Editor's Note
The Troll's 2026 census has received 228 responses. Thank you.
We'll share the results over the coming weeks: a few for a laugh, but others I hope we might be able to look at as a community, to help create small, positive actions too. I'm paraphrasing from my interview with Sally here who taught me that this can be as simple as making it a little easier to stop for a yarn in the park or show up to something in the suburb.
We're keeping the census open for another week, so if you haven't completed it yet, please jump in (~3mins, click here). The more of us who take part, the clearer a picture we'll have of our community and to compare to next year. A reminder there is a $100 prize to be won at the Vic too (thanks Brittany)! I'll reach out to a couple of other business next week to see if we can add a few more perks.
Village News
How many neighbours do we know by name?
One result from our census that caught my eye: how many neighbours on your street do you know by name? Of the 228 who answered, about 45% said five or fewer, a quarter know more than ten. Please remember the Troll can help distribute ideas from the community (letters of the week). So if this number is sitting with you, feel free to share any ideas that come to mind - even if it's just for a laugh :)
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An unfinished portrait and the painter up the road
Sue shared a painting her dad has held onto for years, asking the Annandale community page if anyone knew the artist who lived up the road. The work carries the signature "H.Mason 72" and was never finished. Neighbours filled in the answer: Hugh Mason and his wife Betty lived on Annandale St near the corner of Rose St. One neighbour has several of Hugh's works, and one of his sculptures sits in a garden nearby. There's even a seat dedicated to Betty opposite the post office.
I love these threads where one question unlocks a whole pocket of neighbourhood memory. Check out the full post in the Annandale 2038 FB group
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Two chances to buy local art this week
Market Studio at 131 Booth St is hosting a craft market tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am to 2pm as part of Sydney Craft Week. Expect jewellery made from recycled ocean waste, hand-carved woodwork, ceramics and live illustration.
Next Thursday the Glebe Art Show opens at the Tramsheds, it runs till the 25 Oct with work from 13 Annandale artists. The Songlarks, Annandale's Parkinson's Choir, will also be back find out more here glebeartshow.org.au.
You’ve been booked!
According to a post by Cr. Philippa Scott, Labor's candidate for Balmain at the 2027 state election, the NSW Government has made the City of Sydney switch from digital-only parking fines back to physical tickets on windscreens (yes, the tickets the parking inspectors print to tell you you’re booked!). The idea being that if you've done the wrong thing, you know about it straight away. Better to frontload the pain, I suppose? (Source: Glebe Locals FB Group)
Blue tongue drops by for a drink
A blue-tongue lizard turned up in Meg's Lilyfield backyard this week, settling in right next to the water bowl she leaves out. A lovely visitor to have around and a good reminder of a simple act that can help our wildlife as things start to heat up. (Source: Annandale 2038 FB Group)
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Local Business Spotlight
| A home that looks like nobody else's | |
Buying at auction is how you end up with a place that looks like yours and no one else's. At Raffan Kelaher & Thomas on John Street, Leichhardt, the furniture, art, jewellery and estate pieces have all lived a life already and they're ready for a second one, in a room that looks like yours. Viewings run every Saturday from 9am to 12 noon. Grab a coffee on the way, take a browse, have a chat and if something stands out, registering to bid takes a few minutes. Browse what's coming up here |
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Council Watch
Booth St tree beds swapped for permeable paving
Council has replaced the garden beds around Booth St's street trees with a permeable surface. A local posted about it in the Annandale Facebook group, and opinions are split. One nearby resident says the old beds were bare dirt and mulch that never lasted, while others reckon the new surface is ugly and could add to street heat in summer. Multiple commenters noted the material is permeable paving rather than bitumen, so water can still reach the roots.
Carlisle St pedestrian trial open for feedback
Inner West Council is asking for views on a proposed pedestrian space trial in Leichhardt. The two-part plan would close Norton St between Macauley and Marlborough streets up to six times a year, and trial outdoor seating on Carlisle St outside the Royal Hotel.
The online feedback form is open until Sunday 25 October, and there's an in-person session next Saturday (17 October). You can have your say here.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Real Estate
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Back in August I wondered which way spring would go: tight supply and steadier prices, or a wave of listings handing buyers the upper hand. Six weeks in, Annandale is doing what it usually does and running its own race. Three-bedroom houses have been finding buyers around the $2m mark. 4 Reserve Street sold before auction for $1,975,000 and 2 Susan Lane went under the hammer for $2,060,000, both listed with another agent, while our team sold 9/233a Johnston Street for $1,920,000. That's against values across the five biggest capitals falling 6.6% since April, and last week's rate rise to 4.6% won't help. Annandale isn't immune, but scarcity is still doing its job. And one plenty of locals have been watching: 122 View Street, the new four-bedroom home with city and bridge views, has finally sold for $5.2m, seven months after a rather unusual auction in March. Listed with another agent, but a ripper house and worth knowing about. See you out and about. | ||
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