posted May 9 2005

Found: one ex-mayor of St Kilda (1984) to protest about a monument to Indigenous Elders

Article: The Age Sunday 8th May

“Crate idea leaves sour taste as monument is milked”

Bronze milk crates that will be installed in a St Kilda Park as a dedication to Aboriginal elders who used to gather there with other Kooris have been branded inppropriate by a former mayor. “I do not think they will fit in,” said Colin Bell. “We’ve got a pack of weirdos on this council”…………..

Shiels came up with the idea while sitting in the park with Aunty Alma, who died in 2003, aged 61. “I said to her, ‘These are good seats’. She said to me, ‘yeah but you have to hunt for them’.” said Shiels.

The bronze crates were an anti-monument, she said. “They’re taking the piss out of the whitefella statues of important men that dot out parks.”

Apologies to photographer Cathryn Tremain for cropping the pic.