Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10

HEALTHY PEOPLEPROM’S RICH HISTORY UNCOVEREDAnyone who has visited Wilsons Promontory NationalPark will know the beauty of its rugged coastlines anddiverse flora and fauna. What is not as obvious is therich cultural heritage that also characterises the area.Exploring the park further reveals archaeological sitesthat include shell ‘middens’ and flaked stone artefacts.These represent an early history of Aboriginaloccupation dating back at least 6,500 years.increasing our understanding of this culturallandscape.Historic sites throughout the park also provideevidence of a fascinating European historythat includes sealing and whaling, coastal andgeological surveying, prospecting and mining,timber milling and pastoral runs.The February 2009 bushfire that affected half ofthe park led to more discoveries about this area’scultural heritage. Detailed surveys were undertakento assess the effects of the fire on both Aboriginaland European sites of significance.Traditional Owner groups worked with Parks Victoriato assess 45 known Aboriginal sites. During this time,they also identified 37 new Aboriginal places, someextending over large areas and estimated to comprisethousands of artefacts. Although previous recordsindicated that most of the Aboriginal archaeologicalsites are along the coast, new inland places werediscovered during these assessments, greatlyEighteen new historic sites representing theseactivities were discovered during the post-firesurvey. Discoveries made include confirmation ofan early attempt to settle on the north-westernregion of Wilsons Promontory. The location ofthe Seaforth settlement and township’s pub nearMount Singapore were confirmed.The first tangible evidence of one of Victoria’searliest tin mines established post-World War Iwas also found in the Mount Hunter region.The small settlement comprised roughweatherboard huts, a blacksmith forge, a storeand explosives magazine.32 Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10