Recent news has highlighted the impending closure of a child care centre in Millers Point, an area of Sydney that once thrived but is now facing significant decline. The decision to shut down the facility, scheduled for the end of the year, underscores broader concerns about the impact of gentrification and rising living costs on historically vibrant communities.
Reflecting on the past, many former residents recall their experiences growing up in Millers Point and The Rocks. St Patrick’s Girls’ High, where students from diverse backgrounds once gathered, played a significant role in shaping the lives of its attendees. Founded behind St Patrick’s Church in Grosvenor Street, the school catered to approximately 300 students, providing education to daughters of factory workers and new migrants, including those living in social housing.
The 1980s were a transformative time for the area. At St Patrick’s Girls’ High, literature such as Ruth Park’s “Playing Beatie Bow” was part of the curriculum. The novel, which explores themes of time travel and community, vividly depicted the bustling life of The Rocks in both contemporary and historical contexts. The protagonist, Abigail Kirk, ventures back to 1873, a time when the area was a hub of commercial activity, filled with workers’ cottages and grand homes.
As Sydney has evolved, the changes have been stark. The closure of St Patrick’s Girls’ High in the early 1990s marked a turning point, as the Sisters of Mercy struggled to maintain the school. This closure left a gap in educational opportunities for girls from lower-income families in the city. In contrast, St Mary’s Cathedral College, which serves a similar demographic, has undergone significant upgrades and transitioned to a co-educational model.
The loss of educational institutions is only part of a larger narrative. Historical homes in Millers Point have been sold off, often under the pretext of safety concerns. In March 2014, the New South Wales government announced plans to sell these properties, claiming that the cost of repairs would be prohibitively high due to their heritage status. This decision sparked significant backlash from the community and advocates for public housing, particularly regarding the fate of the Sirius public housing block.
Despite the rising property values and gentrification, many residents take pride in the social housing legacy of Millers Point. For years, some of the best views in Sydney belonged to those with the least means. This sense of community is echoed in the works of Ruth Park, whose writings have captured the spirit of the area and the memories of its residents.
The closure of the child care centre serves as a reminder that Millers Point is not just a location but a community with a rich history. As the area continues to change, the challenges faced by remaining residents highlight the need for a balanced approach to development that considers both economic growth and the preservation of community spirit. The future of Millers Point hangs in the balance, and the loss of local institutions raises questions about what kind of city Sydney aims to be.
