For more than a century, the bronze statue of a former Tasmanian Premier has stood in the capital’s Franklin Square.
Now, Hobart City Council voted to see it removed.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this story contains references to a deceased person and content which may cause distress.
The eight-foot-tall statue of William Crowther was installed 1889, four years after his death. Last night, the council voted 7-4 for its removal.
Aboriginal Rights Campaign Coordinator at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, and palawa woman, Nala Mansell said it was a “great day for Tasmanian Aboriginal people and the state”.
“Tasmanian Aboriginal people have been fighting for the removal of the statue of William Crowther,” she said.
“The statue not only glorifies a man who was responsible for such racist and barbaric actions, but it also signifies to us just how hard we've had to fight here in Tasmania, to even be acknowledged as existing.”
In 1869, surgeon William Crowther decapitated and mutilated the body of Aboriginal man William Lanne. He then sent the stolen skull to the Royal College of Surgeons in London.
Less than a decade later he became Premier.
Ms Mansell said the violence was because of “his race”.
“He did this in an attempt to perpetuate the racist myth that Tasmanian Aborigines no longer existed in this state, a racist view that we've seen supported by the Tasmanian Government right up until the 1980s,” she said.
A statue of former Tasmanian premier William Crowther is seen at Franklin Square in Hobart. Source: AAP
Time to be 'bold and brave'
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the decision was a nod to the city’s want to “prioritise truth-telling”.
“Tonight’s vote says we believe as a council, and as a city, that it’s time to celebrate and acknowledge a more honest representation of our past. It’s the beginning of an important new chapter in our history,” she said.
The Chair of the council’s Community, Culture and Events Committee, Councillor Dr Zelinda Sherlock expressed her pride in the city.
“I’m very proud to be here tonight in this moment talking about it and it’s important to note that within our City of Hobart Vision that the community asks us to be bold and brave and this is one of those opportunities to listen and respond to our community,” said the Councilor.
“Sovereignty was never ceded, this was and always will be Aboriginal land.
“By removing the statue, we don’t take away history, if anything it encourages more open discussion about it.”
With Franklin Square soon to be sitting vacant, Ms Mansell hopes that it’s now time for recognition of her people.
“There are so many Tasmanian Aboriginal warriors who contributed so much to the Aboriginal society. But, we don't learn about their lives at school we learn about Ned Kelly, we learn about many colonial figures, but none of the lives of Aboriginal people in this state have been celebrated,” she said.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to, for the first time, acknowledge the contributions of our people to our society."
Ms Mansell hopes that the statue’s removal could trigger a chain reaction across the country.
“We’re so grateful to see Tasmania leading the way . . . the invasion and colonisation of Aboriginal lands right across the country have seen many statues and plaques around the country, glorifying such racist actions," she said.
“So we definitely support the removal of any of these types of racist, barbaric statues, and I reckon we'll see many other states follow suit now that this great decision has been made.”
Members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre standing beside Crowther's statue. Source: Twitter: Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
