Non indigenous relationships

1. Non indigenous relationships

2. Early Explorers • Perceptions: fascinated by the new environments that they saw. Saw Australia as a place of magnificent coastlines, vast landscapes, unusual vegetation's and exotic animals. Acknowledged that they animals were like none they had ever seen. They saw it as a dream come true – scientist and explorers • Interactions (land Uses): would go out and draw animals and plants. They would travel long distances and record what they would find. Often parties contained a variety of professionals. They would then send this information back to England to mixed reviews. • Relationships: used the land to find out more about this unique environment, may have had impacts dependant of party size and transportation, didn’t settle in areas.

3. Early Settlers Perceptions: • Saw the environment as harsh, hostile and wild, but to do this they needed to tame the land, Saw the land as a means to survive and make ends meet, wanted to change it to be like Europe

4. Farming: crowded paddocks with livestock. Hard hoofed animals compacted the soil and had damaging effect on water sources. Sheep grazed the land aggressively (ate entire plants – leaving little chance for regermination). Deep-rooted perennial grasses disappeared. Shallow rooted grasses replaced these and resulted in topsoil erosion. • Introduced species: introduced sheep, cattle, goats and pigs for farming; rabbits, dogs and foxes for hunting; horses for work and songbirds for profit and pleasure. They also introduced a large number of plants to make the environment look like home. • Sealing and whaling: began in 1788 for international trade and use of blubber. This was as an unsustainable industry due to no management. Almost wiped out entire colonies along the south coast of Victoria (including Wilson’s Prom)

5. Relationship • Had very little understanding of aboriginal land management strategies • Large areas were cleared for permanent settlements • Settlements were built close to water sources (IMPACTED) • Indigenous people were forced to leave or work as servants • Based a lack of understanding of the unique environment – rather than total misuse. They could not see the impacts that they were making • Based around agricultural yield;

6. Increased Population • Environment seen as providing an opportunity to gain wealth fast by using the resources that it provided. Commodities were targeted with little regard for the impacts on the environment, the environment was very much a resource to be used and exploited for profit.

7. Interactions: • Gold Rush sites in Gippsland • Wahalla, Foster etc. • Large population increases, towns built around settlements (what impacts?) and infrastructure, food and services were in greater demand • Rail links were established (impacts?) • Gold mining: land cleared, excavation, roads and shafts, towns (impacts) • Land clearing for farming, housing, crops, mining with no restrictions • Timber was in huge demand • Irrigation channels were made – further extension of farming • As time past adapted to suit Australian environment and became Australian rather than colonists • Change is uses by artists (discuss) inspiration was evident in works and depicted the environment as it was

8. Increased population • Relationships: • To make money • Impacts of interactions

9. Industrialisation Perceptions: • The environment could be used to feed, house, employ and provide energy for the growing population • That the environment was a resource • That the environment needed to be protected • Beginning of the view that the environment was a place for recreation

10. Interactions • State Coal mine – provision of jobs and energy • Bushwalking club of Vic • Start of the coastal relationship that we have now • First National parks • Industry – boomed after the first world war • Beginning of Australia as a nation – change in perceptions

11. Relationship • Economic value • Beginning of a mixed relationship • Resource • Based on export and imports • Development • Beginning of conservation • Worth-ship

12. Nation Building • The environment was perceived in terms of constructing a national identity • Resource and appreciation – mixed perception. There was a mixed perception of the land, that it needs to be protected and managed by our government. But that we also have to use the environment as a resource. • Start of our perception of the environment as a place for recreation – Skiing an example to use • Beginning with developing a strong appreciation of the natural environment – family holidays etc.

13. Interactions • SRHS • Major Roads • Irrigation Pathways • Solider settlements • Man made dams – Glenmaggie

14. Relationship • Building national identity • Mixed relationship • Recreation and appreciation • signs of development were becoming obvious. People realised that they had to make changes to the way that they used natural resources. • Public awareness grew by the 1950’s due to the awareness of the need to protect our natural resources. A gradual changed occurred during this time frame. Whilst old land management strategies are still used there is an increasing awareness of the value of the environment. • We have begun to appreciate and celebrate our uniqueness, diversity and character of the environment. Many Australians see themselves as conservers or protectors of the natural environment, there are also Australian’s that see the environment as a resource for short-term gain or who believe that development is necessary.