Living Legacies

MYTHS OF MUTINY AND THE BOUNTY ABOUND in the popular history of Norfolk Island, but the reality is just as colourful - and so is the modern-day celebration of the Island’s past, present and future found each year on Bounty Day.

Most of us are familiar with the story, though often through a Hollywood lens, of how Fletcher Christian and some of the disgruntled crew of HMS Bounty, tired of the anger and intolerance of the ship’s captain, William Bligh, rose up and set the good captain and his supporters adrift in an open boat. And for many that is where the story ends; in fact it was just the beginning of several stories, stories of how Bligh made it back to England after an arduous open-boat voyage, about how he set in motion a manhunt that would see many of the wayward crew captured and some hanged, and of how a hardy few managed to evade the Royal Navy and go on to establish communities that continue to flourish to this day.

Norfolk Island’s Bounty Day is the Island’s way of acknowledging those stories and of recognising its roots. Held each year on 8 June, it is also known as Foundation or Anniversary Day, which are perhaps more accurate names as HMS Bounty never saw Norfolk Island, having been burned on Pitcairn Island in 1790; commemoration of that event is marked on Pitcairn, also as Bounty Day, every 23 January.

Both celebrations are more about the communities and cultures that grew from the mutiny than the ship itself however. On Norfolk Island, Bounty Day is a chance for everyone to get together, catchup, dress up - and have a bit of a party.

“It is a day to come together to celebrate the arrival of our ancestors from our other tiny homeland Pitcairn Island,” says Karenne Gatehouse (nee Quintal), who is a fifth generation descendant and counts the occasion as her favourite day in the calendar. “As tiny as Norfolk Island is, often you can go for weeks without seeing anyone – so there is much happiness and laughter and catching up.

“Often Norfolk Islanders living away come home especially for Bounty Day, and it is a chance to be grateful for such a wonderful heritage and have pride in the 167 years of ensuring our Island and waters are cared for so that future generations of Islanders can live here, and do so with the same pride. But it is also a time for humility and to never forget our origins from callous mutiny 234 years ago, the violence and death of the mutineers in the first few years and the transition to the peaceful and loving community our surviving Polynesian foremothers created.”

THE CELEBRATION OF BOUNTY DAY has now in fact become Bounty Week, with a ball held on the Saturday before 8 June and church services themed on local history held over this weekend. The big day itself is a public holiday and festivities begin with Islanders, dressed as their ancestors would have been coming from 1856 Pitcairn Island, assembling at the original landing point of the Kingston Pier for a re-enactment of the arrival, followed by a procession past the Island’s Cenotaph with a stop to remember the fallen, then on to the cemetery to offer thanks for their homeland and the memory of those departed. Morning tea and community announcements follow, together with the friendly rivalry of an award for the best presented of the eight family groups and the best beard competition - after all, the journey by boat in 1856 had taken five weeks, so beards were de rigueur! Then there is a walk across to the ruins of the old British jail where a community picnic is held on the grass.

“Most families take traditional foods of pork, chicken, fish, salads, fruit, pies, puddings and cakes,” says Karenne, “and a welcoming speech is given by our President of the Council of Elders, then Grace is sung and feasting begins.

During the afternoon there are Island dance displays and family groups enjoy ukulele and singing. Cricket is also played on the adjacent cricket ground, the children have a wonderful time playing - and the adults manage a doze or simply lay back and chat!”

Visitors to the island are welcome to join in. While the morning tea is for descendants only, non-Islanders can attend the Ball (entry is free) and dance the evening away and you can follow the procession and join the singing, mingle and chat and enjoy the displays of Island dance; local tour companies and some hotels provide food and picnic facilities – so book in early! - it is a fantastic glimpse into a wonderful community with a fantastic atmosphere.

“Bounty Day when I was a child was the best day of the year, better even than birthdays and Christmas!” says Karenne. “Occasionally over the years I have heard children exclaim that they love Bounty Day the best and this is so heartwarming. I still love it - as much for the gathering of people as for the historic aspect. For me it is a carefree, happy day, with lots of food, lots of talking, laughing and thankfulness. The highlight for me - evolve as it may - is that the real ‘Bounty” of Anniversary Day is that it continues to be celebrated and the significance of the day has not been overlooked or diluted over the years.”

And that is something we can all celebrate.