j 'N & ' r;,s: The Newcastle Herald
Dreaming: Mr Francis Firebrace at the rally in Apex Park, Nelson Bay. - Picture by DAVID WICKS Call for reconciliation at Port By ALEK SCHULHA They said the Wanda Ave site mediate protection and conser· Port Stephens Reporter contained sacred sites for women of vation. the Worimi tribe. It was used as a • Form a Koori consultative birthing and initiation site for committee to advise and liaise with A PUBLIC rally in Nelson Bay the council and other bodies on mat has declared that the time for rec women. Part of the area near Mambo ters pertaining to Roori affairs. onciliation between indigenous Creek wetlands was a former mid· I and non-indigenous people in Port • Refrain from acting on the Tee· den. ommendation to conduct 3n "Stephens is longoverdue. The meeting called on the council Those attending the rally said archaeological dig on the spiritual to end development proposals at site in Wanda Ave. that vlsible local remnants of the both sites. ancient culture of indpgenous Aus It also called on the council to An organiser of the rally, Ms tralians in Port Stephens was 'at publicly acknowledge the existence Carol Ridg'eway~Bissett, a member serious risk of being encroached, de of, show respect for and to conserve of the Worimi Aboriginal group and graded and destroyed by council all sites ofcultural and spiritial sig. an associate lecturer in Aboriginal driven developments'. nificance to the Worirni people as an Studies at Newcastle University, About 300 people attended the act ofreconciliation. said there were a number of vulner· rally which was arranged to oppose Among other motions adopted at able sites in Port Stephens. two controversial land development the meeting were calls on the council projects in Salamander Bay. to: Ms Ridgeway-Bissett said she Port Stephens Council proposes was trying to arrange a meeting with to develop 138 lots nn land adjacent • Confer traditional Koori Mr Bob Horne, MHR Paterson, and t.o Mambo Creek wetlands and 75 names on significant landscapes and Mr Bob Martin, MLA Port lot~ ofrWanda Ave. "l'.'stems, waterways, wetland areas. Stephens, to make th(; Federal Min· Opponentfl ~ay both areas are 1m· parks, reserves and le,isureareas. ister for Aboriginal AlTairs, Mr Tick portant Koori sites in Port Stephens • Identify all sites and under ner, aware of the situation in Port and should be preserved. take measures towards their irn· Stephens. Koori studies arouse interest
• By JIM KABLE'
y THE end of this year all State schools will have B written their Aboriginal policies. It takes many fanns. For example, an Aboriginal perspective in history could be .Australians as Immigrants-20th Century'. One of my RoaTi (Aboriginal) students, Desiree Blissett, wlder took to research her family tree and among other branches' established links with Cummeragunga, subject of the TV series Women of the Sun, episode three and a place associated also with Pastor Sir Douglas NiehoUs a fonner Governor of South Australia. The new junior English syllabus encourages teachers to adopt a wide variety of approaches to the study of English th0'lgh its most import. ant aspect may well be the cent rality of literature. Both Aboriginal writers and non-Aboriginal writers have written using Aboriginal the mes. example of The most important decision for An example of Aboriginal art by Kevin the teacher is selecting materials art by Melanie Edser, Year Morley of Broadmeadow that portray Aboriginal characters 7, Broadmeadow High. High. : and issues with insight and Wlder , standing. [n answering this ques The story follows a little Aranda the fotus and stimulus produced by tion in favour of Aboriginal writers girl, Patricia Bloomfield, as she at· all of their writing, [ have asked the it is also worthwhile to present tends school in Alice Springs, visits students to keep an eye out in the some literary contributions by non her homeland, takes a holiday with various print media and to cut out Aboriginal writers as 8 contrast and an aunt in Brishane and visits re articles dealing with Aboriginal is.<;· to reveal historical perceptions. latives in northem NSW who speak ues. With 8 junior class I have sel the local Aboriginal language. Bun Finally, Aboriginal visitors to ected 8 number of approaches based jalung. the class who will qiscuss their on the syllabus which will lead us to It is a book which brilliantly experience of being Aborigines, will explore 8 range of Koori Australia demonstrates the differew....e..<; clearly be a highlight of the teml's images. between infonnal and written stan work. Firstly, we have begun a class dard ~;nglish. A number of group OUf experience in 8pending a correspondence with students at tasks including diary entries, cass term closely reading and thinking Lajamanu School in the Northern ette interviews, language surveys about Aboriginal Australia and the Territory, where the first language and a map of the action lead to a writing and talking about it in this of many of the students is Wailbri. letter to the author in which some concentrated fashion will provide us wi th Ii solid frame of reference OUT first batch of letters have aspects of the book are discussed. recently been sent and this will be The class also studies various for further work in the future. followed up by further communi· poems and short stories by Aborigi Hopefully. my students will cation on cassette and video. nal writers, such as Kath Walker, then be aware of the issues to look Kevin Gilbert, Jack Davis and Ar for in evaluating literature which The class novel chosen is Thf chie Weller. These will be comple· discusses Aboriginal themes and Traeger Kid by Margaret Sharpe mented by some non.Aboriginal presents Aboriginal characters. (APCOL Chippendale, 1983). writers such as Henry Kendall, Although 8 non-Aboriginal writer, Judith Wright and Roland Robin ("Jim Kable 1~<; an English she is a noted sociolinguist who has son. teacher at Nelson Bay High worked in Central Australia. Apart from these writers and School.) Page 6 September 14, 1994 THE POST Bush tucker display part of Fiesta
HAMILTON's multi-cul- Carol says she was also told not be demonstrating it in the Culture Carol will be shariogher knowl tural Fiesta 94 will include an to go to some places in the bush in Action marquee at the Fiesta in edge, and giving hands-on displays inter-active display by Hun and thatother places were sacred. Hamilton on October 23. inthe Culture in Action marquee. ter bush tucker woman Carol Today, after seven years at She says that as a child at The marquee will also hOBt dis Ridgeway-Bissett. Newcastle University, Carol is an Soldiers Point, she :earnt to eat plays of the arts and crafts of vari· Carol was born into the Port associate lecturer in Aboriginal bush food including apple berries, ous cultures including Tongan Stephens Worimi tribe in 1946, studies and writing a thesis on her native carrots, four corners and gee wood carving, Balinese sculpture, and she says she learnt many tribe for her post-graduate degree bungB. and Thai weaving. in Social Science. secrets of living with the bush as She says the giant beach bean But the marquee is only part of she grew up in Soldiers Point. could be used aB both food and the the Culture in Action activities wri~eu~ ~~k~~~~lb~sr~~~~~g to medicine, and that uses for the 'I learnt things as a child when which include events like poets or I didn't realise I was learning She says she is still learning paper-bark tree include a drink life in Australia perfornling in them,' shesays. more about traditions from made from the blossomB and tea BeaumontStreetcafes. Carol would go into the bush Worimi people who live to the made from the leaveB. with other children and her north or Port Stephens, and is hop Carol says the tree's bark can Festival organisers say the CuI· mother and grandmother, and was ing to increase her knowledge of be uBed ror bandages and blankets, tUfe in Action events focus on oral shown which plants could be eaten, whatshecalls'women's business', and in the construction of huts, culture. artB and crarts and rolk and which could be used for medi But much of her bush tucker canoes, as well as for a carrybasket lOlic lore to celebrate living cul cine. knowledge iB no Becret, and Bhe'll known as a coo}am(JJl. turesinHamilton. Tucking into bushnosh Australians are discovering a new source of food that has been growing at their back doorsteps and which, Staff Reporter ANDREW HARRISON writes, is fast gaining acceptance on restaurant tables.
