History
Above: Sandy Point (Photo: Commonwealth of Australia, Geoscience Australia)
By Lance Hodgins
Saving Sandy Point
I
n February 2026 the federal government announced that it would sell off “excess” defence land and raise $3billion. HMAS Cerberus is one target. It sits on a large 1500 hectare site bought by the government in 1911. The land surrounds Hanns Inlet between Crib Point and Somers. 1200 hectares of it has remained unused for well over a century and, as a result, it supports a large area of pristine native vegetation and rare bird and plant species. Furthermore, the southern portion has a coastline of incredible beauty and a rich history. Nefarious past “The captain of the ship collects £1 from each of the Chinamen and, when they get into shallow water off Sandy Point, throws pushes or scares them overboard with a gun. A terrific shouting, yelling and screaming takes place. People rush about on the deck, some jump overboard, others are pushed. All are in water up to their necks as they wade ashore … As soon as possible the ship sails away and all is quiet again.” - Hunter Rogers
76 | PENINSULA essence September 2026
Above: A wood engraving showing Chinese being unloaded