HERITAGE TASMANIAN HERITAGE COUNCIL December 2007

Tasmania Police and State Emergency Service Headquarters, Photographer, Travis Tiddy Strahan

Minister’s message This year has been busy with many gains across the the Heritage Council and Heritage Tasmania much heritage sector. A lot of hard work has also occurred that more identifiable and accessible. It has also given us will enable key reforms and major project initiatives to be the chance to adapt an 1866 former bank building for implemented in the next 12 months. contemporary use and use it to illustrate various forms of interpretation, from modern art, photography and These include the lodgement of the World Heritage more traditional methods. nomination of convict sites in early 2008, work to complete the process of legislative reform in the Aboriginal and During 2007 we have also started to undertake pre- historic heritage fields and the development of better statutory consultations with owners before starting the customer service approaches. formal process of statutory listing. This approach has proven to be very useful in fostering understanding Working together is a key approach. This is something about heritage listing and ensuring we are engaging that will be particularly important in the future, especially with owners and learning from each other. It has been as we work to develop a clearer and more integrated trialled in implementing the Kingborough Heritage approach to heritage management, that gives greater Survey, the Penguin precinct nomination and the clarity to owners. proposed new Cascades listing.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to ensuring The release of a Position Paper entitled 'Managing that our important historic heritage places are well- Our Heritage' consolidated years of planning, as we protected, managed and presented. work to reform our Act and the way we work. The aim of this effort is to ensure we develop a more integrated I hope that you have a happy, safe and enjoyable system that is clear and simple to understand, protects Christmas and summer break, and that 2008 is a our heritage assets and remembers the tremendous rewarding and productive year. importance of the heritage owners and managers who look after our heritage assets on a day to day basis. Paula Wriedt MP Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment Please call in and check out our new premises if you are in the area and watch out for updates on other planning in future editions. From the Chairperson and Director All the best for the break and 2008 As we come to the end of another busy year for us all it is timely to reflect on some of the directions we are taking. Michael Lynch, Chairperson, Tasmanian Heritage Council and Pete Smith. Director, Heritage The start of 2007 entailed a move to new premises at 103 Tasmania Macquarie Street in , but more significantly this move to a shop-front, street-level, office has made

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, ARTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT HERITAGE TASMANIA

GPO BOX 1751, HOBART TAS 7001 PHONE: 1300 850 332 (local call cost) | FAX: 6233 3186 | EMAIL: [email protected] www.heritage.tas.gov.au

HERITAGE NEWS

National heritage listing for Brickendon and Brickendon was built by Thomas' brother William. Brickendon is still a working farm owned and operated Woolmers Estates by William's descendents. Brickendon and Woolmers estates in Northern Tasmani a have been added to the National Heritage List. Ms Wriedt said the estates are excellent examples of private owners embracing and working with the Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Tourism, heritage values of their properties. "I am delighted that Arts and Environment, Paula Wriedt, said the sites these two Tasmania's properties have joined other represent an integral part of the nation's convict and Tasmanian convict sites Port Arthur, the Coal Mines, pioneering history. Darlington probation station on and The Cascade Female factory on the National Heritage "Brickendon is a remarkably intact example of a farming List," she said. property dating back to the 1820s," Ms Wriedt said. "It is of outstanding national significance for its association "I encourage all Tasmanians to visit these properties. with the convict assignment system and continuation of Both are just outside Longford on the Macquarie farming practices." River."

Ms Wriedt said Woolmers is a remarkable example of The Brickendon and Woolmers estates are in a group property development using convict labour. of 11 convict sites five of which are in Tasmania. The "Some people may find it surprising that these two rural other sites are on and in New South properties are being recognised for convict heritage," she Wales and Western Australia. They will form part of said. the Australian Convict Serial Nomination for inclusion on the World Heritage List.

