THOMPSON SQUARE HERITAGE INTERPRETATION PLAN STAGE 2 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Windsor Bridge Replacement Project DOCUMENT CONTROL Thompson Square Heritage Interpretation Plan Stage 2 Current Issue: October 2020 Version: Final © 2020 WolfPeak Pty Ltd for Transport for NSW Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1879, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission of Transport for NSW. Image: The box drainage system uncovered during the salvage excavations in 2018-2019. Shows early development of the square using locally sources bricks. Image supplied by TfNSW. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 00 Acknowledgments .......................................................... 4 Welcome to Darug Land ...............................................5 THE PROJECT THE PLACE THE FRAMEWORK KEY STRATEGIES 01 Executive Summary ............... 6 02 Heritage Significance ........ 10 03 Purpose .....................................19 04 Creative Identity ...............27 Interpreting Thompson The Archaeology ....................12 Best Practice .........................20 The Artists ..........................28 Square ............................................. 7 Inclusive History .....................18 Themes & Narratives..........21 Interpretation Archaeological Evidence ...... 9 Experiences .......................30 CONTENT FINALISATION REFERENCE APPENDICES 05 Signage Content .....................36 06 Evaluation .................................73 07 End Notes ...............................74 08 Appendix 1 Case Studies ..........................75 Website Content .................... 68 Bibliography ..........................74 Appendix 2 Abbreviations........................74 Signage Design ...................78 Appendix 3 Colour Palette .......................82 Appendix 4 Consultation ......................... 84 Appendix 5 Artefact Collection ............ 88 RETURN TO CONTENTS Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AUTHORSHIP The following people and/or organisations Authors have assisted in the preparation of this report. Kylie Christian Gavin Patton Hawkesbury City Council Department of Premier and Cabinet, Research Assistants Heritage NSW Natalie Abedi Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council Brittany Christian Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation Contributing Archaeologists Leanne 'Mulgo' Watson Erin Wilkins Cosmos Coroneos David Marcus Cosmos Archaeology Dr Alan Williams Austral Archaeology Community Consultation Program Dr Alan Williams Dr Susan McIntyre-Tamwoy Regal Video Productions Jo Henwood Oral History Program, Historian & Editor Sue Rosen PhD Transport for NSW Miller Metal Imaging Urban Design & Signage Concepts Spackman Michael Mossop Brandi Projects Hyperion Design Jane Bennett Image: Artists Impression of the transformed Thompson Square. Christopher Stanley Designs Dr Noni Boyd Thompson Square Heritage Interpretation Plan Stage 2 | October 2020 | Final | WolfPeak Environment & Heritage 4 RETURN TO CONTENTS WELCOME TO DARUG LAND Dyarubbin - Hawkesbury River DARUG PEOPLE WELCOME TO COUNTRY “ Offered by Aunty Edna Watson, a Darug Elder, “ Darug land extends from the This is Darug lands. who has worked in the local community for Blue Mountains in the west, to the many years. This is her welcome. Hawkesbury River in the north, It is the land of our ancestors. Their approaching Appin in the south, and to spirits still walk among us. Spirits that the sea in the east. have been here since the dreaming. Like all Aboriginal people, the Darug “ Darug language has been passed TIATI MURRA DARUGA PEMEL KOI do not claim ownership of the land down from generation to generation. To but that we belong to the land. Our MURRA YA PEMEL NGALARINGI continue an unbroken culture that has spiritual connection to the land is our BUBBUNA BAN NYE YEMNA WURRA extended for thousands of years. commitment to respect and look after it. NANG NYE DICE GAI DYI YA NANGAMI In the language of the Darug people we DYARRALANG DARUGA NGALARINGI Darug people have been pushed off our welcome you to Darug lands. land since colonisation. TIATI NGALARINGI NANGAMI GAI GU YA WILLY ANGARA GU-NU-GAL DA GU-NU- Thank you. The land is our people, our people Image: Dyarubbin, 2019, by artist GAL DA LA-LOEY MOOGOO COT-BALLIE Leanne 'Mulgo' Watson. are the land. We welcome you. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of NANGAMI DICE LA-LOEY GNIA TARIMI country and recognise their continuing GU-NU-GAL TIATI NGALARINGI YA The Darug people, and in particular connection to land, water and culture. DARUGA EORAH MITTIGAR GURRUNG the Boorooberongal, are the traditional We pay our respects to our Elders past, custodians of the land on which Thompson BURRUK GNEENE DA DARUGA PEMEL present and emerging. Square is located. It has been shown, through DIDGEREE GORE the evidence of the archaeological record, that Darug people have lived in, and around, The English translation of this Welcome Windsor for over 27,000 years - they still do. follows: In words provided by the Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation; Thompson Square Heritage Interpretation Plan Stage 2 | October 2020 | Final | WolfPeak Environment & Heritage 5 RETURN TO CONTENTS 01 THE PROJECT Executive Summary THE APPROACH methods for storylines to be understood from the archaeological evidence and retold. This The storylines that remain - both Indigenous helps build community appreciation and and Colonial - when combined with written understanding of the place as well as provide and archaeological evidence, are rich in both engaging visitor experiences. variety and diversity. They are inspirational yet traumatic, full of achievement yet show This Stage 2 Plan, the Implementation Plan, failure, are dramatic, colourful and exciting. has been prepared in accordance with the Heritage interpretation helps to unravel these Heritage NSW, Interpreting Heritage Places recordings, present both sides of the story of and Items Guidelines (August 2005) and the colonisation of the Hawkesbury River, and is based on ‘best practice’ principles and to weave them into a narrative that is inclusive, standards. It includes the implementation honest and uncompromising. design for physical devices and online formats, as well as content. It follows, in intent, Today the site of Thompson Square is the concepts and recommendations laid recognised as one of the oldest and most out in the Thompson Square Conservation intact public squares in Australia. The area, Areas Interpretation Plan Stage 1 with Image: The Settlement of Green Hills, 1809, George Evans.2 including historic buildings, streetscapes, updates and changes as required due to new and green spaces is recognised and included information and/or project requirements. on the NSW State Heritage Register, as well Extensive consultation has been undertaken with Aboriginal stakeholders, Heritage NSW, repeatedly across the British Empire for as in Schedule 5 of the Hawkesbury Local Hawkesbury City Council, and the community centuries, the settlement of lands in the name Environmental Plan 2012. to ensure a thorough and robust approach to of the British Crown, namely Terra Nullius, was “ the information and stories included within In the year 1794 Lieut. Governor Major considered a right. However, the collateral The heritage significance of the place has long the interpretation devices. Where possible Grose placed the first 22 settlers along impacts of this colonial takeover would not be been recognised and is not debated. However, verified facts and information provided by the the banks of the Hawkesbury River and understood for generations to come. the combined recognition of both Aboriginal and colonial heritage values within the area is consultation and feedback process has been South Creek... still an emerging front. The acknowledgement included within this Plan. The first official ‘settlement’ of the area was of these perspectives throughout this project 1 Rev. Jas Steele, 1914 also the start of the displacement of local has been an inclusive, positive and shared The Stage 2 Plan should be read in conjunction Aboriginal people who have lived in the region, process with community. with the previously approved Stage 1 Plan for The ‘settlers’ referred to by Rev. Steele in along the river’s banks, and throughout the a full analysis of the interpretation planning 1914 were European colonists - their arrival surrounding lands for tens of thousands of The main role of heritage interpretation, undertaken for this project. continuing a pattern of uninvited expansion years. in this instance, is to implement effective into the 'new' lands. As had happened Thompson Square Heritage Interpretation Plan Stage 2 | October 2020 | Final | WolfPeak Environment & Heritage 6 RETURN TO CONTENTS INTERPRETING THOMPSON SQUARE Part of the Thompson Square Conservation Area 01 CONSIDERATION OF HERITAGE businessman, and magistrate Andrew SIGNIFICANCE Thompson who was celebrated by Governor Macquarie as a friend and hero upon his Since the first grants of land were issued to death. A long epitaph to Thompson, by settlers Thompson Square has consistently Macquarie, exists on his grave marker located been a prominent civic square. The Colonial at Windsor’s St Matthew’s Church. Georgian style buildings that front the square represent the influences of an English legacy Thompson played a significant role in the and the formation of the architectural style development of farming, commerce and of what would become the basis for modern