ROVING there is more research from her study of library educate the market,' Mr CheJ"ikotT Scientists see boundless benefits to Australian cuisine records, said. for Australian farmers switching than lamingtons and 'When we were kids we were told The network of collectors that from traditional livestock to kanga pavlova, bush tucker is a little bit about it but I suppose Mr CherikotT has established pro roos and emus. fast becoming an export being kids we didn't take that much vides· employment for many Abor 'They are very adapted to the AboTlginal-~ Pearner. notice,' she said. iginal groups and Australian climatic vagaries and 'I think it's good that we're get operated pastoral stations. they are the species we should be Since commercial sales ofkanga ting recognition for the things that A few of the foods are collected rearing,'MrCherikoffsaid. roo meat began in NSW in .June we ate. from the wild but Mr CherikotT en A pair of emus can produce at last vear, roo has been added to the 'When we ate it, we didn't have courages his collectors to employ least 10 eggs each year, producing menus of 1400 of Australia's finer cancer, heart disease, diabetes. We the organic fanning and traditional an averageofabout five chicks, restaurants. were pretty healthy. Aboriginal harvestingtechniques, Sheep would at best produce Voted the best new retail prod 'It is only all this introduced Novocastrians can see examples two lambs in a year, but emus have uct of 1993, kangaroo meat is ex food thathas made us sick. of bush foods at Throsby Land no difficulty in raising six or seven ported to Belgium, Taiwan and 'We have a high rate ofill health care's bush tucker trail in Islington chicks from a nest, Italy. Chinese, Thai and French which has been likened to Fourth Park. The trail demonstrates the Emus, which were considered chefs are embracing it and other World standards.' various foodstuffs and medicines vermin in Western Australia in the Australian flavours in their tra The Wonmi were a resourceful used by Aborigines. 1960s and attracted a 50q bounty ditional cooking methods. people, Ms Ridgeway~Bissett said, The program's project super on their beaks, are now worth abou~t There is nothing new about bush They could make bread from bul visor, Mr Tony Prior, said the plans $800 a bird for their leather, oil and food. The average Australian, adult rushes and the poisonous bur for the area included a Komi gar meat. and child, knew more about botany rawong palm, leaching the poison den that would also stock plants The Department of Primary In 1000 years ago than they do today. out by continuously washing the that provided bush medidnes and dustry estimates that the kangaroo Their botanic knowledge supplied pulp. plants with special spiritual values industry is potentially worth them not on Iv with food but with Their diet changed as they for the Kooris. • $200million a year. drugs and -medicines and, in moved through the various eco One initiative in the Hunter Re Could roo and emu farming re drought, water. systems ofthe area, gion to develop an industry based place sheep and cattle? As the ABC's Bush Tucker Man. 'But to do it justice you would on native foods was a recent sem 'Put it this way, I don't believe Les Hiddins, was keen to point out have to come out with us to show User-friendly fronds: Ian McKenzie, left, and Tony Prior, from inar on aquaculture at the Hunter that we're sustainable producing in his senes, many early European you,' Ms Ridgeway-Bissett said. Institute of Technology's Kurri sheep, I believe we have been living explorers died ofstarvation in areas Throsby Landcare, with a cabbage palm. Mrs Louise Duff, ofPindimar, is Kurri campus. otT the fat of the land,' Mr where there was abundant bush Among the species the course CherikotTsaid. food. an ethnobotanist studying societies and the plants they use. Mrs Duff Cook warrigal greens and stingray 'They take bush foods almost as promoted were the silver and gol 'Talk to anybody in soil conser- But only recently have scientists in 1770. den perch and the native crayfish, .vation or the Department of Pri 4 and botanists begun discovering the has researched the foods available a statement about their Australian Sir Joseph returned to London identity. the vabbie. mary Industry. We know for a fact I potential ofnative plants. around Port Stephens and teaches bush food plant identification at with seeds of the native spinach The seminar, which attracted we have exceeded the·land's carry A Newcastle Universit,Y Aborigi and soon Europeans and Americans 'They buy things like smoked more than 100 people fmm the ing capacity for several decades, if nal studies lecturer, Ms Carol Ravffiond TerraceSkillshare. emu for serving in flfst class, Vari -Mrs DutT and her husband. Tim, were eating this plant as a summer Hunter, NSW north and central not hundreds of years, from the in Ridgeway-Bissett, and a green. ous fruits from the rainforest made coasts and Sydney, was sponsored ception of sheep and cattle grazing Whitehridge botanist. Mr Don Mc also run a tour group called Eco- into a curd "or a butter which are Escapes. The pair conduct treks Mr Vic CherikotT, who has by the Department of Education; in this country. Nair, are attempting to catalogue worked in the bush food industry used in tarts feature in economy Employment and Training's Office "The increased salinity, the the plants used by the indigenou.s through Myall Lakes National Park class,' bushland and along the coast, for the past 13 years, said the plant ofLabour Market Adjustments. desertification, and the various Worimi people and other Aborigi was introduced to Indonesia where The campus's rural and mining problems ofsoil erosion go hand-in nal tribes around Port Stephens. pointing out which plants the in He said the airline bought about digenous people favoured and itwas stilleaten. three tonnes of bushfood every six faculty director, Mr Tom Lantry, hand with overstocking. In 1992 Mr McNair published a said the seminar looked at develop- 'What we should be looking at is book called The Flora of Port which shellfish make good eating, An analytical chemist from the months. 'It's amazing how many bush Sydney suburb of GladesviIle, Mr what is a viable carrying capacity of Stephens and the Mya/l Lakes Bush Tucker Supply has }~~qr:~~~t~reHa: ~:i1~~;'K~r~ these animals and how they should Rt'gion. tucker plants there are,' Mrs Duff CherikotTbegan working with bush hundreds of collectors across Aus said. 'I don't know the exact figures food in 1981, collecting samples and campus would offer a certificate in be fanned and what place Aus He said he had counted 560 tralia, from the Kimberleys to Tas aquaculture laterthis year. tralian agricultural products has on species of flowering plants on but it seems that about seven out of mania. 