Elimatta Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2018

BENNELONG GRAVESITE SAVED

Bonita Mabo MOTHER OF NATIVE TITLE

YABUN 26TH JANUARY 2019 WILL YOU BE THERE?

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER READERS ARE ADVISED THAT THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAIN NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED asg acknowledges the guringai people, the traditional owners of the lands and the watersTHE of MAGAZINIA this area | -1- Bonita Mabo Mother of Native Title

INDIGENOUS activist Dr Ernestine ‘Bonita’ Mabo AO has been remembered as the ‘mother of native title’ and ‘matriarch of reconciliation’

ONITA MABO, commissioner June Oscar re- It closed in 1985 due to a lack of “[I was] disappointed he wasn’t Prominent membered her as “the mother of funding. there … for the judgement to Indigenous and South native title”. The Mabo decision come down early enough. Sea Islander rights ac- B “She was a woman of great spent a decade “But on his deathbed he knew tivist Bonita Mabo has died strength. She was gentle, stoic and he kept saying: ‘when I win days after receiving accolade. fighting for official recognition and loving,” Ms Oscar said in a of his people’s ownership of Mer the case, when I win the case’.” Mabo was the wife of statement. Eddie Mabo and worked Island in the Torres Strait. Recognising alongside him in the pursuit “I will always remember her as Space to play or pause, M to In recent years, Mabo had been of Indigenous land rights. the mother of native title. Her mute, left and right arrows to fighting for South Sea Islanders Just days ago she was award- legacy lives on in our continuing seek, up and down arrows for to be recognised in Australia as ed an Honorary Doctorate fight for land and sea rights.” volume their own distinct ethnic group. of Letters from James Cook Indigenous education was a life- Her husband did not live to see She was recognised in the Order University for her contribu- long passion the result, but in 1992 Bonita of Australia in 2013 for “distin- tion to social justice and human Mabo was a Malanbarra woman Mabo was making her way from guished service to the Indige- rights. and a descendant of Vanuatuan North to Canberra nous community and to human “It’s a big loss for us all,” Indige- workers brought to Queensland when the landmark decision was rights”. nous WA senator Patrick Dod- to work on sugar plantations. handed down. “I feel so honoured to be part of son said. She was born near Ingham in In 2017, she recalled that mo- it,” Mabo said at the time. “I think Australia needs to hon- North Queensland and married ment. Mabo was often asked about our people like Mrs Mabo who Eddie in 1959. “We were just outside of Sydney her work with Eddie, but while stood, to some degree, in the The couple had 10 children and and we stopped and pulled up on speaking about the Order of shadows of her husband, but Indigenous education became the side of the road and Malita Australia, she said she made sure who was the backbone and the one of Mabo’s lifelong passions. rang us and said ‘dad won the to tell people: “Well, I’ve got an- steel that helped he and many Bonita Mabo has received one decision, won the case’,” she said. other side too.” others to continue the struggles. of ’s high- “And we just jumped out and we “I’m a South Sea Islander “A person of great note; a great est awards, an Honorary Doctor just hugged each other. descendent. My great grand- Australian and great contribu- of Letters, in recognition of her RIP Bonita Mabo. Eddie and father came from the Tanna Is- tion to the cause of justice to all. outstanding contribution to the Bonita’s fight and victory re- lands and was stolen out here … “It’s a sad day. It’s a big loss for communityIn the early 1970s, made our world & secured rights to come and clean the country all of us. But she is a person who she set up Australia’s first Ab- unimaginable for 200 years. up here,” she said. comes in the vain of the very re- original community school and Condolences to family and Mer “And well, when I start saying cent recognition that ‘because of worked as a teacher’s aide. Nations. that, they sit up and listen.” her, we can do things’.” “For black children … we could “We were proud as punch.” Jackie Huggins, co-chair of the In a statement, The Australian see how they were … they used National Congress of Australia’s to go to school and they’d get The Mabo case was legally sig- South Sea Islander Alliance said nificant in Australia because it First People’s, said Mabo was “a she would “be greatly missed”. blamed for different things,” she mother to all of us in the political said in a 2013 interview. ruled the lands of this continent “Aunty Bonita’s contribution to were not “terra nullius” or “land struggle”. social justice and human rights “I used to go up to the school and belonging to no-one” when Eu- “She left a legacy of great com- for First Nations People and the I used to have arguments with ropean settlement occurred. passion, of being the woman Australian South Sea Islander the teachers and many times who was behind Eddie Mabo, they cried and I didn’t care be- It found the Meriam people, tra- recognition was monumental ditional owners of the Murray her husband, in his fight for jus- and relentless,” the statement cause I’d said what I’d wanted to tice and human rights,” she said. say.” Islands, including the islands of read. Mer, Dauer and Waier, were “en- “She was also an activist in her “A formidable ‘Woman Tanna’, The Black Community School titled against the whole world to own right. started in with 10 Aunty Bonita will be greatly possession” of the lands. “She was a great legend across missed as Australia has lost one students and two teachers who volunteered for half pay. The case paved the way for the this whole nation. of the greatest matriarchs of all Native Title Act of 1993. time.” The school taught children to “Like her husband, her legacy In an interview with the ABC in will always live on.” We lost a great soul. She fought read and write, and Torres Strait Islander history and culture. 2013, Mabo said she had to be for our peoples and our rights, there for her husband “all the Aunty Bonita Mabo will be sore- At its peak in the late 1970s, 45 way”. Isabella Higgins ly missed Aboriginal and Tor- students were enrolled at the res Strait Islander social justice school. “Thick or thin, we made it,” she INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS REPORTER said.

