Congratulations Professor Anya Reading!
RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.
RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.
In St Johns Church in Launceston, Tasmania, there are remarkably accomplished representations of Tasmanian native plants, formed in masonry, all but one decorating capitals consisting of coloured concrete. They were designed by the architect
Alexander North, and, with the exception of one carved in sandstone, were executed by Gordon Cumming in 19381939. Possible influences on these designs, and the choices of subject, are considered. This paper examines a late and unusual
manifestation of these, executed by hand in the difficult medium of coloured Portland cement render, and to a remarkable extent, overcoming the problems of expressing fine detail and colour contrast in such a material. The plants represented are
native to Australia, half of them endemic to Tasmania, so their representations are mostly without any close precedent, and in this form, unique.
Tasmanian native plants, carving, modelling, Portland cement render, Federation style, Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, Celtic patterns.
Published Papers
The Royal Society of Tasmania acknowledges, with deep respect, the traditional owners of this land, and the ongoing custodianship of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. The Society pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that Tasmanian Aboriginal Peoples have survived severe and unjust impacts resulting from invasion and dispossession of their Country. As an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, the Royal Society of Tasmania recognises Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices and seeks to respect and honour these traditions and the deep understanding they represent.
On 15 February 2021, the Royal Society of Tasmania offered a formal Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
