Huon Valley News, Wed Feb

Huon Valley News, Wed Feb. 19, 2003. p.9.

Tasmania's oldest European artifacts

The existence of two of the oldest European structures in Tasmania was verified a few days ago by leading archaeologists.

These are the borders and other structures of a French garden and an observatory site in the Coal Pit Bight area of Recherche Bay.

They are certain to attract international attention.

Emeritus Professor John Mulvaney, head of Prehistory' and Archaeology at the Australian National University, and Sydney-based archaeologist Annie Beckford, who has won awards for reconstruction of several early Australian colonial sites, visited Recherche Bay a few days ago:

"There are very few significant historical areas in Australia which remain substantially the same after two hundred years" says Mulvaney. "This whole area has great cultural significance not only for Australia but for France and the rest of the world."

Beckford remarks that,"These sites have to be the most important finds in recent times. They should be protected, studied closely, partly restored and made available for tourism. The garden has to be listed among the top one hundred historical icons in Australia."

These constructions were left behind by the Bruni d'Entrecasteaux/Huon de Kermadec scientific expedition which visited Recherche Bay in 1792 and again in 1793.

The French made major scientific advances in geo‑magnetism, botany, mapping and anthropology. They discovered the Channel and the Derwent River.

One of their instructions ordered them to make botanic gardens in order to demonstrate useful European plants to the natives. They made several gardens here but it is Felix La Hale's first garden here that has been rediscovered. This particular garden has been documented more than any other of their plantings.

Jane Thiele, spokesperson for the Recherche Bay Protection Group (elected by a public meeting several months ago), has welcomed the confirmations as a major, breakthrough in the efforts by locals to preserve the sites for posterity. "Look what happened to theoriginal Botany Bay when the Kurnell Oil Refinery covered it!" she said.

Convener of the Far South Tourism Group, Mike Foley, said that he was ecstatic to hear the news. "We have known for years about these significant sites. They are currently threatened by clearfelling. They should be protected and developed for tourism. The various French sites, together with the convict coal mine and the whaling station, would make a wonderful destination for tourists at least on a par with the Hastings Caves and the Tahune Air Walk".

Local historian Bruce Poulson adds that, "Tourism began in the area as early as 1839 when Lady Jane Franklin, wife of the Governor, led an expedition which included the great ornithologist Gould and the leading botanist Gunn. They made three attempts to find the garden and collected numerous samples from the area which were sent to the Royal Hobart Botanical Garden and the Royal Society Gardens in London. As well, the great Polish explorer Count Strezlecki (who named Mt. Kosciuszko) visited the observatory site."

Poulson says that he has been trying to find the garden for some years and recently got very close with a group, using a GPS but only a day later Bob Graham, Helen Gee, Cate Burke and Chris Von der Borch actually identified the rock walls. Poulson would like to pay tribute to legendary local bushman John Hitchins, recently deceased. "He told me a couple of years ago that his father had seen it back in the early part of last century and that it had been perfectly formed with rock sidings. This was the clue that we needed."

Meanwhile, Wren Fraser, Paddy Prosser and others on the Action Committee are preparing a submission to the Heritage Council to preserve the area for its scenic, botanic, historical and tourism values.

(Article provided by Greg Hogg for the Recherche Bay Protection Group)