Traditional owner says Queen’s association was the reason behind stopping tree planting, not ACHA laws

The family of traditional owners whose concerns sparked the shut down of a tree-planting in Geraldton at the weekend say they were upset because the event was honouring the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, they insisted their objection had nothing to do with WA’s new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, as claimed by City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn. The event on Saturday was scheduled to plant trees at Wonthella Bushland Reserve as a belated honour of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. A traditional owner from the Ronan family arrived at the location and explained it was a sacred site for her family and was upset by the association to the late monarch. Mr Van Styn posted on social media about the “shut down”, attributing it to confusion over the ACHA, saying the City had checked the location online and was cleared to perform the works but halted the event in a bid to clarify. Donna Ronan, a cousin of the woman who spoke up at the event, said she was not concerned about the planting of the trees but rather what she believed was the renaming of the land to honour the Queen. Ms Ronan was on her way to the site, concerned about the renaming of the land in such close proximity to NAIDOC Week. In an interview with the ABC, Ms Ronan said: “Why are we actually acknowledging her when there are people who come from this area that should be recognised for it?” “That lady didn’t walk this country, she didn’t walk this land.” The elder explained the land held significance for her family as her great-great-grandfather owned a shared market garden at the site in the mid-1900s, and the non-Aboriginal co-owner had been recognised but her relative’s role had not. Donna Ronan said she was not even aware of the intentions of the new laws, which came into effect on July 1. Mr Van Styn said the City would not consider removing the association to the Queen if or when the event was rescheduled, as the trees and plaque were part of a Federally funded program to honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. A requirement of the funding is that a plaque be installed acknowledging the trees were planted to commemorate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said there was no provision under the Act to shut down an event like this and the legislation provided for practical exemptions. Mr Van Styn said the council was trying to set up a meeting with the Ronan family in a bid to resolve the issue.