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$50 of Messina for Annandale Kids

Earlier this year I was introduced to Bernard Cohen's writing workshop at Annandale North. Bernard read out a few pieces from his students and I was genuinely floored, the imagination, the voice, the craft. The workshop celebrated its 20th year at ANPS last month and it inspired me to think: why not open that up to the community?

So we're running our first kids' writing comp, a chance for local kids to publish their work, at a time when human imagination has never felt more valuable. Two age groups, six winners, $50 Messina vouchers. I'll publish all the entries here and we're looking for a few readers to volunteer as judges to help select the winners, announced on 29 June.

Know a keen young writer or someone who'd make a great judge? Share this link around:

Village News

Annandale votes with its stomach

Last week I asked you to name the one dish worth traversing Annandale for. You did not hold back. The banh mi at Booth St Bakery came up again and again, and Betel House drew a loyal crowd for its Thai. There was also real love for Cherry Moon’s almond croissant, the prawn roll at Afishonado and a humble caramel slice from the Annandale Bakehouse. The full list of your tips is below in the letters. If you’re a budding critic, feel free to email me your detailed reviews of these items and I’ll share on.

Leichhardt 50m outdoor pool shuts for revamp

Our nearest 50m pool has served the area since the 1960s. It will come back in 2028 heated and the old dive pool makes way for a 25m pool with a moveable floor for water polo, lessons and aqua classes. Exciting. The catch is the wait: the two large outdoor pools close for 2 summers (which is short when you compare to North Sydney!) The indoor & kids pools and gym will stay open though.

When Annandale played in the big league

Did you know Annandale fielded a top-grade rugby league side? I didn't. Back in 1910, Annandale played in the competition that grew into today's NRL. Five of the eight clubs were Inner West: Annandale, Balmain, Glebe, Newtown and Western Suburbs. A pop-up museum on Inner West footy is open until October in the old cottage on Mary St, across from Leichhardt Oval. They're after old stories, photos and memorabilia, which you can add to the museum's story wall here.

Events

Council Watch

Address Description DA Number
319 Annandale Street Modification to an approved development involving an increase to the finished floor level around the in-ground swimming pool and within the rear side setback area. MOD/2026/0186

Real Estate

BEN’S WRAP sponsored by Ben Southwell , Cobden Hayson

Sydney's clearance rate last weekend was 34.4%. This time last year, it was 50.24%. The number matters, but it doesn't tell the whole story for Annandale.

On the ground, Bays West and Rozelle are reshaping what's on our doorstep. Greater access to culture and improved infrastructure on one hand; more traffic and congestion on the other. These things cut both ways. Underground, Annandale is quietly becoming one of the best-connected suburbs in Sydney. Already 15 minutes from the airport via the M8, soon 15 minutes to Mosman when the Western Harbour Tunnel opens, and still a bike ride to the CBD. Then layer on the significant changes flagged in the federal budget around housing supply and lending,  and there's a lot to navigate.

Working out how all of this affects what your home is actually worth right now is one of the parts of this job I love most. Thinking about your options? Drop your address below and I'll give you a buzz with my honest take, no pressure, no pitch. Click to connect

JUST SOLD

Address Price Beds Baths Garages
352 Annandale Street $3.64 m 4 2 0

Letters to the Troll

Responses to last week’s poll about best individual dishes in Annandale:

  1. “Charles Bistro at the Victoria Hotel on Young St. The fish curry, pork knuckle or the green curry barramundi. Top three, it has to be, as I can't choose just one. Best in Sydney.”

  2. “Chicken curry at the Vic.”

  3. Prawn roll from Afishonado.

  4. “Prawn roll from Afishonado, cherry pie from Cherry Moon, classic banh mi from Booth St Bakery, banoffee pie from Chargrill Charlie's.”

  5. “Crab fried rice from Betel House.”

  6. “The $6 mushroom quiche from the Annandale Bakehouse, for a cheap and delicious brekky.”

  7. “Afishonado's fish parcels, seriously, pop them in the oven. Delicious.”

  8. “Fat Fish snack pack.”

  9. “Caramel slice from Annandale Bakehouse, even better with one of their coffees.”

  10. “Veggie focaccia at Cherry Moon, and the Wholesome Bowl at Cafe Booth.”

  11. “Lemongrass pork banh mi at Bakery on Booth. Hands down.”

  12. “Almond croissant.”

  13. “The Penne Mamamis from Made in Italy, almost everything from Betel House, and the borek and sweet treats from 37 Precinct.”

  14. “Kang curry chicken from the Betel House.”

  15. “Bacon and egg roll at Annandale Bakehouse.”

  16. “The lemongrass chicken roll from Booth Street Bakery, close second is their meat pie.”

  17. “The chocolate almond croissant at Cherry Moon. Seriously too good.”

  18. “The duck pad see ew at Betel House.”

  19. “I'm absolutely addicted to the smoked trout crumpets with two poached eggs at Precinct 37.”

  20. “At the Annandale pub, the grilled fish with potatoes.”

  21. “Chicken schnitty at the North Annandale pub.”

  22. “Miso chilli crab scrambled eggs at Cafe Booth. Well known, but also the Booth St Bakery for the banh mi.”

  23. “The banh mi's at Booth St Bakery. The flaky square pies at Annandale Bakehouse, next to the chemist. Leo's borek slices with a fried egg on top at Precinct 37.”

  24. “Steamed chicken dumplings at Bar Asia.”

  25. “The Annandale Special at Fat Fish. Doesn't get better.”

  26. “The sizzling seafood platter at Betel House.”

  27. “Combination laksa at Bar Asia.”

  28. “Bacon and egg roll, Clover on Booth Street.”

  29. “The Ricepaper Workshop at the Tramsheds, technically Forest Lodge, but right on the border of Annandale. The tofu banh mi is to die for. A little more than I'd like to pay at $14, but worth it.”

  30. “Anything at the Vic.”

  31. “The Moo Grob Pad Cha at Betel House, crispy pork belly in a red creamy sauce. So delicious, crispy and juicy, not too spicy and very decadent.”

  32. “The avocado on toast at Cherry Moon. It's a special, but hopefully it becomes permanent.”

  33. “Chicken schnitty burger from Chargrill Charlie's.”

  34. “The breakfast banh mi at Precinct 37.”

  35. “Lobster roll from Afishonado.”

  36. “Anything at Cherry Moon.”

  37. “Banh mi from the Booth St Bakery.”

  38. “The roast pork roll, with crackling, from Booth St Bakery.”

  39. “The Nutella french toast at Revolver, the spinach eggs at Black Toast, and the lemon chicken at Double Happy.”

  40. “Meli, anything on the menu. Hangover: egg and bacon roll with a sneaky hash brown. Feeling healthy: salmon poke bowl. Thirsty: green juice.”

Photo of the week

A choir in full voice, Cafe Booth. What a sight. (Thanks Eloise!)

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

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