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Art wall one way to mend fences with community

The final stage in a two- year upgrade of Eveleigh Street precinct is almost finished reports Katie Hoskins in Precinct South Sydney Edition Issue 4/2007 in November 2007.

The construction of an Aboriginal feature artwork at Hugo Street Reserve is the last stage of the City of Sydney's plan to improve the area.

Over the past 24 months Pemulwuy Park, Hugo Street Reserve and Yellowmundee Park have undergone improvements which the councils hopes will make them safer, more functional and more inviting to local residents.

Started in early 2005, work has included providing new park furniture, improving footpaths, supplying better lighting and in the case of Hugo Street Reserve, upgrading the basketball court.

Nicole Haines, a City Of Sydney senior project manager, said she recognised the importance of the reserve to local residents.

"Since the work started I have had a few calls from residents to see what's going on. They are quite protective of that space and they seem really happy to see the completion of the work," she said.

The art fence, which will surround Hugo Street Reserve, is the final step in the project.

The 70 metre by 2,4 metre fence has already been erected replacing the damaged wire fence that was once there. All that is left is for the new fence to be painted.

The person who has been charged with designing the art fence project is Bronwyn Bancroft, a highly respected local Aboriginal artist.

Bancroft's reputation, both as an artist and as an advocate for Aboriginal rights, made her a perfect choice.

During the design process, Bancroft worked closely with Redfern residents and held community meetings to get opinions on what the fence should say and represent.

"This was really important in order to make sure residents liked the fence," said Bancroft. "Anyone could come along and give feedback; we needed lots of open consultation."

Along with input from the residents, the concept for the design evolved as a result of her collaboration with architect Dale Jones-Evans.

The artwork will represent a series of ancestral figures which Bancroft said would: "Protect the whole garden area, and make people feel safe in the walls."

Children from the community have been invited by Mereani Cooke, youth coordinator at Redfern Community Centre, to paint the fence under Bancroft's direction.

Project manager Ms Haines said that getting children and teenagers involved would be great for them.

"We are getting kids involved who have an interest in art.

"It'll be great work experience for them and give them skills that could really help in a workforce and their future. The more we have discussed it the more we have got excited about it. It will be so worthwhile," she said.

Photos: The new fence with Bancroft's design. Below: The old fence surrounding the western boundary of Hugo Street Reserve.

Source: University of Technology Precinct South Sydney Edition Issue 4/2007 page 18.

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