The Walter Burley Griffin Society’s new book Visionaries in Suburbia: Griffin Houses in the Sydney Landscape was launched on 17 September at the Art Space in Willoughby Incinerator, Sydney designed by Walter Burley Griffin and his partner Eric Nicholls in 1933 and recently restored by Willoughby City Council.
After more than three years of research, writing, sourcing images, designing, editing and publishing, we celebrated the launch with well over 100 members and guests. Mayor of Willoughby City, Cr Gail Giles-Gidney and heritage planner Sheridan Burke gave guest speeches and the Society’s Patron John McInerney, former deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, officiated as MC.
Also present were the newly elected Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Cr Cheryl Szatow, and the former mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson, now the Chair of Ku-ring-gai Council’s Heritage Reference Committee. Attendees from Willoughby City Council included Cr Judith Rutherford and Cr Lynne Saville, Chair of the Willoughby Heritage Advisory Committee.
In her speech Mayor Gail stated that the book “celebrates and documents the unique legacy left to us by Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin, who worked hard to preserve the natural landscape, cultivate sustainable living and create a cohesive community … As a resident of Castlecrag, I am honoured to be able to experience this astounding legacy every day – from the physical environment of the incredible buildings, streetscapes, landscapes, reserves and walkways, to the great sense of community that Castlecrag fosters. The Walter Burley Griffin Society is a local community group that has grown from this ethos and their production of Visionaries in Suburbia is a monumental accomplishment – connecting us to our past and creating an understanding and appreciation of the roots of the Castlecrag community”.
The Society is most grateful to its many generous sponsors (listed in the front of the book) who made possible the task of printing a high quality book in Australia and retailing the book at a reasonable price, without having to compromise content, quality or price.
Heritage planner and guest speaker Sheridan Burke’s speech.
RRP: $59.95 available in good bookstores around Australia and online at: http://www.manic.com.au
(L–R): Mayor of Willoughby City, Cr Gail Giles-Gidney, the Society’s Patron John McInerney, Chair of Ku-ring-gai Council’s Heritage Reference Committee Cr Jennifer Anderson, Coordinating Editors Dr Anne Watson and Adrienne Kabos, photograph by Michael Thomson.
(top left clockwise) The Society’s Vice President Akky van Ogtrop greets the Mayor of Willoughby City, Cr Gail Giles-Gidney; Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Cr Cheryl Szatow with the Society’s Patron John McInerney and Mayor Gail, photograph by Michael Thomson.; Members and guests at the book launch are introduced to guest speaker Mayor Gail, photograph by Bob McKillop; Maisy Stapleton, photographer Eric Sierins, historian Dr Ian Hoskins and the books coordinating editor Dr Anne Watson; Heritage planner and guest speaker Sheridan Burke, photograph by Michael Thomson.