Locals urge council to name park in Kemmis’s honor

­­­­Locals urge council to rename park after Kemmis

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

The Glebe Society has written to the City of Sydney asking to name a park in the suburb after the late Deputy Lord Mayor Robyn Kemmis.

They have suggested that the park currently known as the Franklyn Street playground be renamed to note the significant contribution the councillor made to the suburb.

The park would be named “Robyn Kemmis Reserve” and would keep her mission of supporting the disadvantaged alive.

President of the Glebe Society Ted McKeown said the  park would sit near Glebe Primary School, the Glebe estate, in all of which Robyn played a substantial role.

“Robyn was so involved with everyone in our community, and by naming this park after her, we can preserve both her memory and the contribution she made to Glebe.

Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek and Labor Councillor Linda Scott welcomed the proposal.

The proposal is supported by her partner Lynne Hutton-Williams, and Glebe Public School principal Vicki Pogulis.

“Robyn’s public service extended beyond well beyond her work the on the City of Sydney Council,” Ms Plibersek said.

“She loved our community, and our community loved her. Robyn was a woman of great integrity, kindness, and warmth.”

Labor Councillor Linda Scott said that naming the park would be a fitting tribute because Robyn Kemmis spent her life serving her community as well as the City. She said she was greatly missed by the people of Sydney,”

“Robyn was a passionate advocate for her community, for social justice, and gender equality, and her work has had a profound and lasting impact on our City.

“I strongly urge the City of Sydney Council to support the naming of Robyn Kemmis Reserve.”

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich paid tribute to Ms Kemmis in NSW Parliament on Tuesday last week.

“Robyn worked hard for inner city communities, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. She believed in community building and engaged with people on the ground, making herself accessible to everyone.”

“She wanted to empower people and worked on making community connections. She brought Glebe resident groups together, linking public tenants with other local community groups. She would attend public tenant meetings and rough sleeper barbeques in Redfern and helped link rough sleepers and young people on the street with services including Aboriginal and community health services.”