The Tasmanian Government is continuing to work with the Australian Government to have these sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Woodcutters Point listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register Woodcutters Point on North Bruny has been permanently added to the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Woodcutters Point is a key location in early conciliation efforts between settlers and Aborigines and the site of a rare post-1843 sod hut. The area played a key role in Lt-Gov Arthur’s attempt to ‘conciliate’ the Tasmanian Aboriginal population, Section of beginning with the Nuononne people, members of a wider south-east tribe, in the late 1820s. "It is often thought that the convict experience was one of prisons, chain gangs and harsh punishment but this was not always the case. The majority of convicts served their sentence under the control of private citizens in the assignment system.

"Woolmers and Brickendon had a combined annual total of over 100 convicts working on the two properties, a massive work force when you think Tasmania's approximate population was 35,000 at the time. This was the second biggest pool of convict labour under private control in Tasmania."

Woolmers homestead was built by Thomas Archer in 1819 and stayed in the Archer family until 1994. It is now Woodcutters Point operated by the Woolmers Foundation. Following growing hostilities within the region between

settlers and the Aborigines that resulted in various 2 Heritage Bulletin November 2007 HERITAGE NEWS violent outbursts, Lt-Gov Arthur initiated a program aimed 19 properties permanently registered in at appeasing the Aboriginal population and essentially Penguin persuading them to ‘ adopt the habits of civilised life’. In its November meeting, the Tasmanian Heritage In 1828, James Jordan was appointed to distribute rations Council permanently registered 19 of 20 provisionally of potatoes and biscuits to the Aboriginal inhabitants of registered properties in Penguin. Bruny Island, in an attempt to gain their trust. Heritage Council Chairperson, Michael Lynch, said the Jordan was eventually joined by a small group of Heritage Council took into account three objections woodcutters instructed to build ‘one or two huts’ on the from the owners of properties provisionally entered in present day Woodcutters Point site. For a year, these huts were used as the base for the distribution of rations to the the Heritage Register along with eight submissions local Aboriginal inhabitants. By November three ‘steady from the Penguin community in support of the entry well-conducted convicts’ were sent to cultivate potatoes onto the Register and two submissions from the and assist in the further distribution of food rations and Penguin community opposed to the entry. blankets. “It was agreed that one place did not meet the criteria The project must have shown promise, because in 1829 for entry into the Heritage Register on a permanent Lt-Gov Arthur decided to find an individual to undertake basis,” Mr Lynch said. conciliatory missions with the Aboriginal population. Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula The man chosen for the task was George Augustus Wriedt, said she was pleased the Heritage Council Robinson, who was accompanied on his ‘Friendly had made its decision in relation to the 20 Penguin Missions’ to the tribes by two Bruny Island Aborigines, properties. Truganini and Woorady. Robinson visited Woodcutters “The decision provides certainty to the property- Point several times before moving operations to his owners affected concerning the heritage status of their ‘Aboriginal Establishment’ at Missionary Bay in May 1829. properties,” Ms Wriedt said. The Aboriginal ration station sod hut at Woodcutters Point “The entry of the properties onto the register follows is believed to have been ploughed away some time an extensive consultation process undertaken with between 1968 and 1977. The present remains of a sod hut property owners over the last nine months. This has are located about 140m south of the former ration station. They are thought to be from a shepherd’s hut built by been a long process, but has also been one of the Thomas Brown and William Knight, who purchased the most consultative ever used. land in 1843. “I am grateful for the patience of the affected owners, and the time spent by Heritage Tasmania and the Heritage Council to ensure the best possible outcome was achieved,” Ms Wriedt said.

Valuing heritage brings additional rewards Tasmanian students have shown they have a deep appreciation for Tasmania’s heritage. Competing in the 2007 It’s your Heritage school competition, students took a personal approach to discovering their heritage. Site of a sod hut This years winners covered a range of topics – from Although these remains are not of the ration station itself, celebrating the Collinsvale Primary Schools 130 th they are nevertheless one of the very few remnants left in birthday; a hearty thank you for the builders of the Tasmania of a sod hut. Woodcutters Point itself is also Salmon Ponds and an interesting take on the significant for its association with the ration station, even importance of the Launceston synagogue. though no above ground remains of the station exist today. The theme, It's your Heritage , is designed to encourage students to recognise, appreciate and value the historic heritage places within their

community.

