Neil served in both paid and non-paid positions within numerous community groups in the inner city, where he lived in the 1970s and early 1980s, including The Sydney University Settlement, South Sydney Youth Services (now WEAVE), Inner Sydney Tenants’ Advice and Referral Centre, Surry Hills Social Justice Coalition, South Sydney Community Aid and Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development (now Inner Sydney Voice).
In a recent reflection on Inner Sydney Voice’s 40th anniversary, Neil wrote: “It’s that work, whether paid or non-paid, shared without envy or competition, which in my experience binds people together. I remember my connections with Regional Council with gladness. It has been my good fortune and on the way I’ve done some good stuff for the inner-city.”
Despite having moved to Katoomba many years earlier and being involved just as actively in local community action in the mountains to preserve sensitive ecosystems and give support to the Aboriginal community’s calls for recognition, Neil’s connection to the South Sydney community was extraordinarily strong.
About a decade ago Neil was a pivotal member of Friends of The Settlement who ensured that the community centre’s premises were not sold off as Edward Street Darlington gentrified. While all in the group devoted many, many hours to the campaign, Neil’s dedication led him to commute from his Katoomba home for over two hours each way to chair meetings. His knowledge from 23 years of teaching community welfare at TAFE and his natural attention to careful process helped to ensure The Settlement survived and set it on the way to its major renovations. Michael Gravener, who was EO at The Settlement when Neil was Chairperson of the incoming board, said of him: “One of life’s pleasures is that you meet fine people along the way. Thanks Neil, rest in peace.”
