The Queens Domain

 

1859: A new Government House was opened.

The land around the house was called Government Domain and owned by the crown but colonists treated the land as public land and often called it the People’s Paddock. It was the place to put abattoirs, to quarry, to agist animals, to grow food, to build and berth boats and to store munitions. Many of the buildings in Hobart were built from sandstone quarries on the Domain.

The Governor gave the Domain (except government House) to the people of Tasmania. The new Parliament of Tasmania’s declared the Queens Domain inalienable land (could not be bought and sold). It was a place for the people to enjoy.  It belonged to everyone and no-one. It was described as compensation for having to live in a penal colony.

An overpass across the Brooker at Cleary’s Gates would connect the back of beyond, our outback, our woop woop with the big smoke. Some think it has Buckleys but I dream, that in time on in the grand final, we find a safe way of crossing our ditch. It passes the café test.

You could say I’m dreaming but I watched the 1970 grand final. Anything is possible.