3 Heritage Bulletin November 2007 HERITAGE NEWS

Younger students are encouraged to produce posters, “It is part of a wider strategy that aims to build and while older students provide a short essay on the history develop stronger linkages between local and state and values of a place. government on heritage matters, Mr Smith said. As one participant said, "I really enjoy this workshop - there are always things we can learn". Successful additions to this year's event was TMAG timber restoration expert Tony Colman, and master dry stone waller Geoff Duggan, from the NSW Royal Botanical Garden. Geoff’s attendance began with an invitation from Eleanor Bjorksten, one of a group of women dry stone wallers from Oatlands, through a mutual interest in the craft and the network that is forming through the Dry Stone Walls Association of Australia. Southern Midlands Council and Heritage Tasmania were pleased to sponsor Geoff’s attendance. Salmon Ponds by Travis MacFarlane Tasmania’s pastoral regions have a strong tradition of The competition, run in conjunction with the National Trust, dry stone walling, and it is important that the traditional is one way in which both organisations are working skills are maintained within Tasmania. together to build an interest in heritage for future generations. Winning entries Years 3-6 = Isaac Bannister and Melissa Norman (joint winners), Collinsvale Primary School Years 7-9 = Travis MacFarlane, Deloraine High Years 10-12 = Nicholas Jones, Kings Meadows High School Restoration workshop hits the mark Property owners came out in force to learn restoration skills at the Oatlands Restoration Central workshop this month. The day provided an opportunity for owners to learn from specialist tradespeople covering a range of issues from Dry stone waller, Andrew Garland, at work at Oatlands roofing, paints, timber restoration and stone problems. Geoff’s week of walling in Tasmania included a Run by the Southern Midlands Council and Heritage presentation as part of the community workshop, the Tasmania, this is the third year the free, one day workshop building of a sculptural installation in the parterre has been held. gardens next to Callington Mill, examining three Tasmanian dry stone wallers under the guidelines of Ongoing interest in the workshop highlights the need for the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain’s increased education for heritage property owners. accreditation scheme, and conducting an adult Pete Smith, Director of Heritage Tasmania said there are education workshop in Deloraine. plenty of renovation shows and magazines, but seldom do Heritage Tasmania has received a lot of positive they cover the kinds of issues faced daily by heritage feedback about this workshop and is keen to consider property owners. how such sessions might be run elsewhere. “This workshop is one simple way of starting to provide some answers and solutions,” Pete Smith said.

Mr Smith said working proactively with owners and local government to address issues relevant to their community was necessary if Tasmania’s historic heritage assets were to be protected for the future. 4 Heritage Bulletin November 2007 HERITAGE NEWS

Recherche Bay findings released not what people have previously thought and the actual site is further inland on the peninsula. “ A report into the historic values of the Recherche Bay site in the state’s far south has found that the location of the The review of historical charts and diaries, French Garden is further inland on the peninsula than archaeological investigations, use of remote sensing, earlier assessments presumed. soil analysis and historical research were all used to help us to investigate and better understand this area of the

far south,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the field work was not able to clearly establish the location of the grave of the first European to be buried on Tasmania soil, the French gunner Boucher.”

However, the investigations did detect some possible traces of one of the French expedition’s shore facilities on the western shoreline.

Ms Wriedt said these findings and other research have confirmed the importance of this area for its historical values, and reinforces the significance of the d’Entrecasteaux visits. Recherche Bay The final report of the French Archaeological Collaboration Now the report has been finalised, Ms Wriedt said she Project at Recherche Bay comes after many months of has asked the Department to review it so that the preparation, weeks of field work and a year of further protection mechanisms for existing and newly identified research, analysis and writing. sites can be confirmed. “I hope that this work will be a catalyst to Releasing the report this week, the Minister for Tourism, ensure visitors to the Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, said much far south will have a attention had been given to Recherche Bay and its chance to hear some importance as a landing site for French explorer Bruni of its many stories d’Entrecasteaux during visits in 1792 and 1793. this research has uncovered,” she In 2005 the State Government declared a Heritage Area said. on the North East Peninsula to provide interim protection to the area around the so-called French Garden while “I am very pleased comprehensive research was undertaken to confirm its with the work that status. In response, the Department of Tourism, Arts and has been done on the Environment coordinated a major international this important research project with the support of the French, Australian element of and Tasmanian governments. Tasmania’s history.

