Glebe and Forest Lodge community meeting praised for “wonderful vibes”
Image: Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek (centre) presenting a Davidson plum tree to Kimberley Catchlove from Common Ground, and Phil Pettit, of Community Greening, Royal Botanic Gardens. Photo: Mark Dickson.
By ERIN MODARO
Community members in Glebe, an inner-city suburb nestled close to the CBD with over 10,000 residents, continue to nurture a true neighbourhood community, amid growing populations and large changes to the area. The Forest Lodge and Glebe Coordination group (FLAG) recently held a networking event attended by their federal member and Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, which was praised as a resounding success.
Megan Fletcher, current chair of FLAG, said that the event marked a time to reflect on “what’s important to the community”. The event gave residents the chance to field questions directly to Plibersek, and speak with each other about their community.
Plibersek gave a speech at the event, speaking about issues on both a state and federal level. She commended the more than 55 local leaders who attended for their commitment to keeping community alive.
“I can’t tell you how many challenges we’ve inherited” Plibersek said about the Albanese government’s start in Parliament. Questions raised to the Environment Minister included issues concerning social housing, after the state government announced it would be demolishing a large chunk of social housing on Wentworth Street.
The up-coming First Nations referendum on enshrining a First Nations Voice into Parliament, which is at the forefront of Labor’s agenda, was also broached. Plibersek said that the referendum is banking on “bi-partisan” support, and she hopes the campaign will “bring people together” on the issue.
Round table discussions
Attendees gathered around tables to talk about the issues that matter most to them, and share their experiences and concerns.
Fletcher said the success of the discussions “reaffirmed it was time to connect and to share ideas at our annual networking event”. She said feedback from attendees to the event affirmed there was a “wonderful vibe”.
