Waverley Council and LGBTQ health organisation ACON are now inviting artists to submit their expressions of interest for the first phase of the Bondi Memorial Project at Marks Park, Tamarama.
The memorial, which is in the form of a site-specific public artwork, will acknowledge the gay men and transgender women who were targeted in homophobic attacks from the 1970s to 1990s in Sydney and be a place of reflection and healing for survivors and their families.
Waverley Mayor, John Wakefield, said Council has been working with ACON since 2015 to establish a permanent reminder by which the community can pay respect to these men and women, their families, friends and the LGBTQ community.
“The memorial will function as an acknowledgment to those targeted in these terrible attacks whilst also marking the changing attitudes of the community at large towards inclusion, acceptance, and celebrating diversity,” Mayor Wakefield said.
ACON Chief Executive Officer, Nicolas Parkhill said the call for tenders marks an important step forward for the Bondi Memorial Project.
“This public art work will serve as a memorial to the deaths of these people and also help heal the trauma these events have caused for the loved ones of the victims and survivors as well as the LGBTQ community and many local residents.”
In June 2018, the Waverley Council Public Art Committee endorsed Marks Park as the most appropriate site for the commissioning of the memorial. The memorial will be located on the north-eastern side of Marks Park in a peaceful area with a natural framing in the landscape and views across the ocean to Bronte.
All shortlisted designs in the second phase of the project will be placed on public exhibition for community feedback. All proposals must respond to the history of the site and adhere to Local Environmental Plans (LEP) controls.
Waverley Council has committed $100,000 in its Capital Works Program for the commissioning of the memorial. ACON is also fundraising through www.bondimemorial.com.auThis external link will open in a new window.
The deadline for submissions in 27 September 2019. For more information, and to submit, visit: www.tenderlink.com.au/waverleyThis external link will open in a new window.