Village News

Local Profile: Kostas Kontaxis

Konstas himself, next to the toy library

I reached out to Kostas Kontaxis to ask about the toy library on his fence, at the corner of Whites Creek Ln and Hudson St. He had a lot more to say than that. It's one of the best local stories I've come across. Read it here ~3 min.

Precinct 37 farewells Benita, the Play School presenter who made Annandale home

The owners of Precinct 37 have written an open farewell to Benita, the former Play School presenter who has been a regular at the café for four and a half years. She's moving to a retirement village on the north side to be closer to family. For those who grew up with Play School, spotting her around the neighbourhood has carried its own particular charge. A Book of Thanks will be at Precinct 37 from Wednesday and messages can also be left on the original post. (Annandale 2038 FB Group)

Meeka’s missing, but she’s okay

Meeka, the popular black cat who keeps watch through iron railings on Annandale St, wasn't at her post this week. A local who brings her treats most days posted to ask for news, and the thread that followed made clear just how many people count her as part of their daily route. Her owner confirmed in the comments that Meeka has a back leg injury and is at the vet for X-rays, but is still eating and in good spirits. The Troll is hoping for a full recovery. (Annandale 2038 FB Group)

Heating gap to be fixed at the Annandale Community Centre

Council voted at its 21 April meeting to investigate energy-efficient heating options for the main hall at the Annandale Community Centre, after heating was left out of the recent renovation. Officers will prepare a report with options, a budget, and a funding source. No date has been given for when that report will come back. (Item 36, 21 Apr Council Meeting Minutes)

Local Business Spotlight

The Perfect Mother's Day Gem, Right Here in Annandale (Sponsored by Soul Universe)

Soul Universe at Shop 13, 62 Booth St is a beautiful find for anyone searching for a meaningful gift this Mother's Day. They stock crystals, jewellery, books, lamps, candles, aromatics and bodycare, so there's something for every kind of mum. Everything is thoughtfully curated, and they offer free gift wrapping in store. Pop in, or browse online with click and collect available. Find out more here.

Events

Council Watch

Address Description DA Number
196 Trafalgar Street Alterations and additions to an attached dwelling, including partial demolition and construction of ground and first floor additions with a dormer window DA/2026/0349

Real Estate

BEN’S WRAP sponsored by Ben Southwell , Cobden Hayson

Last week I caught up with Chief Troller Mark, and somewhere between the usual chat and a coffee, we landed on gardens and whether certain plants add more value to a home than others. It’s a fair question, but in truth, it’s rarely about one specific species.

Gardens and greenery carry real weight in homes across the Inner West, softening boundaries and bringing warmth, privacy and character, especially where homes sit close together. The real value is less about the plant itself and more about the structure around it. Layered heights, hedging, colour and well-kept ground cover will almost always add more than a single hero plant.

And if you can make the nature strip work too, even better. The Inner West has quietly turned verge gardens into an art form.

JUST SOLD

Address Price Beds Baths Garages
142 View Street $2.1 m 2 1 1
61/268 Johnston Street $750 k 1 1 1

Letters to the Troll

❝

Just subscribed, though I've been checking your weekly up-dates for several months. It's a great and generous effort on your part, Troll, whoever you may be!! Keep up the good work.

Regarding White's Ck Wetlands, I'm particularly concerned about the turtles.

I've had an interest in turtles since I could hold a book and consider I'm quite familiar with them. Like many others whilst at the Wetlands, I would spend a good deal of time watching them. Their smiley faces add to our days. I am particularly interested how they managed to inhabit the ponds. I tend to doubt it's the result of natural dispersion as there are few if any local regions from which they could originate from. Possibly unwanted pets, who knows. I'm sure the short necked species are not indigenous to the Sydney basin, but to know for sure requires a closer observation. I prefer to adopt a 'keep hands off' approach. Species identification can be difficult, cause in many cases the features used to distinguish species can be very subtle and better left to experts. Another concern, some of the food people provide for the turtles is extremely hazardous to their health, especially bread. Anyhow, by the by. My current concern follows.

What particularly troubles me is what has happened to their numbers? Up to a couple of years ago it only required a matter of minutes to quite easily see up to 6-8 individuals, particularly during the warmer months when they are very active and quite noticeable, both the long necks and short necks. However, since then, I'm fortunate to see even a single individual, even after making quite close observations of the various ponds. Have other people noticed this drop in numbers also? I'm sure I'm not the only person who has noticed this. What has happened?? Has anybody noticed anyone attempting to catch them, as turtles are quite popular as pets. However, they are all protected by law and to keep them requires a licence. To procure a turtle can only be done from a licensed provider, and it is illegal to take them from the wild. Even those within the wetlands, irrespective of how they got there come under the full protection of the law and are considered 'wild'.

There are times I've visited the wetlands and the ponds look quite disturbed and I'm sure that the disturbance is not the result of official maintenance operations. Is a 'pond raider' to blame? Anyway, I'd prefer not to point a finger at anyone!!

Apologies for my lengthy rant, but the turtles contribute a great deal of interest amongst those that visit, and their existence increases our desire to look after and take oride in the wetlands. On that, appreciation is extended to anyone involved in the Wetlands' maintenance. So, I'd like to consider my concerns and observations are shared by others!! Thank you. Btw, I'm retired and I'd be quite happy to volunteer my time in assisting with the Wetlands' upkeep. Thank you.

Sean

Picture of the Week

An Autumnal vista on Reserve St, courtesy of Mark Leary

‘Tell me you’re in the Inner West without telling me.” Courtesy of Mary

Sincerely,

Mark (resident of Annandale)

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