2 | THE ELIMATTA BENNELONG GRAVESITE SAVED

he grave site of Aboriginal Affairs and legendary Aboriginal local community. Bennelong has been T The multi-million dollar saved by the purchase of purchase follows a cam- the Putney house where paign by The Weekly he is believed to be bur- Times to create a me- ied by The NSW State morial at the gravesite, Government. which will include a The State Government dedication to commem- will spend around $3 orate the impact of British million to purchase a settlement on the Aborig- Putney home that inal people of Sydney. contains the gravesite A City of Ryde coun- of Aboriginal leader cil meeting in April this Bennelong and will turn year passed a motion to the site into a memorial. protect the grave and “Bennelong is the first Mayor Jerome Laxale significant connection congratulated The Week- between our two cultures ly Times and Mr Roberts. and it is important that “It is great that Council we protect and preserve and The Weekly Times this site as an important have been part of the piece of our nation’s project and we thank Mr history”, Lane Cove MP Roberts for securing the Anthony Roberts said. funding,” he said. “Given its significance University announced cal Federal electorate In April this year – in re- we need to make sure that he had locat- named after him,” he sponse to The Weekly we are taking all the ed Bennelong’s grave said. Times’ campaign – the between the home and appropriate steps to en- It is not known who is City of Ryde passed a parkland, prompting The sure we manage the site buried in a grave beside motion which stated: Weekly Times and former in a way that is respectful Bennelong although “The City of Ryde aims Ryde Mayor Vic Tagg to and in line with community academics speculate to progress further the launch the campaign to values. that it could be local investigation regarding have the site recognised Aboriginal Nanberry, “We need to make sure the potential burial site in by a memorial. we are protecting our Putney and to progress who died in 1821 and heritage and preserving any measures required to The Weekly Times Man- requested to buried the past.” protect the site.” aging Editor John F Booth with Bennelong. AM said front page ap- Bidgee Bidgee, who A committee will be Bennelong died on peals to commemorate led the Kissing Point established to discuss the January 3, 1813 at Kissing Bennelong had paid off. next steps for the site’s Point on the Parramat- clan for twenty years future. ta River in Sydney and “Since 2013 our read- after Bennelong’s death reports in the Sydney ers have backed our also asked to be buried It will include represent- Gazette said he was bicentennial campaign with Bennelong, but atives from the Aborigi- buried in the Putney to have a substantial me- there is no proof his cre- nal community, the Ben- orchard of the brewer morial at the gravesite mains are buried there. nelong Putney Project James Squire. and Sunday’s an- Committee, the Metro- nouncement recognises politan Local Aboriginal In March 2011 Dr Peter Bennelong’s important Anthony Stavrinos Lands Council, DPE, OEH, Mitchell of Macquarie contribution to the lo- THE WEEKLY TIMES

