The President’s Page
From the President: November 2024
Posted on 28th October 2024
President Duncan Leys reports on the sad and sudden death of Ian Stephenson in October. Always good-humoured, generous and funny with a wicked sense of humour, he was a stalwart of the Glebe Society as President for two years, then as Planning Convenor. In other news, the last Walk of the year is coming up, as is a presentation on the Glebe’s Hill project. Events were held to honour pioneering journalist Dorothy Drain (and her new Blue Plaque) and the heritage listing of Elsie Women’s refuge. Not to mention the Glebe Art Show that goes from strength to strength.
Removal of restrictions on drinking alcohol in Glebe’s parks
Posted on 2nd October 2024
The City of Sydney Council’s decision not to renew the outdoor alcohol restrictions in Glebe’s parks has angered many local residents. Duncan Leys, the Society’s President, is concerned that the decision was taken without proper community consultation.
Glebe in the news for all the wrong reasons!
Posted on 29th May 2024
Duncan Leys reports that Glebe was in the news for all the wrong reasons last month. There have been reports of incidents allegedly involving young people which have been addressed in meetings with the police and Council, reported in the next article. A meeting with Kobi Shetty canvassed issues around transport, the new fish market, the Glebe Island Bridge and housing issues. More positively, Duncan noted the continuing removal of asbestos and expressed his enthusiasm for the Glebe Society Guided Walks program.
From the President: May 2024
Posted on 1st May 2024
The Glebe Society is dealing with a number of substantive issues involving the State Government which were discussed with local MP Kobi Shetty before the last meeting of the Society’s Management Committee. These include WestConnex, the upheavals due to asbestos contamination, zoning laws, housing shortages and the new Sydney Fish Market. The Society is interested in the Bidura redevelopment and restoration of the Glebe Island Bridge. Duncan also wants to encourage attendance at our popular guided walks.
From the President: April 2024
Posted on 27th March 2024
Duncan reports some positive developments for the conservation of Bidura House and the Glebe Island Bridge. Less positive are the State government’s latest announcements on parking at the new Sydney Fish Market and plans to rezone parts of Glebe.
From the President March 2024
Posted on 28th February 2024
Duncan Leys with news from The Glebe Society.
From The President: November 2023
Posted on 29th October 2023
In his message to members, the Society’s President calls for volunteers to fill important roles on the Management Committee
A message from the new President, Duncan Leys
Posted on 5th October 2023
Duncan Leys, the Society’s newly-elected President, offered his thanks at the AGM for the advice and support of members of the Management Committee. He said that the Presidency was an honour which he felt he had not yet earned, but committed to ‘earning his stripes’ by reaching out to people and organisations who shared common goals with the Society.
From the President: September 2023
Posted on 28th August 2023
The Glebe Society has been very fortunate to have Ian Stephenson at the helm for the last two years. In his final report he reviews the Society’s activities and thanks members for their support.
From the President, August 2023
Posted on 2nd August 2023
In his monthly report, Ian Stephenson, President of the Glebe Society, supports prominent architects who strongly favour the retention and repair of public housing, rather than its demolition and replacement with new construction.
From the President – June 2023
Posted on 30th May 2023
In his monthly report, Ian Stephenson, President, urges the state government to refurbish and extend 82 Wentworth Park Rd rather than demolish the building.
From the President – July 2023
Posted on 26th June 2023
In his monthly report, Ian Stephenson, President of the Society, proposes that the building set aside for public housing at 82 Wentworth Park Road be refurbished and extended rather than demolished.
From the President – May 2023
Posted on 29th April 2023
In his monthly report, Ian Stephenson, President of the Glebe Society, welcomes the new government’s decision to place a moratorium on the sale of historic housing in the St Phillips and Lyndhurst Estates. And he’s come up with a new name for the developments in Cowper St and Wentworth Park Rd.
