CCNC

MEDIA RELEASE
MIKE DWYER HONORED
FRIDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2007
ISSUED BY THE WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION
Phone (02) 4227 7100 / (02) 4227 7062 o Mob 0400 466 697 / 0419 251 607
Web http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

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Media opportunity: Official opening of the Mike Dwyer Reserve and unveiling of the Sculpture 'Comradeship'.
Date: Sunday 28 October 2007
Location: Mike Dwyer Reserve - Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale
Time: 11am

Residents will have the chance to view the upgrades to a reserve in Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Coledale from this Sunday (28 Oct) with the official opening occurring at 11am.

Wollongong City Council in partnership with the local community carried out the planning and upgrades over a three year period. The reserve will now become an admired asset to the area for residents and visitors alike.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Alex Darling, said this reserve upgrade is dedicated to the local community and honours the memory of local resident Mike Dwyer who was a highly respected and active community member committed to social justice.

"The reserve will now be called the Mike Dwyer Reserve. Mike Dwyer was a prominent Coledale resident, a president and life member of the NSW Teachers Federation and the South Coast Labour Council. Among his many activities, he became well known for leading a picket line at Coledale Hospital when a decision was made to shut the facility down," the Lord Mayor said.

"The Friends of the Mike Dwyer Reserve committee, who had input into the reserve and carpark plans, has worked tirelessly over the last three years to assist Council in planting and maintaining the gardens."

"The upgrades also include the construction of new rest benches and a viewing platform that overlooks beautiful Coledale for the whole community to enjoy. A memorial sculpture will also be a feature in the reserve," the Lord Mayor added.

The Lord Mayor will be unveiling this boat sculpture titled 'Comradeship', at the opening. The stainless steel boat structure, produced by local artist Didier Balez, honours Dwyer's contribution to the community.

"Council contributed $20 000 towards earth works and landscaping, plus an additional $5000 towards the construction of the boat sculpture. The remainder of the sculpture cost was raised through community activity organised by the Friends of Mike Dwyer Reserve committee," the Lord Mayor said.

"The production of the Mike Dwyer public art project and the reserve upgrade reflects the cooperation between Council and the community. It has brought together residents, businesses and Council," the Lord Mayor concluded.

Wollongong City Council is committed to creating a strong local community identity through the development of public art, placemaking projects and urban design that reflects the cultural diversity and sensitivities of the Wollongong community.