RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.
During his visit to Hobart Town in 1811, Governor Macquarie instructed Acting Surveyor James Meehan to make a design for the layout of this small but growing settlement on the shores of the Derwent River.
The field notes of Meehan’s survey work executed as a result of these instructions were recently rediscovered and were analysed and plotted by the author, enabling him to show in map form his interpretation of these survey notes. The resulting map portrays an interesting picture of Hobart Town during the Collins period which is not complete. This interpretation of Meehan’s survey notes may encourage further studies.
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.