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Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of Brian McGahen, cotton / synthetic textile, made by members of the Sydney Communists in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1991 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, yellow ba…
Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of Brian McGahen, cotton / synthetic textile, made by members of the Sydney Communists in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1991 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, yellow background with top and bottom geometric borders decorated with pink triangles. In the centre is hand painted 'Brian McGahen 1952-1990 with love Sydney Communists' and six symbols 'Sydney City Council, the solidarity fist, peace, hammer & sickle, star, CPA'. The panel was made in memory of Brian McGahen (b.03.03.1952 d. 02.04.1990). The following is an Obituary published in a newspaper (date and source unknown). Brian McGahen 1952-1990: 'Mr Brian McGahen, 38, a prominent member of Sydney's gay community during the 1980's and a former Sydney City Council Alderman, died on Monday. A memorial service will be held at the Town Hall at 1pm next Wednesday. Mr. McGahen was one of the key members on the independent push on the Sydney City Council, on which he served from 1984 to 1987. He was president of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Association from 1981 to 1985 and turned what was a street rally into an internationally known cultural event. He initiated the after-parade parties at the Showground, events that helped to make the Mardi Gras financially viable. Mr. McGahen was born in Sydney and grew up in Enfield. He attended St Patrick's College in Strathfield and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1974 with a major in social studies. He joined the Communist Party of Australia when he was 17, the start of a long and active political career. In the early 1970's, he was a draft resister and was one of the founders of the Australian Social Welfare Workers' Union. He was active in the peace movement as well as gay liberation and Communist Party politics. In the past few months, he was active in the establishment of the Pride Centre in Flinders Street, Darlinghurst, a club which will open shortly for the gay and lesbian community.' There are many tributes to Brian, one being the following quote in the words of Clover Moore, MP, from the Sydney Star Observer on 4/5/1990, 'We have lost another inner city community activist and leader of the gay and lesbian community. Brian was a fervent believer in people working together for the common good. He gave people faith in their power to make changes. he will be greatly missed.’
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Visit the page Frank U - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of 'Frank U', cotton / satin, various makers, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1991 Rectangular quilt panel, portrait orientation, with appliqué patches of various shapes and colours, including pie shapes, and 'Frank U' in white ribbon. -
Visit the page Roger Sperring - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of Roger Sperring, cotton / synthetic textile, made by Bevan Lambert and others, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1991 Quilt panel, landscape orientation; the left side portrays an envelope addressed to 'Roger Sperring, Tempe' from 'Cheltenham UK Feb 27, 'carried in peace' with three symbolic Australian stamps and having three pink triangles at the bottom, one with '1947', one with '1991', and the largest with 'loved partner of Bevan Lambert 18 years of memories'. The right side portrays a television with the photo as the screen and a CD player underneath. The initials on the CD player are BA.History Roger was born in Cheltenham Spa, England, 27th February 1947. Became a qualified mens hairdresser. Emigrated to Australia twice, first in 1969, returned to England due to homesickness, then came back and became an Australian citizen. From 1974, Roger and Bevan spent two happy years in England, before returning to Sydney. Roger's last job was working in the office of the Presbyterian Church in Sydney. The support of the Community Support Network carers offered valuable comfort as Roger died at home at Tempe. -