3 | THE ELIMATTA THE MAGAZINIA | -3- WHY NEW ZEALAND’S MAORI DO BETTER THAN AUSTRALIA’S ABORIGINALS

hen James Cook land- prison cells. Their young men have ed in Australia in 1770, one of the highest suicide rates in WAboriginals had been the world. Their children are almost there for about 60,000 years. Their ten times more likely to be in state 500 or so separate nations lacked care. kingpins or settled agriculture, so In Broome, a tourist resort on colonisers deemed the land terra Australia’s north-western coast, nullius, free for the taking. Aborigi- groups hang out under trees, or nals were butchered or displaced, drink on park benches. For a small and later their children were stolen town, it has a lot of police. “We op- and placed in foster care under a erate in a kind of failed state,” ex- cultural assimilation programme plains Peter Yu, head of the Yawu- that lasted for six decades. They ru Aboriginal Corporation, which got the vote only in 1962. After a represents Broome’s pre-colonial referendum five years later, they owners. Some communities are title, which is anathema to those and foreign minister. Three Maori were included in the census. But afflicted by diseases which are al- who view their land as sacred. have become archbishops and not until 1992 did the high court most unheard of outside the poor Many Aboriginals therefore look two governors-general. recognise that they should have world, including trachoma, which with envy across the Tasman Sea, Some 87 agreements have been some claim over their land. can lead to blindness. to the Maori. They remain at the struck between various tribes Even well-intentioned policies Part of the frustration of the Abo- bottom of New Zealand’s pile, but and the state in the past 30 years, brought in more recently have riginals stems from how small a say still live longer and healthier lives helping them to lay the past to failed them. When the law said they have in their own affairs. Many than Aboriginals. New Zealanders rest. Financial reimbursements they must be paid the same wage of them want to amend the con- who identify as Maori are 15% of can be stingy, but some have as other Australians for the same stitution to guarantee wider rights, the population of 5m. Their me- won large enough settlements to job, many were sacked. Billions enshrining a voice for the “first na- dian weekly income of NZ$900 develop successful companies. of dollars are poured into pro- tions”, as they are now more often ($610) is almost double that of The largest belongs to the Ngai grammes to help indigenous peo- known. But the conservative-led their Aboriginal counterparts. Al- Tahu, a people spanning most of ples every year, with mixed results. coalition government rejected though more than half of New the South Island, who own farms, The decade-wide gap in life ex- their idea of a national represent- Zealand’s inmates are Maori, they fisheries and tourism ventures. pectancy is getting wider. Though ative body. Still, indigenous land are less likely to go to prison than TDB Advisory, a consultancy, val- only 3% of the population, Abo- rights have strengthened since a Aboriginals. ues the assets of Maori “post-set- riginals fill a quarter of Australia’s native title law was passed in 1994. This relative success is partly a re- tlement entities” at NZ$7.8bn, far Aboriginals hold title over 31% of flection of colonial history. British more than Australia’s entire in- the country, with rights to hunt settlers reached New Zealand digenous economy. and fish, and to negotiate over much later than Australia, found The two countries’ attitudes economic developments such as what they saw as a more civilised towards their indigenes could mining. society, and signed a treaty with scarcely be more different. Some groups, like the Yawuru, the Maori in 1843. It was routinely Mainstream Australians are still have struck lucrative deals with flouted but a tribunal established largely segregated from Abo- the government. Their corpora- in 1975 has allowed the Maori to riginals. New Zealanders tend to tion is now the biggest private seek redress for historical abuses. take more pride in their mixed landowner in Broome, according But it also reflects the Maori them- heritage. Maori tattoos are ubiq- to Mr Yu, with assets including a selves. They are a tight-knit group uitous in mainly white suburbs. cattle station and a licence to ex- compared with Australia’s distinct Citizens of every hue glory in their port livestock. It has used the cash indigenous “nations”. They formed country’s domination of rugby from compensation to revive local a monarchy in order to unify (both the men’s and women’s culture through language lessons against colonialists, and almost all teams are ranked top of the and the promotion of ancestral speak the same language. Once world). All purr with pride at the “dreamtime” stories. But it is an ex- near extinction, it is now taught haka, a Maori war dance that ception. Native title rarely confers in schools and spoken in Parlia- precedes international matches. actual ownership. Neither does it ment (where the Maori have re- permit a veto over projects. To ex- served seats). An illustrious list of tract compensation from mining leaders includes Winston Peters, he conomist companies, traditional owners are T E the current deputy prime minister often required to “extinguish” their THE KIWI MODEL

-4- | THE MAGAZINIA THE ELIMATTA | 4 FIVE INDIGENOUS WOMEN JOIN LIST OF MEDICAL GRADUATES FROM UNIVERSITY OF WA

elly Langford, Tamisha swelled with pride if they saw She completed her doctor medical residency in Broome. King, Shauna Hill, Heath- the five indigenous women of medicine while raising two One day, she would like to Ker-Lynn Kessaris and Adri- who graduated as doctors at children as a single mother. help the people of Bidyadan- ane Houghton. UWA this week. Dr Houghton said the five -in ga, her family’s home com- If only Adriane Hought- There have been 49 indigenous digenous women drew on munity. on’s grandmother and medical graduates from UWA, each other for strength during “We owe it (to our communi- great-grandfather could have including Australia’s first indige- their studies. Along with fel- ties),” Dr King said. “We got been there on Tuesday to see nous doctor, Helen Milroy, who low graduate Tamisha King, the opportunities. We’re so her graduate as a doctor. graduated in 1983. 24, she will start an internship lucky. at Royal Perth Hospital next Just the thought of that on an “We’re the first doctors in our “For our grandparents, for our month. already emotional occasion families,” Dr Houghton said. parents, our aunts and un- at the University of WA was “My great-grandfather always Again, like Dr King, her cles, it’s the least we can do.” enough to bring her to tears. long-term goal is to use her said to my family — my moth- Dr King said she wanted expertise to give back to her “Our grandmothers couldn’t er, my grandmother — that other indigenous teenag- community. even be educated in Western education is the way out for us. ers to know they could bal- schools,” Dr Houghton said. “And it is. We’re so much bet- “Aboriginal culture instils in you ance tertiary education with “My great-grandfather went ter off now for our education.” a sense of obligation to your maintaining culture. people,” Dr Houghton said. to enrol my grandmother into By her own admission, Dr “I don’t think it’s so much that school and he was told he Houghton, 35, was far from a “Growing up you have to you have to sacrifice some- wasn’t allowed to because she model student at high school. always give the front seat thing to have an education was an Aboriginal. up, you always have to give She left school in Year 10 but or to do well at university,” money to people, you always “So he and five other -Abo decided to enrol in UWA’s she said. have to cook and clean or riginal men built a school for Aboriginal Orientation Course “You can have both. You give cups of tea to the older indigenous children.” at 19. just have to want it and people. We have that strong A makeshift school in Port Hed- you just have to work for it.” A bachelor of science led to six sense of giving back.” land was the best those men years of work for Woodside in Dr King, a Karajarri woman, could do. Karratha before she turned her would like to head north after Liam Croy Their hearts would have attention to medicine. her internship at RPH to do her THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