This project was led by Dr Jean-Christophe Galipaud, “My thanks go to Dr Jean-Christophe Galipaud and his head of Archaeology at the Research Institute for team for all the work they have done. Development, Noumea, New Caledonia, on behalf of the French Government. “This project has been an important “My thanks also go to the French and Australian step to help us understand historical links between the Governments for their sponsorship and support of this French, Tasmanian Aboriginal people and Tasmania,” Dr initiative.” Galipaud said. A full copy of the report and a fact sheet is available on Dr Galipaud said his investigations have concluded that the Heritage Tasmania website at the site considered by many to be the French Garden is www.heritage.tas.gov.au .

5 Heritage Bulletin November 2007 HERITAGE NEWS

Hobart’s Heritage Heart: Sullivans Cove Summer School, Cultural Heritage Podwalk Management Take an historic meander through time and place, and 20-26 January 2008, University of Canberra, university explore the diversity of Sullivans Cove’s heritage with a campus, ACT podwalk developed by Heritage Tasmania. This seven day Summer School is an intensive course From the establishment of European settlement on Hunter looking at the broad issues of heritage management, Island in 1804, to whaling port, industrial port to the home and is intended for local government planners and of the Hobart’s cultural and civic space, Sullivans Cove heritage officers; state heritage officers; facilities, site has changed significantly through time. This podwalk will and park managers; rangers, curators; others involved in heritage administration; and heritage practitioners such enlighten you about many facininating aspects of the as archaeologists, architects, engineers and historians. Cove's history. For further information please contact [email protected] or visit the website at The podwalk can be found at www.heritage.tas.gov.au www.canberra.edu.au and search on ‘Cultural Heritage Management’.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES The Centre for Scholarly and Archival 9th Australasian Urban History Planning Research (CSAR) Research Fellowship History Conference The Centre for Scholarly and Archival Research (CSAR) Sea Change? Historical perspectives on new and renewed at the National Film and Sound Archive is seeking urban landscapes applications for CSAR Research Fellowships. Established researchers and audiovisual practitioners 5-7 February 2008, Events Centre Caloundra, Qld with a record of significant achievement are encouraged to apply. Further information including application forms Sea Change, the demographic shift from metropolitan to can be found at www.nfsa.afc.gov.au/csar . coastal towns, and an associated Tree Change to rural Australia, are profoundly altering the 21st century urban pattern. Yet whilst the immediate significance of this shift is widely debated, there has been little attempt to consider ‘Sea Change Australia’ within an historical context. DIARY NOTES

This conference will address the long-term processes Tasmanian Heritage Festival – Tasmania’s within which the transitions of the first decade of the 21st Magical Landscapes century can be best comprehended. Conference sessions concentrate on developments in 20th century Australia and on comparative examples drawn from the Pacific, Asia and April 2008, Various locations, Tasmania elsewhere. For further information go to www.usc.edu.au/University/MediaPublications . The National Trust’s Tasmanian Heritage Festival sponsored by Tasmania is scheduled for April 2008. Communities and Memories – a global Events and activities, both linked to the theme or other perspective subjects, are welcome additions to the program. The third UNESCO International Memory of the World Conference Individuals and organisations interested in 19-22 February 2008, National Library of Australia, Canberra participating in the festival should contact Jennie Chapman from the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) on 6344 6233. There will be an impressive line-up of national and international speakers at UNESCO's Communities and Memories Conference in Canberra early next year (2008). If you would like to contribute information, advertise an For further information including the full program, optional upcoming event, subscribe to receive this bulletin via workshops and tours, please visit the conference website email, or cancel your subscription, please contact at http://www.amw.org.au/ Robyn Shaw (Communications Coordinator) on 6233 2067 or email [email protected]

6 Heritage Bulletin November 2007