National Trust Innovation and Invention in the Hunter Forum 2012

From Aboriginal ingenuity to cutting edge scientific research, the Hunter Region (Australia) has been and continues to be a leader in creativity and inventiveness.

This Forum was a celebration of the people and institutions which have helped and continue to help shape the region.

The Event was held in the Newcastle Town Hall on the 19th April 2012, and organised by the Hunter Regional Committee of the National Trust of Australia.
Speakers included:

- Dr Bernie Curran, Executive Officer, University of Newcastle Foundation, who facilitated the event

- Mr Bill Jordan, Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Australia) on Newcastle’s engineering and industrial history of innovation and adaptation.

- Dr Betty Capper, former nurse, now historian, on the period of innovation and change at Royal Newcastle Hospital in the  McCaffrey era  of the 1950s and 60s

- Professor Emeritus John Hamilton, OBE, former Dean of the Faulty of Science and Health at University of Newcastle on recent innovation and future directions in medical science in the Hunter.

-  Dr. Philip Pollard architect and former planner at the University of Newcastle on innovative buildings and landscaping on the University campus

- Mr Peter Stevens – spoke on Scoping Useful Principles.

Government Farm c1810 Archaeological site visit

On the 29th August 2009 members of the University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party were invited to inspect the archaeological dig being undertaken on the site of the former Palais Royale (now KFC) site in Newcastle West.

This is the second visit to to the site to speak with archaeologist Matthew Kelly (AHMS) who was overseeing the investigation of the colonial history of the site. The previous day was spent with archaeologist Alan Williams inspecting the Aboriginal heritage finds.

Lycett painting of Newcastle circa 1817 showing former Palais site at far right. Courtesy of Newcastle Art Gallery (Photograph by Bruce Turnbull)

An early representation of the site can be found on this painting by Joseph Lycett, held in the Newcastle Gallery entitled “Newcastle, New South Wales, looking towards Prospect Hill.” circa 1816-1817. It appears as a small white dot at the right edge of the painting.
In the video topics discussed were:
1. the high research value of high resolution historic images being placed online by the University in the form of the Ralph Snowball images,
2. the discussion of ‘Trench 4′ the site of the Commandant’s Cottage circa 1810 on the site of the Government Farm,
3. McLellan Hellyer and Co. Ironmongers store destroyed by fire in 1890 see Image here
4. Aboriginal site, hearths and ancient dune system approximate dating (at the time of filming) to the Holocene 10,000 years and younger,
5. Dangar’s Meat Preserving Works 1848-c1854,
6. Demolition work undertaken on the former Palais Royale and subsequent damage to the site.

We are very interested in learning more of the colonial heritage of the site that involves the clearing of the land in the 1790s, the establishment of the Government Cottage and farm (c.1810), Henry Dangar’s Meat Preserving Works 1848-c1854, the Elite Skating Rink, McLellan Hellyer & Co., leading up to the Palais Royale.

Despite requests we are yet to see the second report of the archaeological dig encompassing the colonial history from this important site in Newcastle.

Gionni Di Gravio
Chair, CRWP

For more info:

Click here for the first report on Aboriginal Heritage of the site (11.4MB PDF)

Click here for a video presentation by Alan Williams (AHMS) 30th September 2011

Highlights from the 2011 Hunter Heritage Network Seminar

On the 30th September 2011 the NSW Minister for Heritage and the Environment, The Hon. Robyn Parker MP addressed the Hunter Heritage Network Seminar at the University of Newcastle (Australia).

The Minister was welcomed by Deputy Vice Chancellor Kevin McConkey and Mr Greg Anderson, Manager University Libraries.

The Minister for Heritage Robyn Parker addressed the Network about her vision for heritage. In particular, Minister Parker is concerned about the current protections for Aboriginal heritage and has initiated the current review process in seeking to address this.

The Network welcomed the Minster’s commitment to improving heritage legislation and will be making a submission to the review of Aboriginal protections and the Environmental Planning and Assessment reforms.

The Minister was presented with a framed historic poster of the Duckenfield farms area, where she lives. The plan is part of the University’s Cultural Collections treasures and can be seen in high resolution here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/5907232177/

For more info: http://hunterheritagenetwork.org/

On the same day, Mr Alan Williams (AHMS) addressed the Hunter Heritage Network Seminar at the University of Newcastle (Australia), and spoke about his work on the archaeological dig at the former Palais Royale/now KFC site in Newcastle West (Australia).

