 |
|
 |
Click the icon to access resources
|
|
Focus questions
|
 |
What do Willandra Lakes and Parramatta Park reveal about the influences on life in Australia at the beginning of the 20th century? |
|
|
|
How do the influences revealed by these places contribute to our understanding of: past and present relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people; origins of the Australian continent; approaches to environmental management; issues of Aboriginal heritage? |
|
|
|
What is being preserved in these places; who decided what was important and should be kept; and how is it being done? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click the icon to view images of these sites
Willandra Lakes and Parramatta Park are significant places of Aboriginal heritage pre-dating white settlement and the shared heritage of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people since 1788. Gisele Mesnage notes the local history pamphlets and displays in many towns and suburbs throughout Australia that acknowledge the Aboriginal groups residing in the area – but then move onto narrate the story of white settlement. The continuing involvement of Aboriginal peoples – through spiritual and cultural links, as well as participation in events and developments since white settlement – is overlooked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click the icon to view maps of these heritage sites
|
The NPWS – in the Willandra Lakes region – and the National Trust – at Parramatta Park – are working with Aboriginal peoples to more accurately convey the heritage importance of these areas. Approaches to decision-making aim to reflect significant issues for indigenous people – such as approaches to burial sites – and those of shared importance to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, for example, the management of cultural tourism.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Willandra Lakes – an area of 600 000 hectares in the south-west of New South Wales – has formed over the last two million years. Archaeological records reveal continuous human occupation of the area for at least 40 000 years. Willandra Lakes is recognised as one of the oldest known occupation sites in Australia. The Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi and Nyianpaa Aboriginal peoples have connections to the Willandra Lakes region. Primary producer landholder families – some having links to European settlement in the area – are another group with connections to the region.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Click the icon to view historical photos
Parramatta Park and Old Government House – the former Government Domain and vice-regal residence at Parramatta – cover an area of 86 hectares. Artefact scatters and scarred trees provide evidence of occupation of the area by the Burramatta clan, part of the Darug language group. Parramatta Park is also associated with the beginning of rural settlement in Australia and the exploration and extension of colonisation. The earliest successful colonial farming in Australia and the beginning of the cattle industry took place here.
Willandra Lakes was listed as a World Heritage area in 1996 – one of eight World Heritage areas located in Australia. Parramatta Park is regarded as a heritage icon in New South Wales; Old Government House is the oldest public building surviving on the Australia mainland.
Source: NSW State Heritage Inventory |
|