10 plants you lonk at are bush r~al§~~nt~hl~~~cu~~tiB~~hcT~~eket~ If there is going to be a large· the international market.' Tomaree Peninsula, an area he be Mr Cherikoff said his company scale native food industrv in Aus~ Professor Michael Archer, pro lieved to be 'as rich or richer than tucker. Supplv Australia to supply bush 'There is an enormous variety of foods fa Australian restaurants. was small, with a turnover ofabout tralia, operators will h?ve to be fessor of biological sciences at the the whole (jfthe Myall Lakes'. $lrniIJion a year, but the bush food quick to take advantage of their University ofNSW, agrees. Mr McNair said regaining the bush tucker plants and a lot could His company can supply prod be grown and exploited commerci industry was rapidly growing. He heritage. In November last year Professor botanic:.:tl knowledge of the Aborigi ucts as diverse as wattle-seed Anzac The Dutch and Israelis have Archer told a conference at Mac ally if people got it up and going, biscuits, native herb crushed said demand for his products was nes would take a long time. doubling every six months. mastered the cultivation of Aus Quane University that converting 'In my librar~' there is a pile of 'There is a native parsnip which smoked roo pastrami. and warrigal tralian wildflowt':rs and compete sheep stations to kangaroo farms I think could be particularly good spinach pesta in macadamia nutoil. To date the venture had been 'a books 10 inches thick written by Inng hard slog', he said. with Australian growers in the could save many farmers from fi· white people on Aboriginal mf'di for cultivating: He distributes more than 50 world marketplace. nancial ruin, halt soH degradation cine but we h,l'"e to :'lee what the Another species Mrs Duff wild foods and food products to 'I've not onlv had to educate Australia's first commercial suc4 and boost tourism, Aboribrlnal peopl·. say,' Mr McNair thought had commercial potential about 500 customers including res myself to wha{<; commercial and cess with indigenous products, the 'We could convert Australia into said. was New Zealand or warrigal spin~ taurants, airlines, hotels, caterers, where it's found, how to gather suf macadamia nut, is grown in Hawaii the environmental Riviera of the Ms Ridgeway·Bissett, from the ach, an Australian equivalent to retailers and the QEII. ficent quantities and self·fund the for the North American market. world: he said, Wnrimi tribe. is providing the Engli.sh spinach 'Qantas is our biggest customer company's growth through cash And Mr CherikofT said some of 'Tourists might even give up a knowledge that hat' been passed Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist and also our biggest supporter,' Mr flow and turnover and multiple the largestemu farms \.... ere in Texas date with Tom Cruise for a kanga down to her from her family, and on the Endeal'our, served Captain Cherikoffsaid. mortages on my home, I've had to and France. roo roast.' r ;0" Stephens Examiner. Wednesday March 16th, 1994. Page 70 CLASSIFIEDS PHONE 82-0700 Settlernentwrought havoc on Worimis
In Ule past and present, people, were judged Worimi people, like all Next Monday is Elimination of Racial Discrimina guilty by European When racism hits other Aborigines, have a standards, and were pun special view of their tion Day. To note it Worimi tribe member and isheu according to Euro Racial vilification has become a buzz phrase for environment - all natu Newcastle University lecturer Carol Ridegway· peanlaws. the '90s but it can be difficult to define. ral species and elements Bissett writes about her tribe and the racism and Acts which could be, although not exclusively, share the same life exploitation it has suffered in Port Stephens. At Port Stephens, classed as racial vilification are a racist act or essence. Worimi people were action that happens publicly and could incite The land was a sacred moved onto reserves at others to also be racist. trust that was passed Karuah and Sawyers Racial vilification is illegal in NSW. The aim down from generation to Aboriginal sought land Point, although the of the law is to help people of all racial and ethnic generation. The land was ownership in the Euro Ridgeway family contin backgrounds to live together in peace and dignity to be cared for in order to pean sense because of the ued to live on their free from harassment. sustain all life forms. spiritual links that con traditional land at Sol To determine whether an aet was racial Sacred sights and Ule nected U,em to the land. diers Point until 1989. Australian society, it vilification, an Anti-Discrimination Board fact spiritual significance at • LEFT: Ms KING sheet recommends checking three points: tached to them and U,eir seems, has been fed a Ridgeway-Bissett • did the act happen publicly, in other words, did surrounding areas were rose-coloured history of ~ complaints Billy Ridgeway was someone other than those directly involved see, highlighted, substantiated British heroes on the of murder, loss crowned King of Port hear or could have read it? and validated through frontier. But Aboriginal of land and Stephens in 1908, His history is depicted lifestyle • how serious was it? If the act was relatively dance, stories, songs, art wife Queen Charlotte's differently. minor or a lighthearted racist joke, it would and ritualistic ceremonies coronation took place in probably not be treated as racial vilification. throughout clan territory. 1912. • was it an acceptable form of free speech, and All tribal peoples had INVASION Although these tilles therefore legal? designated areas where were conferred on them Complaints about racial vilification are handled they lived a hunter Worimi people and all by missionaries and the gatherer existence. Land other Aborigines through by European 'settlers in Enright, Elkin government, this seemed by the Anti-Discrimination Board but can only be (anthropologists), HF acted on if the person registering the complaint is ownership did not apply out Aus!:'alia have fought every state has been to be another example of Ebsworth, William SCali a member of the racial or ethnic group that the act to the Worimi as each since the invasion for the based on the presentation tokenism towards Abo and Robert Dawson of the was directed against. tribe's territory related to right to hunt, gather, throughout Australian riginal people, and an Ausu'alian Agricultural ancestral stories of the preserve their sacred and history of inhospitable other fornl of cultural A complaint may also be registered by an Company documented the organisation representing a member of the racial Dreamtime and were pre significa,lt sites and pre and empty wasteland and extinction for the rules of served according to Abo serve their culture. was validated by the indigenous people's tribal society were en or ethnic group discriminated