Andrew Sibley Mary-Lou Jelbart in the park

Born in Britian and having lived in South East Asia and South Africa, Mary-Lou Jelbart has been a specialist visual arts broadcaster for the ABC since 1978. She has also written for The Age and The Herald newspapers in Melbourne. She is an avid conservationist and has spent many years fighting to save historic buildings and the environment.

In Andrew Sibley’s portrait, Jelbart is pictured in Albert Park where conservationists fought to have the Australian Formula One Grand Prix relocated on the grounds that the park had literally disappeared. In the background is the devastation caused by the car race with a thousand trees destroyed. Jelbart stands holding a wand of sprouting leaves – a magical symbol of hope for the future restoration of the park.