For more information and copy of the final report on the Aboriginal heritage of the site: http://coalriver.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/aboriginal-archaeological-report-for-former-palais-site-released/

Aboriginal Burial Ground Discovered on Parry Street

Coal River Working Party researcher Mr. Russell Rigby today alerted us to a series of articles in TROVE relating to a discovery of Aboriginal remains on the corner of Parry Street (and the present Union Street) in 1881. They have been kindly transcribed by him and are located below.

The Newcastle Herald has not been yet digitised, but we have tracked down the series of reports as they appeared in the Newcastle Herald.

Discovery of Aboriginal Remains - NMH 9 June 1881 p.2

Discovery of Aboriginal Remains
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miner’s Advocate 9 June 1881 [p.2])

Yesterday afternoon some workmen employed at the corner of Parry-street near the approach to the racecourse, came across, a few feet from the surface, a number of aboriginal skeletons. Three or four were exhumed from their sandy grave in a good state of preservation; one in particular – measuring 5ft 8in – being almost perfect, and enshrouded in a large sheet of tea-tree bark, the material generally used for such purposes by the blacks. Those already dug out were removed by Constable Smith to the lockup. Other skulls and bones are visible in the sand, and will probably be dug out to-day. Medical examination having proved them to be the remains of aboriginees (sic), and the Coroner, Mr. C. B. Ranclaud, having personal experience of the spot having many years ago been a general camping place and burial-ground of the blacks, no inquest is considered necessary.

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More Aboriginal Skeletons - NMH 10 June 1881 p.2

More Aboriginal Skeletons.
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miner’s Advocate 10 June 1881 [p.2])

Yesterday morning a further instalment of aboriginal remains, discovered in Parry street, was lodged at the lockup. The bones, which are comparatively perfect, despite their long burial, clearly betray themselves as being those of the Australian blacks.

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(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.)
NEWCASTLE.
WEDNESDAY.

The Corporation workmen employed in excavating  for the extension of Parry-street towards the racecourse unearthed to-day five human skeletons. They were found encased in sheets of ti-tree bark. The locality is known to have been many years ago a great aboriginal camping ground. The bones were much decayed, but the sheets of bark were excellently preserved.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13486213

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1424736

APA citation
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) NEWCASTLE. (1881, June 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13486213

***********************************************************

The Newcastle Herald states that on Wednesday afternoon some workmen employed at the corner of Parry-Street, near the approach to the racecourse, came across, a few feet from the surface, a number of abo- riginal skeletons. Three or four wero exhumed from their sandy grave in a good state of preservation, one in particular – measuring 5 feet 8 inches – being almost perfect, and onshrouded in a large sheet of ti-tree bark, the material generally used for such purposes by the blacks.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13478945

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1424755

APA citation
NEWS OF THE DAY. (1881, June 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13478945

***********************************************************

John Egger, the Corporation waterman,  while engaged in excavating a street in Newcastle, yesterday, unearthed the remains of 500 [sic] skeletons, encased in sheets of bark. The bones were much decayed, but the bark was in excellent preservation. The locality has been known for many years as an aboriginal camping  ground.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71832095

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page5653568

APA citation
LATEST TELEGRAMS. (1881, June 11). Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71832095

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Thursday, June 9.

A discovery of several blackfellows’ skeletons was made yesterday by workmen employed near the entrance road to the Newcastle racecourse. A few  feet below the sandy surface they unearthed four or five well preserved skeletons – some wrapped in ti-tree bark. They were removed to the lockup, but on examination no inquest was deemed necessary. A number of other skulls and bones are sticking out of the sides of the cutting, and they will be dug out to-day. The spot is well-known  to old residents as having been a regular burial ground and camping place for the aboriginals.

Article identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70956724

Page identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page5062550

APA citation
Colonial and Intercolonial Telegraphic messages. (1881, June 11). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 – 1907), p. 9. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70956724

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The Location

By Russell Rigby

I have overlaid the 1894 Newcastle street plans on  a recent aerial photo to show where  the Racecouse Road turned off Parry Street.

Parry Street and Racecourse Road (Compiled by Russell Rigby)

Parry Street and Racecourse Road (Compiled by Russell Rigby)

The intersection was at a corner in the municipal boundary between Newcastle and Hamilton, and Racecourse Road ran westwards to the grandstands and finish post which were in the middle of what is now Newcastle High School.

