“Representatives of Government House Sydney have contacted Police Maritime Command,particularly on occasions when the volume of music played on party boats in Farm Cove has disturbed the dignity of official ceremonies at the house such as investitures,” a spokesman for the Governor said. He assured CBD that the party boat “kind of disruption” was an issue long before Beazley’s term. Sources have also indicated that noise issues coming from events in the area have prompted an overhaul of the glazing in some wings of Government House.
But that is only half the story,according to officials,who say the glazing was actually part of a security upgrade. They helpfully added that the Governor supports outdoor events – both locally and across NSW.
“The installation of thicker laminated glass to some windows of the residence was completed in October last year following security recommendations from NSW Police. Noise pollution was not a primary factor,” a representative said.
It’s been almost 10 years since former premierBarry O’Farrell reinstated a near century-old tradition by re-appointing the 175-year old gothic showpiece of Government House as the NSW Governor’s residence. O’Farrell’s decision reversed a call made in 1996 by then premierBob Carr – an ardent republican – who decided to scrap accommodation provisions in favour of a city office for the Governor. Noise notwithstanding,we still know which one we would prefer.
All that glitters
The arts crowd enjoyed the forgotten sensation of live performance on Wednesday night as Belvoir Street Theatre lifted the curtain on the return season of its musicalFan Girls. Written by Yve Blake and directed byPaige Rattray,the glitter-filled production explores the depths of teenage obsession and alienation in the age of the pop megastar. A run in late 2019 was critically acclaimed and sold out.Fan Girls will now show for three weeks before heading off an interstate tour,while writer Blake – who starred as the lead Edna in the first production but has now handed the role to an electrifyingKaris Oka – is working on a slew of commissions following her hit. No wonder Belvoir Theatre chairSam Meers was beaming as she held court outside the Seymour Centre before the performance on Wednesday. And while a recommendation for masks to be worn during the performance made star spotting difficult,CBD spied production and set designerJacob Nash – who also sits on Belvoir’s board – as well as actorsHeather MitchellandBrenna Harding.
Hand in pocket