 Read
the reply by the Senior Archaeologist here.
Desecration of
Heritage Site in Glenrowan
By
Gary J Dean, F.A.I.H.A.
I am a member of The Glenrowan Improvers Association and have been
researching
the Kelly Outbreak story for almost forty years. A sixth generation Australian,
my
great-great grandmother, Anastasia Withers, was one of the makers of the
Southern
Cross Flag at Ballarat. I was the Former chairman of the Glenrowan Siege
Centenary
Committee and have arranged many other historical re-enactments in Victoria.
The
author and co-author of many books and newspaper articles on the Kelly Story, I
was
awarded a Fellowship of the Australian Institute of History and Arts in 1995,
for my
contribution to Historical Research in this country.
The Siege Site in Glenrowan is arguably one of the most important
archaeological
sites in Australia, equal in historic importance as Captain Cook’s first
landing, the
Eureka Rebellion, Federation, Gallipoli, and the Kakoda Trail, to mention just a
few.
Why has Heritage Victoria allowed the Rural City of Wangaratta to almost
totally
desecrate this important national site?
No consultation was entered into between the people of Glenrowan and the
Rural
City of Wangaratta regarding the plans for the development of this site. All we
were
told was that they would use a sensitive and authentic approach.
On Tuesday 2nd May, after initial works had began, I emailed
and spoke to
Annitia Rynhart, Enforcement Officer with Heritage Victoria, who told me that
the
Rural City of Wangaratta had been given approval to carry out the work. She
spoke to
Mary Townsend, overseer of the project for the Council, and Adam Ford, an
archaeologist
employed to oversee the excavation of the site works, and gave them approval to
continue.
This view of the Railway Station entrance and remains of the Glenrowan
Inn was
taken on the 29th June 1880, the day after the siege.
Please can
somebody stop this mindless destruction of our National Heritage.
View taken 2nd
May 2006 of the location of the drains in which some of the police
and blacktrackers were taking shelter during the Siege of Glenrowan in 1880.
Work carried out by 4th
May 2006
Drain where police
hid during the siege of Glenrowan has not changed much
in 126 years.
Same view as above
only closer, showing devastation and the last bit of native
vegetation which has since been destroyed.
Site where an 1866
Belgium rimfire pistol was discovered.
Works being
undertaken.
Thank you to Gary Dean for providing 1880 with this story.
...................................................................................................................................................................
See images of the town for 24 April.
See the newspaper article for 21
April.
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