<
https://theconversation.com/colonists-upended-aboriginal-farming-growing-grain-and-running-sheep-on-rich-yamfields-and-cattle-on-arid-grainlands-207118>
"
First Nations readers are advised this article contains references to
colonial violence against First Nations people.
In 1788 the First Fleet brought two bulls and four cows from the Cape of Good
Hope and put them on grass on Bennelong Point, where Sydney Opera House is now.
But there wasn’t much grass, and it wasn’t much good, so the cattle took off.
Seven years later they were found 65 kilometres southwest, on the Cowpastures
near Camden, a flourishing herd. By 1820 they were supporting an abattoir and a
couple of tanneries.
The cows had found land that was deliberately made for grazing animals –
kangaroos. In small patches and on extensive plains, Dharawal managers had
performed cool burns to promote rich grass near water. When the cattle found
this grass, they stayed.
It was the start of dispossession. Grazing animals trod on or ate the staple
tubers such as murnong, on which local groups relied. These grew in rich beds,
but were easily trampled. As colonists moved inland, they took Aboriginal land
used for growing grain and ran sheep or cattle on it.
The effects of this upheaval are still with us today."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
