The saying “Give someone a fish and they’ll eat for a day, teach them to fish and they’ll eat for a lifetime” only tells part of the story. What if someone pollutes the water? Or the government demands an expensive licence to fish? Or a company dams the water upstream and stops the fish further down the stream? We have consistently heard people in Glebe asking for ways to bring about change in the community, but not as a handout, rather in a way which means that they can be involved in creating a strong, fair and vibrant community.
Situated in an old movie theatre originally built by Sydney City Mission (now known as Mission Australia), the building has had many uses including live concerts, churches and even a hairdressing studio. As the Glebe Justice Centre, the building is returning again to be a resource for the whole community.
Regular legal information nights will begin where pro-bono lawyers will be available for people to seek advice. Other programs include mediation programs, public events such as Glebe Talks, a forum for local voices and live music, and pop-up restaurant dinners hosted by people from diverse cultural backgrounds. The venue will continue to be available for hiring for live concerts and large community events. The Glebe Justice Centre was recently joined by two new partners – Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group and Annecto, who each have offices situated on site.
Director for the Glebe Justice Centre, Stuart Davey, says: “Glebe is a unique place and what is beginning here at the Glebe Justice Centre is the creation of an innovative blend of community-oriented responses to injustice. Drawing on successful models in Europe and North America, we’ve adapted to the needs of Glebe to create something that is new.”
The Centre will be unveiled at midday on Sunday February 15 with the launch of Glebe Connect. Glebe Connect is a tool to help people in the community find what else is happening in the area and discover how they can contribute. An accompanying exhibition, Portraits of Glebe, features artworks of local personalities and their stories, focusing on the qualities and strength of the area.
A weeklong celebration will follow and includes the following highlights: an Indigenous dance concert; a new regular event called “Glebe Talks” – featuring ideas and live music worth sharing; Sophie Hutchings in concert – piano and cello played acoustically; Nexus Quartet – with Frank Celata, the associate principal clarinet of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Colbourne Ave – an intimate candlelit concert featuring the legendary jazz pianist Chuck Yates.
