Looking out the kitchen window of our home at San Isidore (small, rural community west of Wagga Wagga) it seems strange that a vine and rose covered walkway and garden has been known for the past twenty two years as the REDFERN WALL. A small ceramic sculpture lovingly carved with the names of many Koories who graced this space is a special feature. Most identified themselves as the Redfern Churchies who introduced us to the world of Father Ted and St Vincent's Church. During the eighties visits from our Redfern friends, often led by William John Dixon (Johnny or Dicko) were frequent. A carload would arrive in our drive usually at night. A feed and sleep were priorities. “We weren't stopped by the police once” was a comment which meant it was a good trip. Relationships and understandings grew and extended to embrace an amazing network of people. Dicko helped us dig the first shovels of earth for the Saboisky's Redfern Walk. Our visits to Sydney with our four sons usually included making our way to St Vincent's to attend the 10.00 am Sunday Mass and to catch up on friends who had so mysteriously become part of our lives. St Vincent's was a vibrant centre for so much social, theological and personal reflection anchored in depthing human realities. There were the funerals. So many!

Our garden continues to echo what is deep in our hearts; a precious and unfolding story of our privileged connections to Redfern.

Names listed on the ceramic sculpture:

JOHNNY DIXON, ACKLAND BATES, ROY FRAIL, GLORIA SIEMSEN, MERVE LEON, LILLIAN BATES, DAVE SMITH, ALAN WELDON, MARIA TOOMEY, PATTY NEWMAN, CALEEN, DOUG BARRETT, BARBARA, AUNTY JUDY GUNDY, JOSEPHINE GUNDY, TOMMY WARD, JULIANNE BATES, PETER WHYMAN, WILLY DIXON, FREDDY BRIAR, DENNIS JOHNSON, MAX GIBBS, DAVID WRIGHT, REVEL COOPER, DAVID BATES, MERRILL BATES, MARY ANNE BATES, KIMBERLEY BATES, CAROLINE BATES, DAPHNE BATES, BLUIE LEE, PRICILLA PANE, PETER PARKS, AMELIA CAMPBELL, INGRID, ALICE DIXON, PATSY COFFEY.