It’s amazing what the NSW State Government can do when it puts its mind to it.
For a week they set up road closures and bus lanes in the heart of the city that created an urban-wonderland for pedestrians and cyclists.
The much maligned rail network was suddenly on time, efficient and quick.
Live music events filled venues from the harbour to the Domain, public debates and discussions were held in halls and a major theatrical event was staged to an audience of thousands creating the ultimate spirit of festival.
The sheer infrastructure of World Youth Day surpassed even APEC and must have made those that run major sporting, cultural and arts events in Sydney weep with envy.
The Greens have alleged that in total the NSW State Government provided at least $108.5 million which included substantial costs in police, public transport, emergency services and road works. This is in addition to half the $41 million costs to the Australian Jockey Club for the use of Randwick Racecourse as a temporary place of worship and as a camping site and does not include the $22 million that the Commonwealth threw in.
Just imagine what type of event could be staged in Sydney for close to $150 million that was for all citizens. The possibilities are endless. Sports fields could host major carnivals. Regional theatres and public halls could be given a breath of new life. It could be a week long event that would reach from the very east to the very west.
It was a model of commitment and a fantastic orchestration of infrastructure. But the problem always will be that World Youth Day was an exclusive event controlled through the compulsory registration of participants. It has left a sour taste in the mouths of those not involved with this particular strand of religion.
Unlike the Olympics or the Sydney Festival, the people of Sydney found themselves catering to a very specific cross-section of society. I can only imagine how the Protestant factions of the Christian Church felt over the last seven days.
There’s something to be said for the tolerance of people who live in Sydney. For those that lived in the inner city, taking the swarming masses of pilgrims in their stride, a secret code emerged. Faced with the youth group chants on your way to get milk or bread, you would come across a local non-participant and give each other that look of understanding that said, “Don’t worry, it will all be over soon.”
For the victims of child s-x abuse they saw a real opportunity to engage with the Church, the Vatican and the Pilgrims. The Foster family was on the minds of everyone, not to mention that taxi drivers who listen all day to talk-back radio. But in the end, it was a closed shop. The Foster family didn’t get what they wanted and neither did victims of child abuse.
Others were more freely engaged. A protest of one thousand people gathered in the gay heart of Oxford Street to voice their concerns about the Catholic Church and their dominant political and social policies. Lesbians and gays joined with socially liberal Christians, atheists, disaffected Catholics and representatives from Broken Rites.
They made it clear during all of their speeches that they weren’t anti-Catholic but rather they demanded tolerance and acceptance. Even when a stray group of young American pilgrims found themselves in the middle of the protest they were greeted with smiles and good humour.
And it was smiles and good humour that really summed up the week. I found myself on the final day of World Youth Day sitting on a pub balcony watching the thousands of pilgrims returning. Sitting with a few locals we waved and cheered them for no particular reason.
The local drunk kept yelling at those carrying banners and flags asking where they were from. This was always followed by a cheer. We waved goodbye and found ourselves exactly the same as when the arrived. Nothing has changed and it is such a shame that after all that money, after all those people and all that effort, most of us — the Foster family — weren’t included.
In the DVD of Brideshead Revisited the actor Anthony Andrews refers to the “terrifyingly manipulative” control games in the aristocratic Catholic family. That’s the display we saw this last week in Sydney. Religious groupies dressed up as pilgrims, but actually tourists. Sly rhetoric from Pell denying climate change and boosting population – is this fanaticism or what? I reckon it’s worse than that – a force for darkness.
The very strange concept of an 80 year old celibate as a role model for co ed youth. I don’t think so. Rediculous, irresponsible. The old machine completely copping out on women priests and marriage of priests and importance of contraception.
And gouging the public purse to pull the whole thing off. I saw a copper on guard duty in the middle of Macquarie St – bored stiff I would say – and the CBD was pretty much dead for the retail sector. But the religous folks were so sure the city belonged to them. And they were right. Randwick racecourse looked a bit patchy in the double page spreads. Were there more marchers against the Iraq war in Feb 2003? Close run thing I would say. Hype came first, daylight second.
And not a financial declaration of conflict of interest from the commercial meeja sponsors. Tsk tsk. Today cycling down Sussex St at the lights a bloke takes a dig at two of the visitors “The Pope’s gone now and you should too!” Ouch. How many others agree I wonder.
Now that it is all over, the $35M handout from benefactor Howard was based on estinates of 500k pilgrims. The number in attendance was never even claimed at more than 200k, except for final mass, with lots of local hangers on. So, how about Cardinal Pell should offer the tax payer a refund?
Also, for as much as $42M chucked at Randwick, surely we should expect a permanent shrine there, so that real pilgrims can continue to make pilgrimages, for ever and a day? The taxpayer handout was said to be based on future as well as present revenue. Has anybody heard from any hotels, clubs and restaurants who might be overjoyed with pilgrims chucking heaps of cash about?
How about that refund Cardinal Pell?
In regards to your comment “I can only imagine how the Protestant factions of the Christian Church felt over the last seven days” I can tell you that I attended WYD celebrations with them. It was wonderful to attend a WYD day welcome event which had representatives from Judaism, Islam and other world denominations.
The concerts in the city also included the Salvation Army band, Hillsong performers and participation from non catholic religions. A true religion recognises the goodness that comes from other denominations. Hence the church’s steps towards interfaith dialogue. Even a Muslim school hosted Catholics in it’s hall – part of the spirit of unity. This event even worldwide also invites non Catholics, hence I have met people celebrating at the final mass that were not part of any religion but wanted to participate, drawn by the enthusiasm of young people – something not often seen.
It is sad that instead of finding joy and hope that young people are able to be happy without drugs and alcohol, you need to criticise, I suppose you would be celebrating if young people were depressed and had no hope in life. I am just happy for these youth, that they have inspiration in life. That no matter how what people say or write or criticise, no one can take away that experience in their hearts.
I was one of the WYD pilgrims (from Queensland) and totally enjoyed WYD and congratulate everyone involved in its organisation especially the transport workers (I salute a very good natured bus inspector / manager at Central Station). We were “high” on the spirit of eternal values – and in a beautiful city.
Of course many of the events were for pilgrims (a good number of whom were residents of Sydney) but through their registration they had also paid for the event – I don’t get into the Sydney Cricket Ground without a ticket! The government’s contributions are very appreciated but the resultant tourism input to Australia must be great – and the vistors to Australia were wonderful to have.
There were many ways that the people of Sydney could have been part of this event. The joy found everywhere from the Opera House to Darling Harbour was like four News Eves in a row – without the drunks. As it turned out, anyone could have turned up at North Sydney last Saturday and walked across the bridge to Darling Harbour. Concerts every night at the Opera House forecourt, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour were open to the general public. Finally, how many Sydneysiders mixed in with a group of pilgrims and were waved on to trains and buses for free.
Two more points: As a 52 year old “Young at Heart” leader of a group, I found the non-participating residents of Sydney very helpful, courteous and good-natured especially when my group was travelling on buses and trains, sometimes loaded up with bags and banners. Finally when are you ever going to see the whole of Sydney wandering around again with bright orange backpacks!
I think we should support GLBT more. They really live very hard, especially for those openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. I know many of them would like to choose some online service like the one BiLoves.