‘Remarkable’ day of sharing at inaugural Terra Populous, Poatina

It was also the name of an inaugural event at Poatina on January 27, that brought community members from different walks of life together to share stories. 

The name was also chosen as a counterpoint to Terra Nullius, meaning empty land - the label applied to Australia by the British at colonisation, and the fiction used to justify the invasion of Aboriginal people. 

Aboriginal elder Aunty Patsy Cameron, who spoke at Terra Populous, said that the name of the event captured its open spirit. 

“Terra Populous was a wonderful example of what we can do, if only we would think about a day that all of us can share,” she said. 

“It was just remarkable, a wonderful example of how it can be done, so that everyone feels that they are part of that celebration.

“It was a day where we felt comfortable participating all together.”

Ms Cameron shared the creation stories – what she calls the ‘coming into being’ stories – of the Aboriginal people of North-East Tasmania, where she lives.

She also led the group in creating ‘circles of memory’ from vine and flowers, which were then hung from a “beautiful old gum tree” in the centre of Poatina, believed to be over 300 years old. 

“Everyone made their circles of memory and hung them on the tree, it was just lovely,” she said.

“It’s like a Christmas wreath, and I call them circles of memory because to me, they honour our ancestors, and our deep history, and our rich cultural traditions.

“Everyone loves to participate in that ceremony.”

The event invited speakers from Poatina-area farmers, to recent immigrants from Afghanistan, to share their perspectives.

The aim was to bring different kinds of Australian stories into one place, from ancient, to European, to just arrived. 

It was developed to replace Poatina’s traditional Australia Day festivities, which was moved from January 26 out of respect to Aboriginal people. 

The storytelling was structured in five-minute sessions from each speaker.

There was also a gold-coin donation barbecue, Thomas the Tank Engine rides for the children and Tasmanian-themed face painting.

Aunty Judith-Rose and Aunty Nanette Shaw gave an artist talk at the Poatina Tree Gallery, about the kelp works currently displayed there.

Ms Cameron said people had travelled from the North-West Coast and elsewhere across the state to take part, and that she hopes Terra Populous becomes an annual event. 

“It was charged with such emotion, just an amazing day,” she said. 

“It’s that date that just places such a barrier,” she said, in reference to Australia Day being held on what is a day of mourning for Aboriginal people. 

“This was a day where we could celebrate being Australians together.”