The annual Myall Creek Memorial Gathering for those who died in the Myall Creek massacre of 1838 will be held at the memorial site at Myall Creek on Sunday 11 June.
The guest speaker this year will be Mark Tedeschi AM QC, Senior Crown Prosecutor in NSW and President of the Australian Association of Crown Prosecutors.
Mark has recently published a book, ‘Murder at Myall Creek’, exploring the legal significance of the two trials that followed the massacre. Mark considers the trials as ‘being prototypes of modern-day war crimes trials’. There was indeed a war being waged at the time; a war of extirpation and annihilation against the Aboriginal people on the periphery of colonial society. In 1838 most Europeans saw it as legitimate self-defence of white pastoral interests. Mark believes ‘this places a moral obligation on us to include the Myall Creek massacre as a centrepiece of our colonial history, particularly in schools.’
The program begins with morning tea from 9.30am at the Myall Creek hall. Prizes for the annual student art, writing and song competition will be announced and presented before proceeding to the memorial at 10.30 am for the ceremony, returning to the hall around midday.
Lunch will be available to buy at the hall, but orders should be placed before the ceremony. An RSVP would be appreciated.
During the day, a video made with funding from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage promoting plans for establishment of an educational and cultural centre at Myall Creek will be screened. Also, a commemorative calendar, funded by a Community Heritage and Icons Grant from the federal Department of the Environment, leading up to the 180th anniversary of the massacre in June 2018 will be launched.
