Picture stolen from savelonsdalehouse.com
“I’m not passionate about teaching or educating or anything, but if there’s something I really feel strongly enough about, and want people to know about, I’ll definitely try to share it.”
Donning a brown jacket that clearly offered little respite from the winter winds, the plain mannerisms of Sean Anthony Fishlock, 34, do not bring images of a leading activist to mind. However, there is no mistaking the pure determination and zeal that drives his attempt to save a building possessing an important link to Melbourne’s cultural past: Lonsdale House.
Originally hailing from Queensland, the self-professed introvert was drawn to Melbourne for its Victorian architecture seven years ago. Architecture that he sees as being threatened by what he and his group, “Save Lonsdale House” deems the cultural cringe of Melbourne.
“We want to be seen as an international city, but at the same time we feel embarrassed that we’re not like London, Paris or New York,” Mr Fishlock said. “We don’t have a Sydney Opera House, so we’re always looking out for the next icon for the city.”
“But we don’t need to look for one. Lonsdale House is one of those icons”.
To Singaporeans: A.k.a. ION Lonsdale. Pic stolen from the Age
Earmarked for demolition, the Victorian-era warehouse will have no choice but to make way for the new Emporium Melbourne, as Heritage Victoria refused to offer it the protection of a heritage listing despite the efforts of organizations such as the National Trust and the Art Deco and Modernism Society.
“There are certain buildings that are special and worth keeping. They do have a place, and it’s a shame that people don’t see that as a priority”.
“Once you’ve lost that heritage, you can never get it back. That sense of history is lost.”
To Mr Fishlock, this was the signal for community groups “to take their place and stand up for heritage”. This marked the beginning of the “Save Lonsdale House” movement.
Starting from a personal complaint on his web blog, other concerned Melbournians began sending emails to him expressing their concern and joined discussions on a linked forum and Facebook group. Gathering steam and membership numbers, a meeting was held on August 9 where it was decided that further action needed to be taken: a protest/rally held outside Lonsdale House on August 22.
“Our group is actually active; we’re not just putting stuff up on a website, we’re actually going out and getting people involved.”
While he personally thinks that the group will not be successful in its attempt to urge the Melbournian government to reconsider its decision, Mr Fishlock feels that the actions of his Group’s efforts to educate, spread awareness and share their appreciation of Melbourne’s local architecture with others would “chip away” at some members of the greater public.
“People are not going to expect that there are people out there who are that passionate about the building,” Mr Fishlock said. “People who take time out of their own personal time (sic.) to meet and coordinate efforts to get others onboard.”
Posted by OneTonMii 
