The last of Sydney’s great orators, known only as Webster, passed away in Tasmania in December 2008.
The wish of his relatives was that the 95-year-old’s ashes be scattered in the Domain, where the brilliant (and some say slightly mad) non-conformist regularly spoke on a number of issues at the famous Speakers’ Corner.
The Reverend Bill Crews, of the Exodus Foundation, was charged with scattering the ashes on behalf of the family.
But, somewhat typically, his request was denied by the NSW State Government department that oversees the park. Instead, they suggested, Webster’s ashes could be buried within the grounds - for $10,000!
That’s right, a NSW Government department wanted to charge a charity that feeds the poor $10,000 so that some ashes could be interred within the Domain precinct. Shame, shame.
In true Webster spirit, Rev. Crews followed through with the family’s wishes this week under cover of darkness and in sheeting rain, sprinkling Webster’s ashes at his old stomping ground, filmed by the ABC.
Take that, NSW Government!