JOHN KELLY ‘FINDING HIS MARBLES’

The July 14 edition of the Mercury Newspaper carried a story by Sue Bailey about an archaeological dig on land next to Hobart’s historic Hope and Anchor Hotel being stopped after the discovery of Aboriginal middens.

Owner, licensee, and councillor John Kelly (SVC 1969-77) said the site was one of the most significant in Australia.

To quote from the article:

“We’re in the process of gaining all the necessary approvals now that it’s bound to have more sensitive and important artefacts and findings on the site,” he said.

“We had no real concept of what was there.

“We’ve been sort of unveiling this treasure trove of artefacts and, more importantly, potential Aboriginal historical things as well.

“Not only is the site significant as one of Australia’s first European settlements but it is of major importance to the Muwinina people of the South East Nation.

“The hotel and excavation site are where the fresh water of the Hobart Rivulet meets the salt water of the Derwent Estuary and was a place of cultural significance and gathering for the First Nations people.”

The Hope and Anchor, Mr. Kelly says, is Australia’s oldest continuously licensed venue, opening its doors 217 years ago in 1807, just three years after Hobart’s European settlement.

“This is just the start of a major project and who knows what treasures from the past will be revealed,” he said.

“I am honoured and excited at the same time to be part of the unearthing of this sacred ground. It’s almost like being on the set of an Indiana Jones movie.”