NEWS DESK
Pt Nepean hearth clue to historic cooking methods AN “exceptionally well preserved” Aboriginal hearth has been found at Point Nepean National Park. The presence of heat retaining stones in the hearth makes it very unusual, and the only one like it found in the Port Phillip region, experts say. Representatives of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Bunurong Land and Sea Association Traditional Owner groups, staff from Aboriginal Victoria and Parks Victoria, recently gathered to assess the site. Samples were taken for radiocarbon dating and significant fragments kept for analysis, which Bunurong Land Council general manager Dan Turnbull says will reveal more about the area’s rich cultural history. “The data from these samples will tell us about how our ancestors used this space, such as when they used this particular hearth, and the kinds of shell fish they cooked and ate on these heat stones,” he said. “Our people have been here for over 2000 generations and we are still here. We thank Parks Victoria and Aboriginal Victoria for helping us preserve this site for future generations.” The hearth was first noticed in an eroding sand dune late last year by a Parks Victoria ranger. Closer inspec-
tion revealed it to have a visible a layer of flat stones used as heat retainers for cooking. The origin of these stones will also be investigated to find out if they were brought in from elsewhere. Parks Victoria Aboriginal Heritage coordinator Barry Coombes said it was an exciting and rewarding project. “Working in partnership on this interesting project with the traditional owners, as well as staff from Aboriginal Victoria and Parks Victoria, is a very satisfying experience. “Some of the radiocarbon from other Aboriginal hearth sites in the region date back 6000 years. However, it is thought that this hearth may be more recent, given its closeness to the current shoreline.”
Drugs, weapons A MORNINGTON man has been charged with drugs and weapons offences. Sergeant Steve Duffee, of Mornington police, said police swooped on a house in Oakland St and found the man, 21, with a quantity of ice, $10,000 in cash and a sawn-off shotgun. He has been bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Making a play for the environment COSTUMES, make-up and props formed the basis of a colourful protest outside the Hastings office of Flinders MP Greg Hunt. The piece of street theatre organised by Environment Victoria and enacted by members of community groups in Mr Hunt’s electorate, revolved around what they claim is a missing piece of Liberal Party policy: a policy for the environment. A search of the Liberal party’s website reveals that “issue 14” of the party’s “plan” is a document titled Protecting our Environment, which lists its accomplishments as protecting the Great Barrier Reef; tackling climate change; supporting “on-ground”
environmental projects; protecting threatened species (and Australia’s heritage); and having a “one-stop shop” approach to assessing the effect of developments on the environment. On Sunday, former Liberal leader John Hewson told a rally in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Sydney electorate that the Coalition’s lack of action on climate change was a national disgrace. He said targets set by both major parties were inadequate and called for a bipartisan approach to protecting the environment and an end to “shortterm politicking” on the issue. Cat Nadal, a “safe climate campaigner” for Environment Victoria,
said “everyone involved” in the protest outside Mr Hunt’s office “came from either the Dunkley or Flinders electorates”. Ms Nadal lives in Melbourne. “We’ve met with both Mr Hunt and Chris Crewther [Liberal candidate for Dunkley] and are convinced that they’re convinced their environmental policies are adequate. But we don’t think they are,” Ms Nadal said. No one emerged from Mr Hunt’s office during the demonstration and the protesters delivered a “Missing – Liberal Party plan to stop global warming” poster to Mr Hunt’s staff. “Six way contest with only one winner” Page 9
Western Port News 28 June 2016
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