From the President – April 2023
Posted on 28th March 2023
Labor had a victory in the recent election and, despite a swing of nearly 8% against them, the Greens have held the seat of Balmain in which Glebe and Forest Lodge are located. In his monthly report, the President of the Society, Ian Stephenson, thanks Jamie Parker, the retiring MP, and welcomes his successor, Kobi Shetty.
From the President
Posted on 2nd March 2023
An update from Ian Stephenson, President of the Glebe Society, about recent community activities and issues of interest to members.
From the President – November 2022
Posted on 4th November 2022
Catch up with what’s been happening at the Glebe Society. After ten years doing an amazing job as editor of the Bulletin, Virginia Simpson-Young is standing down. Allan Hogan takes her place on an interim basis. Welcome also to three new committee convenors – Louis Taborda, Community, Tamira Stevenson, Environment and Duncan Leys, Transport.
From the President, August 2022
Posted on 8th August 2022
In his President’s Report, Ian Stephenson announced that the Society is looking for Convenors for two Subcommittees – Community Development and Environment. He also reports on the National Trust’s ‘No Time to Spare II’ exhibition at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta.
From the President
Posted on 7th July 2022
An update on what’s been happening in the last month, including recent and upcoming Glebe Society Guided Walks, musings on Glebe’s radical history, and info about Hands Off Glebe’s upcoming screening of the movie, ‘The Public’.
From the President – June 2022
Posted on 8th June 2022
Catch up on some of the things we’ve been doing over the last month. As well as a meeting with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, the Society made detailed comments on Council’s proposed Community Strategic Plan. Our annual biodiversity lecture featured Professor Dieter Hochuli from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, talking about ‘how nature survives and thrives in urban environments, and why it matters for the future of our cities’.
From the President – May 2022
Posted on 7th June 2022
Catch up with what we’ve been doing by reading the President’s Report. This month has included meetings with Council, and the Anzac Day service at the newly cleaned Glebe War Memorial. The NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s ill-considered plans for development in Glebe continue.
From the President – April 2022
Posted on 6th April 2022
Catch up with what we’ve been doing by reading the President’s Report. This month has seen us attending meetings with Council and other groups with similar goals to ours. Our program of Guided Walks is also going strong.
From the President – March 2022
Posted on 7th March 2022
The Glebe Society has been incredibly busy over summer. Catch up with what we’ve been doing by reading the President’s Report.
The most serious threat to Glebe’s scale and community in fifty years
Posted on 16th December 2021
In November, the Sydney City Council’s approved a Development Application by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation to erect two 8-storey apartment towers and five 3-storey terrace houses in the St Phillips estate in Glebe. This represents the most serious threat to the urban character and community of Glebe – what makes Glebe’s special – in almost fifty years.
From the President
Posted on 11th November 2021
New Glebe Society President, Ian Stephenson, reports on a busy October for the Society. In this picture Ian stands to the left of Norma Hawkins at the tree planting ceremony in her honour.
From the President, August 2021
Posted on 2nd August 2021
Glebe Society President, Janet Wahlquist, provides an update on the Society’s recent activities and what’s new in Glebe and Forest Lodge
President’s Report for March 2021
Posted on 7th March 2021
Report from the Glebe Society President, Janet Wahlquist on the Society’s recent activities.
Submission to the Inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017
Posted on 28th April 2018
The Glebe Society calls on the Government to reject this Bill. The proposed changes go far beyond the stated intent in relation to foreign donations, and will result in unintended consequences that stifle social advocacy and democratic debate.
From the President (May 2017)
Posted on 1st May 2017
Historic Buildings Top the Charts in Glebe Society Survey and
End of an era: Liz Simpson-Booker retires as Heritage Convenor
President’s Letter to Luke Foley re WestConnex
Posted on 27th October 2016
President’s Letter to Luke Foley re WestConnex
President’s Report to the 2015 AGM
Posted on 25th September 2015
During the year, we have been treated to an extraordinary amount of ‘consultation’, particular by UrbanGrowth NSW in relation to the Bays Precinct. But the substance has been entirely lacking.
I take this opportunity of wishing everyone well for the coming year. May it not be so busy.