5 | THE ELIMATTA THE MAGAZINIA | -5- SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WA ABORIGINAL TRUST OVER MILLIONS OF ROYALTIES DOLLARS

erious allegations have trustee when it is satisfied that been made surrounding a there has been misconduct or mis- SWest Australian Aboriginal management. charitable trust that administers Mr Quigley said further allega- millions of dollars of mining roy- tions regarding “people apparent- alties earmarked for relieving ly acting in relation to the trust” poverty, sickness, distress, misfor- had been brought to his attention tune and destitution. after he received the re- ART SCAM: COMPANY SWAMPS The inquiry unveiled several port, which were very seri- areas of concern, including trans- ous and had been referred to MARKET WITH ABORIGINAL actions involving motor vehicles, the Australian Securities and related companies and projects, Investments Commission. PRODUCTS MADE IN INDONESIA and the remuneration of directors. “I have been concerned for some oomerangs, didgeridoos and sold Indonesian-made products CREDIT: JACKY GHOSEEIN time that some of the communities message stones featuring as having being hand painted by WA Attorney General John Quig- which these charitable trusts were BAboriginal-style de- Australian Aboriginal persons ley last year launched an inquiry designed to assist are still disad- signs, but made in Indone- when that was not the case,” into the Njamal People’s Trust to vantaged,” Mr Quigley said. sia have landed an Australian ACCC Commissioner Sarah souvenir wholesaler in court. Court said in a statement. investigate claims the disburse- “In some cases, it is difficult ment of funds and management A Federal Court judge this month “The artwork, images and state- were not in line with the trust deed, to see how the funds are found Birubi Art Pty Ltd to have ments used by Birubi suggested a and the 680-plus page report was being used to improve out- made false or misleading rep- relationship between Australian tabled in parliament on Tuesday. resentations that products it sold Aboriginal people and the pro- comes for our indigenous were made in Australia and hand duction of the products which Inquirer Alan Sefton combed painted by Aboriginal peoples, in did not exist.” over the trust in detail, communities.” breach of Australian Consumer “The ACCC is particularly con- examining matters including its The inquiry was sparked by com- Law. cerned about any conduct that “family buckets” system of distri- plaints in 2016 and 2017 by Sha- Federal Court judge Melissa Perry has the potential to undermine butions. ron Westerman, who was removed is yet to rule on penalties. the integrity and value of gen- from the board of Njamal Mining, He identified several areas of uine Indigenous Australian art, which is wholly owned by the trust, The Australian Competition and concern, including transactions and consequently, the impact amid allegations of mismanage- Consumer Commission, which involving motor vehicles, related that could have on Indigenous ment. took Birubi to court, said from companies and projects, and the July 2015 to November 2017 the Australian artists.” remuneration of directors. She has taken legal action against company sold more than 18,000 “The ACCC will not hesitate the company in the Supreme Court. “A number of potential conflicts of boomerangs, bullroarers, didgeri- to take further action against doos and message stones to retail traders who mislead consumers interest were either not disclosed Separately, she is fighting five outlets around Australia. about the nature of their prod- or were inadequately disclosed charges of stealing as a servant and ucts, in order to ensure confi- and recorded, or not adequately is next due to face Perth Magis- Although the products featured dence in the Indigenous Austral- considered,” Mr Sefton said. trates Court on February 11, 2019. designs associated with Australian Aboriginal art and words such as ian art industry.” He gave a raft of recommendations Due to the legal matters, the in- ‘Aboriginal Art’, ‘genuine’, and ‘Aus- Birubi Art Pty Ltd operates as to reform the current legislation quiry did not make any specific tralia’, they were made in Indone- a wholesaler of approximately governing charitable trusts, includ- findings regarding Ms Wester- sia, the ACCC said. 1300 product lines to about 152 ing amending the act to empower man’s actions in connection with “It was unacceptable that Birubi retail outlets across Australia, the Supreme Court to remove a Njamal Mining. court documents show.

