandale community, so please invite your neighbour. Just forward this email or share our website link via message: annandaletroll.com.au

Annandale Troll Edition 41