against. history. riginal law. Therefore, no TI,e brutality practiced illegal British annexation forced by tribal elders not theory known as Terra kings and qneens. Nullius. MURDER TIle Ridgeway family is TIle myths in comtem scaltered Urroughout Port porary society continue to Dawson often com sustain this particular Stephens, dispossessed of plained to government its tribal land while still theory in order to jnstify officials of the murders of acts of psychological and spiritually connected to it. Worimi people, but jus King Billy and some of physical violence, plus tice was rarely meted out the retention of domina his family were boat to settlers who were builuers, housemaids, tion by those who stand guilty of murder by tradespeople and native to benefit poisoneu Oour and beef, psychologically, socio workers for the Inland or by guns. Aborigines Mission, Today, some of logically and monetarily who fonght to preserve his dcscendants are em from Aboriginal natural food supplies, ployed by local oyster subordination. sacred and significant farmers, the Department In Worimi territory, sites, and their own of Employment, Educa tion and Training, the Commonwealth Employ ment Service, Ule Rose Farm, ABC Radio and tile Bahtabah Arts &Crafts University of Newcastle, 115 Lake View Parade, Blacksmiths HELP Aboriginal Cultural Centre set up Like most Kooris by the Bahtabah Local Aboriginal throughout Australia ti,e Land Council Ridgeway family mem bers arc trying to re C~R~,/fC7-'o[(QJJ establish our cnltural links with the past, to • Features genuine Aboriginal preserve our sacred and Arts and Artifacts from Aboriginal signil1cant sites, our envi I ronment and our identity. communities around Australia ,. We seck the preservation • Didgeridoos. Boomerangs, , ' of all ti,e above for fulure Stone Axes, Wood Carvings, generations. Our past is Bark Paintings our present and our future • Take Home a Souvenir as well. We ask, all non-Aboriginal Austral Phone 049 71 4800 I Fax 049 71 4589 ians to help us in our struggle for social justice. 3, 1994 rleNJc...oHi ~;;;(,c. '?(61'1 if f' (7. Aborigines opposed to Salamander development By ALEK SCHULHA It said the work focused on ar Port Stephens Reporter chaeological sites and areas of ar chaeological potential and the local A WORIMI tribe member has Aborigines' interest in such sites slammed studies commissioned and their protection and manage by Port Stephens Council into ment. I two controversial land develop The anthropological study in mentsites in Salamander. cluded research into the known his Ms Carol Ridgeway-Bissett, a torical and anthropological docu member of the Worimi Aboriginal mentation of Worimi history and group and an associate lecturer in culture and a series of interviews Aboriginal Studies at Newcastle with relevant Worimi people. I University, has arranged an Ms Ridgeway-Bissett said that · indigenous peoples' rally to oppose the studies should have been car the developments. ried out by a Koori person. It will be held in Apex Park, She also said an independent Nelson Bay, from 11am on Satur consulting firm should have been day, August 13. commissioned. Speakers will include Ms Louise 'The anthropologist didn't Campbell, of the State Aboriginal understand our culture ... she told Lands Council, Ms Delece Ridge me she couldn't find anything way-Manton, the coordinator of an about the women's waterhole,' Ms aboriginal refuge, Mr Mini Heath, Ridgeway-Bissett said. sites officer for the Worimi Lands 'She didn't talk to our people to Council, Mr Bob Horne, MHR find out about our culture ... our · Paterson, Mr Bob Martin, MLA tradition is oral. Port Stephens, and Cr Helen 'She spoke to the head of the Brown. Worimi Land Council, but there is a The council proposes to develop conflict between it and the Koori 138 lots on land adjacent to Mambo people.' Creek wetlands and 75 lots off Ms Ridgeway-Bissett said it was Wanda Ave. difficult 'fighting to preserve our Opponents say both sites are im culture'. portant Koori sites in Port She said she disagreed with the Stephens and should be preserved. council commissioned report, which J Ms Ridgeway-Bissett said the says that the Mambo Creek area , Wanda Ave site contained sacred has no specific anthropological sig sites for women ofthe Worimi tribe. nificance that would warrant its It was used as a birthing and in preservation because ofWorimi cul itiation site for women. tural traditions. Part of the area near Mambo The report says the site has been Creek wetlands was a former mid effectively mined and an Aboriginal den. midden has been destroyed by min She said other areas which ing activity. needed protection included the In relation to the Wanda Ave Birubi middens and a former burial development area, the report says ground on the site of the Soldiers that because ofthe general and spe Point Caravan Park. cific meaning of the Wanda Ave The council commissioned a wetlands to Worimi people, it · Sydney consulting firm to carry out should be preserved initially by the archaeological and anthropological provision of a buffer zone of 50m studies on the Wanda Ave and around the wetlands. Mambo Creek sites. Because of the objections, the I A report said the archaeological developers have modified the lay work included a fully comprehen out of the subdivision, increased sive field survey of both parcels of buffer zones and reduced develop land. ment near the former midden site. S' /\0'11- Mambo decision·· isd~(erred again Port Stephens CounCll'has when we haven't got aU the "It comes down toa value deferred a decision on aproposal information," Cr Bartlett said. .i judgment.", '., to dedicate 75% of the proposed C J0h NUb k d b C The coUncil has already spent 138-1otMambo<;~eek ~\lbqiyisI9n Maxfna ~ccarin ac~ . ~ri~ $31,000 on preparing a develop-,' at'SaIlUIiander to wetlandsr~serve. W W'U ... t th····· 'I mentapplicatiori for·thesite~hi<:h.
·.'un'.Cr,·.·.·..•c'.·.·I.Jlo.,... hnm.e'·eB.• on".artl... ge.•·.',mt...toav.t.·edl.as...... •.•...t.•.'th~'.'.w.·.a..··et·.e..•.•.....•...k'.·.,. '.e~··. ..•.... t602adb~IOC~ibks-
Concerned Port Carol Ridgeway-Bissett, castle University, said the Stephens residents and said the land should be roll-up to the rally was others will lobby the State zoned 6A public reserved pleasing. and Federal Governments and receive heritage to have a water hole listing. sacred to Aboriginal Mrs Ridgeway-Bissett, She said the water hole women given heritage associate lecturer in abo and the land around it listing. riginal studies at the were sacred to aboriginal Ninety people attended Wollotuka Aboriginal and women for initiation and a recent rally on the Torres Strait Islander birth rites and they bushland she bounded by Education Centre at New;, wanted,.it/leftalone. Wanda Avenue, Kemp )f'---- '-'J 41Jrl' Street and Soldiers Point r Road.
