This the third in a trilogy of studies on the post-British settler invasion of Tasmania and its impact on the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, those who sThis the third in a trilogy of studies on the post-British settler invasion of Tasmania and its impact on the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, those who survived and those who did not. Included in this trilogy were ‘Truganini: Journey through the apocalypse’, by Cassandra Pybus and ‘Tasmanian Aborigines: A History Since 1803’, by Lyndall Ryan.
These were planned reads to expand my knowledge (in many instances scant) on this history. Learning more about the Tasmanian Aboriginal long, ongoing and rich culture was a privilege. The connection and respect for their environment, their country, rang out loud and clear in all three texts. It is by far not the end of my learning and I will look out for other reliable texts.
The three authors delivered unique perspectives with Patsy Cameron offering insights into the development of island communities in the Bass Strait off the Northeast coast of Tasmania. She takes us into the world of European ‘Straitsmen’ and their aboriginal wives, described here as the ‘clanswomen’ or ‘tyereelore’.
Cameron is one of many descendants of this community who thrive today. She drew on resources from people who visited and recorded details of these island communities. As in the case of the other authors, she also references the journals of George Augustus Robinson, a British-born colonial official and self-trained missionary of sorts who travelled around Tasmania, then known as Van Diemen’s Land, attempting to negotiate a peace deal between European settlers and Aboriginal Tasmanians prior to the outbreak of the ‘Black War’. His ‘negotiations’ extended to the Straitsmen and the tyereelore.
Patsy Cameron makes it clear that many historians and commentators have appraised Robinson’s journals and other primary sources ‘…without, however, listening to the voices of the people who played significant roles throughout this period.’ She remedies that, to a large degree, in this book.
There is a sketch at the end: ‘The Natives of Tasmania bewailing the loss of their Country’. My heart skipped a beat. Cameron writes that it was a ‘…design for a medallion, probably prepared by Thomas Bock, which Robinson intended to use at the end of his book dealing with his experiences in Tasmania. Department of Ethnology, British Museum, London.’ If this sketch is not currently on public display, I believe it should be. It would give museum visitors the opportunity to stop and reflect on what this statement actually means, and maybe encourage them to research the basis behind it....more
Impressively researched and referenced. An extensive linear report that outlines an essential context to this history. There was so much that elicited Impressively researched and referenced. An extensive linear report that outlines an essential context to this history. There was so much that elicited a gut response from me: rage, delight, surprise, empathy, sorrow, discomfort, hope. I could write volumes about my thoughts on so many injustices. But it’s not about me. It’s about them....more
I love to learn about the underdogs, the unsung heroes in many settings, not just in wars, so this account of the Chipilly Six was welcomed. The authorI love to learn about the underdogs, the unsung heroes in many settings, not just in wars, so this account of the Chipilly Six was welcomed. The author’s extensive research and interest in his material paid off. I liked how he mapped the lives of these relatively unknown 6 ANZACS, not only their WWI experiences, their feats and injuries, but also how they readjusted to a post-war Australia.
Loading...