Knaggs 1887 (Plan cropped)

The cropped image from Knaggs 1887 harbour chart shows that the intersection of Parry and Melville Streets was on a rise above the swampy ground  to the southwest, with a creek running into the swamp immediately south of the intersection from the high ground of Cooks Hill. The depiction of Parry Street does not change on charts for about 20 years, so they are not  reliable for defining the extension of Parry St.

In the early 20th century the racecourse was moved from National Park area to Broadmeadow, and the cricket ground shifted west from Corlette St to National Park, as part of the subdivision of the area by the AA Co.

The drilling rig shown in the 1898 Snowball photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/3270569951/ was probably set up on the
south-eastern side of the Parry/Melville St intersection. There may be other photos showing the general area.

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Discovery of Human Remains NMH 10 January 1888 p.7

DISCOVERY OF HUMAN REMAINS.
(Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners Advocate 10 January 1888 p.7)

It was reported to the police yesterday morning that Mr. William Parker, night scavenger, whilst emptying the closets of Messrs. Clark and Smith, of Parry-street, on Sunday night, brought forth two bones, which subsequently were found to be the shin-bones of a human being. Inspector Brennan immediately caused the bones to be taken of, and despatched constables Rochefort and Smith to have the closet thoroughly emptied, with a view to finding further remains of the human being. The constables in question lost no time in proceeding with the necessary grappling irons, &c., and instituted a search of the place, but could not find any other vestige of remains. In prosecuting their inquiries, however, they elicited the fact from Mr. Clark that it was he who had placed the bones in the closet some considerable time ago, that they were bones of an aboriginal, and were taken from an aboriginal burial-place near the racecourse. This statement was corroborated by ex-senior-constable Smith, who stated that these and other bones, including skulls, &c., had been removed some years ago from the place, which brought about the fact that they were evidently the bones of aborigines. We are glad the matter has been cleared up so satisfactorily, as the finding of human bones in such a place would at all events give rise to the supposition that some unaccountable termination had occurred to some human being. The shin-bones, which are in the possession of constable Rochefort, are of unusually large size, and of course are entirely denuded of flesh, as some years must have elapsed since the aboriginal of whom they formed portion closed his earthly career.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

While it doesn’t appear that a Coroner’s Report was ever made, it would be interesting to know what became of the human skeletons. I wonder if the relatives and descendants of Mr C.B. Ranclaud, Mr Clark, Constable Smith and Constable Rochefort would have any family information that has passed down through the years. If anyone has further information please get in touch with by leaving a comment on this blog.

It is very important that future developments in the area take note of the site’s history and potential for further archaeological finds.

Gionni Di Gravio
University Archivist
Chair, Coal River Working Party

Lord Mayor’s Round Table

Lord Mayor's Round Table Powerpoint

The History Channel (through WTFN Productions in Melbourne) is currently in pre-production for ten (10) half hour TV shows entitled “Tony Robinson Walks.”  This TV series will identify little known compelling stories illustrating our unique Australian character and feature Tony Robinson, star of the Time Team, The Worst Jobs in History, and Blitz Street.

Newcastle has been identified as the subject for one of the TV Shows, and potential sites and stories include a walking tour through: Nobbys, Macquarie Pier and archaeological dig, Fort Scratchley and the convict coal mines, Christ Church Cathedral and cemetery, James Fletcher Hospital site, Rose Cottage, Cornish Docks and the Star Hotel.

A meeting was convened by The Lord Mayor on Wednesday 28th September 2011 from 1pm – 3pm to gather together all  agencies and organisations who either own or control any one or more of these sites. It was held in The Lord Mayor’s Reception Room Level 2 Town Hall.

The meeting discussed the filming project including individual agency approvals/requirements.

It was proposed that Screen Hunter co-ordinate all filming approvals and act as a central contact point for the Project.  Annette Hubber (Manager, Screen Hunter) attended the meeting.

The Meeting Agenda was as follows:

*   Introduction
*   Sites and draft storyline
*   Filming approvals (Screen Hunter)
*   General event logistics (access/parking/crowd control etc)
*   Excavation approvals
*   Media Announcements
*   Other Requirements (general discussion)

This an exciting opportunity for Newcastle and its history to be showcased worldwide.  Your assistance and co-operation in this project would be greatly appreciated.

