In recent months, Hobart, Tasmania’s capital, has become the epicenter of a heated discussion surrounding a controversial statue that has transformed into a symbol of historical strife. The statue of William Crowther, a notable surgeon and former premier, was vandalized last May, severed at the ankles and decorated with the graffiti, “what goes around.”
This act of defacement shed light on Crowther’s troubling past, particularly his alleged involvement in a gruesome incident over 150 years ago when he reportedly broke into a morgue to steal the skull of an Aboriginal leader, William Lanne. This desecration took place during a period when Tasmania was a focal point of colonial efforts aimed at eradicating Indigenous populations, with Lanne’s remains becoming a grotesque trophy for white medical professionals.
Views on Crowther’s legacy are sharply divided. Some argue that he is a significant figure in Tasmania’s history, a product of his time who made substantial contributions to the community. However, for Lanne’s descendants and many others, Crowther epitomizes the brutality and dehumanization faced by Aboriginal people, as well as the enduring myth of their extinction.
Aboriginal activist Nala Mansell voiced her frustration, stating, “You walk around the city anywhere and you’d never know Aborigines were here.” The vandalized statue has now become a symbol of a city wrestling with its challenging past.
Risdon Cove, referred to as piyura kitina by the Palawa Aboriginal people, encapsulates this historical tension. Although it marks the site of the first British settlement in Tasmania, it also signifies the onset of violence against Indigenous communities. Nunami Sculthorpe-Green, another Aboriginal advocate, labeled it “ground zero for invasion.” The arrival of British settlers marked the commencement of widespread violence against the original Tasmanians, an episode identified by some historians as a form of ethnic cleansing.
Lanne, who endured horrific conditions in colonial camps, fought for his people’s rights until his death at the age of 34. His remains were sought after by those hoping to validate discredited theories about Aboriginal people. Historian Cassandra Pybus highlighted that the theft of Aboriginal remains peaked as the population diminished. While Crowther denied any wrongdoing, he faced significant backlash and was momentarily suspended from his hospital position.
The Palawa people, with their heritage stemming from a small number of surviving ancestors, have long battled for recognition and visibility in both historical narratives and contemporary society. Many express their struggle against the prevailing narrative declaring their extinction, a myth rooted in outdated views of identity that has been used strategically to deny rights and suppress culture.
Nala shared that her education barely scratched the surface of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture and history, providing little more than stereotypes. Feeling a pressing need for awareness, Nunami initiated Black Led Tours to educate both locals and visitors, stressing the importance of acknowledging and honoring the rich history of Aboriginal people in Tasmania.
The calls for the statue’s removal were driven by deep frustrations over the persistence of colonial narratives in modern culture. Nala equated the statue with celebrating a notorious figure like Martin Bryant, the perpetrator of the Port Arthur massacre. On the other hand, defenders such as Jeff Briscoe contend that it represents an essential piece of heritage deserving preservation.
Hobart’s Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds, stated that the decision to remove the statue arose from a commitment to truth and reconciliation with the Aboriginal community. However, the statue’s eventual topple did not solely come from official actions but also from individuals taking matters into their own hands, reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with historical representations.
For Lanne’s descendants, the statue’s removal brings a bittersweet sense of relief. They feel it often eclipses the full life he led and his fight for Aboriginal rights. Nunami underscored the need for Lanne’s story to be honored as part of the “truth-telling” process that the nation has yet to fully undertake.
As discussions around colonial monuments spread across Australia, many believe it’s essential to confront the past honestly to forge a more equitable future. The recent events in Hobart underscore the urgent necessity for open dialogue regarding the impacts of colonization and a collective reckoning with Australia’s history.