-6- | THE MAGAZINIA THE ELIMATTA | 6 YABUN 26TH JANUARY 2019 WILL YOU BE THERE?

This article was published in the tional dances to performances of the conquered natives. While the pression and slave labour. Wag- Indian daily last year (2018), went world famous aboriginal rappers; National day hails the glory of this es in cash for aboriginal labour out to 50,000 people in Indian. debates; marches; the festival victory, Yabun challenges it as a became a norm only in 1930s. Yabun 2018 - The Festive voice of leaves a mark with its diversity festive voice of protest. Finally, in 1967, the constitution protest. and life. MILESTONES OF OPPRESSION was amended to include the indigenous population in the The Aboriginal people of Aus- The convicts served their term as anuary 26th of is of National national census. In summary, in tralia are the oldest civilization labourers. As emancipists, they importance to Australia as it 1962, a 200-year old invasive in the world, dating back its his- constituted the strong working is in India. The day is celebrat- system offered citizenship to a J tory to 60,000 years. The exist- class of Australia. The ballads ed as Australia Day. It commem- 60,000-year old civilization, in ence of a systemically organized of these daring bush workers orates the hoisting of the Union their native land! social structure connected with advertised Australia as a green Jack at Port Jackson in the year totems and song lines, and its role pasture for the blokes. Squat- THE VOICES FROM 2018 1778, by Captain Arthur Philip; in creating the largest estate in ters kept acquiring more land. So Yabun, the festival of protest signalling the suzerainty of Britain the world, called Australia is well did their sheep which was intro- is growing in its size and voice over a new colony. established by modern science. duced here turning the land into every year. More than 50,000 Every year, this official version The ancestors passed this knowl- a wool industry. The sheep along people participated in this year’s of history is celebrated in all its edge through dreamtime, which with their masters destroyed Yabun. Their demand to change glory as the national day with prescribed the mores of the tribe. the eco-system of the aboriginal the National day, and accept it mind-blowing fireworks and other Thus they coexisted. Australia. as invasion day is gaining trac- entertainment. It is onto this idyllic island that The ripples of great depression tion. Another strong demand is But, there is more to the history of in 1778 Captain Arthur Philip brought a lot of people from for a treaty over the land to be this sparsely-populated continent. docked his fleet of 11 ships, with Southern Europe in search of signed between the aboriginal Yabun, the largest one day gather- 568 male and 191 female convicts, employment. The potato fam- people and the government. The ing of the Traditional Custodians some of their family and some 200 ine in Ireland was another cata- biggest success of Yabun as a of this land, marks a suppressed soldiers to keep order. He was lyst. With the gold rush in 1851, festive protest is that, as a plat- facet of history. Hosted in the the designated Governor of this people started flowing in. The form for the voices of the tradi- traditional land of the Gadigal brigand island named New South more the outsiders came in, more tional custodians of the land, it is people in Sydney, on every Janu- Wales, discovered earlier by Cap- the natives were marginalized. becoming mightier year by year. ary 26th, this 17-year-old tradi- tain James Cook in 1770. He had It is estimated that in the 19th tion challenges the official com- clear mandate on how to deal with century 20,000 indigenous peo- Hope to see you there 2019 memorative version. the natives: “You are to endeavour ple and 2,500 European died in by every possible means to open To the Aborigines, the National conflicts over land. With natural Nirmal Joy an intercourse with the natives, Day is a stark reminder of inva- sources of food and water cut [email protected] and to conciliate their affections, sion and oppression. Thus Yabun, off, by late nineteenth century, enjoining all our subjects to live in which means music to be beat in two-thirds of the Austrian Abo- english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/ amity and kindness with them.” features/specials/yabun-the-fes- Gadigal language, is growing every riginal population perished due to tive-voice-of-protest-1.2644333 year in its reach and participation But soon it became evident that malnutrition and diseases spread as an alter event. It grows as a the foreigners were in contest by invaders. facebook.com/YabunFestival/vid- celebration of protest, challeng- with the natives to gain possession In 1880s natives were corralled eos/1456257867833102 ing the colonial version of history. over land. The Aborigines fought, into Aboriginal Reserves, and The mode of protest makes it all but guns won the day. This victo- provided petty provisions. These facebook.com/YabunFestival/vid- the more interesting. From tradi- ry ended in unjust oppression of reserves became centres of op- eos/1407022286089994

