Wayside story

BY ELIOT BARHAM

The son of Shirley Smith, one of the five iconic Aboriginal activists depicted on a mural at the Bondi Wayside Chapel, believes the building has been sold to developers for a substantial sum.

Peter Smith, son of the humanitarian and social justice campaigner, says he’s been told the decision to destroy the mural is based on the sale of the building.

“I’m hearing around the traps that Wayside has actually sold the building for development for a very good price, and if that’s true, they’d be moving somewhere else,” he said.

The mural depicts activist Coleen ‘Mum Shirl’ Smith; land rights activist Vincent Lingiari; founder of the freedom ride Charles Perkins; indigenous leader Eddie Mabo; and Faith Bender.

The Wayside Chapel has described the artwork as ‘deeply disrespectful’ to the indigenous community. The chapel believes that permission was not sought from the relatives of those depicted in the mural. However the mural’s artist Etienne Cohen says any suggestion that relatives weren’t contacted is ‘crap’.

“The suggestions are totally unfounded. We told Wayside that all approvals were sought from the descendants and agreed upon in person.

“Their only concern seems to be about the redevelopment. In our consultation with the Wayside Chapel the cultural significance of the mural was not discussed at all,” she said.

But it’s the symbolism of erasing the artwork that matters as much to its supporters.

“Aboriginal history and culture are still regarded as disposable by too many people,” said David Keig, communications strategist and active supporter of the mural.

“Imagine the outcry if some Anzac memorial were to be scheduled for development without proper consultation.

“The mural is such a potent symbol of reconciliation and the endeavours of the indigenous social justice movement that it’s a crime to even consider removing it,” he said.

Mr Keig told City Hub that The Wayside Chapel have “swallowed a copy of public relations 101” by refusing to acknowledge the issue. He also believes the chapel is discrediting those who are against the mural’s removal, such as Ms Cohen.

“The problem with this approach is that it can inflame people. The stonewalling of any queries only compounds the problem. In the age of social media, this is facile.

“By trying to control the problem they have made it even worse. Astonishment has turned to exasperation and now to anger,” he said.

A Spokesperson for The Wayside Chapel told City Hub they were unable to speak about the mural. The organisation’s management consultant, Julia Bowen, also gave little insight into the state of the mural’s removal.

Ms Bowen said planning for the new mural was in the very early stages, while the Spokesperson said the organisation would ‘provide more information on the replacement mural in the next couple of weeks.

Mr Smith said the Aboriginal community ‘treasured’ the mural and looked forward to seeing it when they walked past.

“A picture like that gives them warmth and comfort,” he said.

He believes that Mr Keig “hit the nail on the head” with his analogy of indigenous culture being regarded as “disposable” by some.

“It doesn’t mean much to them but it means everything to me,” he said.

“I sent an email for the painting to be approved on behalf of my brother and sister, and then all of a sudden once it’s painted and looks nice, they want to tear it down and say it’s disrespectful,” said Mr Smith.

“Well it’s a bloody lie because I gave permission, so did Charlie Perkins’ daughter and I assume the rest of the families did.

“It’s a beautiful picture that deserves to be saved and stay where it is – observed in the richness that it shows.”