This Week in Leichhardt
How Town Hall came before Little Italy
You’ve walked past Leichhardt Town Hall thousands of times, but did you know that it’s Italianate style predates Little Italy by 60 years? The Hardt took a dive this week into the history behind how the town hall came to be, and found a few nuggets along the way you might be surprised by. You can read the article here (2min).
A wood-fired oven for Pioneer Park?
John the Handyman wrote in with a strong idea: "Would there be support for a wood fired pizza oven built at Pioneer Park? People can bring their own wood, fire the oven, make a pizza picnic as a way of promoting Italian heritage." He's alive to the catches - "mindful that pizza shops might see this as competition, and liability should someone get burned, or a fire gets loose" - but reckons it could work. "Might be a nice amenity." What do you reckon? Would you use it? Does stuff like this happen in 2026?
Email us your thoughts, just hit reply :)
The mud track to Hawthorne station is now a footpath
For over a decade, Leichhardt locals made their own way to the Hawthorne L1 stop, wearing a muddy track into the ground between Allen St and the station. Prams, muddy shoes and all. Councillor Philippa Scott says residents raised it with her, and council has now sealed it into a proper footpath. As she put it, any satellite image showed the demand was clearly there. Seems like a good result, well done to all involved. (Source: Philippa Scott FB Page)
Over to you: 11 storeys on William St
A developer has come back with an 11-storey proposal for a site on 40-76 William St near North St - the same site where a five-storey plan was knocked back by the Land and Environment Court in 2023 for bulk, height and overshadowing. Public submissions close 28 July, so we're curious where you land on this one.
11 storeys on William Street?
We'll share the results next week.
Wayne Pearce and his old bedroom
The new Museum of Rugby League has opened inside the caretaker's cottage at the Oval - the little building Wayne Pearce once called home. Pearce lived there from age 10 to 16, after his dad became ground caretaker. Standing in his old bedroom for the first time in 50 years, he remembered watching crowds stream down Mary St. "I had dreams of playing for the Tigers one day. I suppose it's proof that dreams do come true." Glorious! (Source: Inner West Council FB Page, Darcy Byrne FB Page)
Otis makes it three in a row
Otis on Norton St has landed on the Boothby Best Bars NSW list for a third straight year at number 44. Owner Conor thanked the neighbourhood, crediting the community for helping him and his team realise their dream of running great venues. Three years on a statewide list is a solid run for any bar, congrats to the Otis team. Negronis soon. (Source: Viva Leichhardt, Leichhardt Community Group)
Council Watch
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Real Estate
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What's On
ALL WEEKEND |
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CamperdownCulture Invisible Forest – A Fungi Art Exhibition – Chrissie Cotter Gallery. See an exhibition of vibrant fungi paintings and ceramic sculptures by local artists. 10:00am–4:00pm. Free. |
FRIDAY 24 JUL |
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StanmoreKids Storytime at Stanmore Library – Stanmore Library. Enjoy a library storytime session with stories and activities for children. 10:30am–11:00am. Free entry. |
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LeichhardtMusic Vi-Nil Records: Indie Sounds – Front Bar @ Crowbar. Attend the album launch for Vi-Nil Records’ latest indie compilation, featuring several local bands. 8:00pm. |
SATURDAY 25 JUL |
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LeichhardtKids Peter and the Wolf Family Cushion Concert – Leichhardt Town Hall. A family-friendly orchestral concert featuring Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, designed for kids and adults. 9:30 am–2:30 pm. Tickets from $20. |
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MarrickvilleWorkshop Snip & Snap: Stop Motion With Paper Art Workshop! – Monster Mouse Studios. Join a hands-on stop-motion workshop where you cut paper characters and film them frame by frame with your phone. 2 pm–4:30 pm. Tickets $25. |
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CamperdownBooks Trio of Misfortune – The Lady Hampshire. See Ted Digby perform at the launch of his book Hurling It From the Stage in Lumps, with Trio of Misfortune. 8:00pm. Free. |
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LeichhardtMusic Live from the Gin Garden Bar – Robert Susz – Gin Garden Bar, Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club. Catch Robert Susz playing soulful live blues at the Gin Garden Bar from 3–5pm. 3–5pm–17:00. Free Entry. |
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LeichhardtMusic Khan – Crowbar. A Tool tribute band joins Khan to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. 8:00pm. |
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PetershamMusic Rat Festival – Gifts of Mercy Emporium. See HUGO with Caravan, bughouse and Jack Donehue live at Gifts of Mercy Emporium. 6:30pm. |
SUNDAY 26 JUL |
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PetershamMusic Knock Out Rock Out II with White Knuckle Fever, Los Monaros, King Hits – Petersham Bowling Club. A live rock’n’roll concert featuring White Knuckle Fever, Los Monaros and King Hits. 5 pm–9 pm. Free. |
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LeichhardtSport NRLW: Tigers v Roosters – Leichhardt Oval. Watch the Tigers take on the Roosters in an NRLW rugby league match at Leichhardt Oval. 6:15pm. |
MONDAY 27 JUL |
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CamperdownMusic Monday Night Confessions – Church Street Studios. Enjoy original jazz and improvised music in an intimate Monday night session. 20:00. |
WEDNESDAY 29 JUL |
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CamperdownMusic Sounds Good Choir – 84/86 Cardigan St. Sounds Good Choir is a ticketed choir event where you can hear live choral performances. 6 pm–8 pm. Tickets $25. |
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LeichhardtWorkshop Afternoon Wildlife Drawing Course – Wednesdays – Leichhardt MarketPlace Community Room. Join artist Shannon Dwyer for a relaxed wildlife drawing class on Wednesdays to learn and sketch local animals. Afternoon–6:00pm. From $45 per session (five week course). |
THURSDAY 30 JUL |
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RozelleCommunity Organic Buyers Group Hub: Rozelle – Rozelle Public School. Join the weekly Organic Buyers Group to buy together and share bulk produce at lower cost. 5:00pm–5:45pm. $45 annual membership ($10 for low-income residents), $46 per box. |
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CamperdownCommunity Organic Buyers Group Hub: Camperdown – Pocket City Farms. Join the weekly Organic Buyers Group to buy, share and save together. 5:15pm–6:00pm. $45 annual membership ($10 for low-income residents), $46 per box. |
Sincerely,
The Hardt
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