Street names and monuments celebrating colonial figures are part of 'ongoing colonisation', say Portland's Aboriginal people, who want the relics to be taken down and placed in a space where a fuller historical context can be shared.
From street names and highways to towering stone monuments, the names of colonising figures are inescapable in the far south-west Victorian town of Portland.
In 1834 the three Henty brothers arrived in the coastal area and established the first permanent European settlement in the state — in breach of British colonial laws on where towns should be set up in the new colony. According to historical records the settlers "convinced" the Indigenous people of their right to the carcass using their guns.Nearly 200 years later Gunditjmara people want the names of colonisers like the Hentys to be wiped from street names, and monuments celebrating them, to be removed from public display."Colonisation wasn't just a singular event. It's ongoing," she said.
"Monuments to early European settlers glorify those responsible for the suffering of our people," the corporation said in a statement. In response, the Glenelg Shire Council began an audit of place names in the area, producing a list of colonial place names and monuments.Four years on from his initial discussion with council Mr Rotumah was tired of still seeing the names around town.
Aside from the street names and monuments there are other colonial relics that incite painful memories for local Indigenous people.
Yorta Yorta Henty Aboriginal Massacres Convincing Ground Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Cor Glenelg Shire Council Whale Boilers
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