Gordon Syron and his paintings

The Diary which is on the back page of our “sister” publication The Sydney Morning Herald, recently reported on the ongoing battle between Gordon Syron and the RWA.

Gordon has a remarkable collection of what The Diary says “some experts claim to be an important collection of urban Aboriginal art”. The RWA has issued an eviction notice, a piece of news The Diary seems to have omitted. Fast News asked the RWA for its response in relation to the eviction: “The Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA) entered into a six-month contract in September 2007 with Gordon and Elaine Syron for the cataloguing of their collection. As part of the contract, the Syrons were paid an amount per week, which in return they agreed to catalogue their Art collection after which the RWA would arrange an independent evaluation and then seek out an appropriate buyer for the collection. As part of this arrangement the RWA located a venue at 499 Wilson Street, Darlington to temporarily accommodate the Collection. The RWA paid for the transportation of the Syron’s collection from various locations throughout New South Wales to this site and establishment and operational costs associated with the building. At the end of a six-month period the catalogue was incomplete. The RWA then agreed to a three-month extension on the same terms. At the end of the three-month extension in June 2008, the RWA considered that the catalogue remained incomplete and the contract between the RWA and the Syrons ceased. However, the Syrons have continued to occupy the building since that time. The RWA had a Building Code of Australia Audit undertaken in 2009. Numerous and significant occupational health, safety and fire risks were identified in this report indicating it is not suitable for residential occupation.” This dispute may continue for a while. However, you should try to see Gordon’s collection, if not in Redfern then why not in Bondi? Art exhibition by Gordon Syron, Chapel by the Sea, Bondi Beach, 95 Roscoe Street Bondi Beach (ph 9130 3445). If you want to buy a brilliant piece of art for your collection I’m sure you will find something to your liking.

Surry Hills Festival back on Crown Street

For a long while, the Festival was on Crown Street. From memory, it was all the way from Foveaux to Cleveland Street, with three or four stages and lots of music. What killed it was the RTA which insisted on charging the Festival full costs for the street closure. This would have eaten into its healthy income from which it poured into the services of the local Neighborhood Centre. So the Festival went to Prince Alfred Park, which I am told has succeeded beyond wildest dreams. Now the City is upgrading Prince Alfred Park and the Festival is back on Crown Street. Will the RTA stuff things up this time? Let’s hope not. We will have a full report next month. Anyway, the Surry Hills Festival is always a good day!

Family Day on the Block

One of the best developments in the Redfern area is Family Day on the Block, organised by Babana, the Aboriginal men’s group. The next Family Day is well worth supporting and is on February 27.

Photo: Andrew Collis - Vimala Sarma presented Redfern Community Centre with a Cup for the best Under-10 Indigenous reader at the RCC Christmas Party at the Block on December 18

Source: South Sydney Herald February 2010 www.southsydneyherald.com.au