Photographs by
Patricia Baillie
A brother and sister with the much-loved "Welcome to the Block" mural.
Since 2002 I have spent time with the aboriginal community in Redfern, an inner sydney suburb. Groups sit in an open area near the station, watching the coming and going, and greeting friends arriving from other areas. This public space plays an important role in the local aboriginal community. In winter they light campfires, and they generally sit quietly drinking VB. They have asked me to say that I was never molested or bothered in any way. There have, howver been ongoing problems with drugs, and in February 2002 there were serious riots. It has been said that groups from outside the area were responsible. The response was to raze the buildings which were alleged to be centres of drug dealing (1st and 2nd photos, before and after.) The graffitti on the wall was painted over with a plain grey.
Update: In late 2010 early 2011 demolition began on the remaining houses. Those still here live in the conditions shown in the last two photos. The residents are to be rehoused,and thus dispersed to other suburbs. The only Aboriginal life in this area now is when free meals are offered by Sydney City Council twice a week. At these times, groups still gather and socialize under a large mulberry tree (images 23,4, towards the bottom), but not by the Railway Station, which was formerly so important in social interactions. Now, the life has been lost from this once vibrant "black heart of Australia"
Police make regular routine patrols. This photo was taken before the "drug houses' were bulldozed.
Aboriginal flag mural, now clearly visible after the demolitions.
Thomas Roberts asked to be photographed in front of the flag mural.
Another patrol.
Two local small children. Demolition is in progress behind them.
A police operation begins.
Shortly after this photo was taken, the two boys made a run for it. The Police pursued. The area filled immediately with people cheering on the boys, one of whom made it over the fence to the railway tracks. The other was arrested
Ningenah is a dancer, and he agreed to dance for my camera.
A regular group in the place in front of the train station. Note the words "Eora Country" on the mural behind. The word Eora means "from this place". Local Aboriginal people used the word to describe to the British where they came from. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country".
A different group usually gathers a little further down.The new community centre (March 2004) can be seen behind.
I could not find out where he got the flowers.
Redfern railway station, in the background, was the scene of the 2002 riots.The "Welcome to the Block" mural is on the left.
Out of it.
Andrew Blacklock told me no-one had ever wanted to take his photo except when he was in prison.
I believe he is from ouside the area, but his father is a resident of The Block.
This young mother with the beautiful smile is Paula, her baby is Jackahl.
2011. The mulberry tree beside the Community Centre is now the social meeting place.
Meeting friends, chatting, drinking, playing sudoku . . .
This is how the houses have been allowed to deteriorate. Families live here.
These families don't when, or to where they will be relocated.
Home Updated 12th November 2008