Congratulations and thank you to mural creator, Kelly Wallwork.

With the mural complete – thanks to the inspiration and hard work of the Society’s Janice Challinor.

President Allan Hogan wrote to thank the artist for her brilliant work:

Dear Kelly,

At the last meeting of the Glebe Society management committee, members expressed their admiration for the outstandingly pleasing outcome of the tram mural project. It’s a wonderful addition to Glebe Point Rd, reminding everyone of an important era in the history of our community. You have demonstrated great technical skill in producing this fabulous trompe l’oeil, so good that I hope motorists on GPR don’t head off to the left of the tram!!

We were very fortunate to have you undertake the project. I watched you at work on some of those hot days expecting that there might be a delay, but you soldiered on, finishing on time and on budget. It’s a project the Glebe Society can be very proud of, and you’re right in praising Janice Challinor’s dedicated attention from inception to completion.

I look forward to seeing you at the official opening on March 8 by the Lord Mayor.

Regards, Allan Hogan

President

Detail of the ‘Memories of Trams’ mural – created by Kelly Wallwork (image: V. Simpson-Young)

Dear Allan,

I’d like to express gratitude to the GIebe Society for providing me the opportunity of helping create the Glebe Tram Mural. It was a really special job for me to look forward to, and I received overwhelmingly positive public feedback while working on it.

Most comments included a real ‘thank you’ for bringing community spirit to a place so many gather, and I mentioned the Glebe Society often to explain the instigation of the project. I have special admiration for Janice Challinor’s constant dedication to meeting all the challenges that arose in seeing the project through.

The wall with windows in it turned out to be a blessing … serendipitously they’ve created a counterpoint to the perspective in the tram photo, and passers-by seem generally drawn to it. The tram is poised at the crest of a hill & passengers alighting at the Valhalla bus stop echo the tram riders emerging at the tram stop in the mural. A very accessible historical message, it was meant to be.

My thanks again for engaging me to be the artist on such a fine project, it was & is a wonderful experience.

Regards, Kelly Wallwork

Janice Challinor mucking in to prepare the wall for the Memories of Trams mural created by Kelly Wallwork (image: V. Simpson-Young)

Tram memories still needed

You may have noticed that the tram mural on the corner of Hereford St has been completed. The Glebe Society would like to congratulate the artist Kelly Wallwork on her beautiful rendition of Lenny Manny’s 1953 photograph.

The mural will be officially unveiled by the Lord Mayor on Wednesday 8 March at 10.30am. The unveiling will take place onsite (cnr Glebe Point Rd and Hereford St) and will be followed by morning tea served in the Valhalla foyer and on its observation deck. Capacity is limited and priority will be given in order of response. RSVP: community@glebesociety.org.au by 3 March.

It is not too late to contribute to the recording of reminiscences of tram use in Glebe. If you and/or someone you know have stories to tell about trams in Glebe then please contact me (Janice) at community@glebesociety.org.au. I’d love to hear from you.