Long -serving Ryde Eisteddfod Chairman and former City of Ryde Councillor, Edna Wilde OAM, will be
recognised for her service to the community with The New Heart of Ryde’s performance centre to be
named in her honour.
Council resolved to name the venue after Ms Wilde OAM due to her long contribution to the City of Ryde.
the community and the local arts.
The performance centre is one of the key components of The New Heart of Ryde, which will redevelop the
current Ryde Civic Centre sit e to deliver a four -fold increase in community space for local residents.
Ms Wilde OAM served as a City of Ryde Councillor for 34 years. In 1980, Ms Wilde OAM became the City
of Ryde’s first female Mayor and held that role on three separate occasions bet ween 1980 -1982.
1999 -2000 and 2002 -2004.
Throughout her civic life, Ms Wilde OAM has also been a dedicated supporter of the local arts scene in the
City of Ryde, both through her role as Chairman of the Ryde Eisteddfod and volunteering her time to serve
in senior roles for a large number of community organisations.
In 2000, Ms Wilde OAM was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government
and to the community of Ryde. A year later, she was awarded the Centenary Medal for her se rvice as the
first female Mayor of the City of Ryde.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said Ms Wilde OAM epitomises the community spirit that Ryde is
famous for.
“Edna is a legend of the City of Ryde, having dedicated so many years to serving the community and
representing our talented artis tic community. Once built, The New Heart of the Ryde will be the focal point
for the community and civic life in the City of Ryde, so it is only fitting that Edna is h onoured as part of the
project,” Clr Laxale said.
Ms Wilde OAM said she was deeply humbled to be recognised as part of such a significant project for the
City of Ryde.
“The New Heart of Ryde ticks all the boxes. It will resolve the chronic shortage of community space that
Ryde current ly suffers from and will also provide groups like the Ryde Eisteddfod with new and modern
facilities,” Ms Wilde OAM said.
In addition to the performance centre, The New Heart of Ryde will also include contemporary office
accommodation, commercial floor space, a public plaza, on -site parking and better access to the Top Ryde
Shopping Centre and its surrounds.
Council’s decision to proceed with The New Heart of Ryde follows a comprehensive community
consultation process undertaken through 2019, which foun d there was overwhelming support for the
project, with 85 percent of respondents in favour.
The New Heart of Ryde will be financially sustainable, it will not result in increased rates or a reduction in
any services. Council will also retain complete own ership of the site.
