Mostly silent alarm

  
I work in a building completed in the mid to late 1960s. I’m guessing this alarm was installed around that period too. The rapid, high pitched ringing has been supplemented by sirens, whooping and a voice instructing inhabitants to “evacuate the building”.

I like the fact that this artefact is evidence of the industry that once thrived in the inner west Sydney suburb of Marrickville. 

Gift keeps on giving

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Quite soon after moving to Sydney a friend gave us a dracaena, it is hardy, easy to grow and prune. The large black plastic pot it came in also had begonias and this succulent. It sends out runners with long fleshy, serrated, elliptic shaped leaves and tall spikes with delicate looking pink bell shaped flowers.