State government called on to ‘future-proof’ Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

THE State Government is being called upon to hand over Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden to the community.

THE future of Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden overlooking Sydney Harbour is in limbo but the State Government is being called upon to secure the stunning labour of love and make it a permanent public park.

North Sydney Council holds a five-year beautification licence with RailCorp as the garden is on government land.

The Lavender Bay hideaway had turned into a dumping ground for rubbish and, following the death of her ex-husband artist Brett in 1992, Ms Whiteley started cleaning away the debris and transforming it into the beautiful public attraction it is today.

“The community would dearly love if it was vested in the council for perpetuity,” Rob Emerson, the council’s director of open space and environmental services, said.

“For the amount of investment of her energy, time and money, it just seems wrong it’s not potentially forever.”

Wendy Whiteley at home in the garden she has created in Lavender Bay. Picture: James Croucher

The garden is back in the spotlight before the release of a book on its history titled Wendy Whitely and the Secret Garden, written by Janet Hawley.

The garden was also the focus point of the ABC’s Australian Story on Monday, September 7.

Mr Emerson said the council had been advocating for years that the garden should remain in the hands of the community.

The council took out its first licence in 2008 to formalise the situation for Ms Whiteley and the current ­licence runs out in 2018.

The garden has a network of stairs and paths. Picture: Brian Johnston

One of the spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge. Picture: Brian Johnston

As part of the terms of the licence, the government has the right to take back the land if it is needed for operational purposes. The public fears it could be developed or sold.

“They are concerned that it’s at the state government’s whim ... (and that) the land might be used for another purpose,” Mr Emerson said.

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The artist with the couple’s daughter Arkie in a picture from his sister Frannie Hopkirk’s book Brett: A Portrait Of Brett Whiteley.

Whiteley remains one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. Some of his works are exhibited at the Brett Whiteley Studio.

Sydney Trains said the land was part of a larger rail area used for parking trains between peak times.

“The land is leased to North Sydney Council until 2018 and we have no issue with the garden remaining unless the land is needed to help us deliver essential train services,” a spokeswoman said.

Ms Whiteley, who was the acclaimed artist’s muse and model, scattered his ashes and those of the couple’s daughter Arkie, who died in 2001, in the garden.

Wendy Whiteley and the Secret Garden is published by Penguin Books Australia and will be officially launched at The Blues Point Bookshop on September 24.

Mother and daughter at an art exhibition in 2000. Picture: Robert Rosen

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