Knowledges of Country - Embedding Tasmanian Aboriginal presence on the Inveresk precinct
Who we are and what we do is fundamentally shaped by ‘where we are’, ‘how we connect’ and ‘our sense of belonging’ – ‘place’
Riawunna although referred to in the main as a ‘building’ is in fact is much more complex – and while needing a base - a presence with a direct connection to place through a cultural garden, may also be represented throughout the landscape itself, particularly with reference to the establishment of other less formal but no less important linkages, i.e. how the buildings are orientated (not just the placement of Riawunna) and named, the use of the urban realm and the spaces between the buildings and how these linkages may facilitate formal and informal community engagement. To strengthen the linkages between the buildings and the landscape the use of language e.g. palawa kani, throughout the site would provide an experience that students, staff and the Community could share which recognises Country and the first people. It must be recognised that the Inveresk site is on the swamp, a low lying area, and as such it does not allow for a direct connection to the mountains and the river (they cannot be seen from the campus’ lower levels), it would be important to establish this connection in other ways – a smaller rooftop micro garden, or a place of reflection where individuals can see the wider landscape. The landscape across the site and the ‘spaces’ between the buildings can be both purposeful and meaningful, for the staff, students and the Aboriginal and wider community, this can be achieved by embedding an array of cultural experiences – a healing garden, edible Aboriginal plants, micro gardens (smaller versions of the cultural garden), an interpretation trail – passing on of Aboriginal knowledges, recognising Aboriginal presence on the site through the ages, providing information on people from the Aboriginal community. The other critical aspect of embedding presence at Inveresk is ensuring that in particular all materials that make up the gardens and other areas of landscape are sourced authentically –including the stones, rocks and plants. Community and connection are vital to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and as such the ability to pass on knowledges in both traditional and more modern methods is intrinsically linked to ‘place’ and ‘Country’. It is therefore imperative that space be available for gatherings and performances – this type of community engagement is at the Centre of Riawunna, and the circle of existence. This type of connection can also be strengthened through establishing more formal pathways and partnerships – the ability to work with the current occupants of the precinct i.e. QVMAG, and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Elders Council as well as with other organisations will strengthen existing relationships and encourage new ones to form, this in turn will contribute to the ongoing development of community engagement initiatives and educational enterprise.
For Aboriginal Tasmanians ‘place’ = ‘Country’
Country is all around, the earth, the sky, the mountains, the rivers and the surrounding seas Our connectedness to Country has sustained us for millennia. Riawunna should be a place of education, welcoming, intellectualism, reflection, respect and a place of belonging. A place to share our Aboriginal Knowledges, including native foods, healing plants and history. It must encapsulate our Ancestors’ story as well as our story in modernity, the significance of Invermay, our Elders, and the Aboriginal Community. Core to Riawunna is its students, its staff, and the Aboriginal Community (both internal and external), - ‘it must reflect the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community’ - its connections to Country are physical, emotional, visual and spiritual – and it is key that these connections are considered in relation to Riawunna the ‘building’. As such, any building/ space that is designated Riawunna should be representative of these connections – inside and outside must come together - to be able to walk from the internal space directly onto Country is integral to any design. This direct connection between Riawunna ‘the building’ and the cultural garden is predominately for use by Riawunna’s staff, students and Community for events and educational purposes specific to their cultural practices. The Inveresk precinct should be considered in a holistic way and reflect Tasmanian Aboriginal presence across the landscape. This reflection can take a variety of forms, but it is considered important that Riawunna be at the entrance to the University (front and centre), so that the public is greeted and embraced from a cultural perspective – symbolically the presence of the flag poles is considered to be imperative – a direct physical link to the cultural garden is vital, and connections to Aboriginal knowledges should also be embedded in the wider site utilising theme, forms and plants that are reflect Aboriginal presence. For example, the cultural garden would contain the stones of the Aboriginal nations; care and thought must be given to their placement – the current garden on the Newnham campus represents Rocky Cape (white quartz and Yakka trees) and the Gorge (Guardian stones). Consideration should be given to what the Inveresk garden might represent, inspiration could be taken from the strong links that the Aboriginal community has to water and shells, through this connection to Country Aboriginal people made baskets, shell necklaces and water carriers, this could be reflected in aspects of the landscape and built form. The presence of the fire pit – and the transfer of the coals from Newnham to Inveresk is an incredibly important aspect of transitioning from one campus to the other. This needs to be done correctly and with some ceremony – the treatment of what will remain at Newnham in terms of the building and garden will also need to be considered as the Newnham site is ‘decommissioned’. This transition may be in the form of a formal ceremony that might see the Tasmanian Aboriginal community walk from one site to the other taking the coals from Newnham to Inveresk – completing the circuit of transformation.
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