Green Bans doyen joins campaign for Bridge St building
By NSW Teachers Federation 16 March 2015
The man who led the 1970s Green Bans to preserve Sydney's buildings spoke at Federation's March 14 rally opposing the leasing of the heritage-listed Education building in Bridge Street, Sydney.
The Coalition Government seeks to lease the building as a hotel.
"Let's all get together and fight hard," Jack Mundey said at the event held in adjacent Farrer Place.
The rally was attended by teachers from around the state and community members concerned about the Government's plans.
Federation Senior Vice President Joan Lemaire told the rally that a Government Minister "had the gall to say" that by closing down the Education building as a public institution and opening it as a hotel would open the building to the public.
"What rot," she said.
"We're going to fight for this building. We're going to fight for our historical and educational heritage and let it be known that whoever wants to invest in this will have to put up with us…protesting and campaigning against these changes," she declared.
Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon listed the state's public education heritage, along with TAFE, electricity, health, disability and community services as "not for sale".
35-39 Bridge Street houses rolls of honour that list the teachers and educators who served their country in war.
RSL Teachers Sub-branch Secretary/Treasurer Ken Stevenson remembers all too well how the sacred items were treated when the Greiner Government attempted to sell the building. When the building was saved from sale and it was time for the boards to be returned to the Bridge Street building, the boards could not be found. They were eventually located and re-hung.
"The soldiers did not go to war for money but it seems to be clouding their memory," Mr Stevenson told the rally.
"I don't want the memory of these men to become wandering spirits. This is their home and must stay," he added.
Greens MLC John Kaye said Mike Baird was taking the "heart of public education" and converting it into the "height of elitism -- a location that only high-end, wealthy tourists can access".
The rally launched a petition to force a debate in the NSW Parliament about the Coalition Government's plans for the building.
Acting President Gary Zadkovich urged people to gather as many signatures as possible.
"We won't relent to protect the heritage of public education," Mr Zadkovich said.
By NSW Teachers Federation 16 March 2015
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| Department of Education – Historic Building Battle |
The Coalition Government seeks to lease the building as a hotel.
"Let's all get together and fight hard," Jack Mundey said at the event held in adjacent Farrer Place.
The rally was attended by teachers from around the state and community members concerned about the Government's plans.
Federation Senior Vice President Joan Lemaire told the rally that a Government Minister "had the gall to say" that by closing down the Education building as a public institution and opening it as a hotel would open the building to the public.
"What rot," she said.
"We're going to fight for this building. We're going to fight for our historical and educational heritage and let it be known that whoever wants to invest in this will have to put up with us…protesting and campaigning against these changes," she declared.
Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon listed the state's public education heritage, along with TAFE, electricity, health, disability and community services as "not for sale".
35-39 Bridge Street houses rolls of honour that list the teachers and educators who served their country in war.
RSL Teachers Sub-branch Secretary/Treasurer Ken Stevenson remembers all too well how the sacred items were treated when the Greiner Government attempted to sell the building. When the building was saved from sale and it was time for the boards to be returned to the Bridge Street building, the boards could not be found. They were eventually located and re-hung.
"The soldiers did not go to war for money but it seems to be clouding their memory," Mr Stevenson told the rally.
"I don't want the memory of these men to become wandering spirits. This is their home and must stay," he added.
Greens MLC John Kaye said Mike Baird was taking the "heart of public education" and converting it into the "height of elitism -- a location that only high-end, wealthy tourists can access".
The rally launched a petition to force a debate in the NSW Parliament about the Coalition Government's plans for the building.
Acting President Gary Zadkovich urged people to gather as many signatures as possible.
"We won't relent to protect the heritage of public education," Mr Zadkovich said.
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