By Jessica Gleadow This is a University of Tasmania assignment for the Unit Cultural Awareness Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Studies

1. Risdon Cove
Massacre
Including the
implications for
understanding history By Jessica Gleadow

2. Acknowledgment of
Country
 As a reflection of this institution's recognition of the deep history
and culture of this island, I wish to acknowledge the − Panninher
(Par-nin-her) and the Leterrermairrener (Letter-ramare-ru-nah)
People, the traditional owners and custodians of the land upon
which we are meeting on today (Riawunna Centre, 2014).
 We acknowledge the contemporary Tasmanian Aboriginal
community, who have survived invasion and dispossession, and
continue to maintain their identity, culture and Indigenous rights.
We also recognise the value of continuing Aboriginal knowledge
and cultural practice, which informs our understandings of
history, culture, science and environment; the University's role in
research and education, and in supporting the development of the
Tasmanian community (Riawunna Centre, 2014).

3. WARNING
 The content of this presentation includes
some horrible truths about Australian
history which may disturb some viewers. If
at any time you wish to step out of the
room please feel free to do so.
 Included in this presentation are pictures
and names of Aboriginal people who may
have passed away. Please contact me if
you would like a copy of the slides without
images.

4. OVERVIEW
 Timeline
 Events leading to the massacre
 Evidence & overview
 Subjective sources/ controversy
 Implications for understanding history
 Teaching Activity
 Links with Australian Curriculum
 Final note
 References

5. Events surrounding Risdon
Cove & the massacre

6. 3rd May 1804
 On 3rd May 1804 there was a
violent clash between a group of
British settlers and Aboriginal
people at Risdon Cove, near
Hobart (then known as Van
Diemen’s Land).
 There are many debates
surrounding how many Aboriginal
people were killed. From various
reports, testimonies made to the
committee and earlier accounts
we can determine that at least
one Aboriginal women was killed
and an Aboriginal boy orphaned.
(Ryan, 2012, pp. 107; Elder, 1988;
Connor, pp. 35; Ryan, 2008;
National Museum of Australia and
Ryebuck Media, 2011)

7. Two Sources from the time
 The next slide included two sources from 1804.
One is a series of three diary entries by a local
settler in Hobart- Reverend Knopwood. The other
is a report by Lt Moore, 7th May 1804 to Governor
Collins.
Once the next slide appears pause the
presentation to read through the sources.

9. Reflective Questions…
Now I would like you to pause the presentation again to
think about and discuss (if someone is in close
proximity) the following questions.
 In the diary entries how are the Aboriginal people
presented? What tells you this?
 Are these diary entries likely to be an honest account?
Why or why not?
 Would Lt Moore hold a motive for maybe distorting the
truth in this document? Why or why not?
(National Museum of Australia and Ryebuck Media,
2011)

10. What happened in 1904…
 The centenary of the Risdon Cove
settlement was a celebration of the
pioneer settlers in Tasmania.
 In attendance was several thousand
spectators, the premier and the governor
of Tasmania who unveiled a monument to
John Bowen, the founder of Risdon Cove
and paid tribute to the pioneers who had
worked hard to make Tasmania a
successful colony.
 There was no mention of the massacre
and no Aboriginal people were known to
have been present.
(Ryan, 2012, pp. 117)

11. IN 1995…
(Allen, 1992; Ryan, 2012)

12. 2004- A POSITIVE SHIFT
-On 3 May 2004 about 200 members of the Aboriginal
community, their friends and politicians gathered on a hill top
overlooking Risdon Cove. Their purpose was to commemorate
the bicentenary of the massacre.
- No formal ceremony was held to mark the Bowen landing and
at the ceremony on 3 May 2004 his monument was covered
with a white sheet splattered with blood, as a mark of respect
for the Aboriginal people who lost their life in the massacre (Ryan, 2012 ; Darby,
2004)

13. However the history isn’t so clear surrounding the
Risdon Cove massacre…

14. Implications for history
 Play video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c3VOev-Z3o
 I decided to include this as it depicts the different views of the
massacre which provides a certain implication for history and
teaching Australian History.
 Play video-
http://shelf3d.com/vU_4OO6ODmk#Risdon%20Cove%20Archaeology
%20-%20"Evidence%20Of%20A%20Massacre?”
 Take a minute now to think about what was shown in this video (pause
the presentation).
 What do the two contrasting views tell us? What can we determine
from the media? Is this considered as an implication for history? Why or
why not?
 Keith Windschuttle (Ryan, 2012, p.p 122)

15. As Ryan (2012) explains:
Can Risdon Cove be
represented as a site of
reconciliation and renewal
as well as of violent
dispossession?
I ask my peers to now take time, maybe 1-2 minutes (pause the presentation)
to think about this question. There is no right or wrong answer the importance
lies within the thought process.