A listing of Attendees:

Lord Mayor, Cr John Tate – Facilitator
Gionni DiGravio (University Archivist and Chair CRWP, University of Newcastle)
Keith Southall (Crown Lands)
Ann Hardy (Secretary Hunter Region Branch National Trust and University of Newcastle)
Keith Powell (Newcastle Port Corporation)
Kaitlyn Sheppard (Newcastle Port Corporation)
Dean Dr James Rigney (Christ Church Cathedral)
Dr Rosemary Barnard (Christ Church Cathedral)
Graham Harding (or representative) Crown Lands
Annette Hubber (Screen Hunter)
Ros Kerr (Geologist, CRWP)
Susan Effenberger (Crown Lands Representatives CRWP)
Bill Nethery (Senior Advisor Heritage Branch)
Tim Smith (Deputy Director Heritage Branch)
Sophie Mill (Representative from Tim Owen’s Office )
John Waring (Livesites)
Brent Randall (City of Newcastle)
Garry Hazell (Marketing Co-ordinator, NCC)
Emeritus Professor John Fryer (CRWP University  of Newcastle Surveying)
Melanie Patfield (CRWP)
Jude Constable (General Manager for Hunter New England Mental Health – James Fletcher site)
Allan Walker (Site Manager – James Fletcher Site)
Bronwyn Orrock (Christ Church Cathedral)
Aunty Nola Hawken, Kerrie Brauer and Dene Hawken – Awabakal Tradition Owners Aboriginal Corporation (ATOAC)
Sarah Cameron (Heritage Officer City of Newcastle)
Wendy Badger (Landscape Architect City of Newcastle )

Copy of Powerpoint Presented by Emeritus Professor John Fryer (CRWP)

History Channel – Round Table Powerpoint (17.8MB)

Tony Robinson Walks Round Table Minutes (final version)

Newcastle and the History Channel

Cunning Plan to Unearth History (Newcastle Herald 17th August 2011 p.3)

Online version of this story is here: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/tv-crew-on-newcastles-history-trail/2260559.aspx

Cartoon courtesy of Peter Lewis and The Newcastle Herald.

Aboriginal Heritage Recommendations

On the 23 June 2011 a successful motion and order for papers by Greens MP David Shoebridge passed in the NSW Upper House. The Coal River Working Party were invited to view those papers on the 17 July 2011, and a delegation consisting of ten members traveled to the NSW Parliament to view them and suggest recommendations. Please see our briefing to the NSW Parliament on our thoughts on what we think needs to change.

University of Newcastle Coal River Working Party – 19/7/11

KFC Development – Aboriginal Heritage Review

 

Respect for Culture. There needs to be a greater respect for Aboriginal heritage and culture within Australia, through ongoing education and public information. At present, even though there are laws to protect Aboriginal heritage, there is scant regard for them and they can be circumvented within the development approval process, as was clearly demonstrated in the KFC development.

Evidence. It is impossible to write history without documentary records, and equally important that it is verified and corroborated by surviving physical evidence. Without documentary and physical evidence you don’t have a case in a court of law, and neither do you have a case for a culture, without evidence all you have are unsubstantiated stories. So, it is crucial that:

1. archaeological reports are made and completed,
2. are of the highest scientific standards,
3. are open to public scrutiny, and
4. are publically accessible for ongoing research.

The Law. Aboriginal heritage continues to be managed through the National Parks and Wildlife Act, which predominantly focuses on flora and fauna legislation. It is essential that a separate Act that primarily deals with Aboriginal heritage be developed, which many other States already have in place.

Terminology. It may be helpful to avoid the separation of histories as ‘Aboriginal’ and ‘Colonial’, and referring to both as ‘Australian History’. This would avoid the 200 year myopic view of Australian history as a ‘young’ country only 200 years old, and begin to absorb a more comprehensive history dating back millions of years, including geological, pre-historic, indigenous and colonial.

Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit. The process of gaining an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) to legally damage and destroy Aboriginal artifacts needs to be urgently reviewed. Currently, almost 100% of AHIP applications are approved by the NSW government, many of which have been issued to other State Government departments, such as the previously known DECCW (1) . Legislation should focus on what the developer should do with the important heritage site, such as interpretation, visual displays, avoiding or at the very least minimising impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage and should not focus on the methods used to destroy heritage.

Heritage Reports. The creation of archaeological heritage reports needs to be a more transparent and independent process.  At present, archaeologists are in the direct employment of the developers and are therefore placed in a difficult position, especially with the pressures from their employer to complete the job with minimal cost, rather than to thoroughly document the tangible evidence of past history on the site. In order to ensure the validity of results, archaeological reports should be created by an archaeologist(s) that are independent of the developer, and working under the aegis of the Government, such as the Department of the NSW Minister for Heritage.

