Wendy's Garden, Lavender Bay

From the North Sydney Council website:

"The area of state rail land situated between Clark Park and the railway lines/viaduct has been transformed from a weed-infested, neglected area into an intimate and attractive garden space which is an integral part of the Lavender Bay Parklands. Council currently leases this land from Railcorp, for the purposes of public open space."

The creation of this garden was the work of Wendy Whitely, after her husband, artist Brett Whitely died in 1992. It was her work of creativity born of grieving. Their daughter, Arkie, helped with the project. Arkie died in 2001. Both Brett and Arkie's ashes are buried here, in a location known only to Wendy.

The sculpture is entitled "Head" and is by Joel Elenberg, who was a friend of Brett Whitely's. He died of cancer, aged 32, in 1980.

Wendy's Secret Garden

Exercise at Lavender Bay

Lavender Bay

Party time, Lavender Bay

Let the party begin!

Peek a boo!

The Opera House plays hide and seek from Lavender Bay.

Felix The Cat

One from the vault today. This is from the walk between Luna Park and Lavender Bay. I recommend it.


On the sculpture walk between Luna Park and Lavender Bay. Some claim that Felix was first by New Jersey cartoonist Otto Messmer. Others say that Felix was the brainchild of Australian cartoonist and film entrepreneur, Pat Sullivan.

Wikipedia says:

evidence seems to back up both claims. However, many historians, such as John Canemaker argue that Messmer ghosted for Sullivan. Other historians disagree. What is certain is that the cat emerged from Sullivan's studio.