Blacktown City Council Media Release - “Stuffwittery” Wins: Blacktown Arts Centre Renamed To Honour Leo Kelly OAM

MEDIA RELEASE

1 December 2017

The award-winning Blacktown Arts Centre becomes The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre on Saturday, 2 December 2017.

The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre commemorates former Mayor Leo Kelly OAM’s decades of commitment to creating one of Sydney’s best local artistic showpieces.

Leo’s wife, Janet, helped unveil the new name and said that the entire Kelly family was honoured that Leo Kelly was to be commemorated in this way.

“Leo didn’t like a lot of fuss.  He had a word for it: “stuffwittery”; and I know he would now be demanding: “What’s all this stuffwittery about?”

“We are deeply honoured that his legacy will continue through the great love of his public life: the promotion, betterment and encouragement of the Arts,” Mrs Kelly said.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said the unwavering commitment of the late Councillor and former Mayor Leo Kelly OAM to the arts in Blacktown has been properly recognised.

“Leo’s contribution to the Arts in Blacktown changed the way the faculty was presented in Western Sydney and his initiatives and decisions leave us with a continuing legacy,” Mayor Bali said.

“He was a fierce advocate for artists and played an instrumental role in establishing Blacktown Arts Centre.

“At the time, his opponents in Council wanted to create a carpark instead.  There is no doubt that what is now The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre has done more for Western Sydney than a local carpark ever would have achieved.”

Former Blacktown councillor and federal member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, also paid tribute.

“Leo Kelly OAM was a passionate supporter of the arts, and an especially ardent supporter of the arts in Western Sydney,” she said.

“He was passionate about showcasing Australian art in Western Sydney and promoting Western Sydney artists across Australia.

“He was instrumental in founding the Blacktown Arts Centre and it is a fitting tribute to his legacy that the centre be renamed in his honour.”

The renaming ceremony took place at the opening of the 2017 Blacktown City Art Prize, which Leo Kelly initiated 22 years ago.

Councillor Kelly had the foresight to recognise that the people of Blacktown – and Western Sydney – deserved a centre of excellence for the Arts,” said Jenny Bisset, Manager Arts & Cultural Development, Blacktown City Council.

“It was his whole-hearted commitment, and advocacy, that led to the establishment of Blacktown Arts Centre in 2002.

“Councillor Kelly was always respectful of artists and the artistic process, and firmly believed in the central role that the arts plays to engage and empower communities.”

Councillor Kelly was elected to Blacktown City Council in 1980 and served continuously until his passing in January 2017.

He was Mayor on three occasions from 1985 to 1987, 1990 to 1991 and 2004 to 2008.

In 2003, Councillor Kelly was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his more than 20 years of service to local government and Blacktown City.

ABOUT BLACKTOWN ARTS

Blacktown Arts is a recognised leader in the development of contemporary arts in Australia. We support artistic innovation and offer exciting, new experiences for audiences through an award-winning curated program of exhibitions, performances, workshops, residencies and events. We are committed to making dynamic, culturally diverse work that reflects Blacktown, its history and its communities. We place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities at the heart of our program to develop new work drawing on issues of local and global significance. This is how we make art.

A pause for reflection: Mayor Stephen Bali and an emotional Janet Kelly and family members view the plaque commemorating the creation of the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.


The re named Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Blacktown Wins Inaugural Arts Awards

MEDIA RELEASE

                                                                                                                          7 August, 2017

Blacktown City Council’s innovative Australian Hip Hop history project has taken out the inaugural Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award, presented by Local Government NSW (LGNSW).

“The late Leo Kelly OAM was a passionate supporter of the Arts and was instrumental in the creation of Blacktown Arts Centre,” the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“It is a wonderful tribute to his lifelong commitment to local government that a major arts prize should perpetuate his legacy.

“That the first award should go to a Blacktown City Council project shows his legacy is being maintained.”

