Story by ABC’s Lauren Smith – 9 November 2024
WARNING: This story contains images of Aboriginal people who have died.
On an island off Western Australia’s coast sits a holiday haven which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.
To international tourists and local families chasing a slice of paradise, Rottnest Island promises pristine beaches and photo opportunities with native cuddly wildlife.
Tourists enjoy taking photos with quokkas native to Rottnest Island. (ABC Open contributor James Vodicka )
But what can’t be seen in the picturesque landscape is the island’s dark past.
A dark discovery
Between 1838 and 1931 the holiday destination, also known as Wadjemup, was used as a prison for almost 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys from across Western Australia.
At least 373 of those died on the island, making it the site of Australia’s largest number of deaths in custody.
Aboriginal prisoners on Rottnest Island in 1889. (Supplied: State Library of WA)
Skeletal remains were first found on Rottnest Island during a hotel development in the 1990s.
Curtin University Aboriginal studies lecturer Carol Dowling was a trainee reporter covering development on the island at the time, and remembers the discovery well.
Dr Carol Dowling has discovered some of her ancestors were held as prisoners on the island. (ABC News: Lauren Smith)
“We did see bones that was sticking out of that ground … that’s seared into my brain for all my life,” she said.
Dr Dowling has since discovered some of her ancestors were held as prisoners on the island.
Dr Dowling said acknowledging what had happened at the island was important. (ABC News: Benjamin Gubana)
She said acknowledging what had occurred at Rottnest Island was important.
“Our mob are very patient, but I think Australia relies on that too much,” she said.
Almost 400 Aboriginal men and boys died at Rottnest Island. (Supplied: State Library of WA)
“We’ve got to stop forgetting and start remembering. There are things to remember that may not be savory, but wouldn’t it be great to look back and say … we fixed that tapestry, that knowledge together.
“I am sure a lot of people who go to Rottnest really would like to know the truth, and to know that truth is being addressed.”
Truth-telling efforts
The state government four years ago launched the Wadjemup Project to help educate visitors about the island’s history.
It followed the closure in 2018 of hotel accommodation at the original prison, called the Quod.
The Quod was the Rottnest prison that was built by and housed Aboriginal prisoners. (720 ABC Perth: Emma Wynne)
Work to conserve the prison building has begun, with plans to create a museum of remembrance.
That work is still underway.
In the meantime, about 250 Aboriginal delegates have gathered for a week of cultural ceremonies to honour those who died on the island.
Among those in attendance at Saturday’s proceedings was WA Premier Roger Cook.
“On behalf of the people of WA I say … we are sorry,” he told the crowd.
Premier Roger Cook attended the cultural ceremony at Rottnest Island this weekend. (ABC News: Lauren Smith)
Whadjuk traditional owner Karen Jacobs described the event as “the biggest sorry business process” being undertaken in WA.
Ms Jacobs said such events were an important part of the truth-telling process.
Karen Jacobs said the latest cultural event was significant to the ongoing conversation about the island’s past. (ABC News: Lauren Smith)
“Now marks the next stage in this journey as to what do we as Aboriginal people want to have happen with the burial ground and the Quod,” she said.
“How do we want the truth telling to be told and educated to not only the Aboriginal community but also the general community of the state?”
The ceremony on Rottnest Island aimed to facilitate healing. (ABC News: Lauren Smith)
Kimberley elder Robert Watson agreed.
“This needs to be a place of education to understand that people were removed from their lands … and never returned. It was a one-way ticket,” he said.
