Graeme Harris – Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel

Rectangular quilt panel, portrait orientation. Pale blue background with a painted rainbow at the top and an appliquéd white dove in the top right corner. There is a large appliquéd cross centrally placed on the panel. The top of the vertical bar of the cross is a machine embroidered clenched fist, and an appliquéd Amnesty International candle with barbed wire is at the lower end of the vertical bar. On the left of the cross is an appliquéd Eureka Stockade Flag and on the right of the cross is an appliqued Australian Aboriginal Flag. On either side of the lower part of the cross and underneath in purple, machine appliquéd felt, are the dates '18 / 12./ 47' and '16 /11 / 93' and the name 'GRAEME HARRIS'. This panel was made by Jo'anne Reed who said the following about the quilt: "The rainbow - indicating his struggle with his gay sexuality and gay rights, but his total acceptance in the end even if it meant forgetting his family for his own sanity. The cross - representing his strong religious beliefs and never waning from them. Using this strength to assist him in gaining as much as he did to help others. The fist - never giving up the fight, whether it be within himself, for others in his belief of the union movement (in the 70's and 80's) or for those on the street, anyone in need he would fight for what he could. The Aboriginal and Eureka Stockade Flags - a symbolism of strength, respect and unity Amnesty candle - the downtrodden would always be helped no matter what the plight. Peace dove - forever after peace within the world and himself. He believed that one day it would come…. Graeme's ashes were spread in the Remembrance Garden alongside St Canice's Catholic Church - 28 Roslyn Street Elizabeth Bay NSW. This was Graeme's church, a church that he participated in and was committed to dearly, a place that he belonged. I believe that Graeme's block encompasses the things that he believed in very dearly, I made the block to help me (rather selfish I know) come to terms with the fact that I lost a brother (that I didn't know really) to an insidious disease that he acquired from his partner. It did its job and the block created an opening to discuss the reasoning's to my then 8 year old son. I hope that this gives some insight to the quilt and to Graeme as a person. If there is anything that you require please do not hesitate in contacting me.