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Old swan brewery

Goonininup - Old Swan Brewery Site

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Gooninup is the area near a spring at the base of Gatagarup (or Mt Eliza (Western Australia)) on the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan in Boorloo (Perth). Derbarl Yerrigan translates as "...where the estuary is filled by the winding river..." [1] or according to Noel Nannup, derbal is "mixing; because it is where you have the sweet water and the salt water coming together [2]. It retains its place in Noongar cosmology as an important site in Noongar boodjar - being part of the journey of the creator, the Wargyl [3]. Goonininup has been a contested site since colonisation, when it was first used as a small shipyard and then a rations depot [4]. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community came together to return it to its natural state and protect it from development.

Noongar Katitjin

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According to Lorna Little [5] the Wagarl is also called Maadjit Wagarl, the Sacred Water Snake, child of Maadjit Walken, the “mother spirit and creator of Nyoongar Country” [6]. Noongar katitjin and story tells us that this site, Goonininup [7] is an important part of the river landscape as it was the final resting place of the Wagarl before it ventured out to the sea [8]. Ken Colbung is recorded as giving this story "When he finally emerged through the Narrows, he made another big coil to create the open expanse of water downstream of the Narrows. Wagarl then ascended Mount Eliza through a gap in the limestone cliffs, by way of the small valley or stormwater gully situated behind where the Swan Brewery Stables were built" [9]. Research undertaken by Corrie Bodney, Lorna Little and O’Connor for the WA Museum in 1985 also talked of a tunnel, created by the Wagarl between Lake Monger and Gargatup (Mt Eliza) or Gatagarup [10] and of a Waugal egg being in the vicinity [11] as a symbol of fertility or increase [12]. It is also understood that Goonininup came within the territory of Noongar boodiya Yellagonga [13].

Bakadjoo

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The Old Swan Brewery bakadjoo[14] lasted for three years from 1988 - 1992 and was actioned in response to the proposed redevelopment of the site. When the Swan Brewing Co Ltd put the building complex up for sale in 1978 [15], Ken Colbung called for the site to be handed back to the Aboriginal moort [16]. However, a number of deals occurred between high flying Perth businessmen in the early 80s and in 1981 was in the hands of Yosse Goldberg [17], who then sold it to the WA Government in September 1985 for the purpose of “public use” [18]. Again, in 1986 Ken Colbung called for the site to be “…levelled and the Wagyl (sic) to be appeased” [19].

After a Proclamation from Aboriginal Organisations dated 12 December 1988 was issued to the State Government [20] and ensuing meetings held among the Aboriginal community, especially in relation to the words and actions of Ken Colbung [21], on 2 January 1989 Robert Bropho leader of the Swan Valley Fringe Dwellers led a protest camp on the Gatagarup side of Mounts Bay Road, opposite the Brewery [22]. Bropho said “...it is the Sacred Dreaming of the Wagarl… (the waterway)… it’s very important to us… if they fail (to protect it) all sacred sites will be unprotected” [23].

Passionate and determined moral, procedural and legal challenges to the government's actions included numerous testimonies, proclamations, statements, court injunctions, letters, research papers, media interviews, articles and press releases issued by Aboriginal people (including from outside Noongar boodjar) and non-Aboriginal supporters[24]. Bropho's protest camp remained at the site for 10 months [25] and on Monday 9 October 1989 police moved in and cleared the camp [26].

In June 1990 the High Court upheld the action of Mr Bropho to prevent the redevelopment by declaring that the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 did bind the government to protect the site [27]. However, the government was determined and on 26 August 1992 sent 50 police onto the site to remove protesters and allow access to the developers. [28]. They further ignored the recommendations of the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee and granted approval to Bluegate Nominees Pty Ltd to restore the building and surrounds and carry out new works [29]. Thus, closing the chapter on the heroic struggle to protect the site.

Although there are images of the history of the building inside, there is no mention of the fight to resist its construction. The only acknowledgement that it remains Aboriginal land is the painted seat located adjacent to the building requested by, and dedicated to Yaluritja Clarrie Isaacs.

Bench dedicated to Clarrie Isaacs and the Old Swan Brewery protest.

Moort

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A number of individuals involved in the protest held unifying positions on the rights of Aboriginal people to protect the site. The following quotes are taken from the film Always Was, Always Will Be by Ansara and Bropho (1989, Australian Film Institute).

