This month’s Review section is dedicated in loving memory to Jane Barton who passed away at her home, with partner Melissa by her side and dear friends nearby, on August 15.
Jane was theatre reviewer for the SSH for more than eight years. Jane also wrote news stories and articles on social justice issues such as the NT Intervention. Her work expressed belief in the creative power of art (local stories in particular) to transform individuals and communities – to generate doubt and indecision, to demonstrate the need for reflection and to make space for new experiments in private and public life. Most recently, she wrote profiles on artists Jovana Terzic (July) and Teena McCarthy (August). Jane’s writing set a high standard for our Review section, attracting other regular reviewers of film, books and music. She was a strong supporter of the paper and of independent media.We will miss her, and treasure her work.
A farewell service and celebration of Jane’s life was held at the NSW Writers Centre in Rozelle on August 28. Mourners paid tribute to “a woman of words” who was also “a woman of her word”. Memories and stories are being collated online: www.janecarolinebarton.blogspot.com.au.
Readers are invited to donate to a project close to Jane’s heart – the Kool Kids Club, an initiative of WEAVE (formerly South Sydney Youth Services). Kool Kids Club provides free after-school and holiday activity programs for children with limited access to social and recreational activities, who also may have other complex personal issues in their lives. Programs include Indigenous surfing, dance, short film projects, music workshops, sports, arts and Indigenous cooking. You can donate online at www.weave.org.au/b.
The last meeting of the City of Sydney on August 20 was reportedly a congenial affair. Councillors congratulated one another on how well they’d worked together and all they’d achieved over four years. This may be contrasted with a campaign period marked by exaggerated points of difference and clamouring for advantage. Whatever the makeup of the new Council, we look forward to fruitful collaboration. There are important roles even for minority parties to help influence the agenda. Councillors are urged to attend community meetings and forums, and to listen to what people have to say.
