Indigenous workers help Black Theatre site stage a comeback

Vacant for 20 years, the Cope Street site was home to the first Aboriginal theatre in Sydney and played host to many International acts, including the legendary Roberta Flack. The former Methodist meeting hall burnt down in the 80s but now the site is staging a comeback in a bright, new guise.

The property was transferred to the ILC in 2005, following the abolition of ATSIC, and now the ILC is constructing a modern, multi-purpose building on the historic site. The three-storey building has retail space on the ground floor, office accommodation on the second and a purpose-built radio station and recording studios for Gadigal Information Services, the local broadcaster of Koori Radio 93.7 FM, on the third. Indigenous designs have been incorporated into the building’s exterior.

Deputy ILC Chairperson Sam Jeffries said it was long overdue for the landmark site to be developed in a way which will deliver long-term benefits to the Indigenous community, and it would also play its part in Redfern’s rejuvenation.

“This development will generate commercial income, provide badly needed modern premises for Koori Radio and also help ensure it is never forgotten this was the birthplace of Indigenous theatre in Sydney back in 1972,” Mr Jeffries said.

“This site was close to the heart of the late Charles Perkins who was instrumental in obtaining it for the Redfern community all those years ago.

“The ILC has worked closely with the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to ensure Indigenous contractors were used and 14 Indigenous training and employment opportunities were created during the construction phase which is due to end in May 2008,” Mr Jeffries added.

Gadigal General Manager Brad Cooke said the new home for Koori Radio will replace a disused hospital building “with a leaky roof” currently in use at Marrickville.

“This development will mean that Gadigal and Koori Radio can provide an enhanced level of service to the community of Sydney and it will ensure that quality Indigenous broadcasting, event management and recording remains a part of the culture of this city,” he added.