The House That Jack Built

This is the story of how an ordinary bloke from the bush became the key figure in a movement that would change the shape of our cities and bring about lasting political and legal reform. This is the story of the house that Jack Mundey built.

Without the green bans movement of the 1970s, Sydney and many other cities would look very different. Pulling together an unlikely alliance of environmentalists and union players earned Jack Mundey a reputation as both the 'best-known unionist and best-known conservationist in Australia'.

Under his leadership, the movement fought against the slash-and-burn philosophy that almost saw The Rocks fitted out with high-rise buildings, a highway through the centre of Glebe, and total development of Centennial Park. In this long-awaited book, James Colman reflects on Jack's remarkable life and his ongoing legacy. Mundey overturned the bulldozer mentality of the 1960s and 1970s and helped to persuade Australians everywhere to cherish and protect the heritage of special buildings, places, and sites.

Visit the The House That Jack Built website

Listen to James Colman's interview with Wendy Harmer on 702 ABC Sydney here

Read Peter Tonkin's article in ARCHITECTURE AU here

The Gerd Albers Award - International Society of City and Regional Planners, The Hague - Best Book on urban planning

National Trust NSW 2017 Heritage Awards - Highly Commended, Research and Investigation category

NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2017 - shortlisted, Community and Regional History category

Planning Institute of Australia NSW Division 2017, Awards for Excellence - commended

"This book is a vivid and timely reminder that the struggle to protect our urban heritage and the most vulnerable members of our community is still far from over." Louis Nowra, The Australian