Risdon Vale: Place, Memory, and Suburban Experience

Abstract

The author reflects upon the notions of personal memory, collective memory, myth, and evolved memory within her lived experience of Risdon Vale. These interrelated forms of memory influence understanding of place and sense of place. Personal memories corroborate and collaborate with intersubjective memories to inform collective memory. Both personal and collective memories are held within a fusion of cultural myths. Evolved memory binds us deeply within the history of the earth and the evolution of life. Risdon Vale provides fertile ground for considerations of place and memory. This former public housing suburb is adjacent to Risdon Cove, the site of first occupation by the British in 1803 and the site of the first massacre of Aboriginal Tasmanians in 1804.

Notes

Notes

1. Tasmania, Australia's southern island state, was previously known as Van Diemen's Land—a name given to it in 1642 by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. The change in name to Tasmania in 1856 followed the end of convict transportation and was spurred by a desire to ‘forget’ the island's convict legacy (Boyce, 2008).

2. The old prison, nicknamed the ‘pink palace’ due to its original colour scheme (Alexander, 2003), was constructed in 1960 and is still used as a minimum-security facility. However, following years of disquiet from both inside and outside the prison walls regarding conditions—including the deaths of five prisoners during a four-month period in 1999 (ABC, 2008)—a new prison was opened adjacent to the old one in 2006.

3. Evidence relating to this event was collated 27 years after the fact, and included the eye-witness account of convict Edward White. He claimed, contra to the report made by the commander of the soldiers who opened fire, that the approach of the Aborigines was peaceful and not an attack. He also stated that a great many Aboriginal people were killed and wounded (Boyce, 2008, p. 38).

4. Palawa (or Pallawah) is the name used by Aboriginal Tasmanians to identify themselves among the First Nation Aboriginal groups (Ryan, 1996, p. xx).

5. Risdon Cove is managed by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. Management activities include environmental rehabilitation and community education initiatives. The management plan for the site includes the provision of interpretations and the maintenance of visitor facilities (Indigenous Protected Area Program (IPAP), 2008).

6. The vegetation in the part of the Meehan Range that borders Risdon Vale is dominated by Eucalyptus risdonii, known commonly as the Risdon peppermint. This small tree is endemic to Hobart's eastern shore and is listed as rare under the Threatened Species Protection Act (1995). A distinctive feature of the Risdon peppermint is the retention of juvenile foliage into adulthood. The leaves are stalkless and occur opposite one another along the stem with the base of opposite leaves fused. When these leaves die they can remain upon the stem yet their base can become loose, causing them to spin in the wind (TSU, 2003).

7. ‘Bogan’ is a class-based slur meaning fool or hooligan. It is also a descriptor for an Australian sub-culture often associated with a low socio-economic demographic.