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When you say Redfern, many people think of the urban Aboriginal population, Eveleigh Street and 'The Block'. And why not? This area is probably the most famous part of Redfern, yet it is the one place that most people fear to go as many Sydneysiders associate it with violence, drug crime and more specifically the 2004 riots. Yet Redfern is more than just this one spot and it's pre-conceived ideas. There is a vibrant community here of people from all walks of life. Yes, the Block is looking a bit worse for wear in places, but walk on and the community centre is alive with the sound of childrens laughter. Around the corner and up a bit is the centre of Redfern where boutique shops cosy up to cafes; and the Victorian Italianate architecture of the 1882 Post Office building is reflected across the road in the more contemporary tower of the Centrelink building. Take a 'walkabout' Redfern and look for yourself.
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| Welcome to country, home of the Eora Nation |
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| Ridgy didge, ridgy didge and away we go singing red, black and yellow... |
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| Redfern, A Community 'I nod to a passing stranger, and the stranger nods back, and two human beings go off, feeling a little less anonymous' Robert Brault |
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| A Walk Around The Block |
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| New Kids On The Block! |
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| On My Mind... (My photo of the day) |
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| In the Frame
I spotted three police officers down this side street, two of them were chatting on their mobiles so I asked if I could take a picture. Where's the other you may ask? She darted around the corner quickly... she didn't want to be put in the frame!
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| BABANA
Babana means 'Brother' in the Dharug language.
BABANA was formed by local Aboriginal men in early 2006 to provide Aboriginal men with opportunities to network, discuss issues affecting local men, meet other Aboriginal men’s groups and do projects which benefit the Redfern-Waterloo community. The vision of this Aboriginal men's group is 'Support, enable and empower’ Aboriginal men and their families in their community.
http://redfernoralhistory.org/Organisations/BabanaMensGroup/tabid/199/Default.aspx
Mark (left) and Dave (right) proudly invited us into the 'shed' and showed us around their place. Aboriginl men, proud of their indigenous culture who provide guidance and support to those in their community.
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| Post It - Note! |
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| The Old and the New |
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| Trend & Trilby |
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| Renovators Delight |
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| Sunny Side of the Street |
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| The Writing's on the Wall |
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| Take a Pew |
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| Walkabout
The Aboriginal walkabout is a rite of passage, a spiritual journey that can cover up to 1000km. My Redfern walkabout was considerably shorter but one that opened my eyes to how stereotypes can and should be broken; and how many are working hard to do just that.
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