Visit the page David E Thompson - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Rectangular cotton panel, landscape orientation with numerous appliqued letters spelling out 'David E.Thompson I Love You', borders, photographs, Christmas tie, panels and other objects including a small purse, all on yellow background. Written on the yellow background are the dates '14 October 1949, Age 40, 22 July 1990'. Panels include handwritten and painted notes. Some of the inscriptions on the panel are as follows: Top left corner - 'Hey David, tell me a story? Under the palm tree, Love Oliver.' Lower left corner - 'David was a Libertine:- A man whose sexual life was free of the restraints imposed by religion and conventional morality.' Right side - 'David and I lived together for fifteen years. (15) ----(unreadable sentence)---- .We were the first couple to be granted permanent residency on the basis of our relationship. Two queers together! David loved theatre that had guts. That's why he loved Mardi Gras and Sleaze Balls. He hated Fred Nile. David was Artistic Director for Drama at the Australia Council. 1984 - 1988. Unique. I love him and I miss him. Alex Harding. X X X .' Upper right side - 'David was born in N.Z. and was proud of it.' The inscription on the record cover is not readable from the photograph. The panel was made by Alex Harding, Sydney, Australia, 1991. An article titled 'David Thompson's Quilt by Alex Harding' about this panel is included in the book by Yardley, A., & Langley, K., 'Unfolding: The Story of the Australian and New Zealand AIDS Quilt Project', McPhee Gribble Publishers, Ringwood, Victoria, 1994, pp 74 - 75. Alex wanted the panel to show as much of David' as it could be possible. A photograph of their dog BJ is included. The article tells the story of Oliver, who was the baby son of Ainslie (a friend) who helped with the making of the Quilt Panel. Oliver died at birth just before David died, and their ashes are buried together beneath a palm tree.The large letters came from friends all over the world, including England and New Zealand. David's parents made the letters 'SON'. The Quilt panel went to the Auckland Art Gallery in 1991 and his parents travelled from the Bay of Plenty to see it. This article describes their life together, both professionally and personally. Alex Harding was David E. Thompson's lover. They lived together for fifteen years. Alex was a playwright and composer. The panel was made in memory of David Elliot Thompson (b.14.10.49 d. 22.7.90.) David was born in New Zealand. David was an arts teacher and arts administrator in London and worked as Cultural Affairs Officer at the New Zealand Embassy in Paris before moving to Australia. David was administrator of the Gay Sweatshop Theatre, London, which was the world's first professional gay theatre. David was administrator of the Australian Centre of the International Theatre Institute in 1988. A Memorial tribute for David E.Thompson features in the Sydney Star Observer between 1984-1993 -
Visit the page Brian James - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of Brian James, cotton / synthetic textile / ink, made in Western Australia,1991 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, on navy blue background with appliqué dates, a central gold sun circle with applique letters and various hand written inscriptions in pen from family and friends; over the whole is a appliqué white symbolic albatross. The panel was made made in Western Australia,1991 Placing the albatross on the panel signifies the free spirit of the albatross flying from the dark to the sun. This quilt was presented at the Perth HIV Conference May 6, 1991 -
Visit the page Andrew Coull - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of Andrew Coull, wool / satin / cotton / paint, made in Western Australia, 1991 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, with tartan wool background, silk ribbon letters 'Andrew Coull', cotton appliqué skittles and bowling ball and painted dates and message, '14.6.43 - 7.12.90, with love always xxx'. -
Visit the page Garry Pye - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, with central hexagonal black panel and yellow panels to each corner. Each corner panel contain life symbols-ichos (religious fish symbol), marijuana, thurible and red scarf in denim pocket. The central panel contains appliqué letters in braid and fabric, and pink triangle and cross. The words are 'Garry Pye, Founder of Acceptance, 1947-1990. Dear Friend' . The panel was made in memory of Garry Pye (1947-1990) According to a published newspaper article (source unknown, possibly the Star Observer), Garry Pye was a founder of Acceptance, an Australian organisation for gay Catholics. The Metropolitan Community Church in Sydney was also formed by Gary and other members of Acceptance. Gary also helped found the group, Body Positive, for people living with HIV infection. Garry later became involved with ACON (AIDS Council of NSW), the Quilt project, the Pride committee, and also supported the campaign which resulted in Clover Moore being elected to State Parliament. -
Visit the page Wayne, Michael, Steven, Kevin, Anthony and Terry - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Rectangular quilt panel, portrait orientation, with six individual square panels, within a floral fabric border. Four squares contain the names Anthony, Wayne, Stephen, Michael and Terry. The bottom left square has the words 'She'll be right on the night matey'. The panels with no names represent Rolls Royce and various old cars, and a butterfly. The panel was made in Western Australia, 1991. The maker was from the same district as those remembered. This quilt was presented at the Perth HIV Conference May 6, 1991