THE ELIMATTA | 7 NSW COUNCIL FINED FOR DESTROYING CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT ABORIGINAL SCAR TREE

northern New South Wales water for a specific purpose,” he council has been fined said. A$300,000 for destroy- “I was told that the cuts could ing a scar tree sacred to the local also have been made by someone Gumbaynggirr people. wanting to make a shield The fine was issued to Clarence Brett Tibbett, a local Gumbayng- Valley Council on Friday by the girr man, said he was told in 2005 New South Wales Land and Envi- or 2006 by an Elder and then chair- ronment Court for the offence of person of the Grafton Ngerrie Lo- harming an object that it knew was cal Aboriginal Land Council, David an Aboriginal object. Daley, that the tree was a marker The ruling marks the end of a saga for the Aboriginal population in which began in 2013, when the the area. council lopped the top of the cul- “This means the tree was used as a turally-modified tree, exacerbat- directional tree for visitors direct- ing a decline in the tree’s health. ing them to an area now known as Until then, the tree had stood for Fisher Park,” he said. hundreds of years on what is now “Fisher Park was traditionally a the intersection of Breimba and location where the Aboriginal pop- Dovedale streets in suburban ulation could get fresh water from Grafton. a billabong and was also a meeting Thought to be either a red bean or place and trading area. black bean tree, it had scarring on “This scarred tree was signifi- two parts. A scar measuring 1.4 cant in that it was used and is metres tall faced a south wester- linked to other areas of cultural ly direction, while a smaller scar significance.” faced a westerly direction and was Heartbreak after tree’s removal higher up the trunk. When Mr Duroux drove past the The scar tree was registered as stump that was once a culturally a culturally-modified tree on the significant and protected scar tree, Aboriginal Site Register in 1995, he was heartbroken. making it an offence to harm or “I could not believe what the work- Photo: Aboriginal elders say the scarring was made using a stone axe either as a desecrate the object. men had done,” he said. directional marker directing visitors to nearby Fisher Park, or for ceremonial purposes. Despite the tree’s protected sta- “I slowed down to a stop in my car (Supplied: Alexandra Simpson, Office of Environment and Heritage.) tus, it ended up on a council list for to look at it and someone beeped tree removal, and on May 19, 2016, their horn at me. It didn’t matter. I extremely important to the Abo- of responsibility at the earliest was completely removed. felt immediate loss and sadness. riginal community as they provide stage. The next day, after the council “I said ‘there goes another bit of a link between the present and the Justice Brian John Preston cited realised what had happened, it our history and culture that has past and people’s ongoing links to a motion and letter of apology, in self-reported to the Office of Envi- just been taken away and for no the culture and landscape,” she which the council “unreservedly” ronment and Heritage. reason — it’s gone forever’.” said. apologised and expressed its “ex- Scar tree has deep roots in Aborig- Mr Tibbett said he was upset and The Land and Environment Court treme remorse”. inal culture disappointed to hear what had heard the council was aware the The council was fined $300,000, Aboriginal Elders said the scar tree happened to the tree. tree was a protected Aboriginal which would be given to the was culturally significant to the “The tree was an important link object after it received a penalty Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Gumbaynggirr people, with vari- to our community and culture,” he notice in 2013 for lopping parts of Land Council. ous reasons passed down by the said. the tree. The money will fund research into knowledge holders to local Abo- “There are not many places within The council’s director of Works local Aboriginal cultural heritage riginal people. the Grafton town boundary where and Civil Troy Anderson said he to celebrate Aboriginal culture Roger Duroux, an elder of the you can go and visit a significant believed the offence was commit- and promote reconciliation, and Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung cultural object that pre-dates ted “as a consequence of a failure a feasibility study into a keeping tribes, said a male Elder told him European settlement. by the council to properly imple- place for Aboriginal cultural her- three decades ago that “the scar- “The loss of this tree is irreplace- ment approved procedures” and itage items in the Grafton area. ring was made by our people … us- able and there was only one of its “the failure by staff members to ing a stone axe”. kind.” follow existing directions con- cerning the removal of trees”. “I was told by the Elder that the Lisa Southgate, who recorded the Leah White and Hannah Ross tree was special and that it was tree to protect it, said she was In handing down its sentence, possibly a “light tree” or floating shocked and saddened to learn the Land and Environment Court ABC NORTH COAST tree which means that the bark what had happened. acknowledged the council’s “gen- could have been used to float on “Aboriginal objects such as this are uine remorse” and its acceptance

