A Tour of Rottnest Island

Today, the Governor and Mrs Dawson travelled to Wadjemup, colloquially known as Rottnest Island.

While on the island, the Governor and Mrs Dawson were given a tour by Rottnest Authority Chair, Mr Hamish Beck, and his wife, Mrs Ngaire Beck.

The Governor, Mrs Dawson, Mr Beck and Mrs Beck walk down the newly developed Rottnest Strip.

Beginning with a smoking ceremony, performed by Noongar Elder Mr Neville Collard, the Governor and Mrs Dawson soon toured the Quod and learned of the history of the island and its significance to Aboriginal people. State records indicate that at least 373 Aboriginal prisoners died in custody on Rottnest Island – the largest in-custody death record in Western Australia – and are buried in unmarked graves in at least two areas to the north of the Quod. Mr Beck and Mr Collard spoke in length of the planned works to commemorate these men and to respectfully redevelop this area of the island.

The Governor is invited to walk through the cleansing smoke.

Much work has been done since the 1980s under the Wadiemup Project to recognise the significant impact on Aboriginal life. Recently developments to formally acknowledge the Island’s Aboriginal history have included:

• Truth Telling – to acknowledge Wadjemup’s history of Aboriginal incarceration and its role in the colonisation of WA;
• Ceremony – to facilitate healing in line with Aboriginal cultural protocol; and
• Memorialisation – of the former prison sites on Wadjemup, including the Quod and the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.

Upon the departure of Mr Collard, Mr Beck drove the Governor and Mrs Dawson around the island, discussing the history, various works being undertaken and future plans to further develop tourism, the island’s sustainability and resources.

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