Ronald Jennings, Sirius, Cumberland Street, The Rocks, 2014

‘I was born in South Australia on the 4.10.1929 so I will be 84 this year. I moved to Sydney in 1968 to improve my health and stayed in the Sailors Home on 106 George Street, Sydney.
I was connected to the Green Bans in The Rocks during the 1970s. People were evicted in the adjoining streets by the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority (SCRA) Jack Mundey and the Unions demanded SCRA build a project to cater for the tenants evicted. That very building is Sirius where I reside. Sirius has 79 apartments ranging from 1–4 Bedrooms. It is only 34 Years old. There is a lease that exists dated from 1977–2030 but we are still being evicted. It is a disgrace that 293 Properties in Millers Point and Sirius are to be vacated in 2years. The Liberal Government should be ashamed.
‘My life since 1968 has revolved around community work. I have been a precinct Rep with the NAB Housing for 15 years and on December 2013 I received a National Volunteers Senior Award signed by Julia Gillard.’



Flo Seckold, Argyle Pl. Millers Point, 2014

'Flo has lived in Millers Point all her life. Her family arrived in Sydney in 1930, her father finding work on the local wharves along what was becoming known as the Hungry Mile, and the family moved into a house in Millers Point that was owned by the Sydney Harbour Trust, which soon became Maritime NSW.
Money was tight during the Depression, and there wasn’t always work for her father, but Flo can remember her parents saying when times are tough, always pay your rent, because someone will feed you. It was good growing up in a community where people knew and looked out for one another
After the war Flo went to Fort Street Girls High on Observatory Hill. After that she met Ted, marrying him in 1952. Then Teddy went to work on the wharves and they had their own home and family in Millers Point.
Ted worked on the wharves all his working life, and by the end of it, maritime activity was moving from Sydney Harbour to Port Botany, and Millers Point was changing. The wharves of Walsh Bay closed, soon to be refurbished as a residential and cultural precinct, and more recently, around the point which is no longer called Millers Point, the wharves of Cockle Bay have disappeared under the Barangaroo redevelopment.'



Barney Gardner, High Street, 2014

‘My father Cecil (Barney), a waterfront worker, and mother Joyce, a waterfront canteen worker along with my older sister Roselyn and brother Ronnie, lived in a one-bedroom flat in Cambridge St. The Rocks. They moved to 12 High St. Millers Point in the 1940s to a three-bedroom unit, which was regarded as a treat back then. I was born to 12 High St. in July of 1949, attended the Council run Lance Kindergarten at the bottom of High St. like most of the children of the waterside workers, going on to St. Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, thence on to Fort Street Primary.’

SAVE YOUR HERITAGE. SAVE OUR COMMUNITY

On March 19, 2014, all of the public housing tenants of Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks, were told that they would be evicted from their homes and from their neighbourhood within two years, with the properties to be sold off.
They were told that there was nothing they could do to stop it.   

Listed on the State Heritage Register since 2003, this unique community and vital part of Sydney's history is about to change forever. While some households have moved on and the first house has been sold, there are still over 200 public housing resident households that remain, many for whom the thought of leaving is unbearable. So show your support, come and celebrate the heart and soul of Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks with the community and supporters.

Supporters include a range of people and organisations from local businesses and home owners, artists, musicians and other creatives, academics, legal organisations, Sydney Mayors from various local government areas, and local members of parliament from different parties. The diversity inherent in the community of supporters, proves that the values that lie at the heart of this protest and celebration, are human values shared by many.

The people of Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks, are a community of people that represent history, diversity and inclusion in Sydney. The residents of Sirius at The Rocks are being evicted from a purpose built apartment block, and many others are the direct descendants of wharf and docks workers from as long as five and six generations back. These are the very people, the historical community, for whom the homes were built. A true community can't be built by developers, and we know that these are common values, so come celebrate the Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks community with us on September 14th.

Millers Point Spring Picnic Facebook Page
The Official Millers Point - Save Our Homes Facebook Page
SMH Interactive Millers Point Community History Site
Sign the change.org petition
The State Heritage Register

The photographs of residents and the accompanying texts used on this platform have been compiled by Margaret Bishop and John Dunn. The main, informational text was written by Cara Cumming King, with contributions by Sally Cushing.
The poster was created by Sally Cushing. Diego Bonetto, a pozible ambassador, provided expert insight into running a successful pozible campaign. Reg Mombassa (aka Chris O'Doherty) created and donated the amazing art work that features on the badges and t-shirts. Also, I want to say thank you to all the residents of Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks, in conjunction with whom this campaign page was created. You are amazing, and the Spring Picnic will be amazing, I know it! Cara.

The funds raised will go towards costs of a PA System and a stage, for live entertainment. 
Help us make this important day memorable.

Any funds raised over the reserve will go towards other costs related to celebrating, and fighting for the community of Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks.

We are hoping for clear skies, good spirits and beautiful hearted people. We are doing our best to have plenty of plan B's ready to go. If we fall short of fund raising we will have to downgrade, improvise and make do. We will have fun no matter what.