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ABORIGINAL HOUSING COMPANY CELEBRATES 46 YEARS
From humble beginnings…the Aboriginal Housing Company is turning 46 today!
- The Aboriginal Housing Company was founded due to the lack of appropriate and affordable housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- The very first board meeting was held at the registered office at 57 Louis Street, Redfern on 25 July, 1973, the same day as the AHC’s Certificate of Incorporation of Public Company was issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
- Redfern was the birthplace of the urban Aboriginal civil rights movement, and this saw the establishment of significant Aboriginal controlled organisations, including the AHC, along with the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), legal and childcare services
- Now in 2019, construction on the “Pemulwuy Project” site is well underway.
Today we were also very excited and happy to see the installation of a large crane on Precinct 1!
- The workers started early this morning and this afternoon the last piece of the crane was carefully manoeuvred into place. It was a great feeling after so many years of hard work to make the “Pemulwuy Project” become a reality.
- In recognition of NAIDOC, the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander flags are flying high on the top of the crane structure. NAIDOC 2019’s theme is voice, treaty, truth which truly reflects the AHC’s long term vision for the “Pemulwuy Project”.
- Affordable housing for 62 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are being built first on Precinct 1, followed by a gym, childcare and gallery. Precinct 2 will feature commercial and retail space, and Precinct 3 will feature student accommodation.
We are also celebrating another milestone – Uncle Micky’s 44 years at the AHC!
- Uncle Micky has strived to create a sustainable, safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, and the surrounding community.
- Uncle Micky’s tenacious drive and passion, has finally led to his wish for his people being fulfilled with the commencement of the “Pemulwuy Project” on the AHC’s land. We can’t speak about Uncle Micky, without saying “his moogleness” has contributed to the wonderful outcome we have today!
- With Uncle Micky at the helm, the AHC is self-funded, independent, Aboriginal-controlled, and we are the developers for the “Pemulwuy Project”. Today we recognise his faith, resilience and his thinking “outside-the-box”, and that with this anything can be achieved. Uncle Micky has never lost sight that it is all about building a bright future for the next generation.
Turning of the Soil as Construction Commences at Pemulwuy, Redfern
Media Release
Turning of the Soil as Construction Commences at Pemulwuy, Redfern
(The Block Redfern)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sydney 26 March 2019: Today we were proud and honoured to hold our ‘Turning of the Soil’ Ceremony for the Pemulwuy Project, Redfern, to signify the commencement of construction on the land, formerly known as “The Block”.
Located between Louis Street and the Railway Corridor opposite Redfern train station, the Pemulwuy Project will see the redevelopment of the land into three precincts.
“Today is a day we have dreamt of for a long, long time – we are extremely proud to hold our ‘Turning of the Soil’ Ceremony for the Pemulwuy Project, Redfern. We have always had faith that this vision for our people’s future was going to happen, it was just a matter of when.” Michael Mundine, CEO, Aboriginal Housing Company Ltd
As originally planned many years ago, we will be building affordable housing for 62 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, a gym, childcare, student accommodation, a gallery, and commercial and retail spaces. We are very excited to announce that construction work will commence with Precinct 1 this week, which includes the 62 dwellings for affordable housing.
Through the Pemulwuy Project we are creating history fulfilling our desire for a sustainable, social urban development. Our aim is to bring the community together by embracing a cultural living experience, which will ensure a strong and vibrant future for generations to come.
This has been a long journey and we look forward to a new chapter in Redfern through the Pemulwuy Project, Redfern. The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) would like to thank everyone that was involved in making today a reality.
Our hopes and aspirations to breathe new life into “The Block” will now begin. We are happy and proud to be leading the way in providing affordable housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and in business and property development.
“We thank you all again for all your prayers and support and look forward to realising this vision together as a community.” Alisi Tutuila, Chairperson, Aboriginal Housing Company Ltd.
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Media Contact
Paul Heard
Heard Agency
pheard@heardagency.com
+61 2 8279 7878
About the Aboriginal Housing Company
The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) is an independent non-profit charity and the first community housing provider in Australia, incorporated in 1973 as a company limited by guarantee. It is an all Aboriginal governed organisation located in the heart of Redfern, which lies in the traditional lands of the Gadigal People, part of the Eora Nation.
The company was formed in direct response to the widespread discrimination Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families experienced in the private rental market. Providing affordable housing across Sydney and country regions in NSW, the AHC is self-funded and operates on income derived from rental properties.
