Welcoming the UK Agent General to Rottnest Island
On 11 August, the Rottnest Foundation welcomed Rebecca Tomkinson, Agent General for Western Australia in the UK, Maria Rennie, Consul General for the UK in Western Australia and Commodore Mike Deeks CSC RAN (Rtd), to Rottnest Island for a tour of our Priority Projects.
Sandy Barblett, Rottnest Foundation Ambassador and London Chapter Chair, our Board Member, Simon Williams and our CEO Sally Hollis, represented the Foundation and delivered the tour in partnership with Jason Banks and Arvid Hogstrom of the Rottnest Island Authority.
The day began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on North Thomson beach provided by Elder and Traditional Owner, Michael Indich. It was a powerful opportunity to reflect on the island’s history and the significance of the reconciliation work being undertaken on Wadjemup.
This was followed by site inspections across several key project locations:
Bickley Military Heritage Precinct, including a walk to Bickley Battery, one of two naval gun emplacements installed on Wadjemup, and a viewing of the Detail Issue Depot (DID Shed), the proposed site for the Coast Defence Museum
Boodja Kaartdijin sites, which have been selected by an Aboriginal project reference group as culturally significant locations, each designed to share unique Noongar stories connected to place
The proposed site of the Wadjemup Conservation Centre and quokka rehabilitation and research facility
Rottnest Island Nursery, to see where all the seedlings are propagated for the Woodland and Coastal Restoration Project
A tour of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground and Quod, to learn about the progress already made and future plans for this significant site.
Every project, partnership and initiative we support reflects our drive to champion environmental stewardship, cultural understanding and the protection of the Island's heritage. Tours like this one are a vital part of that work, an opportunity to showcase the scope and significance of these projects, and to connect with those who share our vision for the Island's future.
Following the tour, Sandy Barblett and Sally Hollis were invited to attend the Defence Industry Lunch with Luke Pollard MP and The Hon Roger Cook MLA, Premier; Minister for Defence Industries; Tourism, Trade and Investment. The event was a great opportunity to network with members of the defence industry and meet potential supporters of the Bickley Military Defence Project.
To find out more about our projects and our vision for the Island’s future, see our Visionary Projects page.