She’s been called the mother of gay Sydney, and now Dawn O’Donnell, the woman who turned Oxford Street into the golden mile has died after a long battle with ovarian cancer. In the 70s and 80s, Dawn ran a slew of Oxford Street bars, clubs and shops that attracted gays and lesbians from all over the world, all of which flourished under the noses of the police, back in the days when our community was still considered illegal. In her lifetime she certainly saw a lot of changes on the strip. She was once quoted as saying that Oxford Street had outgrown itself and was a victim of its own success. In 2001 on ABC’s Lateline she said, “The most fascinating thing in the world for me was eventually to see the NSW police force have a gay public relations officer. I never thought to my dying day I’d ever see that.” A message on a gay website last week summed up what she had done for gay Sydneysiders: “She was a major influence in Sydney’s development as a lesbian and gay centre, presiding over hotels, wine bars, nightclubs, bath houses and specialty stores – giving a commercial focus to Sydney’s reputation as a gay and lesbian tourist mecca. “From the late 1960’s when she launched Capriccio’s onto the Oxford Street scene, there have been numerous night clubs such as Jools, Ruby’s, Patch’s, Flo’s Palace, the Exchange Hotel, and later moving to the Newtown Hotel with the Newton and Imperial Hotels. “Often regarded as a colourful Sydney identity, she was a tireless supporter of charities, both lesbian/gay and mainstream. She is survived by Aniek Baten, her partner of many years and will be celebrated as much for her quiet philanthropy as for her commercial success.” Coverage of her funeral, and further information about O’Donnell is on the Sydney Morning Herald story, linked below. Related links: www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/06/15/1181414542675.html Ref: Same Same, Sydney Morning Herald (m)