  
  
  
heritage The
aborigine above is Bara-ourou, who lived on Maria island in the early 1800's.
Source (from Peron's journey): http://www.nma.gov.au/christensen/textimages/chri54.htm "...recent
archaeological findings indicate that Aboriginal occupation [of Australia] dates
back approximately 170,000 years. Aboriginal people, however, say We have always
been here." Source: Tripcony, P (1996). To obvious to see: Aboriginal
spirituality and cosmology. Available http://www.qut.edu.au/chan/oodgeroo/Spirituality.html. "The
indigenous population, which had been on the island [Tasmania] some 35,000 years,
numbered about 5,000 at the time of colonization; they were subsequently decimated." Source:
Anonymous, (n.d.).Tasmania. Available: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0847917.html
January 3rd 2002. "Just over 2.6% of Tasmania's population was recognised
as Aboriginal on the 1996 census." Source: Anonymous2, (n.d.). People
of Tasmania. Available: http://www.tased.edu.au/tasfaq/people January 3rd 2002. ------ ian
It is customary for European writers and academics to not declare cultural allegiances.
I suppose this is due to the notion of 'objectivity' in their writing. Maori,
Polynesian and Aboriginal speakers, make their allegiances plain. Me, I am descendant
of the Tahitians and mutineers of the Bounty, who settled on Pitcairn Island in
1790. The culture that resulted is very much a hybrid. This community literally
made up their culture as they went along. The women adopted European names, the
community built Tahitian style canoes, the language was a blend of Tahitian and
English. There was basically a race war after arriving on Pitcairn, and women
made up most of the adult population within six years. In 1856, the entire Pitcairn
community moved to Norfolk Island (some returned shortly after). The pervasive
power of women is felt today on Norfolk Island. That women had the vote on Pitcairn
was recorded in 1837. The use of intuition is important. Respect. The culture
is not official, in the sense of making tapa or dancing traditionally, although
music is a feature of the culture as is making good with what is at hand. The
ukulele is ubiquitous. On Norfolk the Tamare is danced, but at parties rather
than performances. My mother met my father by swimming into him at a beach on
Norfolk (he was stationed there just after the war). Afterwards, they moved to
New Zealand Aotearoa. jenny I was born in Liverpool (NE of GB)
but to "true" Liverpudlians, I am now a "woollyback" because
we moved out to a "newtown" called Runcorn when I was 11. But my accent
is still recognisable as 'Scouse". My culture is therefore that
of someone reared in a "newtown" (which believe me is very weird indeed). To
Southerners I am a "Northerner" which has many connotations in itself:
(vulgar, thick, provincial, heavy accent, working class). All not necessarily
true of course! I suppose I was working class, and still feel it/hear it
when I speak but due to reaching MA level of education perhaps this now makes
me "middle class"? (I don't agree with this though.) I am white
and have red hair, therefore I am an oddity within that larger group and that's
been fairly consistent throughout (despite red hair being widely available as
a "fashion colour" in the shops, Britain treats "ginger" as
the last pisstake allowed in our "pc world" (also a chain of computer
stores.) Oddly though, when in Edinburgh once, I felt so at home seeing more of
my kind on the streets... ------ Today the island's main inhabitants
are enthusiastic bushwalkers and a diversity of wildlife including the Forester
kangaroo (an introduced species), Bennets and Rufous wallaby, Cape Barren geese,
and a large number of migratory birds. The impact of settlement and industry
has virtually disappeared from the island. Many of the convict buildings, as well
as the ill-fated Grand Hotel, have been dismantled. In 1992 the Sydney
Morning Herald travel writer Monique Farmer observed that: 'The 20th century has
barely touched the island. The only vehicles belong to the rangers. There are
no shops, few modern conveniences. Camping facilities are basic. There are no
showers or hot water [this has now changed]. There are a few camping sites to
choose from, or people can stay in the old prisoner's barracks, The Penitentiary.
Each cabin contains bunks with mattresses and a wooden stove for heating. Source:
http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/TASMariaIsland.shtml#Things%20to%20see ------ ian
First Id like to thank Katherine and her friends for looking into the power
situation (or lack of, on Maria) off their own bat. Thanks for considering
the matter and investigating it. However, Im also not in favour of petrol
generators on the island. etienne We (lalila) have ceased the
petrol-generator organising efforts ..... due to possibly too much noise pollution. And
we will not actively chase up alternative power sources ............ since working with power
restrictions is perhaps more in line with the spirit of Maria Island. That
said ....... I still am expecting lots of callbacks from various people, and if
something does come through, I'll post to the list that there is still an opportunity
for alternative power sources.... see what the vibe is. ken
Ok! Crazy me has purchased a portable solar power generator to use on Maria. Barring
any probs with airlines and Customs I will bring it with me. If I get it out there.
... I am willing to share it out for people who need to charge camera, phone,
PDA, laptop, batteries, etc. If you want to use it, please make
sure that you have a dual AC-DC 220-240/110-120 power supply with a North
American plug adapter OR a 110-120 AC_>DC power supply for your device. I may
be able to let people use it for other limited power supply needs, but we'll have
to 'do the math' to determine current draw before we plug in anything. In
exchange ... booze, food, camera loans, smiles, mosquito repellent, etc. ------ Cape
Barren goose photos on this site are courtesy of Robert Sussman. Source. ------
plants : : geology : : heritage
: : fish animals : : nonlinear discussion
: : start
back
to top |