The Glebe Society held a party last night, Friday 19th June, to celebrate its 40th year since it began in 1969.  The party was held at the Woolcock Institute (formerly the Max Factor building) and attended by 150 members and representatives of local Glebe community organisations.

The keynote address was given Jack Mundey AO, former BLF leader, and one of Sydney’s earliest and best known activist in retaining Sydney’s built heritage.  Click here to listen to recording of his address on YouTube.

Another special guest was John Dengate, Glebe’s own busker, who gave a rousing rendition of one of the protest songs of the early 1970s:  “Under concrete and glass, Sydney’s disappearing fast”.

A special message from Bernard Smith, one of the founders of the Glebe Society, was read to those attending the party.  Bernard is now aged 92 and living in Melbourne, and was visited by several members in February this year, and he spoke of his fondness for Glebe and sent his congratulations and best wishes to the Glebe Society on its 40th anniversary.

Lesley Lynch, the President of the Glebe Society, gave special thanks to the many who had worked in organising the party, including Mavis McCarthy, Susie Cleary, Dorothy Davis, Judy Vergison, Jeanette Knox, Jan Macindoe, Liz Simpson-Booker, Katharine Vernon & Phil Young.

A good number of photos were taken during the event, and a couple of them are below.  To see more photos of the party, in higher resolution, you’ll find them at here.

A view of the main room of the party
A view of the main room of the party
Robyn Kemmis, John Dengate, Jack Mundey and Lesley Lynch celebrating the Glebe Society's 40th anniversary.
Robyn Kemmis, John Dengate, Jack Mundey and Lesley Lynch celebrating the Glebe Society’s 40th anniversary.