The eyes have it

A bit of fun Blog cross posting with Menios of the Wentworth Courier.

The Cloverfield Diaries
WE all know that smart people wear glasses, right? So we would be perfectly within our rights to assume that the battle for Cloverfield would involve some clever characters, who might just be four-eyed. And yes indeed, three of the contenders for lord mayor – Clover Moore, Meredith Burgmann and Shayne Mallard - wear prescription glasses. This means that, if you include the also-rans, there are 16 eyes on the prize of the lord mayoral chains. So today we’re taking a light-hearted look at the candidates by assessing their eyewear fashion credentials.

Now, given that this blogger’s eye for fashion is less than expert, I called on our resident fashionista Prue Roberts to assess the three spectacle-clad pollies. See photos here.

First up, here’s Prue’s evaluation of Shayne Mallard’s funky glasses: “They suit his face quite well. I think they make him look quite intellectual. They say ‘architect-type’ to me… smart, good style. 8/10” OK, so Shayne’s a bit of alright. I would have had some reservations about the dark lenses he sometimes wears, which I think make him look a bit iffy, but hey, what do I know?

Next up, Prue judges Clover Moore’s fluorescent frames: “Expressing her individuality - but fluoro yellow-coloured glasses are a bit much, I think. They say ‘OTT art teacher’. They draw attention, but not in a good way. 4/10” We all know Clover doesn’t look bad for a 63-year-old, but her snot-coloured frames just don’t cut it, says Prue. After the election is done and dusted, we recommend a visit to the optometrist, Clover. (Blogger’s warning: Notice gen Y acronym, OTT. It means “over the top").

And finally, Prue assesses Meredith Burgmann’s squarish specs: “These say creative, but in a convincing way. She has a quirky sense of style and although the glasses are quite bright, she wears bold colours so the glasses don’t look out of place. The squarish shape suits her face shape too. 7/10” A quirky sense of style… yes, of course. She is one of those funky inner city types, after all. Gone on you, Aunty Em.

So there you have it. Shayne Mallard is the coolest cat in the council chambers. Well done, councillor.

At this point, I should let you in on a secret. Just to prove that Wenty journalists are open to constructive criticism, I was going to don my Wayne Cooper specs and let Prue assess my eyewear fashion credentials. But the photo was so bad, I chose to cop out and spare myself a whole lot of pain. Maybe next time…

Time out on Sunday for a Movie

Sometimes it is a good idea to take a few hours out of a full time campaign to clear the head and what better way than to go off to the movies? After side stepping the latest Clover monument opening at Redfern Park (what lovely weather for that too), Jesper and I went off to the Academy Twin Oxford Street Paddington to watch 'The Bank Job' a film set in 1971 London's East End. I was expecting another 'Ocean's 11' sort of movie but was rewarded with a thrilling plot, great script and credible acting. All in all a good way to escape 2008 Elections for a few short hours.

Back to the Campaign now - Shayne

Closer to E-Day

Picture : At my son’s wedding in Hawaii last year

Another week and only two full weeks to go to the election. It has been a very busy week.

Monday was the ‘Best of Sydney’ night when the Alternative Media (City News) put on a great event to congratulate a number of businesses in Sydney, voted by their customers, for providing great service.

Tuesday was a presentation to RESNET, the leading association for strata owner committee members.

Friday will be supporting Edward in his presentation to the Glebe area and then Saturday on the hustings again.

The announcement of our City Guardian policy has been terrific. I wish we did not have to do it, firstly because I wish people wouldn’t behave badly towards each other in the first place especially in such a socially advanced society such as Australia; and secondly this should be a State issue, but the current State Government has abdicated their responsibilities and I strongly believe that the citizens and visitors of Sydney deserve to feel safe on our streets.

Still had time to take my weekly swim with my granddaughter, workout at the gym, family moves and paying the bills as a working PC (post children) family. Like most modern mums and dads, the children never go away, no matter how old they become; but I like it that way.

David Evans

Pizza and Pamphlets

Another crazy campaigning weekend. We all handed out flyers on Saturday morning and spoke to people in the electorate. One gentleman was very upset about the proposed "homophobia free zone" he said he hated as a gay man to be "courted" by politicians, I should have asked him to help me hand out our pamphlets! It was then back to campaign headquarters for pizza and to discuss the week ahead. Edward and I then went to a fundraiser and Sunday morning was breakfast at Jones Bay Wharf with an Ultimo resident who said that Sydney has become "boring". Joan said that noone is allowed to make any noise anymore and even her local pub the Lord Wolseley has had trading restrictions put on them. I received a good old fashioned ear bashing on how the current council was the "fun police". I will bring up her concerns at our next campaign meeting. Finished the weekend off with an interview for City News. Until next week....

Finance Guru on Campaign Trail

Life is busy on the campaign trail. As well as attending campaign meetings, local events and generally enjoying all that our beautiful city has to offer I was approached during the week by a major network to do a screen test for a new finance show. I would never have thought that I would combine my acting and finance careers but I am excited by this opportunity.....almost as excited as using my budgeting skills if I were elected to council, now that would be rewarding!

Weekly Swim

Picture: Enjoying Aroma Festival 2008 at The Rocks

Went swimming with my granddaughter at lunch time, today. It has been great to be able to do some small activities over the last few months, like swimming with her before she starts school next year. Of course, one would always be glad if Eliane achieves the excellence of Stephanie Rice but to achieve Stephanie’s personality will be reward enough.

