It is with great sadness that Friends of The Paragon record the passing of Professor Robert Ian Jack.
Dr Jack was Vice President and a founding member, a mentor and guide to this organisation. His efforts were largely instrumental in the listing of The Paragon on the State Heritage Register, an achievement that might well prove pivotal in preserving the heritage and important architectural interiors of the premises.
His loss has been keenly felt by members of the committee who worked with him. The sense of loss will be shared by the many members and guests who enjoyed two recent public events at which Ian shared some of his insight into, and passion for, the heritage of The Paragon.
Beyond this organisation, Dr Jack was actively involved in many community organisations to which he generously contributed his time and expertise, bringing the skills of a highly respected academic historian and a passion for the documentation and preservation of local heritage. From the history of the early colony represented throughout his beloved Hawkesbury region, through communities and institutions of the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, Ian’s interests and energies have left a lasting legacy. A great supporter of the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations, Ian latterly served as its President.
A gentleman, in every sense of that word, Ian’s knowledge, wisdom and wit have been appreciated by all who have had the pleasure of engaging with him. This organisation, and many in the region, will be the poorer for his loss.
Friends of The Paragon extend our condolences to his wife, Jan, his family and his many friends.
Dr Jack was Vice President and a founding member, a mentor and guide to this organisation. His efforts were largely instrumental in the listing of The Paragon on the State Heritage Register, an achievement that might well prove pivotal in preserving the heritage and important architectural interiors of the premises.
His loss has been keenly felt by members of the committee who worked with him. The sense of loss will be shared by the many members and guests who enjoyed two recent public events at which Ian shared some of his insight into, and passion for, the heritage of The Paragon.
Beyond this organisation, Dr Jack was actively involved in many community organisations to which he generously contributed his time and expertise, bringing the skills of a highly respected academic historian and a passion for the documentation and preservation of local heritage. From the history of the early colony represented throughout his beloved Hawkesbury region, through communities and institutions of the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, Ian’s interests and energies have left a lasting legacy. A great supporter of the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations, Ian latterly served as its President.
A gentleman, in every sense of that word, Ian’s knowledge, wisdom and wit have been appreciated by all who have had the pleasure of engaging with him. This organisation, and many in the region, will be the poorer for his loss.
Friends of The Paragon extend our condolences to his wife, Jan, his family and his many friends.
Dr Ian Jack, "Storytelling" event. 31/8/2019
FRIENDS OF THE PARAGON INC. HELD A TALK ON THE LIFE AND WORK OF SCULPTOR OTTO STEEN, NOTED FOR THE SET OF BAS RELIEF IMAGES THAT ADORN THE CAFE, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER IMPORTANT WORKS OF THE MID TWENTIETH CENTURY.
THE TALK WAS HELD AT EVERGLADES HISTORIC HOUSE, LEURA ON SATURDAY MAY 18th. EVERGLADES, A NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY, ALSO FEATURES WORKS BY STEEN. THE TALK WAS PRESENTED BY NOTED HISTORIAN, Dr IAN JACK
A PERPETUAL CALENDAR FEATURING THE OTTO STEEN BAS RELIEF IMAGES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2020 FROM THIS WEBSITE STORE OR BY EMAIL TO friendsoftheparagon@gmail.com.
AN AFTERNOON OF RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PARAGON WAS HELD AT THE BLUE MOUNTAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON AUGUST 31, TO COINCIDE WITH HISTORY WEEK. ENTITLED "STORYTELLING" THE EVENT PRESENTED STORIES OF THE PARAGON FROM LOCALS RECALLING THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH THE PARAGON, JACK AND MARY SIMOS, FROM THE 1940s TO THE 1990s. THE EVENT WAS RECORDED BY THE BLUE MOUNTAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORAL HISTORY INITIATIVE AND WILL BE AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THE ARCHIVES, FILLING IN MANY PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE PARAGON EXPERIENCE OFTEN NOT OTHERWISE TO BE FOUND IN THE HISTORIC RECORDS.
FRIENDS OF THE PARAGON INC. HAVE A RANGE OF POSTCARDS FEATURING IMAGES OF THE ICONIC RESTAURANT. THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT EVENTS OR BY EMAIL TO friedsoftheparagon@gmail.com
