GLEBE: Twenty years ago, community representatives together with Tom Uren planted a tree in the grounds of St John’s Bishopthorpe in Glebe. It was called the Tree of Life, and was planted to commemorate the history of the Glebe lands, which were granted to the Anglican Church in 1789.
In 1974 the Whitlam government had committed to breathing new life into the area via the Glebe Lands Appropriation Act, championed by Mr Uren, then Minister for Urban and Rural Development.
At that time, residents were very poor, living in slum-like conditions and under threat of displacement by development, including radial freeways that would have crisscrossed and fragmented the suburb.
Through its legislation the Whitlam government wanted to support low-income earners living close to the city, to improve their living standards and maintain their townscape and social networks. Subsequently, the Glebe Project, with input from a local resident advisory group, saw the restoration of the houses.
This year, on August 29, the legacy of the Glebe Project was celebrated with the Threads of Glebe History event held at the site of the Tree of Life. It was an opportunity for low-income residents to come together and express their appreciation of inclusive community values.
Most importantly, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation were deeply acknowledged. The narrative acknowledged the ancient and continuing stewardship of the lands.
Aunty Sharon Minniecon gave the welcome and spoke of the different aspects and threads of community and how by all working together we are stronger. This was represented in the colourful wrap around the Tree of Life by local resident John, and the mural behind the Tree of Life painted by young Ray-Dean Bowden.
Jamie Parker MP added to local knowledge by sharing about native trees in the area, including the black wattle. Tanya Plibersek MP shared two things that Tom Uren had shared with her, and these resonated in the feeling of attendees: love of the community and recognition of diversity.
All the speakers, including Leo Patterson-Ross, senior policy officer of the Tenants Union, and a message from Lord Mayor Clover Mayor, reiterated the values of that landmark decision and the foresight to rehabilitate the existing housing and thus preserve the village and social housing in the inner city.