All archaeological heritage reports, relating to Australian history (encompassing both European heritage and Aboriginal heritage), should be made available to the public via the public and University libraries. As it stands, completed reports are only available to the public at the decision of the developer. As such, most reports are not made accessible to the public and their validity cannot be publically scrutinised. What this means, in effect, is that our local history has been privatised, and we do not have access to our heritage.

For significant sites, such as this one, the resultant report from an archaeological heritage assessment must be made available before any development can commence. As evidenced with the KFC development, the Aboriginal archaeological report was released approximately 1-year after the KFC was built. At least 6,800 year old highly significant Aboriginal artifacts had already been destroyed by the time the report was released. It is imperative that it is a legislative requirement for all archaeological reports to be completed and released for viewing prior to the commencement of development. It is also imperative that archaeological investigations take place during the inactive period of a development site. An example is the current former Empire site, across the road from the KFC site which is currently lying fallow, with no development pressures – this is the time to conduct a thorough investigation.

Predictive Aboriginal Sites Map. It is vital that there is an early identification of Aboriginal heritage issues in the development planning process. There is currently no legislative requirement to identify Aboriginal heritage issues at the early stages of a development and therefore they are typically not mentioned by developers. It is important that funding be made available for local Council to prepare a predictive aboriginal sites map, to ensure that potentially important sites are identified and proper measures taken.

Indigenous Consultation. It is the view of the Awabakal Traditional Owners that, in this instance, they have been included within the consultation process with the Archaeologist Alan Williams, however they have not had much communication with the KFC site manager and/or the proponent regarding the proposed Aboriginal interpretation for the site.  With this in mind, at the time of the excavation they did feel that their efforts to bring their concerns regarding the importance of the Aboriginal and Colonial Cultural Heritage contained within the site fell on deaf ears.

1. See Answers by the relevant Ministers representing the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, to Question on Notice Number 0127 (31 July 2007), Number 2091 (28 October 2008), Number 3009 (7 May 2009) and Number 3120 (17 June 2009), Legislative Council, asked by Ian Cohen MLC, as available to download at http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au.

(The University’s Coal River Working Party wishes to thank Melanie Patfield and Jane Ison who distilled the views of the participants and prepared the original drafts of this document. We also thank the ten participants that generously gave up their day to work on this matter.)

NSW Upper House takes action for the sake of our Aboriginal Heritage

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE NSW UPPER HOUSE

LOSS OF UNIQUE ABORIGINAL HERITAGE IN NEWCASTLE WEST

That this House notes that:

1. Approximately one year ago a fast food restaurant costing $2.5 million was built in Hunter Street, Newcastle West, over one of the most significant Aboriginal heritage sites in New South Wales.
2. The Excavation Report for this site was not released until one month ago, almost a year after the restaurant was built, thus making its assessment of the heritage impact of the development redundant.
3. The Excavation Report found the site to be of “high to exceptional cultural and scientific significance” and should have been available before the restaurant was built so as to justify retention of the site as a state significant site of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
4. The site contained a significant number of artefacts, including ancient Aboriginal stone tools with unique stonework and campsite remains, which are over 6,000 years old, evidence of some of the earliest human settlement in the Newcastle area.
5. The site also included a large array of colonial-era artefacts.
6. Under the previous government Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permits, effectively permits to destroy Aboriginal heritage sites, were given at the rate of approximately 5 per week.
7. Members of the local Awabakal people have stated that the final excavation report “highlighted the lack of rigour in the state government’s assessment of Aboriginal heritage”.
8. No acceptable plan has been made for the retention and display of these unique artefacts in the local region.

That this House:

1. Recognises the irreplaceable nature of this state’s Aboriginal heritage and the value of Aboriginal artefacts, and acknowledges the tragic loss of Aboriginal heritage that this development has created.
2. Calls on the government to review the failings in the current Aboriginal heritage protection regime and consider measures to ensure that a similar tragedy does not occur in the future.

 

ORDER FOR PAPERS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN NSW UPPER HOUSE

ORDER FOR PAPERS

That, under standing order 52, there be laid upon the table of the House within 14 days of the date of passing of this resolution all documents in the possession, custody or control of the Minister for Heritage and the Minister for the Environment, or the Department of Premier and Cabinet, relating to the development of the KFC restaurant at 227-231 Hunter Street, Newcastle, including the former Palais site, and any document which records or refers to the production of documents as a result of this order of the House.

