Decision details

Moved by Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         the passing of Norma Hawkins on 23 January 2026, a community champion passionate about the arts and biodiversity, who made significant contributions to Sydney's theatre and film industries, and the advocacy of biodiversity conservation in Glebe; and

(ii)        Norma Hawkins was born in 1922, in Bega on the New South Wales south coast. The eldest child in her family of 5, Norma moved to Sydney, aged 14, following the passing of her mother;

(B)      Council further note:

(i)         in 1980, Norma and her husband, Bruce joined the Glebe Society, shortly after moving in their home on St James Avenue in Glebe. This family home backed into John Street Reserve, with Norma observing, in 2005, that Superb Fairy Wrens were feeding young birds in their backyard. This has been lauded as potentially the last breeding event of wrens in Glebe;

(ii)        concerns around the survival of these birds led to the formation of the Glebe Society’s Blue Wren Subcommittee, with Norma acting as a founding member in 2007;

(iii)      Norma continued as an active and enthusiastic member of the Subcommittee for the next 19 years right up to the time of her death at 103 years of age. She also made a significant financial contribution to the Subcommittee which supported the competitive Craney Small Grants Program in providing funds for biodiversity teaching and learning projects in our local preschools and schools. Norma’s donation also supported the Society’s annual biodiversity lecture; and

(iv)      members of the Blue Wren Subcommittee have said:

‘Norma was a Glebe icon, a treasure, a great community member, a wonderful and amazing person who contributed so much to all the lives she touched, how lucky we were to have her on our side and I wish she was still with us.’

(C)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Norma’s family expressing Council’s condolences;

(D)      all persons attending this meeting of Council observe one minute’s silence to commemorate Norma’s life; and

(A)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to investigate re-naming a park in Glebe to Norma Hawkins Park or some other way to honour Norma, in accordance with the City of Sydney's Naming Policy, and report back to Council via the CEO Update.

Carried unanimously.

X113760

Note – All Councillors, staff and members of the public present stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect to Norma Hawkins.