- 90 year old legally blind Myra Demetriou, one of the last remaining resident of the Sirius building in The Rocks has been denied access to the Phillip Room (residents common room) for Sydney Art Month Drawing Studio on Saturday 11th March.
- FACS had previously provided approval to use the room, but reversed their decision 4 Days before the event citing insurance, security, and safety issues. Advising additional security will patrol the building instead.
- Save Our Sirius spokesperson, John Dunn, said “Our intention simply was to invite a maximum of 23 people to come into the common room and sketch Myra in a studio drawing session on two occasions. It was supposed to be a great event to document and feel good about the Sirius before it is potentially knocked down by the government.”
- Myra will continue to host the intimate drawing studio for attendees outside Sirius, to raise funds for Save Our Sirius and create artwork for a future art exhibition – This Is Sirius – launching at The National Trust 9th June.
- If you’re concerned about the treatment of Myra and Sirius, come down and meet Myra and the Save Our Sirius Foundation to show your support for her and for Sirius. 10:45am Saturday 11th March, and email Peter Anderson, Executive Director at FACS peter.anderson@facs.nsw.gov.au
- Myra is 90 years old, legally blind, and is a recognisable resident of Sirius appearing in media as she fights to save her home and community.
- Save Our Sirius are also hosting external walking tours of Sirius with architect Tao Gofers during Sydney Art Month.
- Not only is the government kicking out the residents of Sirius, many who have lived there for years, but they are intimidating the public who are attending walking tours with architect Tao Gofers (on publicly owned landed) by having security in place.
- Public support for Sirius is evident in the 600+ people who have signed up for Walking Tours of Sirius with Tao Gofers and the Save Our Sirius Foundation.
- More information: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/blind-90yearold-womanssirius-fundraiser-is-blocked/news-story/673169b493a96ec35cf22a4e24ac6f72