 

For more information: http://davidshoebridge.org.au/2011/06/23/nsw-upper-house-takes-action-on-aboriginal-heritage/

Aboriginal Archaeological Report for former Palais site released

Aunty Nola Hawken, Ann Hardy and archaeologist Alan Williams on the former Palais site in August 2009

In August 2009 we were very excited about the archaeological excavations being undertaken on the former Palais Royale site in Newcastle West.

We are proud to report that the first of two Reports have been released covering the Aboriginal history of the site. Over 5,534 Aboriginal artefacts were recovered, representing three Aboriginal occupation periods dating from 6,716-6,502 years BP (before present) and identified as a site of ‘high to exceptional cultural and scientific significance’.

SECTION 87/90 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE IMPACT PERMIT #1098622 EXCAVATION REPORT FOR SBA ARCHITECTS PTY LTD FINAL REPORT 13 MAY 2011 (11.4 MB)

We wish to thank everyone involved with this Project for the production of this wonderful report. We hope it will assist the wider community to fully comprehend the depth of history that lies beneath our feet, and the importance for that history to be understood, respected and safeguarded for future generations.

‘Community is poorer for burying its history’
by Gionni Di Gravio
Newcastle Herald 24 May 2011 p.11

A couple of years ago I was very excited to visit the archaeological dig at at the former Palais.

Back in 1825 this was the place (the then ‘Government Farm’) where the Rev. Lancelot Threlkeld spent his first year in Newcastle.  Within days of his arrival on 8th May 1825, Threlkeld and his young family had been robbed three times, and fearful of being robbed every night.

So you can imagine his relief when on the Wednesday evening of the 11 May 1825, he was eventually given a civilised welcome as the natives assembled around his house to cook up a kangaroo. After they had eaten, the Threlkelds were invited to see their dance. Threlkeld noted that when “they had concluded they thanked us for our visit and wished us good night.”

It was here that he heard the local dreaming stories, would witness healing rituals and a burial, and document numerous atrocities perpetrated against the local Aboriginal people.

It was here that he, and one of those natives, Biraban (or McGill), began a collaborative study into the local language, the first methodical study of an Aboriginal language anywhere in this country.

So it was thrilling to see a scientific report released this month 186 years after these events.

One small rectangular sample trench yielded over 5,500 artefacts, representing three waves of Aboriginal occupations dating from 6,700 years.  The archaeologists stopped digging 2 metres down, concluding the deeper they went, the more they would find that dated even further back deep into time. The upper strata of the dig represented the last 1,933 years of Aboriginal occupation that unfortunately had been obliterated by 200 years of European occupation.

So why get excited over a pile of stone tools?

Firstly we are nothing without history. It documents our achievements and our failures, and enables us to understand who we are, so we can avoid mistakes in future. It is impossible to write history without documentary records, and equally important that it is verified and corroborated by surviving physical evidence.

Without documentary and physical evidence you don’t have a case in a court of law, and neither do you have a case for a culture, without evidence all you have are tall stories.

As it stands, with regards to developments there is no publically funded archaeological research. Historians and archaeologists are in the direct employ of the developers who pay for them. They investigate, document archaeological finds, create reports that remain the property of the developer.

Is it right that our history has been privatised? These reports should be made public, so we can learn more about our history.

Without history, our community suffers, and like a patient with dementia we are confused and fearful. There is unfinished business here, and the sooner re-examine our shared memory, the healthier we will be.

This Land and its Aboriginal people did not suddenly come into being when a European ‘discovered’ it 1770, and neither did they both become someone else’s possession once pen hit paper on a map and acquired it for the Crown.

Threlkeld and his family were welcomed here with a barbeque and a dance, and the tradition would continue right up until the last days of Palais Royale where many people met and later married after dancing at that very spot.

We need to ask ourselves how different would we feel if these ‘rocks’ had instead been WW1 relics?

It was very fortunate for us, that on the 10 June 2008 such a discovery of rising sun collar badges was made in one of the burial pits during the excavation at Fromelles, in France.

The landowner, Madame Marie Paule Demassiet, not only allowed the archaeological dig on her private property, she gifted the land for an ongoing memorial.

It was a wonderful gesture to see good-hearted people hold our heritage is such high regard.

