Decision Maker: Council
Decision status: Recommendations Determined
Moved by Councillor Worling, seconded by the
Chair (the Lord Mayor) -
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
on 7 December 2024, Rosemary Wright, a prominent and colourful member of the Surry
Hills community, sadly passed away at age 81. She is survived by her partner, David Wyatt, and daughter, Jess Chamberlain;
(ii)
Rosemary
was born in Adelaide on 6 April 1943, with her family moving to Sydney shortly
after her birth, settling in Manning Road, Double Bay;
(iii)
she
attended SCEGGS Darlinghurst, and from a young age, was defiant of the gender
expectations of her time;
(iv)
upon
leaving school, Rosemary threw herself into a variety of entrepreneurial
ventures. In the late 1960s, she launched her own beauty product line, taking
to live infomercials to promote her business. She pointedly employed an
all-women team to help promote her company across NSW and the ACT;
(v)
in the
late 1970s, after selling her beauty business, Rosemary embarked on a new
venture - a denim stone-washing factory in Marrickville. Little did she know
that this would lead her to become the creator of the last textile dyeing hub
in Australia;
(vi)
as she
built her stone-washing empire, through the roller door of her Marrickville
factory, one simple request changed everything: a customer asked if she could
dye fabric to a specific colour. Agreeing to the challenge, word quickly
spread, and soon customers were coming to have their jeans, shirts, and even
homewares dyed in unique, vibrant colours;
(vii)
around
1988, Rosemary decided to set up a more professional shopfront at her terrace
house in Riley Street, Surry Hills. She successfully applied to the Council for
dual commercial and residential approval, marking the humble beginnings of
CullaChange;
(viii)
over 35
years later, and four different shopfronts in Surry Hills, CullaChange is not
only a beloved Surry Hills stalwart, but the only remaining retail dyehouse in
Australia. Through it all, Rosemary was the heartbeat of the business;
(ix)
Rosemary’s
influence and warmth extended far beyond the walls of CullaChange. In the early
1980s, she helped her neighbours dress for their first Mardi Gras, and over the
years, she opened her home to many international female students, helping them
navigate the complexities of setting up their own bank accounts and finding
work;
(x)
she
supported elderly neighbours who didn’t have local family, inviting them to
lunch and dinners and checking on their well-being often, and fought tirelessly
for the businesses on Devonshire Street during Covid-19 and the light-rail
construction; and
(xi)
Rosemary
was a local powerhouse, treasured by countless people in the community for her
remarkable tenacity, zest for life and love of colour. Her loss is felt deeply
by all who knew her;
(B)
the
Lord Mayor be requested to write to Rosemary Wright’s family expressing
Council’s condolences; and
(C)
all
present in the meeting observe a minute’s silence to commemorate the life of
Rosemary Wright and her contribution to the Surry Hills community.
Carried unanimously.
X113756
Note – All Councillors, staff and members of
the public present stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect to
Rosemary Wright.
Report author: Erin Cashman
Publication date: 17/02/2025
Date of decision: 17/02/2025
Decided at meeting: 17/02/2025 - Council
Accompanying Documents: