The Lia Pootah People
and the
Risdon Vale Community

INVITATION

Not many people are aware that ancestors of some of our Lia Pootah members were at Risdon Cove when Lt. Bowen arrived. This was a peaceful occurrence between two races. The Lia Pootah Aboriginal Community in conjunction with the Risdon Vale Community is inviting all people irrespective of their ancestry to share four separate functions to acknowledge the Bicentenary of Lt Bowen’s arrival in Tasmania in 1803.

FIRST EVENT 12 September 2003 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

The acknowledgement of Lt. Bowen’s arrival at Risdon Cove 12 September 1803 will be held 12 September 2003 at 10.30 am. ACKNOWLEDGING OUR HERITAGE at the Risdon Vale Community Centre. A cultural ceremony of welcome by Lia Pootah Elders to senior descendants of Martha Hayes (Bowen’s mistress) and other Bowen descendants of 1803, will take place at 11 am. Guest speakers who represent both cultures will make short speeches. A free picnic/BBQ is to follow.

SECOND EVENT 7 November 2003 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

Friday 7 November 2003 EXHIBIT AND CONCERT. Lia Pootah and Risdon Vale community have hosted an inter schools competition for poster, essays and music as part of the bicentenary of Bowen events. The music event will be held as a concert. . Prizes given by Senator Paul Calvert and Harry Quick MHR

BICENTENIAL 1803-2003 THREE DAY HISTORICAL EXHIBIT. (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

Exhibits are mainly from private collections offering a window into Tasmania’s diverse history. A display of the work from each school will be on show during the DUAL HERITAGE EXHIBITION AT LIA POOTAH COMMUNITY ROOM as part of the Lia Pootah reconciliation.

THIRD EVENT 8 November 2003 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

On Saturday 8 November 2003 Lia Pootah, Manuta Tunapee Puggaluggalia Historical and Cultural Association, and the Sorell Historical Society are holding a CONFERENCE AND HISTORICAL EXHIBITION at the Lia Pootah Community Rooms and the Risdon Vale Community Centre. The conference will start at 9 am. We are asking historical societies to participate and are inviting speakers to present papers, and/or share presentations of historical memorabilia in the exhibition. The highlight will be a paper illustrated by live performances of the music of Bowen’s time, for which one instrumentt will be a ships piano of that period. This will be followed by an informal dinner at 6.30.

FOURTH EVENT 9 November 2003 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

On Sunday 9 November Lia Pootah and the Risdon Vale Community are co-hosting a “COLONIAL FARE DAY” starting at 11am. This event will have a colonial atmosphere to represent our dual heritage of the past and the multicultural communities of today. Groups and organisations will be asked to hold individual stalls to raise funds for their orgainisation or group. If you are an ethnic group, traditional costume will be welcome. Australians are asked to wear colonial dress. Exhibitions and amusements will be included.

We ask you to join us in acknowledging THE FIRST FRIENDLY CONTACT BICENTENARY EVENT in Tasmania’s history.

We are supported for these events by Senator Paul Calvert and Harry Quick MHR, Clarence Council Aldermen Doug Chipman and Richard James

If you would like to know more or join us in these events please contact

PH: Kaye on 03 62438606 or Sue 03 62436052

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