-_._._._---..,._._-- . '-~~
SIR - The proposed nily assessment is that value of the 43% to be development of the this type of urban, old "saved". Wanda Avenue area at growth forest is priceless. TIle development deci Salamander Bay is an It is an irreplaceable sion must now address a example of the continued habitat for scores of local very highly-valued rem elimination of highly val bird species and the nant of tile ancient culture ued urban forest consid territory of the increas of our indigenous people ered by the community to ingly rare bandicoot, once - a Koori women's be of aesthetic, arboreal common on the Tomaree spiritual place. and cultural significance Peninsula. In contrast tile council to Port Stephens. The claim that 43% of stands to gain the dollar As is so often the case the 11 ha reserve will be equivalent of two Port Stephens Council's preserved is roundabouts. consultants have unconvincing. TIle im weighted their assessment pacts of development will Darrell Dawson towards the dollars degrade and probably For tile EcoNetwork gained while the commu- destroy the ecological Port Stephens. Red tape ties up '!:": -;::J S?"'<.c~>,"." '. bandicoots at Bay, by JENNY HAWKE A National Parks and Wildlife Service suggestion to use fire to disperse bandicoots from land earmarked for housing has as tounded a Nelson Bay wildlife educator. Mr Michael Smith wants to save bandicoots on the planned Port Stephens Council subdivision in Wanda Avenue, Salamander '. Bay. " He proposes moving them to leither national park, crown or ater board land to give them a tter chance of survival and, Sepending on results, set a precedent for future )ievelopments. i But the NPWS has knocked his ~dea on the head, saying a "low 4ntensity hazard reduction burn, ,confined to the area of the Wanda IAvenue site" would give the 'ibandicoots a better chance. I Mr Smith, who with volunteers pas just completed a two-year trap d release study of native ammals on the Tomaree eninsula, said the only place he und bandicoots was on the anda Avenue land.
1 LICENCE j 1, "Apart from ours, there has ~ly been one caught in the area I: 25 years," he said. II "The council applied on my ~half to get my licence changed '~ allow me to release the ~~dicoots in areas other than ere I caught them. I "We had Ii conference with the • Anita Pillai, of Shoal Bay, with one of the bandicoots trapped in the , WS, the council and the Wanda Avenue land. ~j velopel' and I answered all their l~jections and questions. Nowacki said criticism by the "TI1en the council got this Member for Port Stephens, Bob azing letter back which made Martin, and Mr Smith is unfair." jaw drop. "Where does the buck stop," he "I was denied permission and asked. "It stops with the people t)stead, the NPWS recommended clearing the land." ~at fire be put through the area He said Mr Smith's report said !Ist before it is cleared to allow the service had recommended :round-dwelling mammals to dis moving the bandicoots using a .lerse into the surrounding habitat. "bushfire". "What surrounding habitat? To ~et to the nearest habitat the BUSHFIRE bandicoots will have to cross roads and run the gauntlet of dogs "A low intensity hazard reduc in back yards, that's if the fire tion is a fire, but not a bushfire," doesn't get them." he said. Member for Port NPWS District Manager Ian "It's a controlled bum." Stephens Bob Martin, The services environmental •A close-up of one of the who condemned the serv survey and research branch in bandicoots. ice for its response, said Sydney had recommended the the Minister for the bum so the animals could disperse relocation. Environment must im and felt they'd have a greater "The inability of fauna to adapt press on the service that chance of survival using this to relocation can be caused by the many citizens are often method than being relocated. territorial behaviour of other more aware of the local "These people are reasonably occupants. flora and fauna situation familiar with the area but also "If you put five more animals than its officers know the whole of the State and into an area Occupied by 25 L" ," The Newcastie Herald :>'(1 T (.2 l~q.~ Anger as bandicoots rescu~ plan is rejected THE National Parks ~nd Wildlife Service has rec· ommended that a colony of native animals be burned out to allow a Salamander Bay resi· dential subdivision to go ahead, according to a residents' group coordinator. Nelson Bay surveyor Mr Michael Smith was stunned that the wildlife service had rejected his offer to voluntarily relocate a rare group of bandicoots to nearby bushland. Mr Bob Martin, MLA Port Stephens, condemned the ser· vice yesterday. Mr Martin said he would call on the NSW Minister for the En· vironment, Mr Hartcher, to en· Wildlife: A bandicoot on act policy guidelines allowing Tomaree Peninsula. accredited people to move threatened fauna to safety. More than 200 small animals He also wanted Mr Hartcher were found. These included to liaise with the Department of brushtail possums, various rats Planning and set development and mice and three northern requirements for fauna cor· brown bandicoots, which were ridors within and adjoining sub· caught on the residential sub· divisions. division site. Port Stephens Council ap Mr Smith did not intend to proved its own subdivision of 77 charge money for the relocation home sites off Wanda Ave, Sala· of the bandicoots and had ident mander Bay, last October. ified three alternative sites. Work was planned to start 'But the national parks (of· next month but the project has ficers) said the move could faced a number ofhurdles. introduce disease to other ani· Aborigines assert the site mals or stress other animals. was a traditional women's birth· Then they wrote back and said ing, initiation and fertility area burn them out. rm so disap· and home of a female tribal pointed,' Mr Smith said. totem, the white·throated tree Xhe Newcastle Herald :was creeper. unable yesterday to contact the About 30 women protested on National Parks and Wildlife Ser· the site last month. vice's Hunter district manager, Mr Smith was the coordi· Mr I. Nowacki, whose name was nator of a residents' group that at the bottom of the letter reo undertook a 19·month study of commending the bandicoots be wildlife on the Tomaree Penin· burned out. Disappointed: Mr Michael Smith, of Nelson Bay. sula. - Paul Maguire Port Stephens Examiner. Wednesday August 3rd, 1994. Page 5 Aborigines to stage Bay rally on Saturday .