Council takes up fight for three proud people

By Simon Black.

The City of Sydney has committed itself to save an iconic Sydney artwork.

Council supported a motion by Labor councillor Meredith Burgmann during last week’s council meeting to have the mural named, ‘Three Proud People’, placed on the local heritage register.

Painted on the side of a house near Macdonaldtown station, near Leamington Avenue and Pine Street, the mural depicts the medal ceremony of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City where athletes John Carlos and Tommie Smith made their famous raised-fist gesture in protest of the treatment of African Americans. Australian sprinter, Peter Norman stood beside them as a gesture of support.

The piece is under threat from RailCorp who have confirmed they are considering resuming houses in the area to build a build a city relief line from Eveleigh to Wynyard.

Peter Norman’s nephew, Matt Norman who directed and produced the film Salute about his uncle’s life said the mural is a source of pride for the community and is recognised internationally.

“It’s in the Newtown, Redfern area where everything is covered in graffiti and yet it doesn’t have a mark on it,” he said.

“If you want an indication of how much what Peter did meant to people that pretty much says it all.”

Mr Norman told City News he has received shocked replies from international friends when he tells them about the planned development.

“This is the only real memorial to Peter in Australia,” he said.

“In the States they even have a Peter Norman day to remember this white man who stood up for black rights in a time when nobody else would.”

Mr Norman said he was hopeful the support of council would help to protect the mural. City of Sydney Independent Councillor, Marcelle Hoff told City News she had a personal history with the piece.

“I first saw it during a period when I first began to think about and become passionate about social justice and change,” she said.

“It inspired me, I used to take the train into the city and I would pass by [the mural], I would deliberately sit on that side of the train so I could see it.

“I hope it can continue to do so for a new generation of people.”

Rail Corp could not be contacted for a comment at the time of publishing.

If approved by the planning minister the heritage listing will afford the mural some protection but Matt Norman said he had a backup plan.

“If they decide to knock it down I’m coming to Sydney and taking the whole wall back with me to Melbourne,” he said “sorry Sydney, it would be your loss.”