16. Teaching activity- Grade 5
 I would modify the contents of this power point and
display the main points in a web quest format.
 It involves an introduction where the students are
provided with some information of the Risdon Cove
massacre, inquiry questions, a task, process, evaluation
and a conclusion (Stickland & Nazzal, 2005).
 The task within the web quest would be a final oral
presentation to the class. Including a recording of the
discussions surrounding the questions asked, an option
to write a diary entry or letter from the perspective of an
Aboriginal in 1804 as their voices were silenced during
that time and an analysis of the credibility of the
information provided in selected books and websites.

17. Curriculum links
 History- Knowledge and Understanding
Reasons (economic, political and social) for the establishment of British colonies in Australia
after 1800. (ACHHK093)
The impact of a significant development or event on a colony; for example, frontier conflict,
the gold rushes, the Eureka Stockade, internal exploration, the advent of rail, the expansion
of farming, drought. (ACHHK095)
 Historical Skills
Identify and locate a range of relevant sources (ACHHS101)
Compare information from a range of sources (ACHHS103)
Use a range of communication forms (oral, graphic, written) and digital technologies
(ACHHS106)
 Cross- Curricula Priorities- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have lived in Australia for tens of thousands of years
and experiences can be viewed through historical, social and political lenses.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities maintain a special connection to and
responsibility for Country/Place throughout all of Australia.
 General Capabilities- ICT
Define and plan information searches
Select and evaluate data and information
(Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2014)

18. Final note….
 Why is it important to recognise our past?
 What contributions will we have to the future by
doing so?
 Play video of Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder Jim
Everett (2011)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYwlTUjNEk
c
 You don’t have to be Aboriginal you just need to
understand the Aboriginal connection and want
to learn.

19. References
Allen, K. (1992). Aboriginal community reoccupies Risdon Cove. Retrieved from
https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/3815
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2014). The Australian
Curriculum: Cross Curriculum Priorities. Retrieved August 2014, from:
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2014). The Australian
Curriculum: History. Retrieved May 2014, from:
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/humanitiesandsocialsciences/history/Curriculum/F-10
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2014). The Australian
Curriculum: General Capabilities. Retrieved May 2014, from:
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/GeneralCapabilities/Overview/general-capabilities-
in-the-australian-curriculum
Connor, J. (2002). The Australian Frontier Wars 1788-1838 (1st ed.). Sydney, NSW: UNSW Press.
Darby, A. (2004). Debate exposes 200-year-old massacre. The Age. Retrieved from
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/03/1083436539543.html?from=storyrhs
Elder, B. (1988). Blood on the Wattle, Massacres and Maltreatment of Australian Aborigines since
1788,, Sydney: Child & Associates.
Everett, J. (2011, Aug 06). Island Home Country, from "Reckoning" chapter. Retrieved Aug 2014,
from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYwlTUjNEkc
National Museum of Australia and Ryebuck Media,. (2011). Massacre at Risdon Cove? An
Australian History Mystery. Retrieved from
http://www.australianhistorymysteries.info/pdfs/StudiesAHM-1.pdf

20. Riawunna Centre. (2014). Welcome ceremony protocols.
Retrieved July 2014, from Riawunna Centre, University of
Tasmania: http://www.utas.edu.au/riawunna/welcome-
ceremony-protocols
Ryan, L. (2008). List of multiple killings of Aborigines in Tasmania:
1804-1835 - Online Encyclopedia of Mass Violence. Retrieved 13
August 2014, from http://www.massviolence.org/List-of-multiple-
killings-of-Aborigines-in-Tasmania-1804#citation
Ryan, L. (2012). Tasmanian aborigines (1st ed., pp. 107-123).
Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin.
Seymour, S. (2013). Risdon Cove Massacre of History. Retrieved
Aug 17 2014 from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c3VOev-Z3o
Strickland, J., & Nazzal, A. (2005). Using web quests to teach
content: Comparing instructional
strategies. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher
Education. Retrieved
from: http://www.citejournal.org/vol5/iss2/socialstudies/article1.
cfm