~' 2 developments AbOriginal women and supporters will hold a rally at Salamander Bay on Saturday from lOam. by JENNY HAWKE The rally, behind the soccer oval Conservationists are to join Aborigines Site 'sacred to will be held to protest against Port and stage a rally opposing two controversial Stephens Council plans to tum the land developments involving Port Stephens nearby bush over to housing. COWlcil. Koori women' Women from the Worimi tribe The Port Stephens Wetlands Action \ argue the site ~ontains a scared .... Group and EcoNetwork have called an waterhole on the Wanda Avenue site be preserved. . waterhole. indigenous peoples' rally on August 13. It will be held in Apex Park, Nelson Bay, "The main reason is to save the Wanda The rally which starts at lOam has from 11.30am. Avenue site and waterhole and other the support of conservationists. Speakers will oppose the cOWlcil's plan important Koori sites in Port Stephens," Ms Worimi spokesperson Ms Car?l for two Salamander Bay housing estates Bissett-Ridgeway said. Ridgeway-Bissett and others Will near Wanda Avenue and adjacent to the She said last time such a rally was called, speak at the rally. . Mambo Creek wetlands. more than 80 people attended. Last month Port Stephens Council The Wanda Avenue site is important to Speakers would a State Aboriginal Lands agreed to call in a consultant to test If';, Worimi women and contains a waterhole Council representative, Ms Louise the claims from the Aborigines that :t they say is sacred. CampbeIl; Port Stephens MLA, Mr Bob the site, running between Wanda !u A Worimi tribe member and Wliversity Martin; Paterson MHR, Mr Bob Home and .. Avenue and Soldiers p.Oint Road was t: lecturer, Ms Carol Ridgeway-Bissett. this Cr Helen Brown. significant to them. ~ week said the two groups were unhappy "We hope to achieve an awareness of the with anthropological and archaeological importance of saving Koori sites ;:1 Port If the development goes, ahead {i. reports cOJJ;1nli$sioned by the cOWlcii. Stephens for future generations," Carol said. ) more than 70 ulod:s of land would be tIJ They had 'paved the way for develop "It is imP9rtant not only to Aboriginal created. ment of the Mambo Creek land and people but to all Australians because it is ; The council maintains it has ~ recommended that only the area around the their culture too." adopted' adequate safeguards to protect the waterhole. ~ l ------' Kooris rally Saturday A rally at Nelson Bay on Saturday will ~r grievances about two proposed Port Stephens Counctl land developments. .. Local Aborigines, supported by conservauomsts, are to hold the rally in Apex Park from 11.30am.. Speakers will oppose plans by the counctl to ; develop two housing estates at Salamander Bay - i off Wanda Avenue and adjacent to the Mambo Creek \ wetlands. Some Kooris say both sites ~e sacred but studies commissioned by the counCIl were not conclusive. <;:, ;;-E'. f \"'\,('L'~~; i2/~:Uv. \Y'\Q .f ... . Aboriginal-;ally is postponed II As well as the issue of a waterhole, sacred Organisers have postponed a ra y bori inal woman in the proposed Port originally organised for this weekend to to A g Co'uncil' Wanda Avenue discuss the future of a site at Salamander St~~~l~~.Son the meeting will also discuss said to be sacred to Aboriginal women. S\ t;Vl 1 ~t 4 in the Mambo Wetlands The meeting was postp~ned until a date to w e l~rb > developed as an education centre be announced to enable 1t1volvement 0 f a shou t' . larger number of community groups. and nature reserve TO: _ r:~(~'llig~,?r~~~~ ~~ly A~~I1~.?~~f~~~~ iG(7 ~ originally organised for this weekend to to Aboriginal woman, in the proposed Port t. ~ discuss the future of a site at Salamander Stephens Council Wanda Avenue (u said to be sacred to Aboriginal women. subdivision. the meeting will also discuss ------_.•._- f The meeting was postponed until a date to whether Lot 4 in the Mambo Wetlands be announced to enable involvement of a should be developed as an education centre larger number ofconununity groups. and nature reserve ..
MESSt},GE:
Port Stephens Examiner. Wednesday March 23rd, 1994. Page 13
Aborigines to stage Bay rally on Saturday
AbOriginal women and supporters will hold a rally at Salamander Bay on Saturday from lOam. Heritage call for sacred site Concerned Port The rally, behind the soccer oval Carol Ridgeway-Bissetl, castle University, said the will be held to protest against Port Stephens residents and said the land should be others will lobby the State roll-up to the rally was Stephens Council plans to tum the zoned 6A public reserved pleasin~. nearby bush over to housing. and Federal Governments and receive heritage to have a water hole listing. Women from the Worimi tribe sacred to Aboriginal Mrs Ridgeway-Bissett, She said the water hole argue the site ~ontains a scared women given heritage associate lecturer in abo waterhole. listing. and the land around it riginal studies at the were sacred to aboriginal Ninety people attended The rally which starts at lOam has Wollotuka Aboriginal and women for initiation and a recent rally on the Torres Strait Islander the support ofconservationists. . bushland site bounded by birth rites and they Worimi spokesperson Ms Carol Education Centre at New- wanted.it l~ft.a1one. Wanda Avenue, Kemp .("- , .,.~ .. '; ..~ Ridgeway-Bissett and others will Street and Soldiers Point speak at the rally. Road. Last month Port Stephens Council agreed to call in a consultant to test the claims from the Aborigines that the sile, running between Wanda Avenue and Soldiers Point Road was significant to them. If the development goes, ahead more than 70 blocks of land would be created. The council maintains it has adopted adequate safeguards to protect the waterhole. Way eased for 2 big subdivisions
Claims· that two sites on the Tomaree Peninsula are' sacred to Aborigines can only-~ be-' partly substantiated. according to a report released on Monday• . The study's conclu sions are a shot in the arm: for two multi-million dol- . lar land developments,,;. being pushed by Port • Mrs RidtJeway-Bissetl Stephens Council .' C '. - waterhole. sacred. "., The anthropological . ,.. ' . and archaeological study" commissioned by' the Comcil at the direction; of the National Parks and Wl1d1ife 'Service has already deepened a split.in. the. Aboriginal community. • \ .,' "... "- ;"l.;~: ,- While the report is backed by the Worim£I:and. Comcil. a· Worimi tribe member and university;-, lecturer. Mrs Carol Ridgeway-Bissett..has ch:lllcnged its conclusions. ', .' .. . '. _. ", She told the"Emminer she would be taIiliiidhe matter to. the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affaiis~ . .-; One'"site the council wants to develop' is~bChind;' Wanda' Avenue at Salamander Bay and the'other on an area- which juts into the Mambo creek.wetlands at Salamande~ • A start to work on the WanlUi Avenue subdivision was blocked earlier this year by claims it contained a waterhole that was sacred to Worimi women.. The study just released argues the waterhole claim cannot be substantiqted but that it should be preserved• . '. .It recommended an archaeological dig on high ground near the waterhole and protection for a scarred Aboriginal tree before any work proceeds. Funher consultation with the land council and other Aborigines about the impact of the Wanda Avenue work on Worimiheritage was also suggested. Q CONTINUED PAGE 2. i"~,. ,~ inct secre~ Mr J theSi", should be Usect iUU! Aboriginal c:~ e, But the study , , , " '."" ',tabled of a Universi:,: sandmining in the early 1.9708 ~ : ,,' 'r li'S;W~~ey which concluded 9SIJt,;4 destroyed the midden and It was ' ,,j',;o(nellItJY f~ldents want,ed land aro~~£ longer arcbaeologically siptiicant.':u _the Ma1rilX>, wetlands preserved. i\; Mrs Ridgeway-Bissett ~~ all,~~,~u~ .C?