I have always wanted to visit Reverse Garbage but somehow never got there. It is located in the Addison Road Centre, which during my last discovery (of Marrickville), I realised is a blog post in its own right. Technically it is not a suburb and doesn’t fit within the brief I have set myself – to discover suburbs of Sydney. But I decide to be flexible and set off to find out more about this interesting place within the suburb of Marrickville.

Addison Road

On the way up Addison Road from Enmore Road, I pass Coffee Alchemy. You won’t miss out on your coffee or roasted bean in Marrickville. Then an interesting shopfront catches my eye. Blue tiles in a white background spells out that the shop once sold Billiards.

It is not far to the Addison Road Centre. Opposite the entrance, a sign explains that the site was a Military Depot from 1913, housing soldiers and horses. In the early 1970s it became an immigration centre and in 1976, a community centre.

Little shopfront

On the Honour Roll for Peace

Addison Road Centre Entrance

I cross the road. On either side of the entry gate is the recently inaugurated (October 2016) Honour Roll for peace. Names on small metal plaques are attached in rows to a rusty post.

I recognise one name from earlier suburban discoveries. The plaque for Pemulwuy has a sprig of rosemary tucked behind it. There are more names that I recognise. Dr Helen Caldicott, Reza Barati and Gough Whitlam. I read later that people can purchase a plaque to honour “a person, group or organisation who has pursued peace”.

Past the Drill Hall

Corrugated Iron Huts

Living Museum

The Honour Roll is part of the Addison Road Community Centre’s Living Museum which has also created a self- guided Heritage Trail. I find the first marker and start to follow the trail. The Community Centre Organisation (ARCCO) is a non-government organisation which works hard to promote community. I discover a new theatre. The Depot Theatre is presenting Educating Rita soon. I think I’ll book tickets.

WW 1 Architecture

The corrugated iron huts around the precinct are typical of WW l architecture. Well preserved, NGOs and different community organisations now use them for offices and other activities. Turkish, Serbian, West Indian, Indonesian, Greek and Portuguese organisations all have premises here which are used for a range of activities.

A large, but dead, Sydney Gum tree still stands, providing habitat for local flora and fauna. A freshwater creek that used to meander through the site was filled in to provide more room. Today, after heavy rain, water is unable to drain away fast enough and the area often floods.

Art Work

The Bower

Every Sunday there is a market on site. I have heard that it is worth visiting on market day. And if Street Food is your thing, a Street Food Market is held on the first and third Saturday of every month.

Community

I wander behind some of the corrugated iron huts to the old drill hall and then through the ungated Addison Road community garden. It looks loved and well cared for. The Inner West Council runs the nearby Marrickville Community Nursery. Locals buy native plants here.

The Bower Reuse and Recycle Centre looks like a place to find any number of treasures. Their philosophy of repairing goods that would otherwise go to landfill and training people in handy skills (eg basic carpentry, furniture repair and basic upholstery) sits well with me.

Detail

Outside Reverse Garbage

Street Library

Outside the Bower is a Street Library box. Readers can take a book and/or leave a book. I have always wanted to install one of these outside my home. I really get down to it.

At last, I come to Reverse Garbage, the reason for me being here. The large warehouse displays all sorts of goods from end rolls of paper and plastic bottle caps to new pottery goblets. Goods spill out onto the forecourt. As they say, one man’s trash is another person’s treasure. I inspect a new looking child’s life jacket. Unfortunately, it is too big for my little grandson, or I would be taking it home with me. Living on a water access only property means life jackets for all on our tinny.

A Perfect match

This one above a supermarket

Perfect Match Program

I leave Addison Road Centre feeling enthused that yet again I have made a great urban discovery. Local residents may be well aware of all that Addison Road Centre has to offer, but I had no idea.

Walking back to the station along Illawarra Road, I pass yet another example of the Perfect Match program – a painting of a car on the wall of a car service station. A date at the top of the front wall indicates that the building was erected in 1884. There still are so many vestiges of history to be found in Sydney and her suburbs.

Reasons to Return

The Henson Pub is on my way, but it is too late for me to go in today. This neighbourhood pub is a gastropub. Apart from growing much of its own produce locally, it uses many local suppliers. On the awning of Banana Joe’s Foodworks, is another metal figure. A banana resting in a hammock. Seeing these figures in situ is definitely one reason among many that will bring me back to visit Marrickville and the Addison Road Centre.