It would be great if we could extend the same respect to Aboriginal people.

Community Reaction

Cartoon courtesy of Peter Lewis and the Newcastle Herald

'History Junked' by Matthew Kelly Newcastle Herald 21 May 2011 p.1

'6500-year-old heritage junked' Newcastle Herald 21 May 2011 p.7

Click here for online version

Editorial - Newcastle Herald 21 May 2011

Artefact loss an act of 'genocide' by Ben Smee Newcastle Herald 21 May 2011 p.3

Click here for online version

'Community is poorer for burying its history' by Gionni Di Gravio Newcastle Herald 24 May 2011 p.11

'6000 years discarded' Letters to the Editor NH 24 May 2011 p.12

Afternoons with Carol Duncan – ABC Radio 1233 – Artefacts found under chicken shop

Contains interview with Julie Baird from the Newcastle Regional Museum and Gionni Di Gravio from the University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party who discuss the historical significance of the find, and what should happen to the artifacts recovered.

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association – Archivist Gionni DiGravio speaks on CAAMA Radio (1 June 2011)

An Archaeological report which reveals one of Australia’s largest take-away restaurants was built on a significant Aboriginal site highlights a lack of respect for Aboriginal heritage, according to a university-based historical record-keeper.

David Shoebridge – MLC Greens Member Upper House NSW Parliament
- Press Release “Kentucky Fried Chicken destroys Aboriginal Heritage Site“
- Hansard – ‘Heritage and Development Control‘ 1 June 2011

Macquarie Pier Plaque Unveiled

'Plaque Offers A Steeping Stone to Past' Newcastle Herald 5 August 2010 p.7

The Macquarie Pier Commemorative Plaque was unveiled by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales at a ceremony at the Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club on the 4 August 2010 at 4 pm.

The occasion was kindly sponsored and organised by the Fort Scratchley Historical Society, The Newcastle Port Corporation, The University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party and the City of Newcastle.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie laid the foundation stone for the Newcastle breakwater, named in his honour by Commandant Captain James Wallis as “Macquarie Pier” on the 5th August 1818 at 4 pm.

Where exactly the foundation stone was laid is not known, many believe it was lost, but a map by the A.A. Company surveyor John Armstrong, drawn in 1830, indicates the point of commencement of the stonework with annotations on both sides of the Pier reading on the left “The stonework begins here on this side” and further along the Pier towards the present Nobbys surfhouse sheds “The stone work begins here on this side”. This plan is the key to possibly identifying the stone’s present location.

Macquarie Pier Commemorative Bronze Plaque

The Coal River Working Party has assembled an archaeological ‘Time Team’ team with the professional expertise drawn across Government, Business and community to re-discover the Macquarie Pier Foundation Stone.

To mark the spot a commemorative plaque cast in manganese bronze was commissioned with the financial assistance of the Institution of Surveyors (Hunter Manning Group) and Emeritus Professor John Fryer. This plaque is to be inlaid into the path adjacent to the spot that marks the start of the stonework.

Peter Sherlock (Director of Monteath & Powys Pty Ltd Surveyors) showing peg marking start of Macquarie Pier (Photo: Robert McLardy)

Peter Sherlock (Director of Monteath & Powys Pty Ltd Surveyors) showing peg marking start of Macquarie Pier (Photo: Robert McLardy)

This ceremony blessed the forthcoming archaeological works and honoured the Macquarie Pier as a land bridge safe guarding our Port, and connecting land and all peoples across time.

Macquarie Pier Plaque Unveiled - (l-r) Gionni Di Gravio, Danylo Motyka and Aunty Nola Hawken

Gionni Di Gravio (Chair, CRWP) and Aunty Nola Hawken (Awabakal Descendant) at Unveiling (Photo: Robert McLardy)

Following the unveiling Her Excellency then opened the Quest for Macquarie Pier exhibition at Fort Scratchley, and her husband, Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE launched the search light and fired the guns in honour of Governor Macquarie, Governor Sir Roden Cutler and Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir.

Firing of the Guns - Mr Doug Lithgow (Freeman of the City of Newcastle), Gionni Di Gravio (Chair of the Coal River Working Party), Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir Governor of New South Wales AC CVO, and Amir Mogodam (University Conservator) at the dusk firing of the guns at Fort Scratchley

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Quest for Macquarie Pier Commemorative Booklet (Web Edition) 6.4 MB PDF