Irene has been active at a grassroots level in Redfern
Waterloo through her involvement on the Board of The Factory Community Centre,
the REDWatch Co-ord Group and in campaigns like Lift Redfern. She became a
Green’s Councillor on the City of Sydney serving two terms finishing as Deputy
Lord Mayor.
Throughout her time on Council Irene continued her important
involvement at a local level and was active in raising the issues of concern to
fellow public housing tenants and those without voice in society. Irene was a
people’s person and put them at the centre of her political work while not
losing sight of the just causes she also believed in.
The community misses you but your inspiration lives on in
people like my son, Alexander, who was inspired by his dealings with you.
We will start a section for Irene on the REDWatch website,
alongside other REDWatch greats Trevor Davies and Ross Smith. We will post
material there about the Celebration of Irene’s life.
Vale Irene Doutney!