~er reports .pn!paree;l for, thO,] Wanda Avenue land was Signifi~ant to .council.SlUd low density housmg could " Worimi women. not just the wateTbole. p~ onthe site. . , , "The Mambo wetlands will die if Controls over stonnwater. infilb'a-' they put all those houses in ,there.", she lion 'bf. gJ'9und water and buffers wero said. . suggested. " • "The scattered midden referred to on ' BUFFER the Mambo site may not be of" archaeological importance but the land . The council'sproject manager., itself is important to us and to our Salamander Projects. is pushing "the. culture and religion.' , " development' of more than 130 sites,; :: "You would think the council would , The Mayor. Cr Creighton. yesterday. leave the little that's left alone for said he was pleased with the study',' educational pliIposes." , 'conclusions.He pointed out that >tho At a public meeting on Monday Mrs report confirmed a council suggestiori"; Ridgeway-Bissett and envfonmental for 'a SOmbufferzone aro1'mdthe' ists spoke" out in opposition to any women's waterhole. development ofthe tWO sites. The council expects to soon hold a Newcastle CQyironJnentalist Mr Don meeting with the Worimi Land Council McNair_10M anv further development over·<' the Wanda Avenue the 'l~~ Mambo would tuin of , , recoriunendations.- (36 &.~~. l:5tt-t<:t+- Walk to show ~ wetlands are not wastelands
Port Stephens people are invited to take A Walk in the Wetlands on Focus on Saturday April 23 to show them that wetlands aren't wastelands. The Port Stephens Wetlands Salamander, Action Group has organised the guided tour to start at 9am from Mambo . Salamander Oval. Noted conservationist, author and women's waterhole off Wanda Av former Salamander Bay resident, Don enue and look at that site's drainage McNair, will be guide. problems and move to Cromarty Bay The action group's Kassia Klinger then to Lot 4 in the Mambo swamp said the group will supply maps and area. car pools 'to give people lifts from site The walkers would also look at a to site. creek contaminated with green algae Those going on the walk are asked in the Salamander area, mined areas to bring morning tea and repellent and at the top end of Mambo swamp and, to wear good walking shoes, hats and if there is time, Pig Island. sunscreen. "Once the wetlands go, that's the end of the Blue Water Wonderland," DAMAGE Mr MeNair said. . Ms Klinger said the walkers would Mr McNair said the idea of the also hear about the cultural heritage, walk is to show people the damage eco-tourism, historical, bio-diversity that has already been done to the and women's rights aspects of the Tomaree Peninsula's wetlands and wetlands issues. areas proposed for development If the weather is band the walk which concerned residents are trying will be postponed until the following to save. week. "It is basically an orientation day The tour will finish with lunch at of wetlands threatened now and those Soldiers Point Bowling Club at which have been sandmined in the 12.3Opm. past," he said. The action group's next meeting is The walk would start with the at the club on Saturday, May 7. ::, /;. ... ,,(! ~':rt' ,t-":!,' ;,:".,~ r r.' r,"';-',-"" t' ,. ~r't"' .~' '\i ... 'r'T (', :-ill~f:.:-i '1" t -,. , '\ :~ PM Stephens Exainiril:lt.,W~clile9Qaj .f:,ebr~~rf23(d.19,94:_PJige°4 _. i
bounciil()rs'~ha.ve forgotten their"pledges'of openness i;(' .", electf()~~ SIR-In the last council 0 'this effect. 'several candidates stood on a Citizens Carol Ridgeway-Bisset spOke abOut for Open Government platform~ :; this site at a publicIDeeting two years ,:, One aimofthisgroupwast() set up ago held at the W~da Avenue site and precincts which would allow a forum attended by 80 people. ' ,. for residents to voice concerns' At this meeting w'~re several regarding their own area and, to some councillors'including Cr O'Drien who small degree, participate in council at the time supported the decision making. ' non-development ofthe area. . The precinct system was instigated Both he and-Cr McCann have and I believed that this was a major seemingly forgotten the platform on step forward for democracy ata grass . which they were elected. roots level. " ': > , "Noapproval ofmajor , However, the recent "sit in" af the , developments without community Wanda Avenue bushland site has Jprecinct suppOrt" was one statement highlighted either the lack offeedback "on their COG election leaflet.· f~ompreciJ;'cfmeetings',to the council" or the inaction'of the council to act on , . These two councillors should recoriiniendatioris from these ' "remember why'they were voted to the meetings. ' , council two years ago and support a "The Wanda Avenue development recission motion on the development was opposed vehemently at a precinct of this land. meeting in 1993 with reasons for . This land should remain opposition documented and tabled. undeveloped. One of the points raised was the fact that this waterhole and land was G Cousins very important to the local' Worimis The Yardarm and documentation was presented to Salamander ,'; .', " , Exaininer, I' "" ::'RICE50c Wednesday February 9th, 1994 CLASSIFIEDS PHONE 82-0700 Sa~red site • RIGHT: . ,':;' Ms , Aid~~way 8198811. see- . sit-in stops ond left, with other pro- teste.. at , Monday's sit-In at d~yelopment SeJ8mander Bey II! :
Thirty women who Slaged a dawn sit-in E rt .... 11 d' on Monday ncar an Aborigll1al saClred sile xpe CCM e III Salamander Bay have put tlJebrakes on -.-- ,'1 ., plans to deVelop a 77~lot h,ouslng estate. In on calms Port StephCllll CoWleU whlchpWIII theJ'Wd .. -----"-'----"-"'-""""'---~------~------a~ced late on MO,nday 10 a Natlonal Parks and '' ...... I Wildiife reqUOSI !ll'calIin'an laOtto wi, as it's one oC lbe anarea.lhropologiStto. s,urvey'or the Cew lluii has not been developed." \t will leSt cllUms from the Mrs Ridgeway-Bissell is an women lluil abom '4ha oC a associate 'Ie¢turer in Aborigi- bushllllJd 'site liilbndeci by naI studies al lbe Wollotuka Wandl\' Av",,", Kemp Slreel Aboriginal and TOITlll'Slrait and :'SoldieB, Point Road Islander Education ,Ceolre at conlaiJll as8i:i"lid "'atcihole. lbe University oCNewcastle, ': Tho woml!Ji say it was'used She said bad she warned '~y 'females Crom lbe local Port StephCllll COWlcil oC her Worimi Iribe for birthing, Iribe's concerns last Novem- initiations and to promo'" ber but bad received no COniUiy, - f~~ ~----"- Federal" imervcntion has Yesterday the Mayor, Cr also been sougilL C 'gil The Federal Minister 'or rei ton, said Ibe coWlcil .' bad already approved Ibe Aboriginal Affairs, 'Mr project when approached by Ticlauir, has been asked to Mr Rid order a halt to any proposed geway-BissclL" works:. Monday's demonstmtion INFORMED" was sparked by a belief that As wel~ it bad earlier bulldozers were about to clear contacted \be Worimi Land trees on the CSl8te. Cooncil which' bad wormed However, the coWlcii says the council· it had DO interest that aIlbough lbe cooncil bad in the site. approved the subdivision in He believed' the council Oa,o..... tenders Cor lbe work "bad balanced \be needs of \be bad not been leL ' envininment wilb ihiise of It will take about two developmcot in a Cair manner. " 'monlhs Cor Ibe anlhropologisl ,,'~ to complete his study oC lbe \ban 40 per cent of area. ',theisitecincluding the water "Not enougb oC our sacred bole was being retained and sites especially women's have would, be swroonded by a ~, _preserved," "a Worimi som buffer.' " _ SjiUkesperson, Mr Carol But; lbe,Member Cor Ridgeway-Bissett, said at.lhe PateisoiIi tdt 'BOb home, wbo site on Mon day. . '.