People in the Keeping Place Project
Keeping Place Patrons at November 2018
Dr Jeff McMullen AM. Acts as both Patron and Spokesman for the Keeping Place. Journalist, author, film maker, for over 45 years, former ABC Foreign Correspondent, reporter on Four Corners, 60 Minutes. Former CEO Ian Thorpe’s Fountain For Youth, a Leader of the Protest Against the NT Intervention.
Philip Ruddock. Former Federal MP for Berowra, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs from 1996 to 2003, Attorney-General from 2003 to 2007. He is the second longest-serving parliamentarian in the history of the Australian Parliament (only Billy Hughes served longer). Currently Mayor of Hornsby Shire.
Honorable Michael Kirby AC CMG. Former Justice of the High Court of Australia, appointed to the UN Human Rights Commission of Inquiry on North Korea. Hand delivered a very large painting by Gordon Syron to Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of The Keeping Place.
Professor Larissa Behrendt. Professor of Law, Director of Research, Jumbunna House of Indigenous Learning, University of Technology Sydney, NAIDOC Person of the Year 2009, NSW Person of the Year 2010, wrote Proposal for The Keeping Place, 2008
Professor Margo Neale. Key Supporter since 1998 to Gordon and Elaine Syron. Indigenous Head Curator, Principal Advisor to the Director of the National Museum of Australia, Canberra
Alex Gaffikin. Head of Interpretation & Design, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Previous roles: Interpretation Manager at Historic Royal Palaces, former Scientist with British Antarctic Survey, based in Antarctica.
Terry Cutcliffe. International Curator. Exhibited a selection of Gordon Syron artworks in Serbia, 2011. Curated “For The Dead They Are Many”, Aboriginal Diggers historical solo exhibition of Gordon Syron artworks.
Craddock Morton. Former Director of the National Museum of Australia, Canberra. Organised and purchased a package of $50,000 worth of artworks from The Syrons Keeping Place, and further $200,000 collection of Gordon Syron’s artworks.
John Queripel. Retired Uniting Church Minister, formerly at Bondi Beach.
John Morse AM. Consultant & Advisor to Indigenous Tourism. Former CEO of Tourism Australia. Year 2000.
Ronni Kahn. Founder & CEO of OzHarvest, Australian Hero of the Year 2011.
Darren Halloran. Field Supervisor, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service.
Jenny Fraser. Aboriginal Curator, author of “Gordon Syron, 70 years, Internationally Recognised Artist”.
Tony Barry. Actor in over 50 feature films and more than 50 TV series and documentaries. Social and environmental activist, worked tirelessly assisting with Gordon Syron’s release from prison late 1970s to 1982. Worked in prisons for over 11 years, assisted the Fitzgerald Inquiry, QLD, which brought about better conditions for prisoners. Recently appeared as speaker on ABC TV’s Q&A.
Past Patrons
Chicka Dixon. 2004-2010, leader of Aboriginal people, wharfie, social activist, respected elder officially opened Black Fella’s Dreaming Museum 2004. Now deceased.
Clover Moore. MP Darlinghurst, 2004-2006. Became Lord Mayor of Sydney over this time and resigned when the Darlinghurst museum closed in 2005-2006.
Josephine Cashman. 2013-2014, Aboriginal lawyer, Managing Director of Riverview Global Partners, member of Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, member of Committee To Save The Keeping Place Redfern 2008-2010.
Past Spokespersons
The Late Irene Doutney. Former councillor at City of Sydney Council. Greens Party.
Millie Ingram. Respected Aboriginal Elder, CEO of Wyanga, Elected on the Region for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council for the Wiradjuri, Assistant Secretary Aboriginal Affairs, Board Member of Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Selected to deliver “Welcome to Country” at the funeral of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 2014.
Legal Consultant
Delwyn Everard. Former Senior Solicitor, Arts Law of Australia. Legal adviser to Keeping Place since 2009.
Core Team Driving the Keeping Place Project at November 2018
Alex Gaffikin. Head of Interpretation & Design, Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Previous roles: Interpretation Manager at Historic Royal Palaces, former Scientist with British Antarctic Survey, based in Antarctica.
Barry Ion. Video producer. Creating a video about the Keeping Place Story. Focused on commercial activities such as selling paintings, photos and signed reproductions of works owned by Gordon and Elaine Syron.
Jarrod McCarthy. Professional curator who is ready to open a permanent museum and gallery for The Keeping Place Collection, train Aboriginal curators and supervise the project until they can take over. Jarrod is based in Canberra, where he installs exhibitions at major venues including National Museum of Australia, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.
Mel Tyas. Teacher, National Park Ranger. Focused on getting some of Elaine’s historic and cultural photography into the State Library of NSW.
John Young. Director Strategy + Marketing for Keeping Place Project. Originally trained and practised as an Architect in Sydney and UK. Moved into IT industry doing marketing, business development and channels roles. Developed a consulting practice assisting small – medium sized businesses to market themselves, using the Internet and social media on virtually all the projects I get involved with. Semi-retired John now focuses on pro bono projects, typically associated with social change and Indigenous culture.
Updated 5-feb-2019