The Rev. Ray Richmond was at the forefront of social change. This included his pioneering work at Sydney’s Wayside Chapel in creating an injecting room for drug users. A celebration of his life will be held on November 17 (details at the end of this tribute).
I first met Ray in Sydney in January 1971. I was 21, fresh out of university, and about to join an organisation that would have a major influence on the rest of my life. Ray was struggling with making a similar decision, but in his case, it involved his wife and family as well. Little did I realise then that our paths would cross many times in years to come, in places as diverse as Brussels and Chicago, Madrid and Mezio (Portugal), Perth and Oombulgurri (Kimberley, WA) and Seattle and Decatur Island. We also both worked in India, although in different periods.
When we last met, a year ago in Brisbane, it was clear he was in his final lap, but still as smooth spoken and determined as ever, sharing occasional recollections and characteristic mannerisms that caught us up short and caused us to chuckle. His body was weak but his spirit still strong.
During his assignment to the Oombulgurri Human Development Project in the mid ’70s, Ray spent a lot of time outside the community, garnering support for it from around Australia. His efforts at “inkinding” everything from pigs and chickens to free shipping and air transportation were legendary. His sheer audacity and refined speech were a powerful combination. He addressed service clubs, phoned federal cabinet ministers at home and convinced farmers to part with highly prized breeding cattle.
I was privileged to follow in Ray’s footsteps in this work and was amazed at the array of contacts he had made as well as the meticulous notes he left. He became a role model for me, giving me the courage to step outside my comfort zone and risk boldly, while being mindful of the implications of my actions and caring for the details.
Not only was Ray always prepared to do whatever was needed, he was also not afraid to address a word to people — his colleagues among them — when he thought it necessary. I remember the night in Seattle we had just finished watching an AFL grand final at a friend’s house. As we walked to our car I was telling him about the latest book I was editing for the Institute. He listened politely before interjecting. “So, when are you going to write your own book?” His question stopped me in my tracks. In my role as a writer and editor for the organisation it had never occurred to me that I might write a book of my own. A seed was planted and it grew over time. I not only wrote and published one book of my own, but two. Had it not been for Ray, these might never have happened.
In 2005, Ray and Elaine paid a visit to our home on Decatur Island, north of Seattle. They enjoyed their time, especially the walks through the forest, playing on a rope swing at the beach and meeting neighbours. Ray was intrigued by our house situated on a steep sloping hillside. He called it “the house on the edge”, which he later referred to as “a symbol of your recognition of times of change for all people”. Eight years later, when Bruce and I were married on Decatur, Ray sent a message to bless our union, which was now legal in Washington State. In it he reminded us that he had celebrated many unregistered civil unions, “in the bush and on the beach”.
This came as no surprise to me, although I’d not known it before. Being ahead of the curve, at the forefront of social change — whatever the issue — seemed the natural place for Ray. His pioneering work at Sydney’s Wayside Chapel in creating an injecting room for drug users was a case in point. Not only did he dare to take on state and federal politicians and submit to police raids, he also faced a media barrage for weeks. In an email to me for my 61st birthday, he wrote, “Some times require prophets who dare to be outrageous, loud and visible for justice. Sometimes the mighty ruler is plain wrong and should be warned of dangerous consequences and great suffering.”
Ray’s willingness to embody a prophetic role for social justice was one of many he played throughout his life. He also served in the army, as a minister, and as a radio presenter. In addition, he exhibited a range of skills from finely honed carpentry to the latest website design. Nothing seemed to fail to capture his attention or be beyond his reach.
When we both lived and worked at the ICA’s International headquarters in Brussels I was amazed how he converted two small, single-person rooms into a comfortable apartment for Elaine and himself. When he tidied up the basement workshop as well, transforming it from total chaos to a highly organised and accessible space, I was doubly impressed.
For all his gifts and accomplishments, Ray was no stranger to struggle and failure. His separation from his children over many years while working abroad weighed heavily on him although he was able to bridge that gap somewhat in later years.
The death of Elaine in 2010 was not only a painful personal loss for Ray but ended a partnership of two strong, talented and caring individuals who together made a powerful and well-balanced team, known to many simply as “Ray and Elaine”. When they were in charge, you knew something great would happen.
But Ray’s response to this sad moment, as to all life’s challenges, was always positive and forward looking. I was reminded of this in an email he sent me in which he confessed that his previous year had been “a time of new learnings about failure”. His words make a fitting note on which to end this brief homage to an honoured colleague, a dear friend and a committed companion on the journey.
“The best resurrections happen in adversity and endings, when doors are shut and a new world dawns in hope and surprise. It is in adversity that we develop qualities of tolerance, patience and compassion. With new relationships to everything, life floods in fresh and welcome.”
From the Wayside Chapel’s Facebook page, posted September 19, 2019
We just received the sad news that the Rev. Ray Richmond, Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel from 1991–2004, passed away this week. Pastor and CEO Jon Owen released this statement:
“A kind and loving pioneer, the Rev. Ray Richmond was instrumental in demanding change in the area of drug treatment in the ’90s when Kings Cross was caught in the midst of a heroin boom. He was stirred to action by the countless lives lost from drug overdoses and established a safe injecting room known as ‘The Tolerance Room’ where drug users were allowed to safely inject. This was an act of civil disobedience that even saw Ray arrested, yet wouldn’t deter him from persevering with his vision. The Rev. Ray Richmond’s actions, along with widespread support from our community, led to a change in state legislation and the subsequent approval and opening of the first medically supervised injecting centre (MSIC), which still stands today on Darlinghurst Road. All of us at Wayside owe a debt of gratitude to Ray. He will be greatly missed.”
Ray’s family will be in our thoughts.
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Family and friends are invited to a ‘Living on the edge’ party at the Wayside Chapel at 2pm on Sunday, November 17. This will be a celebrative time of music, song and poetry with refreshments. You are invited to bring something – a symbol, a piece of poetry or song to remember the difference Ray and Elaine Richmond made to the lives of so many.
