BARRY (RUANNI MINHINNICK); urban gardener, artist and Sydney Kings Cross personality

Barry (Ruanni Mihinnick); a spirited Kings Cross personality, urban gardener, versatile artist and passionate collector of almost everything from the already legendary bohemian past of his beloved Kings Cross.

Born in late 1940s to Chinese mother and a Maori father, Barry come to Australia from New Zealand in 1979. In 1992 he moved into Hensley Hall, the former boarding house on the corner of Bayswater Road and Ward Avenue.

Eight years ago Barry started converting...
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Barry (Ruanni Mihinnick); a spirited Kings Cross personality, urban gardener, versatile artist and passionate collector of almost everything from the already legendary bohemian past of his beloved Kings Cross.

Born in late 1940s to Chinese mother and a Maori father, Barry come to Australia from New Zealand in 1979. In 1992 he moved into Hensley Hall, the former boarding house on the corner of Bayswater Road and Ward Avenue.

Eight years ago Barry started converting the eastern side of this property into a very special garden which now, due to his unique concept, people from Kings Cross call Barry's Garden (although Barry himself prefers to call it the Simple Garden).

I was very lucky to spend several hours with Barry wandering around this Jurassic House taking photos, whilst Barry told me the history of every item. Inside his house you can find literally everything; from Mason's artifacts to a famous push bike originally belonging to a Scandinavian who traveled the world on this vehicle. There are thousands of books and photographs, an abundance of paintings and antique furniture in amongst collections of boxes, rare kitchenware, strange old tools and dresses. All those treasures abandoned by people were collected by Barry from the streets and now filling every possible and impossible storage place of this huge three level house.

From this amazing journey, I took not only hundreds of pictures but also, I hope Barry doesn't mind, a part of his big heart. Thanks buddy!
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