The award was received by long-standing fellow Ward Two councillor Julie Griffiths, who said that Cr Kelly was inspirational in regards to his involvement in the local community.

“He was a firm believer in ensuring that residents were involved in council decision making at all levels.

“He was extremely supportive of the role the arts played within the community, and this was highlighted only recently when we unveiled the new suburb sign for Glenwood.

“Cr Kelly worked alongside students from the local high school to help them realise their vision for the community.”

The award was presented at a ceremony by Cr Kelly’s wife Janet and son John.

“I am extremely proud and honoured that Leo’s commitment to the arts will live on through this award which is now recognised by councils throughout the state,” Mrs Kelly said.

“It’s lovely that this has happened, but Leo himself would think this was all too much fuss, which in a way makes it all the more meaningful to his family.”

LGNSW President Keith Rhoades said it was fantastic the independent judges selected Blacktown City Council as the award winner in the 70,000-plus council population category.

“Leo was a long-serving councillor on Blacktown City Council, and was instrumental in creating the Blacktown Arts Centre,” Clr Rhoades said.

“He continued to support the arts throughout his life, through the Blacktown City Art Prize and scholarships for local artists.

“I know he would be very proud that the council he served so faithfully have won the very first Leo Kelly OAM Award.”

Curated by Kon Gouriotis and Paul Howard, It’s Our Thing features works from 14 hip-hop and graffiti artists who were active during hip-hop’s hey-day in Blacktown in the 1990s.

Art by highly acclaimed international artists Joseph Beuys, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol were included in the exhibition to show the artistic influences on Sydney’s leading artists.

The exhibition also includes performances, paintings, graffiti (both at the Centre and throughout the Blacktown CBD), video displays of female hip-hop performers from the 90s to now, and a rare original piece by visual artist Unique, last displayed in 1992.

“The history of Australian hip-hop is firmly ingrained in the streets of Blacktown,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“This exhibition celebrates that legacy and its profound influence on Australian art and music culture.”

John and Janet Kelly, Councillor Julie Griffiths, Blacktown City Council Arts Manager Jenny Bisset, Councillor Moninder Singh, LGNSW President Keith Rhoades and Councillor Susai Benjamin.

Media Rlease - Vale Leo Kelly OAM - 'Media Release' - Blacktown City Council

As we announced  yesterday the sad loss of Blacktown City Councillor Leo Kelly OAM, I have since received a 'Media Release' from Blacktown City Council  providing a brief outline and history of his commitment to our local Government Area and also funeral services as well.

In this Media Release, you can see the strengths he had and the achievement obtained. Which is always something to be proud of, for anyone that hold local government  elected office.

It is the first time (and I hope not the last time) that I receive 'Media Releases' from Blacktown City Council for myself to pass onto our Mount Druitt and wider community. I therefor 'Thank ' Blacktown  City Council Media, for providing us with  this 'Media Release'.I

Click here for Media Release

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It is With Sad News That We Inform Our Community Of The Recent Loss Of Life for Ward 2 Councillor, Leo Kelly OAM......R.I.P.

Yes, sometimes we have to inform our community of the sad loss of life of a advocate for our our community or even wider community. Thus with Councillor Leo Kelly OAM Ward 2,  passing away yesterday, is will send  a large  shock waves to his family and dear friends that in deep sadness of their recent loss.

Councillor Leo Kelly OAM... R.I.P.

Whilst Councillor Kelly, was not from any of the Mount Druitt Wards, as part of a large Council of Blacktown and a former Mayor, his decisions help improve Mount Druitt area within his  over 36 year years of service to local government of Blacktown City Council.


We offer our sympathies to all  people that he has touched in their lives as they peace for his eternal peace. I am sure that Blacktown City Council will be their to provide an exemplary funeral service for him and  everyone else.


Thank you Mayor Stehpen Bali for informing us on your Face Book Page ans Lester Pasley and  well.