By Duncan Leys, President, Bulletin 2024/9, November
Vale Ian Stevenson
As I write my report this evening of Thursday, 24 October, I have the saddest news to impart. This afternoon, I called in to see Ian as I had not heard from him for a few days and found him deceased. The police and ambulance attended, but it appeared he had been dead for a number of days. While the cause of death is not known at this time it does not appear to be suspicious.
As some may know, Ian had been travelling in South America and had recently returned home. I had spoken to Ian since his return, and although he had a respiratory infection, he was critiquing a development application with his usual energy and enthusiasm. I rang him to query something he had written, and he did not ring me back, which was most unlike Ian. A number of phone calls later over several days and still no call from Ian, I decided to call in on him.
Ian was a friend to many from all walks of life, and I will be forever grateful for the knowledge he imparted to me about history, planning laws, architecture, art, literature, and culture. Always good-humoured, generous and funny with a wicked sense of humour.
Glebe and our country have suffered an enormous loss, and I will miss him greatly.
We will have more to say in the coming days.
Glebe Society Guided Walks Program
The walks play a key role in the Glebe Society in providing opportunities for meeting other members and learning more about Glebe–Forest Lodge and its local neighbourhood. Our last walk for the year will be held on Saturday 2 November, led by Max Solling once again, and exploring Forest Lodge’s history. There are still a few places left, so book now if you’d like to attend.
As Dorothy and Katharine indicate in the Walks program Year in Review, in the past 15 months we’ve had 10 walks, and I have attended almost all of them.
Glebe’s Hill biodiversity research project
In November, the Final Report of the research project, Glebe’s Hill – unravelling its biodiversity secrets and potential project, will be presented. The project is a collaboration between the University of Sydney and the Glebe Society and is funded by a City of Sydney Innovation and Ideas Grant. Professor Dieter Hochuli, leader of the University of Sydney’s Integrative Ecology Group, will present the results of the University’s research and make recommendations.
Members and friends are invited to this event, which will be held at Glebe Town Hall on Friday 29 November at 6 pm. Booking is required, although there is no cost for the event.
The 35th Annual Glebe Music Festival
We’ve been reminding members about the Glebe Music Festival for many months, and now it’s upon us!
This year’s Glebe Music Festival begins with the first concert on Friday evening, 8 November, at Gleebooks featuring the Sydney Guitar Collective. There are seven concerts altogether ending with the final concert, Josie and the Emeralds, on the afternoon of Sunday 24th November at Glebe Town Hall.
The full program is available on the Festival’s website, including booking links for each concert.
Heritage Minister’s visits marks two important events
The Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe visits Glebe for two notable events in September. The first, on 22 September, was to unveil a plaque detailing the heritage listing of the Elsie Women’s Refuge.
Elsie, Australia’s first domestic violence refuge for women and children, has been added to the NSW State Heritage Register, recognising a legacy of creating safe places for women and children. As Bulletin readers will know, the Refuge was established in 1974 by prominent Women’s Liberation Movement activists, including Dr Ann Summers and Bessie Guthrie. Elsie has inspired the creation of over 800 refuges across Australia. Sadly, the job of eliminating the scourge of domestic violence is not done by any means.
The Minister also came to Glebe on 10 September to unveil the Blue Plaque for Dorothy Drain at 52 Toxteth Road. The Glebe Society nominated the 52 Toxteth Road Glebe property for a Blue Plaque in 2022 for once being the home of Dorothy Drain. Details of the nomination and the life of Dorothy Drain can be found on our website and in Bulletin 9/2022.
In a front-page article in Bulletin 10/2023 – fittingly written by retired veteran journo, Allan Hogan – the Society informed readers that our nominated Dorothy Drain plaque was amongst the fourteen chosen in Round 2 of the Blue Plaques program.
Glebe Art Show
Another highly successful Glebe Art Show was held at the Community Hall in the Tramshed earlier this month. The Show was opened by Lord Mayor Clover Moore on Wednesday evening 17 October, and ran for the next four days until Sunday 20 October 2024.
As usual, the Glebe Society sponsored the Character of Glebe Prize, which was won this year by Linda Toomey for her highly accomplished ‘Glebe Reflections’.
Bulletin date changes
Our last Bulletin for 2024 (Bulletin 10/2024) will be published on 5 December. Bulletin contributors please be aware that the copy deadline will be Monday 25 November. This is a day earlier than the previous deadlines, which were on a Tuesday.
While on the subject of deadlines, I’ll remind you that the deadline for submission of photos for the In Focus photo competition is earlier than the deadline for other contributions – the 15th day of the month. So, for the December Bulletin, the deadline for photo submissions is Sunday 15 November.
Glebe Society Christmas Party
Finally, I look forward to seeing some of you at our Christmas Party which is being held at Café Otto Noorba on the evening of Sunday 1 December. Tickets are now on sale. You’ll find all the details and are able to book via Eventbrite.
2 comments. Please add yours.
Condolences to all who knew and loved Ian.
I’m gutted by this news and it’s a big loss to the Glebe Society, and our communities.
Thank you Duncan for these well-considered words about Ian. You nailed it about his wicked sense of humour.
Vale Ian Stephenson. A really wonderful man, gone too soon.