-8- | THE MAGAZINIA THE ELIMATTA | 8 BEACHES LINK TOLLWAY CONSTRUCTION THREATENS TO DESTROY ANCIENT ABORIGINAL ROCK ART

The Beaches Link tollway will Almost 20 Aboriginal sites, including He said the RMS would also refine been looked at,” he said. damage ancient Aboriginal sites and hand-painted rock shelters, ancient “part of the alignment” so the road- “The options we’ve chosen are the the habitats of vulnerable native carvings, shell middens and burial work “will have no impacts on the ones that minimise the impact on animals, according to secret sites, are listed as “key constraints” carvings”. the community and minimise the government plans seen by the ABC. to the project. A full Environmental Impact State- impact on the environment.” The blueprint warns that for many ment on the project is expected KEY POINTS Sydney’s biodiversity under threat sites “it will be difficult to justify ma- next year. The removal of up to 10 hectares Almost 20 Aboriginal sites jor impacts” as middens and rock art Push for international recognition of bushland is another impact of are under threat from the have “high cultural or social signifi- Mr Moran said the State Govern- the road, and the documents ac- construction of the Beaches cance” to Aboriginal and other com- Link tollway ment must recognise the rock-carv- knowledge this will eliminate ani- munity members. ing sites are interconnecting mals and plants. Blueprint warns some It recommends stakeholders be told “sacred areas” and all need interna- More than 60 threatened animal destruction “cannot be that some destruction “cannot be tional protection. species live in the project foot- avoided” avoided”. Waterfront sites on the tollway, print, including swamp wallabies, Metro Land Council chief Indigenous leader Nathan Moran such as a whale carving at Balls powerful owls and spotted quoll. executive Nathan Moran said Sydney contained some of the Head and a secluded rock-art shel- The blueprint said any distur- is calling for them to have world’s earliest recorded artworks ter at Clive Park, are also inside the bance of a colony of endangered international protection and Aboriginal people had not been construction zone. Grey-Headed Flying Foxes, due to consulted on the extensive plans. The blueprint warns that blasting heavy noise or clearing of feed- The tollway is slated to run between “We think that’s wrong. It’s totally associated with roadworks can trees, could trigger the need for Rozelle and Sydney’s northern against international standards … “cause damage to structures or ob- Commonwealth approval. beaches and is expected to cost $14 we should be able to determine our jects”, and that heritage items are The RMS has confirmed it will clear billion. culture. “especially vulnerable to damage”. some of the last stands of Duffy’s The project has already garnered “We should have the right to pre- Where destruction of Aboriginal Forest, a rare Sydney woodland, controversy after the ABC exposed serve and protect it, and to be hon- heritage is unavoidable, the doc- along with groves of endangered the location of smokestacks and tox- oured as such.” ument suggests “salvage excava- wattles. ic plumes along the route. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) tion” — the removal of ancient ob- Local GP and environmental- A 2016 “cabinet-in-confidence”chief executive Ken Kanofski said jects — is an option. ist Connie Harris said this had blueprint lists dozens of major her- broad consultation on the expan- Mr Kanofski said the expansion of shocked wildlife groups. itage impacts, many linked to cre- sion was underway but “if we need an existing road reserve should not “I cannot believe the State Gov- ating a dual-carriageway road near to do more, we’re very happy to do come as a surprise. ernment has again made such de- Garigal National Park. more”. “A huge number of options have tailed plans without talking to the community, and without letting us know in advance — it’s outra- geous.” The removal of Red Gum forest near historic Artarmon Park, one of Australia’s earliest cricket ovals, is also mentioned in the blueprint. Millions of dollars of bio-banking offsets is suggested as a solution to habitat destruction. However, the blueprint warns that finding a suitable offset for Duffy’s Forest will be “complex and rela- tively costly”. Deputy ALP Leader Penny Sharpe said she will cancel the project if Labor wins’ government in 2019. Roads Minister Melinda Pavey was also approached for comment.

G r eg Mis k el ly ABC NEWS Photo: Metro Land Council chief executive Nathan Moran says ancient artworks could be lost forever. (ABC News: Cameron Gooley) THE ELIMATTA | 9 BUSH TO BEACH - IT’S ON AGAIN OUR ELDERS HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR OUR SUCCESS! THE STRENGTH AND UNITY

