Artist
Artist: Simon Shaw
Date Installed
Installed 1994
Location
Sydney Park, St. Peters

Sydney Park Rd, St Peters NSW 2044, Australia

Artwork Description

In 1994, South Sydney City Council began collaborating with the Sydney Park AIDS Memorial Group (SPAIDS) to plant a grove of Australian Native trees in Sydney Park, St Peters, as a permanent memorial to people lost to AIDS.

The grove now numbers several thousand trees, planted in a series of public plantings by members of the local and LBTGQIA communities. It provides a contemplative place of respect and remembrance, where people can go to grieve for lost loved ones, or simply sit relax in the peace and tranquillity of the park.

In 1999 a dedicated reflection space was created within the park, as a focal point and gathering place for memorial and community events. In the centre of an area landscaped with paving, seating and formal planting stands the SPAIDS memorial, a simple, symbolic marker and passive lookout area.

The sandstone memorial stands within this calm open space, partially surrounded by a low seating wall made from recycled bricks rescued from old kilns.

The memorial grove and SPAIDS memorial are well recognised by members of the LBTGQIA community as a place of reflection, remembrance and beauty.

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