-. is takinglbe ,.malterto Mr "This place is very impor_ TlCknet,labelled Jhl; subdivi- :,'lion, "an-act ofvanaaitsm". ., .E _8?:O?,pO r~. PQrt ~tePl:)e~ Examiner. W~Qru:l.sday february,23rd".:1994·;Page 11; ~, .:~ {:i... -.~~.~. :~::~:~ ..:-. -,~. -!tJ. ._.:.": _.~;.::~ ._.:. --;'<, __ .;"'-;.~~:._: -__ •• ~.'. --~r :-:;:.~~''''' .. :":/:::~::-:-''-::_. -_'-_;~._ -7~;,. '-~~;~c:_:~< '.';.<'_. .Women eall· DatlM~iR?:~;~1 ~<~~terhole"ea}iiii1iJf~l s~~:~~ro. Site'issacre&-W:~ii1iiitlJ f:~~~:C~~~~~~~~h~f;e~, ''I,', ::'" .~' t i~::-' ,,:;~;)!::l' ,Salamander Bay, will"hold a birthing, initiationsaqd to:Pf9:;,. ' "\Ve':Wi1ltryto-;:~xpl~n.\yhy~·, . publi(! rally nextmonth. ...• ",'IDotefertility. f this site -and others. are so, ";;Therally arid forum.' on March ' The .,demonstration was important to the Worimis and whr~ '19 will ' call. for backing for sparked by the belief thatbulldoz-'they should ,be ·to'A-ustralians in; wQmen from the Port Stephens ers wer~ about to clear tr~s on th~ ,.general,~.' shesaid.';,r,x. ; . Worimi tribe who want. to halt·a ;i .. estate~'- ~, __ "r. .• '_' '.~ ~~ ~.. '. tiThe'> council ~ is''proposing .c(; 77-lot housing-estate off Wanda .A Worimf spokesperson, I\1s ' .sOm buffer between the houses, Avenue. ' Carol Ridgeway-Bisset, said the. and the waterhole but we'thinlcl' Port Stephens Council, wlllch council "should leave the whole· that if they' buildthe'housesF '·owns·the land···. and wants to area alone". they'll pollute the waterholet 'dev~lop it, has not yet Jet'tenders' .anyway." 'f .,iIDd is awaiting an anthropological CU.LTURE She felt not enough sacred~,' "surveyonthe site. ' 'J'. , sites,especially women's, 'h~}, , ··~::J;-·Therally is the latest move in a She said the rally would been preserved:'" . _campaign which' sawtw(rwe~ks discuss the waterholeand alotoL'MsRidgeway:-Bissett is ani':; Sago saw 30 women stage.a.dawn'·otherissueso{environmental and'" associate lecturer in Aboriginal!' ", sit-in near the site. . ,,', cultural importarlce.' studies at the WollotulcaAborigi- ,:Y;r;;>1"~";':"c:_" '. "~o~=s ';~=d~'iterh:l~ tl~c,. l1~i~~~~~~~::Jc;~:nd~:[~ e~uc:~n' T~:~e S~ai~~~~J~E: :.;Ms}Aid.9~way:-Biss~tt - leave the. whole "area . by females of~:the local:tri/?e fOI:c{cle¥'up,!b:e\az.ea., .( , , ', ,University.;; ::~.£_t>J};;~~-tP;~).':{·t:~:;·;(alone. '. ";'-'<' , ' i1 e-f a. I c1. The Newcastle Herald Threat to halt Port proJe• t Council, wildlife Advice sought on service at odds Aboriginal claims AN anthropologist and a By GREG BEARUP consultant will inspect two Ab· Staff Reporter original sites in Port Stephens this week to assess their auth A NATIONAL Parks and enticity as sacred sites. Wildlife officer threatened Port One of the sites, at Soldiers Stephens Council yesterday with Point, is claimed as an Aborigi. haIting its proposed subdivision at nal burial ground, part of Salamander for a year if a proper which is located under the study of Aboriginal sites was not Soldiers Point Yacht Club. forthcoming. It is asserted that the burial About 30 Worimi Aboriginal ground extends along the fore women held a protest in Wanda Ave, shore of the Soldiers Point Sal3:mander, yesterday morning, Caravan Park and under part feanng that the council was going to ofthe adjoining road. move on the proposed subdivision The other site, in the Mambo site with bulldozers. Wetlands at Salamander, is be The council's general manager, lieved to be middens. Dr Ted Campbell, said that Ms Carol Ridgeway-Bissett, although the council approved its an associate lecturer in Abor own subdivision in October tenders iginal studies at the Wollotuka for the work had not been let and Aboriginal and Torres Strait work would not proceed for at least Islander Education Centre at six week. the University of Newcastle, The National Parks and Wildlife said both sites would be as Service's acting cultural resources sessed. coordinator, Ms Jillian Comber said The anthropologist, from the that in September last year sh~ had National Parks and Wildlife written to the council advising that Service, will inspect the burial an anthropologist would need to be ground later this week. employed to make a study ofthe de Site meeting: Cr Creighton talks to protesters yesterday. - Picture by ROBERT McKELL velopmentarea. A consultant, engaged by Salamander Projects Pty Ltd, Ms Comber said she was in someone today to do the study. throughoutthe proceedings. for women ofthe Worimi tribe. will assess the middens this formed recently that the council When told of the threat of an in 'What has been ignored is that The area was used as a birthing week. planned to go ahead with work on four hectares, with a 50-metre buf terim order, he said: 'National Parks and initiation site for women. Ms Ridgeway.Bissett said the site this month and that the think they are all-powerful, don't fer, had been set aside for the Abor She has written to the Federal study had not been done. iginal sites,' CrCreighton said. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr the middens were the remains they?' of a 'really big camp' used by 'I told them that if a study was When the council approached the Tickner, to see what could be done Cr Creighton was critical of the Worimi Aboriginal Land Council to save it. the Worimi tribe. not done an interim order would be service and said it had not replied to placed on the land, which would about the site in 1991, it had been A spokeswoman for Mr Tickner Salamander Projects has the council's correspondence late told the land contained no signifi said yesterday that an application mean they could not touch it for 12 lastyear. plans to develop between 130 months,' Ms Comber said. cantsites. had been received from Ms Ridge and 140 housing lots on land He had been surprised at the ac Ms Carol Ridgeway-Bissett, a way-Bissett under the Heritage Pro that covers the middens. The Mayor, Cr Innes Creighton, tion of Ms Comber, whom he said Worimi Aborigine, said on Sunday tection Act but it could not be com said the council would commission had an opportunity for input that the area contained sacred sites mented on atthis stage. - Alek Schulha