Moved by Councillor Weldon, seconded by
Councillor Arkins -
It is resolved that:
(A) Council note:
(i)
the
Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) was established in Redfern in 1971 and was the
first Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Australia
(ii)
the AMS
was founded to provide health-care services to the local Aboriginal Community
in the Sydney Metropolitan area, and has serviced the
community for over 50 years. It is recognised globally as a pioneer in
Indigenous healthcare
(iii)
since
its establishment, the AMS has occupied the old school building behind St
Vincents Catholic Church in Turner Street, Redfern. The property is owned by
the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
(iv)
the
property was given to the AMS to use by former Redfern St Vincent’s Catholic
Church parish priest Father Ted Kennedy. Father Kennedy worked closely with the
First Nations community, particularly Mum Shirl Smith to support reconciliation
and healing
(v)
for over
25 years, the AMS has sought ownership of the building from the Catholic
Archdiocese of Sydney. Thus far, these efforts have been rejected
(vi)
transferring
ownership of the property to the AMS would represent an act of reconciliation
and an appropriate acknowledgement of First Nations people as original owners
of the land on which the Church buildings sit
(B)
Council
further note:
(i)
the
impact and historical significance of the Aboriginal Medical Service in the local
Redfern community, greater Sydney community and broader global community
(ii)
the AMS
has engaged with Councillor Weldon’s office requesting City of Sydney support
for the transfer of ownership of the Turner Street property to the AMS
(C)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP noting the
significance of the property to the Aboriginal Medical Service, the local First
Nations community and the broader Sydney community, and expressing the City of Sydney’s
strong support for the property ownership to be transferred to the Aboriginal
Medical Service.
Carried unanimously.
X113756