orty kids from Brewar- Unfortunately, the Event rina, Goodooga & was cancelled last year. FBourke, some have The surf club have worked never see the surf be- extra hard to pay for ac- fore, to attend the South commodation for the mob ur Aboriginal and Activities on the afternoon Narrabeen surf club next at Sport & Rec Narrabeen. Torres Strait Islander included: Dancing, Basket month. The bus is due to community on the Weaving, Jewellery Making arrive about 9 am ASG-MWP thank you for all O Northern Beaches continue to and Games. Friday 18th January and your planning in bring the kids back home on Monday 21st. down for a life time experience. grows each year. Thank you everyone for their Most recently on Thurs- input and support in making day 13th December 2018, this event such a success. RIDE WITH ABORIGINAL PEOPLES the Northern Beaches A special thanks goes to Aboriginal community held the Sydney North Prima- the Connected Mobs Xmas ry Health Network who celebrations. funded the activities and The event was well Melanie Gould who helped to attended with over 50 Aborig- organise the day. inal and Torres Strait Islander This will continue in the new people in attendance. year with a fortnightly gather- The community participated ing at Bilarong Reserve. in a number of activities which Thank you, Clarence Bruins- allowed people to come to- ma - Event organiser and or about 65,000 years Aborig- cycle but would like to support the inal peoples called Australia idea, please join us at Manly for the gether and chat about cul- volunteer. Fhome. start or at Church Point for coffee/ ture, share knowledge and For more information email: January 2019 is 231 years since tea. celebrate our strengths. clarence bruinsma me com 1788 when Governor Captain Ar- Below is your invitation and please The afternoon was a . @ . thur Phillip sailed into Port Jackson. pass this on to your friends and success with a number of new Please like our Facebook page - Connected Aboriginal 26 January 2019 is 81 years since look for us on Facebook. community members meet- and Torres Strait Islander Mob 1938 when Aboriginal people met WHEN: ing other mob who have lived Northern Beaches NSW for at Australia Hall Sydney in what 26 January 2019, 7:00am in the area for many years. further events. they say is not a day of rejoicing but a Day of Mourning. WHERE: ale: MARK ANSIEWICZ Aboriginal people from all over West of Manly wharf at the me- GURINGAI TOURS the country met to vote to make morial where Wil-Le-Me-Ring passed away recent- new laws to educate and care for Speared Governor Captain Arthur BUSH TUCKER NIGHT Vly. Mark was a graphic Aboriginal peoples and to ask for Phillip designer who worked a new policy to raise Aboriginal ROUTE: on’t miss this night! on several projects for people to FULL CITIZEN STA- Manly, Queenscliff, Freshwater, Guringai Tours Bush ASGMWP. For many years, TUS and EQUALITY WITHIN THE Curl Curl, Dee Why, Collaroy, Tucker Night he prepared the Elimatta COMMUNITY. Ocean Parade Narrabeen, Mona D Newsletter. The creative This ride is a gesture to acknowl- Vale and Church Point back to March 11th 7.30pm till style and attention to de- edge that not all Australian’s see Manly 9.00pm. This is a free night tail of Mark played a key Australia Day in the same way and and all are welcome. to stand with Aboriginal Peoples NOTE: role in preparing the manu- and aim for unity for all Australians. Includes a support car so no one is Great Bush Tucker and a script for publication for Un- I hope to see you on 26 January left behind door prize of a Guringai cle Bob Waterer’s ‘The Sto- ry of Bob Waterer and his 2019 at 7.00am at the memorial FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tour Family pass (2 adults at Manly just west of the wharf and 3 children passes Family 1803-2010’ by Nan where on the 7 September 1790, Please contact Colin Hutton Bosler. Mark’s contribution valued at $120). Wil-Le-Me-Ring speared Governor P: 0404 353 253 and support of this group Captain Arthur Phillip.If you do not E: [email protected] GURINGAITOURS.COM.AU will be greatly missed. RIP.

-10- | THE MAGAZINIA THE ELIMATTA | 10

Thank you to all who have renewed

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE! ASG Renewal Fees due on 30th June 2018 Your annual fee or Support Donations goes to ASGMWP Aboriginal Education Program THANK YOU Your donations have allowed ASG, to distribute over $2500 in 2017-18 to the Aboriginal Education Program Together we can make a difference!

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THE ELIMATTA | 11 2019 January 26th SURVIVAL DAY CELEBRATED ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Febuary 11th ASG–MWP BUSINESS MEETING 7.30pm - 9pm Mona Vale Memorial Hall, 1606 Pittwater Road. All members welcome

March 11th BUSH TUCKER NIGHT 7.30pm - 9pm Not to be missed. Door prize of 1 Family pass (2 adults - 3 children) to a Guringai Tour. Mona Vale Memorial Hall, 1606 Pittwater Road. All welcome

March 21st NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY 7.30pm - 9pm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are still dying 10–17 years younger than other Australians

April 8th ASG–MWP BUSINESS MEETING 7.30pm - 9pm Mona Vale Memorial Hall, 1606 Pittwater Road. All members welcome

May 13th MOVIE NIGHT “SPEAR” 7.30pm - 9pm It follows a young Aboriginal man, Djali, as he journeys through his community to understand what it means to be a man with ancient traditions in a modern world.

May 26th SORRY DAY 7.30pm - 9pm Mona Vale Memorial Hall, 1606 Pittwater Rd. All welcome

May 27th - June 3rd NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK Building and encouraging relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, com- munities, organisations, and the broader Australian community

June 3rd AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES MABO DAY A turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights.

July 8-15th NAIDOC WEEK 2019 theme: VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH. LET’S WORK TOGETHER.

ASG-MWP WOULD LIKE TO THANK DEE WHY RSL, PITTWATER RSL AND FORESTVILLE RSL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT

Elimatta is the newsletter of the Aboriginal Support Group Manly Warringah Pit- ABORIGINAL SUPPORT GROUP twater. Articles are welcome with the understanding that editorial changes may be made and that contributors agree that the material will be archived by the Nation- MANLY WARRINGAH PITTWATER al Library of Australia. Contributors to Elimatta are from many different cultures Founded 1979 and backgrounds. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editors or mem- bers of the ASG. Please email articles where possible to [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY $25 PER YEAR If you use any of the material it would be appreciated if the extract is set in context and the source acknowledged. (02) 9982 1425 www.asgmwp.net Facebook.com/ASGMWP Editor: Neil Evers Graphic Design: Nathan John P.O. Box 129 NARRABEEN NSW 2101

THE ELIMATTA | 12