Vandalism at Wybalenna site on Flinders Island condemned by Aboriginal community, police and politicians
The vandalism was discovered on Monday morning. (Supplied: Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania)
In short:
An investigation has been launched after vandals allegedly performed donuts on a historic Aboriginal site at Flinders Island.
Situated on the island's west coast, the site was Australia's first Aboriginal mission, operating in the 1800s as an open-air detention facility for Aboriginal men, women and children. It was handed over to Aboriginal people in 1999 and is considered a sacred place.
What's next?
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the vandalism was "enormously disrespectful" and he had reached out to the TAC and offered to support remediation required.
Tasmania's Aboriginal community says it is "heartbroken" by the vandalism of a sacred site at Flinders Island, saying it has been treated with "reckless disregard".
Wybalenna was Australia's first mission, operating in the 1800s as an open-air detention facility for more than 200 Aboriginal men, women and children.
Many died there, faced with poor shelter, insufficient food, disease and loss of freedom.
Wybalenna was established in 1833. (Supplied: State Library and Archive Service)
When it closed in 1847, only 48 people remained.
After years of activism, the site was returned to Aboriginal people in 1999 and remains an important place for remembrance, healing and cultural connection.
But Aboriginal Tasmanians are reeling after the grounds were marked with burnout tracks, and a water tank drained while the island grapples with drought.
Wybalenna is a historic site of cultural significance to Aboriginal people. (Supplied: Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania)
Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) chair Greg Brown called it "devastating" and "painful".
"Wybalenna is a place of memory, of grief, and of resilience. It embodies the history of Tasmania's Aboriginal people and their enduring connection to the land," he said.
"It was basically a prison camp for my ancestors … we weren't allowed to practice our culture or language."
Greg Brown described Wybalenna as a "prison camp". (Supplied: Greg Brown)
Mr Brown said more than 100 Aboriginal people were buried at unmarked graves at the site's cemetery, alongside marked non-Aboriginal plots.
"The damage that it's caused to my people, but also … disturbing the old people like that [is] extremely disrespectful, and I'd just like them to understand it's not just damage to the ground from the wheel marks," he said.
Pakana Sea Country ranger Fiona Maher said it was unfathomable.
"We're quite upset and devastated that someone could even lower themselves to commit such an act in such a sacred place," she said.
"We feel very close to our ancestors there, and it's a place of healing for our people. This has definitely upset our healing journey."
Wybalenna was an operational mission for 14 years. (ABC News: )
She said no local could fail to know the significance of Wybalenna.
"The devastation of what happened to our people, it's a very well-known story on Flinders, so yes, I do think it is a local," she said.
Tasmania Police was notified on Monday afternoon and is continuing investigations.
"Vandals have driven a vehicle, or vehicles, over land at Wybalenna sacred site, near Emita, on the western side of Flinders Island,"it said.
"The ground has been torn up by a series of vehicle skids and 'donuts.'"
Tasmania Police is continuing investigations into the vandalism. (Supplied: Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania)
Mr Brown said the vandalism threatened to undo the tireless work of the ALCT, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC), and Truwana rangers, who spent decades caring for the site.
And he said it was particularly disappointing given significant resources had been poured in to improving Wybalenna, and starting the truth-telling journey, to invite members of the community to stay.
"We thought we'd turned the corner in the change of attitudes, but obviously there's still a bit of work to be done,"he said.
Wybalenna was handed back to Aboriginal people in 1999. (Supplied: Gregory P Lehman)
But he stressed his people were resilient, and had the broader support of the island.
"The community are ropeable, but we've got to put that behind us, you know, and work out how best we can move forward and prevent this sort of thing from happening again," he said.
Mr Brown called on the parliament to "show leadership" through both truth-telling and treaty.
In May, the Tasmanian government walked away from progressing treaty, but has committed to establishing truth-telling and healing commissioners.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said it was important all Tasmanians had a deep understanding of the state's dark past.
"The truth-telling and healing process needs to come first, and then any formalised agreements from that point forward we will be open to,"he said.
Jeremy Rockliff at a smoking ceremony in Tebrakunna, Little Musselroe Bay. (ABC News)
Mr Rockliff said the vandalism was "enormously disrespectful," and he had reached out to the TAC and offered to support the remediation required.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said it should be treated with respect.
"The acts of vandalism that occurred are vicious and disrespectful, and stand in stark contrast to the care and love that has been poured into restoring Wybalenna," she said.