Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy
A$1,660
of $750 targetyrs ago
Successful on 29th Sep 2015 at 8:21AM.
Just down the road from Sydney University, opposite Redfern train station, lies The Block. Bounded by Eveleigh, Caroline, Louis and Vine streets, The Block is a historic site of Indigenous housing originally purchased with a grant from the Whitlam government in 1972. The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) was founded to purchase and provide low-cost housing for Aboriginal people. However, since its creation the AHC has become increasingly opaque in its dealings, prioritising corporate profit over the rights of Indigenous people to affordable housing on their own land.
In May 2014, Mick Mundine, the current CEO of the AHC, announced plans for a $70 million corporate development project on The Block, declaring it as private land owned by the AHC. The ‘Pemulwuy Project’, in partnership with the private development company Deicorp, will instate a commercial centre and apartments, a very small fraction of which will be dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, and only those without criminal records. The project will inevitably cause further dispossession of the Indigenous community from inner-city Sydney, turning yet another historic site of Indigenous culture into a gentrified corporate project.
In response to the AHC’s announcement, Aunty Jenny Munro and other community activists set up the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy in May 2014. The Embassy is dedicated to resisting corporate development and retaining Aboriginal control over Aboriginal land. As a grassroots organisation, RATE is grateful for support, and need volunteers to assist at the Embassy. Students Support Aboriginal Communities aims to support RATE in its fight against development, providing volunteers and donations as necessary.
The Pemulwuy Project also endeavours to create student housing alongside apartments. Although affordable housing is a serious issue for many students, it should not come at the cost of dispossessing Indigenous people from The Block. Many of the university’s ostensibly ‘affordable’ housing projects cost upwards of $250 a week, making them inaccessible to lower-income students. We stand in opposition to the Pemulwuy Project, and believe that it is the responsibility of students to resist the project and not become complicit in developing expensive student housing on The Block. This crowdfunding project was started by a group of students as part of a wider movement of student support for the Embassy.
In May 2014, Mick Mundine, the current CEO of the AHC, announced plans for a $70 million corporate development project on The Block, declaring it as private land owned by the AHC. The ‘Pemulwuy Project’, in partnership with the private development company Deicorp, will instate a commercial centre and apartments, a very small fraction of which will be dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, and only those without criminal records. The project will inevitably cause further dispossession of the Indigenous community from inner-city Sydney, turning yet another historic site of Indigenous culture into a gentrified corporate project.
In response to the AHC’s announcement, Aunty Jenny Munro and other community activists set up the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy in May 2014. The Embassy is dedicated to resisting corporate development and retaining Aboriginal control over Aboriginal land. As a grassroots organisation, RATE is grateful for support, and need volunteers to assist at the Embassy. Students Support Aboriginal Communities aims to support RATE in its fight against development, providing volunteers and donations as necessary.
The Pemulwuy Project also endeavours to create student housing alongside apartments. Although affordable housing is a serious issue for many students, it should not come at the cost of dispossessing Indigenous people from The Block. Many of the university’s ostensibly ‘affordable’ housing projects cost upwards of $250 a week, making them inaccessible to lower-income students. We stand in opposition to the Pemulwuy Project, and believe that it is the responsibility of students to resist the project and not become complicit in developing expensive student housing on The Block. This crowdfunding project was started by a group of students as part of a wider movement of student support for the Embassy.
How The Funds Will Be Used
Funds will be used for materials & supplies for the ongoing maintenance of the Embassy. RATE is in constant need of firewood, food and other supplies. There is also a community garden, a solar power system and a portaloo which require upkeep.
Badge
Donations above 10 dollars will receive a badge
7 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 15
RATE T-Shirt
Donations over 50 dollars will receive a Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy T-Shirt
4 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 15