Jack Davis, referring to the area being gazetted as Aboriginal land said “...we are not asking for much… (protecting the site) would enhance the role of governments in WA…we want to share it with non-Aboriginal Australians” [30].

Delphine Stanford said “(it’s) not just a land rights grab – it IS of Aboriginal significance” [31] and Margaret Jeffery explained how the construction workers (union members) stood in solidarity with the Aboriginal protesters and voted against working on the site; voting themselves out of a job [32].

Ben Taylor reflected “I was told as a small child by my father and grandfather about the Waugal and its meaning to Aboriginal people” [33].

Mingli Wanjurri explained that “this is the first big opportunity that we’ve had to speak out to protect our land, which is our right, and we’re going to keep doing it ‘til the end” [34].

References

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  1. ↑ Collard, L, 2006, The Cosmology: The Creator of the Trilogy Waakal or Nyungar Rainbow Serpent in M Leybourne and A Gaynor, (eds), Water: Histories, Cultures, Ecologies, pp 121-130, UWA Press, Crawley
  2. ↑ Nannup, Noel, ‘Caring for Everything’, in Morgan S, Tjalaminu M, Kwaymullina B (eds), Heartsick for Country Stories of Love, Spirit and Creation, WA, 2008, p. 10 cited in State Library of Western Australia Swan River Stories, http://cms.slwa.wa.gov.au/swan_river/community_icon/waugal Accessed 31/10/17
  3. ↑ Collard, L, 2006, The Cosmology: The Creator of the Trilogy Waakal or Nyungar Rainbow Serpent in M Leybourne and A Gaynor, (eds), Water: Histories, Cultures, Ecologies, pp 121-130, UWA Press, Crawley
  4. ↑ Vinnicombe,P 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, p. 22
  5. ↑ http://www.ourknowledgeourland.com.au/story/lorna-little/
  6. ↑ Little, L and Lyndon, J, 2004, The Mark of the Wagarl, Magabala Books, p. 1
  7. ↑ Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 2
  8. ↑ Vinnicombe, 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum,p. 17 and Perth Gazette 1836 cited in Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, pp 2 and 66
  9. ↑ Colbung K, as principal informant to Bloor, L cited in Vinnicombe, P, 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, Frontispiece and p. 12
  10. ↑ Vinnicombe, 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, p. 10
  11. ↑ O’Connor 1985, p. 31 cited in Vinnicombe, P, 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, p. 17 and Perth Gazette 1836 cited in Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 66
  12. ↑ Maddock 1972, p. 145 cited in Vinnicombe, P, 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, p. 18 and Bates in White 1985, p. 133 cited in Vinnicombe, P, 1989, Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, p. 18
  13. ↑ Public Plan of Perth AD?40 No. 2 and Bates, unpublished notes cited in Vinnicombe, P, 1989,Goonininup: An Historical Perspective of Land Use and Associations in the Old Swan Brewery Area, WA Museum, p. 16
  14. ↑ Whitehurst, R, 1997, Noongar Dictionary, Noongar Language and Culture Centre, East Perth, Available from https://www.noongarculture.org.au Accessed 1/11/2017
  15. ↑ Ansara, 1990, p. 5
  16. ↑ Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 5
  17. ↑ Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 5
  18. ↑ Ansara, 1990: 7
  19. ↑ Sunday Times 1986 cited in Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 14
  20. ↑ Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 98
  21. ↑ Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara pp 19 -23
  22. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video:
  23. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video:8min
  24. ↑ Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, pp 67-113
  25. ↑ Ansara, 1990, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 48
  26. ↑ Ansara, 1990, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, p. 50
  27. ↑ Parliament of Western Australia, Legislative Council 30 October 1990 cited in Committee for Perth, 2017, What We Thought Would Kill Us: Case Study 7, Old Swan Brewery, p16
  28. ↑ Parliament of Western Australia, Legislative Assembly 26 August 1992 cited in Committee for Perth, 2017, What We Thought Would Kill Us: Case Study 7, Old Swan Brewery, p16
  29. ↑ Lawrence, 1992 cited in Committee for Perth, 2017, What We Thought Would Kill Us: Case Study 7, Old Swan Brewery, p16 https://www.committeeforperth.com.au/assets/documents/WWTWKU-Old-Swan-Brewery.pdf Accessed 31/10/2017
  30. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video: 9min
  31. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video: 14min
  32. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video:14min
  33. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video: 18min
  34. ↑ Bropho and Ansara, 1989, Always Was, Always Will Be, Ansara, video:19min
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