Dear Beagle Editor,
Have you copped the latest in the vandalism to Cook's (and other) statues? Joseph Louttit must be lying uneasy in his grave at the moment- given the work & commitment he & brother John afforded the job in getting the best of Moruya granite to Sydney for the monument
To my mind, Captain Cook simply made the rest of the world aware of a tribe of people who had for so long cared for this land and are now showing the rest of the world how to care for theirs.
Keep in mind, had it not been for Cook, this continent may have fallen into hands of of 'others' whose records have not been so kind toward the indigenous population of other countries - i,e., Spanish,Portuguese or French!
Have in mind also - in the 1830's, the tribes at Broulee saved the white settlers from starvation on several occasions, and on another occasion, were only too willing to risk their lives to save survivors of the Red Rover when wrecked on rocks at Mossy point.
Our local Aboriginals in early days,were always looking to have their kids educated and see them keep 'abreast of the times'.
To my way of thinking- this country, Australia, will never "reach maturity" till we construct a statue of Captain Cook -in the same vein as America's Statue of Liberty. The location - just off the coast of Moruya!
Why: "Those that need convincing of the truly great 'treasure' we have here- can climb as they do in Liberty, and view the coast of Australia thru the statue's eyes in great wonderment, as did Cook. - But you need another more important statue - "That of an Aboriginal"!
The scene in full detail: On the one hand we see a 'vision' of Cook- hand extended, as though introducing Australia to the world,and the other - an indigenous tribesman extending a welcoming hand.
Want a real tourist attraction? And above all - something that not only shows a way forward in this sometimes bitter debate - but "a way of healing many of our self -inflicted emotional wounds" - I can't think of a better one!
Perhaps our local Koories could (as they have done in the past) - show the rest of Australia - including our Govt.,how to solve this conflict. Get on with this - Sudmalis & Constance - time to forget your differences before this really becomes Trump's America! Name and address supplied
