The Block: Past, Present and Future

More than any other urban area in Australia, the Block in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Redfern, has become a meeting place and, some say, spiritual home for city-dwelling Aborigines. However, it has also long struggled with problems of crime, violence and drug-dealing. When not in jail, stolen-generation member Bill Simon has lived on or near to the block for much of his adult life, and his recent book, "Back to the Block" is a moving and personal account of his life story and triumph over his demons. His friend, the Aboriginal Housing Company CEO Mick Mundine, is overseeing the proposed redevelopment of the area. Here, they're at Gleebooks, discussing the Block: its stories, its problems, and its importance.

Bill Simon was taken from his mother when he was a boy, and raised in the notorious Kinchela Boys home. As a young man his criminal behaviour and self-abuse led him to be imprisoned several times. He credits his conversion to Christianity with saving his life, and is now working on the Block to try and help other indigenous people live productive and happy lives.

Mick Mundine has been heavily involved in the Redfern community since moving to the city in the early 1970s. A former Redfern All Black footy player, he began his career at the Aboriginal Housing Company as a painter and then foreman, before becoming CEO.

Elizabeth Farrelly is a former architect who writes a column for The Sydney Morning Herald, generally focussing on urban affairs. She has been the recipient of writing awards including the Paris-based CICA award for architectural criticism, the Adrian Ashton Award, the Marion Mahoney Award and the Pascall Prize for criticism. Among her books are Three Houses and Blubberland: The Dangers of Happiness, which was longlisted a 2008 Walkley Award for Nonfiction. She lives in inner-city Sydney.

Source: www.abc.net.au/tv/fora/stories/2009/07/02/2614925.htm

April

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The Block: Past, Present and Future

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