in the early 20th century. Whilst many of the larger estates have been subdivided, some still remain, including the heritage-listed Victorian Italianate manor Stead House, former residence of Samuel Cook, General Manager of The Sydney Morning Herald in the late 19th century. It was used as a Salvation Army hostel for some time, but was turned into apartments in 2011. Several streets in Marrickville also feature a distinct and rare style of art-deco semi-detached houses. Politics The Marrickville Council made headlines in Australia with its controversial proposal to boycott Israeli goods in 2011. The former electorate of Marrickville also made headlines in the 2011 State election as a marginal seat that was possibly going to be won by the Greens. However, the seat was won by the Australian Labor Party. International relations Twin towns – sister cities Marrickville is twinned with: Funchal, Portugal Larnaca, Cyprus Safita, Syria Sport and recreation Marrickville is home to a number of sporting venues and teams. Henson Park, just off Sydenham Road, is home of the Newtown Jets rugby league team, formerly one of the elite Sydney teams, but currently playing in the second tier New South Wales Cup and acting as a feeder club for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Marrickville Oval, on Livingstone Road, is used by lower grade teams from the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club, which plays in the Sydney Grade Cricket competition and the Newtown Jnr Jets. It is also home to Marrickville A reserve who are consistently made up of mostly Polynesian players (mostly family) who overcame the odds, making it into the semi finals before falling short in what was described as "Grand Final" performance. Fraser Park, next to the railway line between Marrickville and Sydenham stations is home to the Fraser Park FC soccer club which plays in the NSW Men's Premier League 2, the second tier of soccer in NSW. Golf Marrickville Golf Course runs along the banks of the Cooks River. Swimming The new Annette Kellerman aquatic centre, located near the border with Enmore, was opened on 26 January 2011. It features a , eight-lane Swimming Pool catering to lap swimmers, squads and swimming carnivals; a dedicated programs pool / hydrotherapy pool set up for learn-to-swim lessons, aquaerobics classes and rehabilitation activities; and a leisure Pool – a great place to bring young children for fun safe and healthy activity. It replaced an historic outdoor 33-yard pool which