As the Games come to an end, it must be said; our sports men and women have been great ambassadors for our country and have done well.

David Evans

Rosebery Residents Action Group Meeting

On Wednesday Marilyn, Giovanni Frischman and I attended the Rosebery Residents Action Group “meet the candidates” meeting The meeting was run very well and each of the four candidates were given even and equal time to talk about their own vision and answer specific questions. Shayne (Mallard) presented very well and the only one who spoke, without notes. I really wonder if Clover Moore and Bergman have the ticker, as they appeared to lose concentration in the middle of the debate.

Shayne articulated our points of difference. His connection, and what he had done as a Councillor at the old South Sydney Council, gave him many good statements, which did resonate that he was not just saying what people wanted to hear.

David Evans

Looking forward to the weekend

This week has absolutely flown by for me! I have been so busy with work lately that I haven't had any time for myself at all. I've finished one of the projects I was working on tonight so now I can relax and write my first post!

Has anyone noticed how cold and how long this winter is? I walk my dog every night in Zetland and I am wrapped up like I'm about to go skiing. People recognise me from afar as they can see me in my big, white bulky jacket- the same colour as my dog Pepe's! Pepe has also been out and about with me alot this week too - I've been visiting clients and suppliers in Surry Hills and Bondi and he has been a great passenger! (see photo)

This morning I met Emily Farlow in Surry Hills for a coffee. Emily is a student at the University of Sydney currently doing her Masters in Political Public Relations. She contacted us through our Sydney Liberals website to ask if she could assist us in this election. She is very excited about being able to gain an insight into the liberal party and our campaigning activities. She is full of energy so I'm sure she'll fit in with us all.. Emily will be meeting the whole team for the first time on Saturday..

Now its time for me to grab some dinner at the local thai shop - Doytao Thai in Waterloo - they make fantastic Pad Thai's and Barbeque Chicken..... yum... will drop a line again soon

Rebecca Lau

Saving the Whales in Roseberry

The public meeting last night at Roseberry Community Hall was attended by over 150 people all concerned about development and planning issues affecting their unique suburb.

I remember campaigning in a park in Roseberry in 2000 with a free afternoon tea and having trouble getting anyone along.

How things have changed! Lots of speeches read by most candidates.

Towards the end of the night one resident asked:

"If there was anything at all that you could do if elected Lord Mayor what would that be?"

My answer "Save that poor starving baby whale", extracted a collective sad sigh from the audience - then I moved onto the more practical issues of fixing Sydney's public transport.

The Green's Councillor Harris chimed in - 'We love the whales too!"

See you on the trail

Shayne

Tuesday Workout

I managed to get to Pyrmont Health & Fitness for a work out this week. Marilyn and I seem to be able to make only once a week these days with the election consuming a lot of our time. The people at the gym are very friendly, probably because the owner, Peter, always has a smile on his face. We go to the gym to ensure our bodies are ticking over and that we get the muscles stretched.

David Evans

A Weekend in The City

It was a big decision 7 years ago to move into the City and buy in Hyde Park Towers - all the agents said don't do it. Today, I enjoy a stress free live and most of the things I want to do are only 10 minutes away.

On Friday, Georgina and my three Kids Blair (19), Jessica (16) and Ryan (14) walked down the road to Burgerlicious (I moved my kids to a better burger) for a quick dinner at 5pm and we walked very quickly to Imax to see Batman. Saturday morning I walked to the V Club gym at 8am, bought some fruit for everyone for breakfast, made breakfast, George went to see her sister at her bacon and egg stand at Potts Point and later we both walked to William Street for our 11am campaign meeting.

I watched the Olympics with the kids and prepared for my radio show WeeKenDance www.WeeKenDance.com.au that night on 2RDJ (Sydney's hottest dance radio show!). The young buggers dragged me off to KFC for dinner while Georgina went to see her parents and then I had to rush to the office (5 minutes from home) to print out my show. I left the kids watching the Olympics and when I returned from 2RDJ at 10:30pm they hadn't moved.

Sunday, Georgina and I went to St Patricks at 8am and did the shopping for the week (Blair wants roast chicken after Uni on Monday night). Blair went to a chess tournament, Ryan went to see a movie with a friend and Jess drove on her L's with me to Chatswood for Soccer. Georgina went to see a client and I had have some peace to do some work from home and start fighting the stupid proposed by-law change in our building to reduce two dogs to one (what do I do - I have two dogs - idiots!). School night tonight but George wants to duck off to the movies.

My dogs are on holidays and back on Thursday - so next week they'll be on the campaign trail and I look forward to taking them to my favourite park - Sydney Park where we all have a great afternoon.

I never imagined a life with everything so close and the city I once feared being such a home. We have a long way to go to make the city a home for everyone - the parks are messy on weekends with lots of broken glass, traffic lights take so long to give a walk signal that people risk running across and weekend nights can be a bit dangerous - but that's why I'm running for Council - I love my home, know how to improve it and want others to move into the city and experience something special!

Edward Mandla

In 4 weeks we will be at the polling booths and there is always lots of work to be done by our team and supporters. This campaign blog is for our candidates to jot down their various experiences and thoughts on the campaign trail.

This is a first for the City of Sydney elections and may be a first in local government in Australia and gives an inside look at how campaigns are run and the type of people behind the various candidates that make up the Liberal team.

We hope that readers enjoy the inside glimpse as much as we all enjoy the campaigning!

Happy campaigning team and feel free to provide feedback and even volunteer.

Shayne

www.SydneyLiberals.org.au